stone paver install

We have 1" thick 12"x24" granite pavers and a total depth of 1.5" to install them (interior space). We have a good plywood base over closely spaced joists designed to accomodate the weight. We were planning to install the pavers over 1/4" concrete board with 1/4" thinset. Given the good plwyood substrate, we might be able to eliminate the wonderboard and have a thicker setting bed.

Would appreciate recommendations on the best install method. thanks!

[Bud Cline]

Thinset is not intended to do what you want, you don't want to build with it in that fashion. If you fill with panels you can then use thinset but only in a reasonable thickness as dictated by the size of the trowel you use. Your thinset thickness would be around 1/8", certainly no more.

If you want to build with a mortar use masonry cement. Masonry cement can be heaped if necessary to take up space. You would then have to "beat" each paver into place and plane and level as you go. A lot more work actually.

[Bill Vincent]

kathryn- first things first-- what's the thickness of the plywood there? Also, what are the dimensions of your joists? 2x? what's the unsupported length? Mudsetting that thick stone is going to add a whole lot of weight to that floor, and that floor needs to be beefed up considerably to take that extra weight. Additionally, it needs to be twice as stiff as most other floors just because it's natural stone. IF you meet all those requirements, the best bet would be to lay down extruded diamond mesh wire lath, and wet set the stone with brick mortar, using thinset as a bondcoat with a v-notch trowel on the back of the stone.