Slate Kitchen Floor
A Five Step Heated Floor Project

Finished project: Slate kitchen

After electing to install a new slate floor in their kitchen, dining room and bath our Cranehill homeowners decided it was the best time to add heated flooring. This was one of five projects that Renovation Experts took on at this location. The five steps to the heated slate floor went as follows:

1) Heated floor cable installed
2) Heating wire covered with floor leveler
3) Slate tile installed
4) Slate scrubbed and sealed
5) Floor grouted and re-sealed

 

1) Heated floor cable installed
Because the heating wire could not be cut and could not cross over itself the layout had to be carefully planned. Everything we needed for the installation was provided in the kit, including the metal strips that the cable clipped into.

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The insulated cable started at the thermostat. As it looped back and forth it was anchored by the metal strip.

Continuing from the kitchen the heated floor cable entered the bathroom where it ended.

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We started in the hallway with the thermostat, went into the dining room, then to the kitchen and down the hallway into the bathroom, where we used up the remainder of the cable.

If you undertake a heated floor installation make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions and guidelines.

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The cable for the heated floor could not be cut, and is shown here coiling around the kitchen from the dining room.

After the cable was installed, we covered the floor with a skim coat of thinset. Floor leveler could be used for this step.

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2) Heating wire covered with floor leveler
The second step was to cover the heating cable with thinset or floor leveler. This was mixed in batches and spread with a trowel. This product was allowed to cure for a full day before the slate installation was started.

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Once the floor leveler had set the slate tiles were installed as usual. Kitchen view of the slate tile.

Because the thickness of the slate varied the tile contractor had to use a lot of thinset to level the each tile. Dining room view.

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3) Slate tile installed
With step two completed the slate was installed like a regular floor. The slate we were installing wasn't always the same thickness, so we had to individually level each tile. As a result the installation progressed a little slower than conventional tile.

A word of caution: If you are installing tile over a heated floor be careful when popping up any laid tiles that may break before the floor is properly grouted. You don't want to nick or damage the heating cable.

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After the entire floor was set it was cleaned and coated with three coats of sealer. The sealer was applied with a sponge.

Grouting followed the sealing. Washing the grout properly is key to a good job. You want to wipe off the tiles' surface and perfect the grout lines.

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4) Slate scrubbed and sealed
Next we cleaned the grout lines and scrubbed all of the slate tiles. We used three coats of Swish, a sealer for stone and slate, to seal the floor. Sealing the floor is an important step because slate is porous and the surface of the stone would absorb the grout causing it to be quite impossible to wash off. A sealer can also enhance the slate's colors creating a very rich look.

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This is a view of the completed slate of the kitchen. Slate should be re-sealed after it is grouted to protect the lines from dirt.

The bathroom slate shown here turned out nicely as well. Heated floors are especially pleasant when you step out of the shower or tub.

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5) Floor grouted and re-sealed
We custom-made our own grout color by mixing 1 part mallard green grout with 3 parts pewter grout. If you choose to combine two grout colors make sure you mix the dry powder thoroughly before you add water to ensure a consistent grout color.

We applied the grout to just the grout lines. Then we washed the tile and wiped the extra grout away,perfecting and smoothing the lines at the same time. Finally, we re-sealed the whole floor to protect the tile and its grout lines.

Renovation Experts worked on several projects at this Cranehill home. Click here for the article on the slate compass that our contractors installed in the front entrance.

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