Ways to lay porcelain tiles on the floor

Thanks to the lightning and reference development of innovative construction technologies, in the arsenal of home masters planning the repair of flooring, in addition to traditional methods, such as the arrangement of the bulk floor and the finish of tiles, another laying of porcelain border on the floor has appeared. Despite the fact that porcelain tile is a relatively new material, it has long, along with ceramic tiles, is used to install flooring. In addition, the relatively recent appearance of porcelain tile did not prevent him from taking a strong niche in the construction market, which is explained by its durability, high aesthetic characteristics and environmental safety. However, the process of laying porcelain tiles is somewhat more complicated than the flooring with ceramic tiles and is characterized by certain nuances, ranging from the features of calculating the required amount of material and ending with the technology of grouting the seams. Observing these nuances, you can install high -quality flooring, which will last as long as possible and, at the same time, will retain the original appearance.

Content

1. Porcelain tile: Features of flooring and the rules for choosing materials
2. Advantages of porcelain tile: its differences from ceramic tiles
3. The choice of porcelain tiles and its preparation for laying
4. Subtleties and options for laying porcelain tiles on the floor
5. Methods of laying porcelain tiles: Procedure of action
6. The technology of laying porcelain tiles on the floor: recommendations of masters
   •    Materials and tools for laying porcelain tiles
   •   Preparation of porcelain tiles for laying: Specialists' Councils
   •   Preparation of the foundation: main nuances
   •   Choosing glue for laying porcelain tiles
   •   How to make a seamless laying of porcelain stoneware?
   •   Councils of masters for laying porcelain tiles

Porcelain tile: Features of flooring and the rules for choosing materials

Porcelain tile is a material made on the basis of a mixture of quartz, field spar, clay and mineral dyes. The technology for the manufacture of porcelain tile implies a pressing and firing the specified composition in special furnaces, as a result of which tiles of high strength are obtained, which in its aesthetic and operational characteristics does not differ from natural stone. In view of the high strength, wear resistance and moisture resistance of ceramic border floors, laying porcelain stone slabs, made by all rules, will be a guarantee of a long -term half -time service, which will retain its original appearance.

In view of the fact that the floor is the basis of any room, in the process of choosing the flooring, it is necessary to take into account the functional purpose of the space. Due to the fact that porcelain tile, unlike ceramic tiles, is a more durable and heavy material, its laying is a technologically more complex process.

When installing flooring in residential premises, take into account the requirements for one or another room. If we are talking about the hallway, the flooring should be moisture resistant, resistant to negative chemical influences (salt that the sidewalks sprinkle in winter) and pollution, as well as mechanically durable and wear -resistant.

The floor in the kitchen should be characterized by wear resistance, the lack of sensitivity to cyclic temperature fluctuations, as well as resistance to detergents based on chemistry. Similar requirements are also imposed on the floor in the bathroom, which, in addition, should be characterized by resistance to humidity and lack of sliding. Thus, porcelain stoneware, which is characterized by the above characteristics, can be used to install flooring in these rooms.

In addition, matte porcelain tile, the difference from polished, is characterized by a rough surface and, in view of high resistance to mechanical influences and high humidity, can be used to install flooring in workshops, boiler houses and garages, where increased requirements are imposed on it.

Advantages of porcelain tile: its differences from ceramic tiles

Despite the fact that porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles are outwardly similar, it is not as easy to distinguish them as it seems. However, they have significant differences.

Unlike ceramic tiles, porcelain tile withstands high mechanical loads, being a material with high strength. Features of the manufacture of porcelain tile determine its specific coloring not only from the outside, but also inside. Features of the figure are formed in the process of manufacturing the tile itself. Thanks to these nuances, the drawing can be seen not only on the surface, but also on the cut of porcelain tiles. The technology for manufacturing ceramic tiles involves the application of the picture only on its surface after manufacturing.

In addition, the following advantages are characterized by porcelain tiles:

• Long -term operational period;
• Resistance to high and low temperatures;
• Increased moisture resistance;
• Immunity to detergents based on chemicals;
• A wide selection of sizes and colors.

The choice of porcelain tiles and its preparation for laying

Before purchasing porcelain tiles, sketch the surface plan on which styling will be made, and calculate the required amount of material. Calculate the total area of \u200b\u200bthe room and based on 1 square meter. A meter of surface determine the total area of \u200b\u200blaying and the required number of porcelain stoves. Having calculated the desired amount of the material, add 8-10 % of the total amount of material to the resulting number and thus you will receive the required amount of porcelain tiles that must be purchased. This will allow you to insure you from errors in calculations and damage to the material during its transportation. When buying porcelain stoves, make sure that the identity of their drawing, a tinting solution and the format of the entire purchased batch of material.

In the process of choosing porcelain tiles, the purpose of the room in which installation will be carried out is taken into account. If it is a bathroom or a kitchen, in order to avoid possible injuries that may occur when water gets on the floor, try to give preference to porcelain stoneware with a rough surface.

Subtleties and options for laying porcelain tiles on the floor

It was previously noted that porcelain tiles are distinguished by a diverse form, a wide color palette and a large selection of sizes. Without even using special types of porcelain tiles, you can lay it in various ways presented in the figure below.

Ways to lay porcelain tiles on the floor

By choosing one of the options presented and giving preference to one -color porcelain tiles, you will get an original image, especially if you combine tiles of different sizes and colors.

Important! If the room in which the installation of the flooring is carried out is characterized by an incorrect form, laying of porcelain tile can be done in accordance with the drawings presented further.

Features of perception of the image determine certain subtleties, the observance of which will be appropriate in the process of laying porcelain tile. They are as follows:

• The size of the tile has a direct effect on the visual assessment of the room: large tiles visually reduces the room, the small increases;
• In order to visually increase the width of the room, designers recommend preference to patterns laid out across, while the drawings laid out along the room contribute to the visual increase in its length;
• In order to combine several zones of the room into a single whole, it is recommended to use a through pattern. The division of the room into several zones is carried out using a single pattern;
• The use of tiles of light colors contributes to the visual increase in the area of \u200b\u200bthe room, while dark colors visually reduce its area;
• If during the installation of the flooring you have a tile at an angle of 45 degrees, the edges of the porcelain tiles should be located strictly parallel to the diagonals of the room, as indicated in the figure presented below.

Methods of laying porcelain tiles: Procedure of action

Depending on the type of surface on which installation will be carried out, several options for laying porcelain tile on the floor are distinguished most often used in practice. These include:

• Laying porcelain stoves on false sex, involving the use of special designs for their fixation. This method of laying porcelain tile is relevant not only for the installation of false floor, but also of ventilated facades. It requires specialized professional skills and is carried out mainly by experienced masters.
• Laying porcelain tiles on the floor using special adhesive compounds, which can even be carried out by a beginner.

The procedure for laying porcelain tile is as follows:

• Preparation of materials and tools that will be required in the process of work;
• Preparation of the base for laying plates;
• Laying of porcelain stoves;
• The final stage of the grind of seams.

The technology of laying porcelain tiles on the floor: recommendations of masters

Materials and tools for laying porcelain tiles

First, prepare the following tools:

• A grinder equipped with a diamond circle, or a tile cutter;
• Building level;
• A metal line or a building level that is necessary for measurements;
• Simple and gear spatula, as well as a rubber trowel;
• Marker with which surface marking will be made;
• Drill equipped with a mixer nozzle;
• Capacity for kneading the solution.

In addition, materials from the list presented below will be required:

• A primer designed to process the base;
• Porcelain tiles;
• Glue for the installation of porcelain tiles;
• Silicone sealant;
• Grout for seams.

Preparation of porcelain tiles for laying: Specialists' Councils

First of all, experienced craftsmen advise to carefully consider the plan for the installation of porcelain flooring, which involves determining the method of laying, the nature of the drawing, the thickness of the glue composition layer and the method of its application. Recently, seamless laying of porcelain tile has been gaining popularity, which has a visual effect of the formation of a monolithic coating. However, for the installation of flooring according to seamless technology, a special rectified tile is required, characterized by accurate geometry, taking into account minimal tolerances. The rectification process can be subjected to porcelain tiles with different surface: polished, matte or structured.

The disadvantage of this installation method is the possibility of using tiles of only one size, as well as the inability to ensure the same length of the seams and the uniformity of their filling. However, this method is characterized by the advantages of its use allows you to provide a homogeneous surface without seams and save the materials used. Despite the advantages of the method, many prefer the traditional styling method.

Before starting installation, the surface of the tiles is cleaned of the protective layer applied by manufacturers to maintain its integrity. Most often, technical wax is used as a protective layer, which can be removed with warm water with a detergent. If paraffin was used as a protective layer, it is removed with a spatula.

Preparation of the foundation: main nuances

Laying porcelain tile can only be carried out on a perfectly even surface with sufficient bearing capacity, which will become the key to the quality of the flooring. In case of irregularities on the mounted surface, they will cause the difference in the thickness of the layer layer and the subsequent difference in the voltage on the coating, which will lead to a deterioration in the adhesion of the tiles with the base. In this regard, before laying porcelain border on the floor, the price of which depends on the quality of the material used, is cleaned, exhausted and primed for the mounted surface.

Important!If the installation of porcelain tile is carried out on a wooden surface, make sure that it does not spring under the weight of a person. If the defect is detected, pour a reinforcing mesh on a wooden surface.

Choosing glue for laying porcelain tiles

Porcelain stoneware is a material that is characterized by zero water absorption, and this must be taken into account in the process of choosing an adhesive mixture. In view of the fact that the glue for laying porcelain tile should differ in an increased degree of adhesion to the surface, it is forbidden to use cement mortar for the installation of porcelain border on the floor.

Important! The cost of laying porcelain tiles on the floor will be slightly higher if you use glue mixtures characterized by a large percentage of polymer additives, but this option is the most preferable in view of its high reliability.

When choosing glue for laying porcelain tile, take into account the nature of the base on which the installation will be carried out, as well as the recommendations of the manufacturer of the glue presented in the instructions.

If the installation of the flooring is carried out in the corridor or other room with high patency of people, experts recommend that you prefer more rigid adhesive compositions, for example, two -component glue on a cement basis, which contains latex and epoxy resin. To lay the floor in rooms with high humidity, use elastic glue with high elasticity.

How to make a seamless laying of porcelain stoneware?

This styling method is relatively new and requires compliance with certain technological nuances.

• Seamless laying of porcelain tile involves the use of large -sized porcelain tile in size of at least 600 x 600 mm. Observing this requirement, you can minimize the number of seams;
• As part of the seamless laying of porcelain tile, the seams are a kind of buffer that softens the load laid on the porcelain surface. The grouting compounds used for final processing of the seams are compressed and expanded during the temperature difference, which prevents cracking of the flooring. In case of neglect of these materials, the flooring will soon fail, having lost its initial characteristics;
• Laying porcelain tile according to seamless technology can only be carried out in a certain temperature range from +5 to +35 degrees;
• In the process of laying porcelain tile, you can leave a gap of no more than one millimeter, which is filled with a special grouting composition and epoxy resin, which is selected in tone of the tiles;

Councils of masters for laying porcelain tiles

• If the sketch of the pattern of your floor covering involves the creation of a symmetrical pattern, the installation of porcelain tiles is better to start from the middle of the room, stretching the twine along the symmetry line;
• Application of glue, mixed to a cream -shaped state, is carried out on a small part of the mounted surface and subsequently divided by a spatula. In this case, it is important to exclude the formation of bubbles;
• Make sure that voids do not form in the adhesive layer between the floor and porcelain tiles, which will prevent the tiles during operation.
• The adhesive surface received during laying is treated with a gear spatula;
• By laying porcelain tiles on the adhesive composition, check the correctness of its styling using the construction level;
• The distance between each subsequent staged element should be no more than 3 mm. This rule of laying is common to all types of porcelain tiles, with the exception of cramping porcelain tile, when the gap is almost invisible and does not exceed 1 mm;
• The porcelain border coating laid in accordance with the rules described above is left 3-4 days until the adhesive composition is completely dry, after which it can be operated with maximum loads.

• The final stage of the installation of porcelain flooring of the grout of the joints. In the process of choosing a color scheme, the grout takes into account several parameters of the color of the tile and the width of the seam. In most cases, experts recommend giving preference to the least marking gray grout tones.
• For grouting tile joints, a rubber spatula is used, which is also used to remove excess grouting.

Assessment of the quality of installation work is carried out in accordance with the following criteria:

• The surface of the flooring of porcelain tile should be characterized by the absence of bulges and hollows;
• The surface of the flooring should create the impression of a single harmonious composition.

Laying porcelain border on the floor video