Marble Threshold/curb keeps breaking?

15 years ago

It has been over 4 months and we are still using the guest bathroom shower. My DH did a beautiful tiled shower but forgot to ask me to check with the garden web about the threshold/curb size. When we went to get the marble or granite slab for the threshold we found he didn't do a standard size. Our entry/threshold/curb (or whatever it is called) Is 46" long - 6" high and 6" across. We have had our granite supplier make a beautiful marble threshold which coordinates so well with our tile only to be disappointed when it was picked up and split in two. They made us a second one put it in my trunk and was broken before I got it home. This is getting very expensive. They refuse to make another one at their expense. Is marble the wrong choice? I can't seem to find a good match with granite. And if we use our tile (which DH does not want to do because it would only have one curved size). Is it the marble or us? I really want my shower. Any help would be appreciated.

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Comments (5)

kgwlisa
15 years ago
A lot of marble is very very fragile until it is installed. I think part of the problem is the proportion of the piece - almost 4' long and 6" wide, you need to support that sucker across the entire length of it at all times. Once it is installed it shouldn't be a problem - it will be fully supported and thinsetted into place. Basically it can't support it's own weight.

If you are willing to pay for another one (and since this one broke while you were transporting it I can see why they wouldn't want to pay for it even though it probably should not have just been laid in your trunk) You can probably cut an 8' 2x6 into two pieces and sandwich the threshold between the two pieces and then tape the thing up like crazy so that it's fully supported. That should help you get it home. When putting it into place make sure you have at least two people and you don't hold it in such a way that it will break from its own weight.

Frustrating but I hope you can get it resolved.
pharaoh
15 years ago
Solution - No threshold!

We have used no thresholds in our home. tripping hazard, and break up the aesthetic of the flow.

We simple butt the flooring from one room to another, and slope it slightly if the flooring height is different.
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bill_vincent
15 years ago
pharaoh-- this is for the curb top. :-)

sanborn-- have them make one more, and duct tape it to a piece of 3/4" plywood, or a 1x8. When you get it home, leave it on the piece of wood while you measure it to cot to fit. Cut it right on the wood, spread your thinset on the curb top, and then (and ONLY then) slide it off the wood onto the curb. DO NOT push on it to set it into the thinset. Wiggle it back and forth, until it's down. Once set, it'll be just as solid as any other piece of stone.
sanborn5
Original Author
15 years ago
thanks, I really wish the fabricators had put it on a piece of wood and I also wish we had been smart enough to think of that. Thanks for all the advice and I will have my DH read the answer about sliding it onto the curb.
pharaoh
15 years ago
thanks Bill! Should read carefully next time :) Just read threshold and decided what my comment would be ;)

Marble Threshold/curb keeps breaking?

Comments (5)

kgwlisa

pharaoh

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Marble Threshold/curb keeps breaking?

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kgwlisa

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