Cheap ceramic tiles. Do they differ in size???

[Jason cherry]

Hi, newbie posting for first time.
If been tiling for 2 years now mainly on site with 300x600 ceramic wall tiles and 600x600 porcelain floor tiles from porcelanosa. Never have any problems.
On the weekend I took on a private job where tiles were supplied. Cheap ceramic wall tiles from wickes. Full height and as normal I set out from the bath working out cuts to the floor and ceiling. I use a lazer to get perfect levels. By the time I was a few courses of tiles in I was struggling to use spacers. The tiles just wouldn't fit anymore. Don't get me wrong once grouted it won't look bad at all but being an every day tiler it bothers me.
Are these tiles varying in size to some degree?
Has anyone had experiences of tiles running out of alignment?

Cheers!

 

[Rick-o]

I do find some cheap ceramics vary a little, had some last year that had differences of 1mm or so and some were out of square.. Also some sloped up towards the back.. With a laser and wedges it was fine though it took a bit longer than expected to complete!

 

[Jason cherry]

Cheers rick-o. I used cardboard instead of spacers in the end. Was beating myself up about it so just wanted to check it wasn't just me. Instead of doing walls in a day I allowed 2 in order to get the job done and move on

 

[Ttt1601]

Wickes tiles ate all on a cheap biscuit then jumble batched, I refuse to lay them now, have had some may issue with differing sizes, not the some cheap ceramics are better from elsewhere mind

 

[Dumbo]

Also some expensive ones can be sizey

 

[Jason cherry]

Thanks for the advice. The were definitely a pain to work with. Wouldn't use them again in a hurry!

 

[Flintstone]

Terrible tiles generally and as with all things in life, you get what you pay for

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Here we go - bound to upset someone!
A good tiler would get over it.
Or have the confidence to tell them they are rubbish and refuse to use them.

 

[LM]

Unfortunately @Jason cherry youve been spoilt for so long using what are in my opinion some of the best tiles made. It's not a rule of thumb that if they cost more they're better some of the worst tiles I've had to fit have been Villeroy and Boch and they re by no means cheap, other factories like Imola aren't cheap either and they can be very hit or miss depending on the range and factories like Johnstone's and BCT are guarantied to be cr*p. When you get out and bout more working with the trash that is produced these days then you'll gain the experience to do what @timeless john has said and know what you can work with or when to refuse to use them!

 

[Ttt1601]

Yea I agree john, but I got few up of getting over it, on so many jobs that I know just refuse to use them generally, prob always the answer but in my home town so many people are out to save a bit and then you get job after job of the same wicked crap, in the I've just had enough

 

[mma]

I used some Wickes tiles on a bathroom, backend of last year. Not too sizey, but bent like bananas, brick bond pattern. Lovely!

 

[Ttt1601]

I've had some from wockes 3mm out in the same box I think rjay was when I drew a line lol

 

[Jason cherry]

Well honesty is the best way so don't be shy. I 'got over it' but just wanted to check opinions and take advice generally. Yes I have been spoilt until my contracts manager found the worst batch of porcelanosa tiles that were 'bent like bananas'. Site agent called bullshit and we had to physically put 2 tiles back to back and showed him. The were rolling across the face of each other. Nightmare for lips.

 

[Tile Shop]

Its hard to understand given the modern manufacturing processes, how tiles can vary in size by such an amount. I know its tempting to say "I refuse to fit them", but unfortunately, depending on the tiles nominal size, 3mm may very well be within BSEN14411 tolerance and therefore classed as First Quality. A bit of extra work may be involve to gauge the tiles to avoid any sudden issues arising. But checking tiles before fixing has been mentioned before and the overall response was "not my job to check". All you can do is explain to the customer that the grout joints need to be widened to cater for it. They'll either say carry on or ask you to stop.

The most ridiculous refusal of fitting I've come across was for a 100x100 wall tile. We got told they were different sizes. We checked random tiles from the batch with a Vernier Caliper..... the difference between the smallest and the largest was 0.58mm!!! Tiler reckoned they were impossible to fit...... Really? 0.58mm? Look at a tape measure and see how big that actually is! He wouldn't have it, so the customer got a new tiler and he fitted it, no problem.

There is a sizing margin and always will be. Never expect perfection and you won't be disappointed. Just enjoy the bonus if you get it

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Must have been an engineer in a previous life!