Bored with bland, symmetrical tile floors? Are you, coincidentally, a fan of Abstract Expressionism? And also sort of thrifty? Tile floors (and walls) made from scrap, broken, discarded or leftover stone and tile can be time consuming, but they are deeply satisfying to make and more interesting to look at than floors made with just one type of tile.
![](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/7c/Marblefloor_776.jpg/250px-Marblefloor_776.jpg)
Steps
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Find a source for scrap, broken or discontinued tile and stone. All the marble andgranite shown in the picture in the introduction was salvaged from the trash pile at a stone distributor/fabricator. Tile distributors also sell returns and discontinued styles at a discount. Collect pieces that are all roughly the same thickness. Don't be concerned about using colors and patterns that don't match - the variety is what makes the overall floor appealing.
- Put the pieces together. If you have the inclination and mental discipline to work out a pattern first, draw it on the floor and then fit the stone to it. However, you can also just pick a corner and start laying out pieces, expanding on patterns suggested by shapes and colors in the materials, fitting them together as you would a jigsaw puzzle. Cut pieces as needed with a wet-cutting tile saw, fitting the stone together so the grout lines are 1/8" to1/2" wide. If you're making a completely abstract pattern, lay out the entire floor without mortar first - cutting and fitting can be very time-consuming.
- Set the pieces in place. Once you're satisfied with the floor, mix about 2 gallons worth of white tile-setting mortar (the kind used for marble), carefully move several square feet of the pattern to the side, spread mortar in that area with a wide-notch trowel (check the mortar bag for recommended trowel size) and then set the stone back in place permanently. Check a few pieces to make sure they're roughly 3/4th covered with mortar. If they're not, spread additional mortar and/or spread some mortar on the back of the piece. Use metal washers or stone chips to shim up low pieces - all the pieces should be close to the same level so the floor is smooth and you don't stub your toe when walking. Dull any sharp, protruding edges with a tile saw or grinding stones. Wipe excess mortar off the tile and out of the grout lines within 20 minutes.
- Wait. After the entire floor is done, stay off it for 24 hours. Then apply a sealer or grout release (very important with rough stone tiles), let it dry, and finally grout using sanded grout. Work in 5 - 10 s.f. sections, wiping grout from the tile surface within 15-20 minutes of spreading it. Scrub off the fine haze after the grout has hardened (8 hrs.), then apply a final coat of sealer after a few days (check sealer instructions).
Tips
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Floor made from leftover and discarded tile
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Create unusual patterns in a small area of the floor.
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Fill a threshold with different colors and shapes
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Mix and match bargain tile and expensive feature tiles
- Don't be afraid to take chances with colors. The very worst that can happen is that you won't like it and you'll have to chip up a tile and replace it, which can usually be done in minutes.
Warnings
- Ask the tile store or stone fabricator before digging through their trash pile.
- Use safety glasses when cutting stone or tile. Wear rubber gloves when grouting.