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Natural stone adds warm elegance and classic beauty to any home. No matter the style you are hoping to achieve, like mid-century modern or charming and coastal, stone will suit it perfectly. Not only is stone versatile on its own, but it comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, finishes, and shades for the perfect match for any room. You can also choose from materials like granite, limestone, marble, slate, and others. The only issue with stone is that it is more difficult to install than porcelain or ceramic tile. It is certainly much more difficult to install than carpet or even hardwood. That is because stone is naturally heavy, durable, tough, and rough. It also has natural variation, a beautiful perk that makes installation even more difficult. When you consider installing stone flooring in Venice, FL, understand that it is best to leave the hard work up to the professionals. Today, though, many people are touting the benefits of doing installation and home improvement work on their own. For all those that have caught the DIY bug, pay close attention to the following steps for laying stone tile flooring. You must be precise and skilled when laying the stone, as mistakes can be permanent and obvious. 1. Install a new underlayment, which is what the floor tiles will sit on. For example, you can lay cement backerboard on the subfloor where the new floor will be. Use a utility knife to score every individual piece perfectly. They should snap along score lines, which are used to help you create a snug fit. Screw the pieces down every 6 inches or so for secure coverage. This underlayment must be even and well-scored for a stable and level floor. 2. You must mark the exact patterning for laying your stone tile before you actually install it. Find the center point on one of the walls and put a chalk line down to bisect the room. This will be a good starting point for you to lay down the pattern. 3. Lay the tiles down on the underlayment dry, or so they will not be permanently secured. This is still the planning process, not permanent installation. Start at the center line through the room and lay one tile in the 2 corners formed where the chalk line intersects the furthest wall. Lay the tiles out from there on both sides, working evenly. For best results, alternate laying a piece on both sides so that the results are even. Pay close attention to the shape, color, and pattern of each tile. This will prevent you from accidentally creating the appearance of 2 separate floors. Create a good blend of colors. Remember to work skillfully around irregularly shaped pieces. 4. Use a wet saw to fit the edge tiles, then return them to the planning layout to be sure that they fit. If any pieces of stone have an odd color or shape, consider cutting these so that they are less conspicuous against the wall. 5. Now it is time for installation. Use the flat edge of a trowel to apply thinset mortar to the backerboard. Be sure that an even thickness is reached throughout the room. 6. Spread more mortar on the undersides of each tile, then press them onto the floor. This extra step, known as "back buttering", ensures that every tile is covered and secured firmly. If any tiles happen to appear lower or higher than the rest of the floor, adjust the amount of back buttering you do so that the resulting floor is as level as possible. Remember that an uneven floor is a tripping hazard and can make it difficult to set up furniture in a room. 7. Use a rubber mallet to beat the tiles into the floor. This will secure them and level them off. Then, allow the floor to dry for at least 1 full day. 8. Paint sealant onto the stone with a foam paintbrush. Follow the instructions on the product carefully. 9. Next, you are ready to grout the tiles. Use a grout float to guide grout into every joint. For best results, always hold it at a 45-degree angle while pouring, then turn it to 90 degrees to scrape off any excess. This process requires patience and dedication, as rushing through the job can result in messy grout that will clearly look amateurish. 10. Use a wet grout sponge to clean every tile, working quickly but delicately so that any stray or excess grout will not dry on the top surface of the stone. Allow the grout to dry as directed on the product's container. That should be all it takes to lay a stone tile floor. Of course, you will need to be skilled, exact, and precise with every step. Failure to follow the above directions closely and carry them out perfectly will result in a floor is uneven, unattractive, or insecure. For best results, allow experts in flooring in Venice, FL, to provide high-quality flooring materials and install them for you. This guarantees that your floor will look its best. Manasota Flooring Inc. Manasota Flooring Inc. is your leading provider of quality Bradenton flooring. Come to us for a huge selection of carpet, hardwood, and tile in Bradenton. Visit our page on http://www.flooringsouthwestflorida.com to see our page today!
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