Stone ledge tile fitting

[mercedism]

Currently fitting stone ledge tiles (the stack type) on a fireplace. Have been using spacers to keep these level and worked out the fireplace opening correctly.

As its only one wall i just have the the straight run up to the ceiling to finish. Tiles are 600 x 150mm.

Ceiling to floor is accurate but for some reason the coving is out, although this does match up with the rest of the room.

Unfortunately didn't spot this earlier and am now left with 640mm on the left and 620mm on the right. If i continue level i don't think it will look right and will have trouble at the coving.

Based on 150mm tile height i have 4 full rows to play with, the stone ledges are about 30mm each but have loads of offcuts so could fit them indvidually at the end and cut down if need be.

But would you say the best option here is as they are stacked stone, is to stop following level and bring up the left side 2.5mm every row to bring this back to being level at coving or try and cut the stone in on final row or any other way.

Was pleased with the work up to then.

[Dave]

IMO if you do that, then you will see the tilting effect that it will produce..

The tiles will lean of in one direct as you stack up..

[mercedism]

So would you stay level then and make the cuts on the final row?

[timeless john]

Take the coving off and tile to the ceiling.

[Bri]

Deffo cut the last row in, not your fault if the ceiling/coving aren't level, as Dave says, if you tilt the tiling that will look ten times worse.

[mercedism]

Also i got my calcs wrong. It would be more than 2.5mm per row to get to tie in. I wouldn't even suggest taking coving off as that will just be another can of worms.

Will cut in, just wanted some second opinions.

For future reference as have never used these before, would i take a measurement halfway down and halfway up to calculate the average or would you always lay straight?

[Dave]

Always lay straight...

[kilty55]

always lay level,

[bobbynz]

i might be a bit late but you could put the last 340mm in vertical you wont see the difference as much and a vertical band at the top would still look really good

[mercedism]

Thanks for the idea but you were right it was too late. Have cut in the last row as best as i can but left with an approximate 15cms left to right gap of about 1cm high that i can't cut the tiles small enough. As its natural stone they just splinter and flake where the stone is made up of layers.

Tried several methods but looks like i need to fill the gap with some black or very dark grey type caulk. Just to take the eye away from the gap. Could really do with it in tube form for ease of application.

Any suggestions on what i could use?

[jay]

are you using a water saw .you may need to sandwich it between two of cuts for support when cutting

any chance of some pics

[pjc]

you could take the coving of above the tiles tile up just above the bottom of the coving stick plasterboard where the old coving was the put a piece of new coving on top of the stone

[bobbynz]

Thanks for the idea but you were right it was too late. Have cut in the last row as best as i can but left with an approximate 15cms left to right gap of about 1cm high that i can't cut the tiles small enough. As its natural stone they just splinter and flake where the stone is made up of layers.

Tried several methods but looks like i need to fill the gap with some black or very dark grey type caulk. Just to take the eye away from the gap. Could really do with it in tube form for ease of application.

Any suggestions on what i could use?

any chance of removing at least 2 rows then do again vertical? i know its a pain to remove but if you are carefull it can be done being natural stone might not be too bad. might be worth a crack nigel

[mercedism]

Haven't used a wet saw. Can't double stack as they are odd shapes, even trying to clamp down they splinter.

Won't be removing any coving as job is complete bar the touching up.
Again won't be removing top layer as again i only need to fill top gap.

I thought the filling would cover up the slight gap nicely.

Have added some pictures to my album.

mercedism's Album: mercedisms personal kitchen

[jay]

Wet saw would be the answer , hope thats not adh on the face of them you may have an issue cleaning it off

[mercedism]

No adhesive of mine, been careful to wipe them off. Although they are bonded together with what smells like some fibreglass resin which there are odd bits showing through. These can be touched up with a permanent marker to take away the whiteness. Also there are are some micro cracks which have been repaired in the factory where they have again used some white and even some red fillers. These can also be touched up if need be. Some were muddy and dusty.

[pjc]

i would just paint the gap same colour as the coving it will hide the gap

[Dave]

Quite a few of these riven slabs coming into the uk market..

You do not grout them so makes it quite quick to achieve a finished wall.