Laying

Ideas for laying tiles


Steps for laying

1/ Short specs: Evaluation of quantities - Choice of formats. Calculate +5% to cover any surface; +10% for diagonal laying.

2/ Preliminary operations: Clean the surface to lay. Check the tiles - mix them if necessary - clean. This may be done when 2-3 different pallets are unpacked to optimise colour combinations. Define the reference level via a wall mark.

3/ Traditional laying : Use inert hydraulic binders (cement mortar): Prepare the surface for laying. It is composed of cement, sand or lime. Let dry for approximately 2 months. Block capillarity by placing an impermeable film over it (polyethylene film, roofing felt...). Prepare the mortar with about 200 kg of binder / m3, clean white sand and clear water. Thickness: 2-6 cm. Allow for passage of heating or electric ducts and cables. The tiles are set without wetting them beforehand. The peripheral joints must remain open; joints between tiles = 3mm or more(or 5mm for over 40 m²). Seal the joints with white sand cement or spread grout with scraper.

4/ Laying with adhesives: Use a white cement glue to avoid any efflorescence. Check that the support is completely dry, clean and flat (maximum difference of 7mm for 2 m). A concrete support should be no more than 2 months old. Spread white cement glue 5-10mm thick, do the joints 3mm (5mm for over 40 m²). Seal the joints with white cement.