I’m a DIYer putting irregular slate cleftstone on an interior floor. The joint width is around 3/4″ to 1″ in most places, but up to 1.5″ or more where corners of stones meet. I’m wondering what I should use for grout in this scenario. Any thoughts appreciated.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
By considering things like energy-efficient mechanicals, window orientation, and renewable energy sources, homes can be evaluated to meet the energy codes. Here's what the IRC has to say.
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
I'll comment to bump you up. I'm not an expert ... but I think sanded grout would be your choice ... unsanded for small/fine grout lines say under 1/8" ... but you have some hefty grout lines!
I'm bumping this up, thinking somebody can tell me how to go about this. I talked to a rep from Custom building Products and they have a grout called Saltillo Grout that is for 3/4" -1 1/4" gaps, but is not available locally for me. The rep noted that you could just mix your own with sand and portland, but I'm not sure exactly what type to use, ratios, etc. Any thoughts appreciated.
Shawn
I do think you want something more than standard sanded grout, with such wide lines. Needs to be something closer to a true mortar to stand up to the abrasion. Saltillo tile is fairly irregular with wide grout lines, so the Saltillo grout would be the right general idea.
Mortar
I did a job a few years ago installing "antique" brick tiles. They were very irregular in size and joint widths varied from 38 to an inch or so. The supplier reccoomended mortar and it worked well. It looks nice and has held up well over 3 years. I did seal the tile and joints after install.
And I did use a latex additive with the mortar
I've installed wide grout lines using ordinary grout with latex additive and it's held up for 16 years.