600mm x 600mm tiles question

[jgw1]

Hi all,

I have 600mm x 600mm porcelain floor tiles to lay in the kitchen. I used 4mm spacers for my bathroom slate floor but think for these that a slimmer gap would look better.

Can I get away with 2mm on these or even less?

Also any guidnance to this diyer about laying tiles of this size?

[Alan.P]

2mm minimum, what floor substrate have you got and is it flat, level ?

[mikethetile]

porcelain looks nice with a 2mm gap

[Rav daniels]

I would go with 3 mm , make sure u use a bagged adhesive for porclain tiles ( porcelbond ) , with that size tile make sure floor is nice and flat, (lipage). If it's polished porcalain make sure u seal before grouting.

[jgw1]

The original floor is 18mm chipboard. This had some give in places so I have boarded out with 18mm plywood ontop and screwed down with 35mm screws at 300mm centres. It is much more stable now.

This is what I did in bathroom with Bal two part flexible as the adhesive. I am thinking of using single part flexible for the kitchen.

[doug boardley]

I'd be trying to get some longer screws into the floor joists to minimise deflection

[jgw1]

Hmm I can't find where the joists are now without getting up the ply.

I'd need to get 12 600mm x 600mm tiles for the kitchen as it's only small and make 8 cuts. I have a bog standard Wikes electric tile cutter and a 32 year old back.

Any issues with cutting and laying tiles of this size for me?

They are from an independent shop close to work not a shed and I have been happy with them before. I figure that if I am saving a bit on the labour I may as well shell out for a better tile (and help a local store). they are from spacers ceramics if that helps.

[brinkley]

just take your time to do it properly and not having seen the room or cutter it may help to hire a bigger wet saw porcelain are tough and with a not so good blade you may get chipped edges when using your bog standard wickes electric

[TF Ed]

2mm look great but depending on your experience, the state of the substrate and the quality of the tile, then i would consider using 3mm spacers..

[CJ CERAMICS]

3mm spacers for me

[Phil Hobson]

Hi mate, 3mm is minimum joint for floor tiles

[J.R Tiling]

hi

i done this a couple of weeks ago with 4mm grout lines

Make sure your substrate is super flat will make laying these tiles so much easier.


Good luck & post a pic when your done

[Wingn]

As a DIYer, 3mm will give you a bit more play should the floor begin to swing. Would always use 3mm on 600x600 myself.

[jgw1]

Cheers guys, 3mm seems to be the consensus.

I need to check the tiles for sealing first but they look good quality (solid grey through tile and £40 spm +VAT). Can you recommend a sealant for porcelain?

[Hawkofeagles]

I'm currently using LTP MPG Sealer for 600x600 porcelain..

[J.R Tiling]

If they are polished porcelain then i would definatley seal them

i use "FILA" polished porcelain protector , you can pick it up from topps but its not cheap £29.99

[jgw1]

Right update.

Ordered tiles. Spoke to the shop owner who called the supplier, they said that they are 'double polished' and although it doesn't hurt there is no need to seal them,

Do this ring true?

My plan is to seal them. I was going to do this before laying i.e. before they get exposed to any adhesive or grout. This seems to be the easiest way to make sure they remain stain free afterwards. If I lay them then seal them I may accidently get adhesive on them and have problems.

This sound OK?

[d noulton]

ltp mpg for me

[jay]

Right update.

Ordered tiles. Spoke to the shop owner who called the supplier, they said that they are 'double polished' and although it doesn't hurt there is no need to seal them,

Do this ring true?

My plan is to seal them. I was going to do this before laying i.e. before they get exposed to any adhesive or grout. This seems to be the easiest way to make sure they remain stain free afterwards. If I lay them then seal them I may accidently get adhesive on them and have problems.

This sound OK?

your supplyre has covered all bases there yes i would seal before and after job complete

[Hawkofeagles]

jgw1, thats exactully what I have done. Sealed before laying as I dont have the time to do the sealing after the job is done..