PORCELAIN
INSTALLATION
GUIDE
RAPHAEL PORCELAIN does not guarantee or take responsibility for installation. There are many variables involved. This is a general guide for handling the installation of the material.
Large Format Tile & Thin Porcelain Slab Panels
Raphael Porcelain large format tile has been around for some time but has exploded in popularity over the past few years. Traditionally, tiles came in a relatively standard size, such as 8" x 8" floor tiles and 4" x 4" wall tiles. Today, you can find tiles in many sizes. They range from small glass mosaics, which measure 3/8" x 3/8", to large thin porcelain panels that can be 5' x 10'. Large format tiles create new challenges for installers. They differ from standard tile installations. When installing large format tiles, it's important to follow specific steps. This helps prevent cracking and ensures a successful installation.
When installing large format tiles, pay extra attention to: Handling, Lippage, Subfloor preparation, Mortar coverage, Curing and protection.
Thin Porcelain Tile ("TPT"). Raphael Porcelain large-format tile panels are also called "thin tile" and
"Thin tile panels" are characterized by large panels up to 5' x 10' with a thickness of 6 mm.
Advantages
Large format tiles look great and come in many colors and designs for consumers. As a design element, large format tiles can be used to make a smaller room appear bigger. Many people also enjoy the look of thin grout lines commonly used with large-format tiles. Also, each tile covers more area than traditional tiles, so there are fewer grout lines. Fewer grout lines make maintenance easier. It's simpler to clean a tile face than a grout line. As many of us know, even sealed or epoxy-based grout can be challenging to keep clean and looking its best. Raphael Porcelain large format tile also offers some extended benefits. Raphael Porcelain tiles are easy to clean. They resist scratches, fire, and water.
Subfloor preparation
Raphael Porcelain large format tile, the subfloor or substrate must be properly prepared before laying any tile, and the larger the tile size, the more essential this becomes. It must be level and flat. Any dips or humps can lead to lippage that large format tile installations are prone to.
Lippage is when one edge of a tile is not level with the adjacent tile's edge. This leads to the finished surface having an uneven appearance, degrading the quality of the installation.
Additionally, uneven surfaces will make it difficult to achieve the proper mortar coverage and bond, LFT Thinset, are approved.
Variance in Substrate
With traditional tile that is less than 15" x 15, there can be up to a 1/4" variance in the substrate over a 10' span. For tile with at least one edge greater than 15", the American National Standards Institutes (ANSI) recommends a maximum variance of 1/8" over a 10' span and 1/16" over a 24" span. A 6-foot level or 10-foot straight edge can be used to measure variance in the substrate.
Large format tiles will highlight any imperfections in the subfloor, so If the subfloor exceeds these
it down.
specifications, the subfloor must be corrected with a self-leveling underlayment, patch, or grinding it down.
Self-leveling Underlayment
A self-leveling underlayment is a cement product. You can pour it on the subfloor. It helps fix small flaws and levels the surface. As it cures, the self-leveling underlayment creates a smooth, flat surface for tiling. For small bumps, use a trowel-applied self-leveling patch. It helps make the surface even. Patching compounds can also be used to fix small variances on walls as well. The industry suggests using prep and installation products from the same brand. This helps to ensure compatibility.
Mortar
Using the appropriate thin-set/mortar is very important for a successful installation. For standard tile installations, use thin-set to bond the tile to the surface. With large format tiles that often have a 1/4" (6mm) thickness, a regular thin-set can be problematic. For most large format tile jobs, it's best to use a large format tile thin-set.
Using an inadequate amount of mortar can lead to hollow spots. Hollow spots show that the tile lacks full support. This makes the tile prone to cracking and loosening in these areas. Mortars made for Large Format Tile (LFT) keep the tile in place. The tile won't sink into the mortar. These mortars, however, can be difficult to trowel and work with in general. New high-performance medium-bed mortars are now lighter and easier to trowel. Always check with the material manufacturer for mortar recommendations. Not all mortars work for every application.
Trowel Size
Full mortar coverage is key for installing Raphael porcelain large-format tiles.
Without proper coverage, the tile and grout can crack. They may also lose their bond to the tiles. To achieve full coverage, start by using the appropriate trowel and troweling technique. For big tile jobs, use a larger trowel. A 1/2" x 1/2" square notch or a 3/4" x 3/4" rounded notch works well for good coverage. For larger tiles, a U-notch trowel works well.
may be necessary for correct coverage.
Using the right trowel helps create a solid setting bed. This removes voids and cuts down on the time needed to reset tiles that lack full coverage. There is no exact standard for choosing trowel sizes. Trowel size can vary depending on the job and the substrate. However, the larger the tile size, the larger the trowel that is generally needed. A 1/2" x 1/2" square or round notch trowel works well for tiles from 13" to 20". For tiles bigger than 20", a 3/4" x 3/4" rounded notch trowel is the best choice. For thin porcelain tile panels, use a specialty euro/zipper trowel for full coverage.
Troweling Thinnest
Wein. Win the thing to the substrate; the thin should be linear, unformed.
Direction leaving behind straight and full "ribbons" of thinnest. Straight trowel lines help stop air pockets from forming between the tile and the substrate. This ensures proper adhesion.
Back Buttering
An LFT thinnest needs proper coverage. Back buttering also helps ensure full coverage. Back buttering means using the flat side of a trowel. You apply a thin layer of thinnest or mortar to the back of the tile before setting it. This helps to fill any voids on the back of the tile. Back-buttering is key for natural stone products like travertine, granite, marble, and slate. These materials often have natural spaces and flaws on their backs. Filling the gaps with thinnest before setting strengthens weak spots and improves coverage.
For Raphael Porcelain thin panels, a different method is used for back buttering. Use the trowel's notched side to create ribbons of thinnest on the back of the tile. This method gives you an even coat, just like you did on the substrate. The thinnest ridges must be level across the back of the panel. They should also align parallel with the substrate's thinnest ridges. Troweling the backside of the panel like the substrate ensures 100% coverage. This is key for Raphael Porcelain thin panel installations.
Crack Isolation
Large format tiles are more susceptible to cracking than smaller-sized tiles. Movement and small cracks in the subfloor can pass to the substrate, causing cracks. Reinforced mortar beds were used to let the substrate and tile move separately. This setup stops cracks in the substrate from reaching the tile covering. However, reinforced construction and remodeling standards are important.
Mortar beds add extra height to installations and aren't practical now. Today's new uncoupling membranes can take the place of traditional reinforced mortar beds. They do this without adding much height. Each manufacturer has its design, but uncoupling membranes usually share some traits. They have a waffle-like grid structure with an anchoring fleece on one side. These membranes are lightweight, come in rolls, and are easy to install. Using an uncoupling membrane or crack isolation underlayment can stop cracks from forming.
Lippage
Lippage can be an issue in large-format tile installations, even on a flat subfloor.
Lippage occurs when the adjacent edges of the two tiles are not even. The bigger the tile, the more problematic lippage can become. Lippage stands out more with larger tiles. It also creates a bigger tripping risk. Incorrect mortar bed, wrong setting techniques, and warpage can all lead to lippage.
With the correct setting, practices will help to prevent lippage. Another extremely valuable tool available today is tile leveling systems. Easy-to-use tile leveling systems will significantly help in creating lippage-free installations. These systems have several parts. They include base plates, bottom plates, caps, straps, and an installation gun. You can use them for both floors and walls.
ON POLISHED TILE, DO NOT USE THE SCREW-DOWN SYSTEM.
Tile Leveling System
The tile leveling system has three parts: a shim, a horseshoe, and an installation tool. It works with grout joints as small as 1/32". For wider grout joints, common tile spacers can still be used with the leveling system. The small, square bottom plate at each strap's end slides under the tile edge. It goes in 2-3 inches from each corner. The cap then slides down over the strap and sits on the top part of the tile. Once the strap and cap are on, use the installation tool to tighten everything. This locks all the tiles in place, ensuring a level surface.
RAPHAEL PORCELAIN does not guarantee or take responsibility for installation. There are many variables involved. This is a general guide for handling the installation of the material.