Installing Slate Tile On Concrete Patio

The tiles are laid onto a sand bed and the spaces between them are filled with traffic grade sealant.

Installing slate tile on concrete patio.

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. Since pieces of slate will be the top layer of the slab the concrete doesn t have to look perfect underneath. Make sure you have at least 10 percent extra tile for cuts and waste.

Home improvement expert ron hazelton. Let the concrete harden over night or at least 12 hours. Installing tile directly on concrete. Often people want to cover a concrete patio or porch with tile and need to know how that differs from indoor tile installation.

Pour the concrete to the top of the forms and then float smooth out the concrete using a floating tool or wood 2x4s. 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 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.

For starters moisture and cracking are bigger concerns outside so you need to apply a waterproofing and crack isolating membrane to the slab before you begin. Slate is one of the most durable and long lasting floor materials and requires little maintenance. 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. Slate an extremely versatile natural stone can be used in a variety of ways from being installed like ceramic tile to being embedded in sand like a paver stone for patios and walkways.

Here are 7 steps to help you install tile on an exterior concrete slab surface like on your home s patio or porch. No concrete to mix mortar to spread or individual stones to set and grout. Called the instant patio system it consists of 1 4 in thick slate tiles permanently adhered to 2 in thick polystyrene foam panels. Exterior slate tile will look its best if you lay it on a concrete base.