Can You Lay Slate Over Concrete?

Slate is a type of stone, so slate tiles are durable and ideal for outdoor applications. Slate tiles are best installed over a concrete porch because it is a more stable surface. These tiles should not be installed over damaged or uneven concrete. Level your porch with quick-setting concrete if it has dips or rises.

How do you lay slate tile on concrete?

1. Materials:
2. Step 1: Prep your surface.
3. Step 2: Do a dry-lay.
4. Step 3: Install your tile.
5. Step 4: Grout your tile.
6. Step 5: Seal your grout.
7. Step 6: Enjoy your new patio!

Can you lay slate on concrete?

Prior to laying the slates, the concrete floor must be completely cured and dry . Allow at least 4 weeks for fresh concrete to dry before tiling. ... It is preferable if the concrete is perfectly smooth, but if it is not, then a floor levelling compound should be used prior to fixing the slates.

Can you lay flagstone over existing concrete?

Flagstone can be laid over concrete , so you will not have to tear out your old patio. It can also be laid over a sand bed or directly on the bare ground. ... First, work on the flagstones that will cover your existing concrete patio.

Can you lay outdoor tiles on top of concrete?

Yes , you should lay the tiles to a fall, 1 in 40 is about right but you could go more or slightly less than this. Question about DPC is very relevant. You should have 150mm (6 inches) from top of new paving to DPC. If you can’t achieve this then probably best to take up the old slabs and possibly the sub base also.

What do you seal slate tile with?

We recommend a water-based sealer , which penetrates deep into the porous stone and, basically, disappears. More than one coat may be necessary to seal your slate tile properly. You can test this, when it’s dry, by dropping a bit of water on the tile surface to see how well it beads up.

What kind of thinset should I use for slate tile?

While Slate Floor Tile Adhesive can be used to anchor the floor, some pros recommend using a latex-Portland cement mortar (thinset) mixed with acrylic instead of water . Using a trowel with 1/4-inch notches, spread a bed of mortar evenly over a 2-by-3-foot area. Then reposition the tiles from the walls inward.

Are slate floors hard to maintain?

Slate flooring is also very easy to care for. Other than regular sweeping and mopping with mild detergent, a slate floor will require close to no maintenance . The difficulty of slate flooring installation can vary depending on the cut of stone you want to put in.

Does mortar stick to slate?

Slate tiles differ slightly from other stone tile installations in that they require a wet-mortar bed made of a mixture of Portland cement and sand, rather than standard thinset mortars. ... If the mortar is too wet, it will slump beneath the stone . Too dry and it may not cure properly in the sun outdoors.

Are slate tiles difficult to lay?

Grouting the slate is perhaps the hardest part of the job . By this time, you may have grown impatient to get the work finished. If you cut corners here, you’ll regret it. The uneven cleft texture that imparts much of the beauty of slate is a demon when it comes to grouting.

How thick should mortar be under flagstone?

Large-bodied stones such as flagstone generally require a minimum trowel notch of 1/2-inch , which provides sufficient mortar for the flagstone to use as a bed.

How do you put flagstone on concrete?

Spread out enough cement , approximately 1′′ deep to set one stone. Tap the stone into the cement with a rubber mallet or heavy hammer and block of wood. Use a straight edge across the top of the stone and across the top of the outline boards. If the stone is too low, lift up the stone and add more cement.

Can you put thin pavers over concrete?

Pavers over concrete slabs can be accomplished by installing the thin concrete paver on the perimeter with mortar or thin-set and then screeding base sand inside the perimeter and then installing the thin concrete pavers over the sand base.

What do you put over a concrete patio?

1. Paint a Pattern. Yes, you can paint your concrete slab. ...
2. Lay Decking Flooring. Did you know you can lay decking over a concrete slab? ...
3. Add Curves With Pavers. ...
4. Lay Slate Tiles. ...
5. Stain the Concrete to Look Like Tile. ...
6. Add a Beautiful Outdoor Rug. ...
7. Paint Concrete. ...
8. Dress it Up.

Should I seal slate tile before laying?

Yes. It is better to seal before laying the slate . The seal prevents adhesive and grout to penetrate the slate and can easily be wiped away making the installation job easier and the finish professional. Sealing after installation also ensures that your grout stays stain free.