Can Sterling Board be tiled on? - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

Martinf · 04-11-2006

Hiya

I've been asked to tile onto 12 mm sterling board which has been used to create a new wall. The board is pretty solid (no movement), but I'm finding that the tiles won't stay up, even though the board has been sealed with 3 coats of PVA.

I've since been advised by a tile supplier that sterlingboard can't be tiled on because of the resin used to make the board.

Has anyone come across this problem before or do you know of a good primer/sealant that would allow me tile onto the existing sterling board (the only other option I can think of is to get the walled lined with ply on top of the sterling board and then tile on top of that.)

Thanks

Martin

**Matty A** · 04-11-2006

Welcome to the forum martin,
As far as im aware the tile supplier is correct also pva isnt really the thing to prime your walls with, you should really use a recomended primer from your local tile supplier, i would suggest that you remove the board and replace plasterboard or screw plasterboard to it also i think due to the glue used to make the sterling that stops the adhesive grabbing almost like a non stick coating, hope this helps.

05-11-2006

I think your right Matty,

Re board or cover over with 9.5mm plaster board. Using plyboard is another option but is a little more expensive than plasterboard. And more difficult to cut therefore wasting time.

Martinf · 06-11-2006

Thanks guys for the replies and advice.

I concur re the PVA - unfortunately the builder decided to use it as a "cost-effective" (cheap) option - much the same reasoning behind using sterling board. I've now spoken with the manufacterers and have definitive advice that sterling board is not a suitable base for tiling, even if it's smothered in primer. The builder is going to reline the walls with pasterboard, so problem solved.

Martin

**NETT Darren** · 28-01-2007

Plywood on walls should be 18mm thick exterior or you will get warping and failure, the ply needs to be primed with Bal apd and, on the side against the wall in case of damp comming through, fixed every 300mm. Plaster board much better option