My 1st Job Tiling Virgin wants reassurance after maybe biting off more than be can chew.... - Tile Advice

[Emeye]

Hello, I'm relatively handy when it comes to DIY, but I have never tried tiling before and I may have come over all ambitious for my first attempt. It feels like I have read and watched a hundred tiling websites and youtube tiling videos, along with speaking to "experts" who have provided conflicting advice, but I finally think I am ready to buy the gear I need, and it would be very helpful if some of you with more experience can confirm or ridicule my plan.

It all started with us being unable to find the tiles we wanted, and then falling for these beauties. Surprisingly B&Q were the cheapest. Unfortunately after research, they appear to be in the very top right of the Hot/Crazy scale.

I will be doing 2 straight runs in the kitchen, one 1m x 2 tile sheets high and another 2.46m x 2 tile sheets high. Ties are approx. 300mm x 300mm

1) The kitchen wall which is 4 month old plastered and will be treated with Mapei Primer G

2) I am going to seal them using, er something (any recommendations?) before I start sticking them to the wall..

3) After speaking to Mapei and Bal's technical helpline, I plan to buy Bal Rapid flex-one adhesive, probably doing 4 or 6 tiles at a time.

4) I was going to buy and use a 4mm trowel, but some places only do 3mm - is 3mm OK?

5) I am going to cut the tiles with a friend's wet saw to square up the ends.

6) I will buy some kind of tile edging.

5) I will use Bal Microflex Wall Grout White - Will 3.5KG be enough?

6) I will wash off Grout with a wet sponge.

Sorry if this is a long post, but my head is ready to explode - just tiling init?

Thanks.

 

[Dumbo]

1 ok
2 lithofin stainstop
3 I would use a white slow set , c2tes1
4 topps do a 4mm
5 yes
6 no need for tile edging
5 I wouldn't use white , it will look. Awfull
6 yes and buff dry once hazing starts to appear .
Once grout is fully dry seal again

 

[Andy Allen]

Just spent 20 minutes writing a reply, and jerry best me to it....!...

 

[Emeye]

1 ok
2 lithofin stainstop
3 I would use a white slow set , c2tes1
4 topps do a 4mm
5 yes
6 no need for tile edging
5 I wouldn't use white , it will look. Awfull
6 yes and buff dry once hazing starts to appear .
Once grout is fully dry seal again

Thanks Jerry - Apologies for the numbering mess.

Please can you recommend a particular white slow set , c2tes1? A google found a few, but I need one I can pick up off the shelf tomorrow - I'm near Manchester so close to all the main retailers.

And what colour grout do you think? These are expensive tiles to get it wrong. In this image, it doesn't even look like any grout has been used!

Cheers.

.

 

[WetSaw]

Light grey grout for me.

 

[Dumbo]

Go to ctd I expect you have one . My choice would be isomat ak20 but you will be lucky to get that locally , failing that kerracoll biogel .
As @pdc light grey

 

[Emeye]

Sorry I forgot to link the image before.

Is this picture no grout or dark grout?

 

[Dan]

Hello, I'm relatively handy when it comes to DIY, but I have never tried tiling before and I may have come over all ambitious for my first attempt. It feels like I have read and watched a hundred tiling websites and youtube tiling videos, along with speaking to "experts" who have provided conflicting advice, but I finally think I am ready to buy the gear I need, and it would be very helpful if some of you with more experience can confirm or ridicule my plan.

It all started with us being unable to find the tiles we wanted, and then falling for these beauties. Surprisingly B&Q were the cheapest. Unfortunately after research, they appear to be in the very top right of the Hot/Crazy scale.

I will be doing 2 straight runs in the kitchen, one 1m x 2 tile sheets high and another 2.46m x 2 tile sheets high. Ties are approx. 300mm x 300mm

1) The kitchen wall which is 4 month old plastered and will be treated with Mapei Primer G

2) I am going to seal them using, er something (any recommendations?) before I start sticking them to the wall..

3) After speaking to Mapei and Bal's technical helpline, I plan to buy Bal Rapid flex-one adhesive, probably doing 4 or 6 tiles at a time.

4) I was going to buy and use a 4mm trowel, but some places only do 3mm - is 3mm OK?

5) I am going to cut the tiles with a friend's wet saw to square up the ends.

6) I will buy some kind of tile edging.

5) I will use Bal Microflex Wall Grout White - Will 3.5KG be enough?

6) I will wash off Grout with a wet sponge.

Sorry if this is a long post, but my head is ready to explode - just tiling init?

Thanks.

Hot / crazy scale. Haven't heard that for a while.