Can I tile over ceramic wall tile with marble and do I need to space?

Question

This is a fireplace surround 12x12 all the way to the ceiling. Can I roughen tile and use mastic to secure 12x12 marble tiles?

Answer 1

the mortar/mastic won't stick to the glaze on the ceramic. take the ceramic down first and start with a clean substrate. you could shortcut it if you wanted to, but you'd end up with a crappy installation that will fall down the first time the stereo is too loud. marble costs way to much to try a shortcut - do it right so that you don't have to do it twice. if the installation is indoors, spacing is not necessary for marble.

Answer 2

For the shower area, if you are talking shower floor; the smaller the tiles the better for traction. Larger tiles are bad for "wet" floors for this reason. Also, be sure to check the slip rating. There are lots of tiles out there. Be sure you get one that is less slippery. As far as the walls go. You can use 6x6's on the walls. Remember though if your bath is small say 8' x 8'; and you choose to use larger tiles say 12 x 12, it may be less appealing to have only 7+ large tiles width-wise across the wall (assuming grout lines than 15+ across the same wall using 6x6's. If you wish to use larger tiles on the shower walls, consider a diamond pattern with 6x6's or small decos as accent pieces.

Answer 3

They do have products to treat tiles to make them hold the mastic. Remember that your product will only stick as well as the product its applied to. If the tiles you cover are not solid, then the whole thing can collapse.

Its very easy and cheaper to remove the tile and start over.

Answer 4

This does'nt sound like a good idea to me. You need the, "bracing", of the wood,{the 2x4's or2x2's} And unless you can add the wood over the original-tile, I don't see this as safe. You may not need to remove it tho, if you can, just build, "a new FRAME-WORK", over it, then continue... Get some Contractors to come look at it, give you the estimate &tell you what needs to be done. You don't nessasarilly, have to use them ya know?!?!?! Then you will have a few diiff. ideas & cost estimates...GOODLUCK & PEACE........

Answer 5

I've installed thousands of sq. ft. of tile and know two things for certain.

1. The customer is always right,,,even when they aren't

2. If I was asked to contract the job you suggest I'd turn it down. I wouldn't want my name on it.

Take the old out and prep the walls properly, as suggested above, then install the new.

I'm in the middle or remediating 11,000 sq. ft. of tile now that was installed with mastic,and is popping.

Space, sure, as small as 1/8 would be OK.

Steven Wolf

Answer 6

I wouldnt as the weight might be to much for the ceramic and could fall down?why not cut backer board on edge of tiles and remove and replace then add marble? do it right,less headaches?

Answer 7

you can do it but think due to it dont be you in harmful stage

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