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My wife would like to replace the Ceramic tile in our entry with Marble. The ceramic is in great shape without cracks etc. Do I need to remove the Ceramic and underlay or can I install the marble tile ove the ceramic and essentially use the ceramic as the underlay? Also, does marble need to be grouted since the machined edges fit so tightly together? . Regards: Bill
 

Dear Bill:

I know of many successful installations of marble tiles over ceramic, but as a professional I can't recommend it. The extra weight that you're adding on the joists supporting the sub-floor is an unknown variable that could create major structural problems. And this is just to cite the most important – yet not the only one – reason.

As for the grouting of the marble tiles it is a must. No matter how well machined they are, there's no way that they can offer a perfect seal of the floor; and the last thing that you want is to have water going under the tiles, soil accumulating on the tight cracks between tiles and more. 1/16” grout gap is mandatory, as it is mandatory the use of sand-less grout.

Now remember, it's never too early to think about the proper maintenance of your stone. The issue of what you'll be doing day in and day out to your stone is – as it should be intuitive – vastly more important than its sealing (if and when possible and/or advisable; which in the case of polished marble tiles rarely is) and it's all too often neglected. As you can tell by reading many of this site's postings, you're not likely to get good information about routine care from your dealer or installer. Don't become another statistic! By logging into the Helpful Hints section of our website at:  http://www.mbstone.com/HH_promo/helpful_hints.htm , you will be able to get the short version of our maintenance guidelines at no charge. The full version of it – a 7-page document considered by many as an industry benchmark – is available in pay- per-download format in our Educational Literature section at:  http://www.mbstone.com/literature/literature.htm .  

And remember, every single penny of the cost of the literature will be used to support this site and its cause: your cause.

While you are in the “Helpful Hints” section, do spend some time reading all of the interesting FREE articles you'll find in there!

Finally, keep in mind that we need your support to help us helping you!

Will you please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm?    

By spreading the word about this valuable site among your friend & family and the stone trades' people you've been dealing with, you will be rendering everybody a valuable service!

Thank you  

Ciao and good luck,

Maurizio Bertoli

 

www.marblecleaning.org – The only Consumers' Portal to the Stone Industry Establishment!

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