New member from across the pond

[Stefan]

Hi everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself. I think it's awesome that this forum exists. I feel like that in the UK and Europe people appreciate skilled tradesman a little more than here in the United States. I decided to join this forum because I know that as hard as our job is, we take pride in our work and it's nothing to be ashamed of. I feel like here, if you don't have a desk job, you are somewhat overlooked or your work is not appreciated. I guess we can blame all of those HGTV shows for that. I don't know if you guys have the same problem where you live.

Anyways, I have been installing for 5 years, my father and uncle are both tilers so I have been around it all my life. I am here to learn even more and to give advice if anyone needs it. Thanks.

 

[Albert]

Welcome to the forum, enjoy.

 

[Old Mod]

Hi and welcome to the forum Stefan.

I think the misconception that ‘professional’ labour attains a higher social standing than that of ‘skilled’ labour is present everywhere, wouldn’t you say?
Unless of course, auntie Mable is coming for Christmas and they’re desperate for their new bathroom to be up and running. 😀

 

[Andy Allen]

Morning Stefan....(morning here)..🙂

Great introduction, lots of brilliant tilers on here doing stunning work.
Have the large porcelain thin tiles made there way over there yet..?

 

[Simon Dale]

Hi Stefan. Good tilers on here mainly pensioners 😉😉

 

[Stefan]

Morning Stefan....(morning here)..🙂

Great introduction, lots of brilliant tilers on here doing stunning work.
Have the large porcelain thin tiles made there way over there yet..?

How large and how thin are we talking?

 

[Old Mod]

How large and how thin are we talking?

10’ x 5’ x 1/4 inch. American

3.2m x 1.6m x 6mm Rest of the world 😀

LFTPT (Large Format Thin Porcelain Tile)

Or

GPTP/S (Gauged Porcelain Tile Panel/Slab)

I believe you call it. 🙂

 

[Qwerty]

Welcome to the forum @Stefan

 

[Terry W]

Ood morning andWelcome.

 

[Stefan]

10’ x 5’ x 1/4 inch. American

3.2m x 1.6m x 6mm Rest of the world 😀

LFTPT (Large Format Thin Porcelain Tile)

Or

GPTP/S (Gauged Porcelain Tile Panel/Slab)

I believe you call it. 🙂

Wow! No, I have never worked with tile that large yet. I like large tile and see the allure of it because there are less grout lines. Does tile that size bow? Do you get paid more per square metre when installing?

 

[macten]

Welcome bud

 

[LM]

Welcome Stefan, nice introduction. You’ll enjoy this forum 🙂

 

[Old Mod]

Wow! No, I have never worked with tile that large yet. I like large tile and see the allure of it because there are less grout lines. Does tile that size bow? Do you get paid more per square metre when installing?

Yes installation costs are high, but so are the risks to the installer, breakages do occur.
Ardex’s technical training centre in Mansfield Texas hold training classes, look them up.

 

[GoneGuy]

Hello and welcome

 

[Stefan]

Yes installation costs are high, but so are the risks to the installer, breakages do occur.
Ardex’s technical training centre in Mansfield Texas hold training classes, look them up.

Are you in the UK?

 

[Old Mod]

Are you in the UK?

Yes Stefan, London. 🙂

 

[Stefan]

Yes Stefan, London. 🙂

Cool. I bet you're staying pretty busy out there.

 

[Old Mod]

Cool. I bet you're staying pretty busy out there.

I do ok Stefan 🙂
So what type of work do you mainly do Stefan?

 

[Stefan]

I do ok Stefan 🙂
So what type of work do you mainly do Stefan?

I do everything. Floors, stairs, showers, back splash. I've been doing a lot of floors because we had a big hurricane last year. Showers are my favorite, simply because I'm in one spot and I'm off my knees. How about you? Do you get a lot of new construction or a lot of remodels?

 

[Old Mod]

How about you? Do you get a lot of new construction or a lot of remodels?

Well currently in the U.K. there’s more remodelling going on than new builds it seems.
Lot of that has more than likely because of our leaving the European economic union and people are being cautious as to the knock on effect.
Personally, probably more on the side of the
remodel.
I work in a fairly niche market at the moment and there’s nothing about it that I could predict apart from,
Contractors and/or clients not understanding the intricacies of the product until they see for themselves, which invariably means a piece has to break and they have to witness it.
Only then it seems do their ears stand up and they take notice and realise it’s not JUST a big tile.
It’s so much more, and needs treating with total respect, and should never be underestimated.

Do you use preformed trays or build your own mud curbs?

 

[Italy]

welcome to tf

 

[Stefan]

Well currently in the U.K. there’s more remodelling going on than new builds it seems.
Lot of that has more than likely because of our leaving the European economic union and people are being cautious as to the knock on effect.
Personally, probably more on the side of the
remodel.
I work in a fairly niche market at the moment and there’s nothing about it that I could predict apart from,
Contractors and/or clients not understanding the intricacies of the product until they see for themselves, which invariably means a piece has to break and they have to witness it.
Only then it seems do their ears stand up and they take notice and realise it’s not JUST a big tile.
It’s so much more, and needs treating with total respect, and should never be underestimated.

Do you use preformed trays or build your own mud curbs?

I usually build my own shower pan. Or work off of one a plumber has already built (not recommended). I've never even worked with a preformed tray. Which do you prefer?

 

[Old Mod]

.

Which do you prefer?

Preformed all day long

 

[Stefan]

Preformed all day long

View attachment 99060 View attachment 99061

I already learned something new. I'm guessing it's less time consuming and more perfect.

 

[hmtiling]

Welcome aboard Stefan.

 

[Stefan]

Welcome aboard Stefan.

Thanks hm.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Welcome!