My wife decided she wanted the main bathroom tiling so we went down to the local Topps Tile shop (hope i'm allowed to say that here) because thats where she saw the tiles she liked. Once there she then saw some floor tiles she also liked so what was a simple wall tile job has now turned into almost a complete refit! I've never done floor tiles before so this will actually be good practise for when she wants her kitchen doing.

Anyway, the chap at Topps said we could tile directly onto the chipboard if we used a 2 part flexi adhesive, so we bought the tiles and this 2 part stuff. Anyway, after getting the carpet in the bathroom up i found that the chipboard is 20mm thick with what looks like a greenish plastic coating on it and this didnt seem like the best surface to be sticking heavy tiles onto, so i'm looking for some advice.

The floor area is fairly small at 1.7M x 1.3M and after googling about i came to the conclusion that i probably ought to put down a layer of 6mm Hardie board. A floor area that size wont cost a packet and i'm not bothered about finding the cheapest option - but i do want something that isnt going to need redoing again in 18 months time.

When i went back into Topps again today to ask about the Hardie board they said i didnt need to glue it but just screwing it down would be ok. What are the opinions on that advice?

If i glue it down, what should i use? Is the 2 part flex ok to use (since i've already bought it) or should i take it back and get something else that is better?

What is the best adhesive to use between the Hardie board and the tile? The floor tiles are Qrock Black 30x60 slate effect porcelain.

Finally should i tile the walls or floors first?

Thanks
Ian

Hi Ian, the best way to ensure a good solid floor. Would be imo, take up the chipboard, replace with 15mm minimum exterior ply, then overlay with Hardie board glued and screwed. Using a powder adhesive eg. Mapei keraquick

you'd be ok going over the chipboard with Hardie, but the sales assistant is wrong about glueing it down, it needs to be glued and screwed using a single part flexible adhesive, this is also fine for use with your floor tiles. Make sure there's no deflection in your chipboard floor before you start tho'

Originally Posted by doug boardley

it needs to be glued and screwed using a single part flexible adhesive

Any recommendations of what adhesive i should be asking for - there seem to be lots of different options. Topps seem to do a lot of BAL stuff, but i can go elsewhere to get what's needed if there is something better.

I told the wife i might need to rip up the floor and she wasnt happy, so unless there is an absolute no-no for boarding over the chipboard i guess it's gonna stay down. I'd have been happy to rip it up cos then i could take a good look at what unspeakable stuff the builders left under it.

Ian

have you got a tile giant near you

You can stick the hardi down with the 2 part and tile with the same adhesive.. it will never move after that..

Originally Posted by mikethetile

have you got a tile giant near you

Nearest one is about 14 miles away.