4.5mm floor tile, can it take the load?

[diamondtiling]

I was in a friends shop the other day, the salesman from RAK was in there with a new range of floor tiles. 600x300 porcelain floor tiles 4.5mm thick.
If it has 100% coverage then it might be fine but is it too thin?
I have never seen such a thin floor tile and wondered if any one else has?

:20::20:

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I saw this RAK 4.5mm in my local suppliers. Also read about it in Tile UK. Maybe OK on solid foor, solid bed. But would'nt risk it on timber. If you bend it by hand there is some give. I have heard another company has jumped on the band waggon. Maybe a case of watch this space.

 

[diamondtiling]

Your right Phil, there is a bit of give in it. Maybe its to bring down transport costs?


:dizzy2:

 

[Ajax123]

I guess it depends on what it is made of. I know that my company produces a precast resin bonded concrete which can be used to build bridge decks and parapets but only needs to be about 20mm thick. just cos it is thin I guess don't mean it is weak. Additionally the durability of the tile in operation will only be as good as the support it receives from the substrate. If the substrate can bend so can the tile.

 

[brian c]

Although its porcelain,at 4.5mm i dont think i would be trusting it tbh.

 

[Colour Republic]

Don't know I'd be tempted to try it, RAK is a massive company with a good name so I'm not sure they would put anything out which they are not confident with. Did you speak to the rep? did he say how long it has been in development? Surely there must be a market demand for such a product or why invest in it, who was calling for it and in what situation?

I've seen a few like this in the trade KBB trade journals but was unaware RAK had one on the market

 

[diamondtiling]

I did speak with him Rob and I agree that they must have researched it. Its just when you pick it up and feel how thin it is that you wonder if you would like to fit it on a floor.

 

[Aston]

the fact that they have designed this tile to have a certain amount of flexibilty is probably why they are so confident in it..

obviously if the substrate is 'suitably' stable and the tile is solid bedded with a flexable adhesive then that is a huge factor but if there is give in the floor and the tile can also give to a certain tolerance then this disperses the stress, which eliminates the cracking ...they obviously must have tested it rigorously . as ajax states, the porcelain will have some sort of resin introduced.

its difficult to accept these new evolvements sometimes but its the way most man made materials are going now. waterproof, flexable and energy saving...

 

[Colour Republic]

its difficult to accept these new evolvements sometimes but its the way most man made materials are going now. waterproof, flexable and energy saving...

That's a very good point mate It wouldn't surprise me if RAK had taken advantage of some sort of government (maybe European) grant to develop it seeing as most countries are just throwing money at ways to reduce carbon emissions rather than get fined for not meeting targets

 

[jay]

:8:yes thin tiles are coming down to 3mm dont know if id trust them there not recommended for commercial floors or areas subject to trolleys something to watch for

 

[White Room]

I would have thought that a tile that thin needs a bit of flexibility

 

[DHTiling]

The tile thicknesses are coming down..so large formats are easier to handle on wall tiling...they are perfectly suitable for floors and walls....They are a vitrified tile biscuit so hardness isn't a problem if you fix them correctly...

There have been write ups on these in Tile uk and Tile & stone journal mags..

Read up on them guys..


I am all for them...

 

[Time's Ran Out]

There have been write ups on these in Tile uk and Tile & stone journal mags..

Read up on them guys..


I am all for them...

But that's why you are here Dave - to give us the link - I'am waiting!:lol:

 

[jay]

my main concern is with adh as the ones i have seen are like a laminate one with a resin back but time will tell:8:

 

[DHTiling]

The only concern I might have is Jay... Is that i hope the don't planertise as they cool down after firing or in correct stacking..