The weight of a large format stone tile can cause it to sag or slip during installation on the wall.
Keep large tile flat on wall.
Below are three tips to maximize the advantages of large format tile.
Apply the mortar to the wall creating 1 4 inch ridges with the trowel.
To address this on a practical basis some manufacturers recommend against any patterns with offsets in excess of 33 if the tile being used has an edge larger than 18 inches.
If this tolerance isn t met lippage can occur.
Ensure a flat surface.
The level of flatness dictated by the tile council of north america for large format installations is 1 8 over 10.
Spread thinset mortar on the bottom center of the wall.
Don t start it at the floor.
To keep grout joints uniform use small plastic spacers between the tiles.
As with floors secure bonding is key to the success of a large format tile wall installation.
Hang a batten board to prevent tile slippage.
For large tiles exhibiting the maximum allowable warpage 50 offsets are guaranteed to exhibit lippage.
Press the tile firmly in place making sure it is flat and level.
Spread the mortar with the flat edge of the trowel then groove.
A batten board is nothing more than a 1 x4 or 1 x2 board screwed directly into the wall horizontally.
Tips for tiling a wall.
A batten board helps you start your bottom most course or row of tiles.
Wall installation lippage can be both a structural and an aesthetic concern.
Next press the tiles into place.
Having a flat or plumb substrate is also critical.