Fireplace Surround

[Michael Wiseman]

Good afternoon, Though I haven't become an active member yet on BiggerPockets, I'm hoping that will change very quickly here in the next couple of months. I am wondering if anyone has any advice or guidance about what kind of adhesive would work best for a fireplace surround using natural stone, interlocking 12x12 tiles. I won't be grouting since the tile fits snug, so I'm just looking for the best adhesive for the tile on the Hardibacker framework. I'm looking for long-lasting durable adhesive that does not necessarily have a long dry/cure time. I've tried the premixed thinset mortar but it is hard to spread and requires dry/cure time of approximately 48-72 hours for larger tile, such as the one I'm using. Thank you in advance for any assistance. Best, Michael

[Jim Adrian]

TEC has good products.  I used Mapie rapid set for floors and it set up within 20 mins for my bathroom remodel.  I would use a normal thinset and make sure you are using enough mortar on the backs and or the wall.  Back buttering the tile may help as well.  Thinset is more forgiving than rapid set and to waith 24hrs on a wall is no biggie.  I wasted 2 buckets when mixing the rapid set.  I would make sure you have all your tile laid out on the floor in the pattern you want on the wall.  Then have all tiles pre-cut.  One person to set tiles and another person to bring you tiles. Good luck!  Post some pics when done!