Fitting a recessed matwell

Yorky · Post by **Yorky** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 8:40 pm

I need to recess a mat into an existing tiled floor - van anyone help with the following:

What is the best way to cut out the outline of the mat well and remove the tiles?
What depth should the well be?
Is there a brass trimming kit to fit around the perimeter and cover the tile edge?

Any other advice would be appreciated

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:01 pm

I have never done one of these before, but I have a rough idea.

The depth of the matwell depends on the thickness of the mat as it has to be level with the tiles.

You should be able to cut it out with an angle grinder and diamond disk, ideally you will need something with dust extraction like this- http://www.csunitec.com/masonry/9_saw.html

Cut out the permimeter with that saw and then use a bolster chisel and hammer to get the tiles up, or if it is a large area and they are really hard to get up a drill with rotary stop, like this-

They sell the matwell trim here-
http://www.floorwise.co.uk/met010.htm

about halfway down the page.

Yorky · Post by **Yorky** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:14 pm

Thanks for your reply. The depth of the tiles and adhesive is about 10mm, I think, but all of the coir matting I have looked at is 20mm so when the tiles and adhesive are removed another 10mm of the concrete finished floor will also have to be removed.

Can you suggest a way of doing this smoothly and to a consistent depth.

Thanks again.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:20 pm

I'm pretty sure that you can not use coir matting in most places as it presents a considerable obstacle for people in whelchairs.

Have a read of this- http://www.kingston.gov.uk/handbook_for ... nagers.doc

To remove the concrete you might have to hire a concrete plane, I have never used one before and I am not sure if you could plane into the corners and so you may need a bolser chisel and hammer for some areas.

You could always go a little deeper and then screed it to the correct depth afterwards.

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:25 pm

as UHM says, just knock out more and screed it flat.

Gadget · Post by **Gadget** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:27 pm

You could cut lots of scores in the concrete with an angle grinder, and then chisel out the lumps between the scores. As UHM says, you could go a little deeper than needed and then top it up with levelling compound!!

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:30 pm

good point gadget. put lots of scores, will make it easier.

Yorky · Post by **Yorky** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 1:43 pm

Thanks for all of the replies.

I'm pretty sure that you can not use coir matting in most places as it presents a considerable obstacle for people in whelchairs.

Have a read of this- http://www.kingston.gov.uk/handbook_for ... nagers.doc

Good point - what other type of matting could be used?

Yorky · Post by **Yorky** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:00 pm

Just rang the local tool hire company and the assistant asked me 'how will you get into the corners of the cut out piece with the angle grinder?' I couldn't answer this as this is an issue - I'll be able to score the tiles in the corners but not cut down through their depth and if I hit them with a chisel I'll end up cracking the rest of the tile. Any thoughts on this problem?

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:08 pm

I can't see it being a problem unless the tiles are really thick.

You might have to drill a few holes in the corners with a drill, if the tiles are thick. Or get a fein multimaster-

viewtopic.php?t=1782

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:40 pm

i thought you were going to put a strip round?
if so you can go over slightly to get the corners.

Yorky · Post by **Yorky** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:46 pm

Right then I'm going to have a bash at this tomorrow but ringing tile company first to make sure I can get replacement tiles if necessary!

With regard to the mat, what size should I use? Also what type considering coir is unsuitable for doorways.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:55 pm

Yorky wrote:Right then I'm going to have a bash at this tomorrow but ringing tile company first to make sure I can get replacement tiles if necessary!

With regard to the mat, what size should I use? Also what type considering coir is unsuitable for doorways.

They are normally the width of the doors and about two-three feet in length.

I am not sure what to use instead of coir matting, a quick call to the local building control officer should point you in the right direction