Tiling painted garage floor

I want to tile a painted (smooth screeded) garage floor as the garage is now used as a utilty type room. It was painted a few years ago using red "International Garage Floor Paint".

My questions are:

1. Would 300x300 porcelin tiles be a good choice (because of their strength)? I also want to keep the price lowish.
2. I assume I'll need to "key" the old paint - would wire brushing be sufficient?
3. What primer would you recommend?
4. What adhesive would you recommend (assuming I use procelin)?

Thanks for your help!
RJN

[grumpygrouter]

Hi RJN, welcome to the forums. Would you be good enough to introduce yourself as well in the "new members" section, telling us a bit about yourself. Better chance of getting noticed initially in there.

As to your query.

Is the piant still good or is it starting to flake off? If it is secure, I would advise priming with a product called Ardex P82 epoxy primer first of all, no need to score the paint. I am assuming the floor is also in good condition and flat. There may be other products that will prime the floor also but this is one I know will do the job. Possibly BAL Bond SBR also.

If you are looking to lay porcelain tiles you will need a flexible adhasive and flexible grout. Bal have Single part flexible (or a rapid set version) and Ardex have a similar product called Ardex-flex 5001 or 6001 which is quicker setting. Which you choose would depnd on your skills with tiling. I am assuming you are not professional.

Grumpy,
Thanks for reply and welcome. You're right in assuming I'm not professional, but.....it's been on my mind and I'm thinking of one of the tiling courses. I've done domestic ok but then that's another thing as everbody knows.

The paint and floor are both sound. Why do you mention flexible adhesive and grout for porcelin, I don't envisage any movement taking place?

Are there any other hardwearing tile typs you'd recommend for this purpose other than porcelin?

RJN

[grumpygrouter]

You need flexible adhesives and grouts for porcelain because porcelain is pretty much impervious to water which makes it difficult for "normal" adhesives and grouts to stick to. Flexible adhesives are catagorised as"highly polymer modified" and are essential for porcelain tiles.

If the area you wish to tile is general domestic use you could use normal ceramic floor tiles quite easily. Porcelain is "in vogue" at the moment but internally cermic would be fine, certainly on a concrete base as there will be virutally no movement, unless you get temprature extremes to deal with like in a conservatory.

Are thinking of laying under floor heating?

Thanks for clarifying that.

Reason I was thinking of porcelain is because I was told they are much "harder wearing" than ceramic. As this will be a garage/utilty and house the kids bikes and my tools I want to use tiles up to the job.

Can Ceramic be as hard as Porcelain?
Will Ceramic be cheaper?

and I'm not thinking of underfloor heating.....

[grumpygrouter]

If you are going to have potentially heavy tools dropped, then porcelain are harder wearing. However, doesn't mean to say you won't damage them!

Floor tiles are quite hard anyway as they are fired at a higher temprature than wall tiles but if you want toughness, then porcelain is the way to go. Ultimately you would really be looking at full body porcelain for best strength but these are very hard and consequently harder to cut.

Ceramics would be cheaper in general but I would always recommend going to a "proper" tile supplier. DIY stores supply goods that really, in general, are made down to a price.

A reputable tile retailer will give better quality more consistant products and would (should) be able to give good advice regarding your requirements and what they can supply.

[GRAYLIN]

I can only agree with grumpy,s advice.

It is also best to have a box of tiles left over to replace damages in the future, especially in the garage.

Good Luck.

[Dave]

You won't go wrong with grumps advice on priming......but it is not always necessary to use a flexible adhesive with porcelain tiles...
Some adhesive manufactures have rapid-set adhesives that have porcelbond technology ( like BAL ) and are fine for porcelain on concrete.....you will still need the modified grout , either premixed or normal floor grout with polymer additive.....

As for using full-bodied porcelain then don't.....( for your project )

I would recommend you use a glazed grade 5 porcelain tile much harder and no sealing , which means easier to clean........

good luck and let us know how you get on.........

Thanks for all your useful replies. I always use a reputable tile dealer and I've learnt my lesson using DIY stuff in the past!
RJN

[grumpygrouter]

Originally Posted by Dave

You won't go wrong with grumps advice on priming......but it is not always necessary to use a flexible adhesive with porcelain tiles...
Some adhesive manufactures have rapid-set adhesives that have porcelbond technology ( like BAL ) and are fine for porcelain on concrete.....you will still need the modified grout , either premixed or normal floor grout with polymer additive.....

As for using full-bodied porcelain then don't.....( for your project )

I would recommend you use a glazed grade 5 porcelain tile much harder and no sealing , which means easier to clean........

good luck and let us know how you get on.........

Thanks for keeping me straight here Dave.