British Specifications | Wall & Floor Tiling Expert

As aspect of the 5-12 months assessment of British Requirements and reflecting adjustments inside of the tiling industry because 2009 – British Benchmarks 5385 Portion 1: 2018 has now been published.

A person considerable modify made was to exclude the use of plywood as a track record materials for the direct correcting of ceramic wall and natural stone tiles.

Clause 6.1.2.7 Other sheets and boards (see also 6.2.3.3) now states:
“The use of sheets or boards that are matter to movement from modifications in moisture content material must be avoided. Plywood and other wood-based mostly sheets or boards ought to not be utilised for direct tiling”.

A major uplift in the use of tile backer boards – these as BAL Board – and a broad variation in top quality of plywood out there on the marketplace has provided a reliable circumstance for the removal of plywood from the criteria.

“While bigger good quality external grade plywood is even now available – it is considerably more expensive”.

David Wilson, Eire Head of Complex Providers at BAL and member of the RD Tiling Decor Technical Committee mentioned: “Previously it was recognised in BS5385 Element 1: 2009 that tiling direct to plywood was probable, giving this was limited to small regions and be “installed in such a way that they deliver a dimensionally stable and rigid background” the high-quality of plywood for tiling uses has reduced significantly with less costly imports flooding the market place.

“It is critical to consider nevertheless that that wood is a hygroscopic content which usually means that its moisture content material will improve dependent upon any changes in the environmental circumstances on web-site. Hence, dimensionally balance of wood-primarily based boards are unable to be confident there is normally a danger to putting in ceramic or natural stone tiles on to plywood or other wood-dependent sheets,

Yet another technological thing to consider for wall tiling is bodyweight limitations. Plywood is considered to have a optimum body weight of tiling for every m² of 30 kg when compared to proprietary tile backing boards which normally are capable of supporting heavier weights for each m² of tiling (As for every table 3 of BS 5385-1: 2018 and the RD Tiling Decor Inside Ceramic Tiling to Sheets and Board Substrates document 2016).

“A competitive tile backing board marketplace signifies that costs are much more beautiful to tile fixers and contractors. This mixed with the additional attributes and gains of furnishing background for tiling which are dimensionally stable and resistant to dampness and thermal movement. “

Nonetheless, whilst plywood is not proposed as a qualifications for direct wall tiling, it can still be made use of as a structural board when overlaid with a appropriate tile backing board, notably wherever installation of mechanical fixings is expected e.g. for mesh backed natural stone the place it is not probable to take out 75% or of the mesh backing.

Other changes to BS requirements.

Formerly in internal dry wall spots it was encouraged that tile adhesive ought to address a minimal of 50% protection spread evenly above the back of the tile. Even so, pushed by necessity, with the improve in the dimension and forms of tiles i.e. bigger formats and skinny ceramic panels, now available of the market place, BS 5385-1: 2018 advises: “Tiles with a surface area area of less than .1 m², but which weigh a lot more for each square metre than 70% of the background’s capacity to carry the excess weight, need to be solidly bedded e.g. the utmost fat of tile that can be supported by Gypsum plaster = 20 kg whilst 9 mm thick porcelain tiles, which weigh approximately 18 kg/m², weigh a lot more than 70% of 20 kg (14 kg) for that reason, they should be solidly bedded regardless of their size”

Involved inside the scope of BS 5385-1: 2018 are massive structure ceramic tiles, ceramic panels i.e. tiles with a surface area spot >1m² (any edge duration >1200 mm) and slender tiles i.e. ceramic tiles and panels with a panel thickness of ≤ 5.5 mm. To mirror this, extra adjustments have also been made in the minimum amount advised grout joint width, dependent on the tile/panel measurement, e.g. the minimum grout widths change by tile facial location – an example as follows:

• For tiles with a facial area of fewer than .1m² with no aspect > 600mm lengthy, a minimum amount joint width of 2mm is essential.
• Tiles with a facial location .1m² to 1m² with no side>1200mm extended, a minimal joint width of 3 mm is expected.

And

• Joints amongst ceramic panels ought to be improved professional-rata to panel size (e.g. for a 3m very long ceramic panels the bare minimum required joint width in between these panels is 5mm.

Not included in the scope of British Benchmarks 5385-1: 2018 are:

• Natural Stone Slabs i.e. stone which is a lot more than 12mm thick,
• Agglomerate stone,
• Steel, plastic resin, mirror or glass tiles of a comparable development

For these solutions it is proposed to often refer to the manufacturer of these products and solutions for even further suggestions.