Installing Slate Flooring Tiles

24 May 2010- Installing slate flooring is a very fruitful job regarding the beauty and texture it gives to a home. However, slate flooring installation requires some planning due to the texture of slate floor tiles. This planning for installing slate flooring is important so that the slate floor tiles interlock with each other and the spacing between the tiles remains consistent. So, here is a step-by-step guide for laying slate floor so that you might be able to plan well and be successful in installing slate flooring tiles for their maximum beauty!

Tools for Installing Slate Flooring Tiles

This is the list of tools that you will need for slate flooring installation.

• Slate floor tiles
• Chalk line
• Measure tape
• Tile Underlayment (if installing slate flooring on wooden subfloor. No need of underlayment if installing slate over leveled concrete without any cracks, drop offs or damage)
• Framing square
• Square-notched trowel
• A big sponge
• Knee pads
• Buckets
• Stiff blade scraper (three-inch wide scraper will do)
• Grout float
• Spacers (1/4" or 3/8")
• Sealer
• Diamond-blade wet saw (or an abrasive blade on an old circular saw or a hacksaw with a carbide rod blade)
• Thinset (or mortar)
• Water

Step-by-Step Guide for Installing Slate Flooring Tiles

Follow these steps for slate flooring installation project.

• Clean off the floor and remove any obstructions (for example- carpet)
• Put down the tile underlayment to provide a foundation for slate flooring tiles to sit on. Ensure that it does not flex otherwise slate tiles will come loose and the grout will crack. Follow the slate floor tiles manufacturer's instructions for installing the underlayment.
• With the help of tape measure, establish the center point of the room. Find the center of each wall and mark it on the floor. With the chalk line, snap a line between those points. The point where the two lines intersect is the center of the room.
• Have an idea about spacing the slate tiles according to your chosen slate flooring pattern ( laying slate floor tiles without mortar will help establish the pattern)
• Mix mortar for laying slate floor tiles. At first, mix a small batch of mortar for getting an idea about how fast the work can be done. Follow the instructions about amount of water to be mixed.
• With the help of trowel, spread the mortar in small sections and set the slate floor tile quickly. Be careful about not spreading thinset on the face of the tile. Work slowly with gridlines so that the spacers are straight and each pattern repeat fits uniformly with the others. Make sure that the spacing between each tile is identical or the pattern repeats would not be consistent.
• As soon as you get to the edge of the room, you must cut slate tile to fit next to the wall. Read about cutting slate tile- the easy way
• When finished with setting slate floor tiles, clean up the slate- if you got some thinset on the face of the slate, clean it up instantly.
• Let the thinset mortar dry for the time recommended by the slate floor tile manufacturer.
• Now you have to grout and seal the slate floor as next step of your slate floor installation. Ensure that the grout is sanded for providing additional strength to wide gaps in between slate floor tiles.
• Follow the instructions and mix the grout. Now start spreading the grout over the slate using the grout float. Make sure that there are no low spots between the slate flooring tiles. With the help of a damp rag, wipe any excess grout from the face of the tile.
• Use the sponge to wipe up as much of the wet grout as possible and then allow the grout to dry.
• Use a dry towel to wipe off any residual film you see when drying is in progress. Don't use wet or damp rag.
• When the grout has dried, you might see some low spots. If so, give a second coating of grout for a uniform look of the slate flooring once it has been sealed.
• Know about the sealers that will be suitable of the type of slate floor tiles you have installed. Seal the entire slate flooring. You can use a paint roller or a handheld paint pad to apply the sealer while installing slate flooring.

After sealing, you are done with your slate flooring installation project. Just enjoy the unique floor texture that you get after installing slate flooring tiles!

Read How to Care for Slate Flooring?