How difficult is it to fix Marble Tiles

[charlie101]

Hi all

I want to tile my shower room (not a wet room) with carrara bianco tiles 305x305x10mm (approx 320 tiles).

I'm not a tiler but I was a slater/tiler years ago and feel confident I could manage the setting out OK. However, I have never fixed floor or wall tiles. How difficult would it be for a first timer to keep these tiles square and straight and to get a professional finish with the grout and sealer etc?

Obvously there are lots of other technical issues but i've been reading your site and will have a few questions on these issues shortly.

For now I just want to know how much of the laying/fixing and finishing requires experience to get it right?

 

[DHTiling]

Hi Charlie

I will be straight with you..

This is not a DIY or first time project to undertake.. it is a skilled job to install marble/stone tiles.

 

[jay]

:welcome: as above not for the diy

 

[hillhead]

Don't do it Charlie.It has to be done right because of the price etc !! you want it to be done right whoever does it.

 

[charlie101]

Thanks for your replies.
But I would like a little more detail on what the issues are?

 

[DHTiling]

Hi again charlie..

1: weight issues to substrate.

2: Knowing adhesive to use as some can bow marbles.

3: The fixing has to perfect as any imperfections will show like a big red boil.

4: polishing all external edges to the same finish as the face side.

5: knowing what sealer will work


Just a few things to have a think about.

 

[charlie101]

Hi Joe

I couldn't agree more but as you know there are good and bad workers in all trades and they don't come with their grade stamped on their forehead. I've had experence of a poor tiler before and my friend just had her shower tiled and they used green boards as the backers.

I make no aspertions on tiler generally. I was a roofer and that trade has more than its share of cowboys.

So for me is not a question of finding a tiler but finding a tiler who can lay marble to a high standard.

 

[DHTiling]

Hi Joe

I couldn't agree more but as you know there are good and bad workers in all trades and they don't come with their grade stamped on their forehead. I've had experence of a poor tiler before and my friend just had her shower tiled and they used green boards as the backers.

I make no aspertions on tiler generally. I was a roofer and that trade has more than its share of cowboys.

So for me is not a question of finding a tiler but finding a tiler who can lay marble to a high standard.

We have quite a few of those on here..

The trusted tiler TAG in a users name will give an indication of trust.

but if you require a top fixer let me know and i can recommend one for you.

 

[hillhead]

cowboys in all trades as you say charlie,a lot of them are sat at home lately though and rightly so IMO.
There are some superb tilers on here,just look through some albums to see proper work

 

[DHTiling]

Yep.. as joe said.. look at albums>>> All Albums

 

[charlie101]

Thanks for your reply Dave

I've been reading your forum for a while on these issue because if I employ a tiler I need to know enough to have confidence in him.

In relation to your pionts:

1) I've already purchased the Knauf cement panels

2) I'm assuming I could get advice here or from the supplier

3) Not sure I have a clue about what your saying except that it sounds important

4) Finishing external corner was going to be one of my other questions.
Yes could be a problem for me.

5) Same as Q2

One of the problem of using a tiler is that the job has lots of dependencies which would mean there would be a lot of standing around waiting for cupboards/recessed shelves and mirror etc to be fitted. Whereas it's not a problem for me to to a bit here and there and let the other trades men do their work before I continue.

 

[DHTiling]

Any advice you need is not a problem at all charlie.. just wanted to point out marble tiling is not simple as some peeps think..

We are hear to help in anyway we can mate..

but please ask before doing anything that you are unsure about.

 

[charlie101]

Hi Dave

Thanks for the offer I will centainly take you up on the offer of names if I go that way and I might. That's why I sent my post in. I live in North London.

Could you explain your points 3 and 4 some more please.

 

[DHTiling]

Certainly..

3: The fixing has to perfect as any imperfections will show like a big red boil.

4: polishing all external edges to the same finish as the face side.

3.. this is a flat finish with Zero lippage , totally flat in appearance.

4.. this is using a hand held polishing machine and using varying grits of pads, polishing the edges to a shine on honed finish depending on the tile finish you have.
This is a skilled process..

 

[The D]

so you are not thinking of doing the plumbing carpentry or electrics your self?

 

[charlie101]

Hi Dave
Thanks for your reply it’s very useful.

Sorry to be dense but I want to make sure I understand

3) By lippage do you mean the tile faces not laying in exactly the same plain?
I guess I was hoping that after applying the adhesive with a serrated trowel and pressing the tile home there would be little room for variation in the plains of individual tiles so long as the sub-surface was relatively flat and that minute variations would be lost in the grouting.

I do not want to use grouting to try and cover up bad tiling and it did occur to me that square edge tiles would be harder to lay that bevelled edge tiles

Are you saying that this is a skill that takes some time to acquire?
A serious problem for a first timer?



4) This does seem a problem.
Are there any machines, which I could use to do this before fitting or must it be done on the wall?
Are there any ways around this such as mitred corners or corner beads/edgings?

 

[kilty55]

hello charlie,do you have tiling tools mate,,im not sure if you said

 

[DHTiling]

Trims etc charlie look like crap with stone.. that is why specialists like myself bespoke stone edges etc.

Yes on the lippage.. this means you are able to run your hand across the tiles and feel no tile corners raised up..i'e Lippage..

And no, not as simple as flat walls and a depth of trowel... a lot of stone tiles vary in thickness,,, even if just by a mm or so it is noticeable if not fixed correctly and this requires an expert eye and feel for stone being fixed and the ability to adjust accordingly to suit .

 

[wetdec]

Where you from m8 ?

 

[charlie101]

Hi deanotile

Your question sounds rather defensive and condescending.

 

[charlie101]

Hi kilty55

No I don't have tool but I can alway buy them.

 

[kilty55]

hello charlie :smilewinkgrin:, the cost of the tools to do a good stone job you may be as well hiring a tiler mate,,but if you really wanna do the job yourself good luck mate and keep asking qs

 

[wetdec]

Hi deanotile

Your question sounds rather defensive and condescending.

No dont take it like that the bottom line is we see tilers messing up jobs like yours because everyone who has laid a tile think they can fix stone.

Stonefixing is not an easy trade to learn even for established tilers and the replies you get will be of concern for you taking on what is a difficult project.

 

[charlie101]

Thank again Dave

I take both your points and consider them serious enough to back out of the diy route.
I would be grateful for some names of good marble tilers.
You have my email if you want to use that route

 

[wetdec]

Where do you live might make it easier m8............

 

[DHTiling]

Thank again Dave

I take both your points and consider them serious enough to back out of the diy route.
I would be grateful for some names of good marble tilers.
You have my email if you want to use that route

you are Forum savvy hey!..:smilewinkgrin:


Where are you charlie please.

 

[The D]

Hi deanotile

Your question sounds rather defensive and condescending.

did not mean it to. but if the job is worth doing then it is worth getting a pro.

 

[charlie101]

Hi Dave

Sorry I forgot I didn't complete my profile.
I'm in North London N15.

 

[DHTiling]

Thanks.

You up late charlie.. what you suppin mate.. if you are..🙂

 

[charlie101]

Hi wetdecs

You can see my posting to Dave.
I actually ordered a 10m tanking kit from you recently.
Would it help if I completed my profile?

 

[charlie101]

Dave

Don't let me keep you up. You can answer these tomorrow.