Woodstove Hearth - DIY Chatroom

skiwindjunkie · 08-29-2009, 12:15 PM

I need help with a project. See picture. I plan to paint the brick backsplash and then lay down 12x12 soap stone 1/2 inch tile on a surface of masonite. The finish would be some t-molding from tile to carpet. What would be the best mortar to use when the temperature changes frequently. I like the epoxy idea due to the time of setup. I have a week to do this! If I use expoxy will I still need grout lines or will the grout lines be smaller? I am worried about grout lines cracking over time. I am not installing the tile but want to make sure the best application is used when I hire a professional. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

skiwindjunkie · 09-24-2009, 12:40 PM

Here is my finished project. I did not get any help on this website but I did research it enough to feel confident to do it myself. I borrowed a table saw & bought a masonry blade to cut the soapstone. I used premixed thinset for stone. I bought a 1/4x3/8" square notch trowel. I also bought a grout floater, 1/8inch spacers & tile sponge. I drew all my lines and then cut the stone to lay out my pattern. Started in the middle, layed the premixed thinset & tiles and let set up 24hrs. I then grouted (sanded polyblend charcoal grout.)the tile and wiped it after setup time. Then after 24 hours I oiled the soapstone with mineral oil. I used 3/8 in pine stop trim for the caseing in whiched I stained and urethaned. The brick was painted as well as the woodstove. Got some help to move the woodstove back and had to replace the woodstove piping with new as the size changed. Wella, my new woodstove hearth. All at the cost of just under $300 with all materials.

HABSFAN2006 · 09-24-2009, 03:20 PM

Nice setup ! and nice DIY project! Looks good.

oh'mike · 09-24-2009, 06:56 PM

Looks fine! Did you end up setting the stone to the concrete floor?

skiwindjunkie · 09-25-2009, 11:20 AM

I did lay the tile to the floor, but it was laid down on masonite.