How do you set a slate floor?

Answer 1

Ya purty much what the guy above me said make sure you have a good solid subfloor [plywood,particle board etc] lay down a one quarter inch thick sheet of cement board [hardi-backer or wonder board] glue it down with sub floor adhesive [liquid nails] and then screw it down every 8 inches [i like deck mate screws] -------- set it in mortar using a quarter inch trowel[put the mortar on the floor not on the tile!! and use spacers!!]-----dont use just thin set or portland----get the bag of the most expensive mortar----it already has latex additives added to it----better bonding and flexibility-------let it dry 24 hrs before you apply grout [need a float] and clean off the grout about 20 to 30 mins llater--use plenty of water--slate is usually rough and the grout will adhere to the rough surfaces and ruin the finish so make sure you get all the grout off of it or you will be an un happy camper--after it has cured 2 to 3 days and is thouroughly clean [no dust etc] seal it with a high grade silicone sealer for tile [keeps it from staining!!!]

Ps if you are laying directly over concrete make sure the surface is clean and fairly level and omit the cement board you wont need it

Answer 2

Slate is set in a bed of mortar, usually called thinset mortar, using a notched trowel. Be sure the existing floor material is thick enough. Concrete is best; wood flooring and plywood on a wood frame must be at least 1 1/4" thick, and should have some type of concrete board over it to prevent the floor from flexing, which in turn will break the slate and grout joints.

Answer 3

Slates can be laid onto pretty much anything as long as the surface is firm and doesn't flex much.

Concrete base is best but I have one that is laid over wooden boards - they used a flexible self levelling compound under the slates first and then a flexible grouting mixture between the slates.

Slates should be bedded down with a suitable tile adhesive.

Slates are slightly absorbent (particularly of fat) and can stain so need to be sealed first before laying and then the whole floor sealed afterwards. This keeps it looking good.

Answer 4

Yes. Just use a fortified thin-set mortar. It works very well.

Answer 5

you have to have a base for it to lay on, and something to hold it in place, there's all kinds of mastic for sell, check at a Lowe's, Menard's, home depot, etc,