Porcelain Tiles in very large open plan area, inside and out.

6 years ago

I have been collecting tile samples for porcelain tiles so I can lay them inside my new open plan kitchen/dining/living area and then outside on the patio, most are the 10mm inside version then 20mm outside, anti slip version.

I have been told they are very hard wearing and perfect for the areas I want, and I've discounted other floor types because I want the same inside and out.

My biggest concern is that I've had some samples come through with chips in them? Has anyone else had porcelain tiles laid in a large area? And if so, how have you found them over time? I don't want the most important part of my extension to get chips, or look bad over time?

I will have a wet underfloor system, so they will be warm and there will be nice rugs under the living area, and under dining table, but I'm still very concerned.

Valverdi inside and out tiles from the London tile co were the samples I received. I know they could have got damaged in the post, but equally what if my kids dropped something hard on the floor, is it likely to chip?

This is already a huge expense for me, so I want to get the flooring right, I'd appreciate any advice from either an expert, or indeed a family who has had porcelain tiles laid over a large area?

Many thanks.

Featured Answer

PRO

Luna Tile and Stone

6 years ago

As a tile importer and retailer, it's very rare for a porcelain tile to crack if installed properly. I'd not recommend juggling your Le Creuset to test the theory though...

More and more tilers are using a decoupling matting such as Durabase to take as much movement out of the tile as possible. We also supply flexible adhesive and grout, so with a properly flat floor, it's rare for us to get a call from a grumpy client.

We supply a lot of large format "infinity" look tiles, where you have an identically sized anti-slip External version of the Interior tile. Most are 8-9mm, so need a concrete base that mirrors the internal floor. If there is a 20mm version, then a sand & cement base can be used.

As for kitchens, always tile the entire floor before the kitchen goes in. This means that the kitchen installer has a blank canvas to work on. It also means that the floor is completely sealed, so the chances of liquid ingress under the tiles (under the units) is pretty much nil. Finally, it also means that if you have any white goods that fail under the work surface, they can just be slid out, rather than having to remove what could be long an heavy lump of marble or granite to get them out. The additional cost will be negligible compared to an insurance claim...

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Comments (21)

Victoria
6 years ago
My entire house is tiled in porcelain tiles. We have been in over 3 years and have essentially no chips. Family of 4 awkward people too!
J C thanked Victoria
A B
6 years ago
I had them for 6 years in my kitchen. Got them as the tile shop recommended as extremely hard wearing. And they were. Not a single chip!
J C thanked A B
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J C
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you, did you ever drop anything heavy onto the floor? and would you also recommend a darker grout does this get darker with cleaning the floors over time ?
A B
6 years ago
A vase, a le crueset lid, the way dual things you drop in a kitchen! We had grey grout
J C
Original Author
6 years ago
Thats good to know especially with young children, which is my worry. Thank you
Victoria
6 years ago
I have wood effect tile and have a slightly darker brown grout. We drop heavy stuff all the time.
PRO
Active Builders London ltd
6 years ago
I'd say preparation and right adhesive would be essential and then you have nothing to worry about. Grout will get dirty with time so getting something darker would make sense.thanks
Sonia
6 years ago
I’ve got slate effect porcelein tiles in my kitchen and they haven’t chipped so far and I’m always dropping stuff! They have been down for 8 years. I originally wanted real slate, but my stepson, who has his own worktop and tiling business, suggested porcelein would be tougher and incredibly strong. He was right! Looks like the real thing too.
J C
Original Author
6 years ago
can the porcelain be laid on a suspended floorboard base as half my extension is suspended flooring and half concrete?
J C
Original Author
6 years ago
Also I have seen 10mm outside versions, is this ok for exterior or do tilers recommend the 20mm versions.
PRO
Active Builders London ltd
6 years ago
Hi

We've done something similar i.e. part concrete part suspended floor and no problem at all.You might need to reinforce /stabilize suspended flooring and there are different methods to do that, just ask your builder. Thickness wouldn't make much of a difference, just that the thicker one would be a bit more difficult to work with
J C thanked Active Builders London ltd
Victoria
6 years ago
You will need expansion gaps with the transition in substrate. If you use the thinner tiles outside you need to lay them on a proper base, the 20mm tiles can be laid on sand, pedestals, a base or even directly on the grass...
J C thanked Victoria
Sonia
6 years ago
JC mine were laid on wooden floorboards BUT the whole floor was covered with thick ply first (can’t remember exact thickness) as I was told the tiles may crack otherwise. You do feel a tiny bit of give when walking on it, but in 8 yrs no cracks and no lifting of the grout either.
J C thanked Sonia
J C
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you so much, this is really helpful, one more question, I know it uses more tiles, but would you suggest tiling everywhere before laying kitchen and cupboards etc, or not? ie. do people go underneath cabinets, or not? Also are there any rules for the expansion gaps are these just inside or outside?
Victoria
6 years ago
I’ve laid mine everywhere and have expansion joints at thresholds
Sonia
6 years ago
We tiled the whole floor before adding kitchen cupboards and appliances. With our old kitchen we did it the other way, that is fitted the cupboards then laid flooring to finish just beyond the plinths, but it made pulling out appliances really difficult as they had to be lifted over the tile edge. However all our appliances are integrated now so it would not have been a problem. I don’t think there is a right or wrong way, just a personal preference.
PRO
Active Builders London ltd
6 years ago
hi

if you haven't fitted the kitchen then I'd definitely tile the whole area.
J C thanked Active Builders London ltd
J C
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you, although I guess its slightly more cost for the tiles, I suppose it's also easier for the builder and, as you said getting anything out.
PRO
The London Tile Co.
5 years ago
The edges of the samples could chip during cutting or transit, but once the tiles are fixed the adhesive and grout would protect the edges. Porcelain is extremely strong and hard (almost as hard as diamond) so they will be very hard to chip or scratch once installed. If you have any other questions please get in touch.
PRO
Spencer Marchand
5 years ago
Hi, we would just echo what Luna Tile & Stone have already mentioned. We always recommend to tile from wall to wall, back to front. Not because it makes our kitchen fitters lives any easier because we can install straight onto screed but for any built under appliances that need servicing. The engineer doesn't care about your floor! So when they slide the built under appliance out, if you have only tiled to the plinth line, you risk the front edge of your tile being chipped/damaged. For that little bit of extra cost to tile under units, we feel that it's always better in the long run. Hope this advice helps, Thanks Spencer Marchand Kitchens.

Porcelain Tiles in very large open plan area, inside and out.

Luna Tile and Stone

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