Attention all stoners:

[ampersat]

er, I mean, stoneworkers.

I've gotten this far along on my wood stove alcove project:



Actually, (unfortunately) I'm just a little further than that; I've got the wonderboard installed on the base area. Turns out I need to give the cinderblock a good scrub to get the dust off of it for good adherence of the slate tiles that are going to cover it all.

So, the question now is: how best to adhere the slate to the cinderblock. The nice older gentleman at the big box store seemed to know his stuff and recommended that I continue using the same type S mortar that I used to build the alcove, but to add "some" cement to it to make it stickier and use it like thinset to adhere the tile directly to the cinderblock. When I set the cinderblocks for the hearth area, I tried just using mortar and my notched trowel and that proved to be unworkable. I have my doubts that it would work well with the stone.

I'm willing to go drop the big bucks for heat-rated tile mortar if that's what I need to do to get a good quality installation that's relatively easy to accomplish. I'd like to keep my costs down though and I'm going to have more than half a bag of mortar left from setting the last of the cinderblock that I could put to good use. If I do go with adding cement to it for this purpose, what at ratio should I use it and what consistency am I shooting for to achieve the best results?

[reeljob]

Hey Man, I am not really an expert, but i think youd be better off just using thin set to bond the slate to the block. It has a lot less body than type S and will aid in keeping things level. The type S doesnt need anymore cement as it is a high cement mix and is temp rated as well..... My only question after seeing the picture is do you have the 18" of non combustibles in front of the stove??? Looks on the shallow side...
Looks like a fun project!!!

[Boats]

I guess that answers my question on that I posted on your other thread.
Better finish that project before the run is out.

[fishkisser]

Hey Ampersat looking good so far ...
I have been setting stone of all types for 35 years and have done the same installation many times ... The "experts" will tell you it has to be a heat rated mortar but this is only true under extreme heat circumstances ... I have always used polymer modified thin-set mortar to set the stone on whatever backing desired from cinder block to plywood and all in between ...
I have never had a de-lamination problem ever , you can either buy the liquid to mix into regular thin-set or a thin-set with it already in it just add water to make it a thick pancake batter consistency butter up the back of the stone and use a 1/4 square notched trowel and your good to go ...
Feel free to P M me with any ?s if you want ... Have Fun ...
Barney

[ampersat]

Originally Posted by reeljob

My only question after seeing the picture is do you have the 18" of non combustibles in front of the stove??? Looks on the shallow side...

The entire setup is 36" deep, 16 in back and 16 in front. Required clearance behind the stove is 2" from non-combustibles (thus the painful labor of building a cinderblock alcove by oneself). The stove measures 14 5/8" from front to back. With the extra lip of the slate on the face of the hearth, I'm coming in by the skin of my teeth. I pretty much spec'd the entire install right at clearances for the stove I bought (extra inch or two on the sides and enough top clearance to swing a pot of smoked salmon chowder on the stove before heading out for a morning of winter steelheading).

Next project is to remove all the carpet from the house and install snaplock flooring throughout. Not the most imaginative flooring installation but I get to play with linoleum in the bath and kitchen. Next summer comes the deck with outdoor kitchen, featuring fish cleaning station and homebrewing/crab cooking station.

Ain't single life grand?

[reeljob]

Nice!!!

[Chromaflage]

Doug, have you tried Thin-Set?

[mandinga]

Where are the cheetos?

[wilsonriverfisher]

You tricked me

[Fast Water]

Oh, wow man.