Hi we run the most advanced short tiling course in the UK, The question above is valid but more of a cheap shot at short courses, it is impossible to replicate every surface or situation practically, is the next question going to be "do you mechanically fix tiles above 3 metres in the training centre?
As for the answer to the question though we cover 600 x 600 polished floor tile installation practically, dealing with defects and uneven floors and part of the 50 page pre typed up manual that i have wrote up for them and give out which covers every possible background you can tile on and how to prepare it including asphalt stabilisation techniques and decoupling membrane use on them right up to calcium sulphate (anhydrite) screeded floors and how to deal with Laitance formations when it cures.
The background theory we go through is at NVQ level 3 which goes right into depth of weight ratios, ettringite chemical reactions between Gypsum based surfaces and cement adhesives, Acrylic primers and how they bond and why they are better than PVAs.
We cover advanced setting out on multiple rooms and walls so every cut is worked out before the first tile goes on, 3 way external mitres at kitchen windows and pipework boxes, the list goes on. So we are not just about sticking tiles on a wall which is why i take them up to the bespoke levels you see in the pictures, all this work is hand made and hand cut out of square tile, all this is covered in two weeks. We also cover wet room installation and envelope cutting of the tile to form the gradients in the aqua trays along with the various tanking systems on the market.
I am not knocking the BAL courses but you will find it hard find a better course than i run which i have done so for the last 13 years. The mountains of positive feedback all over the web confirms what i have said and the 25 pages of feedback on this site alone.
I never proclaim to make people master tilers in two weeks but what you will get from us is by a million miles the best start you could get into this industry, measuring areas and quantifying correct materials. However the standard of work you see done by the learners on my course would put many so called tilers to shame.
I understand there is a lot of good tilers out there doing great work but also some right dodgy ones that could do with some guidance of how to do the job correctly.
Most people come to my course with no prior experience of holding a tile never mind applying them and just look at the work they produce above and below in the end. Some more pics of the course.
Darren
