Going to lay a bathroom floor with the 12″ black with white veins marble tile like what one might commonly find at a bigbox.
I’ve never laid marble before and was wondering if there was anything extra to watch out for.
Is it 1/4inch notch for the thinset and what size grout lines might be recommended?
Thanks.
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Replies
A 1/4" notch trowel is a good start, but it really depends on how much variation there might be in the floor. You can always back butter the tile if the floor is too wavy and irregular. The grout line is a matter of personal preference, but you would want to keep it small with the marble. It looks better that way.
Marble requires a maximum deflection of L/720 rather than the usual L/360 for ceramic. So make sure your floor is properly supported. Small grout lines look best. Use unsanded grout.
A flat floor is best. Due to the high polish on marble any variation in flatness will show up as a discontinuity in the reflection at the joints. This is strictly aesthetic but in my opinion is the difference between amateur and professional work.
Your right about the grout lines needing to be small..I use cut up credit cards for spacers when laying natural stone.
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2x8 joists spanning 8 ft at 16"on center with 3/4" plywood subfloor, another 1/2" plywood atop that, glued and screwed.
Does that sound a bit too light?
Thanks
damn, am I fat!
Laid bigbox marble in kitchen ~ 150 sq ft. Be certain to use thin set for marble (white, not grey). Bit more expensive but won't bleed thru.Agree also with the unsanded, thin grout line. Used 1/16 in (about)Floor was 5/8" over 2 x 10 on 16" centres. Added 3/4" plywood, joints staggered. Used construction adhesive and flooring screws to hold down.
Longer screws into joists.Be certain to seal floor (marble & grout) b4 traffic.So far (bit less than 1 year) all is ok.Best wishes on your project. Marble has a look that I just could not find with tiles.
You're good to go. I assume you will use CBU or Ditra over the plywood as well. They do not add any strength but one is required to assure good adhesion of the tiles.
The 720 instead 0f 360 scared me away from marble in that I'm not sure of the deflection strength of the floor.
I was fiddling with placing an antiquie door on the bath and had to add my own jambs etc. lada lada.
I had the door open, adjusting, and found that the top of the door would stick open when it just brushed on a overly rough surface of an aged ceiling joist similar to something light like the texture of a wood shaving keeping it open, in that it had a tendency to want to swing back inwards towards the closed position.
Then when I stepped near the hinge side of the door it would release from it's position and begin it's gradual swing towards close.
I'd hate to place the tile only to see it crack so back to the drawing board. Thanks.
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damn, am I fat!
rez--The only time I have worked with marble was for a fireplace surround. But -- the supplier told me to use an epoxy they sold for adhering the stuff, rather than regular thin set, which he said would bleed through the marble. Maybe the white thin set would be fine (recommended a few posts back), but I think you may want to check it out further.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
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White thinset is fine. White marble, black, puprle. Won't harm or bleed through.
On that bouncy floor, no way.__________________________
Judo Chop!
i ran your floor info on the deflecto on john bridge's site.....
2x8 joints
16 inches on center
8 foot span
And if that is true you have a deflecto of L 818 wich is fine for stone or tile...
just use backerboard thinsetted and nailed or screwed down, special white thinset for marble and i would reccomend 1/16 inche spacing.
Also I am a tile contractor, and for those who are thinking about marble for an entryway, marble is NOT a good idea, it is a soft stone and unlike granite gets scratched and marred easily. Probably not a good idea for high traffic areas like kitchen/ entryway. Ok for baths just don't let it get wet and stay wet as that can etch the finish.
Thanks
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damn, am I fat!
Rez, I didn't read the whole thread so it might have already been mentioned, but thinset and grouts can bleed through or stain certain marbles. It's prudent to seal the marble tiles first (twice) and use a white thinset.
custombuilt,
May I respectfully disagree a tiny bit with your statement regarding use of marble at an entryway?
I understand your concern regarding wear etc. however I am reminded of a home I visited in Italy with marble on the entryway and stairs. It clearly showed signs of wear I'd guess the steps were a good 3/4 of an inch dished.
However the house was built in 1560 and those stairs gave it a lovely patenia that simply screamed old world and elegant..
Now granted Those stairs were solid marble and the thinner veneer we install today would need replacng much sooner, based on the wear I'd say within two hundred years you'd need to seriously look at replacing the marble..;-)
I suppose it really depends on if you want a house to appear all crisp and new or gently aged like a fine old leather sofa..
You need a blade for natural stone for your wet saw. Plus the grout has to be for natural stone as well so It doesnt bleed through.
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Thanks all.
Maybe I'll stick to ceramic then.
damn, am I fat!
Maybe I'll stick to ceramic then.
I've seen some astonishing stuff in marble. If you end up doing it in marble, keep us updated on it. I'm tempted to do something like that in my entryway.
[edit] I think the push for me will be if I happen across one of those pre-made mosaics on clearance somewhere. Assuming of course that marble isn't a b1tch to install.
jt8
"When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." -- Alexander Graham Bell
Edited 12/15/2006 4:53 pm by JohnT8
Well, you know me so it's not like I just decided marble one day and went out to buy some.
I was garage sailing down south years ago and came across 4 styrofoam cases of 10 tile each which they sold for a song. Might have had a tap dance thrown in.
'Course after I bought them they went to storage till now since there's enough to do the downstairs bath.
The old house has started to turn into a ball and chain so idealism has taken a backseat to git'erdun.
Sure I'd like to do a mosiac but time...time...time.
Too many projects. Drywall's good enough.
seeyou invent enough is enough
damn, am I fat!