What is considered as Large format and slim tile?

Any tile whose at least one side is greater than 60 cm in length is considered a large format tile. These tiles come in different sizes and thicknesses – with some reaching dimensions of up to 3.2m x 1.6m. They are usually made from porcelain and have a low rate of absorbency. On the other hand, slim tiles are around 3-5mm in thickness in formats up to 1m x 3m. These are often reinforced with glass fiber mesh backing.

Handling large format tiles requires more manpower and the use of advanced tools. Special care must be taken while handling these tiles to avoid warping and chipping the corners. Unlike large format tiles, thin tiles are lower in weight and have less impact on the structure, making them the preferred choice for installing vertical surfaces – especially facades. However, there is a disadvantage as well. The reduced thickness of slim tiles means there are certain precautions that need to be taken while handling, preparing substrates, and bonding tiles.

Let’s take a look at the ways to install large format and slim tiles:

FLAT AND SOUND SUBSTRATE

It is crucial to level the installation substrate as flat as possible. For large format tiles, the flatness and accuracy of the substrate must be within 1.5mm with a 2m straight edge. Any areas beyond this tolerance must be immediately repaired before starting the installation. Additionally, the substrate must be sound with no cracks, cured, and stable & clean dimensionally.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT TILE ADHESIVE

Another important aspect of installing tiles is choosing the right tile adhesive. As the size of the tiles increases, the risk of the tile not fully in contact and being covered with the adhesive bed might be higher. Using the right tile adhesive can block the gaps, offering soundness and durability to the bond. In addition, improved adhesives under the class C2 with deformable properties of Class S1 or S2 in accordance with EN 12004 & ISO 13007-1 are recommended for installing these types of tiles. The deformability of the adhesive is determined by flexural tests which measure transverse deformation.?To achieve Class S1, the deformability of the sample must be at least 2.5 mm and for Class S2, it must be at least 5 mm. Ultimately, the type of adhesive depends on the type of substrate material, type and size of the tiles, and the area of use.

DOUBLE-TROWELLING & BUTTERING TECHNIQUE DURING TILE INSTALLATION

While installing the tiles on a compact bed of adhesive, it’s recommended to use the double-buttering technique when applying the adhesive. Even for thin porcelain slabs, this technique is equally recommended as gaps may form potential weak points in the tiling that could easily fracture. The Double-buttering technique is applying the adhesive with a steel notched trowel on both the substrate and on the back of the tile. The adhesive should be spread on the substrate and back of the tile in the same direction. The adhesive must be applied in straight lines parallel to the short side of the tile to reduce the distance traveled by air being pushed out. This will ensure that gaps are not created, which could affect the soundness and durability of the bond.

The sheer size of the tiles may lead to the formation of air pockets between the substrate and the back of the tile. This is why it is important to go over the tile surface by tapping them with a rubber spreader or Vibro-plate, particularly when installing tiles on external substrates where water may collect in the gaps.

GROUTING

The grout line between each tile must be at least 2 mm wide and must be increased according to the size and type of the tiles, the area of use (floor or wall tiles, internal or external), and the stresses expected when in service. It is recommended to use spacers between the tiles to ensure the correct gap between each tile.

Through these steps, you can seamlessly install large-format and slim tiles in your construction project to ensure durability and sustainability.