Poorly calibrated tiles

[psychowitch]

Hi folks,

I see many posts for large format porcelain tiles (BnQ specials) which are poorly calibrated...

I am starting a job doing a splashback with Imola Ceramica tiles 10cmx10cm ceramic tiles. They are made to look like a natural stone but straight edges. On going through the boxes checking them it seems many of them are different sizes i.e between 1 and 3 mm out. The customer bought 3 different colours so Im guessing they have purchased different batch no.s hence callibration does not match.

What solutions?

Either I go for a 3mm or wider grout joint and tell thecustomer that Ive matched up as many the same size as possible but the lines will be out..

or

I tell them to take them back to the store?

Knowing the store they will more than likely say they are made that way!

Im tempted to take them back....

any thoughts ..

cheers

[garretridge]

i have done a few jobs reciently with those famous b&q tiles told the customer they are badly calibrated and warped i mixed them up and used a 5mm grout joint to hide the difference in sizes job worked out very well and customer was happy they get what they pay for in the end!

[psychowitch]

In the end I told the customer and showed them that the tiles were different sizes and used a 5 mm grout line as they were small 10cm (or 9.5cm or 9.8 cm depending on which one u measure!) and they were so delighted with the job in the end I got a tip! (no not the 'dont ever use BnQ tiles' kind of tip) but the monetary kind!...

[enduro]

As long as you bring this to the customers attention, and explain how you can overcome this problem that's fine.

[timeless john]

This is part of the fun of tiling.
If it was that easy people would do it themselves!
For 'well' calibrated tiles you should try the hand made tiles from Fired Earth -rubbish to handle but the glazes are fabulous and once grouted look tremendous - and thats the look clients want.

John.

[Dave]

Use wedges to space them...it will be easier...

[enduro]

I fixed some handmade crackled glazed Marlborough tiles today, they where all different sizes, and when you put the sealer on them they really start crackling, made me bloody jump

[psychowitch]

I spaced them with 5mm spacers and did it in small sections and took time to pull as many same size as possible. Also took an age to grout this baby up..the client wanted white grout but I convinced them to go with an ivory which colour matched some of the tiles and it came up an absolute treat. BTW whilst the tiles were poorly callibrated they were actually very nice tiles to work with very clean neat break no matter what size I had to snap.

Also wanted to try the new weber tub gear they have out which felt like Granfix ..a little to thick and it took so long to dry..hang was quite good but still prefer Bal although I did try their profix....horrible stuff. it couldnt even hold a BnQ 20cm tile...