Tile Straight Onto This?

[G Taylor Tiling]

Sounds like I opened a can of worms here. I thought I may have been asking a stupid question but now I feel less bad about being confused. I'm definitely staying away from this job though. As much as enjoy doing everything myself I think there may be too many pitfalls in this one. My wife definately wants quartz so I will be getting someone (probably from recommendation on here) to fit them. At least I have some knowledge of how it should be approached and can ensure the correct materials and techniques are employed.

One thing that has been mentioned in a couple of the replies though is 'cheap quartz' I didn't think the tiles I was planning on buying were particularly cheap but they were roughly half what porcelenosa quoted me when I bought my downstairs tiles. They do do seem to be at the cheaper end of quartz but far from the cheapest floor tiles you can get. I don't want to pay someone to fit inferior quality products as i would like to not need to replace the floor for a long time. If anyone thinks I should be looking elsewhere for the tiles please feel free to advise. I've already learnt a lot from this thread, seems a shame to stop now.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to input (even though I'm sure some of you just love to argue 😉 )

Mick

All I would say is don't buy the cheapest quartz, but from a physical shop, then you have somewhere to go back etc...and ask where ever you purchase them from, are they ok for underfloor heating (even though you perhaps are not having underfloor heating) and the thickness of the quartz should be between 10-12mm in thickness

I am sure any of the professional tile fitters on this site would make a cracking job
All the best
Ps pic of some dodgy quartz

 

[mickp]

All I would say is don't buy the cheapest quartz, but from a physical shop, then you have somewhere to go back etc...and ask where ever you purchase them from, are they ok for underfloor heating (even though you perhaps are not having underfloor heating) and the thickness of the quartz should be between 10-12mm in thickness

I am sure any of the professional tile fitters on this site would make a cracking job
All the best
Ps pic of some dodgy quartzView attachment 79710

Thanks for the advice.

The tiles I was planning on using are from Tile Mountain which is a decent size physical shop as well as an internet retailer, I think they may advertise on here. I have been to the shop mysef to pick up some adhesive and I saw the quartz tiles while I was there. They looked good but in all honesty I was more interested in the finish that any variation in thickness. I could check this if and when I go to pick up the tiles. In their description they do say that they are suitable for underfloor heating which I wont be having. That only leaves the price, they are the cheapest around. There are several user reviews on their site all praising the tiles although it is difficult to determine whether this praise is directed at the appearance of sample pieces or fitted tiles. I have written to them and asked them to clarify the recommended adhesive.

That said I would hate to have a job done that fails due to inferior quality materials as that is no good for anyone involved so if I find out anything that implys that the tiles are suspect quality I will look elsewhere.

Thanks again

 

[mickp]

So I asked tile mountain today about the recommended adhesive for fixing their quartz tiles. They got back to me very promptly with this reply;

"Thank you for your email.
We have had our Quartz tested by Mapei, who are the manufacture of our adhesive, and they have advised that if the tiles are being installed onto a concrete floor, with no underfloor heating, then just Keraquick is fine for installing these tiles.
If the tiles are being laid onto timber or any other substrate that could move, or being installed in conjunction with under-floor heating, we would recommend Keraquick adhesive mixed with Latex.
So, as long as the tiles are being installed onto a concrete floor, with no underfloor heating, just Keraquick, would be fine for installation. "

It is convincing enough for me. I guess the guy who is fixing them also needs to be convinced though.

Mick

 

[hmtiling]

I'd like to hear that from mapei before I'd do it

 

[mickp]

Fair point. I am such a push over. I was thinking that I would possibly struggle to get someone who wasnt convinced to use keraquick just off that recommendation. Although I could see the logic in keraquick being used with latex as it eliminates the water. Im not very knowlegable in the ways of tile adhesives though so I wont be arguing that with anyone. I will fire off an email to mapei and see what they say. It does seem a little strange that mapei wouldnt just recommend the adhesive that they produce and specify for use with quartz tiles. Ok, looks like im not that convinced anymore.....

 

[hmtiling]

Sorry to throw a spanner in the works

 

[mickp]

No, thank you for throwing a spanner in the works. It's far better to remove all the spanners at this stage than be trying to chisel up warped cracked tiles from a chip board floor. All the advice is very much appreciated. It's been a real eye opener.

 

[Old Mod]

Keraquick & latex plus! Mmmmmmm my favourite! Hahaha 🙁

 

[hmtiling]

Get some wf21 🙂

 

[Old Mod]

Get some wf21 🙂

What good is a McAlpine wasteflow kit? Haha