|
|
Onyx tile is just simply gorgeous
to look at. With its bright and varied translucent colors Onyx tile just
screams elegance and character. Onyx tile looks great in any room, however
it shines above all other tiles types in bathrooms. Installing onyx tile can
be done by the do it yourself homeowner, however it does have its unique
issues that you need to be aware of up front.
First and foremost onyx tile is translucent. As a result it is imperative to
use a white thinset mortar when installing onyx tile. Otherwise, you’ll end
up seeing the thinset mortar through the tile.
|
|
Second, onyx tile is brittle and as a
result it needs to be fastened to a solid surface. A cement backer board should
be used on walls and floors when installing onyx tile. Use 5/8 inch thick cement
backer board on floors and ¼ inch thick backer board on walls. Make sure after
fastening the cement backer board to the floors and walls with non-corrosive
screws that you tape and mud the seams with alkaline resistant tape and thinset
mortar. Use a 4 to 6 inch wide taping knife to tape and mud the seams.
As for the actual installation of onyx tiles start in the center of the wall
or floor surface area and work your way outwards. Prior to actually setting
tiles, however, make sure to first mark some orthogonal reference lines on the
wall or floor to ensure that the onyx tiles are installed plumb and square. Use
a chalk line or level, along with a tape measure and pencil, to make the marks
on the floor and/or walls. I prefer to make orthogonal marks every 12 to 16
inches along the surface of the area to be tiled.
|
|
Use a notched trowel to apply the
white thinset mortar to the backer board. Then use your trowel to back
butter each tile prior to setting the tile in the thinset mortar bed. Back
buttering is essential when installing onyx tile since the backside of onyx
tiles are porous. Back buttering ensures a solid bond between the tiles and
the thinset mortar bed.
Do not use a manual score and snap tile cutter to cut onyx tiles. Instead
use a tile wet saw to cut onyx tiles. Due to the natural crystalline
formation of onyx tile a score and snap tile cutter will lead to significant
tile waste, which is both expensive and frustrating. |
After the onyx tile has set up,
and before you apply grout, seal the onyx tile surface with a tile sealer.
Onyx tile is very porous and the last thing you want to do is push grout
into the surface of the onyx tile. It will be virtually impossible to remove
later on.
Grouting onyx tile is done the same way as grouting any other type of tile.
Mix the grout up in a bucket per the grout manufacturer’s directions. Then
use a rubber float and work the grout into the tile seams at a 45 degree
angle. After every 9 to 12 square feet of tile area has been grouted use a
clean moist sponge to wipe off the excess grout. Keep a clean bucket of
water nearby so that you can rinse the sponge frequently. After completing
the entire grout job, go back and sponge down the onyx tiles a couple of
more times using a fresh bucket of water each time. Wait 15 to 30 minutes
between cleanings. Then use cheese cloth to polish the tile to get a clean
and sparkling surface.
Finally, after the grout has fully dried, apply another coat of tile sealer
to the entire tiled surface, including the grout lines.
See
My Shower Pan Ebook for Installing a Custom Tiled Shower: For a more detailed set of
instructions on building a shower pan, including pictures and a detailed
cross-sectional view of the make-up of a shower pan, see my “Shower Pan Membrane
Liner Ebook”.
For Information on
Tiling a Custom Ceramic Tile Shower, see the
How to Tile a Custom Ceramic Tile Shower Ebook
from HomeAdditionPlus.com. It provides detailed instructions for every
step in the process of tiling a custom ceramic tile shower and is loaded with
instructional pictures!
|
Find a Qualified Ceramic Tile Contractor in Your Area |
|
Get Free Quotes. Easy, Quick and No
Obligations!
For the home improvement or home remodeling project that is
too big for you, check out our partner
NeedContractor. They are a national
resource for finding pre-screened, insured, and licensed home improvement and remodeling contractors in your local area.
|
|
|
Get Matched in 48 hours with Ceramic Tile
Contractors! |
See HomeAdditionPlus.com's
Ceramic Tile Calculator
How to Finance your Home Improvement Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Related Information
Tile Saws
from Amazon.com
|
