GB2457516A

GB2457516A - Tiling system

Info

Publication number: GB2457516A
Application number: GB0807349A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Brown
Original assignee: EASYTILER Ltd
Current assignee: EASYTILER Ltd
Priority date: 2008-02-11
Filing date: 2008-04-23
Publication date: 2009-08-19
Also published as: GB0807349D0; GB0802466D0

Abstract

The tiling system comprises a backing panel, a series of four types of spacers which can be placed on the top side of the backing panel and flexible tubing which can be used for non-standard tiling patterns. In use the backing panel is secured to a floor or wall with the panel having numerous evenly-spaced vertical and horizontal lines on the top side. The spacers are preferably provided in L, T, X and I shapes with either a pin or adhesive on the back surface to enable the spacers to be secured to the backing panel. I-shaped spacers may be positioned according to a desired shape on the backing panel with tubing positioned over the top of the spacers to create an outline and grouting width for a desired tiling pattern.

Description

TILING METHOD

Description

This application claims priority over a previous application Number 0802466.3 filed on 42th February 2008.

Ceramic and other types of tiles provide a cost effective and attractive means for covering surfaces. Tiles are long lasting, strong, waterproof and can be used in a large variety of domestic and commercial settings. Although tiles are generally cheap, fitting them can often be expensive as the surface must be prepared to a i iitahle standard to accommodate the weight and pressure of a tiled surface.

The surface has to be smooth, sound, clean and free of any loose material and debris. When replacing a previously tiled surface, unless it is simply tiled over, more onerous preparation is required. Once a surface has been prepared to the requisite standard, a significant degree of skill is necessary to secure the tiles in a straight, evenly spaced pattern and to ensure that those tiles remain in place until the adhesive has set.

There are two ways to replace a tiled surface; either the existing tiles can be taken up and the surface for re-tiling prepared as described above or, alternatively, the tiled surface can simply be tiled over. As tiling over an already-tiled surface isn't always ideal or indeed practical the process of removing tiles, preparing the surface and then laying the new tiles is a time-consuming and often expensive one, for which people tend to use professionals in order to ensure aesthetic results. This is why tiled surfaces are often left intact for many years -regardless of their appearance, quality, or desirability.

Designed to make the process of tiling easier for the novice and professional alike, the backing panels and accompanying spacers, which comprise the subject of this application, have numerous advantages over traditional methods. This system can be used for the installation of virtually any shape or size of tile and can be used to create a range of different patterns. The surface to be tiled does not have to be made smooth prior to the application of the tiles as the backing panel provides a ready-prepared surface. AU that is required is that the backing panel must be fixed in place to the surface to be tiled, and then the spacers are attached at the desired places. The spacers guide and support the adhesion of the tiles as weD as maintaining a consistent grout width. Eventual removal of the tiles is therefore straighiforward as the wall or floor behind the tiled surface is preserved in its original condition so that no rectification or re-preparation is required.

Backing panels can be placed next to each other over a surface to be tiled and çn Icn h cut to size to ensure complete coverage. On the topside of the backing panel there are numerous guidance lines which are arranged both horizontally and vertically at consistent intervals to form a grid pattern to assist with the placement of spacers (Figure 1). The sheet is fixed to the wall or floor to be tiled with the lined topside showing prior to the application of the tiles. The backing panel provides a protective covering for the surface behind the sheet and the tiling arrangement alike.

The series of accompanying spacers comprise of four shapes: L, T, X (Figure 2 & 3) and I (Figure 4a). As tiled surfaces have varying uses, the backing panels are made of different materials and strengths (e.g. load-bearing and non load-bearing.) This tiling system therefore provides for two types of spacers with different methods of attachment to the backing panel. Therefore, for non-load bearing surfaces each spacer is equipped with a pin or nail on the back which is pushed into the backing panel using manual pressure. For toad-bearing surfaces (i.e. where the backing panel must be more supportive and therefore less penetrable) the spacers have adhesive on the back. The spacers are then secured at the requisite places on the backing panel, making it virtually impossible to misalign individual tiles. The guidance lines also assist with placing both spacers and tiles in the appropriate positions. The T shape can be inverted or lain on its side and the L shape similarly can be inverted or lain on its side.

The I shaped spacer is used in conjunction with the flexible tube (see Figure 4b) when a non-standard pattern is required; when a series of spacers are arranged in the shape of the desired pattern, the tubing is secured on top of the spacers by virtue of its hollow centre (and can then be used to form a circle, an arc, a triangle, etc). The line formed by the tubing then becomes the guidance for cutting, placing the tile shapes and grouting (see Figures 4b & 4c.) The tubing can be grouted over or alternatively removed once the tiles are fixed in place.

Once properly grouted, the tubing becomes invisible.

The spacers provide effective guidance for the adhesion of tiles and a consistent grouting width. If, prior to starting to tile the surface, all the spacers are inserted into the backing panel in the desired pattern it is possible to work out the number of tiles which will be required as well as the number of tiles which need to be cut in order to form a balanced tile pattern (see Figure 5.) This results in less guesswork, which is likely to reduce tile wastage.

The eventual removal of the tiles is much simpler than traditional methods as the whole sheet can be detached in one action. The wall behind the backing panel remains intact so it does not require any treatment or preparation if it is to be re-tiled and -if it had been in a generally sound condition before the rigid backing sheet was put up -it could simply be painted or wallpapered over.

Drawings Figure 1 Backing Panel with Guidance Lines Figure 2 Front and Rear view of Right Angle Spacers with pin attachment Figure 3 Adhesive Backed Spacers Figure 4a I-Shaped Spacers Figure 4b I-Shaped Spacers arranged with Flexible Tubing on top Figure 4c Another example of I-Shaped Spacer and Flexible Tubing Figure 5 Stages of Tiling Method: backing panel, spacers, tiles, grout.