Limestone Floor Tiles - Laying Tips
Discussion
I've just bought 85m2 of these Limestone Tiles
The sub-base consists of a wet UFH system, covered by Keracem Eco screed.
I've laid tiles before, but nothing remotely on this scale, nor any tiles so large (900x560mm).
The tiles are to be laid at 56cm wide x random lengths.
From my initial research, I've discovered the following:
1 - I need to use white flexible adhesive
2 - Install a movement matt between the screed and the tile - Ditra or Dural - the latter seems to be somewhat cheaper than the former - are there any pro's/con's from either?
3 - Movement joints in the screed must mirror in the floor tiles
4 - I need a wet tile cutter - any recommendations? Ideally I'll buy something decent secondhand.
5 - Do I seal the tile before I lay, then seal again before I grout?
6 - We'd like wide grout joints (like the photo above) - are there "spaces" out there that can achieve a wide joint?
None of my walls are parallel or square, so it's going to take a bit of setting out.
Can anyone give me any tips (besides saying "get a tiler in" haha)?
Any advice/help would be much appreciated - I'm giving myself 6 weeks of research before I lay the first tile!
Cheers.
The sub-base consists of a wet UFH system, covered by Keracem Eco screed.
I've laid tiles before, but nothing remotely on this scale, nor any tiles so large (900x560mm).
The tiles are to be laid at 56cm wide x random lengths.
From my initial research, I've discovered the following:
1 - I need to use white flexible adhesive
2 - Install a movement matt between the screed and the tile - Ditra or Dural - the latter seems to be somewhat cheaper than the former - are there any pro's/con's from either?
3 - Movement joints in the screed must mirror in the floor tiles
4 - I need a wet tile cutter - any recommendations? Ideally I'll buy something decent secondhand.
5 - Do I seal the tile before I lay, then seal again before I grout?
6 - We'd like wide grout joints (like the photo above) - are there "spaces" out there that can achieve a wide joint?
None of my walls are parallel or square, so it's going to take a bit of setting out.
Can anyone give me any tips (besides saying "get a tiler in" haha)?
Any advice/help would be much appreciated - I'm giving myself 6 weeks of research before I lay the first tile!
Cheers.
Thanks for the replies chaps!
There's lots to take in.
Sleepezy - if you could find out those few things from your tiler, that would be fantastic. Will be interesting to see the reason why he hasn't gone with a decoupling mat...
I'm still unsure if to have a decoupling mat or not. It's an extra £750 + adhesive, so not exactly cheap...
This is the area to be tiled. The movement joints are:
- between the Kitchen and TV area along the dim line 2725mm
- in the doorway between the TV area and Bootroom
- in the double doorway between the TV area and Orangery
I'm not sure on the orientation of the tiles tbh. Should the "free lengths" of the tiles be running the full length of the room, or would you turn them 90deg? I will be tiling underneath the kitchen units.
I do have an old, small, wet tile cutter, but unsure if it is up to the task. Will give it a go and see what happens.
Regarding the UFH and screed - it's been down since November and *touch wood* no issues/cracks as of yet and it's very level/flat! It was a fast drying screed, as in we could have laid tiles on it after 24 hours if we wanted to, but didn't.
Is there anything else I need to consider?
ETA - just to clarify, not that it makes much difference, but there's actually 75m2 (85m2 is including wastage).
There's lots to take in.
Sleepezy - if you could find out those few things from your tiler, that would be fantastic. Will be interesting to see the reason why he hasn't gone with a decoupling mat...
I'm still unsure if to have a decoupling mat or not. It's an extra £750 + adhesive, so not exactly cheap...
This is the area to be tiled. The movement joints are:
- between the Kitchen and TV area along the dim line 2725mm
- in the doorway between the TV area and Bootroom
- in the double doorway between the TV area and Orangery
I'm not sure on the orientation of the tiles tbh. Should the "free lengths" of the tiles be running the full length of the room, or would you turn them 90deg? I will be tiling underneath the kitchen units.
I do have an old, small, wet tile cutter, but unsure if it is up to the task. Will give it a go and see what happens.
Regarding the UFH and screed - it's been down since November and *touch wood* no issues/cracks as of yet and it's very level/flat! It was a fast drying screed, as in we could have laid tiles on it after 24 hours if we wanted to, but didn't.
Is there anything else I need to consider?
ETA - just to clarify, not that it makes much difference, but there's actually 75m2 (85m2 is including wastage).
Well I've started!
About 50% through the first phase. I'm laying about 9 flags an evening when I get in from work, so I'm going steady, but progressing.
My question turns to grout. The majority of my joints (90% plus) are around 15-20mm, but in a few very small areas, the joint is around 30-35mm wide (due to the natural cut of the stone). I can't seem to find any suppliers that produce grout that is suitable with joints this wide. 20mm seems to be the maximum compatible width.
Anyone know of any suitable grouts on the market or an alternative?
About 50% through the first phase. I'm laying about 9 flags an evening when I get in from work, so I'm going steady, but progressing.
My question turns to grout. The majority of my joints (90% plus) are around 15-20mm, but in a few very small areas, the joint is around 30-35mm wide (due to the natural cut of the stone). I can't seem to find any suppliers that produce grout that is suitable with joints this wide. 20mm seems to be the maximum compatible width.
Anyone know of any suitable grouts on the market or an alternative?
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