Tips on Installing Slate Tile

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Slate tile is a common stone tile choice, used in much the same way travertine and marble tiles are. Slate has a cool, gray appearance that many homeowners use to give their homes a natural feeling. Slate can be sealed to give it a permanently wet look and the tiles often come in slightly different shades and sizes for a more complicated effect. Homeowners interested in installing their own slate floors should focus on the intended tile design.


Install the Proper Subfloor

Since slate is a dense stone tile, it needs a thicker subfloor than most types of tile. Slate subfloors must be at least 1 1/4 inch deep, and few subfloors are that thick. Homeowners can add plywood or other supporting materials to reach the right thickness before they begin installing the tile. The floor should be completely clean before any type of installation.


Lay Out the Tile

Homeowners should always start by laying out the slate tile in the correct pattern. Many slate tiles come in different sizes because they are designed to be placed in a particular repeated pattern, usually in the shape of a large square or rectangle. Homeowners must find that pattern and repeat it with the tile as necessary until it covers the floor, showing the homeowner what sizes of tile are needed.


Prepare For Grout

Grout can become caught easily in the layers of slate, so homeowners should be careful when installing the tile. Spacers, small plastic crosses that keep the tile separated the right distance for grout, help homeowners lay tile more accurately. Homeowners should also apply a grout-released liquid or similar compound to ensure no grout becomes caught against the slate.


Add Adhesive as Needed

Sometimes slate tiles can be different heightsthis happens more often with slate tile that is installed in different shapes and shades. When homeowners come across a tile of a different thickness, they should be prepared to add extra adhesive to ensure it is level with the surrounding tiles, reducing tripping hazards.

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