Advise On Trowel Type And Which Spacers For Quartz 600x600 Floor Tile

[Paul Panteli]

Hi,

Going to be installing over the next few weeks Gulf Quartz floor tiles 600x600 on a concentre floor in the kitchen.

Floor will be primed first and tiles back buttered.

I have read on this forum different opinions on which type of trowel and size to use - can you please advise best possible option please.

Also, i know min standard is 3mm for the spacers, should i be going for 3mm or 4mm? or is it simply a matter of preference

Appreciate your advise.

 

[Flintstone]

I would say 3mm is fine and that's what I would use, trowel wise, if the floor is nice and flat, a 12x12mm notch trowel should be spot on.

 

[Paul Panteli]

Thanks for the advice, does it matter if its a square or U shape trowel?

 

[Flintstone]

12mm square.

 

[Paul Panteli]

Great thank you.

 

[Flintstone]

You could go bigger if floor isn't perfect, I have just been doing one myself with same tile size and had to use 12x12 on floor and an 8x8 on the back of the tile too.

 

[Unused Account 1]

Did you put ditra mat down or not

 

[Stef]

How flat is your sub floor?
I've yet to see a concrete floor that doesn't need some slc on it.

 

[Unused Account 1]

Same here ,

 

[Paul Panteli]

Sorry I should have said that SLC will be laid just to level the floor. Do I still need a 12x12 trowel then?

 

[Flintstone]

Did you put ditra mat down or not

Me? No

 

[Stef]

I use a minimum 10mm square notch on a good substrate.
A 12mm trowel will do as you will end up with 2-3mm adhesive underneath.

 

[dynamictiling]

Something that I am surprised no one has mentioned. You should be using a latex adhesive for quartz.

 

[Paul Panteli]

Yes will be using the two part adhesive Keraquick with Latex.

 

[Kyle Knowles]

Tilemaster ultimate is rated for quartz I'd go with that coz all 2 part adhesive are miserable to use

 

[Time's Ran Out]

And don't forget to ask if there is UFH!

 

[hmtiling]

Tilemaster ultimate is rated for quartz I'd go with that coz all 2 part adhesive are miserable to use

I wouldn't use anything but a 2 part. Tilemaster did post on here about having many successful installations with ultimate but it didn't sound like a guarantee to me.

 

[Rookery]

I wouldn't use anything but a 2 part. Tilemaster did post on here about having many successful installations with ultimate but it didn't sound like a guarantee to me.

It states on the boxes of Gulfstone specifically to use a 2 part powder/latex adhesive so I wouldn't gamble on anything less.

 

[Unused Account 1]

I just did a job with white slow set ardex flexi ,no problems

 

[hmtiling]

I just did a job with white slow set ardex flexi ,no problems

Plenty of time for problems to occur then

 

[Unused Account 1]

A month ago ,and the guy who told me about addy done 20 jobs with it

 

[hmtiling]

A month ago ,and the guy who told me about addy done 20 jobs with it

good luck to both of you. I wouldn't risk it for the price of some ad250 though

 

[Stef]

I phoned Weber technical years ago & they stated that their rapid set could be used with Quartz.
I've fitted quartz with Bal, Weber, Ardex & TileMaster adhesives & never had an issue.

 

[Unused Account 1]

To warm for rapid lol ,cheers

 

[Paul Panteli]

Just laid the Mapei Screed Renovation SLC today which is now walkable. When can I prime this and start tiling?

Thanks

 

[Stef]

Just laid the Mapei Screed Renovation SLC today which is now walkable. When can I prime this and start tiling?

Thanks

24hrs I'm certain for tiling.
I have tiled to it sooner but depends on room temperature.

 

[Paul Panteli]

Great thanks Stef. Got windows closed now so hopefully will be fine to tile tomorrow.

 

[Paul Panteli]

Tiling about to start today. 3mm spacers seem small, is it better to stick with 3mm or 4mm on the Quartz 600x600 tiles?

 

[hmtiling]

Tiling about to start today. 3mm spacers seem small, is it better to stick with 3mm or 4mm on the Quartz 600x600 tiles?

3mm is ample but it's whatever you think looks best.

 

[Paul Panteli]

To be honest having compared both sizes prefer the 3mm but as long as it's not going to cause any issues later on for what ever reason.