FifiGal 0 Report post Posted January 16, 2008 Just to share something i learn from the tiling worker for my current renovation. Not sure accurate or not but just share lah.Mine is old kitchen with sink n stove support done with polished homogenous tiles. Was the trend back then. I decided to keep it and just change only the cabinets, including doors under the support. My contractor already check and warn me that some tiles sound hollow so there is risk of tiles popping. Good thing no tiles from countertop drop off but the vertical ones adjoining the countertop edge fell off, due to vibration during the dismantling of old cabinets. The tiler who came to fix told me that due to the way polished ( shiny) homog tiles are made, they dun stick well to the cement and tend to become hollow with time. Its something that they learn years later....was not obvious when they do last time.Anyway, so his advice for future kitchen is to use non-polished homog tile ( did not go thru extra processing that weaken the tile) or use solid top. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
applefreak 1 Report post Posted January 16, 2008 from what i've heard, it's recommended that ceramic be used for concrete supportcoz ceramic tiles are light, thus adhere better especially the sides of the support Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FifiGal 0 Report post Posted January 16, 2008 from what i've heard, it's recommended that ceramic be used for concrete supportcoz ceramic tiles are light, thus adhere better especially the sides of the support !!oh ya, he did mention that ceramic is better then using polished homogenous tiles for concrete support too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nipponho 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2008 Aiyo, I just chosen unpolished homo tiles, how? I chose it bec it is full body whereas ceramic is not heavy duty enough. Ceramic for top might not be resilient enough for your kitchen king king kiang kiang. That's why i chose full body homo tiles for the whole thing, including the top. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
applefreak 1 Report post Posted January 17, 2008 me using a separate countertop so only need tiles for the side wallsmaybe you can use a smae design homo for the top and ceramic for the sides?my old place concrete support ceramic tiles still swee swee after 20+ years Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FifiGal 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2008 Aiyo, I just chosen unpolished homo tiles, how? I chose it bec it is full body whereas ceramic is not heavy duty enough. Ceramic for top might not be resilient enough for your kitchen king king kiang kiang. That's why i chose full body homo tiles for the whole thing, including the top.The tiler told me 'unpolished' is quite ok, its the shiny polished ones that seem to hv this problem. Anyway, mine lasted 10 yrs until i decided to go whack at it to replace new kitchen cabinets. So if you plan to move or do total renovation within 10 yrs, still can lah Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoalHome 1 Report post Posted February 8, 2008 Good point to take note when i do the concrete support. But the care of ceramics is going to be tough with those grout lines. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaCKY777 0 Report post Posted February 9, 2008 (edited) Hey,be it Homogeneous, Ceramic, Marble, Granite or Slate Tiles.All olso got joint lines, its a matter of How Wide is e Joint?Standard width shd b 2-3mm bah.Homogeous tiles r perpendicular (90deg) at e edges, while ceramic tiles r rounded at e edges. S time goes by, e 'white cement' in between e joint will be stained. e white appearance of e joint can b cleaned by 'chemical' & Ceramic tiles's r easier to clean bcos of its rounded edge. Olso, homo floor tiles tends 2 have e kind of 'cut leg' feeling if e 'white cement' in e joint is insufficiently filled s 1 can feel e sharp edges of e tiles.Below is an xtract frm website, on other properties of common tiles, FYI ->Ceramic- Brittle clay material is baked with glaze. This is to achieve a glossy or semi glossy appearance in colour.Strengths- Wide variety in colours and sizes, it is also easy to maintain.- Ideal for bedrooms and living and dining rooms.Weaknesses- When chipped, the top glazed surface may reveal the whitish clay underneath.- Though huge in variety, the designs are usually monotonous and unnatural looking. Homogeneous- Brittle clay material with pigmented colouring throughout the whole tile. Strengths- Wide variety in colour and sizes, it is also easy to maintain.- When chipped, it will not reveal significant whitish clay as it is pigmented with the same colour throughout the tile.- Ideal for kitchen flooring and toilet flooring.Weaknesses- Usually spotted with assortment of colours in one single tile.- Too monotonous in design.- Not appropriate for a large surface area, as it may look 'cheap' Marble- Natural limestone, which is partly crystallized and irregular in colour. Rich glossy appearance with natural grains adding a touch of class to any interior. Strengths- Natural grains adds a touch of class.- Cold to the touch, which makes it very ideal for the climate in Singapore.- Wide variety in sizes and colours .- May be polished when surface clouds.Weaknesses- Generally porous by nature. Water will seep in if the top protective coat is strip off.- High in cost.- High in maintenance. Not suitable if pets are around. Granite- Hard, coarse-grained igneous rock composed chiefly of quartz, mica and orthoclase, which are used for building material. Strengths- Relatively tough industrial flooring.- Relatively classy looking due to glossy surface.- May also be used for countertops.- Lower in maintenance compared to marble.- May be polished when surface clouds.Weaknesses- High in cost.- Dull in design with specks of granite.- High in maintenance. Slate tiles- A fine-grained rock that splits into many layers. Strengths- Natural looking floor treatments.- Offers a lot of varieties in different sizes and colours.- Rustic in appearance.- Versatile and may be used in wet and dry areas.- Will season and 'aged' in time.Weaknesses- Not ideal for families with kids around the house as its surface is generally rough textured. It may cause hurt.- Colours are usually dark and earthy tones. Therefore restricting the flexibility in changing themes or designs, as it will not match easily with a contemporary look.- Algae may grow on the slabs when the area is wet and sunlight abounds. Edited February 9, 2008 by jaCKY777 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
applefreak 1 Report post Posted February 9, 2008 Good point to take note when i do the concrete support. But the care of ceramics is going to be tough with those grout lines.actually grout line is a problem for tiles, be it ceramic or homo tiles Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
