Tiling Large Format Tiles

[DHTiling]

Over recent years, the combination of improved tile production technology and interior design trends has seen a huge increase in demand for larger format tiles.

Extra consideration has to be made when fixing these bigger tiles and we have outlined a few of the points to bear in mind.

Substrate

Prior to fixing large tiles, it is important to ensure the suitability of the surface to be tiled (there are industry specifications for weight per m2 depending on the surface being tiled ). Extra time should be spent checking the flatness of the wall or floor, the larger the tile the flatter the surface will have to be. Good tilers can overcome problems, but it is a matter of compromise, experience and skill.

Technical specifications for the weight limit of Natural stone on certain substrates​

SUBSTRATEWEIGHT LIMIT APPROXIMATE WEIGHT
A SKIM PLASTERED SOLID WALL OR PLASTERBOARD WITH A SKIM COAT
20Kg per Sq/Metre
Plasterboard without a plaster skim or sand cement render32kg per Sq/Metre
Correctly braced Aquapanel50Kg per Sq/Metre​

Adhesive

Many of the large format tiles are what as known as porcelain tiles. These tiles are fired at very high temperatures which makes the tile very hard and virtually non-porous. Because of this, it is important to use an adhesive specifically designed for use with porcelain tiles. Commonly this would be a cement based, polymer enhanced tile adhesive . Once water is added to the powder it creates a chemical reaction, which cures the adhesive, unlike most tub adhesives which cure based on the water within the adhesive drying out which can potentially be a problem when the tiles are non-porous and large sized.

Cutting

The cutting of porcelain tiles is much harder than standard ceramic tiles. Professional tile cutters such as the Rubi TX700n ( i have one ) make the job simple because of the longer cutting bed, larger breaking bar and re-enforced carriage rails which allow for increased breaking pressure.
Drilling Porcelain Tiles

Drilling holes in porcelain tiles can also be tricky because the tiles themselves are so hard, although this problem can be minimised by careful placement of grout joints. Where holes are needed for the fitting of sanitary-ware etc, i would recommend the use of purpose made diamond borers such as the ones sold by 365 drills. Diamond drill porcelain wall tiles 365 drills holesaws drilling granite cutting floor
So what about the look ? Does it justify the choice ?

Emphatically yes! While the fixing of large format tiles, paricularly porcelain tiles probably requires more skill and specialised tools than smaller ceramic tiles, the extra effort is well worth it.

With less grout joints and larger sizes, small tiled areas can appear to look larger and less fussy, so as to compliment a room, not overtake it.

 

[davy_G]

Dave, good post. I did a bathroom last week with the same tiles on the floor as the walls, 18 x 12 inch. I was surprised by the clients choice but with 2mm ivory grout on the walls and 5mm grey on the floor it looked very well. I have to go back and tile the bath panel next week. One wall was tile over old tile (not my idea) and it worked OK using a good floor adhesive(dunlop).

 

[Perry]

With less grout joints and larger sizes, small tiled areas can appear to look larger and less fussy, so as to compliment a room, not overtake it. Dave i have been saying this for 20 years no one believes me nice to see it in writing :hurray:

 

[Brad]

Hi Dave. I have just read your 2007 post on large format tiling. I am very nervous to rely purely on troweling the substrate and then fixing the tile to the wall without at least back skimming the tile, especially a porcelain tile that is not very porous. If the wall is straight and there is no bow in the tile, is it ok to simply trowel the substrate and then fix, or is it always a good idea to back skim? Is back skimming a good idea on any size porcelain tile anyway?

Thanks

 

[charlie1]

Backskimming is good practice but does not ensure 100 coverage as there will still be air pockets between the ribs! It's ok to trowel wall then fix with ceramic tiles, don't trowel too large an area though as the adhesive can skin which will lead to problems.

 

[Andrew]

I recently laid a 1200 x 1200 70m floor the porcelain was amazingly flat for that format which helped, an anhydrate screed had been poured and allowed to dry properly. Levels were checked to datum and over the entire floor we had max +-3mm
all this considered it was still a challenge to get it pin flat and level, and trying to lift one to check coverage was a mission, adhesive consistency became a perfect chemistry. The sheer weight of each piece if addy was to loose then sinking and lipping, if to stiff bad bond. After tile 3 the gage was perfected! Give me my geometric Victorian patterns any day!

 

[Dan]

Checkout the video in this thread: http://www.tilersforums.com/tiling-forum/57606-how-do-you-spread-your-adhesive.html

Some good advice there and it explains quite a bit.

 

[kev j]

just tiled a ensuite ,bathroom company insisted i put the 600 by 600 porcelain tiles onto painted walls,oh well time will tell if they stay up there

 

[macten]

just tiled a ensuite ,bathroom company insisted i put the 600 by 600 porcelain tiles onto painted walls,oh well time will tell if they stay up there

:yikes:

 

[Alan.P]

just tiled a ensuite ,bathroom company insisted i put the 600 by 600 porcelain tiles onto painted walls,oh well time will tell if they stay up there

Why would you do that, you sound as if you know it wasn't the right thing to do, so why why why ? Dangerous ground indeed, what happens if and when one falls off the wall onto someone's head.