Installing Slate Tile On Concrete Patio

Called the instant patio system it consists of 1 4 in thick slate tiles permanently adhered to 2 in thick polystyrene foam panels.

Installing slate tile on concrete patio.

Exterior slate tile will look its best if you lay it on a concrete base. The tiles are laid onto a sand bed and the spaces between them are filled with traffic grade sealant. Make sure you have at least 10 percent extra tile for cuts and waste. Pour the concrete to the top of the forms and then float smooth out the concrete using a floating tool or wood 2x4s.

Let the concrete harden over night or at least 12 hours. Since pieces of slate will be the top layer of the slab the concrete doesn t have to look perfect underneath. Slate is one of the most durable and long lasting floor materials and requires little maintenance. Yet this application does make sense since concrete is heavy solid and is typically thought of as an unbending uncompromising material.

Here are 7 steps to help you install tile on an exterior concrete slab surface like on your home s patio or porch. Home improvement expert ron hazelton. Prepare the ground for concrete by clearing the patio or path area using a sod cutter rake and shovel to remove grass plants and weeds. Or lay your slate patio tiles out in a pattern to get an idea of how the floor will look before starting the installation.

It doesn t allow dirt to show very much either. Installing tile directly on concrete. It is usually a good idea to have 20 percent extra so you will have enough tile on hand in the future to fix and replace any tiles that break. Cover your plain concrete patio with mexican saltillo tile to give it a face life and create a southwestern ambiance.

Installing slate over concrete is a project anyone can complete but preparation is important. Ceramic and porcelain tile are so frequently installed at or above grade level on a cement board underlayment or directly on plywood that it almost seems novel to install tile directly on concrete. No concrete to mix mortar to spread or individual stones to set and grout. Installing a slate tile over a concrete base is a task that you can do on your own by following certain steps and tips.