I will be making a 36 x 36 hearthboard for my gas fireplace stove out of slate tile. Do I need to space them and use grout in between or can I just cement them down next to each other like you would glue down vinyl tiles?
Well i am going to dis agree for the fireplace i have seen marble with no grouting and the visual you gave me if its uniform slate such as squares or rectangles or a combo of both yes that would be breath takingly pretty. if its random odd shape the yes do grout. if i was doing a floor i would grout for fear of cutting my foot on an edge but then i most likely would come up with something new and contemporary.
With a gas stove, Code just requires you don't set it on something combustible. With joints of any kind it is considered combustable since heat can travel through the grout/mortar but wont travel through the tile, so if your going to make it your self, the easiest way is to buy a piece of Cement board from HomeDepot, and glue all your tiles down with Power Grab caulk then fill the joints with grout, other wise it is not code. Just sticking them to the floor does not qualify and if anything ever happens your liable for it, insurance wont cover it. This kind of board won't work for wood though, it would have to be heavier duty. Make sure you make it big enough to meet the clearance to combustibles listed on the back of the stove as well
No don t even try. First all tile and especially stones need the grout. Grout improves the strength of set tiles. Stones and again especially slate is not perfectly uniform and having grout allows them to look aligned. Dirt and debris ( and especially ashes) will get in those thin joints and be dirty and a PIA to clean and keep clean. Being on a hearth, w/o grout would be a fire hazard but at least you have a gas insert where this wouldn t be a factor. Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications there. GL
sure, the adhesive will carry without the grout. Down the line the tiles will be extra problematical to get the mould/bathe crud out because the perimeters of the tile are not completely sq.. Grout makes the interest seem professional. Grout is available in distinct colorations yet gray is the guideline. remember to seal the tiles if the tile producer states so.
