Tiling Standards

[Wishiwasatoptiler]

So I'm in an independent tile showroom picking their brains on all things tiling and we touch on the subject of tile manufactures, so the info I'm told by the shop assistant is that the industry standard for tile size tolerances is 5%, meaning that one tile in a pack can be that much bigger than the one next to it in the same pack, even went as for as saying this is across the size range, so in that case they suggest a 600x600 tile could have a 5% increase across a pack. That can't be right can it.

 

[Ian]

No mate that's not right, if it's +/- 5% that's 30mm either way on a 600mm tile. I stand to be corrected what the actual BS standard is but I believe it's +/- 3mm which is still unacceptable as that could mean a 6mm difference between tiles, which is pants!

 

[mattle40]

Think bri is right, I had a problem with imola of all people about it with a tile called Antares, I had huge variation in a batch of 60x40's but was within tolerance. Had the shop go through boxes and pick the best for me.
Very poor really

 

[Dan]

You can all check the standards for free to find out.

 

[Wishiwasatoptiler]

Even with limited knowledge I thought it was off as like you say that would be 30mm which would just be way off.
So +/- 3mm on any tile size??? Bri!

So with that in mind, when laying the tiles, it's just about splitting the differance across the last laid tile then, as I do unless you can get the shop to hand pick your tiles for you like matt...;-)

 

[Dan]

What else can you do? Lol

If you ever spot it just try and sway your customers away from that range or even that make. And make sure you report it to the manufacturer.

While its BS. They will want to know its happening and might not if QA is appauling. They could do with knowing as it might be a tiny adjustment to something in factory to correct it.

 

[Unused Account 1]

Upto 300x300 upto3mm,and bigger tiles 5mm,thats what i remember from reps i knew

 

[jobdone]

It makes for interesting days. Thin joints and tiles of varying sizes doesn't take much to make you look bad or having to take tiles off and change.

 

[gamma38]

I was fitting some 300 x 300 absolute black for a customer around a year ago. It came from one of the online suppliers. It was shocking, up to 8mm difference. I called them up and asked them the tolerances. Eventually got an answer....... 5mm.... which is still shocking. I then proceeded to tell them the stuff i had was out of tolerance. The next reply was even worse. Oh yes that's the cheap stuff and it is sometimes a bit out of tolerance. After being put through to her manager and some harsh words, they agreed to resend me the same quantity out of the premium range. Tolerances for the premium...... 2mm.

 

[Unused Account 1]

Cheaper porcelain tiles are normally the main culprit ,rectified hard enough as it is to fit perfect with bad sizes,

Without the different sizes lol