Which tile cement allow changes?

[gnnmartin]

We are about to tile part of bathroom. In a year or so we intend to change the layout, which will invlove extending the wall we are about to tile. We shall need to cut tiles at the current end of the wall that is to be extended, but would like to replace the cut tiles when we extend the wall.

Is this practical? If so, what tiling adhesive can we use that will allow the cut tiles to be lifted off and replaced in a couple of years time?
Nigel Martin

[Dave]

hi nigel...adhesives are designed to stick tiles on..SOLID..not temporarily......you will just have to alter the tiles when the time comes and make good and continue..etc.......

[Fekin]

If you got yourself a good quality cowboy in to do the job then they might well just pop off in a couple of years

[grumpygrouter]

You might also want to consider that the tiles you are fixing now may not be available in couple of years. Maybe you should buy in excess so you have enough later on.

[sWe]

Originally Posted by Fekin

If you got yourself a good quality cowboy in to do the job then they might well just pop off in a couple of years

Aye, and ask them to use PVA instead of primer (and sheets af paper on top of that if you're really serious), and you'll just have to splash some water on the tiles for them to come right off

On a more serious note; tile adhesives are permanent. It's not difficult to remove tiles, but it's time consuming if you don't want to damage the substrate

The tiles themselves won't be reusable for the most part, so as grumpy says, buy a spare stack of tiles. You never know if they'll be availible next time around.

[gnnmartin]

OK, thanks to all. I guess we'll just put in as many whole tiles as will fit, and leave a bit of the backing board (Hardibacker) showing at the end that will be extended. Does anyone see any problem with that?

Good point about buying enough tiles for the finished job.

Thanks again to all for the replies.
Migel Martin

[sWe]

Backerboards are tough, and if you tile it now, you probably won't damage it later when you remove a few tiles.

[gnnmartin]

Originally Posted by sWe

Backerboards are tough, and if you tile it now, you probably won't damage it later when you remove a few tiles.

Thanks. That was what I had thought, but thought too that some tile cements are tougher than others, and so asked which I should use.

The consensus here seems to be that tile cements are all made like modern cement mortar, and should be: ie they ruin the tile and the backer if you try to remove the tile. Being a guy whose main experience is with old buildings, I prefer the old style lime mortar, which enables you to take down part of an old wall easily, and clean and re-use the bricks into the bargain. But if that's not the way tilers think, then I guess I must go with the flow.
Nigel Martin