Starting my Slate kitchen

[John the tile]

Hello everyone,

Im going to tile my kitchen with slate tiles over the coming weeks and would be gratefull for some help when I get stuck. I completed a course a year ago and have done several jobs for friends and family during the year. So im confident at doing it myself.
Im going to be sorting the floor out tomorrow by ripping up the old tiles first.
Im currently looking at some tiles but have not yet decided what I want. Im hoping to do it with three different size tiles, possible a small tile a rectangle tile and a large tile.
Could any one tell me what this pattern is called and if there a set plan to setting this type of pattern out. ?
Cheers
John

[Dave]

Hi John and welcome..

This is a popular one with 3 sizes..




Not seen it in slate though, is it not Opus pattern i 4 sizes..?

[suave]

welcome!

[enduro]

I have a slate floor and i hate it...use something different

[whitebeam]

Hi and welcome..

[Mike]

a 3 tile pattern seems too uniform in my opinion, i did a classic opus (5 tile pattern) in travertine last week and you have to really look to find the repeat in design. nice tiles but should be at £90 a metre

[timeless john]

1315243337229.jpg Chinese multicolour 30x30cm with 1 cut 30x15cm.

[jay]

[John the tile]

Yes Dave your right its the the 4 tile pattern haha.

Is there a plan or website that could help me with this 4 tile pattern. or set way of doing it?

I was reading about sealing them, but Ive heard conflicting reports as to whether to seal before grouting or not? Ive heard the grout will not stick properly if you seal them?

Thanks for the welcomes, look forward to doing this...

[Dave]

You have pm as well..

[doug boardley]

this is a slate one I did, 3 tile sizes

[PHG Wetrooms]

a 3 tile pattern seems too uniform in my opinion, i did a classic opus (5 tile pattern) in travertine last week and you have to really look to find the repeat in design. nice tiles but should be at £90 a metre

Ouch! that's quite a price for trav, must be something pretty special, any pics?

[John the tile]

The three tile pattern looks good...

The tiles im getting are going to be Brazilian ones - I think.

Should they be sealed before grouting aswell as after? Ive read there could be problems when grouting?

[doug boardley]

seal them before grouting John, that way the grout won't get ingrained into the slate, incidentally I sealed above floor after ​grouting as I knew that I'd have to knock some of the lips off the joints as they were riven faced.

[doug boardley]

,,,,,scrub that comment! I did seal them before grouting, but not before fixing (memory loss, it's an age thing lol!)

[jimbo]

Whats the best way to clean them before sealing and grouting.When I wipe them with a damp sponge it leaves a stain.

[whitebeam]

Probably the water discolouring/soaking into the surface, I take it your using clean water.

[Phil Hobson]

I used LTP grimex for this uncalibrated one, wash after wash with grimex, then wash after wash with clean water. Let completely dry out then seal with LTP impregnator

[jimbo]

Cheers Phil. I will try the LTP grimex.Would it be ok to use LTP Mattstone to seal them

[Phil Hobson]

Hi Jimbo, I think it depends on the finish you want, I have not used Mattstone myself, I normally use Lithofin Slate seal. I think Dave would advice you on LTP Mattstone.

[PHG Wetrooms]

LTP's Mattstone is great if you want a natural matt looking finish. if you want a shiney finish as you get with slate seal then use LTP Ironwax in either satin or Gloss finish