cost of tiling?

sniggings

skivenov wrote: »

It's like any other trade, you've either got it or you haven't.

A good long straight edge or spirit level is well worth having. It'll tell you how well you're doing.

Planning's really important. Get a good feel for any bits of your floor that aren't level and work out if you need to level them or can get away with going over them. Likewise, don't assume a corner that looks square is square, or a wall that looks straight is straight.

Plan out where you're going to have to cut a tile (half a tile at one side of the room, cutting out for a pipe, or doorframes), and figure out how to use the simplest shape cuts you can.

Start on an easy bit that doesn't show.

thanks, are any type of tiles better (easier) than others? and does size matter (don't go there ) was thinking on smallish mosaic tiles for the bathroom and a bigger tile for the kitchen.

southcoastrgi

sniggings wrote: »

thanks, are any type of tiles better (easier) than others? and does size matter (don't go there ) was thinking on smallish mosaic tiles for the bathroom and a bigger tile for the kitchen.

if you have never tiled before don't even think about mosaic tiles go for bigger tiles but not really big ones, if you are tiling a wooden floor you will need to put down backerboard or plywood & you will need flexible bagged adhesive & flexible bagged grout, you will make mistakes so take your time & no it really isn't as easy as it looks, but good luck

sniggings

southcoastrgi wrote: »

if you have never tiled before don't even think about mosaic tiles go for bigger tiles but not really big ones, if you are tiling a wooden floor you will need to put down backerboard or plywood & you will need flexible bagged adhesive & flexible bagged grout, you will make mistakes so take your time & no it really isn't as easy as it looks, but good luck

thanks, I should have said the mosaic tiles that come on a sheet, are those not advised to attempt for a first timer?

skivenov

Bigger tiles go down easier, but if you go off the straight and true, it sticks out like a sore thumb. Smaller tiles take longer and it's harder to see if you're slightly off tue, which is bad when you're putting them down because you need to be able to spot your mistakes and sort them out, but better when you've done it, missed the mistake and are hoping no one else does

southcoastrgi

sniggings wrote: »

thanks, I should have said the mosaic tiles that come on a sheet, are those not advised to attempt for a first timer?

no don't even think about it, you won't get it right they will move about all over the place you won't get the correct grout lines, you will get so fed up trying to get them straight you will give up & throw the lot in the bin, if you like the look of them you can buy a solid tile that looks like mosaic's

Steve_the_fitter

Im not to sure you will take all the advise on this thread but mosaics are not the tile to use with your first tiling job. It you do decide to give it a go make sure the walls are perfectly flat. Either skimmed to a finish which you would be happy to paint over or if boarded make sure they are put up flat with no concaves. Then make sure you use the right trowel and adhesive. Also tank round the shower.
Tiling isnt to difficult but tiling mosaics to a good finish is.

sniggings

Steve_the_fitter wrote: »

Im not to sure you will take all the advise on this thread but mosaics are not the tile to use with your first tiling job. It you do decide to give it a go make sure the walls are perfectly flat. Either skimmed to a finish which you would be happy to paint over or if boarded make sure they are put up flat with no concaves. Then make sure you use the right trowel and adhesive. Also tank round the shower.
Tiling isnt to difficult but tiling mosaics to a good finish is.

thanks but I did say I was only doing the floor...well for now.

Yes you are right I was still considering mosaic tiles but I guess I can find a bigger tile I like just as much.

Leif

sniggings wrote: »

cheers, so not much then, you do have me worried now though Youtube makes it look so easy it's not that hard is it?

Yes, it is quite hard. Many of these videos are done by pros who can tile a floor before you've finished your breakfast. They are very skilled. I did my porch, which is like a smallish bathroom in terms of area. I did a good job, spread over two days. As others have said, plan out what you intend to do, make sure the floor is suitable, use a diamond saw cutter. Large tiles are tough, smaller easier and more tolerant of floor irregularities.

And don't believe all pros get it perfect. My neighbour noticed irregularities in my pro done bathroom floor. I notice the irregular edges, and I accidentally discovered two tiles sound hollow when tapped, so not enough adhesive (does this mean they will crack?). My kitchen floor though is excellent.

Leif

Oh, and by the way, make sure you get decent tiles. My porch tiles are cheap porcelain ones from B&Q. They look really good and are rectilinear. My bathroom floor tiles came from Topps, cost twice as much, same colour and texture but ceramic, and are not rectilinear. So the main problem with the bathroom floor is scheisse tiles, and the tiler could not get regular tile spacings because the tiles vary in size by 1 to 2 mm.

sniggings

Leif wrote: »

Oh, and by the way, make sure you get decent tiles. My porch tiles are cheap porcelain ones from B&Q. They look really good and are rectilinear. My bathroom floor tiles came from Topps, cost twice as much, same colour and texture but ceramic, and are not rectilinear. So the main problem with the bathroom floor is scheisse tiles, and the tiler could not get regular tile spacings because the tiles vary in size by 1 to 2 mm.

Thanks, yeah the rooms are not that big so I can afford to get decent tiles, for some reason Topps would not have even been an option for me, anywhere you or someone else can recommend? I have a Wicks near me and B&Q but was thinking Wicks maybe the better choice?