DIY Network

Slate Floor: Setting Field Tile From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-108

Onward we go! It's now time for the guys to set the field tile.

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	The once casual entryway...
	is now "VA-VA-VOOM!"...
	with a new, beautiful slate floor.
	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Materials:

Stone hammer
Chisel
1/2 in. heavy duty drill (with a 4 in. mixing paddle)
4 in. diamond blade grinder
Wet tile saw
3/8 in. notched trowel
Small trowel
Margin trowel
Rubber float
1/8 in. tile spacers
Clean sponges
Clean white rags
Buckets (several)
Square
Chalk lines (with red and blue chalk)
Measuring tape
Pencil
Crayon
Safety glasses
Knee pads
Thin set
Quick setting thin set (optional)
Penetrating sealer
Grey grout
Tile

Setting Field Tile

1. Mix your thinset with a heavy duty drill and following the manufacturer’s instructions. Mix the thinset to a paste-like consistency and don’t forget to wear a mask (figure A).

2. Set the four tile template first (figure B). Spread the thinset on the floor with the smooth end of the 3/8 inch notched trowel. Once you have a smooth coat within the four template area, notch the thinset with the notched end of the trowel. Take your first tile, put a skim coat of thinset on the back of the tile and lay the first tile. The skim coat on the back of the slate tile ensures that the tiles evenly match up – because this is a natural material tiles often vary slightly in width – extra thinset creates a cushion that can be adjusted to level the tiles.

3. Use the small trowel to score the thinset around the edge of the set tile. This "cutting back" prevents thin set from oozing up between the joints. Set the next tile, and space it out with the tile spacers. Repeat this process until the four tile template is set, making sure that each tile is within the original grid traced onto the floor. This is the starting point of the project – it should be done correctly – so take your time!

4. At this point, you already have the four tiles selected for your template, but before you set all of your tiles, spread out all of your tile material. Slate is a natural product – no two stones are alike. Spreading out the tile before you set it ensures that you’re evenly incorporating the product’s range of colors (figure C).

5. Continue setting tile, working out from the center of the room. Keep in line with the grid that you snapped on the floor and use the spacers between each tile to ensure that the tile runs straight throughout the room. If you get thinset on the face of your stone, during the setting process, wipe it off with a damp sponge (figure D). Removing thinset now saves you time and effort later!

6. As you get to cuts around the border, mark them with your square and pencil and cut them. You can also mark your cuts with a crayon – a crayon mark won’t wash off during cutting (figure E).

7. To cut the tile, rent a wet tile saw from your local tool rental company. The precision of the tool saw is very helpful with this natural product. Because the tile is cut on a diagonal, brace the tile as you run it through the wet saw with the angled edge of the square to ensure a straight cut. Gently push the tile through the blade, letting the saw do the work for you (figure F).

Safety Alert: Don’t forget to wear your safety glasses!

8. Finish the field tile – the tiled area within the border – and let it set overnight.

RESOURCES :

Capitol Tile & Marble Company
9525 Berger Rd.
Suite K
Columbia, MD 21046
Main: 800-851-5675
Fax: 301-854-6247

Stone & Pewter Accents
3555 Lomita Blvd.
Units H & J
Torrance, CA 90505
310-257-1300
Website: www.stonepewteraccents.com

GUESTS :

Tom Nigro, President
Capitol Tile & Marble

Marlon Roberts, President
Kemar Creations Tiling, Inc.
13308 Trum Peter Swan Ct.
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Office: 301-218-4772
Fax: 301-218-6626
E-mail: kemarcreations@yahoo.com