Seamless stoneware laying: technology and laying features

The process of laying seamless porcelain stoneware using an adhesive mixture is not difficult and can be done by a home master. If you try, then mastering such a technology is easier than it might seem, and this article will help you familiarize yourself with the details of porcelain stoneware.

Getting Started: Laying Porcelain Tiles Step by Step

The variety of coating installation schemes is amazing. You can use any: simple, imitating a geometric pattern or parallel rows, or choose a more complex of options, for example, mosaic laying using materials of different colors, sizes and textures.

The floor or walls finished with porcelain stoneware using seamless installation technology seem visually monolithic.

This method of mounting tile products, due to the special physical properties, including water resistance, differs from decoration with ordinary ceramic tiles. An important point when working with porcelain stoneware is the use of special mixtures and adhesives.

Material selection

The choice of porcelain stoneware depends on the functional purpose of the room. So, for a bath or kitchen, products with a rough texture or embossing are suitable. The use of such tiles will help to avoid possible injuries when water gets on the floor.

The choice of material is carried out according to caliber: overall dimensions of the tile unit and tone. Please note that when laying seamless porcelain stoneware, a little more material is required than with the classic finishing method.

Preparing the foundation

A carefully prepared processed base is the key to the successful implementation of the following stages of work. Porcelain stoneware must lie correctly on a completely flat surface with sufficient bearing capacity.

So on the previously leveled, completely cleared of grease, dirt and dust, the surface of the floor or walls is applied a primer corresponding to the type of material selected.

It is interesting that when installing porcelain stoneware on the floor, a board can be used as a base, but it should not bend under load and must freely withstand human weight. In this case, it is best to play it safe and additionally compact the base with a reinforcing mesh.

The technique of laying porcelain tiles on the floor or walls

Finishing any surface, when working with porcelain stoneware, as with any other material, it is necessary to observe the sequence of actions:

• If you select a symmetrical pattern, installation starts from the center of the floor or wall. Pull the string to maintain symmetry;
• apply glue to small areas, always leveling it with a spatula;
• watch for air bubbles forming in the adhesive;
• the aligned surface of the wall (floor) with the adhesive already applied is worked out with a notched trowel to obtain better adhesion to the material;
• it is necessary to put porcelain tiles seamlessly without haste, checking after installing each tile the correctness with the help of a level;
• the lined finish is allowed to stand for 72-96 hours for the final hardening of the glue, after which they begin to grout the seams;
• Grouting is carried out using a rubber spatula, which is also used to remove excess mass.

Experts advise

Laying seamless porcelain tile is a relatively new technology in construction, working with which, you have to strictly follow the instructions and follow the recommendations of specialists:

1. The base prepared for installation must be even, otherwise porcelain stoneware under pressure will begin to crack.
2. When working with this technology, use large-sized porcelain tiles, for example, 600 x 600 mm. So you can minimize the number of joints.
3. The seam between two adjacent plates acts as a buffer to soften the pressure applied.
4. Use formulations specifically designed for these purposes that have the ability to expand or contract when exposed to different temperature conditions. If you are going to lay porcelain tile without seams, neglect of this advice can lead to bursting of plates during the operation of the room.
5. There is a need for installation of the material at a certain temperature regime: from +5 to +30 ° C.
6. When installing the plates, the gap between them should be no more than 1 mm, which in the process is filled with a specially prepared mixture - epoxy grout, matched to the tone of the plates.
7. The selection of glue for the material is no less a crucial moment. For each type of porcelain stoneware, only one special adhesive mixture is suitable.

Butt-laying technology requires a lot of effort and time, although the process is time-consuming, but the result pays for itself one hundred percent. Porcelain tiles can be mounted seamlessly on the wall or on the floor. In any case, this finish looks decent and will serve as a great addition to the style of the interior.

Qualitatively laid porcelain tiles look like a single unit, without noticeable joints or small flaws. The effect of a perfectly smooth surface can be achieved in the process of laying seamless porcelain stoneware.