Stone 8 x 8 x half inch tiles on ceiling

[ChrisCannata]

I wanted to tile my bathroom shower ceiling with some 8x8 half inch thick stone tiles. I am getting conflicting answers. Some say don’t do it.. others tell me it’s possible and then some have safety concerns.

Has anyone every done this before?
What type of epoxy or thinset would you use?
How do you go about do this?

The ceiling shower was replaced with Hardy Backer Board half inch with my intention of putting the tiles on the ceiling. I put the screws into in the backer board on the ceiling about every 4 – 5 inches apart into the rafters. It’s not COMING DOWN. I just need to get the confidence in the CORRECT epoxy or thinset. Specific name or product name.

Thanks
Chris

[ceramictec]

people usually put a thinner wall tile on the shower ceiling,
but I'm sure you can install 8x8 floor tile on there too.

a good flex mortar with some elasticity would help hold it up.
or even Mapei - Ultralite thin set.

[organic_donna]

Put in the search words .....jack hamilton ceiling, I just loved his directions on how to install ceiling tiles.
Donna

[ceramictec]

http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/show...hlight=ceiling

[BFrank]

1/2" stone tile installed with Mapei Ultralite? You're kidding right? Ultralite provides the weakest bond there is. I wouldn't reccomend it to set anything in.

If you're going to tile a ceiling with that thick of a stone, the only thing I would recommend is Mapei Granirapid with the Latex additive. It provides the bond of Kerabond/Keralastic and dries much quicker.

If it were my house or any job I was doing, first I would skim the ceiling with the Grani or Kerabond and let it sit for a day. This way when you set it the following day it provides a better bond. When installing any large or heavy stone or porcelain to a ceiling, there are only a few ways to do it with out using any form of bracing. (most bracing causes lippage) What I typically do is take a margin trowel and create a 3/8" bed of the granirapid around the perimeter of the tile (about an 1 1/2" in) creating a big square. (Don't use a trowel because you dont want the grooves, you want to keep the air out) What you're doing is making a suction cup when you install the tile. Inside of that square I'd put I big dab of mastic. The tackiness of the mastic will hold the tile in place until the Grani dries. I've set 20 x 20 3/8" thick porcelain tiles in a steamroom this way and never had a problem. This is overkill and a little costly but the products are well worth if if you choose to go with the stone for your ceiling.

[muskymike]

Hi BFrank, welcome to the forum. Are you a Pro? If so how bout an intro in the Pro Hangout. Let us know about yourself.

[BFrank]

Well that depends what you consider a pro? I've been a tile setter in Chicago for 12 years, own my own shop, and also work for the largest flooring comp in the US. I'm also Union trained. I've lurked for a while but just registered today. I guess I'll have to say "Hi"

[muskymike]

Yes, please do.