color enhancer vs penetrating sealer vs matte sealer finisher

[missmarble]

We have put slate tiles on a concrete porch outside. I have purchased a penetrating sealer (dark green container - tile lab, I think) for slate, stone, etc. I think I would like the slate not to look quite so dull, but KNOW that I do not want a gloss finish. I need pros and cons on color enhancer and the matte finish sealer. I read that I should first use the penetrating sealer before applying the matte sealer finish. I just want to make sure I don't do something that will cause me all kinds of problems later. It is not unattractive as it is, and I plan to test whatever I do on a spare tile. Temps here get down to 20F below zero before windchill for a couple weeks in winter so I need to know any cons for these items that I might experience. Will the penetrating sealer alone not make the tile look not so dull? Will a finisher or color enhancer make the slate slicker when wet? What look do most people go for with the slate that would give a pleasant and clean look? I'm looking for as little future hassle as possible, but don't might up-front effort. Thanks

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[missmarble]

I must type quietly. Hubby tiled the slate over a painted concrete porch. I just posted something else on this forum today, and saw where someone had that "can you tile over painted concrete" question, only I read it a couple days too late. When I mentioned this to hubby, he wasn't too pleased with this new-found bit of knowledge I uncovered. What's done is done - but, what can I expect to happen :o ? If it takes years to occur, I'll not worry. I figure we'll both be dead by then, just like we will by the time our newly planted "wind break" gets big enough to actually be a wind break! Don't worry. Any knowledge shared will be kept to myself and not used to torment my hard-working hubby.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Hi Miss...uh....Missy. :) If you give us a first name, we'll be happy to use it. Or better yet, click the link in my sig to add your name to your own posts real quick like.

Ok, I merged the two threads you got going because they are hiding useful info from each other. Now that they are together, feel free to ask as many quesitons as you like about the project, just keep them all here.

About your tile. Oh, boy. :crap: Your tile is not suited for freezing climates. There are much better choices like porcelain or frost proof ceramic tiles that won't absorb enough moisture to cause a problem during freezing cycles. But natural stone like you have is very porous. You can expect that our Midwest winters will be nasty to your slate. Moisture will get into the tile and freeze (expand), causing parts of the tile to literally come apart.

Besides the tile being a problem, there may be more problems that are caused by moisture and your freezing climate. Like was the concrete porch sloped to promote good drainage before the tiles were installed? Is there some method of waterproofing flashed up under the siding material to the house? These details are designed to keep damaging moisture out of the tile (or house) in the first place.

Outdoor tile installations in freezing climates require several extra steps compared to indoor tile jobs.

About your TileLab sealer. A good quality sealer is 40 or more dollars per quart. That stuff you have is no where near as effective as some other sealers. And rather than getting into the specifics about enhancing vs. non-enhancing, I'll get to a more pressing thought so I don't mis-lead you: Even if you switched to a high-quality sealer to save an installation that hasn't been done with waterproofing in mind is a short-term solution.

Sorry for the news. :(

[doitright]

Hi MissMarble :)

Do you have a photo of the slate that you used? There are very few exceptions to what Bubba posted.

[missmarble]

Unfortunately I had just eaten breakfast before reading the news! :eek: Oh, my. This is, indeed, concerning; but what's done is done. There is a slope, thank God, for the cement. Anyway, I guess the tile will demise before we do? (We are retired from hubby's 24 years in the Marines and starting life over in Iowa.) Anyway, the marriage is still intact! We have been remodeling a 90-year-old farm house for 2 years and this year was the landscaping task. Unfortunately I had the right tile to begin with and switched out for the slate. (I come from the South.) Really can't email pics because we are way out in nowhere rural country and only have dial-up available and it takes so long that something shuts down before it completes. Thanks for the info. Didn't know about the name thing on my signature. First time forum person if you don't count the one time I went on here a couple years back. I thought we were supposed to think up cute names and didn't know about signatures. Hope I fixed it right. I am Tess. :wave:

[missmarble]

OK. My son-in-law called and told me he is afraid that sealing the slate steps will make them very slick. He says he'd rather I have broken tile than a skating rink. Will sealing the slate do that? Hopefully this is the last question. By the way, I was unsure if my posts should go under the newbie advice forum or this one. Thanks again.

[doitright]

Hi Tess :)

Thanks for giving us your name. Semper Fi to hubby! :tup2:

An impregnating sealer will have no effect on slip resistance. This will come into play with topical sealers.

Don't hesitate to ask questions, that's what we're here for.

Posting in this forum is fine. If a moderator doesn't think it's in the appropriate forum, they will move it. (By the way, I'm a moderator and as far as I'm concerned, it's staying!) :D