diy related: Laying granite on concrete - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

zygo · 22-09-2008

Hi. I'm new to this forum (but I'm thick-skinned so be as frank as you wish!).

I want to lay around 10 sq metres of granite tiles in a garage conversion. I've gone for 10mm Absolute Black (305x305) from India. The floor is concrete (about 100mm) laid on 80mm of Celcon placed on the existing garage concrete floor (probably 100mm).

I could do with some tips (other than 'get in a pro', which is not an option in the current economic climate) to include - preparation of floor, adhesive and grout types, methodology, cutting - the whole works really.

Any takers on any aspects? For preparation, I'm thinking a pva sealant. For adhesive, I'm open to suggestion. I'd have liked black (or dk grey) grout but read that it can make a helluva mess, but what other option is there for Absolute black??). And for cutting, the better option seems to be a 750W (+) radial saw, which I will buy second-hand just for the job and then sell on.

ALL advice very welcome.
Z

penno · 22-09-2008

Use bagged adhesive applied with a 10mm notched trowel.
Using black grout aint a problem, Mapei do a nice black, sure it can be messy but stick a pair of gloves on and it will be fine.

if you dont want to get a "pro" in then dont be going out spending a fortune on a cutter, just use a grinder to cut them.

zygo · 22-09-2008

Thanks for the early response, penno. I've heard that you can get flexible or rigid adhesive - which would you use? Any preference over which make? Clearly it must be spread not dabbed. (Lesson 1). Do you use the usual white 'crosses' for grout gaps?
I have an angle grinder but getting a straight cut can't be easy - is it?
Thanks
z

LM Ceramics · 22-09-2008

make sure your floor is flat as possible if not then go over with self levelling compound with granite i find that you need a flat level floor. Use an angle grinder for the cuts if your not a tiler a wet cutter could be a bit costly.. use a good flexible adhesive (Floor) and if you want black grout as penno says kerraquick do one very messy stuff but a good grout to use.

use either a 10mm or 12mm notched trowel, set your floor out preferrably with equal cuts all the way allong. the better preperation you do the easier it will be to tile

and finally good luck

zygo · 22-09-2008

The subscribers to this site are fantastic. Thanks LM Ceramics. I presume Kerraquick and Mapei are brand names. The floor was laid professionally but mainly 'by eye' from what I can see. I was wondering about using self levelling compound first. The tiles are very reflective and pick up any uneven-ness. Any make to go for in particular (for a novice)? Any to avoid!? As to grout, what other colours are popular with Absolute Black tiles? Surely only grey?
I have seen some pretty inexpensive wet cutters from Silverline (£70) and even cheaper second-hand (£30/40) and as I was thinking of cutting some tiles for upstands, it's a lot to cut. I was expecting to get most of my money back when I sell the cutter.

penno · 22-09-2008

Best tip i WILL give you is TAKE YOUR TIME. You are laying granite and not a tiler, if it takes you a week then so what, just take your time mate.

zygo · 22-09-2008

Good advice, penno, and I will take my time. One of the worries I have about doing it in stages, however, is getting it level and even. Would it be daft to lays six or nine tiles and then check them all with a spirit level in all directions? And then move on the the next part, always checking with a bubble at every stage? I've done walls and they've come out.... well, 'OK'. But sometimes the odd tile looks a little wrong and I don't want that to happen to the floor.
Z

zygo · 22-09-2008

By the way, any advice I get will be rewarded by a vote of thanks. I'm afraid that's all I can offer but if you want to get your 'THANKS' level raised, add your advice .........please.
Z

**grumpygrouter** · 22-09-2008

Hi Zygo, welcome to the forums. laying granite is not the easiest of jobs. Your floor really does need to be flat to make your life as easy as possible. Time spent doing this and getting it right will pay dividends when you come to lay the tiles.

I personally don't have an angle grinder and would advise that you try to hire a wet cutter. Much less mess and you will probably cut much straighter, though obviously there is hire costs and blade wear costs to bear in mind.

As for black grout, try using Mapei Ultracolor plus. it isn't that messy and gives great results. Just follow the instructions carefully.

Finally, to echo what Penno said - take your time! As you are not a pro tiler, I strongly recommend that you use a standard setting adhesive and not rapid set. This gives much more working time in the bucket so you are not under pressure to lay your tiles as quickly.

**whitebeam** · 22-09-2008

You swore, You mentioned PVA a big no use sbr for the priming

**Dave** · 22-09-2008

Also..(and i would have thought it would) but does the garage floor have a DPM under the original base.....?..

And can you post us some photo's of work in progres and completeion please.....we love photo's.

zygo · 22-09-2008

Oops. I did not mean to offend anyone by suggesting using pva to seal the floor. (Never in the field of granite tile laying was so much owed by so few to so many - to coin (and change) a phrase!). So is sealing itself wrong? Or is it just wrong to use PVA for the purpose?? What's sbr, whitebeam??).

Rest easily, Dave, there is a membrane between the original floor and the insulation - I put it there myself, per the Building Inspector's instruction and approval.

Welcome advice, grumpgrouter. But if I take my time (and I will), the hire cost of a wet cuttercould be as much as the cost of a secondhand one, especially as I hope to recover the cost when I resell. Frankly they all look pretty similar so I thought I's go for a used one and buy a decent disc for it, as it's granite.

Better charge the camera battery up. I think I'll take photos as I proceed and upload them iwhen I've finished (or not at all if it looks rubbish!).
Z