Marble or Porcelain tile for main foyer?

Grayson73 · 11-10-2006, 11:07 PM

Our main foyer has a lot of cracked tiles and we are having the subfloor repaired.

Should we put marble, shiny porcelain, or some other type of tile?

The look of the tile is very important since it is in the main foyer (1st thing you see when you walk in the front door), but I would imagine that you need a durable tile since it's a high traffic area.

Will marble still crack if the subfloor is fixed? I'd hate to go through this process again.

Any suggestions on where to get tile (both store and internet) would be appreciated!

747 · 11-11-2006, 12:01 AM

No unless there is deflection in the subfloor which you cant have with any marble or porcelain or granite tile. Just get the subfloored fixed and go with what you like. What is under the tile. Plywood? If it is there is your problem. It needs to be set on durarock (cementboard) Meaning plywood then durarock then tile. Where to get? Definately not the internet. Open yellow pages and find a tile warehouse or ask a interior designer in your area she would no for sure. Make sure they seal it after installation.

Bud Cline · 11-11-2006, 12:10 PM

If you are experiencing cracked tile then obviously there is a problem. What are you doing exactly to have the subfloor fixed?

How big is this area?
Is the subfloor wood or concrete?

If wood,
What is the size of the floor joists?
What style are the floor joists?
What is the spacing of the floor joists?
What is the unsupported span of the floor joists?
What is the subfloor made of and how thick is it?
What type of tile is there now and what tile adhesive was used originally?

Grayson73 · 11-11-2006, 06:03 PM

A contractor suggested to remove the tile put cement, then durarock, and then put marble or porcelain tiles. He wanted us to pick the tile so I wanted to know which I should pick. I don't want to pick Marble if it will break again.

747 · 11-11-2006, 09:09 PM

I think limestone tile is sharp. I also like granite tile. I don't really care for marble but that is just a personal preference. Don't worry about cracking because if he is going with cement than durarock there wont be any movement. Once again don't forget to tell installer you want the tile sealed.

R&D Tile · 11-12-2006, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 747

I think limestone tile is sharp. I also like granite tile. I don't really care for marble but that is just a personal preference. Don't worry about cracking because if he is going with cement than durarock there wont be any movement. Once again don't forget to tell installer you want the tile sealed.

CBU doesn't do a thing to strengthen that floor, you need to answer Bud's questions, forget stone if that floor doesn't meet specs, you need to find out why the first floor failed, before continuing, or you'll be in the same mess again.

Bud Cline · 11-12-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Don't worry about cracking because if he is going with cement than durarock there wont be any movement.

Nothing could be further from the truth Grayson73, it's that kind of information that has allowed your existing floor to crack.

Now! Once again:

How big is this area?
Is the subfloor wood or concrete?

If wood,
What is the size of the floor joists?
What style are the floor joists?
What is the spacing of the floor joists?
What is the unsupported span of the floor joists?
What is the subfloor made of and how thick is it?
What type of tile is there now and what tile adhesive was used originally?

747 · 11-12-2006, 06:12 PM

I was assuming that guy made sure it wasn't a structure problem before he recomended cement then durarock. But as Bud and R and D said make sure there isn't anything structural causing the tile problem in the past. Better have a carpenter come out and take a quick look just to be safe.

Bud Cline · 11-12-2006, 07:54 PM

How big is this area?
Is the subfloor wood or concrete?

If wood,
What is the size of the floor joists?
What style are the floor joists?
What is the spacing of the floor joists?
What is the unsupported span of the floor joists?
What is the subfloor made of and how thick is it?
What type of tile is there now and what tile adhesive was used originally?