UKC

One for the UKC wisdom. We're keen to get our concrete front garden (very small) redone in quarry tiles but I can't work out what sort of tradesmen specialise in this. Google just returns either mosaic tile companies who seem very specialised indeed, or suppliers. Would this fall within the remit of your average brickie?

Thanks in advance,

Jim

In reply to Jim Houghton:

This is one of those answers where 'it-all-depends' on the skill of the brickie. Some brickies may be able to do it.

You could also approach a builder, as I'd expect most builders would either know how to do this themselves or at least employ someone who can do it.

Failing that I'd contact a paving company - the sort who do drives and parking areas and similar. They will certainly be able to do it.

It is not a difficult job!

In reply to Jim Houghton:

See if you can find anything on this board, if not then you would be as well registering then asking your question...
http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=30

In reply to Jim Houghton:

A tiler would be my first port of call. It should be no different to tiling your bathroom floor really. He/she will need the concrete to be very smooth though, so may want you to look at this first.
May I suggest that tiling is not necessarily the best solution for a truly outdoor application. You should consider run off of rainwater and the possibility of puddles forming if insufficient or no fall is constructed. The tiling should not fall towards your doorway really, and I would suggest some form of drainage channel is installed in front of your front door between the threshold and the tiling if applicable. Allowance for expansion should also be considered. A larger area of tiles on a concrete base would need an expansion joint in it to prevent it cracking.
A similar appearance can be achieved with block paving, this is porous and less likely to hold water in puddles, will not crack in the sunshine and can be laid by a groundworker/landscape gardener or bricklayer most probably. Depending on current levels the paving could be bedded on sand on top of your current surface.

Hope this is some help.

Andy

In reply to Andrew Wilson:

I agree with Andrew, Quarry tiles are not a good choice for outside; not sufficiently frost resistant. Look for a product with F1 frost resistance.

Concrete paviours, Stone setts etc would be a better choice I think.

In reply to Jim Houghton:

I'd definitely go to a tiler.

In reply to Jim Houghton:

im a bricky and ive had to lay quarry tiles before and its really not a hard job.
I would think all bricklayers use angle grinders where as tilers won't have the tool to cut the hard material.

In reply to Ban1:
Most tilers have the water suppressed diamond bladed cutting tables.(more like a small table saw than a clipper saw).

In reply to Ban1:

Agreed, I'd take a bricklayer over a tiler every time. If it's outside it's a brickies job and any bricky that can't do it isn't a bricky.

In reply to Ban1:

I hire a tile cutter from travis perkins,like a bench saw with a compartment filled with water,that the blade runs through...Jim your looking for a ground worker,that specialises in paving pal.

In reply to Jim Houghton:

Jim, I would put down a base material called terran(stops weeds growing through)Then if its just walking traffic you want about 3" granulated hardcore fill(compacted with a whacker plate)If the cars going on it 6-8 inch.The slabs i would lay on a grit sand and cement screed bed.Then point the day after with building sand,cement and a warterproof feb mix.Easy ha ha

In reply to Jim Houghton:

Lay slabs on an inch bed of grit sand and cement. 5-1

In reply to Jim Houghton:

In reply to Ban1:

Agreed, I'd take a bricklayer over a tiler every time. If it's outside it's a brickies job and any bricky that can't do it isn't a bricky.

+1

In reply to Jim Houghton:

Thanks all for replies. I think we'll go with quarry tiles because it seems to be pretty standard in our area; and I'll have a hunt for a good brickie. Anyone recommend one in North London?

Thanks again,

Jim

In reply to Jim Houghton:

Why not ask neighbours who did theirs?