Porcelain Tiles in Back Garden
Discussion
Hi folks,
We recently purchased a new build house and are having the back garden done in a couple of weeks. This mainly involves digging out the current turf, levelling and laying porcelain slabs to two patio areas. I'll do the turf and border area myself as soon as its finished.
I have a few questions about this. The contractor is planning to use 'tile grout' for the pointing. Is this likely to last or will it come out when pressure washed? I'd feel better having a 2 or 3 pack epoxy resin as we had this in our old house and I know it lasts. Is epoxy resin needed/recommended for porcelain tiles?
Also, is it recommended that I seal the porcelain tiles as soon as they are laid to avoid any black spots? We had Indian sandstone tiles in our old place and I wish I'd sealed the tiles but I don't know if this is necessary for porcelain tiles.
All advise welcome and appreciated.
We recently purchased a new build house and are having the back garden done in a couple of weeks. This mainly involves digging out the current turf, levelling and laying porcelain slabs to two patio areas. I'll do the turf and border area myself as soon as its finished.
I have a few questions about this. The contractor is planning to use 'tile grout' for the pointing. Is this likely to last or will it come out when pressure washed? I'd feel better having a 2 or 3 pack epoxy resin as we had this in our old house and I know it lasts. Is epoxy resin needed/recommended for porcelain tiles?
Also, is it recommended that I seal the porcelain tiles as soon as they are laid to avoid any black spots? We had Indian sandstone tiles in our old place and I wish I'd sealed the tiles but I don't know if this is necessary for porcelain tiles.
All advise welcome and appreciated.
AdamsDad said:
Hi folks,
Also, is it recommended that I seal the porcelain tiles as soon as they are laid to avoid any black spots? We had Indian sandstone tiles in our old place and I wish I'd sealed the tiles but I don't know if this is necessary for porcelain tiles.
Depends on the tiles but decent porcelain that hasn't been rectified (ground flat) is usually impermeable and doesn't need sealing. Doesn't mean it won't need cleaning but it's a solid ceramic so a world away from sandstone. Also, is it recommended that I seal the porcelain tiles as soon as they are laid to avoid any black spots? We had Indian sandstone tiles in our old place and I wish I'd sealed the tiles but I don't know if this is necessary for porcelain tiles.
Look at what the manufacturer recommends though.
I DIY'd our patio last year, using porcelain tiles.
Evidence....
Sealing, as above, isn't needed. In the 12 months ours has been down it's had numerous BBQs and gatherings on it and suffered no lasting marks or stains. Such is its density, you'll not get any water ingress which can lead to discolouration on other types of tiles.
The research I did suggested most of the porcelain sealants are little more than a PVA mix and go white and crusty after a few years requiring removal and reapplication.
Grout..... specify the best you can afford and avoid the brush in stuff. A lot of research led me to use this:
It's a cement-based grout and actually adds to the structural integrity of the patio.
Absolute bugger to apply and when it goes in and you smooth it off, you think you've completely ruined it. But providing you get the timing right with the wash boy, it does come off:
Again, a year in and it's still there and looking sweet.
I know you're not doing it yourself but worth knowing.
Evidence....
Sealing, as above, isn't needed. In the 12 months ours has been down it's had numerous BBQs and gatherings on it and suffered no lasting marks or stains. Such is its density, you'll not get any water ingress which can lead to discolouration on other types of tiles.
The research I did suggested most of the porcelain sealants are little more than a PVA mix and go white and crusty after a few years requiring removal and reapplication.
Grout..... specify the best you can afford and avoid the brush in stuff. A lot of research led me to use this:
It's a cement-based grout and actually adds to the structural integrity of the patio.
Absolute bugger to apply and when it goes in and you smooth it off, you think you've completely ruined it. But providing you get the timing right with the wash boy, it does come off:
Again, a year in and it's still there and looking sweet.
I know you're not doing it yourself but worth knowing.
StevieBee said:
The research I did suggested most of the porcelain sealants are little more than a PVA mix and go white and crusty after a few years requiring removal and reapplication.
It's funny reading the blurb on some of these now porcelain is a big thing, busy pushing water based products (got to have that low VOC stuff!) and talking about breathable coatings when it's going on what should be a solid base that doesn't need to breath.I've used LTP MPG sealant before on some bits that needed it (machine profiled cut edges) which worked well and was reassuring solvent based.
As always the answer is it depends. I do a few outside jobs with porcelain but only onto a solid concrete base, laying onto an mot sub base is a whole different skill.
I am quite comfortable using tile grout onto a solid concrete base and only ever seal a few mainly open pored marble style tiles where it is recommended but not sure I would otherwise.
m3jappa (i think that is his name)would be the guy to ask if you can find him. He does this stuff for a living and is quite the master from what I have seen of his work.
I am quite comfortable using tile grout onto a solid concrete base and only ever seal a few mainly open pored marble style tiles where it is recommended but not sure I would otherwise.
m3jappa (i think that is his name)would be the guy to ask if you can find him. He does this stuff for a living and is quite the master from what I have seen of his work.
richhead said:
no grout will stand pressure washing, use a stiff brush and soapy water, i did my 12* 5 m patio in less than an hour, and it hadnt been done in 2 years, porcelain also with dark grout.
Not if you attack it at full blast? Turn down the power and ours was OK. Porcelain tiles are great, easy to wash downTile grout will be best. You think of the pools in these resort type places, all tile grout and all cleaned with huge massive great jet washes.
Just treat it with some sympathy, don't try and directly put the jet on the grout. It will clean up easily.
I have used map grout for some time now and it has caused me the least problem out of lots of different types of compound. It is imo superior to the 2 part resin jointing products which yes do go hard but just don't look as nice.
The only thing I would say is beware of new build gardens basically just being a load of infill stuff flattened off. so what you have is made up ground which will settle for years. you need to get down to virgin ground. Hard to exactly advise iykwim but you'll know when your hitting the true ground level when you dig out. I have had to take one to nearly 2 ft before.
Just treat it with some sympathy, don't try and directly put the jet on the grout. It will clean up easily.
I have used map grout for some time now and it has caused me the least problem out of lots of different types of compound. It is imo superior to the 2 part resin jointing products which yes do go hard but just don't look as nice.
The only thing I would say is beware of new build gardens basically just being a load of infill stuff flattened off. so what you have is made up ground which will settle for years. you need to get down to virgin ground. Hard to exactly advise iykwim but you'll know when your hitting the true ground level when you dig out. I have had to take one to nearly 2 ft before.
Byker28i said:
richhead said:
no grout will stand pressure washing, use a stiff brush and soapy water, i did my 12* 5 m patio in less than an hour, and it hadnt been done in 2 years, porcelain also with dark grout.
Not if you attack it at full blast? StevieBee said:
Byker28i said:
richhead said:
no grout will stand pressure washing, use a stiff brush and soapy water, i did my 12* 5 m patio in less than an hour, and it hadnt been done in 2 years, porcelain also with dark grout.
Not if you attack it at full blast? AdamsDad said:
Also great advice on rectified tiles not needing sealer. I'll make sure the tiles I buy are rectified.
Rectified tiles are the ones that usually ***DO*** need sealing, at least if we're talking surface rectified (very flat/shiny) and not just edge rectified (made square). Tiles are rectified by grinding the surface off and this exposes the inside which is often slightly porous compared to the natural fired surface.
The edges being ground off doesn't really matter as you'll never see those but the top surface on an unsealed rectified tile will tend to pick up dirt.
If in doubt look what the manufacturer recommends around sealing.
JoshSm said:
AdamsDad said:
Also great advice on rectified tiles not needing sealer. I'll make sure the tiles I buy are rectified.
Rectified tiles are the ones that usually ***DO*** need sealing, at least if we're talking surface rectified (very flat/shiny) and not just edge rectified (made square). Tiles are rectified by grinding the surface off and this exposes the inside which is often slightly porous compared to the natural fired surface.
The edges being ground off doesn't really matter as you'll never see those but the top surface on an unsealed rectified tile will tend to pick up dirt.
If in doubt look what the manufacturer recommends around sealing.
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