INSIDE:INSPIRATION FOR YOUR HOMEA PRACTICAL GUIDE TO TILESTACKLE YOUR OWN TILING– A STEP BY STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO TILE

Ask for the directory of retail

showrooms anddomestic tile fixers!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE TILE ASSOCIATION

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WHAT IS TTA? Ceramic tiles have been valued for their beauty and durability forcenturies. In the ancient civilisations of Egypt, Greece and Rome tiles wereused as a functional material and as decoration in the houses of the mostimportant citizens as well as in public buildings such as baths and temples.

BEAUTIFUL,STYLISH TILES

LOVE TILES, CHOOSE TILES

The Tile Association represents allaspects of the wall and floor tileindustry in the UK, from manufactureto installation. It is dedicated to theadvancement of all sectors of the tileindustry and delivers real advantagesto its members and their customers. The Tile Association is committed toraising standards of product,installation, sales, training andpromotion across the industry. Because the TTA will not accept justany company as a member andbecause each company wishing tojoin is carefully checked for financial,technical and service standards theTTA logo sets members apart from“the cowboys”.

For everything you need to knowabout tiles and tiling contact TTA on 020 8663 0946 or go towww.tiles.org.uk

The Tile Association, Forum Court, 83 Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1NR.Fax: 020 8663 0949 Email: info@tiles.org.uk

Front Cover image:Live Tile in Perla 203 from N&C Live Tile.Available at N&C Live Tile shops.www.livetile.com

• Smooth wall and floor surfaces arebetter than soft furnishings for peoplewho suffer from asthma and allergies

• Tiled floors are ideal forconservatories. They will not fade andheat will not damage their surface orcurl them

• Tiled floors are more robust andwithstand hard knocks and even largespills

• Tiled floors last much longer thancarpet

• Smooth flooring is hygienic and easyto clean

• Tiled walls are very hygienic and safenear cookers and hobs

• Some insurance companies areinsisting on tiled floors when payingout for flood damage

To find out more about all the

tiles illustrated in this brochure

go to the TTA website at

www.tiles.org.uk

and look in the galleries section

in “brochure images”.

USING TILESWhere are we using tiles? Well almost anywhere. Floor tiles, in particular, are beingused in every room in the house – and on patios and decks (there are many frostresistant tiles on the market – your TTA supplier will be able to help with all thetechnical information you need to know about tiles). A porcelain floor tile in a naturalstone colour will last a lifetime in a domestic lounge.

GLAZED CERAMIC - Glazed tiles arethe obvious choice for walls in bathrooms,kitchens and laundry areas. Glazed wall tilescome in a wide variety of sizes from tinymosaics and decorative borders to tiles aslarge as a metre square. Large tiles willmake your room look bigger as there arefewer grout lines. High quality white glazedtiles can be an inexpensive option and lookdramatic teamed with vibrant patternedborders.

Glazed floor tiles are beautiful inconservatory floors and in reception roomsbut are not suitable for outdoor use orheavy traffic floor areas. They needprotecting from the grit brought in on shoeswith entry matting if they are anywhere nearan external door.

UNGLAZED CERAMIC – These arenormally used in commercial and industrialsettings and are available with slip resistantprofiles for wet areas. They are wear, stainand frost resistant. Because they are sorobust they are ideal for laundry and utilityrooms, bathrooms, playrooms and garages.They will withstand heavy foot and lightwheeled traffic. The slip resistant tiles havedifferent profiles for bare feet or shoes andthe more slip resistant they are the moredifficult they are to clean.

PORCELAIN – These are the mostpopular tiles as they are beautiful andextremely hard wearing and often havegood anti-slip qualities. They are similar tounglazed ceramic but extremely attractiveoften produced to look like natural slatestone or even wood laminate. There areboth porcelain wall and floor tiles and manyranges that are suitable for either. They areavailable glazed or even polished. Manyranges have the same colours in matt andgloss effects to let you create subtle patterneffects. They are fired at such hightemperature that in the main they are frostresistant and can be used inside or out.

QUARRY TILE – The traditional cottagekitchen tile quarry tiles are made fromnatural clay, some are frost resistant and canbe used for floors internally or externally.Their natural clay surface gives good slipresistance and they are extremely hardwearing. Expect to find them in rich warmshades of red and brown with a great dealof natural variation in colour. They do notneed sealing and over time will developtheir own rich patina.

TERRACOTTA - These are made fromnatural clay in the same way as quarry tilesbut they are fired at lower temperatures andvary in water absorbency. Generally they areunsuitable for exterior use in the UK’sclimate, as they are not frost resistant. Mostterracotta tiles need sealing prior to andafter laying and your supplier will advise onthe products to use. These are much lighterthan quarry tiles varying from the terracottacolour of a plant pot to almost white.

MOSAIC - Small pieces of ceramic tile orglass usually sold in sheets on a meshbacking for ease of fixing. You can use theseall over a wall or as border tiles. They arevery useful for fitting to non square shapessuch as purposely curved walls or just anuneven surface.

NATURAL STONE PRODUCTS,LIMESTONE, MARBLE, GRANITE,SLATE - These products vary enormously inwearability. Some are extremely hard andothers quite soft; some may need sealingand they can vary a great deal in thickness.Your TTA Member can advise on suitability.

SUSTAINABILITYCeramic tile is one of the world’s oldestbuilding materials. Tiles are natural clay bakedat very high temperatures. Generallyconsidered a sustainable material, ceramic tilesare inert and usually odourless. Tiles in a domestic environment can last a verylong time; in fact the lifetime of a tile canextend to hundreds of years as is shown by thenumber of Roman tiles that have been found. Tiles in themselves are recyclable and somemanufacturers are using recycled ceramics intheir production. You can also find plenty ofsecond hand tiles in architectural salvageoutlets and can use these on their own or teamthem with new tiles as a feature.

SELECTING YOUR TILES There are several different types of tile available and they vary intheir technical properties. It is essential that you select the correcttile for your situation. If in doubt consult a TTA member.

INSPIRATIONAL TILE RANGES

CERAMIC GLASS SLATE LIMESTONEQUARRY METALLIC PORCELAINMOSAIC SANDSTONE

Manchester Distribution Centre and Showroom1-13 Montford Street Salford M50 2XDTel 0161 872 5155

Midlands Distribution Centre and Showroom122 Bloomfield RoadTipton DY4 9ESTel 0121 520 8151

Leeds Distribution Centre and Showroom9 Royds Farm Road Leeds LS12 6DXTel 0113 231 1102

Warrington ShowroomFroghall LaneWarrington WA1 1UETel 01925 419370

info@tilesuk.com | www.tilesuk.com

COOL KITCHENS & UTILITIES

Minoli Format 1200 x 600 floor tiles in “White” a limestone look. These tiles are new andkept in stock in two colours from Minoli Tel: 01865 77 82 25 www.minoli.co.uk

The majority of domestic kitchens feature atiled splash back between the wall and floorunits and behind the hob and sink. If tilesare so practical in these, the hardestworking areas of the kitchen, then they areideal for all other surfaces - by the doorwhere everyone leaves and behind the binand of course on the floor where tiles arenot only hygienic but hard wearing andpractical. The newest kitchens are tiled fromfloor to ceiling making the whole kitchenhygienic, maintenance free and stylish.

The kitchen is the heart of the house andwith all those comings and goings; childrencoming in from the garden, pets sleeping inthe corner, tiled floors are so practical. Forextra hygiene you may want to choosegrout with antibacterial additives for foodpreparation areas. Tiles will not catch fireand can withstand extremely hightemperatures so they are ideal behind hobsand near cookers.

For kitchen floors, choose porcelain tileswhich will withstand knocks and spills andbe easy to clean or, in an older house,particularly a cottage, choose traditionalquarry tiles with rich warm tones.

Waterman Road, off Phoenix Way (A444), Coventry, CV6 5TP.

Call 0800 980 8453Email info@tubsandtiles.net Visit www.tubsandtiles.net

makingbathrooms

beautiful

� Award winning showroom� Design Service available� Villeroy & Boch Official Dealer� Established 1966

For Exclusive Show offers visit www.tubsandtiles.net/handrshow

MAKE A SPLASHNothing looks more luxurious than abathroom tiled wall to floor. Gone are thedays when only the shower area and behindthe sink were tiled. For floors it has to be tiles; you don’t haveto worry about the shower curtain drippingand spills are so easy to clean up.

RIGHT: Stonedesign – wall format is250x400mm combination colour Beigeand Moka with pre-cut mosaic effecttiles and listellos. The floor is a colourco-ordinated, hardwearing glazedporcelain, all available from EMC TilesNottingham. Tel: 0115 977 0155

ABOVE RIGHT: Minoli Estampa Series 25x40 white body glazed wall tiles with co-ordinatingfloor tiles and mosaic pre-cut wall tiles. Tel: 01865 77 82 25 www.minoli.co.uk

SHOWERS &WET ROOMS

Tiles are the obvious choice. Fixed to a water resistant background they providea surface that is easy to clean and won’t be harmed by water splashes. No needto worry if the shower curtain drips or you spill body lotion on the floor. Tiles canhelp you create walk in showers that are large enough not to need a showercurtain or door.

Or you can design your bathroom without a shower area at all by making it intoa wetroom. This, the very latest trend, is where the whole of the bathroom is theshower and there is no shower screen or curtain. The water flows into a drain inthe centre of the floor. To do this the whole room must be tanked (madewaterproof) so do consult a competent tile fixer. In use this is extremely practicaland very suited to minimalist high tech city apartments.

When fixing tiles in wet areas such as in showers and wetrooms it is essential totile onto an already water resistant background. Sand/cement render, denseconcrete or water resistant tile backer board are ideal backgrounds. Plaster,plasterboard, timber and timber-based products such as MDF or plywood areabsorbent and should be made waterproof by the use of a waterproofing ortanking system. Failure to do this is currently the most common cause of tilingfailures in domestic bathrooms.

National winner of Excellence in Retailing Award

www.taylorsetc.co.uk

SWANSEA CARDIFFNARBERTH TILES BATHROOMS INTERIORS

TOP RIGHT: Chic tiles, wetroom shower system, Finesse glass panel and Puresanitaryware range all by N&C Group of Companies. www.ncdirect.co.uk

THE ART OF

Tiling through from the kitchen into thedining room and living room with the samefloor tile creates a sense of space andmeans you don’t have to worry about spills.Tiles don’t collect dust or trap animal hair,neither do they harbour smells fromcigarettes or last night’s curry. You canchange the colour emphasis in individualrooms with rugs.

Tiled floors are ideal for conservatories.They will not fade and heat will not damagetheir surface or curl them.

LIVING

TILE ON TIMBER FLOORSModern houses may present thechallenge of having to bond tiles to arange of dry lining partition wall systemsand composite joist and board overlayproducts for floors. In older propertiestimber joists and floor boards create asimilar challenge. The majority of thesefloors can be tiled but do consult your tileand adhesive supplier.

In general the floor needs to be stable withnormal humidity levels and needs to bephysically capable of bearing the extraweight. The floor is then overlaid with aproprietary intermediate substrate toseparate the tiles from the floor, eliminatingcracking and crazing caused by movementand differential rates of expansion andcontraction due to temperature changes.

ALL ABOUTADHESIVES & GROUTS

The choice and suitability of the correct tileadhesives and grout depends upon the sizeand type of tile, the nature of the substrateand the conditions to which the tileinstallation will be subjected. It is importantto select the correct adhesive, so doconsult your TTA tile supplier.

Why grout? Basically the majority ofsurfaces will move or expand and contractand as tiles are rigid, a space is needed totake up that movement. The space needsto be filled for aesthetic reasons and tostop ingress of water and dirt.

dtwceramicsl i m i t e d

Head Office

48 fitzherbert road

farlington, portsmouth

hampshire po6 1ru

tel sales: +44 (0) 23 9279 9007

fax sales: +44 (0) 23 9278 9322

e-mail: sales@dtw-tiles.co.uk

choosing tiles?look no further!

choosing tiles?look no further!

3 easy ways to choose....3 easy ways to choose....

importers & distributors ofwall & floor tiles

Buy on-line: www.dtw-tiles.co.uk

Order our 74 page colour brochuresales@dtw-tiles.co.uk or Tel: 023 9279 9007

Visit our new showroom @:48 Fitzherbert Road, Farlington, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1RU

Buy on-line: www.dtw-tiles.co.uk

Order our 74 page colour brochuresales@dtw-tiles.co.uk or Tel: 023 9279 9007

Visit our new showroom @:48 Fitzherbert Road, Farlington, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1RU

• Removes tension in the screed

• Reduced running costs

• Waterproof in wetrooms

• Complete, guaranteed floor assembly

• Quick and easy to regulate

• Total height of just 52mm or 31mm

• Also available in single room packs of15m2 and 30m2 - ideal for conservatories,extensions and renovations.

Schlüter-Systems Ltd • Units 4-5 Bardon 22 • Beveridge Lane • Coalville • Leicestershire • LE67 1TE

Tel: +44 (0) 1530 813396 • Fax: +44 (0) 1530 813376 • Email: sales@schluter.co.uk or bekotec-therm@schluter.co.uk

Schlüter-Systems products... ...Evolved to perfection

Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM is a revolutionary,complete underfloor heating assembly, protectingceramic floors against failure whilst providing a newstandard of heating comfort. Its unique designplaces the heating pipes closer to the surface in areduced mass screed, resulting in quicker reactiontime and greater efficiency.

www.bekotec-therm.co.uk

Specialist under-tile heating systems are the very latest ‘must have’for bathrooms and kitchens. They give that added feel of luxury andfree up valuable wall space in rooms where that space is at apremium. They can be fitted on top of existing floor surfaces sothere’s no need to dig up floors and they are very thin so there is nonoticeable extra height to the floor.

The latest systems are very easy and quick to install; they aresurprisingly inexpensive and extremely cost effective in use – andoh, the luxury of a warm bathroom floor. They are also ideal forconservatories which typically have very little wall space.

FEEL THE HEATWITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

STYLISH NEW PRODUCTS Tiles are getting bigger and bigger,

particularly floor tiles. Beiges and neutralcolours are still popular especially forsmaller rooms but there are somewonderfully vibrant tiles on the market withcolours across the spectrum. The majority ofranges are plain tiles with pattered bordersor panels but for those who want a bolderstatement there are plenty of strongpatterns, particularly florals, in brightcolours. These can be used all over or tocreate feature panels or borders. Look,particularly, for metallic effects and vibrantglass mosaics.

For something really differentlook for the stunning rangesavailable from the many artisantile makers in the UK. Thesehand made products are trulyunique and you can probablycommission your own design.

CHOOSING A TILE FIXER

Although The Tile Association publishes a guide to DIY tile fixing it stronglyadvises consumers to have their tiles fixed professionally. Professional tilingwill give the finishing touch to a well designed kitchen and make a beautifulbathroom really stunning.

When choosing a tile fixer, remember, a plumber isn’t a tiler, a plasterer isn’t atiler and a kitchen fitter isn’t a tiler. The Tile Association recommends that alltile fixing work is carried out in accordance with the British Standard code ofpractice for wall and floor tiling, BS5385. Do check that your tiler understandsthe standard and adheres to it.

The Tile Association doesn't just accept anyone into their ranks. Everybusiness wishing to join has its financial health and company reputationchecked out. Fixers and tiling contractors will need to provide customerreferences and some projects may be inspected.

Finish the job properly – choose a tile fixer who is a member of TheTile Association. You’ll find a list at www.tiles.org.uk

TTA Award WinnerSimon Pratt, Best Tile Fixer 2007

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE

KNOW-HOWUNGLAZED FLOOR TILES ORQUARRIESUse a Ph neutral cleaning agent. Excessivelyacidic or alkaline products can causedamage over time. The cleaning solutionshould be allowed to remain on the floor forsufficient time to allow it to penetrate andemulsify the dirt, after which it should beremoved by rinsing thoroughly with cleanwater.

GLAZED FLOOR AND WALL TILES Any loose dirt or grit should first beremoved from the surface with a dry cloth orbrush followed by warm water to which aneutral, low sulphate detergent has beenadded. This should be followed by a finalrinsing with clean water. Abrasive powderswhich may scratch the glaze must not beused. It is the rinsing process which removes thedirt.

One of the significantadvantages that ceramic tileshave over other wall and floorfinishes, is that they can bereadily maintained in a clean,hygienic condition. Dirt,particularly gritty dirt andcorrosive chemicals, candamage tiles so all tiled floorsshould be cleaned on aregular basis.

AquapanelUK market leading tile backing board.Aquapanel is a strong, glass fibrereinforced cement board designed tosupport up to 50kg/m2 or tiling reliablyin wet areas.www.aquapanel.co.uk

Bournemouth TilesImporters of wall and floor tiles fromaround the world, including Pamesa,Mayolica, Superceramica & Fanalwww.bournemouth-tiles.co.uk

Parkside TilesParkside can supply tiles for anycommercial project and we specialise intiles for housebuilders, hotels and theleisure industry.www.parksidetiles.co.uk

MINOLI Extensive showrooms and warehousing inOxford, Minoli are the choice of leadingHouse Builders, Developers and Specifiers.Inspirational, dynamic ranges.www.minoli.co.uk

Mandarin StoneImporters and retailers of stone floor andwall tiles including limestone, travertine,slate, marble and terracotta. Fast delivery.Competitive priceswww.mandarinstone.com

WEBSITELISTINGS

TILE IT RIGHT – YOUR GUIDE TO TILINGHOW MANY TILES DO YOU NEED? You will need to work out the area to betiled. TTA stockists will be able to help youto calculate the number of tiles you willneed for your project. You can also use ourhandy conversion chart. Tiles are produced in batches, and it isimportant to make sure you have enoughtiles from the same batch for your project,so order slightly more than you need. Anyextras can be stored for future repairs.Note: exact tile sizes can vary frommanufacturer to manufacturer and some caninclude the joint width in their calculation oftiles/metre. Therefore the table must onlybe used as a guide and is not a definitivestatement of fact.

ADHESIVE – 10 litres covers approximately 7m2 of tiles.(This may vary depending on the key profile on the back ofthe tile)

GROUT – 3.5 kg covers approximately 8m2 of tiles (basedon using a 150x150x5.5mm tile fixed with a 2mm joint).

WHAT DO YOU NEED? At least:– Spirit level– Measuring tape– 5x2.5cm (2"x1") battens for marking out tiles– Tile cutter– Pincers for nipping off the edges– Adhesive spreader– Grouting squeegee– Sponge– Spacer pegs

A tile saw may be required for natural stone products,limestone, marble, granite slate etc.

These accessories will make a more professional job: – Tile edge profiles (available in coloured PVC and

metals)– Bath/workshop seal– Pre-formed movement and control joint profiles

TILE SIZE TILES PERMETRIC (mm) m2

100x100 100

150x50 134

150x150 44

150x200 33

200x100 50

200x200 25

200x250 20

200x285 18

225x150 29

250x150 27

250x250 16

250x330 12

300x150 22

300x200 17

300x300 11

333x333 9

400x400 7

PREPARATIONYou will need a perfectly flat surface for tiling.Do not cut corners – preparing the surface isvital. (a) New plaster should be left for 4 weeksand be thoroughly dry before tiling. Oldplaster is suitable, provided it is sound. (b) Plasterboard is suitable for walls providedit is well supported with the board being aminimum of 12.5 mm. (c) Painted surfaces. It is very important tomake a detailed examination of the surface,as the permanent success of the installationis dependent on good adhesion between thepaint and the surface to which it has beenapplied and between any substrate and basicstructure. Remove any old wall covering andflaking paint. Fill in old cracks and voids withfiller. Ensure the surface to be tiled is smooth,clean and free from dust, dirt or grease.

SETTING OUT Planning ahead is essential for a good result. Along a length of timber, mark the tile widthsto help you identify where the tile will start andfinish, remembering to leave space for thejoints, which must be at least 2mm wide. Setout horizontal position of the tiles so that thesame size cuts are made either side of windowsetc. Avoid small difficult cuts as they can spoilthe appearance. Plan each wall carefully,remembering that any patterns/designs willneed to be matched in the corners of theroom. For plain tiles each wall should becentralised avoiding any small cuts.

OFF YOU GO 1. Find the lowest point of the base you are

working to (skirtings, bath top, worksurface etc.) with a spirit level.

2. Place a tile against the lowest point anddraw a line on the wall along the top ofthe tile. N.B. The start point of the linewill depend on the setting out of thetiles, as the tile against the floor may bea cut tile.

3. Nail the batten along the wall to this line.Use the spirit level to ensure it is level.The first line of tiles will rest on thisbatten.

4. Draw a vertical (plumb) line at one end ofthe wall, one tile width away from theedge. Use this to check that the tiles arein line vertically.

ADHESIVES There are many different types of adhesiveavailable on the market. As all conditionsvary, it is most important that you seekadvice so as to use the correct type. Alwaysfollow the manufacturers’ instructions.

5. Spread the wall tile adhesive using anotched trowel or spreader onto the wall.Work in small areas of about 1 sq. metre ata time, so that tiles are fixed before thesurface of the adhesive forms a skin. Pressand twist the wall tiles into the adhesivestarting at the bottom and workingupwards, one row of whole tiles at a time,using spacers (if required) to ensure auniform joint. Check the horizontal andvertical lines with the spirit level every fewrows.

ADHESIVES & GROUTING 6. Remove surplus adhesive from tile

surfaces with a damp sponge and fromjoints to allow room for grout. When theadhesive has set, remove the batten andcomplete the tiling.

7. When tiles need to be cut, ask your TTAregistered member for a demonstrationof the various tools available. There aretile cutters and tile pincers that will helpto achieve professional results.

8. In awkward locations it is often easier toapply the wall adhesive onto the back ofthe tile instead of the wall. Forcomplicated shapes, use cardboard tomake a template and transfer the designto the tile.

9. If the tile does not have a glazed edge, aneat finish on external edges and cornerscan be achieved with the use of tile edgetrim incorporated at the time of tiling. Toprevent the seepage of water aroundbaths and basins, a plastic sealing stripor silicone sealant should be used.

GROUTINGDo not begin grouting for at least 12 hoursafter fixing. There are many types of grout,so ask your TTA member for the correctgrout for your application, especially whenusing highly glazed tiles. Force the groutinto the joints using a flexible spreader orgrouting sponge. Do not use steel or hardrigid spreaders as these can causescratching to certain tile glazes. Removesurplus grout from the surface with asponge and ‘peg’ the joints with a roundedstick to achieve an even finish. Polish with adry cloth.

WALL TILES

PREPARATIONTime spent on proper preparation makesthe fixing easier, quicker and ensures abetter finish.

TILING ONTO CONCRETE New concrete must be at least six weeks oldand thoroughly dry before fixing ceramicfloor tiles. The surface must be smooth, flatand free from dirt and grease. Unevensurfaces can be improved with levellingcompound.

TILING ONTO WOODEN FLOORS Existing wooden floors must be rigid, stableand capable of supporting additional loadwithout flexing and have sufficientventilation beneath them. There are twobasic alternative methods to follow:(a) Overlay the existing timber with 15mmexterior grade plywood, which has beensealed. Fully screw down the plywood at300mm intervals ensuring all junctions aresupported by noggings or joists. Use aflexible adhesive. (b) Overlay the existing timber with specialplastic sheeting and use a flexible adhesive.

A flexible grout is recommended with all ofthese methods. There are many factors toconsider when deciding which method isbest suited for your particularcircumstances. It is important to seekprofessional advice.

TILING ONTO VINYL TILES Existing vinyl tiles must be free of grease,polish etc., and firmly adhered to thesubfloor. The surface of the vinyl tile mustbe primed and allowed to dry beforespreading the adhesive. Also an additivemay be used with the adhesive.

TILING ONTO EXISTINGQUARRIES, GLAZED ANDUNGLAZED TILESExisting tiles must be clean, grease free andfirmly adhered to the subfloor. An additiveshould be used with the adhesive and groutwhen tiling onto glazed tiles.

SETTING OUT Planning ahead pays dividends, so spendtime on the following:- Laying ceramic floortiles will raise the level of the finished floor,so if possible remove all fixtures beforetiling. Mark a chalk line on the floor downthe centre of the room parallel to the mostsuitable wall (normally this is achieved byviewing the room from the doorway). Laythe tiles down this line and then worktowards the wall you think is best, leaving ajoint between the tiles of at least 3mm. Tilespacers can be used to achieve a uniformsize joint. Avoid small cuts, as they can bedifficult to cut and do not look professional.

CUTTING TILES Floor tiles are generally harder to cut thanwall tiles. Modern tools make the cutting ofmost types of ceramic tiles simple. Ask yourTTA member for a demonstration of all thevarious aids available.

ADHESIVESUse Rapid or Normal setting adhesives.Always consult your TTA member fordetailed advice and follow manufacturers’instructions. Mix the adhesive as permanufacturers instructions and spread with asolid bed trowel onto the surface to betiled. Lay each tile into the adhesive firmlywith a slight twisting motion to ensure asolid bed and prevent voids under the tile.Remove surplus adhesive from the tilesurface with a damp sponge or cloth. Workin small areas of about 1 sq. metre at a timeso that tiles are fixed before the surfaceforms a skin. Every so often use a spirit levelor straight edge to check that the tiles fixedare flat. Remove and adjust the amount ofadhesive to achieve a flat surface, but don’tleave it too late or the adhesive will set.Leave floor to set before grouting (usually24 hours unless using a rapid set adhesive). In bathrooms, special attention should bepaid to sealing the gap between wall andbase, particularly where the location is on asuspended floor. An additive should beused with the adhesive when fixing fullyvitrified tiles such as porcelain. Consult yourTTA member.

GROUTINGDo not begin grouting or walk on the floortiles for at least 24 hours (unless using arapid set adhesive) to avoid the chance ofdisturbing the tiles before they havebonded completely with the adhesive.There are many types of grout so ask yourTTA member for the correct grout for yourapplication. Force the grout into the jointsusing a spreader. Remove surplus groutfrom the surface with a sponge and peg thejoints with a rounded stick to achieve aneven better finish. Note:- when grouting tiles on a timber floor,use a water-based polymer admixture toimprove flexibility.

MOVEMENT JOINTS These joints are 6/8mm wide and filled witha flexible filler, which allow for movementand prevent tile damage. They are normallyinstalled where flooring abuts a wall, steps,columns etc., on large floor areas and overstructural movement joints. Floors less than4 metres between walls will not normallyneed movement joints.

MAINTENANCEWith proper care and attention, a correctlyinstalled, good quality ceramic floor tileshould give many years trouble-free service.Grit is the biggest enemy of any floormaterial and a mat adjacent to externaldoors is strongly recommended. Ask yourTTA member for details, as there arenumerous maintenance products on themarket. Some terracotta, natural stone andslate tiles may need re-sealing. Consult yourTTA member. If you wish to engage aprofessional use a TTA registered tile fixer.

SPECIAL NOTESPorcelain wall and floor tilesUse a polymer enhanced adhesive meetingthe requirements for a cementitious ClassC2 adhesive defined in BS EN 12004. Groutmeeting the requirements of BS EN 13888should be applied as defined in BS5385.

SHOWERS AND WET ROOMSWhen fixing tiles in wet areas such as inshowers and wetrooms it is essential to tileonto an already water resistant background.Sand/cement render, dense concrete orwater resistant tile backer board are idealbackgrounds. Plaster, plasterboard, timberand timber-based products such as MDF orplywood are absorbent and should be madewaterproof by the use of a waterproofing ortanking system. Failure to do this is currentlythe most common cause of tiling failures indomestic bathrooms.

FLOOR TILES