Flooring Tile - Marble Hearth
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03-08-01, 09:41 PM
We are going to lay dark green 12"x12" marble tiles for a hearth. We want as little or no separation between tiles if possible for a seamless appearance. Some information says to lay using thinset while other information is that these tiles must be set with epoxy. What is the right answer, what type of epoxy, and does not having a grout line affect this decision? Another problem is the front edge of the tiles needs a finish which it does not already have. I have already tested a sample with fine grit sandpaper to remove the cut lines and it works well but the tile does not have the shine. When wet with water it looks like the top but when it dries it is dull. What should we use to finish the edges?
03-09-01, 05:12 AM
Hi Ted,
I always use epoxy on green and black marbles. I had an engineer (Dale explained it to me John) tell me the reason why certain marbles react the way they do when set with any compound containing water and it is very involved. As for the edges you can wet sand them with aluminum oxide sand paper (the stuff they use on automobiles) you should start at about 120 grit and work your way up to 600 grit in small increments. This will not give you the shine that is on the surface but, it will shine it up enough to look nice. (If you can find it go up to 1000 grit) Also you need to have a grout joint (no way around it) of about 1/32" to 1/16" or the size of the tip of a toothpick. Keep in mind that setting any marble is really a job for a pro and setting marble with epoxy really should be done by a pro.
Good Luck,
Rich Gately (Tileman1)
http://www.gatelytile.com
I always use epoxy on green and black marbles. I had an engineer (Dale explained it to me John) tell me the reason why certain marbles react the way they do when set with any compound containing water and it is very involved. As for the edges you can wet sand them with aluminum oxide sand paper (the stuff they use on automobiles) you should start at about 120 grit and work your way up to 600 grit in small increments. This will not give you the shine that is on the surface but, it will shine it up enough to look nice. (If you can find it go up to 1000 grit) Also you need to have a grout joint (no way around it) of about 1/32" to 1/16" or the size of the tip of a toothpick. Keep in mind that setting any marble is really a job for a pro and setting marble with epoxy really should be done by a pro.
Good Luck,
Rich Gately (Tileman1)
http://www.gatelytile.com
03-09-01, 09:25 PM
tedh
tileman1 is right...if you install green marble with anything but epoxy..it will warp and twist. You can get the shine on the edge of the marble by applying some floor wax after you sand...it works pretty good.
tileman1 is right...if you install green marble with anything but epoxy..it will warp and twist. You can get the shine on the edge of the marble by applying some floor wax after you sand...it works pretty good.
03-11-01, 04:02 AM
Hi adanac,
I have seen a few posts of yours, and you seem reasonably knowledgable about the trade . Why don't you shoot me an e-mail I'm always interested in making new contacts in the tile and marble trade.
tilesetter@hotmail.com is my email address or you can go to my site and email me from there.
Keep in touch,
Rich Gately (Tileman1)
http://www.gatelytile.com
I have seen a few posts of yours, and you seem reasonably knowledgable about the trade . Why don't you shoot me an e-mail I'm always interested in making new contacts in the tile and marble trade.
tilesetter@hotmail.com is my email address or you can go to my site and email me from there.
Keep in touch,
Rich Gately (Tileman1)
http://www.gatelytile.com
03-13-01, 09:24 PM
Hey guys... wow that sounds like a huge project to do. Especially, if you're not a pro. I know a couple of builders who bought marble tops 72" x 20" for about $200.00 and used those for a hearth and mantle. They bought them from the same place I bought chairs. http://www.thebellacollection.com
hope that works.
hope that works.