Tile/Backsplash Guys. Input on Thinset type? Newb to vertical tiling, 3x6 stone tiles

[budget76]

Done a bunch of reading, but figure its worth a sanity check before I dive in this weekend

doing the backsplash with solid stone tile, 3x6, this one to be exact https://www.flooranddecor.com/shower-decoratives/ocean-honed-marble-tile-100246016.html?rrec=true

bought 2 Mapei thinsets, both white since solid stone could absorb color per the internets
one is just normal generic ceramic thinset https://www.lowes.com/pd/MAPEI-Ceramic-50-lb-White-Powder-Thinset-Mortar/3743805
one is the lightweight stuff, which says less sag and for LFT's https://www.lowes.com/pd/MAPEI-Ultralite-Pro-25-lb-White-Powder-Medium-Bed/1002937210

Plan to use 1/4" square notched trowel, or 1/4"x3/8" if coverage looks low with the 1/4 square.

Leaning towards the lightweight 'no sag' stuff. zero vertical tile experience and not much horizontal. tiles are heaving so thinking the one for heavy tile and no sag is going to be better. Any red flags?

thanks in advance

 

[bgaidan]

For a backsplash, not exposed to constant water like in a shower, either should be fine. Back buttering and getting a good scratch to key it in is the important part.

 

[MattS]

Never used Mapei. But TEC White Ultimate 6 Plus Mortar 487 will let you stick 12x18's to the ceiling with no support. It's all I ever use. I have tried the 393 Superflex but it's twice the cost and I didn't notice it being better.

I would not worry about how heavy the tile are. You are going to set your grout width with spacers anyway and that will be supporting the weight. Might grab a bag of wedge spacers. They are handy for cheating the spacing if something is not perfectly level or square. https://www.lowes.com/pd/TAVY-100-Pack-1-in-W-x-1-in-L-1-8-in-Plastic-Tile-Spacer/3530578

I really like this trowel setup. Hart makes one and so do several other people. It's nice to not have a bunch of them taking up space and if you need more thinset you can just swap out to a deeper notch super fast. Plus for backsplash work it's nice to be able to adjust where the handle is for tight area's.

https://www.amazon.com/RTC-SwitchBl...t=&hvlocphy=9018327&hvtargid=pla-964778517287

 

[budget76]

thanks guys, thats what i was hoping to hear. will probably go lightweight just because it "sounds" better in the description.

Matt, thanks for the tips Looked but the TEC stuff doesn't appear local with a quick local search - may stop by a tile store or two before on the way home to see.

thats what i was thinking on weight, but having never done vertical the gravity "peel away" factor is what scares me. Good call on the wedges, I picked up a couple packs of these guys but no wedges https://www.lowes.com/pd/TAVY-100-Pack-1-in-W-x-1-in-L-1-16-in-Plastic-Tile-Spacer/1000209801. i do have some flooring install wedges that'd probably do the job too

thankfully did a laser-level test yesterday and my countertop is only 1/16" off over 5ft, and 1/8 off over the full 15ft or so. figure that will be just about impossible to see with the naked eye. didn't do too bad installing the base cabinets if i say so myself

trowel is a little rich for me, I'll suffer with the cheapo for 45 sq ft Does look like a sweet setup though

 

[rockmup]

Mapei is great stuff, no sag is what you want. 1/4" is kinda big for that size tile on a vertical, for me anyway.

Backsplash where ? Thats a poor choice of tile for use behind a stove, it will stain from grease

 

[MattS]

Mapei is great stuff, no sag is what you want. 1/4" is kinda big for that size tile on a vertical, for me anyway.

Backsplash where ? Thats a poor choice of tile for use behind a stove, it will stain from grease

I would 100% be mixing in stain blocker and water in the grout. I had great luck with it at the last house. And the stovetop was 2 inches from the backsplash.

 

[budget76]

Mapei is great stuff, no sag is what you want. 1/4" is kinda big for that size tile on a vertical, for me anyway.

Backsplash where ? Thats a poor choice of tile for use behind a stove, it will stain from grease

i never specified - kitchen. forgot bathrooms may also have backsplashes.

i have i think 1/8" square at home as well, maybe i'll try that one first.



thanks for the thoughts on stain risk and it being bigger with this tile. Will definitely spend time investigating sealers before we do any messy cooking. Had a porcelin tile first, but this one visually looks way nicer. but definitely don't want to turn it yellow with grease

 

[bgaidan]

If you've never used the leveling spacers, they will change your life.

I used these cheap Amazon ones on my last bathroom and it was the best looking tile I've ever laid. The PO did the shower in my new house and apparently made no attempt to level or space them and it's driving me fucking crazy to the point that I'm probably going to rip out the ~2 year old shower and completely redo it.

https://www.amazon.com/Leveling-Sys...ers&qid=1616097081&sr=8-14&tag=91812054244-20

 

[rockmup]

i never specified - kitchen. forgot bathrooms may also have backsplashes.

i have i think 1/8" square at home as well, maybe i'll try that one first.



thanks for the thoughts on stain risk and it being bigger with this tile. Will definitely spend time investigating sealers before we do any messy cooking. Had a porcelin tile first, but this one visually looks way nicer. but definitely don't want to turn it yellow with grease

Glue a few to some plywood, that tile is really porous. Sprinkle water on them and see how it changes color. Do the same with whatever sealant you might use. The sealant will make them permanently darker

MattS That looks fantastic, a lot like my kitchen actually. I'm fixing to do my back splash in a similar glass but kind of a sea green.

 

[budget76]

If you've never used the leveling spacers, they will change your life.

I used these cheap Amazon ones on my last bathroom and it was the best looking tile I've ever laid. The PO did the shower in my new house and apparently made no attempt to level or space them and it's driving me fucking crazy to the point that I'm probably going to rip out the ~2 year old shower and completely redo it.

https://www.amazon.com/Leveling-Sys...ers&qid=1616097081&sr=8-14&tag=91812054244-20

i came very close to buying some self-leveling, but decided to hate myself this weekend Will probably convince myself I'll use them for every other project moving forward. If the beginning doesn't go smooth i may quit with the 'standard' spacers, put it on hold, and get a kit delivered


1000% would have bought those if doing floor. figured backsplash, with smaller tiles with semi-rough edges from the factory, would be OK

 

[budget76]

Glue a few to some plywood, that tile is really porous. Sprinkle water on them and see how it changes color. Do the same with whatever sealant you might use. The sealant will make them permanently darker

MattS That looks fantastic, a lot like my kitchen actually. I'm fixing to do my back splash in a similar glass but kind of a sea green.

this is why i asked. good idea. i'll use some of the scraps before doing any sealing or anything

 

[rockmup]

i came very close to buying some self-leveling, but decided to hate myself this weekend Will probably convince myself I'll use them for every other project moving forward. If the beginning doesn't go smooth i may quit with the 'standard' spacers, put it on hold, and get a kit delivered


1000% would have bought those if doing floor. figured backsplash, with smaller tiles with semi-rough edges from the factory, would be OK

For me they are more trouble than they were worth

 

[MattS]

For me they are more trouble than they were worth

If you have put down enough tile those things will just slow you down. I'm no pro, my old man is but I still don't leave any boot scrapers behind me. Now, if your doing your first and possibly last tile job. Hell yes. Because you need them to make up for lack of skills.

 

[rockmup]

If you have put down enough tile those things will just slow you down. I'm no pro, my old man is but I still don't leave any boot scrapers behind me. Now, if your doing your first and possibly last tile job. Hell yes. Because you need them to make up for lack of skills.

Same, not a pro but I've laid much more than a normal person.

 

[MattS]

Same, not a pro but I've laid much more than a normal person.

I'm sure that's what you tell all the ladies.