Advice with laying 600x600 tlies

[Andyw]

Hi all, sorry new here and will introduce myself in the correct section.

To save money I am laying floor tiles in the new extension. The room will be a kitchen and I'm probably going buy the large 600m porcelain tiles.

The floor had a 75mm screed layer laid over underfloor heating back in December. I have been advised to use 1 part adhesive. But I need some advise on laying the tiles and spacings. What is the best way to make sure that all the tiles are level with each other? Do you use spirit levels? I am aiming to find the centre of the room and try and mark out, but find the best place is not that straight forward as the room is not exactly square.

Lastly would 4mm spacers be ok, and can I leave them in?

Finally could I post a pic of the room?

many thanks
Andy

 

[charlie1]

Yes use a spirit level and 4 mm spacers is good selection, you've done your setting out too by the sounds of it!! job sounds like its going to be a good one!

 

[charlie1]

Oh and get one of those electric tile cutters, and mind keep plenty of water in it to keep the blade cool!

 

[Andy Allen]

make sure the ufh is comissioned before tiling, use fexable adhesive and grout, are you going to be using a decoupling membrane..?

 

[nybor62]

Imo 3mm spacers , make a staff marking out the tiles including spacing , that way you can gauge better were and what size the cuts will be , back skim the tiles with flat edge of trowel , this will give a better bond , hope this helps

 

[beanz]

Don't take this the wrong way, but from your questions, i'd recommend you pay a tiler. It'll cost you a whole lot more if you have to rip it up, buy new tiles, and then pay a tiler to come round and do it.

 

[kilty55]

beanz has hit the nail on the head for me! 600 porcelains 1st job personally i would pay a tiler ,the cost of cutters and tools will also add up andy

 

[bugs183]

Don't wanna sound like a kill joy, do it by all means, but tiles this size can be tricky even if you've been laying for years.
They are a real skill,and need some expensive tools to cut them well.
Get a recommended tiler in, he'll have the gear and the experience to do you a great job.

 

[charlie1]

I'm currently redoing a rip out from previous tilers attempts with 600 x 300, if a pro can fail then even the best diyer can easily fail with these, i agree with all above, get a pro, there are so many ways this job is gonna fail you cant comprehend, a level and tile cutter is only good if they are being used by the right person

 

[Andyw]

Thanks for the advice all, I've only just tiled walls before and that was in two houses. Where we are now I've just laid tiles in a small en-suite and it look ok. I've never tiles an area before that will be used as the main hub of the house, and the tiles are pretty large. The problem is the extension did costs a fair chunk and we didn't really factor in getting someone else to tile and decorate etc.

can someone please just advise what issues I could face and then I will decide on what course of action to take, also what do tilers charge these days?

 

[charlie1]

Issues
.. Lippage... one lip then another appears somewhere else, flatness... sure all the tiles follow the same projection, alignment... Making sure the tiles are well set out and running straight, consistent spacing... A good tiler will be able to keep the joints the same and tight.

grouting... Slumpage,discolouration, cleaning, sealing...

all above is just off the top of my head, could list more but they are the obvious ones

 

[beanz]

Are the tiles rectified? Are they polished, ot un-polished porcelain?
Make sure the new floor is as flat as possible. Don't assume that because its newly laid, it'll be flat. The bigger the tiles, the smaller the tolerance.
Not allowed to discuss price on here, and it varies anyway, depending on where you're based. A few quotes won't cost you anything though.. Ask for references, and to see previous work. Don't go with the cheapest.

Best of luck whichever way you choose to go

 

[Andyw]

Thanks chaps, spoke to the wife today and we are going to get some quotes. I am based in Stroud, glos. I'm a little nervous now of doing this myself. These are the tiles.


B&q

Colours Antayla Matt Grey Floor Tile, Pack of 3 (L)600 (W)600mm

 

[beanz]

Have you bought the tiles? When you choose your tiler it might be worth seeing if he can get a similar tile, from a decent tile shop, for a similar price. I can't comment on that particular tile, but most of the b&q tiles I've seen have been terrible to lay. They can vary in size by up to 3mm, and usually aren't square!?!
If you already have them, it might be worth going through the boxes and checking them. Any that are too far out, could be exchanged.

 

[Peter]

That particular tile isn't bad, they're well calibrated and cut well. Doing 30m of them at the minute and no issues with transit wax either. Spot on for the money to be honest.

Quite a lot of work in laying rectified 600s if you're inexperienced. If they're not flat as a pancake they look terrible.