If you started laying the tiles yourself, then you need to think through all the nuances in advance so as not to run into troubles during the work. At first glance, there is nothing complicated. We put a layer of glue on the floor or wall and apply the tile, after which we do not forget to strengthen it with plastic crosses. After drying, they can be removed and wiped the resulting seams. It turns out beauty.
However, trowel joints darken over time, dirt accumulates in them, and they become an excellent environment for germs. The seam in this case is cleaned and updated. Is it possible to avoid such regular repetitions? Masters are well aware of what seamless styling is. Porcelain in this case is put much closer, which changes the appearance.
What is behind it
In fact, it’s not worth literally taking construction terminology. Laying seamless porcelain stoneware implies that they simply become less noticeable. Usually this is 1.5-2 mm, laying without them is not recommended. Why not? Because there is a risk of glue shrinkage, as a result of which the tile will begin to creep onto each other, swelling and cracking. Therefore, even taking into account the peculiarities of the coating, glue and the room itself (bathroom or hallway), you still need to put it taking into account the minimum gaps of 0.5 mm. But in general, the picture is monolithic, however, it all depends on who puts the granite. Seamless laying is just a technique that can be done in many different ways.
Surface preparation
This is the first thing the master or the landlord himself should think about, who has decided to make repairs at home. The more ideal you want to get the surface after installing the coating, the better the base should be. In this case, it will not be enough just to pull out with a spatula. Although if you are a true professional in your field, you may be able to cope with the task. But most often the laying of porcelain stoneware without seams is carried out after applying the filler.
Glue selection
Once the surface is brought to perfect condition, you can get down to business. Laying porcelain tiles on the floor without seams is performed using special glue, the instructions for use of which this material is indicated. It is applied with a layer of not less than the thickness of the tile, but not more than the maximum allowable for a given composition. Usually from 4 to 10 mm. Application is carried out with a gear staple. They “disperse” it with arcs or straight “beds”, this already depends on the experience of the master and his habits.
Subtleties of styling
They are in every case, therefore, before you get down to business, you should consult with the master. The tiles are laid obliquely, after which it is important to prevent the appearance of air bubbles. Laying porcelain tiles on the floor without seams is very difficult, so you have to prepare the entire layout in advance. However, first things first. So, the laid tile is tapped diagonally at the corners, twice at each crosshair. This is how all available bubbles are driven toward the center so that the risk of breakage is minimized.
Hackwork or quality work
In fact, on the market you can find craftsmen of any level. That is why the quality of the commissioned object will be very different. Someone for seamless laying gives out the technology to reduce them, using a good grout, matched in color. The first time will look like a truly monolithic picture.
However, there is indeed laying seamless porcelain stoneware. Butt technology is well-known today, it is really very beautiful. In this case, the master, who took up this for the first time, is doomed to failure. With a cut accuracy of +/- 5 mm in a room 3 meters wide, the discrepancy can be up to 2.5 mm. Of course, you can hide it by moving the seam in rows. But you get a gap near the wall, covered with skirting boards.
What are the seams for?
Indeed, why in any particular case it is impossible to start laying porcelain tile on the floor without seams? Even in the certificates for the tiles, the requirements are clearly indicated - the minimum seams should be 2 or 3 mm. The reason is the instability of the parameters of mineral raw materials, due to which the tile differs even within the same batch. And such details are either "ruffled" or crumbled by edges against each other. But what about the examples of work presented on the Internet? Where are granite floors shown without glue lines? This is a professional job that is quite expensive.
Seamless styling
To make the picture perfect, you will need to observe a number of rules. First of all, to buy material from one batch, with a large excess. If suddenly it’s not enough, you won’t be able to buy another one, because the TCR can already be different. Now, with the help of special programs, cutting and stacking schemes are developed. Fragments are cut on a cutting machine with a special diamond cutter.
Now the final touch: on the prepared surface, you need to lay out the whole picture, after which all the details are numbered in the order of final styling. The first time this is done dry, without glue. If required, a final fit and grinding is performed. In accordance with the obtained scheme, the parts are laid out on glue. Having done such work, you can get a beautiful floor.
Grout
This does not end the laying of porcelain stoneware on the floor. The nuances and subtleties of the process will have to learn in practice. Beginners often come across the fact that the perfect picture, laid out on a dry floor, refuses to dock on an adhesive basis. The figure is floating. This may indicate that there are too many foundations. On the other hand, as they dry up, these flaws usually go away by themselves. Therefore, try to reproduce the whole picture exactly as it was on the dry floor, and leave it for several hours, and preferably at night.
After the coating has dried, grout must be done. Yes, she is still needed, despite minimal seams. A special silicone-based mixture with an antiseptic is used. Be sure to pick it in color, then the presence of seams will not betray itself.
Instead of a conclusion
Butt laying technique is quite complex and time-consuming. If this is your first time getting started, we recommend that you simply reduce the standard slots to 1-2 mm, but do not give up on them at all. A good grout will help to hide flaws and give the impression of integrity. And if you want to achieve a truly amazing result, you will have to turn to real professionals.