Tiles for my Utility Room.

[Ajax123]

I am currently renovating my Utility room which is approximately 10m2 at about 4m x 2.5m. I am going to buy the same tiles for the kitchen so that I have them ready for when I renovate that room as well in about 12 months time. That is about 6m x 7m so I need about 55m2 (ish) of tiles in total.

I have removed the existing quarry tiles which I was going to reuse but I broke so many of them that I now don't have enough.

The wife would like a natural stone look but knowing at least a bit about these things and the problems I could have laying them and maintaining them I think I would be better going for a ceramic tile with a natural stone look. I have seen some tiles at Homebase which would just about fit the bill and they are 300mm x 300mm and 12mm thick. They are ceramic but look like travertine. They are priced at £6.99 per m2 so I think they are a reasonable price. They are not quite right though. I have not bought new floor tiles for a long time and have looked around the likes of B&Q, Topps, Homebase, Tile Giant and several small independent locals.

Any suggestions from the team on whether this is a good price or whether I should be able to get better tiles for a similar price and indeed where to look. I am running out of cash on this project as I had to lay more levelling compound than I was expecting to bring the old floor to something like level. I have also had a problem with the levelling compound (or rather my ability to measure water in a bucket) and that it has delaminated in one area so I have to dig that out and re lay it so even more compound required. I want to keep the tile costs as low as possible. Has anyone used any of the "end of line" type discount tile warehouses.

Second question - I am using BAL PTB adhesive which I already have. When they say pourable - how pourable do they mean????

Cheers

 

[The D]

m8 spend a bit more on the tiles as a 6.99 tile from the sheds is not going to last. if you are looking for a trav look alike then go for a porcelain one

 

[Ian]

Agree with deano mate, homebase is the worst out of all the sheds, very poor quality. You should still be able to find a decent quality tile for around £10 per metre.

 

[Ajax123]

I was thinking porcelaine but the likes of topps and tile giant wanted £25 plus per m2. Take your point on the home base quality. I do want to avoid them if poss and am prepared to pay a bit more if I have to but I just feel that topps are overpriced.

Brian I see you are based in Grantham - I am just down the A1 at Stamford - any suggestions of some reasonable priced tile outlets in the area.....

 

[Stewart]

As above........ If total area is gonna be over 50 metres I would wait a little longer till I had more in the budget to get a better tile. I personally don't install tiles from any of the tile sheds as there are too many problems associated with them.

 

[Ian]

This tile is from porcelanosa, 450x450, porcelain. Stone effect decent price, top quality.
I'll pm the price.

 

[Andy Allen]

homebase ceramic tiles are not very good quality..... as said before on the forum theres a reason why there £6.99 m2.... you do get what you pay for. i would go for a porcelain tile if possible, my local tile shop do some very nice natural stone look a like 300x300 for under £10m2 the bargins are there its just finding them. i would try the tiles shops in your area theres allways a deal to be had this time of year.

as for bal P.T.B ive used a lot of this just lately, you need to mix it so it pours out the bucket, not to runny though, trowel it on the floor and leave it a couple of mins and it will stiffen up. best to use a 10mm trowel with it, as its quite sandy.

 

[DHTiling]

£6.99..:lol:

Alan you are such a tight wad..:lol:..

 

[Ajax123]

times are tough Dave ..... 🙂

 

[Ajax123]

homebase ceramic tiles are not very good quality..... as said before on the forum theres a reason why there £6.99 m2.... you do get what you pay for. i would go for a porcelain tile if possible, my local tile shop do some very nice natural stone look a like 300x300 for under £10m2 the bargins are there its just finding them. i would try the tiles shops in your area theres allways a deal to be had this time of year.

as for bal P.T.B ive used a lot of this just lately, you need to mix it so it pours out the bucket, not to runny though, trowel it on the floor and leave it a couple of mins and it will stiffen up. best to use a 10mm trowel with it, as its quite sandy.

Thanks Andy - already bought me 10mm trowel.......

 

[DHTiling]

If you want some travertine then Dave @ PHG has some that he can do an excellent price on..

 

[Stewart]

times are tough Dave ..... 🙂

At £6.99 your tiles won't be......

 

[Ajax123]

Ok you've convinced me that the Homebase tiles were a bad idea. I am now going to look at porcelaine instead.......porcelanosa as per previous post from BrianJ looks like a possiblity.

 

[Ajax123]

I got PTB grey Dave - can't use than on Trav can I? I would have to buy more addy as well......cor this building lark will bleed me dry.

 

[DHTiling]

I got a few bags of kerakol adhesive in white you can have..

 

[faithhealer]

If you are buying that many tiles Alan, any shop should knock a few quid off for you. Deffo not ceramics, too soft

 

[The D]

do you have a CTD if you do you can use my discount 35%

 

[Ajax123]

No CTD locally that I am aware of - will check though - we have a tile giant and a Topps - and of course all the sheds are in town.

 

[Ajax123]

I got a few bags of kerakol adhesive in white you can have..

Cheers bud. I'm not using an uncoupling membrane either .............

 

[DHTiling]

Cheers bud. I'm not using an uncoupling membrane either .............

LOL.. it isn't that 1 Al but some other more flexi ones i got.. if you up soon then they are yours.. some grout there as well.. help ya self..

 

[Ajax123]

do you have a CTD if you do you can use my discount 35%

Now that just shows what I know Deano. Just googled CTD and they are in Peterborough - which is local, they are in Norwich where I am going on Friday, they are in Cambridge where I am tomorrow, they are in Milton Keynes where I am also going tomorrow, they are in Ipswich where I am going on Tuesday next week. I should be able to get a visit in at least one of those days.

Been talking to the Mrs though and she has told me that we are now looking at some black polished porcs for the kitchen and some creamy stone looking ones for the utility so it has all changed in the space of a couple of hours..........women!! ..... anyway it now looks like for this project I am into about 10m2.

 

[Ajax123]

LOL.. it isn't that 1 Al but some other more flexi ones i got.. if you up soon then they are yours.. some grout there as well.. help ya self..

Really appreciate the offer Dave but I am not sure I will be getting up your neck of the woods for a few weeks yet and I think I will be ready for tiling after this weekend....may be next depending on the levelling compound. If I do find meself up there though I will give you a shout.

 

[The D]

if you fined what you are looking for in CTD pm me and i will make sure the discount is sorted out for you m8.

 

[Daz]

If you get time whilst in Cambridge tomorrow, Alan, then give me a bell and I'll point you to a couple of outlets. If you are anywhere near Over then pop in for a cuppa mate (you know the address from your previous visit :lol🙂

Daz