Granite tiles offer a lot of beauty and other benefits for use in the home. If you have a concrete subfloor, can you install the title?
You can install granite tiles over a concrete subfloor. Prepare the subfloor by cleaning, leveling, and correcting any serious issues. You might also consider the use of a membrane to help keep small cracks in the concrete from transferring to the tile.
The process of installing granite tiles is relatively straightforward. That being said, it’s also important to go into this project with a game plan.
Can You Install Granite Over Concrete? (How To)
One factor that should be considered in the process is safety. You should always think about your own personal health and safety when doing any DIY project.
If you are mixing grout or mortar, you will be exposed to silica. The silica that is breathed into the lungs will never come out and it can cause a hardening of the lungs, which eventually leads to silicosis.
Anytime you are working with dry grout or mortar, make sure that you are wearing a disposable respirator. That will help to protect your lungs.
Other PPE you should have available include all-purpose gloves, safety glasses, and hearing protection.
Should You Install Granite Over Concrete?
Undoubtedly, granite flooring is one of the top choices because of the benefits it provides. Although the choice as to whether to install granite over concrete is a personal one, here are some things to keep in mind.
When you consider the advantages and disadvantages of granite flooring, you see that it truly is a good choice to have it installed. It offers many options for the homeowner and can work well in any room, regardless of whether it is the kitchen, a bathroom, or the bedroom.
1. Durability – When it comes to durability, you will have a difficult time doing better than a granite floor. It’s an excellent choice because it is a natural stone that has very high strength. It works as well on your floor as it does on your countertop.
2. Strengths – Although we discuss the strength of granite in the section on durability, it’s good to discuss the resilience of granite as well. It stands up to high traffic and as long as you care for it regularly, it will last for many years.
3. Maintenance – It is important to recognize that some maintenance will be necessary for granite flooring. On the other hand, is going to be much less than other types of flooring, such as vinyl tile or laminate.
4. Moisture – If there are any concerns about moisture in the area where flooring is needed, granite flooring will offer this benefit for you. It is moisture resistant. Although you may not want to have it underwater for a long period of time, it can stand up to some moisture well.
5. Allergies – One of the issues that many people have in their homes is that there are so many things to be allergic to. Many of these can be attributed to items that are brought into the home but on occasion, we may be allergic to something in the environment as well. A granite floor is hypoallergenic, so you can have it in your home, even if you have allergies.
6. Choices – You are not stuck with just a boring single color when it comes to choosing a granite floor. In fact, there are many different colors and designs available and all of them are naturally occurring. Regardless of your choice, you are sure to have a beautiful floor that you can be proud of for years to come.
Tool Needed To Install Granite Over Concrete
Gathering tools together is an important part of ensuring that you are prepared for installing granite over concrete. It will help the process to go smoothly and allow you to avoid any unnecessary delays.
Here is a list of tools you will need for the job:
Broom and Dust Pan
Shop Vac
Scraper
Wire Brush
Pressure Washer (Optional)
5 Gallon Buckets
Rags
Grout Sponges
Wet Saw
Tape Measures
Marker
Chalk Line
Grout Float
Notched Trowel
Drill with Mixing Paddle
Rubber Mallet
Level
You may have certain tools that you like more than others and you can choose from this list or add to it. The most important thing is to have everything you will need available from the very start.
What Preparation Is Needed To Install Granite Over Concrete
Before you install granite over a concrete subfloor, you have to ensure that everything is prepared properly. The more time you take when preparing, the happier you will be with the finished job.
1. Clean – If there is any old adhesive for other debris stock on the concrete, you have to clean it properly. This may require scraping the subfloor or perhaps scrubbing it with a wire brush and some muriatic acid. You might also find that using a pressure washer is beneficial under certain circumstances.
2. Repair – When you have any issues with the subfloor, such as cracks or holes, it is important that they are filled properly before you put the granite tile down. Any cracks or other issues in the subfloor will transfer to the tile and as the problems become bigger, the tiles will crack.
3. Level – You really can’t underestimate the need to have a level floor when it comes to installing granite tile. If there are any low points or high points, it is going to cause problems with the installation.
You may not notice the problem immediately but as you walk on the floor, those high and low points are going to cause stress fractures in the granite. It is not always easy to fix a subfloor and ensure it is level, but it is well worth the effort.
If you have any high points, you can use a grinder to get them down closer to the level where they should be. If there are any low points in the subfloor, you can use a self-leveling compound to fill them and bring them up higher.
Some people find that it is beneficial to simply float the entire floor with a self-leveling compound. Doing so provides you with a smooth, clean surface that is free of problems and is already leveled.
4. Clean (Again) – After everything is finished and the floor is free of issues and level, you should clean it again. This will require that you sweep the floor or use a shop vac to pick up any debris and dust that may be in the area.
5. Dry – One final step is to ensure that the concrete slab is dry. If you used a lot of water in the cleaning process, it may take some time before the floor is dried properly.
If the concrete has been recently poured, you will have to wait a few months before any tiles are installed. Check the moisture content of the concrete using a testing instrument to ensure that it is significantly dry for the installation of granite tile.
How To Install Granite Over Concrete
Now is the time when we get down to brass tacks and begin installing the granite. The floor has already been prepared, so it’s just a matter of getting the tiles down.
Step 1: Layout – The first step in installing granite over concrete is to lay out all of the floor tiles in place loosely before you actually install them permanently. This provides a number of benefits.
First of all, it allows you to inspect the tiles for any damage or issues with off colors. It is much easier to have this corrected now rather than wait until you’re actually installing the tiles.
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In addition, you can lay out the room and see how the edges are going to look. You may need to shift the tile in some way or another, depending upon how much of an edge you have and the position of doors, windows, and corners.
One word of caution is not to walk on the tile when it is laid out on the floor loosely. The tile may rock slightly and could crack if you walk on it.
Step 2: Mortar – You will have to mix the mortar in a 5-gallon bucket. It is easier to use a drill with a mixing paddle when doing so.
Use caution when mixing mortar because it contains silica. Wear a disposable respirator, such as an N95 to protect your respiratory system.
After mixing the mortar, you may have to wait a few minutes for it to set. You might also have to mix it on occasion to keep it at the proper consistency.
One other option is to use tile adhesive. It may be more expensive but it is also more convenient.
Step 3: Spread – Using a notched trowel, spread the mortar or adhesive on the floor in an area large enough that you can work with it before it dries. You will continue to do so, filling in the large field of whole tiles throughout the entire room.
Step 4: Edges – Once the field of tile is completely installed, you can begin cutting the tiles on the edges and around obstacles. Set up your cutting station in another room so you don’t have to clean up after yourself every time you make a cut.
Step 5: Dry – After the granite tile is installed, you will have to wait at least 24 hours before the mortar or adhesive has properly dried. This will give you the opportunity to walk on the tile (carefully) while you grout.
Step 6: Grout – Mix the grout in a 5-gallon bucket, making sure you wear your respirator. You can then begin working the grout into the spaces between the tile using a grout float.
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Be cautious when walking on the tile before the grout is in place. In some cases, you may step on an edge and could crack the tile. Walk in the center of the tiles and do so cautiously.
Use the grout float to get as much of the grout off the surface of the floor as possible. You can then use a grout sponge that is continually rinsed in clean water to remove as much of the additional grout as possible.
Step 7: Final Cleaning – After another 24 hours, you should use a clean grout sponge and wipe the floor again. This will remove the haze of grout that is likely left on the surface of the tile.
Your floor is now ready for you!
You can install granite tile over concrete if you prepare the concrete in advance. Make sure that it is level and free of any major issues, such as cracks or holes. After the subfloor is prepared, you can install the granite tile and it will last for a lifetime.
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 5, 2022.