I am going to replace my bath room. It’s a 1920’s house with a mortar bed under the original tile floor that has fallen apart. My wife wants marble floor. Never done marble work, only stone and ceramic. What is different with the marble installation? What sub-floor recomendations do you have? I want to do it once and do it right. Thanks ,Joe
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What is the floor structure? I assume it's not a concrete slab cuz you took out a mortar bed. What caused the old mortar bed to fail? Sounds like there's a lot of deflection in the floor joists, which needs to be corrected before placing more tile.
Marble works much like other tiles. If you get a good batch, they are all the same thickness. Usually set with a very small joint. Be careful with the thinset. Some marble cannot be used with gray thinset, cuz it stains the stone.
There is a very good forum just for tile at johnbridge.com
I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.
The floor structure does not exist. I have to replace even the joist. Serious water damage from a glass block window in the old shower. That has all been fixed, now is the time to do the floor. I am starting with nothing, what is the best way?
The subfloor needs to be 1 to 1-1/4 inches thick, and the deflection needs to be very minimal. The stone tiles are more prone to cracking than regular ceramic, so you need a very stiff floor.
How do you plan to replace the floor joists? Do you have room to work? The floor joists go under the walls ... how do you plan to deal with that?
I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.
Replaceing the joists will be tough. I do think I have enough room to work and yes they go under the out-side wall. A lot of this stuff has been in progress for some time. I replaced the rim joist this fall when I did all the siding.
Watch your safety. Marble dust is very dangerous and causes serious respiratory illness. If you cut with a power tool wear a respirator and work outside.
Learned this from Boris. Your floor needs to be L760 for marble, that's the most important thing.
Always use white thinset or thinset that's specifically designed for marble and granite.
Subfloor, mud bed preferred, second choice ply and membrane.