Need tile assistance

[04fivefour]

I am in the planning stages to do tile flooring in my 1400 square foot garage. I have read multiple threads on here about doing tile floors in the garage and I think that is my best bet. I am fairly experienced in tile work and I have a wet table saw and all the tools I need.

My issue I am having is finding reasonable prices ceramic tile that is wet rated and in a color that would work for me. I would ideally like to have a light gray tile.

Also I have seen a few different people using different thinsets and would like to know what would be best for a slab that was poured during the early 80s. So it is not insulated.

I also need to know what grout to use for oil resistance and crack resistance.

I have seen a lot of information on brands of tile but I am having a hard time finding a place to actually order them from.


If anyone could point me in the right direction I would appreciate it!

 

[Angelfire]

I'm going to let the tile guys comment specifically on brands etc.... but I can comment on how I've approached it and how I plan to approach it. I purchased my tile from builddirect.com The tile I chose met all the specs I wanted (rectified, through body, PEI 5, COF 0.6, etc....). I had been looking at it for several months but the price was just too much. Then one day I see they are clearancing it. Got a top notch tile for around $1.20/SF including the shipping. They shipped it from CA and I'm in NM so your freight will vary of course....they may have warehouses closer to your location. In any case, if you find something there and the only thing preventing you from ordering is the freight cost, phone them. They worked a significant savings on the freight for me over the phone which sealed the deal for me. Regarding thinset, you're going to want something that will handle freeze/thaw pretty well given your location unless you are climate controlling your place. There are a number of good thinsets on the market for this. Personally, I'll probably go with a middle of the road thinset as our freeze/thaw is minimal. Grout, I'd recommend either epoxy or urethane. Personally I'm going to give the urethane a try as I've read the epoxy is quite difficult to work with. Sorry I can't give you specifics at this time. I purchased the tile 2 years ago then got sent overseas for work so I have a stack of tile waiting for me when I get home and I haven't done any planning with regards to thinset or grout yet. There are others on this board that will no doubt chime in with more detailed information.
Cheers.

 

[04fivefour]

I'm going to let the tile guys comment specifically on brands etc.... but I can comment on how I've approached it and how I plan to approach it. I purchased my tile from builddirect.com The tile I chose met all the specs I wanted (rectified, through body, PEI 5, COF 0.6, etc....). I had been looking at it for several months but the price was just too much. Then one day I see they are clearancing it. Got a top notch tile for around $1.20/SF including the shipping. They shipped it from CA and I'm in NM so your freight will vary of course....they may have warehouses closer to your location. In any case, if you find something there and the only thing preventing you from ordering is the freight cost, phone them. They worked a significant savings on the freight for me over the phone which sealed the deal for me. Regarding thinset, you're going to want something that will handle freeze/thaw pretty well given your location unless you are climate controlling your place. There are a number of good thinsets on the market for this. Personally, I'll probably go with a middle of the road thinset as our freeze/thaw is minimal. Grout, I'd recommend either epoxy or urethane. Personally I'm going to give the urethane a try as I've read the epoxy is quite difficult to work with. Sorry I can't give you specifics at this time. I purchased the tile 2 years ago then got sent overseas for work so I have a stack of tile waiting for me when I get home and I haven't done any planning with regards to thinset or grout yet. There are others on this board that will no doubt chime in with more detailed information.
Cheers.

I appreciate the prompt response! I will get on there and check it out!

 

[duneslider]

Your best bet on getting tile is going to an actual tile supplier and talking with them. You might be able to find stuff online but I have always been a little hesitant with that as you never quite know what you are going to get. My in-laws bought some tile and when it arrived it wasn't the same color as the sample they had been sent and it was a nightmare getting it sent back and new stuff brought in. Look for the professional tile places, Dal-Tile, Arizona Tile, Interceramic, etc. I am sure there are a number of large places in your area.

I have heard some good stuff about prosource, builddirect, etc so there might be some good online options out there. I just haven't dealt with them at all.

My opinion of tile in garages (exterior) is based on experience and seeing lots of failures. I say don't skimp on surface prep, thinset, or grout. I do not think tile is a budget friendly option, it is a PREMIUM option so expect to pay a premium to do it right.

If you are still interested and not thinking you will be paying 2 bucks a foot to tile your garage I would be happy to get into some specifics.

 

[04fivefour]

Your best bet on getting tile is going to an actual tile supplier and talking with them. You might be able to find stuff online but I have always been a little hesitant with that as you never quite know what you are going to get. My in-laws bought some tile and when it arrived it wasn't the same color as the sample they had been sent and it was a nightmare getting it sent back and new stuff brought in. Look for the professional tile places, Dal-Tile, Arizona Tile, Interceramic, etc. I am sure there are a number of large places in your area.

I have heard some good stuff about prosource, builddirect, etc so there might be some good online options out there. I just haven't dealt with them at all.

My opinion of tile in garages (exterior) is based on experience and seeing lots of failures. I say don't skimp on surface prep, thinset, or grout. I do not think tile is a budget friendly option, it is a PREMIUM option so expect to pay a premium to do it right.

If you are still interested and not thinking you will be paying 2 bucks a foot to tile your garage I would be happy to get into some specifics.

Thanks for your response, by trying to find affordable tile I didn't mean that I think that I can cheap out. I just don't feel that $5-10 a square foot is justified unless I was building a mansion.

The main reason that I would like to do tile is the strength and longevity. Also because I can do it sections at a time.

I am trying to get as much input as possible to make sure that the job is done right.

 

[duneslider]

A quality tile could easily run you 3-5 a square foot. If you aren't in a rush and aren't really particular about the tile you want you might find good deals on clearance stuff. You just have a lot of area and clearance doesn't tend to be large quantities.

 

[duneslider]

I was looking on builddirect and they have some decent looking unglazed porcelain under the commercial section that is grey and has a good price. They have two colors of grey so you could do a pattern if you wanted.

 

[04fivefour]

I was looking on builddirect and they have some decent looking unglazed porcelain under the commercial section that is grey and has a good price. They have two colors of grey so you could do a pattern if you wanted.

Ya I was just on there looking at that. I had planned on doing a pattern because I figured that thy wouldn't have 1400 of one particular tile. I'm not in a rush but if I saw a good enough deal I would probably jump on it.

 

[Shea]

The key on getting a good deal for a lot of the members here who have done porcelain tile is to have some patience and keep looking around. If you aren't in a hurry to get it done, you most likely will find something you like with the ratings you want in the $1 - $2 sq.ft. range.

 

[04fivefour]

The key on getting a good deal for a lot of the members here who have done porcelain tile is to have some patience and keep looking around. If you aren't in a hurry to get it done, you most likely will find something you like with the ratings you want in the $1 - $2 sq.ft. range.

That is my plan, I have been keeping an eye on all the big stores and online.

 

[OJ Bartley]

04fivefour, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do, and when I saw some tiles that met about 90% of my requirements come up on sale at Home Depot (I think $0.89 psf or so, can't remember offhand) I grabbed them. Then they sat in the garage for another year or so before I started. Sales do come up and you can get great deals. Hang in there if you aren't in a rush.

 

[Steves32]

I tiled my garage in porcelain 2 1/2+ years ago. I shopped & shopped for a discount tile but couldn't find anything I liked in a PEI 5. I found one I liked, but wasn't cheap at $3.12 sq ft. While I have laid much tile & have all the tools, my friend the tile setter owed me money from a HVAC job I did for him a year earlier. I decided to have him lay my floor in trade for the money he owed me. All in, cost me around 6 bucks a sq ft w/ labor, Flexbond thin set & grout. When I weighed it against a pro installed epoxy w/ lots of flakes- was about same price. Difference is- I can work on this floor. Not 1 regret.

 

[Cave Creek Ray]

Steve,

What did your pro installer bud do for your expansion joints? I was thinking I would have to put that white fabric and concrete glue stuff down. The tiler I used in the house used it and swears by it.

Also, did he do much concrete prep or just a couple good TSP washes?

My shop will be 1300 sf with tile baseboards. I have found a killer ceramic at Homey 'Po in 12 x 24 but its not on sale right yet. My wife said I should just pull the trigger and nail it while its available in the amount I need in one dye lot. I think they are asking $1.90 sf.

Thanks,

Ray

 

[duneslider]

Steve,

What did your pro installer bud do for your expansion joints? I was thinking I would have to put that white fabric and concrete glue stuff down. The tiler I used in the house used it and swears by it.

Also, did he do much concrete prep or just a couple good TSP washes?

My shop will be 1300 sf with tile baseboards. I have found a killer ceramic at Homey 'Po in 12 x 24 but its not on sale right yet. My wife said I should just pull the trigger and nail it while its available in the amount I need in one dye lot. I think they are asking $1.90 sf.

Thanks,

Ray

I am curious what this white stuff is that goes down with concrete glue stuff?

You can't totally get rid of expansion joints in a floor that size. You have to have movement joints somewhere. Also, if you choose to tile over concrete saw marks/control joints there is NOTHING that will prevent damage as a result of vertical movement.

Here is a good link for those interested https://www.tcnatile.com/faqs/25-reflective-cracking.html

and another https://www.tcnatile.com/faqs/53-expansion-joints.html

 

[Cave Creek Ray]

My installer ground the floor along existing cracks due to uplifting and then used this fabric with really strong adhesive to cover the cracks in the foundation. I previously tore out 22,000 lbs of Saltillo tile and the previous installers had used the western age-old tar paper (felt) as a floater across cracks. There were zero cracks evident in my existing tile when I jack hammered it out.

This new material looked like poly fabric that was held down with a water based adhesive. The new porcelain tile lays right across it and he said this stuff is as strong as the concrete. I thought it might be a good solution for the workshop floor. The building was built 24 years ago and is remarkably flat and uncracked, except for the crack joints.

If you install tile directly upon cracked concrete without a "bridge" (anti-fracture membrane) you will see cracked or loose tile in time. Using a bridge material will greatly minimize this. I will try and get the trade name for the material.

 

[Cave Creek Ray]

Different color "glue" than my guy used but the material appears identical.

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/how-to/qa/tiling-over-concrete-cracks.aspx