Tiling on the ceiling.

[Gracer]

Firstly to all those who just flat out said No! Well thanks for your imput & concern, but as you can see others have done it before & really anythings possible if you open your mind a little. There is always a solution.

I've been thinking the mechanical fixing is the way to go....don't really want to try that myself.More a stone masons area I reckon.

But a big thanks to Rob Z....this is exactly what I am looking for. Yes we have Laticrete products here, I will call them & inquire on your recommendations. Nice looking work in the photos btw.

All the prep will be done in a proper manner...the client is a civil engineer running his own company, which also incorporates the builder I am working for on this project. No expense is being spared. They will also be fixed to cement sheeting. I should also add this ceiling is high...around 6 metres from the bottom step.

Highlander, I am interested to know about the straps you used to hold up the tile while setting...do you recall what they were & how they were used?

I'll be sure to take some photos & post them here as it takes shape.

 

[cornish_crofter]

Have you thought anymore about fixing them in place before the ceiling goes up?

I'm sure the client could get access to hoists etc, sounds like you could get one in that house no probs!

 

[Gracer]

Have you thought anymore about fixing them in place before the ceiling goes up?

I'm sure the client could get access to hoists etc, sounds like you could get one in that house no probs!

Yeah c.c. That was one of my first thoughts and still may be an option. The gyprock plasterer on site has said I could use his hoists. The only problem being I have to line up with two side walls and these tiles are to be laid in a kind of ashlar pattern.I can see problems in getting them to align,if I go down this route.

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Gracer

I'm glad that you can get this stuff. I was told by a Laticrete rep that Laticrete developed that epoxy product specifically to replace the more tedious and traditional method of using wires to tie off stone. There are some limits to where and how the product can be used but they are more on commercial types of projects so I didn't learn what they are.

Let me post some prices for these products so you can get a feel for what they cost. These are in US dollars of course....I don't know what they would be in Australian or British currency.

The 255 is ~$35 per 40 lb. bag.

The epoxy is sold in large tubs, although I have never bought it that way. I know it is less expensive per unit quantity of the epoxy, but then you have to factor in labor for the mixing of each batch of the material.

We use the epoxy in the cartridge sets ...each tube is about the size of a standard tube of caulking, and a set has two tubes together. One set of tubes is a bit less that $20, and the mixing nozzle is $5. If you are using the rapid set version, the tube with clog up quickly and you might go through one mixing tube per set of cartridges. When using the slow set version, one mixing tube might last us all day because we keep pushing new material through it while mixing more.

The mixing gun and battery/charger costs $500-$600. I lucked out because my Laticrete rep gave me one free when I bought a bunch of the product! :hurray:

 

[DHTiling]

Cheers Rob..... i knew you would know the best methods.....it's not common practise in the uk to tile ceilings as most are timber and flex way to much...and most customers won't go the hog of replacing with suitable substrates...

once again thanks rob....


p,s..... gracer will you please post us some pics of work in progress and finished job as well..

 

[Gracer]

Fantasic info there Rob Z. Thank you very much, I'm now on the right track with it.

Dave I will defo take photos of the process & post them here. Will be a little down the track, but I promise.

 

[DHTiling]

I look foward to them gracer.....good luck..

 

[R Montgomery]

Check with the Australian Tile Institute ( whatever they are called ) and all the applicable codes.The procedures that you will need to follow will all be in there.It doesn't sound unusual at all you just have to find out the local requirements.How's your mud work and where is the waterproofing going.

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Gracer,

Glad to help...I also should add for purposes of comparison, I pay ~$15 for a 50 lb bag of Laticrete 253 thinset, which is a medium grade of modified mortar. So you can see that the 255 is some expensive stuff (but worth it when you need it).

Sometimes, we use a combo technique of the 310 epoxy and the 255 thinset....we will make a ring of 255 around the edge of the tile, and dot the 310 epoxy inside that ring. Whne the tile is pushed onto the ceiling properly, there is a a quief of air that lets us know that the suction effect is in place and will hold the tile. The epoxy of course cures and provides a bond that is maybe 100 times stronger than any thinset mortar could provide.

Good luck with your project!

 

[Gracer]

Check with the Australian Tile Institute ( whatever they are called ) and all the applicable codes.The procedures that you will need to follow will all be in there.It doesn't sound unusual at all you just have to find out the local requirements.How's your mud work and where is the waterproofing going.

There isn't any need for any mudwork or waterproofing.....it's an entry ceiling not a wet area.:smash: