Any tile installers around???

**wanderinggrandma** · 11-09-2009, 08:28 PM

We live in a 120 year old house. Thought we had done it all but now we are making updates I want, not things that have to be done.

I am installing a slate hearth and I don't want to use grout. Just butt the slate up against each other. Can I do this without causing me grief later on? A pellet stove will sit on this.

(Plywood down, backerboard down and I got cold feet. Home Depot and Lowes were no help--they couldn't get over the fact I didn't want grout.)

So anyone have any enlightenment for me?

Thanks in advance,

Robin

**Russ** · 11-09-2009, 08:42 PM

Hmm...tough one.
Two things I see as potential problems.
1. Every tiny little thing that falls will go in between the cracks.
2. The grout acts as a support for the corners so if you drop something heavy enough, that corner will break.

**Contrary Housewife** · 11-09-2009, 08:47 PM

Properly sealed grout also keeps moisture off your backerboard and foundation flooring. You won't be able to mop the tile or use any wet method cleaning on it without getting your subfloor wet and eventually causing rot.

Why don't you want grout?

**wanderinggrandma** · 11-09-2009, 09:15 PM

I just really like how the slate looks laid down without any space between the tiles.

This is being installed over the old, worn original brick hearth that is beyond repair.

I plan on trimming out the edges with oak molding, and assume this will protect the edges of tiles. Also will seal the slate to enhance the colors.

**Russ** · 11-09-2009, 09:24 PM

what about the internal corners? how will you protect them?

you could use a colored grout and still have the black lines so it gives it the illusion of the edge.

I think you are asking for problems if you don't grout.

**wanderinggrandma** · 11-09-2009, 09:33 PM

Yeah, that is why I got cold feet and stopped for the day. I did buy a bag of grout when I was getting everything else it is the darkest chocolate brown I could find. I have 2 weeks to get this done before the carpet is installed. It might take me that long to decide.

Thanks for the input.

**wjcalderon** · 11-10-2009, 08:54 AM

I think you could butt the tiles together as close as possible and still use the grout.
You will have a very thin grout line, but it won't affect the look very much.

**KeithBC** · 11-10-2009, 10:58 AM

No matter how well-cut the tiles are, the edges will be irregular. That means there will be gaps.

I realize that a pellet stove will be less prone to making sparks (do they even have doors?) than a regular wood stove. But, if a spark ever got down into the crack, you could have a disaster. You can't consider the tiles to be a fireproof surface. They will have to be laid on top of a fireproof surface.

**wanderinggrandma** · 11-11-2009, 12:41 AM

Thanks for all your thoughts and ideas and suggestions. I love the look of slate, but I certainly am not liking working with it. The variations in size from tile to tile and trying to use a 1/8th spacers for grout line has just about made me cranky. I think I will use a different tile for the hearth and hire a tile person to lay the slate in the front porch.

I'm a novice-- only tiled small projects so maybe I'm not ready for the challenges of slate.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 11-11-2009, 12:55 AM

I had the same concerns with the lack of grout that everyone else did. I'm certain that the professional you get to lay the slate will be able to help you more, but they're also probably going to tell you that you'll need grout to help seal the cracks to prevent sparks from getting into the backerboard and starting a fire.

By not having grout to seal the cracks, you also run the risk of the slate peeling up and moving around when too much weight is shifted on top of it.

Grout protects against any possible water damage as well.

Slate is definitely a lot tougher to lay down than other types of flooring. I think you'd be good with contacting a tiling expert and getting the right answers.

**Greebo** · 11-11-2009, 08:51 AM

Isn't the backerboard going to be concrete backerboard, though? Not gonna light that on fire...

But I'd grout simply because every bit of dirt, soot, and grime that comes out of the fireplace will fill up the empty cracks otherwise.

**KeithBC** · 11-11-2009, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

Isn't the backerboard going to be concrete backerboard, though?

Actually, that raises another point: you can't install slate tile on a flat surface because it is irregular. In order to prevent voids under the tiles, which will cause them to break when weight is placed on them, they have to be bedded in a layer of mortar. Which is fireproof, fortunately, so forget that argument.

**Greebo** · 11-11-2009, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by KeithBC

Actually, that raises another point: you can't install slate tile on a flat surface because it is irregular. In order to prevent voids under the tiles, which will cause them to break when weight is placed on them, they have to be bedded in a layer of mortar. Which is fireproof, fortunately, so forget that argument.

Well the tile has to be in mortar anyway - just to hold it in place!

**wanderinggrandma** · 11-12-2009, 01:43 AM

To finish the slate saga-DH returned the slate and then we picked out porcelin tile, will be mortored in and grouted also. We are both happy with the tile and I will get this going on Saturday. Working long hours and my days off last few weeks. Glad for the job, but it is taking over life right now.

Thanks one and all for your advise and thoughts and concerns. FV'ers are the best!