Large Tile Installation Tips

Dos don ts large format tile installation requires particular attention to proper substrate preparation grout joint sizing trowel selection and mortar coverage.

Large tile installation tips.

For making curved cuts you can use tile nippers. Substrate preparation for walls and floors that will be tiled with large format materials must be perfectly flat. Use a tile cutter for small straight cuts. But if you re setting tiles larger than 12 x 12 in look for terms like medium bed large tile or large format on the bag label.

For all of msi s rectangular tiles a minimum of a 1 3 or more off set with 1 8 grout joint size is recommended for rectified tiles and a 3 16 grout joint for non rectified. Thus they need to be installed in a square space. Plus all the tips to avoid ending up with ugly cuts in the doorways. Below are three tips to maximize the advantages of large format tile.

Put the first test tile onto the thin set bed. The level of flatness dictated by the tile council of north america for large format installations is 1 8 over 10. When installing large format tile there must be at least 90 mortar contact and a minimum grout joint of 3 16. A common solution involves use of a special non sag thinset mortar that is designed to stone tile weighing up to 6 pounds per square foot.

As you near cabinets doorways walls and other flooring stops trim tiles as needed for installation. Large format tile must be installed on a level substrate. When installing large format tiles and planks it is vital to adhere to the recommended grout line widths recommended patterns and all installation guidelines. Use a tile saw or wet saw both rentable if necessary for cutting numerous or thick tiles.

Learn all the tricks to a beautiful tile floor that will never crack. At the beginning of your tile floor installation always do a test to ensure the consistency of the mortar is appropriate. Holding a bubble level to a straight six or eight foot board make sure that both walls and the floor are plumb vertical and level. Ensure a flat surface.