450mm floor tiling for first time

**Bartlett** · 18-09-2009

Getting ready to start tiling my hallway, been meaning to do this for a while but fortunately have been busy doing jobs which earn money.
My wife has chosen ceramic tiles which are 450mm square and so far I have not used anything this big. Going onto a flat concrete floor which I will probably seal with primer G. Any tips you guys can give me which will help me on my way to doing a good job? ie, what trowel would you use? What size grout line? Any special adhesive techniques I should know about? Thanks.

**faithhealer** · 18-09-2009

How wide is your hallway? just thinking about waste?
10 mm radius 'U' notch (Solid Bed') trowel and grout line mininum of three mm

**Bartlett** · 18-09-2009

Originally Posted by faithhealer

How wide is your hallway? just thinking about waste?
10 mm radius 'U' notch (Solid Bed') trowel and grout line mininum of three mm

Yes, good point. Hallway is 1650mm at widest point, narrows to 1100mm at the stairs. I don't a 10mm trowel but have a 13mm 'u' notch and was thinking maybe 4mm grout line?

**grumpygrouter** · 18-09-2009

Originally Posted by Bartlett

Yes, good point. Hallway is 1650mm at widest point, narrows to 1100mm at the stairs. I don't a 10mm trowel but have a 13mm 'u' notch and was thinking maybe 4mm grout line?

4mm will be fine as it is down to personal choice, you may even find 5mm may give a better "balance". try laying a few out with different size joints to see what you prefer. a 13mm U notch will use more addy than a 10mm U notch but you could adjust the angle of the trowel to lower the height to compensate. Most important point though is to get full coverage under the tile. When you start to lay, lift a couple to see how your coverage is. If it is ok and you aren't squeezing addy out through your grout joint then you are fine. If addy is squeezing out, your trowel may be a little too big.