Pietra Serena Sandstone 800x800mm help

[Mark D'ARCY]

It would of been easier and quicker just to of laid it in sand and cement,doing away with all the adhesive products. I've laid thousands of metres of this always back buttering the stone also.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

It would of been easier and quicker just to of laid it in sand and cement,doing away with all the adhesive products. I've laid thousands of metres of this always back buttering the stone also.

Big statement for your first post - Iam sure some pictures of your completed jobs would help the OP with his project.

 

[Stuart_AC]

Thanks for the comments Julian,

That’s what I’m thinking about the cutter. I have 4 bathrooms to tile after the floor so it’ll get some use. Are those £380 bridge saws on ebay any use or will they just fall apart after a few cuts?

I’ve been speaking to the suppliers… but as you know there’s nothing better than getting some practical information from those using the products. One example is that I’ve been given 2 recommendations for Lithofin after being sold on Fila by the suppliers so burying my head in product literature isn’t always the answer – although your point is taken. I’m sure there are dozens of products that can do what I need but I’d like to use the one that is the most user friendly.

The supplier pointed me in the direction of Mapei.. although interestingly they did say that they can be laid with cement but the drying time would be up to a month before they can be sealed. The same tile was used in the Apple stores and they went down with fast set Mapei I believe.

I’m primarily a commercial architect specialising in high end shop fits so have plenty of experience setting out to achieve a good appearance. I have all the lasers, site dumpy levels, large straight edges etc so I’m confident in running straight and true.. however, I probably need some advice on the best place to tackle first. The entire job is set out as to allow a full tile in the centre of the two hallways (shown in red). This also gives a decent size of cut tile at the large patio doors which is important as they run off line by 27mm. A thin cut here would be noticed so this setting out seems to work.

In terms of starting the job I would be tempted to lay the tiles highlighted in red first and tile off them. Does anyone have any opinions on if this is the best approach? My other challenge is to tile under the door frames and either side of partition walls with a single tile… although I have a plan for this!

 

[Stuart_AC]

 

[Mark D'ARCY]

Big statement for your first post - Iam sure some pictures of your completed jobs would help the OP with his project.

Not my fist post was here years ago just have not posted in a while as busy

 

[Mark D'ARCY]

Stuart have you Screeder the floor yet

 

[Mark D'ARCY]

Timeless John I was giving advice not belittling people.

 

[J Sid]

get a good blade for your eBay wet cutter and that would be fine.

Apple store tiles, I know them. Did a nice patio in them a few year ago. Laid in rapid cement based adhesive on a screed. Was back there yesterday doing a shower and still looks good, if not in need of a clean.

setting out looks good. Expansion joints?

 

[Stuart_AC]

Hi Mark,
Not screeded. The floor has been power floated and is level. The biggest undulation is 4mm over a 3m straight edge so I think it's good enough to tile directly on to.

 

[Mark D'ARCY]

Stuart you would be easier doing it in sand and cement .lay as you have already set it out. Lay your first course all the way through the building then come off it simple. Lay all the full stones first then cut in after.

 

[Mark D'ARCY]

Sorry Stuart read that wrong so you don't kneed to screed

 

[Stuart_AC]

I have a nagging doubt about the control joints... the slab doesn't have any. It's a Passive House with an unusual foundation slab (which I'll not go into now) but effectively the slab can move at the entire perimeter due to the way the insulation is designed. As a result engineer saw no need for movement joints.

Now for the tiles I plan to use one of the flexible adhesives. Being a passive house there will be a consistent 21 degree temperature so there will be little variance in air temperature. However, that said there's lots of south facing glass meaning that the floor will heat up. The building is just over 7m wide so the tiles can expand into the perimeter under the skirting (the walls have 47mm service battens so there's loads of space under the skirting). As a result I don't need anything across the width of the building. However, the building is 25m long so I might put a movement joint where the tiles pass into the hallway from the kitchen.

 

[Stuart_AC]

Hi Mark,
Thanks for the comments.. I would have been reluctant to use sand and cement as the drying time is so long. From what I've been told you have to leave it up to a month before sealing etc... Unfortunately I don't have that long as we're in a caravan and about to have a baby in 6 weeks!

But as I'm always specifying other jobs I'd like to hear more.. are you laying with sand cement and sealing quickly without issues?

 

[Mark D'ARCY]

I have a nagging doubt about the control joints... the slab doesn't have any. It's a Passive House with an unusual foundation slab (which I'll not go into now) but effectively the slab can move at the entire perimeter due to the way the insulation is designed. As a result engineer saw no need for movement joints.

Now for the tiles I plan to use one of the flexible adhesives. Being a passive house there will be a consistent 21 degree temperature so there will be little variance in air temperature. However, that said there's lots of south facing glass meaning that the floor will heat up. The building is just over 7m wide so the tiles can expand into the perimeter under the skirting (the walls have 47mm service battens so there's loads of space under the skirting). As a result I don't need anything across the width of the building. However, the building is 25m long so I might put a movement joint where the tiles pass into the hallway from the kitchen.

Need expansion every 6 to 10 metres

 

[Mark D'ARCY]

Hi Mark,
Thanks for the comments.. I would have been reluctant to use sand and cement as the drying time is so long. From what I've been told you have to leave it up to a month before sealing etc... Unfortunately I don't have that long as we're in a caravan and about to have a baby in 6 weeks!

But as I'm always specifying other jobs I'd like to hear more.. are you laying with sand cement and sealing quickly without issues?

We use ardex a38 in the screed can be sealed after 2 days