marble tile

[zach123]

can I install marble tile around fireplace without grout lines?

[cx]

Welcome, Melanie.

If your stones are all perfectly sized and you don't mind later failures you can do that. It's not recommended.

Here's an example of what you might see: (Photo credit to ceramictec)

[Kehraus]

If you have a gas fireplace, no problem with no grout.

If you have a wood burning fireplace, I would suggest that you grout the
installation because it will make cleaning soot and protection from critters
that may jump off your logs and try to infest the area.

[zach123]

yes it will be propane

[zach123]

what is the best thinset to use,the wall is sheetrock and the floor is plywood

[Houston Remodeler]

white thinset will work best for marble. You can tile directly to drywall, but tiling directly to plywood isn't recommended. You'll need a backer, such as ceement board or kerdi or greenskin.

Got pics of this project?

[zach123]

the tile will be the hearth no water and want it to be low as possible,wood flooring will be up next to it don't want a big height difference

[Kehraus]

After mixing your thinset, apply a thin layer to the plywood and let it dry,
then continue with the installation.

The problem with a thinset installation over wood substrates is that when
you put the thinset on the wood, the moisture makes the wood swell. The
thinset dries from the top down, so the last thing to dry out is the plywood.
When it dries, the wood shrinks and you get the 'shearing' effect (the thinset sticks to the back of the tile and the wood is clean).

The thin layer prevents this.

I think this is ok for your particular installation, unless you have dancing girls by the fireplace! If that is the case, please call me!

[cx]

Melanie, there is no problem at all bonding tiles to plywood. Indeed, there is one ANSI standard for thinset mortar (A118.11) that is for nothing other than bonding to plywood. No special procedures for the application are required. But there are other considerations with the construction to which the plywood is attached and the method of attachment.

You would be far ahead, as Paul is recommending, if you'll install a tiling substrate of some kind over your plywood before tiling. Some are very thin if, in fact, you need it to be very thin.

One product, Schluter's Ditra XL (Uber Ditra) is of a thickness specifically recommended for use where tile wants to flush up with adjacent hardwood flooring.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[zach123]

ok where do i start, we just installed a ventfree firebox that fits flush to the wall and are using cut 12x12 marble tile around box. there will be cut edges that will fit over some onto the black front of the box.what can i do to cover those edges?can't find any marble trim that matches thanks

[Houston Remodeler]

Melanie,

Can you post pics?

It is possible to bullnose the edge as shown below. The white one is marble.

[zach123]

well not at the house right now but the tile is dark brown with beige and peach color veins.someone told me to use the grout and make a nice line on the edge of the box or use some kind of tile channel where the tile fits inside edge.what do you think?

[Houston Remodeler]

Depending on the application, the grout will most likely crack and fall out later.

Tile channels are called 'profiles' which are available in metal and plastic. Search the schluter web site for profiles and see if you like anything in particular.

[zach123]

what is the easiest way to polish the edges of marble tile

[Houston Remodeler]

1- Have someone with a lot of experience do it for you. Round these parts it runs about $1 per inch

2- Get a few pieces and practice using ordinary wood working tools and sandpaper in the following acending grits; 80, 120, 220, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000. Slower speeds on a right angle grinder works best.