MArble floor help (tiles2tech:))

[Zebo]

I need some advice on marble flooring I'm about to do on the cheap.

I want to do a little over 1800 ft sq. of this 18" marble tiles Text. It' seems a bit pricey here so my first question is would do you know of a cheaper place?

We hav'nt moved into this house yet, but I planned to do this one myself before we move in. These tiles will not go in the bedrooms or formal rooms or kitchen, just in the major walkways, bathrooms how long would such a large project take on bare concrete floor with no molding (I had it built this way)? I've done smaller areas such as just a bath or two but this house is enormous over 4800sqf? Should I hire a couple helpers?

I also plan to do a couple mosaics like This in the entry way and the entrance to the master.


EDIT: And how to bridge the gaps between carpet in bedrooms/formal rooms and marble tiles? And how to bride gap between hardwood floored kitchen and the tiles?

Any help appreciated.

 

[T2T III]

I want to do a little over 1800 ft sq. of this 18" marble tiles Text. It' seems a bit pricey here so my first question is would do you know of a cheaper place?

Usually, sites like you've linked to don't offer much of a discount. Normally, one could expect 25% or so as a discount if you are a contractor. Street prices should be about 20% off.

To get a better price, you might have to do a bit of shopping in your area. Look for a larger tile/marble wholesaler that can offer better discounts. The smaller places will want to charge MSRP and might even try to hit you with the shipping charges.

The open areas should be pretty quick to get installed. It will be along the walls and corners that will take time because of the sawing that is required. If I were you, I'd try to lay down as many full pieces as you can before you recruit some help. Save the help for when you really need it. Two people could be marking the cuts with a grese pencil and the third could be on steady saw duty. Or, one could mark the cuts, one could make the cuts and the third person could set the tiles. 1,800 S.F. could take a few weeks to install. However, paying for someone to do this could be quite pricey - maybe $5.00 - $8.00 a s.f. for just the labor depending on the installer.

To bridge the areas between the marble tiles and the hardwoods, you'll want to get a hardwood "T" strip that will make a small hump over the gap the bridge the area between the tiles and the hardwoods. These "T" strips are available at flooring stores. You might have to get an unfinished strip and stain it yourself to match the hardwoods, but this should not be too complicated of a process.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Here's some links to the latest projects that I have on the burner:

1) Completed tearing down the old divding wall, built new columns and painted the walls:
Bedroom Columns

2) Removed old, 3-sided shower, installed new shower with 2 sides of tile and the glass will be installed on the other two sides in a few days.
Shower Rebuild

 

[Zebo]

Thanks a lot. I'm a little surprised it'll take so long. The sub I was going to hire wanted ~17K and I know why now. He said his 4 guys would take him a solid week. I work fast, but not four guys fast

My dad is is a general and the best I found was $~6 sqft down from anywhere $8-14 retail depending on the store.

I've seen different ways to bridge the gap between the Hardwood and marble. One technique, I found attractive, was a thin (aprox 1/16th in) aluminum band level with the surfaces seperating the two sections. Looked really cool. Another way I've seen is simply butt the two materials against one another. I'mnot familiar with a hardwood T though ..have to check that.

Nice work.

 

[Zebo]

I forgot to ask which saw do I want to buy?(american preferably) and it has to cut though 5/8" reasonably quick.

 

[T2T III]

I forgot to ask which saw do I want to buy?(american preferably) and it has to cut though 5/8" reasonably quick

Some of the "better" saws are by Target. However, you might be able to get a used M/K from a local pawn shop for an OK price. Just be sure to do the necessary research on the model so you can confirm that it will be able to cut an 18" tile.

 

[Sluggo]

Originally posted by: Zebo
I forgot to ask which saw do I want to buy?(american preferably) and it has to cut though 5/8" reasonably quick.

If you buy used, take some marble with you and make them let you test it out.

If you get stuck with an old/warped blade the vibrations can crack the marble pretty easily since it does have weaks areas in it from the veins. You dont want to get stuck saving a few bucks on a used saw, and ending up having to buy a new $120 blade for it....or more if you are getting a saw that will do 18" tiles. Also make sure you can do 18" tiles on a full diagonal, that takes a big saw.

You might get lots of breakage anyway, just depends on the lot of marble you get.

MORE EDITING

http://www.schluter.com/english/products/2002/overview/productoverview.html Check there for all types of tile transitions, and edging that helps a ton if you can afford it.