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By rough definition, a large format tile is a tile with the length of at least one edge greater than 600mm (nominal) or a facial area greater than 3500cm² (nominal). A nominal 600 x 600mm tile would be considered to be large format.
The actual dimension of a tile nominally 600 x 600mm is likely to be 597 x 597mm. Because of modern manufacturing techniques, porcelain and ceramic tiles can be manufactured in sizes previously only used in the natural stone sector. Large format tiles are now readily available and special consideration should be given to fixing these tiles.
- There are permissible manufacturing tolerances for ceramic
and porcelain tiles, and large format tiles may have permissible surface flatness irregularities, ie the tile surface may be ‘curved’ or ‘bowed’. Back buttering with a thin coat of adhesive may therefore be required to ensure full contact and a solid bed of adhesive behind each tile.
- Lipping of tiles is inevitable on ‘curved’ tiles. Laying of tiles in a brick
bond pattern should therefore be carefully considered because of potential lipping caused by the curvature of large format tiles.
- The joint width for fixing large format porcelain tiles (including
rectified tiles) should be no less than 3mm wide, and no less than 5mm wide for ceramic tiles.
TAL has developed TAL POURABLE ADHESIVE, a grey pourable, flexible rapid-setting high-strength cement-based adhesive for fixing all large format ceramic, porcelain, granite, dark-coloured marble and natural stone tiles to floors, ensuring solid bedding with no buttering required on tile backs.
Because of the flowable nature of TAL POURABLE ADHESIVE it is essential that floor level surveys be conducted and all variances in levels be rectified before tiling is commenced.
Please also refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific details pertaining to the handling, cutting, cleaning and maintenance of these tiles.
Advantages of using a Pourable Adhesive
Watch a step by step video about how to install large format tiles with TAL Pourable Adhesive
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