Bought my stone/travertine tiles, what now?

shopaholicjules

Hi
I have bought my stone tiles for bathroom floor and walls.
Before the floor tiles go on, does boarding need to be laid and the tiles on top of that.
For the wall, I am having the walls plastered as they are currently back to the brick.
I am new to this and hopefully my dad is going to be able to do it but has never laid floor tiles and I know that they can be tricky.
The tiles are a light stone, what are your thoughts on grouting, white or a creamy colour, the bathroom is very small.
Thanks
Jules

Richie_asg1

For grout colour - see if the place you bought them from has a display. I would normally try to match the tile colour, but choice is often limited. Dark grout with light tiles can make them look dirty, so I would advise a cream.

You say boarding? Tiles should ideally laid on solid concrete, using a water resistant adhesive for bathrooms - read up on how-to. For floorboards, I've used flexible adhesive specially for this, and worked brilliantly. - remember to always clean the tile as soon as possible, as adhesive or grout left to dry is a nightmare to get off again.

shopaholicjules

I will go to the tile shop and look at their grout, they did have a variety of colours.
There are floorboards down but some of them have been lifted and put back down for the plumber. Are you saying I can get flexible adhesive and then put the tiles on wihtout having to have anything else laid as I dont have concrete?
I know I sound a little dumb, just want to make sure it's done right with the amount I have paid for the tiles.
Thanks

OddjobKIA

visit www.harrislate.co.uk

there is plenty of advice on there

shopaholicjules

I am getting a 'cannot find server' for harrislate.

Jules

Canucklehead

Hi


www.harrisslate.co.uk ?

shopaholicjules

Thanks canucklehead
So much to read and understand.
I'm a girl that needs things breaking down into simple steps for me, you need to do this , this and this for the floor and same for the walls.
My dad is a pretty good tiler, has just never done stone or floors.
I also need to find the stuff to seal it with which I can probably get from where I bought tiles.
It's difficult, I am trying to pick things for the whole of my house and it gets confusing as people have quite differing opinions and as a beginner I don't know who is right or has the best idea.

Jules

Canucklehead

You're welcome...more advice available here at http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=30 (read the sticky at the top first before posting any questions) or you could try http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/tiling/index.htm

HTH

Canucklehead

tile_guru

Just found this site good stuff......

thought this might help you

www.tileforums.com

and

www.trades-direct.co.uk

I use these guys alot and they will give you loads of tips on saving dosh...

Guru

jcurthoys

hi

Travatine is a bit expensive to experiment on!

make sure you buy the stuff to clean them before they are sealed - probably from the place you got them......

Doozergirl

I haven't read through the forums listed but if you are laying tiles on florrboards, you should screw large sheets of ply down on the floor to make it more rigid, otherwise the movement inthe floorboards will cause the tiles to start moving and the grout to break loose.