Large Tile Installation Tips

Use a tile cutter for small straight cuts.

Large tile installation tips.

When installing large format tiles and planks it is vital to adhere to the recommended grout line widths recommended patterns and all installation guidelines. Plus all the tips to avoid ending up with ugly cuts in the doorways. As you near cabinets doorways walls and other flooring stops trim tiles as needed for installation. 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. 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. Substrate preparation for walls and floors that will be tiled with large format materials must be perfectly flat. 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.

Dos don ts large format tile installation requires particular attention to proper substrate preparation grout joint sizing trowel selection and mortar coverage. Use a tile saw or wet saw both rentable if necessary for cutting numerous or thick tiles. Below are three tips to maximize the advantages of large format tile. For making curved cuts you can use tile nippers.

Thus they need to be installed in a square space. 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. Put the first test tile onto the thin set bed. Large format tile must be installed on a level substrate.

Thin set mortar is the best bedding adhesive for most tile. Ensure a flat surface. Lay the tile flat and then with mild pressure slide the tile 1 4 inch back against the thin set ridges then slide it back into place. Learn all the tricks to a beautiful tile floor that will never crack.