Current concerns with my new tiling. Am I right to be concerned?

[Dirtypool]

Hi I'm Dp and I'm looking for perspectives on my new tiling. Im concerned with tiles not having crisp or accurate cuts so tiles don't have uniform grout lines. The tiles pictured are set on new plasterboard so walls are straight.

Should I be right to expect a better finish with cut tiles being cleanly cut. All tiles being spaced accurately and thus uniform grout lines or is my expectation too high. Should grout be better finished at corners? On the windowsill where my finger is how the heck would water run off the windowsill past that lip?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Dp

 

[Cstiling]

First thing just cos walls are new plaster board doesn't mean they are straight ,but this should be sorted out before tiling starts .
That said Cutting of tiles is very poor ,short and left with rough edges joint alignment in the photo is poor too.
Has the grouting only just been finished? As this looks like it's very shady too.
All in all a fairly poor job

 

[Dirtypool]

Thanks for the reply. Yes grouting just done today and some yesterday. I've raised my concerns with the contractor. Do you have any other advice for me? What should I do if he doesn't fix. How does the grout look shady to you?

 

[Andy Allen]

Tiles look a bit sizey, where did you get them from.??

 

[Dirtypool]

Tiles look a bit sizey, where did you get them from.??

What does sizey mean? Topps tiles

 

[Andy Allen]

Varying in size from one tile to another, very common in cheaper tile mainly from BCT...

 

[Andy Allen]

 

[Andy Allen]

Dark grout will always make this stand out more...

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Not sure why anyone thinks that dark joints enhance any tile!
It may lighten up as it dries over a couple of days but it’s still going to be a poor job.
Everything you mentioned is wrong and it’s now that you have to get it altered.
There should be no reason for fixing tiles with those cut edges.

 

[Dirtypool]

Varying in size from one tile to another, very common in cheaper tile mainly from BCT...

I know price doesn't define quality. 35 quid per m2 though

 

[Dirtypool]

Not sure why anyone thinks that dark joints enhance any tile!
It may lighten up as it dries over a couple of days but it’s still going to be a poor job.
Everything you mentioned is wrong and it’s now that you have to get it altered.
There should be no reason for fixing tiles with those cut edges.

Thank you. I'm going to try with him tomorrow morning and see if he has the appetite and capability to fix it. To be honest the whole room is similar.

 

[Dirtypool]

Dark grout will always make this stand out more...

I selected the grout colour and tile based on the topps tile sales advisor encouragement and suggestion.

 

[Dirtypool]

Thank you. I'm going to try with him tomorrow morning and see if he has the appetite and capability to fix it. To be honest the whole room is similar.

I like the dark joints.. but then id still be on here with the same concerns with white grout I suspect

 

[Dumbo]

I know price doesn't define quality. 35 quid per m2 though

I fixed some topps tiles last year £44 per metre and they were shocking

 

[Dirtypool]

I fixed some topps tiles last year £44 per metre and they were shocking

I can forgive a few thickness variances but obvious misaligned joints and poor cutting I'm not happy with at all

 

[WetSaw]

It's not the thickness it's the overall dimensions. Tiles 2-3mm ( or more..) different in width and length makes a tight, constant grout gap impossible. Contrasting grout only amplifies the problem, not that I'm trying to condone the finish you have.

 

[Dumbo]

Whan you look at a misaligned joint look at each tile . For instance if the tops of the tiles are level and the bottoms are not you can see that they are different sizes . But that doesn't get away from the other issues .

 

[Dirtypool]

It's not the thickness it's the overall dimensions. Tiles 2-3mm ( or more..) different in width and length makes a tight, constant grout gap impossible. Contrasting grout only amplifies the problem, not that I'm trying to condone the finish you have.

Thanks and noted. I've been through it with him and he is addressing most of the problems. He is correcting cuts as I write.

 

[Dirtypool]

Whan you look at a misaligned joint look at each tile . For instance if the tops of the tiles are level and the bottoms are not you can see that they are different sizes . But that doesn't get away from the other issues .

Yes thanks. I have done that and yes there are variances in tile size so I won't push him where that's the case

 

[Dumbo]

Yes thanks. I have done that and yes there are variances in tile size so I won't push him where that's the case

Topps tiles . Enough said

 

[Dirtypool]

Topps tiles . Enough said

Thanks and noted. I'm going to be a regular buyer of tiles where do you suggest as a better alternative to source tiles from?

 

[One Day]

Thanks and noted. I'm going to be a regular buyer of tiles where do you suggest as a better alternative to source tiles from?

In Manchester?
I'd try TilesUK, Montford St, Salford or CTD at Denton.
If you want something really special (and have a good budget) - Casa Ceramica.

(DO NOT go to Better Bathrooms!)

 

[Dumbo]

Thanks and noted. I'm going to be a regular buyer of tiles where do you suggest as a better alternative to source tiles from?

As above not knowing your area "ctd" also avoid wickes b and q etc

 

[Dtilers]

Never ctd there terrible .. porcelanosa all the way

 

[Albert]

Always CTD for me dealt with them for 37 years 🙂

 

[Dtilers]

Albert in your opinion is ctd better the porcelanosa​

 

[Albert]

Albert in your opinion is ctd better the porcelanosa​

Yes

 

[WetSaw]

Never ctd there terrible ..

Not as terrible as your grammar😉

 

[Dumbo]

Porcelenosa aren't that good . Their black polished porcelain used to be chocolate brown. Their glaze is known for crazing along the score line when cutting and you also pay a premium for using their products . There are better tiles available for less money . I do a few of their tiles as a bathroom showroom in associated with sell their products and i dont find them all that.

 

[One Day]

If I was purchasing tiles for my own house, I would want to go first to Casa Ceramica, Porcelanosa, CTD in that order.

If I checked my bank balance first, then I would go to CTD, Porcelanosa, Casa ceramica in that order!

 

[Time's Ran Out]

I can go to a CTD in any part of the country and buy materials for the same price as my Newcastle branch!
I’am sure we’ve all had poor quality tiles from somewhere and we have to deal with it - but once you’ve fixed them that’s it - no more complaining.