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Outdoor tiling


Llantony

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We are hoping to tile our terrace this summer.  It will be a difficult job as the only access is up 32 narrow steps.  We thought tiles would be more attractive (and easier to carry) than big concrete slabs.  Wondering whether we can manage it ourselves or have to get a professional.  (Other half does most DIY work with me as builder's labourer.)

Any advice?  He swears he's never seen grouting on sale in France but we have floor & wall tiles in the house so it must exist!  Mastic in French?

B & Q man said we'd have to set tiles in concrete.  (My heart sank as last summer's job was the concreting and that was the hardest I've ever worked - carting buckets of sand and gravel up those steps!)  French friend says not necessary - just dot cement and stick them on the concrete terrace. 

 

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We are currently about halfway through 40 square metres of tiling round the pool, having previously laid the concrete surround. We were originally going for crazy paving but decided it was more complicated so have finished up with crazy paving look tiles. Exterior quality tile adhesive and grout is readily available from DIY outlets and builders merchants. I am tiling and OH is doing the jointage.  We have done plenty of interior tiling before but this is our first crack at outdoors and appears to be going well. So I would say go for it and good luck.
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I would bed rather than using five dabs.  Mix the Colle in a big bucket using an electric drill and the big whisk things you can pick up for a few Euros.

 

French use ‘Ciment Joint’ for grout and it works OK. For outside tiles grout with the adhesive cement anyway. Links below then browse in the area.

 

http://www.castorama.fr/boutique/products/products.jhtml?elementId=CastoRE0506&navAction=push&navCount=0

 

http://www.castorama.fr/boutique/sku/sku.jhtml?elementId=Casto442645&productId=CastoRE0509&_requestid=492986

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I assume you mean outdoor ceramic tiles. If so as long as your concrete pad is level tiles are much easier than slabs (and cheaper). I would recommend buying good quality tile adhesive (on the back of the bags it usually tells you what surfaces it can be used on) You are lookin for one that can be used straight onto Beton. To be honest if my mind serves me correctly it will even tell you whether it can be used exterior!

Depending on tile size eg 30x30 I would recommend an adhesive spreader with 8-10mm teeth. Mix the glue to a stiff paste and spread away. The grout is also sold in bags to be mixed should be next to the tile adhesive (Joint). For outdoors I would also recommend Joint Souple as this allows for heat expansion. Lastly if the area to be tiled is over 40m2 I would also recommend you buy an expansion strip. This is a plastic strip sold in different widths, to match your planned tile gap and allows for the same expansion as mentioned above. Cant remember its name off the top of my head. You will find it in most bricolage stores that sell tiles. Usually with the edging strips etc.
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[quote]I assume you mean outdoor ceramic tiles. If so as long as your concrete pad is level tiles are much easier than slabs (and cheaper). I would recommend buying good quality tile adhesive (on the back of...[/quote]

Thanks for such a helpful response. 

It would be easier if the terrace area were nice and square;  it is probably abour 40sq m.m I thought concrete slabs were cheaper!  Tiles come in a range of prices from very cheap (and quite thin) to rather expensive.  We were hoping it won't be horrendously expensive..

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