Limestone Flooring

[donnaewilliams]

Hi,

I am about to start laying approx 250 square meters of Dijon limestone flooring (100 inside and 150 outside) with regards the inside this will be laid on top of underfloor heating in a Gyvlon screed, I just wondered if I need to seal the screed first or if the adhesive can go straight onto it. I am planning on using Gfix fastset flexible adhesive in white.

Also I was wondering if I am better using an ivory grout or a limestone grout as I am not sure what colour the limestone grout is and it looks like a lot of people have problems with it.

I have been recommended to use Fila Fob to seal the stone but this is quite expensive and I wondered if anyone knew of any other similar products.

With regards the outside we are laying these on to concrete and wondered again whether best to use the adhesive or instead use a cement to set them in the house is built with lime morter so we could used something similar to this for a more rustic look?

Sorry to ask all the questions this is by far the biggest job I have done.

Thanks

Donna

[Dave]

Hi Donna and welcome..

How long as the screed been down and has it been commissioned yet..?

[whitebeam]

Have you thought of bringing a more experianced tiler in with you on this job

[doug boardley]

I'm not familiar with Gfix adhesive Donna, is it a gypsum based adhesive?

[Dave]

I think it is Granfix..

[donnaewilliams]

Thanks for the replies so far, in terms of the screed it has been down since the beginning of August so hopefully it is fully dried. I will do the standard polythene test before applying any tiles.

With regards the professionals, I would love to but this is part of a much bigger project as we are doing a barn conversion so unfortunately it is a cost thing.

With regards the adhesive, this is the one that both of my stone suppliers have recommended and also a couple of retailers I have spoken to, but I personally dont know much about it. Their website is www.tileadhesive.co.uk and it is the fast set Flexi. the full name is Granfix.

Thanks again

Donna

[doug boardley]

I think it is Granfix..

Aaah yes Dave, was thinking maybe it was "G" for Gyvlon.

[steveamare]

Hi Donna. We import limestone from several of the quarries around Dijon and they do tend to need lots of sealer so it could work out quite expensive to use all Fob. Having said that, Fila Fob is the best sealer on the market in my opinion and well worth the extra cost. Dijon limestone is not cheap and it would be unwise to risk using one of the cheaper sealers (they tend to be cheaper because they don't contain as much active ingredient). However, to reduce the costs of sealing, I would suggest you use Fila Hydrorep as the first coat on the limestone to "fill the pores of the stone" and then just finish with a coat of Fob. It will work out cheaper and still give you an excellent result. You can send me a private message if you want details of how to use the two-stage process for sealing. I'd be happy to give you free advice.

[Onlinetiler]

Hi donna,
With regards the adhesive, always a good idea to speak to the manufacturers. They may only guarantee their products if used together with their own proprietary primers etc so on such a large job would be good to let them spec everything.
With regards the grout colour, as far as I'm aware there's no performance difference between Ivory and Limestone with any of the brands so go with whichever suits the colour of stone best.

Good luck with the project, would love to see photos of the finished job.

[Dave]

Is the screed heating commissioned.?

Is it the Gyvlon LL screed,, has the screed been prepared ready as in surface contamination removed.. ?

What primer do you intend to use.? you cannot use a cement based adhesive straight onto this type of screed.

how many expansion joints are installed and where..?

[doug boardley]

is anhydrite screed suitable for outside?

[donnaewilliams]

Hi Dave,

The screed was laid by our contractor so all I know is it s Lafarge Gyvlon I am afraid but I was told we went for the best available for the efficiency of the underfloor heating?

The heating has not yet been commissioned this is due in the next couple of weeks.

we have kept removing the surface contamination but are planning on giving it a light sanding and then sealing it prior to the laying of the tiles. not sure what sealer we are using yet do you have any recommendations?

with regards expansion joints I have looked into this and it appears that we should have them every 24 foot. I am not keen on the appearance of the rubber ones so may use silicone instead, on the other hand we have also been told this may not be necessary as we will have them at the edges. the single largest area is approx 35 foot by 14 foot. what do tou think?

thanks again

[Dave]

That area is fine for expansion.. but i recommend them in doorways..


Please have a read of this info, it will help with prep etc..


Calcium Sulphate Tech sheet Apr10.pdf .....This is a suggested primer.

Gyvlon screeds 1.pdf ....And these are the prep etc for tiling to Gyvlon screeds.

gyvlon screeds 2.pdf



You must make sure it is dry and commissioning the heating for a while this will drive out any moisture that might be left.

Also please do contact the screeder and check which Gyvlon screed it is.. normal or the new Low laitence one..


It also might be worthwhile thinking about an Uncoupling membrane like Dural Ci, good combination when working with softer stones..



Right this out side section, what substrate is this and also it is maybe getting too cold for outside tiling..

[donnaewilliams]

Thanks Dave, I will have a read of the links I think it must be the low laitence as we have not had to remove much from the surface.with regards outside it will be onto concrete and I agree it is probably too cold from a personal point of view so may leave this bit until the spring :-).

[donnaewilliams]

Hi Dave, Just spoken to our contractor the screed is low laitence.

[Dave]

Ok, then it will need a light sand to remove surface contamination from other trades etc and then follow the directions on the pdf's above..

You could also go the gypsum adhesive route..

[donnaewilliams]

Thanks Dave you are a star :-)

[Dave]

No probs.. if you need any info on gypsum adhesives just ask..