Fully vitrified and more.

[quick draw macgraw]

Hi,

Few questions lads, what is fully vitrified tiles is it just posh name for ceramics.

looking at kitchen tomorrow not sure what tiles they are but would you use bal blue or green and whats the difference in cost between the two, also on bal website one says 10ltr tub the other 15kg are they the same size?

Obviously depends on tile size and spacing but on average how much grout per sqm is it roughly .25kg/sqm so i can guesstimate size of bag?

Finally probably a daft one here i can here you all laughing already but plywood seems to have one side darker than the other, are you supposed to lay particular side down for any reason.

Thanks Steve.

[versatilene]

Ply normally has a 'good' or dressed side and the 'other' it's so there's always one good face if it's going to be seen (varnished or painted) This doesn't affect the strength of it. It doesn't matter if your going to tile it, just put the best upwards (in this case best means flatist, most regular, least knots etc etc)

[Yorkie]

vitreous means the material has an extremely low permeability to liquids.Ceramic wall tiles usually have a higher water absorbtion anywhere upto 15% they are then glazed to make them impervious. Without getting to technicalVitrified means glass has formed in the ceramic and really all ceramics are vitrified to some degree so it is not really a good term. "Fully Vitrfied" or porcelain tiles would have a water absorption rate of <0.5% and are therfore impervious without the need for glaze. Tiles with higher water absorption rates (say <6.0%) are at times refered to as "Vitrified" they would most likely be glazed and be designed for use on floors.

[Dave]

spot on kenny mate..vitrified means glass like...fire to such a temperature that they vitrify...impervious to moisture.......dave..

[Yorkie]

Can also happen when lightning strikes sand!

[Fred]

Yeah, spot on, so get a bag of top gear to put the tiles up with. Porcelain rocks.

[rossy]

ive got a kitchen floor to lay next week with customer said fully vitrified porcelain tiles dont need sealing i said they needed sealing do they or was customer right. thanks rossy

[Dave]

depends whether they are glazed or not.......dave..

[rossy]

no ive seen tiles not glazed so seal as normal bloke in tile shop told her didnt need sealing.

[quick draw macgraw]

I have seen solid mosaics with grout line around the edge is it possible to have no grout spaces with these tiles or is that a no no with regards to movement of the tiles resulting in cracking. Also do you use flexible grout in kitchens because of the extra heat in summer.

[GazTech]

[quote=quick draw macgraw;31369]I have seen solid mosaics with grout line around the edge is it possible to have no grout spaces with these tiles or is that a no no with regards to movement of the tiles resulting in cracking. Also do you use flexible grout in kitchens because of the extra heat in summer.[/quote]Whenever in doubt..always use flexi....last 10yrs of tiling I never mixed anything without a polymer..never tiled owt.without priming...not with PVA..!..cover your bases lads and lasses...you will thank me ...Gaz

[Dave]

BAL Green Star

A white, ready-mixed ceramic wall tile adhesive suitable for use in interior dry and intermittently wet service conditions, including domestic showers.

Suitable for use on cement:sand rendering, brick/concrete, sheets & boards, tile backer boards, plasterboard, plaster, glazed tile & brick and painted surfaces. Conforms to BS EN 12004, Type D, Class 1T.
BAL Blue Star

Brilliant white, high quality, non-slip, acrylic-based, ready-mixed organic dispersion adhesive for fixing porous bodied ceramic wall tiles and mosaics to most interior walls.
Suitable for use in dry and intermittently wet conditions.

Suitable for use on cement:sand rendering, clay brick, medium density concrete, sheets & boards, tile backer boards, plasterboard, plaster, glazed tile & brick, painted surfaces. Conforms to BS EN 12004, Type D, Class 1T.

.......dave..