good quality, light colour, bathroom floor tile wanted/needed

[RichTile]

Hi all,

Was wondering if anyone could give me any reconsiderations on a good quality, light coloured floor tile in for my bathroom.
The room is going to be painted a fresh mint green with tiles on floor and bath edging.

Many thanks,

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Medium to walnut travertine - timeless!

 

[DHTiling]

Agree with above.. A nice travertine.

 

[RichTile]

Many thanks for help guys!
I just noted the following from a popular auction site 'Tumbled Classic Light Travertine Pattern Floor Tiles '. Just the sort of thing I've been looking for.
I imagine these will be harder to lay then normal tiles? Anyone used similar before? I presume there is a pattern you follow?
I will speak to my tiler about this.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Natural Stone require different cutting tools, preparation and finishing - but well worth the effort.
Use a lighter coloured grout to compliment the stone (Jasmin/limestone/beige) and bring out the tones of the sediments.
Check his portfolio and ask all the right questions and above all be happy that he is going to enjoy doing the work.

 

[Rich]

I couldn't agree more with John above. Tiling with natural stone is a completely different animal to tiling with man made tiles. You will need to get a tiler who is experienced in using it. I would ask him to explain how he is going to use the stone, ask him to explain the process of tiling the floor and then let us know what he intends to do, we will be happy to make sure that he is going to do it right

 

[RichTile]

Many thanks guys, will let you know

So is a different grout and adhesive also required then normal tiles?

Many thanks,

 

[RichTile]

Guys what would be a suitable size ply to use for a 10mm tile (ply to be used over chipboard).
I ask as I am measuring up and need to get the levels right for the attaching room - would really appreciate any help on this.

 

[Rich]

You you are going to use ply then it needs to be a min of 15mm boil and water proof ply. Stagger the boards and seal the underside and the edges and also leave a 2-3mm gap between the boards. The other option would be to use a cement board over the top of the chipboard, ply really isnt a very good substrate to tile straight on to. Have a read through the link below for a little more info.

[h=3]Plywood floors...[/h]

 

[RichTile]

Cheers Rich! Very helpful.

Just read that guide, made me think about asking the tiler to use a cement backer board now instead.
My only concern is I have chipboard down which sit above the joyce. Are cement boards ok in this situation?

 

[Dan]

I'd pull up the chipboard. There's no place for that in a bathroom. While you have the chance swap that for plywood, and then still use a cement board on top. You'll have very little deflection then and you floor will last a lifetime.

Mint green though. Hmmmm. I'll have to wait for the picture on this one.

 

[RichTile]

Interesting, the chipboard could come up - What thickness ply would you use to replace?

Kind regards,
Richard

 

[RichTile]

Hi guys,

Sorry for delay but since speaking i've had my floor (above joyce) replaced with 18mm ply and now looking to put a backer board on top of that. My only question is 6mm or 10mm? We plan to fix the backer board with adhesive AND washers + screws. My concern doing this with 6mm is that it might break?
If I use 10mm there will be a slight step from the next room to this bathroom - carpet going into tile.

Kind regards,

 

[DHTiling]

If the ply is deflection free then just use Hardibacker 250 ( 6mm).. you just screw that down in a bed of adhesive and no washers etc..

 

[Rich]

As Dave says, the important thing is to get the ply 100% deflection free before over boarding with the backer, then a 6mm board should be fine. Make sure that you follow the manufacturers installation instructions and you should have about as good a floor to tile as you can hope for