Tiling around a floor grate...

Phyedguy98 · 02-15-2013, 12:34 AM

Hey,

I'd like to lay stone tile in my kitchen. The challenge is I have this floor grate I need to work into somehow...any suggestions on how to go about this? Thanks for any feedback.

Rick

**oh'mike** · 02-15-2013, 06:38 AM

**oh'mike** · 02-15-2013, 06:43 AM

You have two choices---over lay the grate on top of the tile--drill holes for the screws--and pray that the holes don't crack the tiles---

Or---use an aluminum tile edging to protect and finish the opening--and set the grate flush to the face of the tile----Schluter makes a wide variety---

Phyedguy98 · 02-15-2013, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oh'mike

You have two choices---over lay the grate on top of the tile--drill holes for the screws--and pray that the holes don't crack the tiles---

Or---use an aluminum tile edging to protect and finish the opening--and set the grate flush to the face of the tile----Schluter makes a wide variety---

Thanks for the info and the website, appreciate it!

JazMan · 02-15-2013, 01:41 PM

Rick,

I can see you very meticulously installed an underlayment, so you now have at least 2 layers of plywood. What's the total thickness? How about the joists system? Marble tiles require a much stiffer subfloor than ceramic. What are you gonna use as a tile backer over this ply, and thinset etc?

Jaz

Phyedguy98 · 02-15-2013, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazMan

Rick,

I can see you very meticulously installed an underlayment, so you now have at least 2 layers of plywood. What's the total thickness? How about the joists system? Marble tiles require a much stiffer subfloor than ceramic. What are you gonna use as a tile backer over this ply, and thinset etc?

Jaz

Hi JazMan, I do have 2 layers of plywood. Never done this before so I'm sure I've made a few mistakes, but tried to correct a very un level kitchen floor. There was almost 2 inches difference from one end of kitchen to the other. I used 3/4 inch plywood for the subfloor, glued down, and screwed into all the sister joists and cross supports. I laid down 1/2 inch plywood on top of that (no glue) and screwed down with decking screws every 6 inches. So far I'm at 1 1/4 and was thinking I would put 1/4 inch tile backer, something as strong as I could find...not sure what that should be yet? Any suggestions on tile backer and thinset? Here's a picture of how I leveled the floor before putting subfloor down. (It needed to be leveled in all directions).

JazMan · 02-15-2013, 09:24 PM

Sure looks like you're doing a good job. I can see the old framing was way off, what happened? Your subfloor should be sturdy enough for marble. You joists should be much stiffer than before if you sistered them all. I don't know of a way to calculate that though.

!/4" backer set into fresh thinset and fastened per directions will give you a good tile-friendly base. I prefer Ditra, but either will work well. Just follow all the directions.

Jaz

02-15-2013, 12:34 AM	#1
Phyedguy98 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 8	Tiling around a floor grate... Hey, I'd like to lay stone tile in my kitchen. The challenge is I have this floor grate I need to work into somehow...any suggestions on how to go about this? Thanks for any feedback. Rick Attached Thumbnails

02-15-2013, 06:38 AM	#2
oh'mike Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kane county,Illinois Posts: 16,749	Tiling around a floor grate... __________________ New members: Adding your location to your profile helps in many ways.--M--

02-15-2013, 06:43 AM	#3
oh'mike Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kane county,Illinois Posts: 16,749	Tiling around a floor grate... You have two choices---over lay the grate on top of the tile--drill holes for the screws--and pray that the holes don't crack the tiles--- Or---use an aluminum tile edging to protect and finish the opening--and set the grate flush to the face of the tile----Schluter makes a wide variety--- __________________ New members: Adding your location to your profile helps in many ways.--M--

02-15-2013, 01:41 PM	#5
JazMan Tileguy Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 3,287	Tiling around a floor grate... Rick, I can see you very meticulously installed an underlayment, so you now have at least 2 layers of plywood. What's the total thickness? How about the joists system? Marble tiles require a much stiffer subfloor than ceramic. What are you gonna use as a tile backer over this ply, and thinset etc? Jaz __________________ Tile 4 You LLC Troy, MI KERDI Shower Specialist ... DITRA Installs ... Product-Method suitability consultation. I have NEVER made a mistake, I thought I did once...........but I was wrong! - PRODUCTS ADVERTISED WITHIN MY POST ARE NOT ENDORSED BY ME!

02-15-2013, 09:24 PM	#7
JazMan Tileguy Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 3,287	Tiling around a floor grate... Sure looks like you're doing a good job. I can see the old framing was way off, what happened? Your subfloor should be sturdy enough for marble. You joists should be much stiffer than before if you sistered them all. I don't know of a way to calculate that though. !/4" backer set into fresh thinset and fastened per directions will give you a good tile-friendly base. I prefer Ditra, but either will work well. Just follow all the directions. Jaz __________________ Tile 4 You LLC Troy, MI KERDI Shower Specialist ... DITRA Installs ... Product-Method suitability consultation. I have NEVER made a mistake, I thought I did once...........but I was wrong! - PRODUCTS ADVERTISED WITHIN MY POST ARE NOT ENDORSED BY ME!

Tiling around a floor grate...