Flexible jointing

Have investigated your site. The flexible foam you picture. Is this a brand name product ?

I am in WA & the places I have asked this week have never heard of it.

I am about to start 1 of 2 reno’s I have to do & like the idea of the foam vs silicone.

If it is not a brand name product which product is it?

Polyethelyne, polyurethane, Neoprene ?  and where do you get it. Any help really appreciated.

Australian Tiles

What is it with Australian Tiles?

I remember back in the early 90’s when certain ‘Australian‘ tiles were growing in size after they were laid.
Many home owners who Bought Australian Made Tiles, woke in the middle of the night to a gunshot crack, when the tiles burst up off the floor. They were thinking that someone had fired a gun or a car had run into the house. Thats how loud it can be.

It was noted that if you laid the tiles on a wet bed (sand and cement screed) they would grow to the point of exploding off the floor!

Numerous calls to manufacturers made the situation more unclear.
The reasons given were that the time between manufacture and application of the tiles was too short and the tiles were not fully cured.
The second reason given was the tiles were made from inferior clay that is used by our local manufacturers.

Well’ it seems that Australia still has a long way to go to be an international player in regard to ceramics. Just this week I laid a 40 metre floor with Australian tiles. The manufacturer was very specific about exspansion joints and adequate grout joints. This to me still suggest that they need to be laid with a flexible adhesive that can accomodate possible growth.  The quality of the tiles in general was poor. Holding the tiles face against face, there was a visible bow in every single one.  The sizes were also varied enough to make it difficult to get clean looking grout lines.  They did however have a good consistency in colour that made the overall job look ok.

Still, I would be very careful when deciding to buy Australian Tiles.  Hold the tiles ‘face against face’ and look for deformities and bows.  The flatness, or lack of, should be fairly visible.

Cheers and good luck.