View Full Version : How to stick slates to concrete?
jennieshep
Jun 25, 2011, 06:01 AM
What adhesive should I use to stick natural slate to my concrete fire place?
tickle
Jun 25, 2011, 08:18 AM
There isn't an adhesive for a slate to concrete application. Slate is normally laid horizontally and cement is used. If these are the large random pieces I am thinking of, I have an entire patio of slate. Normally put down to find pieces that work together, first. This could not be done in a vertical application as they are too heavy.
tick
ma0641
Jun 25, 2011, 10:52 AM
You can use thinset but will need to build up from the bottom and make sure they are well bonded until it sets. Look at "you tube" and enter " applying stone veneer", see what shows up.
tickle
Jun 25, 2011, 11:00 AM
You can use thinset but will need to build up from the bottom and make sure they are well bonded until it sets. Look at "you tube" and enter " applying stone veneer", see what shows up.
I hope it is veneer, will be thincut and easier to deal with, but then slate is very brittle as well. I had assumed he meant the rough cut slate pieces one uses for patios. Of course the beauty of using slate is matching the pieces so they fill in gaps. OP can't do that unless they lay them out on the floor first to get a good idea of how they want it all to fit.
Tick
ma0641
Jun 25, 2011, 11:26 AM
Slate is hard to do because of the varying thickness. I just did 2 hearths in our log home and I used guaged slate tiles, 4X4. I also had someone do the 13ft. High chimney since I was a bit leery of getting the stone to stick, particularly at that height. I had visions of stone peeling off but everything worked out just perfect. Brian
tickle
Jun 25, 2011, 12:17 PM
Slate is hard to do because of the varying thickness. I just did 2 hearths in our log home and I used guaged slate tiles, 4X4. I also had someone do the 13ft. high chimney since I was a bit leery of getting the stone to stick, particularly at that height. I had visions of stone peeling off but everything worked out just perfect. Brian
I love my slate outside. Don't think I will ever have to approach a project as you did, sounds very nice though. My outdoor slate is beautiful in a garden environment because when wet, all the muted colours show up and it is really quite pretty.
Slate walkways, etc. are an ongoing project with me.
Do you mean by 4 x 4 that they are cut that way and not random sizes?
tick
ma0641
Jun 25, 2011, 07:23 PM
I sealed my hearth's to get a wet colo(u)r.