A Fool-Proof Guide to Installing Slate Tile on a Fireplace

Being not only a single mother, but also a first-time homeowner, I was faced with the dilemma of giving my 15-year-old house a much-needed facelift, yet had never held a tool in my life. One of the first projects I decided to tackle was enhancing the focus of my living room - the fireplace. An hour of Googling later, I discovered what I consider to be one of the seven wonders of the do-it-yourself world - mosaic slate wall tiles. Each handcrafted tile fits uniformly to any other tile on any of its four sides and are originated from the island Bali, Indonesia. The website (www.homepebbletiles.com) that offers this product also features countless project ideas, how-to videos and instruction guide tips for installation. I realize ordering products online can make some people hesitant, but this company offers samples sent UPS so that you can inspect the quality and simplicity of their product.

All you need is a free afternoon, a few materials, and you can complete this project in no time.

Required materials:

• Thinset or Quickset mortar

• Trowel

• Scissors

• Grout

• Grout float

• Sponge

• Sealer

• Paint brush

The installation involves six simple steps and requires no special skills or tools:

1. Apply the mortar cement to the desired surface.

2. Place the stones next to each other and firmly press into the cement.

3. After the cement has dried, wet the stones and apply a coat of sealer using a cloth.

4. Apply a layer of grout over all the stones.

5. After 30 minutes, use the sponge to remove the grout from the top of the stones.

6. When the grout has dried, apply a coat of sealer.

Additionally, there are a variety of helpful tools on this company's website, such as the Tile Calculator which projects both your quantity needs and your costs. The tiles are offered in a variety of shapes and colors, including mixed. As if the wealth of knowledge offered on their site wasn't enough, all U.S. orders come with free shipping! The project consumed less than two hours out of my Sunday afternoon, and I successfully pulled off creating a beautiful focal point for my new dwelling. With this project guide, you don't need to be an expert nor do you need to hire one. I also wasn't left with a shed full of tools that I probably couldn't pick out of a Lowe's lineup, nor would I ever use again.