Tiling questions

ed110220

I've stripped out our bathroom, added wall insulation and reboarded it and am now ready for tiling.

Two questions: I've never done tiling before - is it likely I'll be able to get a satisfactory finish just from reading up on the techniques or is this something better left to a professional?

We got a quote for tiling, but the tiler said he would not tile onto the 9.5mm plasterboard I'd used on one small wall (used 12.5mm elsewhere) and I would have to replace it. I'd used the thinner board because the tiles will be up against a door frame and with the thicker board they may protrude beyond the frame unless they are thin tiles, which would look odd. The studwork is only 150 - 200mm apart so I did not see a problem with using the thinner board. It was replacing old 1940s plasterboard that was the imperial equivalent of 9.5mm and that had tiles on it.

I was not home when he came to quote, only my partner, so I couldn't ask him. Anyone know what the problem might be or any solution? Maybe a thin but strong board such as ply (it is away from the bath and handbasin, so will not get wet)?

Ed

phill99

9mm plasterboardis really only meant for ceilings. It is not designed to take the weigt of tiles, especially modern ceramic or porcelain.

You would be better remiving the 9mmplasterboard and replacing it with a a concrete backing board such as 'Hardie Bakker Board' from Topps Tiles. the 9mm board will take 45kg per metre square or therabout, whereas the same plasterboard will take around 18kg or so.

ed110220

phill99 wrote: »

9mm plasterboardis really only meant for ceilings. It is not designed to take the weigt of tiles, especially modern ceramic or porcelain.

You would be better remiving the 9mmplasterboard and replacing it with a a concrete backing board such as 'Hardie Bakker Board' from Topps Tiles. the 9mm board will take 45kg per metre square or therabout, whereas the same plasterboard will take around 18kg or so.

Thanks that makes sense. I used some off cuts from the ceiling as the wall is only 500mm wide. I was thinking of the flexibility of the board rather than its weight carrying ability, hence the studwork being unusually close together. The 1940s 9mm board on the walls is ok, but does feel less firm than modern stuff and the tiles were small and thin.

Just got to find some concrete backing board locally now.

phill99

B & Q sell it as do Topps Tiles

Ruski

Tile giant and wickes do cement board, same meat different gravy

Russ

andyhop

You can't use 6mm hardibacker on the walls. Is only designed for floor use only

You can get wedi boards down to 4mm, CTD also sell a contract type board that's similar and a 1/3 of the cost

phill99

andyhop wrote: »

You can't use 6mm hardibacker on the walls. Is only designed for floor use only

You can get wedi boards down to 4mm, CTD also sell a contract type board that's similar and a 1/3 of the cost

At what has any body said about using 6mm board on the wall?

andyhop

phill99 wrote: »

At what has any body said about using 6mm board on the wall?

First post was he wanted to use a slimmer 9.5mm board

12mm plasterboard is more than ample to take modern day tiles under 32kg per sqm. Most 10mm porcelain, 12mm natural stone are all under this weight.

Tank with a homelux wall mat if its a bath or shower area and will still cost less than hardibacker

phill99

andyhop wrote: »

First post was he wanted to use a slimmer 9.5mm board

12mm plasterboard is more than ample to take modern day tiles under 32kg per sqm. Most 10mm porcelain, 12mm natural stone are all under this weight.

Tank with a homelux wall mat if its a bath or shower area and will still cost less than hardibacker

Acknowledged. But he used 9mm plasterboard so that the proposed tiles didn't sit proud if the door architrave. Thetefore by using 9mm bakker board, the weight carrying capacity of the wall is increased but the overall thickness isn't compromised.