Advice for tiles, please.

[Norman Verona]

We're finally tiling the porch floor. We have hand cast clay tiles called Tomatz.

 

They are nominally 30 mm thick, some are more, some are less, and 210 mm square. They are very porous. I think they should be bedded on a bed of sand and cement. In fact, a friend of mine in Sheffield, once laid a drive way with similar tiles. He made a 10 - 1 mix of sand and cement but no water. He then laid this dry mix and bedded the tiles down so they were all the same height, ie: level. When he finished he sprinkled a lot of water over the tiles and next morning they were set.

 

However, Jacob insists on using tile adhesive and soaking the tiles in water for two days. He also wants me to soak the floor which is a waste of time as I sealed the floor with PVA. 

 

Another question, when the tiles are down should I seal them with PVA or clear varnish (polyurethane  whatsit)?

 

Many thanks.

 

ps, if you agree they should be laid on sand and cement it won't make any difference as Jacob will not listen to anything I say.

[SootySport]

I would use sand and cement,  you'll never get them off again though.

[Norman Verona]

I doubt they'll ever need to come off. I think he's going to struggle getting them level with tile adhesive. But he won't be told so we'lll see what happens.