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After having searched the forum regarding the framing of some ceramic tiles, I see there was one similar question but it received no replies. So now I am hoping that fellow framers out there will be kinder to me.
I have a customer who wants a group of twelve decorative ceramic tiles that he would like framed. I am thinking of ways to do it, but I would be grateful if anyone out there in Forum Land has done such a job and would be kind enough to pass on their advice on how to tackle it.
Does the customer want the edges showing? If not, they could each be put in a minimal frame and each frame attached to a suitably painted backboard (9mm ply??) and the whole thing put in and outer frame.
If the edges need to be seen you have two choices. Stick them down or devise some sort of mechcanical fixing. No matter how crafty you are, a mechcanical fixing is going to be visible to some extent and with sticking you know that they will fall off eventually.
As Peter points out, there is no ideal way of displaying these in a frame.
If each of the twelve is to be framed individually, it will be comparatively easy.
If all twelve are to be framed as a “fresco”, then either you will need to glaze them and lose the feel of the tiles, or use a tile adhesive (found in most kitchen/bath supply stores) which will be fairly strong but irreversible.
Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent! – Porky Pine
Prospero and Bill Henry many thanks for the replies. The tiles make up a picture so are going to be grouped inside a frame with the outside edges within the frame.
Anyone else with any suggestions gratefully received.
I've done quite a bit of tiling and it is important that the backing board is strong and rigid enough to take the weight of the tiles without flexing, say 15 mm plywood. One way would be to lay the tiles on the backboard with tile adhesive and, when set, grout them as per usual. A deep rebate frame to enclose, perhaps with spacers, and really strong mounting system. This will be really heavy.
A method I have used is to lay the tiles out on a piece of plywood strong enough to take their weight and mark around the outside, remove the tiles and then add on the rebate width and cut the plywood to size. Glue the tiles onto the plywood, make the frame and secure the tiles/plywood into the frame and grout to finish off. Note: process is irreversable and no glass is used - no real reason for glass if the tiles are glazed and fired.
Span2iels,
Thank you for your input. I am now curious to know what method you used to attach the frame to the plywood. I am thinking z clips at present particularly if the plywood is to above the level of the rear of the frame and the frame is lighter than the plywood/tile part.
I would avoid the Z-clips. I avoid them al the time.
If the ply protrudes enough, screw in some screw eyes into the edge of the ply and fix to the frame with short screws though the eye part. You might be better chamfering the ply if it only sticks out a bit.
prospero wrote:I would avoid the Z-clips. I avoid them al the time.
Yes - Z clips. I actually used some the other week for the first time in about 6 years. At this rate the box i bought when i first started up will last until about 2070, so they'll come in handy if i'm still framing when i'm 100. I can't stand the things and have found the only way to get them into the frame without them crumpling is to drill a pilot hole.
If the ply protrudes enough, screw in some screw eyes into the edge of the ply and fix to the frame with short screws though the eye part. You might be better chamfering the ply if it only sticks out a bit.
An excellent idea, alternatively use Fletcher multi-points but I am not sure they will be strong enough to hold the weight of the tiles etc. Further, are you sure that the moulding is strong enough, I would tend towards using a moulding with a deep enough rebate depth to take the whole package.
.Briseann an dúchas trí shuiligh an chuit.