How to grout riven stone with dressed edges

[dominoman]

My stone fireplace hearth is being made by me, a semi-competent DIYer that likes to have a go. I've never tiled before so would appreciate some advice.

I'm about to buy some lovely limestone floor tiles, 60cm square. They have a slightly uneven riven surface and dressed edges.

How do I lay and grout these?

The exposed front edge I'd like to leave uneven, but where they join to form the hearth should I saw the edges so they are flat? I will have to cut some edges anyway so it fits so should I cut them all so it is consistent?

How do you best grout uneven edges on for tiles so it looks great?

Many thanks for the help.

Below is a picture of the concrete hearth, ready for the floor tiles.



And these are the tiles i am now thinking to use.
http://www.tilegiant.co.uk/grassingham-limestone-60x60.html

 

[ree]

Have you sorted out with a HETAS whats required for the various burners you've previously mentioned? Because, if not, and you lay your expensive tiles on an incorrect hearth then they might have to come up if everything is not to Regs?

Your limestone tiles must be sealed before fixing - its a must. Talk to your tile supplier about this.

Using a grout bag would be the best thing for you to use when grouting - thing is, grout bags typically need a runny grout, and runny grouts tend to shrink and perhaps crack over time?

Follow the instructions on the grout bag to the letter.

FWIW: Why not read my nov 5 post ref grouting.

 

[dominoman]

This post? //www.diynot.com/diy/threads/the-perfect-grouting.445730/#post-3497477

Yes. Thanks. Will look into those kits.

In the end I bought a couple of large slate slabs with a natural uneven surface. They are being cut to size this week. Does slate also need sealing before grouting?

I bought some penetrating sealer for the bricks in the opening, so could also use for the slate. However the sealer says it is invisible and prevents oil staining. I want to be able to rub a light oil coating on to darken the slate and remove scratches, so not sure if the sealer is a good idea?

 

[dominoman]

BTW - Yes, I've sorted with HETAS. The fire I am buying is 5kW, heatshielded, and only needs a thin 15mm superficial hearth and no constructional hearth.

I've got a 4 foot deep constructional hearth that is about to be topped with a 4" slab of slate so I'm massively overengineered!