Marble is a very popular choice among homeowners—thanks to its silky surface and beautiful veining. You’ve probably come across it in several indoor spaces. But is it possible to extend its elegance to the outside?
Most people wonder if they can put marble tiles outside. Contrary to popular opinion, you can experience the allure of marble in your outdoor spaces, like the patio and the front yard. You just need to be careful when selecting the marble so that it can withstand various outside elements.
It is worth noting that not just any marble will be suitable for outdoor installation. For instance, the polished marble you would probably install on the kitchen countertop might not be the best choice for outside. Polished marble stones are susceptible to damage from outdoor elements.
You can opt for other types of marble, such as sand-blasted Crema Europa, that can withstand harsh outdoor elements. Besides, marble tiles for outdoor spaces should be slightly textured to avoid slips and falls.
When shopping around for marble tiles for your outside space, it’s also important to consider the size of the tile. If you would like to create an impression of a larger space, it would be best if you go for bigger tiles. Most importantly, ensure that the outdoor tile you pick complements the rest of the outdoor space.
Should You Put Marble Tile Outside?
Marble tile is a sure way to make your home look luxurious and expensive. You can also expect your outdoor marble space to last for generations without losing its charm.
If you are debating whether you should put marble tile outside, have no doubt. It would be a good choice, especially if you are looking for something that requires minimal care and maintenance.
Take the Washington Monument, for example. It was constructed using granite faced with marble and has endured the test of time, having been around since 1884. Besides durability, marble is easy to clean, and being stain-resistant makes it even more suitable for outdoor spaces.
Another advantage of putting marble tile outside is the fact that it transfers heat differently than other surfaces. It is an incredibly dense stone, so it easily transfers heat from warmer objects. Therefore, you can still walk on marble pavers even under the scorching summer heat. Besides, it’s a porous stone, which means it takes longer to heat up than other natural stones.
Choosing marble tile for the outside also gives so much room for versatility. There are several finishes for outdoor spaces you can choose from. These include fine-honed, sawed, split-faced, and sand-blasted marble. You can also choose the veining and color patches of your liking to enhance the appearance.
Factors like weather elements and foot traffic can weaken the marble sealant on your surfaces. Therefore, it’s important to reapply sealant every month to protect your outdoor marble tile. It’s also important to avoid using abrasive cleaning tools, such as steel wool pads.
What Tools do You Need to Put Marble Tile Outside?
There are no cutting corners when it comes to installation tools for your outdoor marble tile. You need the proper tools for the job.
You might be wondering what tools one needs to put marble tile outside. You will need tools for every stage of the procedure. The stages are layout, installation, cutting and edging, grouting, and sealing.
You need layout tools to ensure that your work is symmetrical. For this stage, you will need tools like a tape measure, spirit level, and a pencil. The most important tool for the installation stage is a trowel. You will need it to smear the mortar that holds the tile in place.
Cutting your tiles is also a very crucial step. Using a wet saw for clean cuts along the edges or thicker tiles would be best. On the other hand, a snap cutter would be ideal for corners and rounded cuts.
Make sure you choose the correct color and type of grout for grouting. You will also need a clean piece of cloth and buckets to wipe down the excess grout at the end.
Most importantly, you will need a sealant to protect your marble tile from harsh weather and foot traffic. The best option would be a water-based impregnating sealer. You can also find a sealer made specifically for your polished or honed marble if that is what you are working with.
Don’t forget to buy knee pads since you need to kneel for the better part of the job.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on October 28, 2022.
What Preparations do You Need to Install Marble Tile Outside?
Once you have all the tools ready, it’s time to prepare the outdoor space for installation. Adequate preparation saves you installation time and guarantees you better results.
The most crucial part of the preparation you need to install marble tile outside is ensuring that you have the right substrate. Since you are working outside, the substrate needs to be thick enough to support the load. Concrete or cement sand would be a good substrate.
If you have the substrate in place, check to see that it’s level and has no cracks. If you notice any cracks, you can use a masonry caulking or crack isolation membrane to fill them up. You also need to remove dirt, debris, and other residues so your mortar can set and cure properly. You can use a stiff brush and water or a pressure washer.
How to Install Marble Tile Outside
You have picked the marble tile you want, assembled the tools, and prepared the space. It’s now time to lay the tiles.
To install marble tile outside, you need to dry-lay the tiles to know how many you need, then mix and spread the mortar. That’s followed by laying the tiles, grouting the gaps, and finally, sealing.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on October 28, 2022.
It’s incredibly important to dry-lay your tiles before you get started. That way, you will know how many tiles you will need for the project. Besides, drying laying the marble tiles guides you on where you will need to make cuts, especially if you want a special pattern or a blend of different colors.
Then you will need to mix and spread the mortar. Usually, the mortar comes with the manufacturer’s instructions stipulating how much water you need. Add the mortar mix and the water in a plastic bucket and mix the two using a hand trowel or concrete mixer paddle. Consider adding water to the bucket first, followed by the dry mix. It makes mixing easier.
Once you have a consistent mixture, spread a thin layer onto the slab using the mortar trowel. Only apply a little mortar at a time to prevent it from drying prematurely. It’s important to create grooves in the mortar to help with adhesion.
Then apply a layer of mortar to the bottom of the tile, and press it gently onto the slab. Use spacers as you continue to lay the rest of the tiles, so they are evenly placed. You can use a spirit level to see if the tiles are level as you continue working. Once all the tiles are in place, you will need to leave the mortar to set. The manufacturer will indicate how long you need to wait. Once that time has elapsed, remove the spacers and scrape off any excess mortar.
The next step is sealing the tile. You need to seal before grouting to prevent the grout from filling the marble pores. Should that happen, your tile would have a hazy look. It is advisable to test the marble sealer on a small area to ensure that it doesn’t discolor your tile.
Finally, you need to grout the gaps. Check the manufacturer’s instructions on how much water you need to add for the perfect consistency. Spread the grout using a grout trowel until all gaps are filled. Give it about half an hour, then use a sponge and clean water to wipe off excess grout. Ensure you wring out the sponge completely since dripping water could discolor the grout.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on October 28, 2022.