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The completed slate compass makes a dramatic statement in the front entrance of our Cranehill project. |
In an effort to add esthetic and monetary value to a project on Cranehill we undertook the task of installing a slate floor in the front entrance, complete with a compass design.
Here's how the five step project progressed:
1) Compass Layout
2) State installed
3) Slate scrubbed and sealed
4) Tile grouted
5) Floor re-sealed
1) Compass Layout
The compass layout was designed by first finding the center of the room and deciding on the size of the circle.
The circle was then drawn by making a compass device with a string. The string being the length of the circle's radius and a nail being the center pivot point. The border tiles were then cut and laid.
A smaller circle was marked to define the center of the compass. The four main arms of the compass, with one facing true north, were all drawn in, as well as the four smaller arms (NE, SE, SW, NW).
The symmetrical pattern within each quadrant was designed next. The pieces were then cut and laid in place.
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The tiles for the compass are being cut and laid out in this picture.
The outer circle and arms of the compass were set first. |
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Next, each quadrant of the compass was installed.
Followed by the tile along the perimeter. |
2) Slate installed
By the end of day one the border, center circle and arms of the compass were all installed. Once these key tiles were fixed in place we were setup for a smooth install on the rest of the floor.
By the end of day two each section of the compass was installed, along with the rest of the slate tile along the perimeter.
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Not all of the slate tiles were the same thickness.
Each tile needed to be "back-buttered" and leveled individually. |
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This picture shows the installed slate being thoroughly scrubbed in preparation for the next step of sealing the tile. |
3) Slate scrubbed and sealed
On day three the entire slate floor and compass was scrubbed clean. The tiles were then sealed with Swish, a slate and stone sealer. We applied three coats of the sealer, waiting an hour between coats.
The reason you need to seal slate before grouting is because, being naturally porous, it will really draw in the grout making it next to impossible to clean.
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Once clean the entire area was sealed.
This view shows how stunning the completed floor would look. |
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The slate had to be sealed before grouting.
An effort was made to put the grout on just the actual grout lines. |
4) Tile grouted
Not finding the exact grout color we wanted we decided to custom-make our own. We mixed 3 parts pewter and 1 part mallard green of the same brand of sanded floor grout. The meld was an excellent match that blended with the colors in the slate and acted to visually pull the tile together into one solid floor.
If you decide to mix two grout colors you will need to thoroughly mix the dry powder before you add water or you run the risk of the grout being inconsistent in color. You will also need to be very exact with your measurements for the dry grout and water or the grout batches will be different colors.
When we grouted this floor we endeavored to keep the grout just on the grout lines, so that it would have less opportunity to stick to the tiles' irregular surface, making the cleaning easier.
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The floor was grouted and washed in sections to ensure the grout didn't harden too quickly.
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Wiping was done with circular or diagonal motions to keep the grout lines smooth.
Grouting and washing completed. |
5) Floor re-sealed
Day four the project was completed by, once again, sealing the entire floor. This not only brought out the richness and variegated color of the slate, but will serve to protect the tile and grout lines from dirt.
To finish off the entrance we painted the foyer walls "tapestry", drawing from the rust colors in the slate, and added new baseboard and trim. We were very pleased with the finished slate compass, as were the homeowners. Renovation Experts worked with the owners of this home on four other projects that will add to their enjoyment while they're living there and no doubt give them a good return on their investment should they decide to sell in the future.
We worked on five projects altogether at this Cranehill home. Click here to read the article on the Heated Slate Floor in the Kitchen.
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