Floor preparation for chipboard in conservatory

[tim_c]

I pulled up the old cracked and loose tiles in my conservatory with a view to re-tiling.

Underneath I found a nasty fibreboard tounge and groove type floor, that seem to be about an inch and a half think. It's got all of about 4 nails holding it down that I can see, and movement around the joints in the board caused the previous tiles to fail. There's a gap all round the edge that's siliconed to seal it from the air gap underneath.

It's all dry and rot free, and there's no flex when I walk on it, although if I smack it with the rubber mallet, dust jumps up a suprising distance away.

I may need to screw the board to the frame underneath.. but how do I find the joists?

I also need to overlay the floor... I can spare about 12mm of height. Would ply or backer board be best? Either way, it's going to double the cost as I guess I'll also need a proper flexible adhesive and grout as well.

Anthing else I need to take into consideration?

Thanks

 

[kilty55]

hi there,is this a floating floor? if it is we dont advise tiling it,

 

[tim_c]

Can you define floating? Sorry, I'm a bit ignorant in such matters

 

[tim_c]

I just had a google, and I suspect it is a floating floor. There is no real method if it being attached to anythign underneath that I can see from the surface, and it has the gap round the edge.

 

[kilty55]

hi tim yes,if thats the case which some conservatories are i would advise tiles,maybe karndean flooring would suit?

 

[kilty55]

sorry i wouldnt advise tiles...oooops

 

[tim_c]

Thanks, I had a look at their website.

I may take the easy route and go for some B&Q TileLOC tile effect laminate - it would save having to ply line still, and mess about with adhesive, which I hate...

They do TileLOC in the slate effect I'm after as well

 

[kilty55]

nice one tim

 

[tim_c]

Thanks for the advice, saved me a lot of time and effort and money... Even if a vinyl or laminate floor lasts half as long, it'll be less than half the price of getting real tiles down properly.

 

[Dan]

Checkout our Flooring Forum if you need any advice when fitting that.