Replies

1. 
   EricPaulson | Jul 27, 2005 03:33am | #1

   After letting the floor 'breathe' for a year or so, I was thinking dri-cor.

   I have access to a LOT of ceramic tile. Can I just tile the concrete walls? Direct tile to concrete? Or do I need to frame out the walls first?

   I'm confused as to whether you want to tile the walls, floor, or both.

   I don't think direct to the walls is a good idea, but it might depend on the final use of the project.

   FHB had an article this month on tiling a concrete floor. You should look it up.

   Eric

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1. 
   Raokman | Jul 27, 2005 08:46pm | #4

   Just the walls would be tiled.The floor...not sure yet, cheap carpet or composite maybe.Walls came out pretty flat.Worried about expansion just because it'll end up being a tiled surface (one of them anyway) of approximately 30'L by 10'H and that seems like a pretty large expanse of tile with no provision for give. Or does the grout itself act as expansion joints?Thanksedit: insulation might be nice inside; we did put foamboard all around the outside of the basement.

   Edited 7/27/2005 1:48 pm ET by Raokman

1. 
   Warren | Jul 27, 2005 09:02pm | #5

   A great number of masonry and concrete walls have been tiled commercially in garages, tunnels, and manufacturing plants.  Smooth walls with grinder or add a layer of thinset mortar or both.  Find high point in floor and measure up from that the height of your base tile. Extend that point around the room and start your tile going up the walls and around the room. Many applications, dishrooms, laundries, chemical mixing plants have used a silicone caulk instead of "grout" at the spaces between the tiles. American Olean used to sell 2 ft x 2 ft sheets of 4inch tiles connected with a "backer web" to which a silicone caulk was used for grouting. If temperature is relatively stable, no other expansion joints are needed, but check with your tile supplier and the manufacture's installation guide for good advice for the specific tile you plan on using.All I ever Needed to Know I learned in Kindergarten- Robt. Fulghum

2. 
   billyg | Jul 27, 2005 02:11pm | #2

   The bond probably would be good.  But the wall would be cold, cold, cold and there may be moisture problems.

   Is the wall flat enough to tile?  I doubt it...

   If the wall is flat enough I would attach 1/2 inch Wedi-board or Custom's Easy Board to the walls first.  They are both foam based tile backerboards.  They will give you some insulation, vapor semi-permeable barrier, and probably some crack isolation properties.

   And they would give you a "flatter" surface for tiling.

   Billy

3. 
   VaTom | Jul 27, 2005 07:55pm | #3

   That's how tiled pools are done.  No problem.

   Then you mention expansion/contraction.  Are you getting large temp swings inside there?  Our concrete house doesn't.  If you're worried, Ditra probably would work.

   PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!