Matt Gotts
TF
Afternoon. I'm planning on re-tiling our small (1.8m by 2m) bathroom in our late 1970's house with some large format tiles that I've come by, but in doing some research on how to fix them I think I've hit a snag and would appreciate some confirmation before I completely change my plans.
The tiles are RAK Ceramics 300 x 600 x 9.5mm (I think they are the same as Lounge Ivory Matt Porcelain - https://www.tilemountain.co.uk/rak-tiles/p/lounge-ivory-matt-porcelain.html but I'm not near the boxes at present), so quite heavy (from memory the box says 24kg for 6). Two of the bathroom walls are external so plaster over blockwork, with the others studwork which seems to be formed from two layers of plasterboard sandwiched around a cellular cardboard structure. Some of each is currently tiled with 150mm square basic white tiles, rest painted.
From what I've seen, I don't believe the walls will take the weight as they stand? I think my options are either to give up, flog the tiles and find something smaller/lighter, or possibly use backer board fixed to the walls. The concern I have with the tile backer board (aside from trying to keep costs down) is that on top of the tiles a 6mm backer board (if this is thick enough) plus adhesive and tiles will be close to 20mm, which will not sit well against the door architrave (not to mention making an already small room smaller!).
If anyone can confirm my suspicions as to the wall strength, and whether a 6mm backer board is thick enough I'd be grateful so I can consider my options. Many thanks in advance.
Matt
The tiles are RAK Ceramics 300 x 600 x 9.5mm (I think they are the same as Lounge Ivory Matt Porcelain - https://www.tilemountain.co.uk/rak-tiles/p/lounge-ivory-matt-porcelain.html but I'm not near the boxes at present), so quite heavy (from memory the box says 24kg for 6). Two of the bathroom walls are external so plaster over blockwork, with the others studwork which seems to be formed from two layers of plasterboard sandwiched around a cellular cardboard structure. Some of each is currently tiled with 150mm square basic white tiles, rest painted.
From what I've seen, I don't believe the walls will take the weight as they stand? I think my options are either to give up, flog the tiles and find something smaller/lighter, or possibly use backer board fixed to the walls. The concern I have with the tile backer board (aside from trying to keep costs down) is that on top of the tiles a 6mm backer board (if this is thick enough) plus adhesive and tiles will be close to 20mm, which will not sit well against the door architrave (not to mention making an already small room smaller!).
If anyone can confirm my suspicions as to the wall strength, and whether a 6mm backer board is thick enough I'd be grateful so I can consider my options. Many thanks in advance.
Matt
