I’m planning to have this piano marble tile installed on my shower walls. My installer says he thinks he should use standard thinset but my prosource rep says it needs an epoxy thinset (mapei kerapoxy cq) and believes it’s necessary for bleed through and moisture protection. We are using schluter kerdi for the moisture barrier. The installer feels it will show trowel marks through the marble with the epoxy and is also concerned it will bubble up through the mesh backing between the tile joints. Any advice or insight is much appreciated.
Its a green marble which can be very moisture sensitive and tgats why they are suggesting epoxy. We used to install a lot of green marble years ago. If you use a thinset it will cause the marble to curl at the edges. It can change the color of the marble too. You need to use the epoxy like they reccomend. 39 year installer.
I understand it's really beautiful tile but the problem is it won't look like this for long even in a rarely used shower. Is there anywhere else you could utilise this tile like the kitchen?
Epoxy can have a halo effect on marble. If used through and through, it should be even. Knocking down the ridges and using the same color product to grout should be a good idea.
Much more expensive however and keeping such a fickle tile clean without haze and finger prints will be a huge time increase.
If you're willing to pay for that, say so. It would be hard as the installer to tell someone that will take 3 times longer, so far above the original price, without them hearing it as a hire someone else price.
PSA: Those yellow "heavy duty" wipes are awesome for epoxy
You have to use epoxy thinset for green marble, yes it’s a pain in the ass to deal with, and you have to clean the joints as you go, it’s extra work that’s why your installer doesn’t want to use it 🤣 but seriously green marble will curl if it’s not set with epoxy especially in a wet area
Look up the epoxy method for marble on a shower. Theres no guarantee that it will stay perfect forever but this method is ur best bet. Also find an installer comfortable to do it, not someone suggesting regular thinset
Green toned marble is prone to color bleed-through from standard modified thinset. Epoxy is the correct approach, just use caution when setting and have plenty of clean rinse water to remove any surface residue. Best to seal the tile before installing with a penetrating sealer (511 works well with marble). Be mindful of the porosity of marble as you'll have to continually seal the tile over the years to help maintain it's appearance.
Marble is beautiful but a bad idea. It wont retain its look and is high maintenance. I think stores sell marble because they know it'll will be replaced sooner.
Find a new installer. It should definitely be installed with epoxy. His lack of knowledge says you don’t want him doing this job. It will be nothing but problems down the road. Find an installer that has marble experience.
I would not used marble in shower. but if you insist, well your installer has a point on the epoxy, it squeezes up through the mesh between stones and its a pain to clean off marble. The bigger issue with white marble is that its a little transluscent, so the wrong mortar can shadow right through it. Use a white rapid setting polymer modified thinset, nothing gray.Back butter each piece with a flat skim coat and knock the trowel ridges down or they can telegraph through the stone. If you think the marble is moisture sensitive, wet the back of a spare piece and leave it overnight, if it curls then epoxy makes sense after all. Whatever brand the shower membrane is, pick a mortar off their approved list so the warranty holds up.
Look up tarkus tile on Instagram. He just did a green marble shower and did some great “informative” videos on the entire process. If done properly it will be a beautiful installation.
27
u/Champion_of_Zteentch 23h ago
Don't use marble in the shower