Porcelain Tile recommendations?

[benlam826]

Hi I'm considering installing porcelain tile on my 2 car garage concrete slab. Can someone recommend a tile they've used? Does thickness of the tile matter at all?

I understand PEI 4 and PEI 5 tiles are recommended.

Thank you

 

[ace10]

You're gonna have to shop for what's available.

A few years back, I had about 2000 ft2 shipped to me from here:

https://www.builddirect.com/Tile-Flooring

Was a trouble-free experience. Zero breakage in transit.

Tiles were 24"x24" 9mm thickness.

Find a color scheme and size/shape you're interested in, and then go from there. You're going to find more PEI4's than 5s. From the samples I picked up, I couldn't find a significant difference between them. The important things are going to be whether it's a through body porcelain or printed. Rectified or not, if you really care about grout lines and lippage. And price.

I'm an amateur tile setter. Only done about a dozen projects. IMO I don't think thickness is going to matter if the substrate is solid and the installation is done in accordance with the thinset's guidelines in terms of coverage.


Is this a DIY or pro job?

 

[duneslider]

Thickness doesn't really matter much. There are about a billion choices out there, just comes down to preference and budget.

 

[benlam826]

You're gonna have to shop for what's available.

A few years back, I had about 2000 ft2 shipped to me from here:

https://www.builddirect.com/Tile-Flooring

Was a trouble-free experience. Zero breakage in transit.

Tiles were 24"x24" 9mm thickness.

Find a color scheme and size/shape you're interested in, and then go from there. You're going to find more PEI4's than 5s. From the samples I picked up, I couldn't find a significant difference between them. The important things are going to be whether it's a through body porcelain or printed. Rectified or not, if you really care about grout lines and lippage. And price.

I'm an amateur tile setter. Only done about a dozen projects. IMO I don't think thickness is going to matter if the substrate is solid and the installation is done in accordance with the thinset's guidelines in terms of coverage.


Is this a DIY or pro job?

I'm going to have someone help me do the JOB, he is some what experienced. I guess I should use a uncoupling membrane too?

My garage isn't complete flat and there are areas that are uneven. he suggested getting 12 x 12 tile.. since it will easier to work with

 

[duneslider]

12-14 inch tiles are typically easier to install and will flow with the floor better.

I have installed a lot of tile just over concrete and it has all been fine. An uncoupling membrane isn't required. You haven't listed where you live that that can affect things too. If the floor will be subject to large temp swings or moisture it will benefit a lot more from an uncoupling membrane. I will always advocate for the highest quality install possible. Tile is a premium product and looking at it like a cheap option just leads to trouble, same with epoxy floors if you skip the grinding and prep chances are the results won't last.

PEI rating is largely not understood. The PEI rating only applies to the glaze on the surface. It is a test they do with rolling ball bearings on the surface and check to see how long until there is visible damage to the glaze. In reality, most PEI 3 will be totally fine for most people.

 

[benlam826]

12-14 inch tiles are typically easier to install and will flow with the floor better.

I have installed a lot of tile just over concrete and it has all been fine. An uncoupling membrane isn't required. You haven't listed where you live that that can affect things too. If the floor will be subject to large temp swings or moisture it will benefit a lot more from an uncoupling membrane. I will always advocate for the highest quality install possible. Tile is a premium product and looking at it like a cheap option just leads to trouble, same with epoxy floors if you skip the grinding and prep chances are the results won't last.

PEI rating is largely not understood. The PEI rating only applies to the glaze on the surface. It is a test they do with rolling ball bearings on the surface and check to see how long until there is visible damage to the glaze. In reality, most PEI 3 will be totally fine for most people.

I'm in the san francisco area, so there isn't too much temperature change. Sometimes I notice efflorescence coming through the foundation. It's mostly sand under the concrete and it gets pretty foggy where I live.

There's a certain area of the garage floor I plan to use concrete leveler. Do you suggest I wait about a month for the leveler to settle before putting the porcelain tile over it?

Thanks !

 

[duneslider]

You can tile over leveler in a day or faster. Read the bag of what you use. I know I generally am on it the next day though.