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Sadly, this black porcelain penny-round tile installation failed. The homeowners lived with it for a while before finding the perfect replacement; 3" polished porcelain hexagon tiles that brilliantly emulate Nero Marquina marble.
The fully stocked refrigerator is easily moved without scratching the flooring using the AirGlide Moving Systems dolly - a great innovation that utilizes hovercraft principles to move heavy objects on a cushion of air. After the appliances are removed, the tiles were stripped from the OSB (oriented strand board) underlayment. Surprisingly, the penny-round mosaics came out easily with a roofer's spade - they were barely bonded.
The 1/4" OSB was removed too, exposing another 1/2" plywood underlayment. Under that is the original 5/8" plywood subfloor.
The existing 1/2" underlayment is fastened to the subfloor and primed with Kiesel UG30, a tile industry bonding agent. Luckily, the subfloor was very flat so no patching or leveling was needed.
An anti-fracture membrane (ProSecure PE from Germany) is installed with thin-set mortar and the tile layout is determined. The clients selected a 3" polished porcelain hexagon tile that genuinely mimics Nero Marquina marble from Spain; it even has small fissures on the highly polished surface simulating real stone. Excellent quality tiles from PNF Canada/Gani Marble via Tile Town Victoria.
The tile installation was completed with Mapei Kerapoxy CQ epoxy grout. The cabinet kick panels were replaced - and fabricated oak transition mouldings were installed flush with the black tiles and finished to match the original hardwood flooring.
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The bold tile selection works wonderfully in this modern home.
Now displaying the beauty of exotic polished marble, this kitchen floor not only shines - it has the durability of porcelain tile and bulletproof epoxy grout,