Setting Slate Tile On Wall

Start by tiling the bottom half of the bathroom walls.

Setting slate tile on wall.

While slate floor tile adhesive can be used to anchor the floor some pros recommend using a latex portland cement mortar thinset mixed with acrylic instead of water. Mix the slate adhesive according to the packing instructions. You can cut slate tile with a diamond blade wet saw grinder or hacksaw with an abrasive blade. Measure the distance from the tile spacer on the last piece to the end of the room.

Cut tiles to fit around the edges of the room. After 72 hours apply a high quality grout and tile sealer over the entire surface of the grout and the slate tile. Measure the tile to account for a one eighth inch 0 3 cm grout space along the wall. Create a smooth surface for the slate tiles to be set on by covering the brick wall with a layer of thinset mortar.

Setting material slate tiles differ slightly from other stone tile installations in that they require a wet mortar bed made of a mixture of portland cement and sand rather than standard thinset. Using a trowel with 1 4 inch notches spread a bed of mortar evenly over a 2 by 3 foot area. Then reposition the tiles from the walls inward. Spread the mortar onto the wall with the flat edge of a trowel.

Then employ a wet saw to cut a tile down to the dimensions necessary to fill that area in. When ready place the specially sized piece into the space to complete your first line. Reinsert spacers if required. Apply two to four coats of sealer.

Once the first row of slate tiles reaches the wall you will often end up with a gap. If you like the wet glossy look apply two coats of glossy sealer over the penetrating sealer coats.