| When you take into consideration the expense of owning it, installing stone flooring yourself may just seem like the right course of action to take. The problem is, though, that you need the knowledge to back up the willpower.It is essential that you invest the time and the money in learning how to do it as well as having the right tools. Failure to install best stone flooring, proper can and will lead to the stone cracking, becoming loose, or becoming unevenly, which can cause someone to fall and be hurt. |
What’s Under There?
Installing stone flooring happens in the same way, whether you are installing slate or marble flooring, or virtually any other type of stone. The pieces of the best stone flooring are either laid in their natural form or are made from real stone that is suspended in a polymer binder to create a tile like an option. In all of these cases, the flooring needs to be laid carefully and accurately. If it is not supported or it is uneven, the finished product will not be that of high quality. And, you are increasing the risks of it breaking or chipping under pressure. No matter how hard the stone is, it can crack if it is laid improperly.
It is essential that you invest the time and the money in learning how to do it as well as having the right tools. Failure to install stone flooring properly can and will lead to the stone cracking, becoming loose, or becoming uneven which can cause someone to fall and become hurt.
What’s Under There?
Installing stone flooring happens in the same way, whether you are installing slate or marble flooring, or virtually any other type of stone. The pieces of stone are either laid in their natural form or are made from real stone that is suspended in a polymer binder to create a tile like option. In all of these cases, the flooring needs to be laid carefully and accurately. If it is not supported or it is uneven, the finished product will not be that of high quality. And, you are increasing the risks of it breaking or chipping under pressure. No matter how hard the stone is, it can crack if it is laid improperly.
It is important to see what is under your foot when choosing stone flooring for your home. First, you need to take into consideration the weight of the stone. The heavier the stone, the more pressure you are placing on the structure of the building. In some cases, the weight may be too much. If you are concerned about this, it is wise to consult with a professional before making a selection. Often, a thinner layer of the stone tile can be used in place of the heavier options.
Secondly, when installing stone flooring, you need to think about what is directly below it. Because they are heavy and rigid, they need a very strong support system to keep them in place. The base product can not move or shift. Those applying stone on a wood subfloor need to reinforce it with another layer of plywood in some cases. Then a layer of tar paper is laid, followed by a wire mesh. A layer of mortar is then used (although a cement backer board can be used as well) to provide even more support. Then adhesive (the proper quality of course) is used to put the tiles in place.
If installation is to be over a concrete floor, you can use the same such methods or you can use a thin set adhesive.
In most professional projects, the installer is likely to use mortar bed. Also important to note is that in this case, the 3/4″ plywood subfloor is the thinnest option.
A cement backer is a good option to use if you are looking for an easy to install solution. The subfloor needs to be 5/8″ thick here. You will apply the cement backer board to the subfloor with an adhesive and screws. Your stone is then applied to the backer with thin set adhesive.
In virtually every type of stone flooring you will want to sealants over the top of the flooring. When they are applied before the grouting application, it becomes easier for you to keep the grout out of the cracks and grooves of the actual stone. Once the proper sealants are used, you can then grout the flooring.
There are many types of flooring from epoxy stone flooring to slate, marble, and flagstone. The proper installation of stone flooring will allow for your floor to last as long as possible. In most cases, properly installing stone flooring will allow it to last a lifetime.
Stone sealer – sealant creates a barrier on the surface of your stone floor that repels liquid and keeps spills and water marks from penetrating and damaging your stone floor. This treatment is the perfect finishing touch to any granite or marble installation works. This process is a must for the protection of all natural stones.
Dear Floorlady,
I am planning an addition to my home in Central NY state. One part of the addition is an entry/mudroom, unheated but enclosed and insulated. The other part is a screened porch, open to the elements.
My builder is planning a concrete pad for both. We have lots of options for flooring but I’d really like stone to match the fieldstone fireplace and drystack walls around the property.
I have so many questions. Does it make sense to put stone on top of concrete? Do I mean concrete or cement? Does the concrete/cement have to be laid on a slight grade? Will moisture cause the floor of the porch to crack and the stones to heave or become loose? Where can I find exact instructions on how to do this…there are a few stone masons around but I’d like to understand as much as possible before talking to them. Do you recommend slate or flagstone instead of fieldstone? If fieldstone is OK, can I use rocks I find myself (we have lots of rocks around here and, strange as it may sound, gathering them from creekbeds is a lot of fun….the local farmers call us “Rock Freaks”.)
thanks.
Hi Karen!
Wow! Lots of questions! ;o)
Yes, it makes complete sense to put stone on top of concrete. It provides something stable for the stone to sit on so that you will hopefully never have to experience ‘heaving’ stones.
I wouldn’t think that the concrete has to be laid on a slight grade since the whole idea is to have a level floor, right? It will self-level somewhat and your builder will have tools to utilize to make it level. :~)
Slate may not be great choice unless you have a very good moisture barrier underneath – preferably under the concrete itself because concrete will draw moisture, which will ruin everything! You can really use any of the stones you want so long as you have a good moisture barrier underneath them and really good sealer & finish (multiple coats!) on top of the stone. Even the creek stone should be sealed or you’ll be losing pieces/layers. In my experience there is usually layering associated with these stones.
Of course, I can’t guarantee that the floor wouldn’t heave/crack, but it will definitely reduce the chances.
Oh, and don’t worry – you’re not alone! There’s lots of ‘rock freaks’!
You’re one smart cookie to want to know everything possible before you contract workers! Don’t be afraid to utilize the site’s search engine located in the upper right-hand corner and even at your favorite search engine (mine’s Google!). Read, read, and read some more!
I am trying to lay a runner, which was made from my carpet on my stone stairs, which are solid precast stone. I wondered if you had any ideas for an adhesive that would be strong enough to hold the carpet on the stairs without damaging the stone. Obviously I would only apply the adhesive to small areas on the stairs necessary to hold the runner in place, but I would love some ideas…thank you!!
You could try stair rods which attach to the stairs on top of the carpet- the runner is held in place by them. I’ve seen them in brass and stainless — there may be other options. This option would let you remove the carpet runner for cleaning or redecorating. There are no VOCs from glue to worry about either!
Hello Flooring Lady,
I have just completed building brick and stone (sciota blue stone treads) front steps to my home. I’m a pretty experienced diy’er and the steps look great, but have run into a problem with the landing. For the landing, I “wet-set” irregular flagstone varying in thickness into mortar. They look great but I’ve run into a slight problem. I graded the landing slightly away from the front door as to avoid water run-off toward the house. However, when setting the flagstone into the mortar, due to the varying level of the stone, I have had some “pooling” in certain spots of the landing. When I leveled the landing, I used the high point of each stone instead of the low point as the point of reference, which has created some natural peaks and valleys on the landing. I was wondering if you knew of a clear gloss finish which would function as both a sealer and a self-leveling agent. Most sealers that I have looked into online seem to be brush, roll, or spray on. I’m wondering if there is something that may provide up to approx 1/8 – 1/4 inch of “filler” in some of the valleys of the landing. Any suggestions?
Hi Frank,
I’ve never heard of any that are thick enough to act as the type of filler you need. Maybe somebody else has and they’ll help us out by chiming in.
Dear Flooring Lady,
I am converting a 5×13 room in my basement into a wine cellar. I am using natural flagstone to do the walls and the floor. I have the vapor barrier and the galvanized metal lath for the walls and it has a concrete floor. I have a couple of questions since I am new to this and the guy helping me has only done brick before.
1 Do I do the walls first and then the floor? I was planning on using a 1×2 on the base of the wall that I would remove after I do the walls which leaves room for the flooring. (also doing that on the ceiling and around the door.) Is this a good idea?
2 Can I set the stone directly on the concrete floor or do I need a moisture barrier there also?
Thank you for your help.
Hi JW,
This sounds more like a question for somebody who deals more in construction since you’re dealing with floors and walls. It sounds like it’d be a good topic for me to investigate/learn for myself. This part of the site will help explain about different moisture barriers.
I would think it’d be easier to lay the floor first to avoid a gap at the base of the wall, but that’s up to you, especially since I don’t have a clue as to any of the specifics about the flagstone you’re working with.
I did a little Google-ing using this search: “how to” build “wine cellar” – interesting stuff. I think you’ll find this to be very helpful in particular. Sounds like a neat project. Good luck!
I am remodeling a powder room with 24 12×12″ sand stone tiles that i have put 2 coat of sealer prior to install.My question is:-“When i put the sealer on the tile i liked the look it made but after drying it when back to the original state.Is -it possible to keep that wet look?
thank you.
Marie
Hi Marie,
Yes, it is! What you need to use is a high-sheen or glossy sealer or finish. AquaMix has a wonderful line of products of sandstone flooring. The biggest thing to worry about is making sure that whatever product you use next that it will be compatible with the sealer you’ve already applied. Have the info for the sealer you’ve used readily available and give AquaMix a call – you don’t want to mix products that aren’t chemically compatible or it’ll ruin your finish, give you an ugly finish and possibly damage your flooring. There’s a toll-free number at the website.
I would like to apply flagstone to the wooden entry steps to my house. The wood is 2″ x 12″ and the steps are about 5 1/2″ deep with space left to equalize the risers at the top step onto the Hardie plank porch. Should I use a sub flooring like Hardie backer or would mesh and mortor do the trick? Thanks
Hi Karen,
I suppose it would depend on how much reinforcement the steps already have under the wood. Sounds like they’re pretty sturdy already though and I would tend to think that you’d do ok with the hardbacker (hardie backer).
Hi :),
We just started installing polished stones in our entry way. however, the color does not look as shiny as what we saw in the store and I am starting to think that they gave us a non polished stone!!! how can i tell it is polished and do you think enhancing and sealing it would help?
thank you so much,any ideas would help…….
Hi Sam,
Enhancing and sealing may help, though if it’s pre-sealed you will have to strip them first and if they’re not sealed, they really should be before you install them to make it easier to remove grout residue.
I would suggest taking one of your tiles to where you bought them from and comparing them. I can’t tell if they’re really polished or not since I’m not there. If you aren’t happy with what you received vs. the store display, then by all means raise a ruckus with them!
Good products for your stone can be found at bioshieldpaint.com – good luck!
Thank you so much for letting me know what I need to do to seal my floors. I did by a product that is called pre-grout sealer. on the box is say to apply if before putting grout and I showed the product to my installers and they said it is not necessary to do that since grout will fill all the holes on the stone and that is what it is for. I am in a cross road. should i pre seal or not? I can not tell if they were pre sealed and am not sure how to remove the seal after grout and reseal again!!! thanks
Sam, what kind of stone flooring do you have? Some types of stone have little low spaces that can be filled in with grout and then sealed, but this is usually done by the manufacturer. I’ve also heard of a lot of people complain about the little pieces of grout popping out, most likely due to expansion/contraction, which normally isn’t a problem, but like I’ve stated, I have heard of it here on this site.
Basically, if it’s pre-sealed, you shouldn’t have any problems. Easiest way to determine this is to put a few drops of water on the stone. If the stone absorbs the water, then it’s not sealed.
If you have natural imperfections (little dips, pits, etc.) in your stone and this is what you like, then your installer really shouldn’t get the grout in it and then seal if the tile isn’t already pre-sealed. Make sure he does a thorough job of removing any grout residue so you don’t get any white grout haze, which wouldn’t be noticed until he seals the floor. The only remedy for this is to strip and reseal. Good luck!
Good Day!
I was thinking of using some beautiful but thick stone (1 to 1 1/2 inch thick stone on an existing patio that has a concrete base now. Is this stone to big and if not how much grout foundation do I need to put down to hold these stones in place. The area is around 300 sq feet.
Thanks so much
Hi John,
You might want to try to find some sort of patio or outdoor landscaping type site to ask this question. I should think that the stones are fine, but wouldn’t have a clue as to what would be proper to set them in outside. You’d definitely need something heavier than a thin set mortar. Sorry for a lame answer, but this site is for flooring within a home – though on ocassion we can help with patio situations where the flooring has already been laid – like help with cleaning and such.
Hello,
I am planning to floor my bathroom myself and I have 3/4″ thick subfloor. It is an old house with original hardwood in the hall that meets the bathroom floor(linoleum). I bought 1/2″ backerboard as a (novice) thinking I would apply it to the subfloor. The problem is if I put the mortar, backerboard, and tile on the floor, I am going to have quite an incline between the bathroom and the hall. Even if I take out the subfloor and put the 5/8″ subfloor and use 1/4″ backerboard…with the tile I will still have an incline. Do you have any suggestions for a smooth transition from tile to the hardwood?