Neighbour of mine has built a long bench seat in the garden at the edge of the patio and has asked me to tile it.
It will be open to the elements but it's well built, with builders blocks from Wickes, good smooth mortar joints, and it's a pretty sturdy construction. Unusual job but I can see what they're trying to do with a mediterranean theme in the garden and I wonder if anyone has done anything like this before?
Any tips? ie, what adhesive? what grout? should it be rendered first? any particular type of tile needed? Any help you can give would be apprciated. Thanks.

I've seen these things in warm climates,rendered with tiles bedded in cement to give a finish to the seat & back always seemed cool to sit on . I guess in this country swimming pool recommended adhesive & grout, waterproofer in the render if chosen, maybe with masonry paint? Can I hear the cicadas?

should be fine with spf and flexible grout

Something like this maybe ?
TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums | Tiling Forum - deanotile's Album: stone and mosaic tiling - Picture

Thanks guys, quick response as usual. Yes, Sir Ramic, similar kind of thing to your photo. I think yours is a little more elaborate.
So rendering first is the best way to go you all think? The block work is very neat and obviously flat and I wondered whether tiling onto this would be okay?

I don't see why you couldn't tile straight onto the blocks, I'd use a solid bed trowel tho'

Originally Posted by Bartlett

Thanks guys, quick response as usual. Yes, Sir Ramic, similar kind of thing to your photo. I think yours is a little more elaborate.
So rendering first is the best way to go you all think? The block work is very neat and obviously flat and I wondered whether tiling onto this would be okay?

Erm, it aint mine. All credit to Deanotile

Originally Posted by Sir Ramic

Erm, it aint mine. All credit to Deanotile

Ha ha, realised that after I posted. Looks good though, wouldn't you agree?

Originally Posted by Bartlett

Ha ha, realised that after I posted. Looks good though, wouldn't you agree?

Oh yes

Brilliant seat...will you do me one?

you buy them from wedi pre-formed then stick them down and mosaic straight on to them , easy !!!

denotiles is a bit too minimalist for me. this is more my style

Borgie you beat me to it, i copied alink before i scrolled down

One of my fave places!