I had a potential customer call wanting a bathroom done.
He wants slate installed in the shower including the floor and walls. This seems like a problem, isn’t slate porous? Can it be sealed to make it waterproof?
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Thanks
John
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Replies
1. ALL stone is porous. Some more than others. This is why shower pans are required.
2. A cleft slate surface chips/ wears with use. Less in showers where it is only exposed to bare feet and no freeze-thaw intervals.
3. A cleft surface, regardless of type of stone will trap soap scum, and minerals naturally found in the water. This should be considered in stone tile orientation and type of finish selection.
We have done slate showers and tub surrounds with great success. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
F
slate's fine ...
just hell on the cleaning lady.
I seal the tiles with a garden sprayer before setting(garage floor/driveway/where ever I can spread them out) ... then seal the whole thing afterwards ... grout and all.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Be certain to charge enough, I find that it takes at least twice as long to grout even #1 gauged slate.
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
- Fyodor Dostoyevski
Thanks to all for your help!!
We put slate in our site-built shower stall. It looks very nice. Let me know if you want a photo. Put in a "better bench" and topped it with a red slate slab. Also installed a shampoo nook using a pre-formed plastic box with built-in slope to drain off water. http://www.artistictile.net/store/betterbench.html
Yes, the grouting is a bear, getting it out of all the clefts. Consider using tumbled slate for the floor, it's smooth around the edges and therefore easier on the feet. On the plus side is the fact that slate is very easy to cut. Contact Sheldon Slate in Middle Granville NY re: tumbled slate. If interested, they will sandblast a pattern on some accent tiles. They have lots of patterns to choose from and will custom make one for you if you like. We also used it on the bathroom counter tops. www.sheldonslate.com
Another consideration is the pan. We did our own mud pan but will use a bonsal pre-made pan on the next one.
good luck
Johnny
Slate can be tricky in the shower. There are different types. Indian, CHinese, Vermont, Italian....the list goes on. Some tend to be very soft, practically disintegrating in water. The key is to test them to make sure they're somewhat stable. seal before you install, the sealer will act as a grout release which makes cleanup easier. Also when grouting it is highly recommended you use a grout bag, similar to a cake decorators icing bag. Trust me on this, it really sux to crawl around on your knees and clean up every single joint. This is even WITH sealing first. It will take at least twice as long to grout using this method. Check out this Tile Forum. I have learned a great deal there. I hope this doesn't violate any Taunton Forum Rules.
http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/index.php?
Lots of helpful folks there. Just as helpful here, but theyre tile experts.
Good Luck!