Advice on re-tiling and where to buy tiles.

Dinarius

We need to re-tile these steps and the landing area at the top of them. Note that the terracotta tiles are all the same square size and the cream, threaded tiles are added to the front of each step.

Ideally, we'd like to replace this two-part setup with a single tile that is non-slip. We would also like to use a tile that is wider, thereby needing less grouting, so less to go wrong - hopefully!

Any advice on where to buy such tiles? I'm Dublin based. Have done the stores in Sandyford. Anywhere else?

And, any advice on how to spec this job when dealing with a tiler (we won't be doing it) would be appreciated.

Thanks.

D.

10-10-20

Sandyford, yes multiple tile shops. I presume they only supply residential type tiles while what you need is a specialist tile.

If I'm being honest you might need to ask a City & Guilds registered tiler and see what they recommend.

revelino70

National Tile in Dundalk do this sort of thing I think, all sorts of non-slip and industrial stuff (shipping might cost you, but that type of tile is not one carried in your standard domestic tile shop). For the front part of the step, you can get rubberised nosings that will do the same job, you see them often enough in commercial premises.

Dinarius

Thanks.

I see they do this range of non-slip tiling. https://www.national-tile.com/tactile-paving-tiles-ireland.html

Tile Style do a range that is not square and so has the threaded front section as part of the tile. This removes the need to add rubberised nosing, or similar. But, they're about €90 sq/m.

D.

20/20

Are you tiling all the steps or just one half of the railings ? Is it domestic or commercial .

€90 Sq M for tiles will be the least of your expense . To get a tiler to work on those steps will be very very costly.

Dinarius

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120637352#Comment_120637352

It's an apartment entrance.

We want to re-tile the entire stairs, landing area, an porch areas in front of two front doors.

Ideally, we'd like bigger tiles - therefore, fewer tiles overall and less grouting.

Finding someone is taking forever. Compared with finding plumber/electrician/carpenter, it's a nightmare. I get the impression that most only want to do clean, new work, without having to remove old tiles and prepare the surface.

Cost variation is staggering.

D.

Dinarius

Spotted these steps yesterday in Balally Luas station. Exactly what we need. Large tiles (so less grouting), hard wearing, easy to replace if damaged. Where can I get something like these?

Balally Steps 2.jpg

Tks.

D.

Rows Grower

Check out the non-slip range that Right Price Tiles have online. (There are different grades of non-slip).

10-10-20

Can I just ask, are those steps in the apartment in a privately owned space or are they accessible to all users of the block?

If they are in a public space then surely the OMC should be taking on the job of hiring a commercial tiler company with full public liability insurance and using a commercial tile rather than a residential type?

The example steps in Balally would have been a type and configuration which was approved for use in a public space and DLRCC would have likely inspected and signed off on the job before it was opened. They would also have been a thicker tile and that may cause some issues at the top of the stairs for you as the levels or tread-depth may be off.

Dinarius

Thanks for the input.

There are only 4 apartments in the development. So, I'm one quarter of the management committee! 😊

Tiles (2).jpg

I'm attaching an image of what's there at the moment. They are the original tiles of about 25 years ago. Some loose, some broken. They need total replacing and we want to use larger and fewer tiles, if possible.

Any links to tiles we might consider appreciated.

Thanks again.

D.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120641968#Comment_120641968

Its hard to tell as photo isn’t very detailed, but that looks like terrazzo rather than ceramic tiles.

Tbh, specifying tiles is not a straight forward task. I especially on a stair, from a health and safety point of view alone you’d have to consider;

• Slip resistance
• Visual contrast of nosing
• Thickness of new compared to existing

Dinarius

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120642237#Comment_120642237

Interesting point about visual contrast of nosing.

Here is a pic of another stairs in Baldly Luas, which I also like.

Balally Steps 1.jpg

Is there any visual contrast in the nosing of either stairs?

Thanks.

D.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120642680#Comment_120642680

The previous image at Balally had visual contrast on the first and last tread. The Lyra test one does not. They look like stone pavers .

SweetSand

Hi :) I used to work in the tile shop for years, not for the last few though and on the opposite side of the country. Looking at your original picture - orange tiles look like the 6x6” quarry tiles that used to be very popular for this purpose. It appears to me that your steps are quiet narrow, would be helpful if you could measure them. Main question - why do you want to replace them apart from the aesthetics? If they are indeed quarry tiles - you should be able to get a specialist to clean them to almost “new” condition. Not sure what the white staining on the pictures is.

If you decide to go the replacing route - taking them up is going to be really expensive:( Because of the size of your steps, I don’t think you ll be able to tile over them as looking narrow already. Resourcing tiles should be straightforward. What you are looking for is anti-slip tiles, rating goes from R9-R13, R13 is the highest so I would imagine you should be looking at tiles with rating R12-R13. I am not sure of current regulations but as of few years ago, top and bottom steps (commercial use) had to be different colour but not the rest of them. Price wise - I think tiles themselves are not your biggest concern. Shop I used to work for carried a wide range of anti-slip tiles in different sizes (starting from €35m2) and you could have a special order from factory as well for a specific size/colour. Porcelain tiles are the most popular as no maintenance at all (bar cleaning). If you could get someone other than tiler to take them up - it will really reduce your costs.

Just noticed your later post that some tiles are loose and some broken, in that case - replacement will seem like the best option. Measure up the steps and go to one of your local tile shops and see what they suggest. For your steps - tiles and not thicker stone will be the most suitable for sure.

Dinarius

Thanks.

Steps are 24cms deep.

We would prefer to avoid the small tiles option again and go for larger slabs. Over the years, too much maintenance of so many tiles has been needed.

D.