Porcelain tiles patio

OfflerCrocGod

We're looking to get some porcelain tiles laid for our patio and it seems like some installers are over doing it in terms of the base for the tiles. The manufacturer recommends 100mm hardcore and 150-200mm of concrete but this is for driveways I think. 200mm of concrete seems extreme for a garden patio which will need to support a few tables/BBQ. Some installers I think are going to take the approach taken in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgD6IwrsKO8 which I think is reasonable (geo-textile, 100mm compacted 804, 3cms of mortar base, primer on back of tiles.

I've emailed the manufacturer to get their opinion but I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with porcelain tile patios and what bases to use?

Calahonda52

Have you considered how lethal these tiles may be if wet.

Considering the tensile strength of tiles, any movement in the subfloor will cause cracking.

Ps
just looked at video, they call it paving, not tiles and they are 20mm thick.

What are you using: tiles or paving?

OfflerCrocGod

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Have you considered how lethal these tiles can be if wet.

Considering the tensile strength of tiles, any movement in the subfloor will cause cracking

They are outdoor tiles, 2cm thick, R11 anti-slip.

Marcusm

Can’t believe they mean 200mm of concrete. How long would that even take to set? Must be a specification error.

Outkast_IRE

Marcusm wrote: »

Can’t believe they mean 200mm of concrete. How long would that even take to set? Must be a specification error.

Probably not, just them covering their own arse by telling you the correct detail is essentially a foundation slab. Most people will not install this detail and thus will have no recourse when they crack.

OfflerCrocGod

It's 150-200mm and I think it's meant for driveways which makes sense. For patios thought it seems overkill that's why I was asking for people's opinions.

Sleeper12

Calahonda52 wrote:

Have you considered how lethal these tiles may be if wet.

My first thought too. I'd pictured polished porcelain tiles. These can be lethal on a bathroom floor but it doesn't stop people putting them down.

agusta

I wouldnt consider them porcelain tiles.porcelain based paving slabs,yes.The video is correct.A 50mm mortar bed would be far better

OfflerCrocGod

Just to give people an idea of what I'm talking about here are some links

https://www.tiles.ie/sale-on-outdoor-floor-tiles

https://tilestyle.ie/outdoor-porcelain-tiles-for-patios-and-gardens/

http://www.tubstiles.ie/page/outdoor-tiles/341

It seems these aren't common in Ireland but are more common on the continent. But they are specially designed for outdoor use.

danny19861986

Hi. Can you tell me what you went with in the end? Howas it laid how did it turn out etc? Currently looking at getting them installed and still knowone seems to know anything. Thanks

OfflerCrocGod

danny19861986 wrote: »

Hi. Can you tell me what you went with in the end? Howas it laid how did it turn out etc? Currently looking at getting them installed and still knowone seems to know anything. Thanks

Yes we got porcelain tiles installed. After one year/winter there is a very thin layer of lichen on the tiles but I'm not too worried about that as I think a wash down and a scrub will be enough to clear that off. Once the weather warms up I'll wash them down. In general we're happy with them and think they look OK (during warmer months, once washed up). Ice can make them slippy but normal wetting them isn't an issue.
https://www.platinumpavingdublin.com/ installed them, they were OK. Normal pavers weren't used for the job. The installers were builders who were used specifically for the job. So they'd tile extensions normally.

danny19861986

OfflerCrocGod wrote: »

Yes we got porcelain tiles installed. After one year/winter there is a very thin layer of lichen on the tiles but I'm not too worried about that as I think a wash down and a scrub will be enough to clear that off. Once the weather warms up I'll wash them down. In general we're happy with them and think they look OK (during warmer months, once washed up). Ice can make them slippy but normal wetting them isn't an issue.
https://www.platinumpavingdublin.com/ installed them, they were OK. Normal pavers weren't used for the job. The installers were builders who were used specifically for the job. So they'd tile extensions normally.

Thanks for reply. They seem to be dublin based only unfortunately I'm in cork. I have an idea where to look now though cheers.

FixYa

Did you have your patio done? Have you considered installing porcelain tiles on plastic pedestals. Looks easy to install

danny19861986

FixYa wrote: »

Did you have your patio done? Have you considered installing porcelain tiles on plastic pedestals. Looks easy to install

Hi. Yes I got them done May 2020. My brother laid them in the end. He is a bricklayer. Installed them on a bed of mortar in the end. Took about 3 long days in total.

danny19861986

FixYa wrote: »

Did you have your patio done? Have you considered installing porcelain tiles on plastic pedestals. Looks easy to install

Hi. Yes I got them done May 2020. My brother laid them in the end. He is a bricklayer. Installed them on a bed of mortar in the end. Took about 3 long days in total.

karlitob

danny19861986 wrote: »

Hi. Yes I got them done May 2020. My brother laid them in the end. He is a bricklayer. Installed them on a bed of mortar in the end. Took about 3 long days in total.

What layers did you use?

How much 804?
Did you put mortar bed on top of that?

Thanks.

Looks great.

danny19861986

karlitob wrote: »

What layers did you use?

How much 804?
Did you put mortar bed on top of that?

Thanks.

Looks great.

My brother done it. Once off job. He swore he will never do again. Tiles are very hard to cut. Used a table saw but ended up finishing with a consaw. Not as neat of cut though.Couple of tonnes of 804. Wacked it. Onto a bed of mortar. Primed the back of the tiles before setting. Videos on YouTube are helpful.

danny19861986

karlitob wrote: »

What layers did you use?

How much 804?
Did you put mortar bed on top of that?

Thanks.

Looks great.

My brother done it. Once off job. He swore he will never do again. Tiles are very hard to cut. Used a table saw but ended up finishing with a consaw. Not as neat of cut though.Couple of tonnes of 804. Wacked it. Onto a bed of mortar. Primed the back of the tiles before setting. Videos on YouTube are helpful.

danny19861986

danny19861986 wrote: »

My brother done it. Once off job. He swore he will never do again. Tiles are very hard to cut. Used a table saw but ended up finishing with a consaw. Not as neat of cut though.Couple of tonnes of 804. Wacked it. Onto a bed of mortar. Primed the back of the tiles before setting. Videos on YouTube are helpful.

My neighbour poured concrete and waited for it to settle

ted1

karlitob wrote: »

What layers did you use?

How much 804?
Did you put mortar bed on top of that?

Thanks.

Looks great.

About 1 ton per 8 sqm, then mortar 5:1 (sand: cement ). Then prime the back of the tile with SBR or similar.

I used an angle grinder with a diamond blade and cut them easy enough

cubatahavana

danny19861986 wrote: »

My neighbour poured concrete and waited for it to settle

I have the concrete poured and reinforced with those iron nets (don’t know the name). I’m actually waiting for it to set for a week or so. 100 mm gravel and 100 mm reinforced concrete I think is the foundation. Waiting for a couple of days with good weather to install the tiles. They are slip resistant and 2 cm thick, so I think they’ll be pretty durable

ted1

cubatahavana wrote: »

I have the concrete poured and reinforced with those iron nets (don’t know the name). I’m actually waiting for it to set for a week or so. 100 mm gravel and 100 mm reinforced concrete I think is the foundation. Waiting for a couple of days with good weather to install the tiles. They are slip resistant and 2 cm thick, so I think they’ll be pretty durable

Do you plan to drive on it?

cubatahavana

ted1 wrote: »

Do you plan to drive on it?

Nope. Maybe overkill? I don’t know. I just trust my tiler

OfflerCrocGod

cubatahavana wrote: »

Nope. Maybe overkill? I don’t know. I just trust my tiler

Yes, overkill. All you need is 804 and then lay them on fresh mortar with SBR on the back of the tiles for a normal patio. What you're doing is for a driveway.

e.r

cubatahavana wrote: »

I have the concrete poured and reinforced with those iron nets (don’t know the name). I’m actually waiting for it to set for a week or so. 100 mm gravel and 100 mm reinforced concrete I think is the foundation. Waiting for a couple of days with good weather to install the tiles. They are slip resistant and 2 cm thick, so I think they’ll be pretty durable

Give the concrete 4 weeks to shrink, otherwise your tiles will come clean off.

dendof

e.r wrote: »

Give the concrete 4 weeks to shrink, otherwise your tiles will come clean off.

Glad to see this advice here, as have heard conflicting reports. Crazy some would lay a couple of days after. Poured my base 2 weeks ago and will leave until 3-4 weeks before tiling. We are using 10mm. Anyone idea on how to finish steps, will it be possible to just use tile and no trim? (Not laying these myself or anything, but just don't want to miss anything that might have been possible).