Desperately seeking answers! Ceramic versus Porcelain for Bathroom?

[JaneyB]

Hi, I am wondering if someone could please give me some advice. I am about to tile my bathroom and a tiler has advised me that if i were to choose a tile size 600 x 600 it will never dry and that i should restrict it to 300 x 300 and go for ceramic only.

Could anyone please advise if this is correct?

Many thanks.

 

[Yorkshire Tiling Services]

Hi, that depends upon which adhesive you are using... for large format tiles you should used cement based adhesive... this sets using a chemical reaction, unlike tubbed adhesive which requires air and suction to dry and set... you can use any size you wasnt as long as you do the right prep and use the correct adhesive

 

[JaneyB]

Many thanks for your quick reply - much appreciated. The tiler that stipulated not to go large has over 20yrs experience and i did find it odd that he is restricting the size of tile i can use.
Not sure why he would say this!
Would porcelain be better for a shower enclosure or does it not matter?

 

[user123]

Oh, Janey, why are you attempting this job yourself? Is the bathroom tanked? Would you strong enough to mix the necessary cement adhesive by yourself, presumingly without a paddle mixer? 600x600 tiles are large and heavy, how would you be attempting to cut them?

Just throwing a few pertinent questions your way, as your lack of adhesive knowledge makes me assume that this job might really be tricky for you and potentially one of those DIY disasters you really wouldn't want. Please do consider getting a professional in, you can ask for help with finding someone in your area on this forum.

 

[user123]

Many thanks for your quick reply - much appreciated. The tiler that stipulated not to go large has over 20yrs experience and i did find it odd that he is restricting the size of tile i can use.
Not sure why he would say this!
Would porcelain be better for a shower enclosure or does it not matter?

The tiler will be assuming you will use tubbed ready mixed adhesive, which is the DIY choice but the wrong choice, this adhesive needs air to dry properly. Smaller tiles wiht more groutlines allow more air to get to the adhesive, but also more damp... this is a longer subject really, and it is late, but to approach this job with ready mixed tubbed would be a very poor choice, trust me

 

[JaneyB]

Hi Mosaic Girl,

Thanks for your replies.
Good Heavens, no, I AM NOT attempting this project myself! I have asked my tiler for a quote and he is the one restricting the size of tile i can go for!! He does not want me to have 600x600 or porcelain tiles.
Is it really a lot of extra effort to mix cement based adhesive? Do you think he wants an easy job with 300x300 tiles and ready made adhesive?

 

[Yorkshire Tiling Services]

20 years experience does not necessarily mean anything.... Get a few quotes... Put a post on here asking for good local tilers

 

[Mike]

as above, there's no size restrictions providing the right preperation is done. i think we've heard enough of this 'tiler' to dismiss him. where abouts are you? i'm sure there'll be a reputable tiler local to you on here

 

[Yorkshire Tiling Services]

Porcelain is gererally..
more expensive than ceramic
harder wearing especially on floors
more wow factor than ceramic
not absolutely necessary for walls, but looks good all the same

 

[user123]

Hi Mosaic Girl,

Thanks for your replies.
Good Heavens, no, I AM NOT attempting this project myself! I have asked my tiler for a quote and he is the one restricting the size of tile i can go for!! He does not want me to have 600x600 or porcelain tiles.
Is it really a lot of extra effort to mix cement based adhesive? Do you think he wants an easy job with 300x300 tiles and ready made adhesive?

Aahh, sorry, Janey, I misunderstood. Well, in that case it sounds that tiler is a cowboy with 20 years cowmuck experience!!! Shocking... no, for a 'proper' tiler the types of tiles used should make no difference and he should have the necessary tools to mix up adhesives and grouts! A ridiculous attitude from a tiler, don't let him near your walls! Really.

 

[Daz]

Any decent tiler will be able to advise the correct preparation and adhesive needed to ensure a perfect job. The information may not be the cheapest solution, but it will be the safest.

As has been mentioned above, you will need a cement based adhesive and depending on the weight of the tiles you may require tile backer boards as the wall substrate.

The tile size does not matter, it is just the fixing method that needs to change.

Daz

 

[JaneyB]

Hi Daz, many thanks for your reply. My bathroom has new plastered walls which i am wondering should i prime them first?
Hopefully i will find a decent tiler for the tiles that i want! (Not the tiles that he wants)! LOL!

 

[Mike]

your tiler should prime/prepare the walls prior to tiling. you have to watch your weight limit of tiles on plastered walls. 20 kg per m2 including adhesive and grout

 

[JaneyB]

thanks for that Mike, much appreciated.

 

[Daz]

Hi Janey,

I always get that cold shiver when a client says "I've had the walls freshly plastered". This usually means "skimmed" and that doesn't necessarily mean flat over a 2m span.

If you wish to have 60 x 60 tiles, the walls really must be flat across a min 2m span. If the walls have only been skimmed and not flattened then there may be a requirement for additional preparation work otherwise you will experience poor adhesive coverage under the tiles and possible "lippage" which will ruin the overall finish.

Plaster will only support 20kg per sqm (bearing in mind that adhesive and grout represents 4kg per sqm) so porcelain tiles may be too heavy which is why I suggest that tile backer boards mechanically fixed to the walls may be a better substrate.

I'm not sure if Russ is close to you (View Profile: grumpygrouter - tilersforums.com | Tile Forums | Tiling Forum). It will be worth contacting him if he is fairly local to you.

Regards,

Daz