Tile guys: Exactly what tile did you use?

[ScaldedDog]

We've got enough, "Is tile the right answer for me?" threads, so let's not go there. If you did use ceramic or porcelain tile, exactly what tile did you use?

I'm asking because I've pretty much decided to go this way, and have seen lots of tile that are one shade or another of "tan". I haven't seen much that's "gray" though, and that's what I'm looking to do. For the benefit of everyone, post up exactly what you used and where you got it, so the rest of us can have a look.

Mark

 

[Syndicate]

Here are some during and after pics of what I did. I ordered the tile from Italy, it is natural slate. Very difficult to work with, uneven, and a ***** to cut. I wasted about 30 sheets. But the end result is worth a 1000 words!!!

 

[slickgt1]

Porcelain. I am sure you've must have seen my threads lol.

Got it at Lowes.

I was just randomly passing by and saw some deals at HD. Turned out it was all for Ceramic. I was in the mood all of a sudden and went out to our biggest Lowes here. Found it for under $1 sq-ft. Tan and Brown. Close enough, got it that night. Lexus RX350 got raped that night.

Just look around. I was happy for $1, but later on saw a tile place clearing out tile for $0.30. Just keep your eyes open. I

I'll update this in a bit with links for the tile I used.

 

[TipsyMcStagger]

I'm laying AutoStone in the next few days. It's used for shop floors in commercial garages and auto-dealerships. I found it on CL. The contractor had just finished laying a floor at a Mercedes dealership and had some overage. I got a great deal at $1 sq/ft.

I spent the day emptying the garage and running a buffer type sander over the floor. The floor had been painted by the previous owner with what I believe to be latex. My goal was to get the floor down to bare concrete but didn't quite get the results I was hoping for. There is bare concrete showing, in spots, but there is still paint on the floor. I spent a good five hours running the sander with 16 grit discs. It generated TONS of dust, so I know I removed a lot of material. I was just hoping for virgin concrete. It's being pressure washed tomorrow morning. I think I'm being too particular. I'm sure it'll bond well. I'm using Laticrete 253 Gold thinset.

I was planning to use epoxy grout but the tile is very textured and I'm afraid it will be a nightmare trying to properly clean the epoxy residue during the grouting process. So, I picked up Laticrete Permacolor today and will hope for the best.

Tipsy

 

[jhelrey]

Looks just like the stuff I buy at Lowes.... and slate is a PIA to install

 

[jhelrey]

When you grout a porous stone, seal it first! Give it a few days, grout it, then seal it again in a few days.

Sealing it allows you to wipe it off with a sponge.

I got 18x18 pieces of travertine for super cheap. It was $5.00 a tile and the lady charged me $5.00 a box of 5. I stocked up!

 

[PecosBill]

AutoStone is a good route, but expensive, as is Crossville. We just completed a Ford dealership and swapped out Daltile City View, in CY02 Skyline Gray. It is priced pretty economically. http://products.daltile.com/series.cfm?series=160&

Even cheaper, but it might take a while to get, is Daltile Lodge: http://products.daltile.com/series.cfm?series=370&

 

[KCarGuy]

As Long as Your not Talking Garage Floors, I Like Slate Tile.
It would make a Horrible Garage Floor.
I have cut alot of Slate.
My Basement Shower Walls are done with it. And Yes, because it is better to seal it after its up and before you grout. Then Seal is All afterwards.

I cant even count how many cuts I have made at this point, Because I took all the Broken and small pieces and started the Walls around my Basement Bar area.

I love the colors, the different Thickness of each piece and I am going without any spaces in between them, so its alot of work, but like the floor around the Wood Burning Fireplace of Syndicate...Its well worth the effort.

Of Course a Decent Wet Saw Helps...I picked up a Kobalt saw with a lazer Sight built in, after using a friends tiny Cheap Unit.
Cuts through like Butter!

 

[topperge]

AutoStone is a good route, but expensive, as is Crossville. We just completed a Ford dealership and swapped out Daltile City View, in CY02 Skyline Gray. It is priced pretty economically. http://products.daltile.com/series.cfm?series=160&

Even cheaper, but it might take a while to get, is Daltile Lodge: http://products.daltile.com/series.cfm?series=370&

Daltile is cheap? I'm seeing about $6 a sq for it. Is that about going price or am I getting railed?

 

[JimVonBaden]

My first tile job. $700 for 200 sq ft, plus edging, grout and thinset included in the price.

I think it came out decent.

My workshop will also get tile when it is built. I will use much cheaper tile for it.

 

[BRIANBB]

I am using Marrazi ceramic tile. Only because of the colors I wanted.

 

[bdamico]

You didn't look hard enough for gray

 

[84944Redline]

I did a good amount of searching for gray tile and was surprised how few are available and at an inexpensive price. Then about maybe a year ago (guessing), Lowe's started carrying a new one. To me, it's the perfect color I was looking for. And the same tile comes in a lighter white. I was fearful of it showing dirt and marks, but am very surprised at how much the tile hides it.

Check out Mitte Gray and Mitte White from Lowe's. It's a 12" X 24" tile, so maybe not ideal for some, but I don't mind it.

 

[slickgt1]

Wow you guys have some nice big spaces. Good tile choices too.

 

[JakeKohl]

We've got enough, "Is tile the right answer for me?" threads, so let's not go there. If you did use ceramic or porcelain tile, exactly what tile did you use?

I'm asking because I've pretty much decided to go this way, and have seen lots of tile that are one shade or another of "tan". I haven't seen much that's "gray" though, and that's what I'm looking to do. For the benefit of everyone, post up exactly what you used and where you got it, so the rest of us can have a look.

Mark

I bought a slate grey PEI5 through body porcelain tile for my garage but am having second thoughts about installing it because I'm worried that my slab may not be that great. I can feel it move at the control joints when I wheel heavy stuff across and my install guy pointed out several leveling issues that need to be fixed before the tile goes in. I'm worried about investing in the installation and then the slab fails. I'm thinking about aborting on the tile and going epoxy ... so I may have some tile to sell.

 

[ScaldedDog]

You guys know this thread is a year old, right?

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[ScaldedDog]

Actually, two years...

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[84944Redline]

Two years ago I had no input on tile...now I do. And I'm sure there are plenty of others out there who may have found tile since or are now looking to put down tile.

If I recall correctly, this isn't the first one to come alive after being dormant for some time!

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Jim,

That looks AWESOME!!! Your front porch is a little larger than mine! I'd love to do something like this!

Any pointers or anything to look out for? Do you think it will be a problem with our temps that seem to fluctuate from 50 degrees one day to 20 degrees another...lol?

I'll pm ya if you don't mind and ask more question ;-p


Thanks,
-Nigel

 

[domer911]

I used porcelain tile. I believe it's a harder finish than ceramic.