Flooring Tile - Indian Slate

Im doing my Bathroom floor and around my stand-up shower in slate and was wondering i would like to try and go with no grout joints i dont know if this is possible or not because of the water sealing aspect somebody let me know if it is possible, and if i cant and i gotta go with a grout joint im gonna go with a 1/16 or 1/8'' joint, do i use sanded or non sanded grout, or is there something else to use better suited for this situation.

thanks in advance guys

If you don't use grout just think of all the little fungi and critters you can grow in your floor, then you could get your bathroom listed on the Centers for Disease Control, Do Not Trespass List.

Use unsanded grout and live a life of hygiene.;)

I doubt your gonna be happy trying to "kiss" slate tiles together, they are usually too inconsistant.:wall:

That kind of material is usually spaced about 3/8" to maintain somewhat straight lines. Sometimes 1/4" will do? If so you have to use sanded grout, which looks better anyway.

If this is the kind of slate I've seen at my local big box stores, be careful where you use it. Much of it is junk. The Indian slate I've seen should have been left in the ground another few million years, just too soft.:thumbdn:

Jaz

If this is the kind of slate I've seen at my local big box stores, be careful where you use it. Much of it is junk. The Indian slate I've seen should have been left in the ground another few million years, just too soft.:thumbdn:

Jaz

I'll second this warning. Using Indian slate in a wet enviroment is just asking for trouble. Take a wet white cloth and wipe the top of the tile. Odds are some color will come off. The tile will need to be sealed very often to keep this from happening after every shower. I'd do some research on indian slate in bathrooms before you start in laying tiles.

Im doing my Bathroom floor and around my stand-up shower in slate and was wondering i would like to try and go with no grout joints i dont know if this is possible or not because of the water sealing aspect somebody let me know if it is possible, and if i cant and i gotta go with a grout joint im gonna go with a 1/16 or 1/8'' joint, do i use sanded or non sanded grout, or is there something else to use better suited for this situation.

thanks in advance guys

I have installed a lot of slate it can be a very beautiful floor especially the multi color slate.
From my experience most slate is not soft, it is fairly hard.
Although some can peel off the shaly layers as it is naturally compose of layers
You must use grout and seal it with a penetrating sealer (this will keep the natural look) or use a stone enhancer which will bring out the color as well as protect the floor
Some slate is uneven some as off as 1/4 on one end to 5/8 on the other .
If this is your slate you need to marble set it in a bed of mortar.
If it is flat and does not vary in thickness of course it can be set with thin set cement just as you do with tile

A. J. Ventura