Rookie looking for support with Slate and UFH!

[ewoc]

Hello everyone...I am nearing the end of a year long extension to our home which I have project managed and am seriously running low on funds! As a result I plan to tile 30m of kitchen/conservatory as well as lay the underfloor insulation board and heating mats.

I will not break any records with respect to speed but feel, with thorough research and a slow methodical approach, moderately confident to give it a go! I hope you agree!?!

I plan to start on 1st Feb and am spending along time on this forum swatting up on slate specific info!!

So far I have a flat unprimed 100mm concrete slab sitting on 75mm Kingspan insulation. We have recently had our lovely 40x40 calibrated (i think this means each tile is same thickness - as there appear) riven slate delivered from Fired Earth (not as pricy as I expected!). I have also got 12 bags of SPF Bal grey adhesive ready.

I had planned to prime the concrete with PVA/Water mix but have read an article on this forum warning against PVA as a tile primer. Any suggestions?

Also trying to decide on whether to tile square or a brick pattern - I guess thats for me to decide!....Is brick pattern much more time consuming/harder?

I would be grateful for votes of confidence or words of caution as you feel appropriate regarding all aspects of the project

Thanks everyone

Ewoc

 

[Dan]

Welcome to tilersforums.com | Tile Forums | Tiling Forum!

Hello ewoc, welcome aboard www.tilersforums.com. Stick around, I'm sure you'll like the place.

 

[DHTiling]

Hello and welcome.... You will need the APD primer from BAL..

what insulation boards are you using and brand of UFH..?

 

[ewoc]

Boards are not purchased yet but seeing as I have 75mm of Kingspan just 100m down was planning to use cheap blue dense foam (of which i have some samples) partly for insulative value but also to bring floor level up by 15mm.

UFH is 'Thermopads' (also fairly cheap!) - My electrician has tested them and they ARE working at present!

Thanks for you speedy reply

ewoc

 

[DHTiling]

Tested them..? are they in the screed.?

 

[ewoc]

no sorry - still in boxes but he has tested them with some clever electrical gadjetry!

 

[faithhealer]

welcome ewoc, how thicks this foam, I still think I would invest in proper insulating boards. You can still waste a lot of heat (and money) in 100mm of conrete

Just re read, 15mm eh

 

[DHTiling]

THat will be a multi meter..:smilewinkgrin:..

I prefer the cement faced boards as the adhesive grabs better to these IMHO..

We have a sponsor on here who does cracking prices on insulation boards..

check them out or maybe ring them to explain what you want..


The adhesive you have chose will be fine...what about grout..? and what sealer have you got..?

 

[CJ]

Just finished (before Christmas) a similar job.

55m slate on UFH which was laid onto 6mm insulation boards. Would have gone for thicker, but height difference was the problem.

Can't remember the name of insulation boards..........but they where the cheaper blue foam variety.

Floor was primed

Foam insulation panels were fixed using flexi adhesive

Warm up UFH cables were laid (told customer to get mesh kind.......but he got a deal on cable, which takes ages to lay:mad2
Using glue gun on pain in the ar55e places

Whole area was covered in flexible self levelling compound. (which took ages to dry as the central heating was off)

Then tiled using 600x300 uncalibrated slate (brick bond)

Whole area sealed using LTP sealer twice

Grouted

Whole area sealed twice again.

Got paid, went home...........busy day that one :lol:

 

[CJ]

Oh............and hi Ewoc :hurray:

 

[ewoc]

not decided on grout yet but with regards sealants am considering the use of an impregnator that maintains the matt look to the slate.
Fired Earth recommended Lithofin Stainstop followed by Lithofin Multiseal.

I was hoping to just use the 1st or a cheaper but decent alternative and avoid use of a topical sealer??

eg:
Slate Sealer Impregnator for Slate Tiles Floor, 1 litre on eBay (end time 21-Jan-10 17:42:34 GMT)

or:
LTP Mattstone Sealer 5 Litre For Natural Stone Tiles on eBay (end time 21-Jan-10 13:58:48 GMT)

 

[DHTiling]

LTP Mattstone is a good product,, i use it a lot...used to use the lithofin ones but my new suppliers uses LTP so tried it and liked it very much..

 

[CJ]

I used this stuff.............very nice finish

 

[ewoc]

Thanks CJ - Now that does sound like a busy few days to me...be honest!!

The LTP sealer - did it leave a shiny wet look as we are wanting to avoid this?

I was also hoping to lay my boards in same way (by which time I hope to have gained confidence) and then UFH mats and tiles directly onto this without using leveling compound....I will obviously have to be anal about getting the boards level!

Before sealing how did you clean the slate - just water and elbow grease or some chemicals?

 

[DHTiling]

I used this stuff.............very nice finish

Topical arcylic sealer though..