First Time tiling DIY - Hearth - Part DUX

[nero44]

Opening a continuation of this post, as I actually had more queries before everyone started bickering...



I've received the tiles now and made a rough layout. I am not intending to use the warm-up board, I just want to use it to make a perfect cutout for the flooring guy to work around. The Warmupboard is 1250mm wide, but all the hardibackers (or any cement board) are only 1200mm. I've indicated the red line, where approximately 1200mm is. So I need to use two boards and there will be a weak spot where the two boards join together. What would you recommend where this weak point should be?

1. Keep it at the outside that 95% rests on once piece and that little bit on the right is on a second small piece, risking a weak edge
2. Make two symmetric pieces and have the cut/transtion smack down the middle?

Other question, if I have space, any harm adding a schluter decoupling matt? There seems to be more and more preference to use decoupling instead of hardibacker. Or will it make things worse?

 

[simplesteve]

Get a Hardibacker, split it in half lengthways turn them round 90deg, then cut both to the right width. The join just simply has to run down the centre so that both sides are the same. Much more stronger than a small ' piecemeal' edge join, and more professional. It'll have next to no foot traffic on it, so no need to put any hardi-scrim tape over it, just fill it with the rapidset when you're tiling and scrape it flat with the roadside of your trowel

 

[simplesteve]

Flatside

 

[nero44]

Thanks really helpful. I've also done some more googling and it appears that decoupling mats are not ideal for tiles smaller than 50mmx50mm and as individual pieces these are 45x45. In fact some of the matting instructions they specifically caution not to use under mosaic tiles. I've also ordered a slower setting thinset, I think I will need more time to get these straight as a beginner...

Might come back with more questions along the way, or if not, the final product in mid Jan.

 

[nero44]

Alright, so finally I can proceed with this project!

The floor has been laid and looks fantastic. As agreed with the flooring installer, they left the to-be-tiled area untouched and left a clean line.



The metal trim is measured, cut, bent and ready and I have everything ready besides the hardibacker, which brings me to my next question:

The total hight difference between the floorboards and the new hardwood flooring is between 21mm and 22mm. The Victorian checker tiles are 7mm thick. How do I go about filling the area?

Option 1
3mm adhesive +
6mm hardibacker = 9mm (although screwed down the adhesive might compress and I will only get 7.5-8mm) +
3mm adhesive + 7mm tiles = 18-19mm
In this scenario I would probably need to be generous with adhesive to get it level to the 21mm

Option 2
1.5-2mm adhesive +
12mm hardibacker = 15mm (although screwed down the adhesive might compress and I will only get 13.5-14mm) +
1.5-2mm adhesive + 7mm tiles = 22-23mm
In this scenario I would need to be quite scarce with adhesive and it still might be proud 1mm or so

Any thoughts/advice anyone?