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Posted by Robert Gammon on June 7, 2006, 8:00 am
dno wrote:
> Robert Gammon wrote:
>
>> dno wrote:
>>
>>> I have come into possession of a large quantity of discarded
>>> countertops and want to put it down as flooring. I know there are
>>> design/aesthetic issues, I promise to handle them wisely. My main
>>> concern is: HOW DO I GLUE THE POLISHED SIDE DOWN TO PAINTED CONCRETE
>>> SLAB FLOORS? I'm going to assume there is an easy answer but whatever
>>> answer you have I'd appreciate. The floors are painted with Duron's
>>> epoxy reinforced acrylic floor paint. It has great adhesion. Do I
>>> have to sand it off or prep it in some way? I'm putting polished side
>>> down so we don't kill ourselves (the unpolished side is wonderfully
>>> rough). What do I need to do the surface (if anything) to prepare it
>>> for the adhesive/mastic/thinset? I am willing to put adhesive down
>>> (epoxy, etc.) if that is best choice. Thanks
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> Do some web research on granite tile underlayment materials.
>>
>> You need a slip layer between the slab and the concrete slabs as
>> concrete and slabs have different rates of expansion. There are PE
>> waffles, cork, and several engineered solutions. Some of these also help
>> dramatically reduce the Click Clack as people with hard soled shoes walk
>> across them.
>>
>> And just why are you so concerned about the polished side???? Almost
>> every commercial and residential application of granite tile uses
>> polished granite. Sole exception being in bathrooms where floors can
>> and do get regularly wet. For that area, a honed, or flamed surface is
>> great. Travertine honed gives WONDERFUL traction when wet and the light
>> ot medium golden color gives a very warm appearance to baths.
>>
>
> Thank you for the response, I was hoping for informed advice. Are you
> saying that I can lay it on the underlayment without having to anchor
> it more substantially, like with a glue/mastic?
>
> I want the rough side for the look too, not just out of safety
> concerns. Of course smooth side down creates issues that don't need to
> be created...
>
>
Yes, the trend appears to be away from polished surfaces, at least
according to the conversation I had with a tile/slab contractor that I
met with this week. As beautiful as the top surfaces are, I wonder why
you want the dull gray look of the bottom side.
You do want an adhesive, thin set mortar designed for stone tiles.
This is true even for the very large pieces you are likely to be
installing. As think as these pieces are 2cm is common, if the floor is
the tiniest bit not flat, the tiles will crack over time. It is
important to get an underlayment that will but level the floor somewhat,
and provide a slip layer so that as the tile and the slab expand and
contract at different rates, the torsion is dissipated in the slip layer
not in the tile. Cork is a wonderful product for this, but do some
research on the web for stone tile underlayments to see what is
available and what you might be able to afford.
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