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Fun
project No. 1
Installing
a slate path
when you already have a concrete pad
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Sweep or clean
off the concrete pad.
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Choose the
12"x12" (300x300mm) tiles you prefer from American Slate (or SWL).
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Buy thinset
in bags and the mixing liquid in cans.
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Mix the thinset
powder and liquid in bucket using a stirrer powered by a hand-drilling
machine.
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Use a 3/8'"(9mm)
notched trowel to spread the thinset. (If the concrete pad is rough
use a ½" (12mm) notched trowel). Use a wet sponge to remove any
thinset from the tile faces as you lay them.
- Lay the tiles
by pressing and bedding in each tile to a prescribed line you marked
on the pad. This is to establish a straight line for the first row.
Lay the tiles butting against each other without place for grout but
keeping a straight line with any small necessary gaps of up to 1/8"
(3mm) between tiles. Most will butt hard together. The job is complete
then and does not need to be grouted. You can spread and wash in some
fine sand or fine crush granite, if you wish.
 You
do not need to have ugly grout joints for outside uses.
If you wish to have
grout joints, lay the tiles with a gap between the tiles. You can use
plastic spacers to get the gap consistent. Use a water base penetrating
sealer on the tiles, mainly to make it easier to remove excess grout.
When dry, then grout and sponge off the excess grout. A sealer is not
necessary for slate or quartzite, whose water absorption rate is minimal,
but it protects the grout and can make it easier to clean using a wet
mop or water jet sprayer.
You are limited
only by your imagination in the exciting patterns you can create with
these excellent natural products.
 Try
Silvergrey and Copper Grey slates in a checker board pattern, or using
the Silvergrey to border the Copper Grey. Or, lay Dark Grey and Amber
Gold quartzite tiles in a checker or similar pattern, Offset the square
tiles, or set them in a diamond pattern, or…
Lay out some tiles
on the floor and have fun trying out colors and patterns. You will enjoy
the job every time you see it.
Have fun, enjoy
your home, and tell me
about your project.
Best wishes,
John Place
Fun
Project #2 / Fun
Project #3 / Fun
Project #4
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