What kind of mortar is that? can you see the bag? Or did it come in a container?

(that's the only think you took from my comment? tiling around the rail? also wrong. If and when you ever want to replace the railing, what's the plan? oh that's right, you won't be able to.)

a bag. not premixed. floor is sloped already.

plan to change the iron rail to all glass later anyway

He is taking his time. Will take 3 days

you keep saying the floor is sloped already. you're completely missing the point.

how does this guy know it's going to stay sloped? not w/that tiny little level he won't.

oh, and you're changing the rail? you after the tile goes in around it? Good idea. have fun w/that.

Wet saw is downstairs. One cuts it. One lays it down

We have a 4ft level checking slopes as he goes

great. hope if lasts for you. still don't like that he didn't use a proper substrate.

Ask you tile guy to explain Deflection to you. I'm sure he'll just glare over.

Deflection

Deflection, or bounciness, can cause tiles and grout to crack or come loose, and the tolerance depends on what type of tile is being installed. For instance, ceramic tile can withstand more deflection than natural stone.

Calculating Deflection
Many tile contractors can judge a floor’s deflection by walking around. To calculate a specific value, the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) offers a standard formula.

Divide the total span of the floor joists (in inches) by 360 to determine the maximum amount the floor can give in the middle under a live load of 40 lb./sq. ft., plus any long-term deflection due to the weight of the floor. For example, the maximum deflection for a joist span of 15′ is [15 * 12] / 360 = 1/2″. The L/360 formula is useful for most ceramic, porcelain, and hard stone. For soft-stone tile, such as limestone or light marble, the L/720 formula applies (cutting the maximum allowable deflection in half).

We take a string and anchor it with nails across the longest span of the involved room. We anchor that string at either end with nails or in some way to allow the string to be tight. We carefully measure the distance from the bottom of the string to the surface of the floor. Next, we put the estimated load in the center of the room and re-measure the distance. If the distance exceeds the maximum requirements, we need to make some hard decisions.

This process seems very difficult and laborious to achieve. When should we go to this trouble? Well, a simpler test is also available and is much easier. If you stand in the middle of the room, jump up and down, and feel the floor move under your jumping weight, chances are there is a deflection problem. If you wish to proceed with stone or tile more testing may be necessary.

I'm familiar w/those balcony decks. if you jump up and down, it gives. not good for 180 sq feet of tile.

feel free to check back in a year or two

what substrate do you want?

"plan to change the iron rail to all glass later anyway"

Not going to work. Those posts are set in the concrete, and you will not be able to set new posts with the tiling in place as now you will need to surface mount the railing posts and they will have a 3 1/2" base minimum. This will all be dictated by local building codes. What did he do to prep the concrete prior to tiling? Tile and mud just do not get dropped right down on top of concrete. You have been told for 2 weeks this was going to be a mess eventually and exactly what we all said was going to happen is happening. Good luck with the project.

Tile and mud just do not get dropped right down on top of concrete.

millworkman,,,,it's not concrete. it's that rubberized coating that you find on those balconies. (you know, the balconies that somewhat bounce as you walk on them? )

I've already explained, as have others, that it shouldn't be done like that. We've all told him.

He's ignored us and insists his tile guy knows what he's doing.

Then he asks, "what substrate do I want" ?? lol (Shouldn't his tile expert know all of this??! )

After trying to inform him of that, the railing, and deflection issues w/laying tile, I've given up trying to explain or give advice. Like the old saying goes, "you can lead a horse to water,,,,,,,"

Ugh, and yep.

This was fun. But all the earnest advice was for naught, so the folks generously giving their time and expertise need to just let process happen and know the end result is deserved.

Wow

I'm with millworkman: "Ugh and yep" pretty much says it all.

And BTW...this is a GENERAL CONTRACTOR doing this for $8/sf for labour (two guys for $8/sf....wow...just wow). Not a tile setter...and we know how that goes.

They are doing awesome job

Here

The 'look' isn't the issue. That's the EASY part. The 'job' you are paying for is a PERMANENT finish. They didn't prep the surface...which means this is bound to fail. Because the bonds will fail.

When you change the railing you can change the tiles. Just do it before someone gets hurt. And PLEASE pay more for your homeowners liability insurance. You are going to need it.

How heavy are those tiles? I’d be worried about overloading the balcony once people and furniture are added.

We are a hard surface cleaning and restoration company. We are called in often to address problems AFTER the results of an improper install occur. Some things we can address but after installs like this, usually it is a band-aid grout repair with our usual ignored disclaimer that the recommendation is to tear out and reinstall properly.

By ignoring the great advice you have received here, someday you or the future owner will have that discussion with someone like us quoting to address missing grout and/or cracked tiles. Best to do it correctly from the beginning. JMO

What color grout to use?

Which one?

Take a piece of tile with you to HD and get the closet match to the middle tones of the tile.

Actually, the question really is are those grouts rated for exterior use? I can’t answer that for you. You need to go the Custom Website and read the specs.

Whichever one is closest to the base colour of the tile. To find this colour you need to take a plank shopping with you. Look at the cross section of the edge. It will be a basic colour which should be seen throughout the tile. That's the colour you match.

As for the type of grout, ask your General Contractor what they use outdoors. If they don't know, you know you are in for a world of hurt. Oh...wait. You already know that.

Pick one. 'Cause it won't matter in a few years. It will most likely crumble and fail anyways.

So should I pick grey or bone?

Seriously? Did you read our instructions? TAKE THE TILE TO THE STORE AND MATCH AS CLOSELY AS POSSIBLE. AFTER BEING SURE IT IS RATED FOR EXTERIOR USE.

no, the color grout on the box might not be the same as actual. WHY ARE YOU USING CAPS?

Well, that is the closest you are going to get for what the grout color will be. It seems that you are not listening (reading) our comments. TWO people told you what needed to be done and then you ask the exact same question. We do not have the tile in hand nor the grout color on the package. Only YOU can do that.

You‘ve not listened to 1 piece of advice given, so why would anyone help you on grout color. Pick one and move on. No one cares about your dilemma anymore to give you advice.

"No one cares about your dilemma anymore to give you advice."

Au contraire, I know I personally can't wait to see what comes next.

^^LOL

I thought I was done with this one but like millworkman I am EAGER to see what happens next.

I haven't had such a good laugh since I last watched Monty Python's "Upper Class Twit of the Year" skit! (Snort! It is WAAAAAY too funny...makes me cry with laughter every time!)

should it be dark color or light? wouldnt putting same color grout as tile make the lines not so obvious? I like the lines

need suggestions ASAP

If you like the lines go with the dark natural gray grout from your picture

Whatever you want Tony....it will fail so go with what you think looks good today. It won't be there tomorrow.

are you this indecisive on everything? just pick a gray grout. if you want the lines, pick a dark gray. it's not rocket science. good lord. it won't be there long anyway, so it won't really matter.

aint nothing gonna fail. its rock solid. grout is going on now.

are you living in this home for awhile or selling in the next few years? just curious who gets the task of redoing this down the road.

All you not helping nothing. First my question was pattern then size of tile and now grout. All you can say is how to install the tile. It’s not even my question

LMAO and yet it should have been.

as pros, we would have been remiss not to point out your egregious undertaking.

and you, chiding us for doing so? how foolish to turn down valuable, free advice. utterly foolish.

and we did answer all of your silly, ridiculous questions. What color grout? you asked it 10 times. are you not an adult? you can't choose a grout color w/the tile in your hand?

arrogant and ungrateful. nice combo.

Tony: This is what we HEAR you saying: "A LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA! I'm not LISTENING! A LA LA LA LA LA LA!" (fingers in ears for good measure).

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

Confucious

Tony, many of us did answer your question about which pattern to pick. We gave advice on what color to shoot for, but as far as telling you a specific color name, we can't do that because we can't see your tile in real life. we can only provide guidance to help you choose on your own.

as far as unsolicited advice -- pros here saw red flags and were just trying to help you avoid costly errors. it might look good now but could fail 2-3 years down the line. they're trying to help you for free. the least you could do is thank them for their time or stop provoking them.

why would it fail? do you even know what the floor is laid on is?

the job is beautiful

why would it fail?

tony, are you purposely being obtuse or are you just ignorant?

Numerous people have written multiple comments about why it would fail throughout this entire post. You making that comment either means you didn't read any of them, don't understand (in which case you should have asked for clarification) or you're just mentally retarded. sorry to be blunt, but your ridiculous mono-sentences and redundant questions have taken me to my tolerance limit. you're a grown adult and yet it's like dealing w/a petulant pre-teen the way you comment.

yes, the tile layout looks wonderful (even though I can't see the entire thing, nor can I see how they went around the railing fasteners). enjoy it while you can.

My dad used to always opine.............

Why in hell are there so many more ASSES than horses.

He'd love this Tony A thread,