Advice needed guys - Uncalibrated slate floor tiles

[GDR111]

Hi folks,

I am a newbie to the forum, so bear with me.:stupid:

I have just bought a new built home and what I am looking for is really advice / opinions on uncalibrated floor tiles (slate).

I am planning on using slate floor tiles to the hall, kitchen and utility areas (approx 45m2). I have got quotes from a few different companies for the tiles but the best I have found by far is one through ebay offering £11/m2. The slate tiles are 300x300 but their thickness is not calibrated (8-12mm). I have found this with alot of the quotes I have been getting so really what i am looking for is opinions on this. Is it this as big a curse as I think it might be to fit these, or should I just avoid them and run for the hills (just stay with a uniform thickness tile)?

I would like to try and have a go at fitting the final tile myself but as I work 80+hrs a week in a design office I might not be able to get the time.


Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

 

[Turkish]

If not experienced i would avoid laying these yourself, if you do though you need to grade the tiles by thickness and use the thicker ones in the heavier traffic areas and the thinner ones around the edges. Ensure the substrate is flat and if sloping start at the high end adding more adhesive under the thinner tiles to ensure the tiles end up level. Slate will need sealing too and there are plenty of posts on here relating to that.

Hope this helps mate!

Turkish

ps: You can get calibrated slate but it`s more expensive, might be an easier option, oh and you will need to include expansion joints at every 8 - 10 linear metres either by using a preformed expansion strip or just using Silicon

 

[mz30]

As turkish said you have to grade the tile's before you lay them .
An old tiler's/stone mason trick if before you seal the tiles you notice the odd lip take a hammer an balsta to the lipping edge ,hey presto no more lip.

 

[DHTiling]

hello and welcome to the forums.....Those type of tiles will not be easy for a complete novice....all electric cuts as well........

If you do decide to go through with it let us know and someone will talk you through it......see you soon..........

 

[wivers]

KEEP AWAY!!!!!!! lol.

I did a couple of months ago and it was a nightmare. Came out good in the end but ohh how i swore!!!

See my post on uncol....however you spell it slate

 

[Dirrty]

My first job was slate on a floor, oh how I laughed lol.........get a tiler in.......and 80 hours a week?????? :whatchutalkingabout