LARGE format tiles have changed the way tilers go about tiling floors, but no matter how we resist change, tiles are getting bigger and bigger. To ensure ease of installation, it’s crucial to select the correct adhesive or the type and size of the ceramic tile to be installed – especially large format tiles and ceramic panels.
For the installation of large format porcelain tiles, use a suitable improved cementitious, highly polymer-modified tile adhesive. Because of the use of handling equipment such as frames or suction pads, it would be advantageous to use tile adhesives with the additional properties of extended open and working time – such as new BAL XL Floor One, says BAL Adhesives.
The company says: ‘New BAL XL Floor One is an improved thick bed floor adhesive which provides 1.5 hours pot life and one hour working time after being spread. This gives fixers and contractors more time to work, with the worry about wasting product that’s gone off in the bucket or skimmed over on the floor.’
It continues: ‘With a smoother gel rheology and creamier texture owing to extended working times, BAL XL Floor is incredibly easy to trowel out over longer areas – saving those arms. A true overnighter, BAL XL Floor One can be grouted in as little as six hours, ensuring fast track project completion the very next morning!’
The need for solid bed fixing is a must, as poor contact will potentially lead to tiles cracking and/or debonding. Tiles should be solidly supported by the tile adhesive. Air pockets or voids beneath the tiles are potential points of weakness owing to an impact from a heavy object. In addition, back butter large format tiles by applying a thin bed of adhesive on the back of the tiles to fill in any deep keys or heavily buttoned back tile profiles before placing into the adhesive ribs, applied using the correct notched trowel to the wall.
However, says the company, when using BAL XL Floor One, back-buttering may not be required – as long as the surface is level and flat, owing to the semi-pourable properties of BAL XL Floor One. Occasionally lift a tile to check adhesive contact to check for any voids beneath the tiles.
BAL XL Floor One also reportedly has several benefits that make it the go-to adhesive for large format floor tiling including, as BAL tells us:
- Use up to 25mm bed depth – perfect for infilling small imperfections in the subbase and patch repair
- Can be trowelled with a 4mm notched trowel for fixing bonded uncoupling mats
- Flexible and strong – perfect for use with underfloor heating systems
