How high is too high?

[Al@Lifetiles]

OK sketchy details so far but thought I would put it out there anyway. Looking at a job on Monday which has a lot of tiling in it. The most interesting part is a stairwell from basement to upper floors which I believe is curved. Client and architect want the entire wall wrapped in stone. It is approx 8m from basement to upstairs. Is there any issues with weight of tiles going up that far ie all resting on each other or is it just normal weight restrictions?
Never tiled a wall this big.... Any thoughts welcome

 

[Dan]

I'd say 6' any higher and I get scared!!!!

But as for the tiling, they're not resting on each other per se. They're stuck to the wall. Clearly give much more thought to the strength of the substrate which is sort of resting on its self. If a dodgy bit at the top comes loose, it would have a knock-on effect on the bottom.

But providing the substrate is strong, your tiles can be left ungrouted if you think about it. Each one is stuck to its own bit of the wall. It's only the fact that you grout them that sort of makes it all become one big sheet of tile and grout.

If you walk around Spain you see buildings tiled inside and out and even round pillars that are 100's of foot high you see tiled. Shopping centres and the likes over here often tile 3 or 4 floors high in various points hiding structural beams, pillars, support bars, joists, etc etc etc

So there's no height limit. You just need to give a lot of thought to the fixing of them, and even more to how strong the background is.

Just my view - and I don't tile these days! So wait for the lads to anser too. I'm sure it'll be the same sort of reply though.

 

[Alan M]

what is the wall made of

 

[jay]

Not sure on the standards over there but down here once you go over 2.8 high mechanical fixing is required or Latapoxy 310 is accepted depends on your substrate

 

[Rich]

As has been said, make sure that the wall can take the weight of the tiles being used (no skimmed plaster and 20mm thick marble).

You are meant to install a movement joint every (max) 10m of tiling.

 

[Al@Lifetiles]

More details to follow.... Get to see it on Monday. If the wall hasn't yet been finished I will specify a wedi style finish. I know schluter do a formable board for curves think that would do the job. I will take some photos on Monday. Thanks for all your interest and advise so far.