Sockets on split face tiles

[dg-1984]

Hi all, I am going to be tiling a splash back on our kitchen.
We have found tiles that we like the look of, they are Wickes split face porcelain tiles which by the things I have read could be hassle.
These are the tiles:
A thought I just had was how you would get a socket to fit on these and look proper?
If fitting round into the window frame would you use corner trim or mitre the back off and try match them up? Know this could be a pain trim could be easier.
Or am I best returning these and keep looking for another time?
Thanks.

 

[Andy Allen]

It will be a nightmare, especially for DIY.
I would return them and get a metro tile...

 

[dg-1984]

Ok thanks, will need to keep looking for other tiles.

 

[Dumbo]

If you like cleaning they will be good because you spend all your time trying to keep them clean .

 

[Bill]

choose a different tile......not practical for a kitchen and very unhygienic.

 

[dg-1984]

So for the sake of information and expanding my knowledge how would you go about setting the sockets in correctly?

And also if you were going round a corner into a window would you try and continue the pattern?

 

[Andy Allen]

All you could do is go behind the socket face plate as you would using any other tile, but the socket won't sit flat due to the uneven tile, so you would silicone around it to seal it.......looks pants imo...
Always continue the bond with any tile...

 

[Tile Shop]

Desperately trying to find a picture, from a customer we had a while back. Feature wall with sockets in. We were never told exactly how it was done, only saw the finished wall. But it appeared to me as if the tiler sorted the tiles based on the flattest of the relatively same thickness he could find, cut the tiles to size to fit the socket screws in and routered the top edge slightly so that the faceplate partially sat into the tile.

Will keep digging.

 

[J Sid]

that's how I'd thought it would be done.

 

[Bopster]

Sounds like a right pain in the bottom, and it’ll still impossible to keep clean

 

[Dumbo]

As @Paul C. To get anywhere near decent partially cut in faceplate and also use a bucket of silicone . But yes good luck keeping it clean

 

[dg-1984]

Are there multitool blades that could cut into the tiles?
And allow to cut a few mil recess for the socket to sit?

 

[Bopster]

Would be much easier with a grinder, porcelain and multi tool doesn’t sound promising

 

[dg-1984]

Yeah meant just for trimming down a little main cuts would be grinder but just to plunge cut the small recess.
Was just a thought.

 

[Bopster]

I’d think again, porcelain is chuffing hard and multitools aren’t meant for sort of work

 

[Wolfie9878]

I have always recessed the tile so the socket sits flush with the thinnest part of the tile - thought that would be common practice?
Haven’t done it with porcelain only slate but the process would be the same.
Mark around your socket and remove as much material as you need so it sits nicely..

 

[Italy]

Yeah meant just for trimming down a little main cuts would be grinder but just to plunge cut the small recess.
Was just a thought.

yes, I usually do
first I try the flat tiles, then
if necessary use the grinder to grind
those that bother plaque.

 

[dg-1984]

I have always recessed the tile so the socket sits flush with the thinnest part of the tile - thought that would be common practice?
Haven’t done it with porcelain only slate but the process would be the same.
Mark around your socket and remove as much material as you need so it sits nicely..

Thanks how do you remove the material to get a nice right angle for the sockets? What tools used?

 

[Wolfie9878]

Always managed with a grinder you just have to attack from a few different angles.

 

[dg-1984]

Always managed with a grinder you just have to attack from a few different angles.

Thank you, I'm going to be purchasing a new grinder and blades, I was going to go with the Bosch variable speed grinder and these blades. Are these blades ok or would you get other blades for the grinding/sinking cuts?

 

[Dumbo]

Thank you, I'm going to be purchasing a new grinder and blades, I was going to go with the Bosch variable speed grinder and these blades. Are these blades ok or would you get other blades for the grinding/sinking cuts?

Be aware when you run a grinder at lower speeds you get more torque hence the blade may grip more and cause it to catch and then you may skid the blade over the tile . I don't know the science but Jeremy Clarkson could explain it but i dont think he is an active member

 

[dg-1984]

Be aware when you run a grinder at lower speeds you get more torque hence the blade may grip more and cause it to catch and then you may skid the blade over the tile . I don't know the science but Jeremy Clarkson could explain it but i dont think he is an active member

So do you think a normal grinder would suit for DIY then, or get the variable speed so can do everything with the same tool.

 

[Dumbo]

You only really need a variable speed grinder for doing things like polishing with diamond or carborundum discs .
I have also used mine for slowing down a core drill and floor grinding .

 

[widler]

I do don’t think it will be too hard, just be patient, slso with being porcelain and not natural , they won’t be to bad to keep clean compared to stone splitface

 

[MalcyB]

I put a spacer behind the socket/ FCU and cut the tile to that.
Like this.

 

[Qwerty]

Best to silicone instead of grout though

 

[dg-1984]

I put a spacer behind the socket/ FCU and cut the tile to that.
Like this.

View attachment 105090

View attachment 105091

I put a spacer behind the socket/ FCU and cut the tile to that.
Like this.

View attachment 105090

View attachment 105091

Thanks for that, what size spacer did you use?
Did you grout between all the tiles? Just asking as I head ready some people hadn't grouted the tiles and just butted them close together.
Also wondered if you found it hard to grout due to different heights and textured face of the tiles?
Thanks.

 

[Unused Account 1]

Clear silicone,finishes it off ,just did one myself mate

 

[dg-1984]

Clear silicone,finishes it off ,just did one myself mate

Any picture at all?