Laying Porcelain Stoneware On A Warm Floor With Your Own Hands With Video Instructions

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Variations in laying porcelain stoneware
• Required tool
• Materials used
• Preparing to start work
• Foundation preparation
• Choice of tile adhesive
• Laying technology
• Step-by-step instruction
• Grouting

Today, there are a huge number of different materials that are used for flooring. Among them, you can find porcelain stoneware, which is gaining popularity in recent years. It is about him that will be discussed today, and in particular about how the porcelain stoneware is laid on the floor? What does that require? How to choose the right glue, prepare the surface and other issues.

Let's start, perhaps, with the options for laying this material.

Variations in laying porcelain stoneware

Given the fact that such a slab for a warm floor has a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes, there is a huge number of options for the layout of such material, some of them are presented in the images below:

At the same time, in any of the options, both the use of one-color tiles and the creation of a whole variety of drawings and patterns are allowed. Thus, you can get an incredibly beautiful image. But it is also necessary to take into account the fact that the rooms do not always have a strictly rectangular shape, and therefore in some cases you need to know the layout for the wrong rooms, which will look something like this:

And finally, before we begin to disassemble directly the algorithm for laying ceramic granite tiles on the floor, it is necessary to consider some of the nuances associated with it. In particular, we will talk about the perception of the pattern image:

1. It is very important to consider that tiles have a significant impact on the visual perception of space. More specifically, by using a larger tile, you will achieve a smaller space effect, and the opposite of a smaller tile.
2. Also, with the help of a pattern, you can visually enlarge the room in length or width. Thus, it is necessary to lay out the pattern along or across, for a corresponding increase.
3. Another is the division into zones and their association. Here, to connect several zones, they should be combined with a through pattern, for zoning, on the contrary, use single patterns.
4. And the last visual effect is the use of light colors, which also help to visually increase the space.

That's all, and it's time to move on directly to the question of how to lay ceramic granite tiles. Let's start in order, with a list of tools that you need to work with. Porcelain stoneware is stronger than ordinary tiles, so it is better to use an electric tile cutter, this will significantly speed up the work.

Required tool

To perform work on laying porcelain stoneware tiles on a warm floor, we need the following tools:

1. Measuring devices (ruler or tape measure) and building level.
2. Grinder and tile cutter.
3. Container for water, as well as for kneading glue.
4. Rubber trowel.
5. A set of spatulas for working with tiles.
6. Marker.
7. Construction mixer or drill with appropriate attachment.

Materials used

The next column is the materials that will be used in the performance of work.

1. Floor heating adhesive.
2. Sealant, preferably silicone.
3. The tile is porcelain stoneware.
4. Grout.
5. Primer.
6. Crosses, or devices for leveling tiles.
7. Water.

Preparing to start work

Before the preparation and laying of porcelain stoneware on the warm floor begins, it is necessary to prepare a total layout plan. Make sketch drawings, calculate the thickness of the adhesive mixture layer, and, accordingly, the consumption of the tile itself. The possibility of laying ceramic granite tiles on the floor without seams is also being considered. Given a number of disadvantages of this method, it is often abandoned, but it is sometimes worth considering as an option.

Among the advantages of such a variation, one can note the obtaining of a full-fledged homogeneous surface, as well as material savings. But considering along with this the disadvantages, which are manifested in the following:

1. It is allowed to use tiles of exactly the same size.
2. The inability to provide the same length of seams, uniformity of filling.
3. Moreover, it is difficult to ensure an even distribution of the adhesive mixture.

Therefore, when laying tiles on warm floors, it is better to resort to the standard version, and to carry out laying with seams. Also, you should prepare the tile itself; in hot weather, the tile can be moistened with water.

Foundation preparation

And proceeding directly to the very course of work, you can notice in the first place the preparation of the coating. First of all, you should check the evenness of the coating, and if there are any defects, they must be eliminated.

In addition, the surface must be free of oil stains, dry, and free of dust and dirt. If laying porcelain stoneware on the floor with your own hands requires a screed, it is necessary to take into account the bearing capacity of structures, including floors. Since it may not withstand the loads.

We also note that all work is carried out at room temperature. It can also be carried out at an average temperature of 5 degrees to 25-30. In heated rooms, when the heating is on, or when the heating field is on, it is strictly forbidden to install.

Choice of tile adhesive

Among the features of such a material as porcelain stoneware, one can note the complete absence of water absorption, which plays an important role in the choice of tile adhesive for a warm floor. Due to this feature, the selected adhesive should provide an increased level of adhesion. In this connection, it is highly undesirable to use a standard cement composition.

In addition, before choosing an adhesive for laying a warm floor, you must familiarize yourself with its characteristics, in addition, carefully analyze future operating conditions. Accordingly, in the presence of large loads, a composition with a high level of stability is needed. It is also necessary to take into account the temperature regime, which is permissible for certain types of glue.

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Well, now let's move on directly to how to put porcelain stoneware on the tile or floor.

Laying technology

Choosing the right tool is an important factor when laying porcelain stoneware tiles on the floor. The quality of the coating upon completion of the work depends on this. In particular, the notched trowel becomes the most important tool, it is important to choose it depending on the size of the tile. Thus, the larger the tile, the larger the trowel teeth should be.

Just before the installation itself, you need to find the center of the room, i.e. the middle of the floor. Accordingly, it is necessary to make a markup to find it, for which a cord is pulled, in particular, the diagonal of the room is drawn, as well as the intersection from the middle of each of the walls.

The laying itself begins in such a way that either the center of the first tile, or the intersection of the seams, passes through the intersection of the guide threads. The masonry itself is carried out symmetrically, which is why it begins clearly from the center of the room, thus it is possible to complete the complete symmetry of the room. As a result, the edges of the coating, at each wall, are completed in the same or whole pieces or cut off.

There is also a second installation option, which assumes the symmetrical location of the cut pieces in the center of the room, but note that such a laying requires incredibly accurate calculations regarding the entire room of materials and plates.

Do not turn on the electric underfloor heating after laying the tiles, always allow a week to dry

Step-by-step instruction

So, let's start the styling itself.

1. First of all, we knead the glue mixture, after which we apply it to the surface. First we level it with an even trowel, then with a notched trowel.

   

2. Next, we lay the tiles on the edge, and level them. Note that it is necessary to check in all positions.
3. In the next step, we also adjust the subsequent tiles. But they already need to be slightly moved away from the previous ones, leaving a small gap. For this, special crosses or tile systems are usually used.
4. Each new, laid tile must be checked with a level. Within the next 10 minutes after laying, it can still be corrected and corrected.

Important! If you take a break between laying, then it should be borne in mind that the previously laid material settles somewhat when the adhesive mixture dries. That is why, with further laying at the level of the first part of the coating, as a result, we will get an uneven surface with a discrepancy in level.

In addition, the control of the voids between the joints becomes quite an important factor, since this can lead to cracking of the tile itself. Speaking about the timing of control, we can say that the glue itself dries up usually in a day, while the full strength of the coating occurs only after three days.

Grouting

After the glue mixture has hardened, it is necessary to grout the joints. Here, a standard grout of the required color is used in accordance with the color of the tile. But, of course, there are some nuances, but in particular, this is more about the decorative part.

Advice! If you want to emphasize and highlight the picture, contrasting grout will help well. Otherwise, tinted grout will make the finish more neutral.

So, immediately before starting grouting, you should check the cleanliness of the joints, if they have any dirt, dust, etc., then you need to clean them. The standard joint size is usually up to 5 millimeters, so you will need a standard rubber trowel.

With its help, we apply the diluted pasty solution diagonally relative to the seams, thereby filling them. After the grout has dried, it is necessary to remove its excess from the tile, which is done with a regular sponge. It will be possible to start a stable tile cleaning only after two to three weeks. You can read more about the choice of grouting and its implementation in a separate article.

An online tile grout calculator will help you correctly calculate the right amount of mixture.

Thus, we figured out how to put porcelain stoneware on the floor, which anyone can do now, since the installation process is quite simple. For those who could not figure out all the nuances, we suggest watching several videos with step-by-step installation instructions.

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