3cm marble slab for shower ceiling?

dglassman · 09-26-2007, 11:05 PM

Hi everybody,

I am new here and have a question.

I am redoing my master bath and I am doing a steam shower. I had initially selected honed carrara mosaic for the floor and subway tile for the walls. I was going to use 12x12 carrara tiles for the ceiling but my slab installer suggested I use the left over portion of my slab (3 cm white venatino) for the ceiling of the shower. He assured me that it would be secure and that he did a lot of other jobs with slab on the walls and ceilings.

I am (more than a little) nervous about putting so much weight above the heads of my wife and children. I am pretty sure the installer has never used the 3cm on a ceiling before but I don't know that it matters (2cm vs. 3cm). That is, if it's not a good idea with 2cm it's certainly not a good idea with 3cm. However, I'd really like some opinions on this as I think the look would be striking. I am not willing to sacrifice my family's safety on this, though.

I would really appreciate any thoughts/comments regarding this.

Thanks!

Dan

cheesedog · 09-27-2007, 04:52 AM

i dont have any experience with this so dont listen to me, but 3cm sounds a little overkill and maybe a little unsafe.

Huligar · 09-27-2007, 08:08 AM

Here is some advice that you did not ask for. Do not use that stone in a wet area. If your heart is set on this stone, please check to see it you have hard water, this stone is know for oxidation when it is use in areas that has hard water. If you do have hard water, make sure you get a member of the NSRA or a very good restoration guy that knows how to seal this stone correctly.

Now for your install question, we have a few installers on the site, but your best bet is John Bridge Ceramic Tile Forums - powered by vBulletin they always have installers online.

Topshop · 09-27-2007, 11:27 AM

Other than that stone being a poor choice for the application the weight of the stone should be no problem as long as you use the proper adhesive/backer combination and it is installed before the wall tiles are put in so the tiles can lock the stone in from falling.

dglassman · 09-27-2007, 03:07 PM

Well, I guess I got the answer I was looking for regarding the installation of the slab on the ceiling. The main reason I am considering it is because I have the piece left over from my vanity and tub deck and I thought it would tie in nicely.

I guess a more relevant question was raised with respect to the suitability of the stone for the application. I also suppose the suitability of using the carrara mosaic on the floor of the shower is in question as well. I know I do not have hard water. Are there other reasons besides oxidation from hard water as to why it is a poor choice for a steam shower?

Thank you for helping me make this very important decision.

Huligar · 09-27-2007, 03:35 PM

I do not want to make this stone out to me a bad stone, but you need to know that it is not the best stone for your steam shower. This stone will etch easy, scratch easy, and oxidation.

Ok that is all the bad stuff, now here is how you deal with the stone Have it hone to a 600 grit or 400, this will stop you from seen any etch marks that would be visible in a polish stone. Seal the stone correctly before you ever use the shower, this will pro-long the the look of the stone and stop the oxidation. Now here is the best part, enjoy your stone. use proven stone soaps for day to day cleaning.

If you would like for me to point you in the direction of a few proven stone soaps that would work well with your type of stone and under the conditions in which you have the stone, all you need to do is ask.