Stone Medallions Installation Instructions
Tools and Materials Required:
- Chalk-line or marker, ruler
- Marble Set or Thinset Adhesive
- 1/4 to 3/8 inch Square notched trowel
- Wet saw or side grinder with a diamond blade
- Sponge, dry cloth
Estimated work time:
3 hours
Surface Preparation:
The subfloor or wall must be structurally sound, rigid, smooth, flat, and free of curing compounds and waxy or oily films. Depending on your existing subfloor or wall, you may need to install a backer board before installing your medallion.
Layout:
Square off the area where the medallion is to be installed and measure and mark centers of the area both ways. Use a chalk-line or marker to install intersecting lines through the center of the area. This will divide the area into four parts.
Preparing the Medallion:
Remove any remaining packing material from the medallion. If your medallion is in more than one piece, assemble it in an out of the way area to familiarize yourself with the way it will fit together. Remove the protective rubber edge off the medallion.
Medallions up to 70" can be made in the single piece. Larger medallions are shipped in several pieces for easier handling and installation. The pieces are numbered or lettered on the back for easy assembly.
Note that medallions sometimes may slightly warp during transportation. The solution is to lay the medallion flat and weight it with sand bag or similar overnight.
Adhesive & Trowels:
We recommend using a Marble Set or Thinset Adhesive for the Floor Medallions. Laticrete made mortars are good example.
We recommend using a 1/4 to 3/8 inch Square notched trowel for the larger floor medallions and a 1/8 inch V notched trowel for the backsplash medallions.
Spreading Thinset or Adhesive:
Using the intersecting lines as a guide, apply the thinset or adhesive. Spread one coat using the flat side of the trowel and then immediately come back with second coat, using the notched side of the trowel.
Laying the Medallion:
Place the medallion in the thinset and press it into place lining using the intersection lines as guides.
Use a wood block or grout float to press the medallion firmly into place taking care to adjust and level to get a smooth finish. Also any part of the medallion that are low in the floor or wall may be raised by inserting extra thinset or adhesive under the medallion.
Use a wet saw or side grinder with a diamond blade the cut the pieces of the surrounding floor or wall to fit to the edge of the medallion. Apply adhesive to the pieces and insert them taking care to adjust for level and smoothness.
Using a damp sponge to clean any adhesive residue from the medallion and the joints.
Sealing and Maintenance:
Stone Floor Medallions should be sealed after installation with specialized penetrating stone sealer. This is true for any type of stone installation. Sealer should be periodically reapplied at least once every two years. A good sealer to consider is "Miracle 511 Impregnator" sold in Home Depot.
Clean marble surfaces with non Acidic, low-pH specialized stone cleaners such as Mira Clean #1 by Miracle Sealants. Do not scrub it with a brush or any other scrubbing tool. Vacuum often to remove any grit.
Surface treatment options:
You can request different types of treatment for stone waterjet inlays when placing an order. Standard marble medallions are factory polished. In some circumstances you may wish to have a more slip resistant surface (i.e., in the bathroom). In this case, please request "honed" surface for marble medallions.
Stone Medallions can also be treated at the factory to have a "tumbled" appearance as shown on the photo below.
