Decoupling membrane and epoxy grout in new build

[JohnnyH]

Hi

I am posting in the hope that someone may be willing to offer me some advice about floor tiles in a new build property. The house has a screed floor with under-floor heating. I need to have about 100 sq metres tiled downstairs (hall, kitchen, utility, living room). The tile will be Porcelanosa Carrara Blanco Brillo. I asked the builder 2 questions and got the following answers:

1. Will you be using a decoupling membrane as it’s a new house with (water) under-floor heating?
Answer: No. We use flexible tile adhesive.
2. What grout will you use as I want to ensure stain resistance etc.?
Answer: Grey or white standard grout.

I have asked the builder to quote for laying a decoupling membrane (about 100 sq metres) and was told additional £1940.
I asked for a quote to use Mapei epoxy grout and was told additional £2400.

Both these quotes seem excessive to me. Is a decoupling membrane standard practice in this situation? How much extra time/money involved to use epoxy grout instead of normal?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[bsc ceramics]

If the slab is cured and the heating has been commisioned and run up to heat
then with porcerlain tiles no need for a crack matting, the price for that is about
right maybe a little high. as for the grout that does sound expensive
better off using a grout sealer

 

[JohnnyH]

Hi bsc ceramics

Thank you for your reply. Another factor is the living room faces due south; the west and south wall elevations are basically glass-may cause increased expansion/contraction.

 

[Will HRF]

Hi

I am posting in the hope that someone may be willing to offer me some advice about floor tiles in a new build property. The house has a screed floor with under-floor heating. I need to have about 100 sq metres tiled downstairs (hall, kitchen, utility, living room). The tile will be Porcelanosa Carrara Blanco Brillo. I asked the builder 2 questions and got the following answers:

1. Will you be using a decoupling membrane as it’s a new house with (water) under-floor heating?
Answer: No. We use flexible tile adhesive.
2. What grout will you use as I want to ensure stain resistance etc.?
Answer: Grey or white standard grout.

I have asked the builder to quote for laying a decoupling membrane (about 100 sq metres) and was told additional £1940.
I asked for a quote to use Mapei epoxy grout and was told additional £2400.

Both these quotes seem excessive to me. Is a decoupling membrane standard practice in this situation? How much extra time/money involved to use epoxy grout instead of normal?

Any advice appreciated.

Hi,
I'd go for the decoupling matting all the time, natural stone or porcelains, most tilers use flexible adhesive these days anyway but that wont help for movement transmission from your screed plus most tilers will guarantee their work then. £1940 for materials and labour to lay the matting isn't too bad, our recommended tilers charge about £20.00 per sqm, maybe ask for a couple of hundred £ off discount seeing size of job. As for grout, specify "Tilemaster grout 3000" flexible and very good with porcelains, again this tilers quote seems excessive to say the least. on a 10mm rectified edge porcelain you only want a 2mm grout line so he won't be using hardly any at all.

 

[bsc ceramics]

3mm joint and expansion joints and your be fine.

 

[Will HRF]

3mm joint and expansion joints and your be fine.

Why would you want expansion joints if the 100sqm is divided by 4 seperate areas? an expansion joint is only needed on a 9 linear metre run...
Nobody does 3mm anymore, old school.

 

[JohnnyH]

Hi,
I'd go for the decoupling matting all the time, natural stone or porcelains, most tilers use flexible adhesive these days anyway but that wont help for movement transmission from your screed plus most tilers will guarantee their work then. £1940 for materials and labour to lay the matting isn't too bad, our recommended tilers charge about £20.00 per sqm, maybe ask for a couple of hundred £ off discount seeing size of job. As for grout, specify "Tilemaster grout 3000" flexible and very good with porcelains, again this tilers quote seems excessive to say the least. on a 10mm rectified edge porcelain you only want a 2mm grout line so he won't be using hardly any at all.

Thanks Will, that’s useful info.

 

[bsc ceramics]

Why would you want expansion joints if the 100sqm is divided by 4 seperate areas? an expansion joint is only needed on a 9 linear metre run...
Nobody does 3mm anymore, old school.

Thats why my floors dont fail...