Plank tile floor - tips & pitfals?

[Dunc]

We're aiming to lay wood plank effect porcelain tiles 1200x200mm over approx 100sqm ground floor. Any tips, tricks or things to avoid?

 

@saveasteading I think you had some photos of similar a while ago (can't find in the forum search).

 

Did get some quotes from professionals but with one guy asking £80/sqm I think we'll be taking it on ourselves. 

 

Key questions is trowel notch. The guys we've had quote have differing ideas with a range from 6-12mm notch (resulting in 3-6mm adhesive) which obviously affects final floor level.

 

For Ditra mat, what notch? 

Any suggesions for a diy roller for the mat?

[saveasteading]

34 minutes ago, Dunc said:

wood plank effect porcelain tiles 1200x200mm

Yes. family members did it diy.

All the tiles have a camber so it is essential to straighten that, using the plastic wedge method.

It has been in place 2 years now and not a problem. One of those things where diy gave more certainty as well as the cost issue.

 

I have a thing about wood-effect... you will never see the same pattern on 2 planks so I don't wat to se it on tiles. the ones we used had about 20 patterns and then could be reversed. I've tried to see the repeats of course, and managed, but they are very convincing.

 

You may have seen the recent discussion about decoupling mats. I can't remember if the steading had one so will ask. Anyway, I wouldn't be using one.

Notch? I suspect that with having the camber to resolve, you'd want more rather than less adhesive.

[FarmerN]

My wife say’s, therefore right,- ours are spoilt by the grout which is a light colour , not dark as the gaps between floor boards would be. They were also laid at a standard tile spacing , which again is wider than floor board spacing would be, no idea if they can be laid with a narrower spacing.

The tiles do look very realistic but the grouting does detract from that.

If I was doing more I would have a look at some laid ones in showrooms.

[Nickfromwales]

A pic of some we laid on a job, entire ground floor done, bar the lobby / hallway, to harmonise with the oak we used throughout. 
 

Not the best pic but one where light is on it.

 

Darker grout may have been better, but that's the clients shout not mine.
 

 

1200x200mm iirc. 

[Nickfromwales]

18 hours ago, Dunc said:

For Ditra mat, what notch? 

The above was 140m2 L-shape raft, no mat used and no expansion cuts / joints at thresholds. Zero movement at these low temps. 

[saveasteading]

58 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said:

some we laid

using wedges?

[Nickfromwales]

12 minutes ago, saveasteading said:

using wedges?

Yes. No choice at that length / width. Used a guy who flies through these jobs, with better knees than me.