Fixing Marble Tiles on a Wall Advice and information on tiling and fixing tiles to a variety of surfaces

[hmbiddle]

We are completely re-doing our bathroom which has 3 outside walls, and has rather crumbly plaster. The house was built in 1930 and has 9 inch walls. We want to put matching marble tiles on the walls and floor. In order to A: Increase insulation, and B: Provide a strong base for the heavy wall tiles, we plan to dry line the walls using polystyrene, battens and boards. What type and thickness of boards would be best to use? Thanks.

[thedoctor]

If you take a look at the Celotex website you will find insulation boards which can be fixed directly to the wall. This will solve your problems. Diydoctor

[govani]

[quote="hmbiddle"]We are completely re-doing our bathroom which has 3 outside walls, and has rather crumbly plaster. The house was built in 1930 and has 9 inch walls. We want to put matching marble tiles on the walls and floor. In order to A: Increase insulation, and B: Provide a strong base for the heavy wall tiles, we plan to dry line the walls using polystyrene, battens and boards. What type and thickness of boards would be best to use? Thanks.[/quote]

Reply,

Hi I am in the process of a similar project, this is the response I have had,
hope this helps

The maximum weight limit of plasterboard is 32kg/sq.m, equivalent to natural stone with a maximum thickness of 10mm. It is possible to increase the weight limits of the substrate by fixing anti fracture matting, such as Schluter Ditra Matting with adhesive to the substrate and mechanically fixing the matting with stainless steel raw bolts and washers at 400mm centres vertically and horizontally through the substrate to the studwork/blockwork behind.

Boards should be screw fixed to supporting framework at maximum 300mm centres ensuring that all board edges are fully supported (check with tile backer board manufacturers for their recommendations). When tiling to plasterboard, jointing compound at board junctions should be primed with Johnson Prime & Seal.

Tiles may then be fixed to the matting using Johnson One Part Flexible White adhesive.

Details of Ditra matting and the resulting weight limits may be obtained from Schluter Systems, tel: 01530 813 396,
One other method is to replace the plasterboard with a tile backer board such as Knauf Aquapanel or Wedi board which are able to support weight limits of up to 50kg/ sq.m.

Tiles may be fixed to the boards using Johnson One Part Flexible Adhesive White.

Knauf: Tel 01795 424 499
Wedi: Tel 01706 647 333