Cutting Marble Thresholds
Sometimes it can be hard to find a decent way to bridge the gap between two different types of flooring. Thresholds are often used to bridge carpet between two different rooms, blending different carpet styles, as well as when a carpeted room leads towards a room with a wooden, stone, or tiled floor.
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Thresholds vary in size and can be made out of metal, wood, stone, and especially marble. Marble is extremely durable, elegant and stylish, making it an ideal material to define changes in your home decor. You can also choose a marble style which matches the flooring in both rooms, blending the styles to avoid clashing flooring.
When you decide to install your own thresholds, you may find that one of the most difficult parts of the process is cutting marble thresholds. While marble is very strong, the act of cutting can shatter the marble if you are not careful. It is also important to point out that you must get the size of your marble threshold exact. It is extremely hard to reduce the size of marble (which cannot be sanded down as easily as wood) and if it is too small any filler substance will look unsightly next to your quality marble threshold.
The first thing you will need to do before you cut your marble threshold is to find the right block of marble to cut. To save time it can often help to measure the width of your doorway, that way you only have to cut the length of your marble threshold! Some stores will cut your marble threshold for you. However this can be expensive, and is easy to do yourself if you have the tools!
A marble threshold should cut to the length as well as the width of your doorframe. The length of a marble threshold will usually be between two to four inches wide. Choosing the depth of a marble threshold is often important as well. Common thicknesses are between half an inch and three quarters of an inch.
If you have a deep inset in which to place a marble threshold then you can inlay some extra wood to cushion the marble.
When it comes to cutting marble thresholds you will need a blade which can deal with the high strength of marble. You can use tools such as a tile cutter, or a tile wet saw, ensuring a clean and chip free finish to your marble threshold.
When using either of your tools to cut a marble threshold you should always mark out your line before placing the cut to make sure you get exactly the right size. You should use a tile cutter with smooth strong strokes to get a clean cut, and if you use a tile saw, then keep your speed consistent and straight!
When you have cut your marble you need to clean out all the dust from the recess you have created for the marble threshold, and then apply a layer of thinset glue to the recess. Once this has been done, lower the threshold in to the recess and keep applying gentle pressure. Once it is fast leave for around 24 hours, and then you are done!
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