How to Install Limestone Floor Tiles

Lead Image for How to Install Limestone Floor Tiles
  • 2-16 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 300-2,500
What You'll Need
Limestone tiles
Thinset
Grout
Trowel
Limestone sealer
Concrete board
Screws
Drill
Bucket
Tile spacers
Tape measure
Sponge
Chalk line
Wet saw
What You'll Need
Limestone tiles
Thinset
Grout
Trowel
Limestone sealer
Concrete board
Screws
Drill
Bucket
Tile spacers
Tape measure
Sponge
Chalk line
Wet saw

Installing limestone floor tiles can be a great way to provide a durable and elegant floor for your home. The process of installing limestone tiles will require some basic knowledge and a lot of hard work. Here are the basics of how to install limestone floor tiles successfully.

Measure the Area

The first thing that you will want to do is measure the area of the space that you plan on installing limestone tiles. Take your tape measure and get the length and the width of each room. Multiply these two dimensions together to get the exact square footage of the room. The square footage is for each room together and then add approximately 10 percent to that figure. This will ensure that you have enough waste to complete the job while making cuts.

Prepare the Room

Before you can start installing the limestone tile, you must prepare the room. Remove any furniture or personal belongings from the room. You should also take up any flooring that is still in the room and remove it. If you are on a concrete subfloor, you can install the tile directly to it. However, if you are in a room that has a wood subfloor, you will need to install concrete board first.

Install Concrete Board

If you do not need a concrete board, move onto the next step. If you do, apply thinset to the floor and press the concrete board down into it. Then you will want to fill each hole in the concrete board with a screw that will go all the way down through the wood subfloor below. Cover the entire floor in this manner.

Start Installing Tile

Once the subfloor is prepared, you can begin installing the limestone tile. You should determine where the center of the room is and start installing from that point. Use a chalk line and snap it in the center point of both directions. Then start installing in a corner of the chalk lines. Spread out some thinset with a trowel and then place the limestone tile down into it firmly. Place a tile spacer on the corner of the tile and press another tile in, directly up against it. This will ensure the proper spacing between the tiles. Continue installing tiles in this manner.

Cut the Tiles

When you get to a wall or cabinet, you will need to cut the tile to fit. Take the measurement of the size of tile that you need and cut the tile accordingly with a wet saw. Once the tile is installed, let it dry overnight.

Grout

Once the tile is installed, you will need to apply grout in between the tiles. Use a trowel or grout float to apply the grout into the grout joints. Then use a sponge to wipe down the tile and even out the grout lines. This will help remove excess grout from the tile surface.

Finishing Up

Allow the grout to dry overnight. Then you should apply a stone sealer to the entire surface of the limestone tile and let that dry before walking on the floor.