Run out of tiles - what can we use for out-of-sight areas?

[joefinan]

We're tiling the kitchen floor but haven't enough tiles to tile under the units.

We were thinking of buying any old cheap tiles just to match the height of the slate ones we've just put down. But there's still tonnes of cutting etc.

Can we just use something else - like screed or something?

 

[digdilem]

Why tile under the units?

 

[joefinan]

We don't want to tile under the units - hence my question: what can we use instead of tiles?

 

[IJWS15]

He has answered your question.

Assuming your units have kick panels and are not open underneath there is no point tiling under them unless you have OCD.

Now if they are not enclosed . . . . .

 

[joefinan]

If we don't tile or something where the units will be, the front legs will be on tiles and the back legs will be on the bare concrete which is 20mm lower. The dishwasher will sit in a 'hole' and will be incredibly hard to move if there's a problem. Our freestanding range cooker will be lower than the work tops etc etc

It seems to make sense to me that the whole kitchen floor is the same level, no?

 

[IJWS15]

The unit legs will be adjustable, this will make up the difference. I normally stop the tiles just in front of the front legs.

Use whatever you want under the appliances, pride in my work would mean I would to out and get some more tiles for appliance spaces so it didn't look odd if I ever had to call a repair man out. It is your kitchen so it is up to you, must remember to look under appliances next time I consider buying a house.

 

[Richard C]

If you adjust the rear appliance legs to the concrete floor, chances are you wont be able to fully withdraw the appliance without having to wind the back legs in again. I normally tile where appliances go, usually with a tile each side but sometimes will only use off-cut strips if there are not enough spare, they only need to be wide enough to guide the appliance legs in & out. If you have a plinth which means the tiles behind can’t normally be seen & the tiles are expensive, who cares! I will do it but if a customer isn’t bothered about it being fully tiled, I don’t see the point of wasting cash having to buy extra tiles so as not to offend a repair mans eyes. Any old tiles will do even if you have to double up, what does it matter; they are only there to allow you to get the appliance in & out easily.

 

[joefinan]

Sooooooooo....

What could we use instead of tiles? Cos slapping a load of tile adhesive would be a damn site easier than sticking down more tiles!

 

[Richard C]

You cant lay tile adhesive 20mm thick & I don't see how it could be far easier sticking more tiles down; FFS don't be a total tight asre, go buy some cheapo odd tiles & use those, even if it means double decking them.

 

[joefinan]

Don't know what FFS means.

I'm not a tight "asre", just can't be bothered to cut tiles. Using some sort of screed seems a better idea to me...?

 

[Richard C]

Don't know what FFS means.

Type it into Google

I'm not a tight "asre", just can't be bothered to cut tiles. Using some sort of screed seems a better idea to me...?

You cant lay conventional screed at 20mm either; do what want it to last or not do whatever you want, I give up

 

[paul78]

chances are the tiles are staying for quite some time, so whats a few more hours work and more cuts..........

 

[Inky Pete]

Don't know what FFS means.

I'm not a tight "asre", just can't be bothered to cut tiles. Using some sort of screed seems a better idea to me...?

Can't see how sticking down a few off-cuts - which you almost certainly already have - is more of a bother than going out and getting something suitable to screed it with, mixing it up, laying it without getting it all over the new tiles, and then waiting for it to set properly.

Sounds to me like you're planning to do several days work to avoid a ten minute job!

 

[tictic]

if its under the kick space/units.. out off sight(if i have read this thread right).. then 18mm wbp ply and then adjust the legs by 2mm to level off..