What Toothsize Trowel Do I Need For Solid 5mm Bed?

[Rogeranerley]

The aquapanel / plasterboard walls of my new shower room are close to vertical. So, to make the bedding easier, my idea has been to use small 10 x 10 mm pieces of 5mm thick plastic cut from glazing packers close to each corner, which would ensure that the tiles would be vertical to the underlying wall.


The reason for 5mm is that my 75mm border marble inserts are 10mm in depth whereas the bulk of the tiles are 8.5mm. Given that the adhesive manufacturer specifies a bed minimum of 3mm, 5mm seemed the right depth to ensure the smooth finish needed to accommodate the angle trims around the window area.


I've experimented with a square notched 8mm trowel and with a half round one having notches 10mm deep by 18mm across at 10mm spaces, but, when applying the tile with the 5mm spacers in place, I'm not getting the expected 5mm solid bed needed for the wet area. The only way so far is by also buttering the back of the 250 x 500mm tiles.


Is there another trowel size that will result in a 5mm solid bed?


Thanks

 

[Spud]

Nothing that will be that exact using different trowels IMO , why don't you use Tilemaster anti fracture mat under the field tiles but don't use it under the border it will bring the height up by 1.5 mm and should solve your problem of the difference in thickness

 

[Martyn Leeds]

Liking the username