What type of support do I need to lay slate tile on wooden front porch?

August 20, 2010

I have a craftsman style bungalow with a wooden front porch. As with any old house, there are no quick fixes. Upon removing the rotten wooden floor boards, it was discovered that the support beams were also rotten. Now I can start with a clean "slate". I came up with the idea to put slate tile as a "walkway" from the steps to the front door with the remainder of porch having the tongue and groove fir boards as the original porch had. I need some advice on the support needed for the tile. We are planning on 12" on center beams, 3/4" plywood on top of that, covered with 1/2" Duroc. Is this sufficient? The area to be tiled is 7′ x 8′. I would like to continue the slate tile on the steps and possibly the sidewalk leading up to the steps. I live in Iowa, thus cold winters and hot humid summers. Will this work? Please help.

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3 Responses to “What type of support do I need to lay slate tile on wooden front porch?”

eienmomo said:

August 20th, 2010 at 7:26 pm

the first two answerers aren’t correct. use 3/4" pressure treated plywood, and then thinset with a 1/4" notch and screw down your 1/2" durarock every 6 inches (try to make sure you hit some studs). use multiflex thinset, not regular (if you buy your thinset at lowes, use their ultraflex II). do not under any circumstance use a mastic to glue down your durarock or your slate. use the ultraflex II or any other multiflex for your slate as well. if you use 12" slate, use a 3/8" notch of thinset. anything over 12" use a 1/2" notch. good luck. p.s. if you use this method, you will not experience any cracking.
Woodwerks said:

August 20th, 2010 at 7:26 pm

it’ll last about a year before it starts to crack. it needs to go on a concrete slab.
bigg_dogg44 said:

August 20th, 2010 at 7:26 pm

just finished a project like this 6 months ago..the pywood has to be treated….the 12 oc is good as long as they are 2×10 or 2×12…..durorock is good…..make sure u use exterior mastic to set the tile….and as long as the 2x? r resting on a solid member and that member is supported with good foundation u will be fine………

lic. gen. contractor

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