Page 25 - Tiling Guide Uniclass Index
P. 25

    SPECIAL INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
    External Floor Tiling
• Ensure all substrates are rigid, adequately fixed and correctly installed. Substrates should be suitable for the location where tiling is to be applied.
• Ensure that adequate drainage is in place and appropriate falls in the substrata should be provided for drainage of water. A lack of suitable drainage can cause a number of issues including cracked tiles, efflorescence and stained or patchy tiles.
• Tiles, adhesives and grouts should be suitable for external installations. Refer to the manufacturer for suitability and full application instructions.
Tiles should be installed with minimum 3mm wide joints and have an enhanced slip resistance for external locations. Where large format tiles are being used, consideration should be given to using wider joint widths. Stone tiles should not be resin or mesh backed. Resin agglomerated stone tiles are not suitable for external floor applications.
There are several fixing methods for external floor tiling:
Solid bed fixing is essential. The tile finish should follow the falls in the substrate and should not be created with the adhesive.
• Direct fixing with adhesives
• Fixing with cement:sand mortar • Pedestals
In general the ideal temperature range for tiling to be satisfactorily carried out with normal methods and materials is between 5-25°C. Loose laying is not a recommended method of fixing ceramic or stone floor tiles according to BS 5385.
Grout joints should be kept free from dust and contaminants prior to grouting. After completion of grouting, all tiling should be protected with plastic sheeting or similar materials until the grout sets.
Intermediate movement joints should be incorporated within the tile assembly at intervals not exceeding 3m and, depending on the anticipated movement
in the background, the size and format of the tile
and the width of the tile joint, further reductions in the distances between movement joints might be necessary.
For further advice consult TTA’s Technical Publication ‘External Floor Tiling to Balconies, Terraces and Patios’.
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