First time tiling floor with porcelain - please advise

[GatesheadCol]

Hi Alan,

Ive just done a floor in simiolar tiles, porcelain, didnt need sealing as were glazed. As said before, mix only half buckets full of addy at a time.

Im relatively new to this game and managed this in 30 mintes using Bal Rapid Set white addy with porcel bond.

Use a 10mm whell on a dry cutter, score once and once only , very firmly and use a snap action to snap the tiles with the handle.

Take your time and post some pics when done.

p.s. mine was over under floor heating so had to be very careful

 

[alanb]

Thank you to you all for your generous advice. I'm now a lot more confident that I can get this job done with no major worries. The main point that is coming through strongly from this is that everyone has their own preferred methods, techniques and materials. There seems to be a consensus of opinion on issues such as sealing polished porcelain but differing opinions on others such as to prime or not to prime, adhesive type and trowel type.

So, in summary, I will:
- prime the concrete (to be on the safe side),
- use a thick bed solid bed trowel,
- lightly back-butter,
- use a flexible grout
- and seal appropriately with an impregnator seal for use with porcelain

I think that's just about got all bases covered, oh except do I use BAL Rapidset or BAL Repidset Flexible? That decision might just be down to cost.

Again, I appreciate all the advice offered, and I'm truly staggered by the generosity displayed - thank you all.
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GatesheadCol, thanks for your advice. How did you cut the corners around the doorway etc, I presume you used an electric wet cutter?

 

[GatesheadCol]

Yes mate I used a wet cutter. Went through 2 blades doing both the bathrooms too as they were really hard porcelain tiles.

To prime or not to prime.

Cant hurt if you prime and its not needed, so might as well to be sure.

Good luck and post some pics