Fun project No. 4

Customizing the Conservatory

I have had fun answering e-mails on your many interesting jobs. Remember, with the new high quality Slate and Quartzite tiles from American Slate Company, which are even thickness, square and made to close tolerances, it makes home jobs easy.

Project: "Conservatory"

I have had a conservatory attached to my house, so I then planned to "customize" the interior. I installed "Summer Rose" quartzite tiles, 12" x 12", on the concrete base floor in the new conservatory. I decided again not to leave grout joints, but to set the tiles close together. One row of tiles is installed all around the walls, then the center area is filled in and each row offset. It is more attractive than having tile rows end at the walls in differing sizes. I am very pleased with the appearance of the floor (see the attached three photos). What do you think?

I used the readily available "Custom" type of grout in bags and Acrylic mix supplied, which is very strong. (Do not mix thinset powder with water. It is not worth the saving. Use acrylic liquid mix and get a good job). I then decided that the low concrete wall did not look good painted white, so I installed "Jade" slate tiles, 12" x 12", to the inside of the wall. Apply some thinset to the back of the tiles using a notched trowel, and commence with fixing the top row level with the top of the concrete wall. I again butt-jointed without any grout joints. I like the appearance of a natural stone without wide joints for grout. I then followed along and installed the lower row of Jade slates, each tile a little offset from the top row, which in my case had to be cut to match a floor that was not level, but had a shallow slope

Finally, I cut Summer Rose tiles to cover the top of the wall and act as a sill around the room. The Jade green made an attractive base section to the white conservatory. The Summer Rose on the sill and floor is light and bright. I did not seal the tiles. I like the natural beauty of the stone. The materials do not absorb water, do not stain, and are durable and easy to clean, and the colours seem appropriate for the conservatory which links the house to the garden. You can also see I did buy a couple of table frames from Pier One, without the glass tops, and fitted some 24" x 24" pieces of slate. Copper Grey for the small table and Desert Beige for the larger table. I sealed the table tops with a water base penetrating stone sealer. My wife does the plants and furniture, and it's ready to enjoy.

Have fun, enjoy your home, and tell me about your project.

Best wishes,

John Place

Fun Project #1 / Fun Project #2 / Fun Project #3