Customer from Amherst, New Hampshire called about a cement slab floor they have in mud room being too cold in winter months. They have a large dog and felt bad for leaving him out there sometimes while they tried to get work done from home.
The customer did some research online on benefits of a heated tile floor. And also found a really nice mosaic style pattern slate tile from Cle tile.
They invited me over to get a quote for tiling their mud room floor over a radiant heat system.
I explained a couple systems and ultimately decided on Schluter Ditra Heat. As it is readily available, competitively priced, and carries a warranty against defect. And then also informed a new fuse would need to be run from the garage to the mud room wall by their electrician to tie into the new thermostat for their heated tile floor installation.
I measured the area and the customers ordered a pallet of slate tile from the manufacturer in varying sizes. As they wanted a custom set floor tile layout for a unique design.
The husband thought the step into the home was really steep. And he opted to remove the old wood framed step himself and asked if we could pour a cement based step and install the same tile from the floor over that.
We framed a step with a wood form based on dimension of the larger tiles and the footprint of the door width. We used a bonding primer over the existing cement slab before mixing cement. And then packed a pour of the mud for a step.
We installed the Ditra underlayment that is used in conjunction with Schluter heat system. Using the manufacturer proprietary AllSet mortar for both setting the Ditra over cement. And later, setting the tile over the heat system.
I had my helper, Josh, embed the heat wire into the studding of the Ditra underlayment using a rubber grout float. As to not damage the wiring.
That weekend, the homeowners' electrician wired together the thermostat and heat cable into his newly ran fuse.
I returned the following Monday to run a test on the wire before installing tile.
Setting this slate tile floor mosaic in a French pattern layout takes a little time and care. As an installer, we have a little creative freedom to custom design a floor layout with varying size tile. In this case we were using 2 foot pieces of slate. As well as 12x24 tiles, 12" square tile, 6x6, and 6x12. All to be used in a sort of puzzle together fashion, setting tile to align well in size against perimeter of wall edge. And not having too much of repeating grout line patterns. Basically, making it unique rather than just random.
The initial day of setting slate tile was a goal to get the majority of the field down. The next day, we cut tiles along the perimeter. Custom cut tiles to wrap over the cement step we created. Took a lunch. And then did a couple washes to get our muddy fingerprints off before applying sealer to stone tile.
We used StoneTech Bulletproof sealer by Laticrete for sealing slate tile.
The customer wanted a contrasting grout color in opposition to the dark, slate tile. To highlight the lines we so diligently labored on installing slate floor tile.
They used a lighter, silvery gray for grout color. Saying that when they did put up drywall in the mudroom they most likely were going to paint walls with a similar color. Since there were so many windows allowing a bright, natural light in the room.
Want a heated tile floor?
If you are in the southern New Hampshire area and have been thinking about installing a heated tile floor, give Matt Cupan TileWorks a call at: (603)785-0869
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