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What adhesive/grout for setting Copper flooring?

Hi, I am doing a job where I am laying down copper at a theater. My question is I know you can't use mortar. What do I use to set the copper in the floor with? Grout? if so what kind?

MIchelle Roberts
Friend of a tile layer - Navarre, Florida
February 9, 2011

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I have never heard of copper used as a flooring material. It would appear to be a completely unsuitable material.
Sticking it down would appear to be the least of your problems. Limited slip impact adhesive would probably do the job.
However, copper is a very soft metal. I would not be surprised to find the client unhappy with the scratched surface the first time someone walked on it.
You may also find that there is a legal requirement for exposed metal surfaces to be electrically earth bonded. A minor problem with an electrically continuous floor - but individual tiles would be a major headache.

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England
February 10, 2011

The copper is about 50 pounds each. They want it like a mosaic on the floor. Any suggestions? I don't think the theater had any idea when they picked this out to go on the floor what they were doing.

Michelle Roberts
- Navarre, Florida
February 10, 2011

There is a Theater that is having a friend put down 50 lb copper in an entry way that is outside but has a cover over the top to keep rain directly off. The copper that they want him to lay down is for when people donate money and they engrave their names on them. Eventually the whole area will be covered in this copper. My concern is is that we are in florida and we have a lot of lightning here. Is this a conductor? Also he will cut out concrete to lay these copper pieces down. What would I need to attach these to keep them in place ( grout etc). If these are conductors of electricity is there a way to put a ground rod or something in to prevent someone from being electrocuted? Is this something that could come back on him in the future if someone got hurt?

Michelle Roberts
friend of tile layer - Navarre, Florida
First of three simultaneous responses -- February 11, 2011

I would look at good mastics which are not cheap. Liquid nails would work in most cases. The original GE clear silicon should work also, and could be the grout if it had tiny grout lines. Cleans up with mineral spirits ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] or alcohol.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
Second of three simultaneous responses -- February 11, 2011

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I would write to the client pointing out the problems and ask them to sign a legal disclaimer. Removing these tiles after they are bonded would be a nightmare!
Your client should be grateful for saving them from a potentially very expensive mistake and you need to protect your reputation.
It would be good if you were able to suggest a more practical type of flooring.
I know that business is difficult right now, but there are some jobs I would walk away from.

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England
Third of three simultaneous responses -- February 12, 2011

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Hi. While Geoff raises serious issues that you need to think hard about, metal floor tile is not completely unheard of. I would talk to people like Frigo Designs and others who specialize in metal floor tile before having a cow.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
February 12, 2011