SWMBO is thinking granite or marble floor tiles. Apart from the cost
(!)*, my biggest reservation is that they'll be buggers to cut.
Furthermore, as they're so heavy, it might be tricky to stop them from
sinking a tiny bit once in position.

I have a (cheapo) electric tile saw, so would use that, and there aren't
many cuts to be done (fortunately): Are my reservations valid or am I
just being over-cautious?

* Actually, the extra is relatively small when all the other costs are
factored in, it just looks expensive.

In article ,
GMM GlMiMa-AT-yahoo.co.uk wrote:
SWMBO is thinking granite or marble floor tiles. Apart from the cost
(!)*, my biggest reservation is that they'll be buggers to cut.

Granite certainly is. Marble is soft and easy.

--
*If all is not lost, where the hell is it?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 21/03/2013 18:54, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
GMM GlMiMa-AT-yahoo.co.uk wrote:
SWMBO is thinking granite or marble floor tiles. Apart from the cost
(!)*, my biggest reservation is that they'll be buggers to cut.

Granite certainly is. Marble is soft and easy.

Looks like marble should get the vote for ease of laying then...

On Mar 21, 6:52*pm, GMM GlMiMa-AT-yahoo.co.uk wrote:
SWMBO is thinking granite or marble floor tiles. *Apart from the cost
(!)*, my biggest reservation is that they'll be buggers to cut.
Furthermore, as they're so heavy, it might be tricky to stop them from
sinking a tiny bit once in position.

I have a (cheapo) electric tile saw, so would use that, and there aren't
many cuts to be done (fortunately): *Are my reservations valid or am I
just being over-cautious?

* Actually, the extra is relatively small when all the other costs are
factored in, it just looks expensive.

what "other costs" of using granite over marble?

Jim K

On 21/03/2013 19:23, Jim K wrote:
On Mar 21, 6:52 pm, GMM GlMiMa-AT-yahoo.co.uk wrote:
SWMBO is thinking granite or marble floor tiles. Apart from the cost
(!)*, my biggest reservation is that they'll be buggers to cut.
Furthermore, as they're so heavy, it might be tricky to stop them from
sinking a tiny bit once in position.

I have a (cheapo) electric tile saw, so would use that, and there aren't
many cuts to be done (fortunately): Are my reservations valid or am I
just being over-cautious?

* Actually, the extra is relatively small when all the other costs are
factored in, it just looks expensive.

what "other costs" of using granite over marble?

Jim K

Sorry - I didn't mean extra cost of one of those over the other but
simply that my experience is that differences the headline cost of (in
this case) the tiles are rather blunted when compared with the overall
cost of the job, which includes some fixed costs (here tile cement,
grout, a new cutter blade, other buggerations etc). By the time it's
all put together, I normally take the view that you might as well do the
job properly.
It's also only a small area so unlikely to break the bank whatever I use.

In message , GMM
writes
SWMBO is thinking granite or marble floor tiles. Apart from the cost
(!)*, my biggest reservation is that they'll be buggers to cut.
Furthermore, as they're so heavy, it might be tricky to stop them from
sinking a tiny bit once in position.

I have a (cheapo) electric tile saw, so would use that, and there
aren't many cuts to be done (fortunately): Are my reservations valid
or am I just being over-cautious?

* Actually, the extra is relatively small when all the other costs are
factored in, it just looks expensive.

Cold unless you have underfloor heating and an excellent surface to
break things on when dropped.

--
Simon

12) The Second Rule of Expectations
An EXPECTATION is a Premeditated resentment.

On 21/03/13 18:52, GMM wrote:
SWMBO is thinking granite or marble floor tiles. Apart from the cost
(!)*, my biggest reservation is that they'll be buggers to cut.
Furthermore, as they're so heavy, it might be tricky to stop them from
sinking a tiny bit once in position.


use a thickish bed of self mixed fast set cement.

If you do get slump problems, use a thick bed but put wedges under each
tile till its set.

Marble is very very bad for a floor. It is susceptible to acid attack
and that's what you need to clean grout and cement off.


I have a (cheapo) electric tile saw, so would use that, and there aren't
many cuts to be done (fortunately): Are my reservations valid or am I
just being over-cautious?

* Actually, the extra is relatively small when all the other costs are
factored in, it just looks expensive.

Yes. I used slate. the slate was only half the cost.
I've also laid marble effect tiles - good quality ones. they are really
nice. cost near as much as the marble, but are a lot tougher.

Ive laid quartzite and colored marble wall tiles as well. nice. You
should treble seal the marble surfaces before laying to protect it -
than you CAN use a bit of acid and with luck, it wont screw the marble.

but a glass of split wine is enough to **** bare marble beyond repair.




--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to
lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the
members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are
rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a
diminishing number of producers.

On 21/03/2013 19:54, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 21/03/13 18:52, GMM wrote:
SWMBO is thinking granite or marble floor tiles. Apart from the cost
(!)*, my biggest reservation is that they'll be buggers to cut.
Furthermore, as they're so heavy, it might be tricky to stop them from
sinking a tiny bit once in position.


use a thickish bed of self mixed fast set cement.

That's what I've normally done, although I was wondering why that's a
good idea on a flat level floor since, in principle (it seems to me)
it's only there to stick the tile down and so a thin layer would slump
less. Of course, not all surfaces are flat or level....


If you do get slump problems, use a thick bed but put wedges under each
tile till its set.

Marble is very very bad for a floor. It is susceptible to acid attack
and that's what you need to clean grout and cement off.


I have a (cheapo) electric tile saw, so would use that, and there aren't
many cuts to be done (fortunately): Are my reservations valid or am I
just being over-cautious?

* Actually, the extra is relatively small when all the other costs are
factored in, it just looks expensive.

Yes. I used slate. the slate was only half the cost.
I've also laid marble effect tiles - good quality ones. they are really
nice. cost near as much as the marble, but are a lot tougher.

Ive laid quartzite and colored marble wall tiles as well. nice. You
should treble seal the marble surfaces before laying to protect it -
than you CAN use a bit of acid and with luck, it wont screw the marble.

but a glass of split wine is enough to **** bare marble beyond repair.




Hopefully nobody will be spilling too much wine in my new downstairs
bog, but I take your point. The honed slate tiles I was looking at the
other day did look good, and surprisingly cheap. Maybe I can do some
opinion forming....

On 22/03/2013 08:10, GMM wrote:
Hopefully nobody will be spilling too much wine in my new downstairs
bog, but I take your point. The honed slate tiles I was looking at the
other day did look good, and surprisingly cheap. Maybe I can do some
opinion forming....

I would wonder what spilt urine will do to it. Or for that matter, spilt
descaling cleaner...

Andy

In article ,
Andy Champ wrote:
On 22/03/2013 08:10, GMM wrote:
Hopefully nobody will be spilling too much wine in my new downstairs
bog, but I take your point. The honed slate tiles I was looking at the
other day did look good, and surprisingly cheap. Maybe I can do some
opinion forming....

I would wonder what spilt urine will do to it. Or for that matter, spilt
descaling cleaner...

It's usual to seal marble used in these circumstances.

--
*Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 22/03/13 10:36, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Andy Champ wrote:
On 22/03/2013 08:10, GMM wrote:
Hopefully nobody will be spilling too much wine in my new downstairs
bog, but I take your point. The honed slate tiles I was looking at the
other day did look good, and surprisingly cheap. Maybe I can do some
opinion forming....

I would wonder what spilt urine will do to it. Or for that matter, spilt
descaling cleaner...

It's usual to seal marble used in these circumstances.

yes, but it takes a lot of sealing to do that and it adds to the cost
appreciably.


--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to
lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the
members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are
rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a
diminishing number of producers.

On 22/03/13 09:10, Andy Champ wrote:
On 22/03/2013 08:10, GMM wrote:
Hopefully nobody will be spilling too much wine in my new downstairs
bog, but I take your point. The honed slate tiles I was looking at the
other day did look good, and surprisingly cheap. Maybe I can do some
opinion forming....

I would wonder what spilt urine will do to it. Or for that matter, spilt
descaling cleaner...


both v bad for marble, no prob for slate/granite tho.

Andy


--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to
lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the
members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are
rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a
diminishing number of producers.

On Mar 21, 6:52*pm, GMM GlMiMa-AT-yahoo.co.uk wrote:
SWMBO is thinking granite or marble floor tiles. *Apart from the cost
(!)*, my biggest reservation is that they'll be buggers to cut.
Furthermore, as they're so heavy, it might be tricky to stop them from
sinking a tiny bit once in position.

I have a (cheapo) electric tile saw, so would use that, and there aren't
many cuts to be done (fortunately): *Are my reservations valid or am I
just being over-cautious?

* Actually, the extra is relatively small when all the other costs are
factored in, it just looks expensive.

Well don't be tempted by travertine when you go to look.
It is ****.

On 22/03/2013 09:20, harry wrote:
On Mar 21, 6:52 pm, GMM GlMiMa-AT-yahoo.co.uk wrote:
SWMBO is thinking granite or marble floor tiles. Apart from the cost
(!)*, my biggest reservation is that they'll be buggers to cut.
Furthermore, as they're so heavy, it might be tricky to stop them from
sinking a tiny bit once in position.

I have a (cheapo) electric tile saw, so would use that, and there aren't
many cuts to be done (fortunately): Are my reservations valid or am I
just being over-cautious?

* Actually, the extra is relatively small when all the other costs are
factored in, it just looks expensive.

Well don't be tempted by travertine when you go to look.
It is ****.

I had sort of reached the conclusion it was unsuitable for what we're
trying to achieve. Is it **** for a aprticular reason then?

On Mar 22, 12:18*pm, GMM GlMiMa-AT-yahoo.co.uk wrote:
On 22/03/2013 09:20, harry wrote:







On Mar 21, 6:52 pm, GMM GlMiMa-AT-yahoo.co.uk wrote:
SWMBO is thinking granite or marble floor tiles. *Apart from the cost
(!)*, my biggest reservation is that they'll be buggers to cut.
Furthermore, as they're so heavy, it might be tricky to stop them from
sinking a tiny bit once in position.

I have a (cheapo) electric tile saw, so would use that, and there aren't
many cuts to be done (fortunately): *Are my reservations valid or am I
just being over-cautious?

* Actually, the extra is relatively small when all the other costs are
factored in, it just looks expensive.

Well don't be tempted by travertine when you go to look.
It is ****.

I had sort of reached the conclusion it was unsuitable for what we're
trying to achieve. *Is it **** for a aprticular reason then?

I have it in our living room.
The natural rock is full of voids.
They cut the rock and fill the voids and then hone.
The problem is, there are more voids just under the surface. When
walked on, they collapse after a while and leave a hole. You are left
having to fill these holes but it looks a mess really.

Most of the fancy swirls and colours on it are actually the filler,
not the rock. Various fillers are used depending on how much you pay.
But it doesn't get over the basic problem.

On 22/03/2013 15:54, harry wrote:
On Mar 22, 12:18 pm, GMM GlMiMa-AT-yahoo.co.uk wrote:
On 22/03/2013 09:20, harry wrote:







On Mar 21, 6:52 pm, GMM GlMiMa-AT-yahoo.co.uk wrote:
SWMBO is thinking granite or marble floor tiles. Apart from the cost
(!)*, my biggest reservation is that they'll be buggers to cut.
Furthermore, as they're so heavy, it might be tricky to stop them from
sinking a tiny bit once in position.

I have a (cheapo) electric tile saw, so would use that, and there aren't
many cuts to be done (fortunately): Are my reservations valid or am I
just being over-cautious?

* Actually, the extra is relatively small when all the other costs are
factored in, it just looks expensive.

Well don't be tempted by travertine when you go to look.
It is ****.

I had sort of reached the conclusion it was unsuitable for what we're
trying to achieve. Is it **** for a aprticular reason then?

I have it in our living room.
The natural rock is full of voids.
They cut the rock and fill the voids and then hone.
The problem is, there are more voids just under the surface. When
walked on, they collapse after a while and leave a hole. You are left
having to fill these holes but it looks a mess really.

Most of the fancy swirls and colours on it are actually the filler,
not the rock. Various fillers are used depending on how much you pay.
But it doesn't get over the basic problem.

Thanks - That's well worth knowing. Seems to me that makes them
fundamentally unfit for purpose.....

On Mar 22, 7:48*pm, GMM GlMiMa-AT-yahoo.co.uk wrote:
On 22/03/2013 15:54, harry wrote:







On Mar 22, 12:18 pm, GMM GlMiMa-AT-yahoo.co.uk wrote:
On 22/03/2013 09:20, harry wrote:

On Mar 21, 6:52 pm, GMM GlMiMa-AT-yahoo.co.uk wrote:
SWMBO is thinking granite or marble floor tiles. *Apart from the cost
(!)*, my biggest reservation is that they'll be buggers to cut.
Furthermore, as they're so heavy, it might be tricky to stop them from
sinking a tiny bit once in position.

I have a (cheapo) electric tile saw, so would use that, and there aren't
many cuts to be done (fortunately): *Are my reservations valid or am I
just being over-cautious?

* Actually, the extra is relatively small when all the other costs are
factored in, it just looks expensive.

Well don't be tempted by travertine when you go to look.
It is ****.

I had sort of reached the conclusion it was unsuitable for what we're
trying to achieve. *Is it **** for a aprticular reason then?

I have it in our living room.
The natural rock is full of voids.
They cut the rock and fill the voids and then hone.
The problem is, there are more voids just under the surface. When
walked on, they collapse after a while and leave a hole. *You are left
having to fill these holes but it looks a mess really.

Most of the fancy swirls and colours on it are actually the filler,
not the rock. Various fillers are used depending on how much you pay.
But it doesn't get over the basic problem.

Thanks - That's well worth knowing. *Seems to me that makes them
fundamentally unfit for purpose.....

My thoughts exactly.
I got them as a cheap job lot from Tiles-R-Us
About ten holes in 20m2.