Adcive for laying slate floor tiles

[bcurtis]

Hello,

Iive bought slate floor tiles and was just wondering how easy they are to lay??

When i was in topps tiles buying grout for my wall tiles i was quizzing the bloke about laying slate tiles. He was telling me not to bother as they are a nightmare to cut, my toilet and sink won't sit level and you've to treat them before you lay them, then after i've layed them then i have to seal them.

Can anybody tell me if what i've been told is right and since i'm a novice whether i'd be better laying normal tiles or even vinyl???

Cheers

 

[uug197h]

stick to look a likes slate is a pig at the best of times

 

[enduro]

Depends on the grade of slate, is it all the same thickness, you can seal it before laying if you want to being a novice, you can sort it out so where the sink and toilet sit you use the best bits. Is it going onto a wooden floor?

 

[kilty55]

slate effect tiles would be a good option

 

[bcurtis]

It's going down onto my old tile floor which is so stuck down i can't remove it!! I don't know the grade, but they weren't expenisve so probably not the best quality, but they are all labelled between 10-12mm thick.

If slate is such a pain to cut and lay i'd prob be better off laying normal tiles or even good vinyl.

 

[dingo]

It's going down onto my old tile floor which is so stuck down i can't remove it!! I don't know the grade, but they weren't expenisve so probably not the best quality, but they are all labelled between 10-12mm thick.

If slate is such a pain to cut and lay i'd prob be better off laying normal tiles or even good vinyl.

as others have said, there are some great slate effect ceramics out there, slate is best left to a pro unless your a very confident amature

 

[oldgit]

i have black brazillian slate throughout the whole down stairs of my house and they look great,they need a top up of impregnator or sealer as they are looking a little flat.
they are good for thickness and size and dont flake at all.
most of the stuff ive seen in topps is crappy chinese slate.
having said all that and price is not a massive issue then forget ceramics COLORKER do some amazing porcelain slate effect stuff the best ive ever seen,if it had been out when i bought my slate i would without doubt gone for the COLORKER slate effect,the repeater is around 15mts i believe.
ive not laid them but there stuff is normally top quality for size and bowing,some of these tiles are are about 900mm x 450mm.

 

[rhyd4]

go with the slate.. 1st sort the slate into stages thicker to thin, lay the thicker ones 1st and then lay the thiner ones last increesing your trowl size as you go or just increase the adhesive amount, whichever to get a good level floor.
use a single part flexible adhesive.
seal with a good sealer and grout, wash the slate off quick as they tend to suck the moistue of the grout faster than ceramic, then seal again to finnish.
before the last seal look for toe stubbers if present and chisel the bit off, you will never get a bowling green but thats the whole effect
wet cutter only aswell

good luck and post some pics

 

[theyomper]

If Its the slate that I am thinking of from topps, I would steer clear of them. They do vary alot in thickness and unless you are competent in laying slate you will have trouble with them. If you really want slate then look for one that is graded or as said previously look for an slate effect tile.

 

[sranners]

if you go for slate then get a good wet cutter or hire one, you will need it.

good advice here.

 

[Dave Ramsden]

Slate flies down but only if you know what you are doing... The prep has to be perfect! Even if this is the case you will still find yourself packing up here and there. I personally never find the time to seal/treat slate before fitting and this always creates more of an effort when giving a final clean.
Everyone works with their own methods really.

General rule of thumb is,
- Flexi addy
- Back skim each tile before laying
- Keep EVERYTHING as clean as possible at all times
- Try to keep foot traffic after setting to a minimum
- I cut everything outside with just an angle grinder
- Apply sealers with a foam roller and used clean dry rags to finish off
- Always make sure everything is dry before applying any sealers


Hope this helps a bit...

 

[James Spelrem]

use gauged slate as simple as setting normal tile, on concrete ? or wood? I really like stone tech enhancer pro takes time to dry tough stuff. wash well 1 coat to seal tile grought let cure finish coat ungauged slate is a art to lay but I love the jagged face I know you hate this one Dan but use lash clips on ungauged it pulls the face up flush just use a half inch trowel

 

[doug boardley]

use gauged slate as simple as setting normal tile, on concrete ? or wood? I really like stone tech enhancer pro takes time to dry tough stuff. wash well 1 coat to seal tile grought let cure finish coat ungauged slate is a art to lay but I love the jagged face I know you hate this one Dan but use lash clips on ungauged it pulls the face up flush just use a half inch trowel

do you get many breakages James, after it's been subject to foot traffic?

 

[James Spelrem]

no you still have to ensure there is enough motar is under the tile lash is not the solution to all problems but what it is ment for is a wonderful aid.

 

[windy]

hi did my own slate floor some weeks back,400/400 it was indian slate it said it was calibrated but i still found them to vary.so i sorted them out laid the thickist in centre and worked out.I used a flexible floor adhesive and flexible dark grey grout.I must say you have to work very cleanly.But it looks fantastic thats not me saying that people who have seen it say.Got some advice on sealing them from the chaps on here i ended up using lithiolin slate impregnater and it works a treat.ps i would remove any obsticles in the way to make it easier