You have been pondering the possibility of renovating your house, and you feel like having herringbone tiles in place. However, you do not know if the existing floor can bear the tiles, or you have to spend more by first removing the existing base. Of course, this decision will determine your budget plans and, in the long run, tell if the renovation will be possible to create a better value. Indeed, the quality and type of surface that one has is a valid one.
It can also determine whether installing tiles like the herringbone pattern can work. Therefore, we have compiled this guide to serve as a compass for those in these shoes. Hopefully, you can find the help you need here and share the article with others so that more people can find solutions to the dilemma.
Background on Surface Types with Tiling
No two surfaces are exactly the same, even if they are made of the same or similar materials. And the type of surface that one has can play a significant role in determining if the installation of herringbone tiles will be successful or not. Then, each type of surface has unique characteristics coupled with age, durability, and strength.
Moreover, some of the significant characteristic features include the rate of contraction and expansion, moisture absorption levels, the floor, and wall stability. Whereas, if you are even trying to use the DIY approach, you may need some underground research. This research helps to better hold the nature of the particular surface you have and will be working on. Click here to learn more about Herringbone Tiles.
Another reason why you should understand the floor or wall surface you are using is for the sake of adhesives that can do the job perfectly. No doubt, not all sealants work for all kinds of surfaces. Irrespective of the type of surface that you have, certain features are not negotiable. For example, the surface must be clean, dry, and free of all kinds of external coatings like sealers, paints, lacquers, and polish.
That is why this guide will expound on each type of flooring material to share some basic features. And determine whether they will be suitable for herringbone tile laying. Below is a list of the most common wall and floor surfaces that you may have, heard, or have heard about.
Concrete
A freshly laid concrete must undergo the curing process for not less than 28 days before any tiling can be done on it. Therefore, if the floor or concrete surface is newly done, give it ready before laying the herringbone tiles. The concrete must settle first before tiles are laid and adhered to the surface. On the other hand, if your concrete is polished, you should have it mechanically roughened and washed. This process will prepare it for the coarseness that the herringbone tiles need to stick. Otherwise, there will not be enough adhesiveness between the tiles and the surface for any material to stick. check http://copygeneralusa.com/best-8-tips-to-choose-the-right-type-of-pool-tiles-for-your-modern-swimming-pool/ if you are searching for pool tiles.
Timber Flooring
Timber is also a great structure on your home floor with unique characteristics. For example, timber has a considerable expansion and contraction level, making it rather unusable for ceramic tiles for direct laying. However, there is still a way to do it if you so want. The method will involve a cement fiber sheet or a concrete underlay before installing the herringbone tiles.
Plasterboard
Plasterboard is a widespread indoor wall surface, particularly in cold regions of the world. It is also valuable for the weather as we commonly have in Australia. However, it is not advisable to lay herringbone tiles on this wall surface without preliminary steps. The primary step will be to add a waterproofing system to the entire area, especially any place that could become wet.
Generally, tiling over plasterboard is usually subject to moisture for wallboards and can quicken the failure of tiles. Meanwhile, it can be safe to use to raise a sturdier surface in such wet areas and add a waterproof surface under the herringbone tiles. Meanwhile, valuable material for the sturdier surface is cement fiber sheeting.
Fibre Cement Sheets
Apart from cement fiber supporting the not-so-good surfaces, they can also be a floor surface themselves. These fiber cement sheets, including the billboard, are flat sheets of reinforced cement that need to be fixed per instructions from the manufacturer. But a general caution is to ensure that the surface is devoid of all kinds of moisture and dirt.
In other words, keeping the surface dry and clean is an excellent place to start before laying herringbone tiles. Also, you may need to gently add some prime substance to the sheets. The primer added to the surface is very crucial if you are not sure of the wetness of the area in the future. In addition, use a waterproofing material to protect the surface to ensure no damage can be caused by moisture.
Brickwork
Brickwork refers to carefully laid bricks as walls of homes with mortar or concrete. This surface is also suitable for laying herringbone tiles. Only before the tiling, you should level the surface and flush it in preparation for the tiling process.
Particle Board
The most ordinary places to find particle boards are kitchen countertops or other furniture areas. It is a possible task if you desire to have herringbone tiles on these surfaces. First, you need to clean the surface from dirt and moisture. Then add some adhesives to this surface directly before laying the tiles on it. But if the particle board is on the floor, you should prepare it for tiling the same way you would prepare timber flooring.
Existing tiles
The possibility of laying herringbone tiles on surfaces with existing tiles depends on the initial tiles’ condition. If the tiles are in decent shape, then it is safe to lay the new herringbone tiles directly on the surface. As for glazed tiles, you will have to roughen the surface a bit before starting the process of applying the tiles.
Painted Surfaces
If the surface you are using has any flaking paint, simply scrape the remains off and roughen it to improve adhesion. If the paint was oil-based, you might use a mechanical means to roughen it. At the same time, water-based paints and PVA paints are equally unsuitable for herringbone tiles. Therefore they should be removed before starting the process of tiling.