Tile in Head

[TomT13]

Hello, has anyone installed ceramic tile in their head. I have a 36 Series II convertible and wanted to replace the floor in the head with tile. I'm concerned however that the floor will flex and the tiles will eventually become loose or the grout will come out. I am considering using the adhesive with grout mixed in. I have been told this material is somewhat flexible. Any information would be much appreciated.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I used Amtico. They make it to look like tile, marble, wood, glass, etc. It is thin, light, and almost indestructible. It is a commercial product and you just glue it down with a two part adhesive.

We used the marble looking tiles. Price is really not a concern since the head is so small.

 

[DCMY #92]

I used tile on the shower floor and walls years ago. I set the tile with contact cement and mixed the grout with liquid latex instead of water. It held up fine even though the shower floor flexed some.

I got rid of all the tile several years ago due to its weight. I don't recommend tile anywhere on the boat. Too many better and lighter materials are available.

 

[DCMY #92]

Having thought about it - I didn't install the tile with contact cement. I used an acrylic mastic (light grey in color) that remained somewhat flexible and stuck like grim death.

 

[TopHattandTails]

I've got the small, 2.5-3" square tiles (not the real small mosaic), in all 3 heads, and galley counters and back splashes. PO put it down, I've run the boat regularly in some large short chop and have not had any problems. My guess is that the smaller stuff allows some flex. Not sure how it's attached or if there is a subfloor on too of the OEM subfloor.

 

[REBrueckner]

Tile is a great product, but the grout in the seams is a great mold hatchery.

As far as I am concerned, the less grout and the fewer seams the easier the cleaning and maintenance.

I really liked the fiberglass shower stalls in my '72 Hatt YF....after 35 years all I did was polish it with fiberglass cleaner once a year...except for a few stress cracks, it looked like newer and no place for any mold to grow.

 

[sandspur1966]

I just installed 1" glass tiles in my heads. I used white fast curing 5200 instead of thinset.

Probably overkill and I pity the man who has to remove it.

They make really good epoxy based grout sealers now and sandless grouts that are completely mold resisistant.

 

[TomT13]

Thanks for all the input. I decided to use the teak and holly flooring. I already have a good quantity of the flooring in my shop. Thanks everyone.