T
tommymcgough
Hi all
I have spent a bit of time looking at the website and have found it very useful for general information and tips (for which thank you). This is my first post. I am having a new kitchen floor laid with Tavella Anticata terracotta tiles from Terrafirma Tiles ). Terrafirma say these tiles are less porous and more hardwearing than typical Mexican or Spanish terracotta. I’ve got a professional tiler who will be doing the work, but would really appreciate your views on a few points, for my own knowledge.
Substrate:
The tiles are to be laid on two layers of 18mm ply screwed directly onto the suspended ground floor joists. What would you recommend for preparation of the ply, in terms of whether a primer is needed and if so which one?
Adhesive/grout:
We knew we were going to be tiling this floor, so have been careful to make sure that the ply is level and solid (hence the double thickness). However, I want to minimise the risk of cracks in future, so I imagine flexible adhesive is the way to go. Does anyone have any recommendations for the best flexible adhesive to use with terracotta tiles on a ply substrate? Same goes for the grout – what is the best flexible grout to use with this type of tile?
Sealing:
Terrafirma have suggested sealing with Lithofin Classic Primer (which apparently is ‘thinner’ than normal linseed oil and will therefore be better absorbed by these less porous tiles) with beeswax and possibly Eversheen as the best way to bring out the colour of the tiles, which is something I am keen to do. However, I have read that oil and wax is more work to maintain (which needless to say I am less keen on) than the newer synthetic sealers.
As a synthetic option, they recommend HG impregnator followed by HG Golv or Bentens Protector Coat. This will apparently be less effective in bringing out the colour.
My questions are:
I have spent a bit of time looking at the website and have found it very useful for general information and tips (for which thank you). This is my first post. I am having a new kitchen floor laid with Tavella Anticata terracotta tiles from Terrafirma Tiles ). Terrafirma say these tiles are less porous and more hardwearing than typical Mexican or Spanish terracotta. I’ve got a professional tiler who will be doing the work, but would really appreciate your views on a few points, for my own knowledge.
Substrate:
The tiles are to be laid on two layers of 18mm ply screwed directly onto the suspended ground floor joists. What would you recommend for preparation of the ply, in terms of whether a primer is needed and if so which one?
Adhesive/grout:
We knew we were going to be tiling this floor, so have been careful to make sure that the ply is level and solid (hence the double thickness). However, I want to minimise the risk of cracks in future, so I imagine flexible adhesive is the way to go. Does anyone have any recommendations for the best flexible adhesive to use with terracotta tiles on a ply substrate? Same goes for the grout – what is the best flexible grout to use with this type of tile?
Sealing:
Terrafirma have suggested sealing with Lithofin Classic Primer (which apparently is ‘thinner’ than normal linseed oil and will therefore be better absorbed by these less porous tiles) with beeswax and possibly Eversheen as the best way to bring out the colour of the tiles, which is something I am keen to do. However, I have read that oil and wax is more work to maintain (which needless to say I am less keen on) than the newer synthetic sealers.
As a synthetic option, they recommend HG impregnator followed by HG Golv or Bentens Protector Coat. This will apparently be less effective in bringing out the colour.
My questions are:
- Does anyone have any experience with these products? Are they any good?
- Are there any synthetic sealer combinations which will do a reasonably good job of bringing out the colour of the tiles?
- Is it possible to use Lithofin Classic Primer or some other linseed oil (to bring out the colour) followed by a synthetic top coat sealer (for easier maintenance)?
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