What adhesive/bed to use for granite tiles 600mm square ?

[edwardk]

Hi I recently got some black granite tiles 600mm square by 20mm thick from a friend and was going to lay two side by side for a hearth with some offcuts in the back (400mm by 900mm space).

I'm going to be putting a fairly heavy cast iron woodburning stove on this.

The surrounding floor is 19mm T&G ply at the moment but I've poured a concrete hearth level with this that is about 500mm thick (got carried away 🙂 ) and flat and level.

What's the best way to bed this granite ?
Should I use cement mortar or some kind of tile adhesive ?

From experience of other woodburners the space underneath doesn't get too hot.

Any thoughts ?

Also I will have to make some cuts to fit the back bits in. I was planning on buying a manual cutter for tiling other parts of the house (kitchen/bathroom/hall) but am thinking that something this thick and solid might require more drastic measures?
I have a small angle grinder or is this heresy and potentially dangerous?!
Thanks
Ed

 

[david campbell]

granfix

 

[edwardk]

Thanks for pointing me in roughly the right direction. I've checked the product selector on their website and it came up with alot of choices.

Should I be looking for something like SlateFix (by Granfix) or some other one ?

Thanks
Ed

 

[DHTiling]

You could just use a sand and cement mix with SBR additive....or alternativley use a thick bed tile adhesive....something like Mapei adesilex p4....

 

[TilingLogistics]

You could just use a sand and cement mix with SBR additive....or alternativley use a thick bed tile adhesive....something like Mapei adesilex p4....

Good Choice Dave (The Mapei that is)

Kev

 

[edwardk]

Think I'll go to the local tile shop and see what they have - checked out the Mapei stuff and looks like it comes in 25kg bags. I think I'd use about 4kg tops so could I use it elsewhere for other tiling ?
How long does it keep for ? Is it like cement and starts to lump up after a few weeks in a damp house without heating ?!
Thanks
Ed

 

[edwardk]

I spoke to two shops here - the one on the way home sells Ardex X7 for £11 an 11kg bag and the other shop at the end of the island sells Mapei P4 for £23 for a 20kg bag.

Is the Ardex X7 any good or is it worth the trip out to the other shop on Saturday morning for the Mapei ?

Thanks
Ed

 

[medlar]

my opinion is that the ardex x7 will do what you require of it mate

 

[DHTiling]

x7 would be fine, but i would use E90 additive with that size tile. so cost wise the Mapei would be cheaper...

 

[edwardk]

Thanks for the replies - I went past the local shop on the way home and got 11kg of X7 (didn't read about the additive in time).
THey install hearths too and said X7 would be fine.

Got some 2mm spacers and a large handful of black grout. Finished pointing the granite back wall of the fireplace with some lime mortar and generally tidying up the sub floor so should be good to go tonight.

The granite overhangs the front by about 30mm and some sections of the side. Where it overhangs is wooden 19mm t&g on top off the old 22mm pine flooring. Should I pack this out a bit or just use the adhesive over the lot?

Getting there - thanks for all the help - bit of a learning curve!
Ed

 

[edwardk]

Thanks for the advice - all in now with X7 and looking fine. Figured it will get no traffic - just a 100kg stove sitting on it so didn't get the E90 additive.
Quite a thick bed and cold conditions so will leave it a while before putting the stove on to it.
Looks good and happy with all the materials etc. Thanks again.
Ed