Installing brick floor--your opinion...

T

Tackdriver

New member
Well Im starting off on my newest adventure. I am installing a real brick floor in my kitchen and dining area. I am using real bricks, not the ceramic veneer stuff. They are 2.25 inches thick.

Ive got them all laid out in a trial pattern...all looks good except I was wondering....

Would you use tile grout between the bricks or a more traditional brick mortar? If the second thing, is there some sort of coloring agent you could add?? The grout (or mortar) joints will be somewhere between 5/16 and 1/2" Havent totally decided yet.
 
There is a die that you can get to color the mortar.If i'm thinking right you can get it in just about any color under the rainbow.

Also there is a coating to apply after you have it all finished up so if something spills it dosen't soak into the brick and smell later.

Good luck and send pic's
 
The only thing to keep in mind Joe; is where ever you stop, ie: dining room entry to living room, your gonna have a 2 1/2 inch lift that will invariablly trip you or someone while entering the dining room.....be careful. It's funny how just an inch or two can make you bust your behind, it can be a toe grabber for sure.
 
MY dad is a bricklayer and they make colored mortar. I know how also and I have red mortar on my house and it came mixed no die toput it in.The perfect joint is 3/8 for brickwork. I would recomend mortar versus grout! the mortar would work better and would be very strong on bonding it!! That will be very pretty! I have always wanted a brick arch coming out of kitchen in to living room !!!!!1
 
Grout will Never come out of the pores of the bricks if floated on traditionaly even if you applied several coats of grout release!!!

Use a "Dry" mix morter and a pointing tool and apply a quality release agent to the face and let dry before doing it to aid in the cleanup. Dry buff after the morter sets and once fully cured you can seal it for stain resistance. Bricks are super pourus so several coats would be needed for a uniform result. The latex or water based sealers are ok but if you want max shine and spill proof then opt for a sealer like BCD stone dressing. Only problem with the later is the horrific smell. You would want to open all the windows and get out of dodge for the day!!


Have Fun! Dave
 
You will need a grout release agent applied to the brick prior to grouting your brick,do not use a tile grout . the best application for an interior floor would be a mortar made of silica sand,you will need to be careful mixing color to get the ratio the same for each quantity you make up. the grout should be applied using a grout bag it will come out very liquid. scrape up the exess and add it back into your mix. clean up the rest using a masonry sponge. porbably best to try this on a small area until you get the hang of it . its actually quite simple. chilerojo made an excellent point,about the transition from room to room as most steps vary form 4.5 to 7 inches 2.25 is really a tripper.
and as stated before 3/8" is the standard brick joint . be sure to consult your local supplier for a quality sealer to finish the job. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Paul
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