Tim,
how to make a hole in granit tile?
Thank you.

Sam,
You create a hole in granite with special drill bits and saws that have diamond-cutting tips. Go visit a granite-fabrication shop and they might show you some of these expensive tools.

how do you support granite tile installed on a wall to prevent slipping while the thinset dries?

Neil,
I screw a very straight board to the wall and place the second row on the stick. Hard plastic spacers are then used as you stack one piece on top of another.

I need to make rounded cuts on granite tile. I have a wet saw that is great for the straight cuts.

Any suggestions?

Jim,
You can try a rod saw, but it will take forever. I have made rounded cuts on granite with a wet saw. You make tight parallel cuts at a nearly 90-degree angle into the curved line. Then use the rotating saw blade to clean up the curved line.

Really helpful, thanks for providing answers to questions I haven't asked yet!...lol...

Here is a question though: I am going to granite tile my shower / bath walls. What would you do to the tiles to "finish off" the edge tiles? Thanks! I look forward to your answer.

Al,
A decent granite fabricator can use a diamond-tipped router bit to make bull nosed trim pieces for you.

We're installing large sections of granite cut from a remnant as a mantle around our fireplace. As you can imagine, these are big, heavy pieces. They will be stacked on each other, so most of the weight will be supported by the piece underneath, but I am curious as to if I need to pad between each piece with something like caulk.

The design is a 20"x60" hearth, then a 6" tall strip sitting on that (like the backsplash of a counter top), then two 7" wide strips vertically sitting on the strip (to the sides of the fireplace), and then one final 5" strip across the top. We've also been informed to use Liquid Nails to hold it to the fireplace insert/wall.

Thanks!

Ben,
You do not need a spacer for this so long as the edges of each piece are in full contact with the adjacent piece. No concentrated loading!! I would NEVER use liquid nail....... Either thinset or an approved epoxy.

Thanks again for the info. Liquid Nail is what was holding the old marble on, not sure why it was recommended other than that. Is there a brand of thinset or Epoxy you can recommend that I could pick up at the local Lowes or Home Depot?

My concern on the edges is that the wall is not perfectly square with the floor. The two side pieces will not sit 100% flush on top of the bottom piece. They will need to lean back ever so slightly (like 2 degrees).

Tim,
I got an old style brick fireplace 10' wide floor to ceilng that i would like to install granite tiles on. What would be the best way to install? Can I go directly on to the bricks with the thinset or would I need a cement board first, etc...

Also I guess granite can handle the heat as per Ben's comments

Thanks!

Todd,
You can thinset over the brick.

Can granite tile be installed as a kitchen countertop butted up against each other without grout lines or are grout lines a necessity when using granite tiles for a kitchen countertop?

Christopher,
You can do it if you want to. But if you were asking me if *I* would do it in my home or for a customer, the answer would be NO. That method is very unsanitary.

I am installing 6"x6" granite tile (cut down from 12x12s) on my fireplace. I was wodnering if there was a certain size grout line that would be best to install it at, since its a vertical installation? ( I have cement board installed).

Any other tips you can give for vertical installation? (besides Neil's Post)

Tim,

I know you will think I'm crazy but...

I'm in the process of tiling my shower with 12" x 12" salt and pepper granite. I agree with you that granite is beautiful. However, it looks like the thinset is showing THROUGH the granite. I know that makes no sense. This is real granite. It is not a composite or glass. My eye can follow the groove lines formed by the 1/2" trowel teeth and they match up with the visible thinset grooves between each tile. I know I'm not imaging this. Is it possible this is a temporary condition as the thinset dries? I've only put up 4 or so, so far. Lastly, I know you'd recommend screws for the backerboard. I used 1 3/4 roofing nails (listed by James Hardi as an OK alternative). I did this because I couldn't get the screw heads countersunk correctly. I drove alot of nails in. Am I in trouble? (Read one of your other responses talking about the weight of granite on a wall). Total wall height is about 8' 6". Thanks!

Eric,
I prefer 1/8-inch joints for granite.

John,
You are not crazy. Those lines should disappear in a few days. They are telling you that you purchased VERY porous granite so make sure you seal it well.

We are installing granite floor tiles on a heated floating slab. The slab had carpet glued down. We have removed the carpet, do we need to remove all the glue left on the concrete before installing our granite tiles? And if so, what should we use to remove the glue?

Dave,
Please go read my past columns on Adhesive Removers.

Hi Tim,

I tried looking on the web to answer this question but came up short. Anyway, we have a concrete slab for the subfloor in our home; how would we install granite tiles? Do we use the same method as ceramic tile?

PB,
Yes, you install it with thinset.

I have an endless supply of granite and marble scraps from a company making countertops. I think it is thicker than the floor tiles you mentioned - perhaps about 5/8 inch. I am using them outside right now as a unique edging in my front landscape and would like to replace my plain concrete pavers with a granite mosaic walkway and eventually - a mosaic patio in the back yard.
I want to make granite mosaic floor tiles using a base of very thin plywood or backer board. Not sure what would work, but I'd finish it with a dark grout, since most of the granite is med to dark. It seems to me that this would be a very lovely and artsy floor treatment and would be in character with the rest of my house. There are hand crafted mosaic walls and painted tile art installations in several places in the house. It is a work in progress.
My main concern is that this house is a double wide manufactured home. Is there any reason that I should stay away from something so heavy on the floors? If the weight is spread out, will it have any negative effect? I'm not worried about having tiles crack. I can always pry them up and put down new ones. Between the base material and the pieces of granite on each tile (probably no larger than 12 x 12), the weight would add up to a real impediment to moving the house to another location, but I am seriously considering this project. My entire house needs new flooring and I have no money for redecorating, but have accumulated a lot of free granite and grout.

Carole,
I think you will be fine. You need to read my past columns about Wood Floors and Ceramic Tile.

Hello: We are installing a backsplash with Chinese granite in a light gray color with black specs. We bought it at Lowe's and they recommended we use mastic. It's been 24 hours since it was installed and the dark stains that initially appeared are still there.I guess it is the humidity that seeps through. Is it true that with mastic these stains will be permanent, or will it eventually disappear?

Thank you!
Paco

i am putting in a granite tile counter but would like the make it look like the solid granite (i saw it on tv ) i can not find a good article on how to do it.. can you help me
Thanks

Trish,
Nope.... and when you find it come back and share it. I can't wait to discover how someone takes granite tiles and makes them butt up against one another so the seams disappear *and* you end up with a sanitary surface where bacteria and other pathogens don't collect in all of the thin seams. Hurry back with the answer!!

We've just completed installing granite tile countertop. However, upon completion, we realized we were 1/4" short for the fridge. Can you please advise the best way to trim 1/4" off the granite tiles without taken out the tiles?
Is a hand saw or a file a viable option?
If yes, what's the type of hand saw or file?

Thanks in advance!

Teresa,
I don't know if it is the best way, but consider renting a grinder. Be prepared for a massive dust storm.

I'm installing 12 inch granite tile for backsplash.My house is old the walls are real plaster.Do i need to install backer board first or will the thinset stick to the wall ok.thanks

I am refinishing my bathroom and am about to install a cream polished marble with a dark granite as accents. This will be applied to the floor and also a large shower wall.

I had heard of a special sort of lathe you can install over your cement board on vertical surfaces to help support heavy natural stone.

I was also told I should seal each tile front and back. Is this necessary if I am using a white thinset?

Robby,
You can put the granite on the plaster.

Ryan,
All of those ideas sound good to me.

Tim,

I have done a few solid granite countertops on some of my investment projects. I have decided to to a solid granite slab tub/shower surround on a standard 5' tub. The raw slab I am using is huge, therefore, I am relying on help from a stone fabricator for help with cutting and bullnosing. Before I move forward on ordering this slab, I want to properly prep my surround. Currently it is down to studs, which I have shimmed to ensure the entire surface is plumb and square. Do you recommend Wonderboard and Thinset for this application? Shall I also install builder paper between wonderboard and framing as well? Trying to get my thickness in mind so I properly plumb my new mixer valve. Thank you for your help, and congrats on a great site!

Jerry,
I agree with your use of felt paper and thinset.

Hello, we have installed granite tiles in our bathroom yesterday but they still look wet in some places (especially the ones that are cut by the wet saw.) Should we wait for them to dry completely before sealing? When will they dry really?

Feto,
Yes, you wait until they look uniform. It could take days for that to happen. Be patient.

I am also going to use granite for my fire place surround. I found some nice black granite 12" by 12" tiles at the home improvement store. I would like to install then without and spaces between the tiles and without grout lines. Before I do so I wanted to make sure that would not cause any issues with the tiles heating and expanding when I build a fire.
Thanks!

Brett,
You will not have any issues. I would not do it that way, but that is just me. Perhaps you will like the look.

Hi, we are looking to install granite or marble tiles over our existing laminate kitchen countertop. Is this a doable idea and what pit falls should we be aware of? Thanks, Joanne

Joanne,
It is doable - well yes and no. It depends upon the style of you tops. You need to think all about edge details. That is where you will have challenges.

I'm thinking of installing granite tile on my new kitchen cabinets. However, I'd like to install them to appear as a solid granite surface. DO you have a how to page on this, or would you even recommend doing this?

Jessica,
You are asking for the impossible. You will always be able to see the joints between the tiles.

In regards to my recent inquiry about installing the granite tiles to make them look solid. I know they won't look entirely solid and I guess I may have asked the question incorrectly. I'd like to have a very very very small junction grout line. Is there a particular type of grout you would recommend and what kind of sealant do I need to use once I'm finished. I've never layed any tile at all, I'm going to have some help from a cousin who does it for a living, but most of his experience has been in seramic with large lines.

Jessica,
For joints less than 1/8 inch, you can use wall grout.

I would like to use granite tile on my kitchen floor which is currently covered with linolium over a cement pad.
1) Can I put the granite over the current flooring?
2) The kitchen butts up against a dinning room carpet, are they're joiners?

I just want to say thanks for having such a valuable web site. I am installing granite tile, lighter in color, and by reading all the comments you answered every question I had. In particular, that drying to an even color could take days. Having said that, would it be safe to reinstall the kitchen sink over the tile around it before it is completely dry? I could grout up to the sink edge.

Hi, I need to tile a granite floor around a small pillar. I've got a wet tile cutter so can do 2 of the cuts from the edge of the tile, but how do I then break the piece off.

Thanks
Neil

I have received a large quantity of granite scrap pieces that are small but thick like for a countertop. I would love to use these to tile the inside of my shower walls in the cabin we are building. Is that possible or do they have to be thinner like tile?

I want to install a granite tile countertop. Currently I have a laminate countertop, if I rough it up, can I just lay the granite tile on top of the laminate countertop? Should I remove the laminate first and use the wood underneath?

i want to install granite entire ground floor, what's recommended thinkness of subfloor? how do i install without gaps or spaces b/w each tile

I am going to lay Patara 300x300mm granit slabs (supplier B&Q)around a water feature in my garden on a concrete base. Questions (1) Can i lay them using white cement mix (2) Do i seal the bottom face to stop staining on the top surface of the slab if so what with (3)Will it be necessary to seal the top face of the slab to inprove the look if so what with (4) I would like to lay the granit with no joints because i feel they would show the dirt in time would this be possible i have been told not to because they can expand and become unlevel?

Tim,

My wife and I are installing black granite floors on our kitchen, dining and hallway area. The tiles are 18 x 18. We are undecided whether a diamond shape pattern or straight patern will look better? Can you help us?

Joji

We are replacing the old stone wall behind our wood stove with Granite. My brother, who installs counter tops is installing it. It's is going to be over an inch thick and demensions will vary.

There is plywood currently on the wall, as far as I understand we need to put up a durarock. Do we put a thin-set between the durarock and the sheet rock? Also my brother thinks it would be ok to use a silicone to apply the granite. Won't it get too warm and make the silicone slip?

What would be best to secure the granite so it doesn't fall off the wall?

I have an abundance of quite large to small broken slabs of all colors of beautiful granite. We have a recycle center here that lets me get what I want and I've taken tons home. TONS.
My workshop, which is large has a cement floor, not the slickest slab on the block, pitted and bumpy in spots but serviceable.

HOW do I attach these slabs to this floor and what grout do I use?

I'm water grinding the edges so I won't slice off my feet when I am running around barefooted.

We are looking to build a patio next year. We were thinking of doing pavers, but saw some granite and slate tiles at Home Depot for the first time. The granite is about 1" thick, not sure about the slate. They are 1 cubic foot tiles. The instructions above the tiles are to lay them just as pavers, with sand and locking sand. Is this possible, and if we wanted to do steps, how would we do the walls? We have an incline and may have to add dirt to level, but will need to make walls, again, how do we do it?

hi i want to use granite tiles for my house. and i have some doubts. can i know what are the common defects in granite flooring and tiles? and what is it that causes them? and how we can prevent those defects?

Hi,
I installed granite tiles as my countertop in my kitchen. I was doing some reading and I realized i forgot about the 1/4 cement board, which means i installed the tile with thinset mortar on 1 inch oak wood...will this be an issue?? It seems to set well and is still drying, but looks ok?

Ben,
Ben,
Can I use epoxy to clue granite tiles to shower walls?
Thanks,
Joe

Has anyone ever used clear caulk instead of grout? I was thinking of putting a bead of it between my granite tiles and butting them right next to each other, trying to make it look more like a slab. this is for my kitchen countertop.

I have a wood sub floor. I will be using 3/4" 24" X 24" granite for flooring. Which is the best process to install if I was going to do electric radiant heating.Would appreciate if you can email me at udimri@aol.com

Thanks

I have a formica counter top that is fairly new and want to lay granite. Do I have to remove the formica to lay the granite or can I rough the formica with sander or just lay on smooth formica...

We are installing granite tiles on our countertops. They have a tiny beveled edge around each piece. Do we need to space them to allow for a grout line or can they be placed side by side and then have a tiny line at the top for grout?

The last comment from Ben sounds similar to what I'm about to do with my fireplace. I'll be standing an 8 inch wide granite piece on either side of the fireplace with a 12 inch piece across the top. My plan is to use thinset as recommended, but will I also need (or should I also use) clips/fasteners around the outside edges? I'd prefer not to, but can easily cover them up with the mantel I'll be custom building if they are needed. Last thing I want is to have these very heavy pieces ever fall off the wall.

Thanks much for the help!