Out of my depth ?

[ian158]

I've been invited to lay the following tiles which I've not done before, so confidence is a little low, so should I just forget it or treat it as any other tile laying? They will supply all the materials but what's your recommendations,,laying, sealing tiles type of adhesive etc.

Also not sure how to price up, any advice is highly appreciated.
29m2 in 4 rooms.
20m2 Grey slate 600x400 in the kitchen and clockroom
5m2 Honed slate 400x400 in the bathroom
4m2 En suite honed limestone 400x400
.

 

[ian158]

Other thing , laying a 600x400 what would be your style of pattern for floor?

 

[Del W]

Youve got to ask/answer lots of questions if youre not confident with stone/slate.
So, whats the substrate & is there UFH ? UFH matters because of what the tiles are made of.

 

[ian158]

It's a new build, no underfloor heating, but view the site on Saturday

 

[Del W]

Concrete/screed/timber ?

 

[ian158]

Well I'm guessing ground floor screed, walls plasterboard, first floor chipboard, so hardibacker on first floor 6mm, what do you recommend on walls, renew with marmox or aqua panel in wet areas?

 

[Del W]

If its new build you might want to put down ditra on the screed.Yes,overboard timber.Wet areas should be waterproofed/overboarded.& bear in mind for dry areas new plaster doesnt take much weight

 

[ian158]

Will assess the substrate when there and see what the centres are for the stud walling. With a new build and screed are you saying using ditra allow for movement/shrinkage ?

 

[Del W]

Yes to movement/shrinkage seeing as your using stone .

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Have a good look on Saturday at the site - don't commit yourself on any pricing till you've costed everything and make notes of what the client is asking for. Are they all floors or is there some wall tiling? Check how long the screed has been down and is it stable, will you need to recommend uncoupling membrane for the stone tiles, has the pattern been discussed by client, what type of sealant/adhesive/grout are they supplying.
Lots of questions and confidence if knowledge, but you need to act confident without bull etc and then look through the forum or ask (via pm if necessary) and their are plenty here to help.

 

[ian158]

Cheers, I've read up a lot one here about stone, and was going to ask the question what the merchants are supplying regards adhesive, grout and impregnator/sealant. But will take on board everything that's been mentioned and will revert back once I've seen site.

Thanks again

 

[AliGage]

........... and see what the centres are for the stud walling. With a new build ................

Ask the developer what the walls are made from. It might not be timber in there, you might have gypframe or an equivalent. I've just finished boarding out a new build bathroom with 20sqm of 12mm hardie, the internal walls were metal framed, and the external was boarded in 9mm plasterboard which fell off the wall when i gently pulled it.
Just bare in mind the weight threshold, i'd personally be looking to pull it down and re-board with something more suitable.