I am interested in laying granite tile squares over a heated flooring in my bathroom. I have the following questions. 1. Can I even lay the polished granite/marble tiles over heated flooring? 2. Specifically what barrier to I put down between the heating element, and the tiles. 3. What affixative do you recommend to put down to affix the tiles to the flooring? 4. This is important: do you put anything in between the tiles, or just lay tight with nothing between the tiles? Or do you use a combination of nothing and clear epoxy if there is an area, which could get some moisture on them .....like near the shower or toilet? Please answer my questions, as I would love to do this. Many thanks. Ruth Neijna Highlands, NC

 

Dear Ruth:

 

“ 1. Can I even lay the polished granite/marble tiles over heated flooring? ”

 

Yes, you can.

 

“ 2. Specifically what barrier to I put down between the heating element, and the tiles. ”

 

This kind of installation is not really my cup of tea. My answer wouldn't be qualified enough. However, I do know that it depends on whether the heating elements are hot water or electric. A good installer is certainly more intelligent than me on this one.

 

“ 3. What affixative do you recommend to put down to affix the tiles to the flooring? ”

 

Ditto. It is not really my specific field. I know a few things about it, but not enough to feel comfortable with a precise answer.

 

“ 4. This is important: do you put anything in between the tiles, or just lay tight with nothing between the tiles? Or do you use a combination of nothing and clear epoxy if there is an area, which could get some moisture on them .....like near the shower or toilet? ”

 

Never – never – for any reason install stone tiles butt-joint! You must leave a grout gap of 1/16” and make sure that the grout is pushed in between the tiles as deep as possible. Inside the shower I recommend to grout with color-matching caulk: it is stain-less and water-proof and much less likely to become loose and/or crack.

 

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 far more important than its sealing (if and when possible and/or advisable, which in this case is definitely not advisable) 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 it from your dealer or installer. Don't become another statistic! By logging into the Helpful Hints section of our website at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/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.marblecleaning.org/literature.htm .  

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