Trowel Size For Porcelain Floor Tiles

[Leon632]

Hi all. New to the forum.
I'm doing my first tiling job in our hallway.
I've got the sub floor nice and sturdy by gluing and screwing hardibacker down but need some advice on the trowel size for the job.
The tiles are pretty small. They are hexagonal and roughly 26cm x 21cm rock solid 6mm Porcelain.
What would be the best trowel notch size to use? I've read 10mm for floor tiles but that is obviously a fair bit thicker than the tiles themselves.
Your advise will be very much appreciated.

 

[Old Mod]

Hi Leon Welcome to the Forum!


Remember, using the flat side of the trowel, put a skim of adhesive on the back of the tile first before bedding down!
This is a very important part of the laying process when it comes to Porcelain.
Use a trowel that produces ribs that are deep enough so that when u bed the tile it gives u a solid bed (full coverage) if your floor is flat enough try a 8mm trowel with 6mm tiles. Then lift the tile and see what the coverage is like. You're looking for coverage like this;

 

[Leon632]

Thanks for the speedy reply. I have a 9mm trowel so I'll give that a go. Funnily enough i was after a 8mm one but they didn't stock any.
I'm just hoping my tile cutter cuts the tiles ok now.
I bought a sigma after reading good reviews. It glides through and snaps any ceramics I throw at it but these porcelain are rock hard. If I apply a lot of pressure on the score and snap it just gets through it cleanly.

 

[Old Mod]

Thanks for the speedy reply. I have a 9mm trowel so I'll give that a go. Funnily enough i was after a 8mm one but they didn't stock any.
I'm just hoping my tile cutter cuts the tiles ok now.
I bought a sigma after reading good reviews. It glides through and snaps any ceramics I throw at it but these porcelain are rock hard. If I apply a lot of pressure on the score and snap it just gets through it cleanly.

Unfortunately I'm not a Sigma user so I can't really comment.
Most slide cutters have a certain technique to them, but generally speaking it's more of a snap movement when breaking, that's is to say a short sharp snap movement, but u don't actually go thro the tile, if that makes sense

 

[Mr Tiler]

Thanks for the speedy reply. I have a 9mm trowel so I'll give that a go. Funnily enough i was after a 8mm one but they didn't stock any.
I'm just hoping my tile cutter cuts the tiles ok now.
I bought a sigma after reading good reviews. It glides through and snaps any ceramics I throw at it but these porcelain are rock hard. If I apply a lot of pressure on the score and snap it just gets through it cleanly.

Sigma wont be problem if there is it is probably the person cutting

 

[Mr Tiler]

As for the trowel i use a 10mm square notched on majority of floors

 

[Leon632]

Thanks guys. Like i say i practiced on one of the tiles and got through it with a quick hard tap.
Where is the best place to tap the tile?

 

[Old Mod]

Thanks guys. Like i say i practiced on one of the tiles and got through it with a quick hard tap.
Where is the best place to tap the tile?

That's one for a Sigma user!
There's the odd one on here @Dave!

 

[Mr Tiler]

Thanks guys. Like i say i practiced on one of the tiles and got through it with a quick hard tap.
Where is the best place to tap the tile?

Is there not a breaker on your cutter?

 

[Leon632]

Yes. Thats what i meant, a good hard tap on the breaker.
Will the tiles need sealing?

 

[bcd-87]

10mm is spot on mate.. Back butter and key it to the sub floor

 

[AliGage]

Sigma wont be problem if there is it is probably the person cutting

As for the trowel i use a 10mm square notched on majority of floors

Is there not a breaker on your cutter?

Lol! Welcome back Ash!

 

[Old Mod]

Lol! Welcome back Ash!

I did tell him he was missed a couple days ago! Haha

 

[AliGage]

Lol. Definitely, no matter how rough I think my days been, I can come home, hop on the forum and be comforted that things could be worse.

*Hugs* @Mr Tiler

 

[Mr Tiler]

nice

 

[AliGage]

Just messing Ash. But take it as a compliment, you make me laugh mate ad that's something I very Rarely do!

 

[Old Mod]

Just messing Ash. But take it as a compliment, you make me laugh mate ad that's something I very Rarely do!

Yeah I can vouch for that Ash,
Not only is it a compliment,
But he never smiles either!

 

[D man]

Normally use a 12mm for my porcelain floors

 

[Unused Account 1]

10mm is fine as long as the floor is flat and level ,

 

[Leon632]

Laid the tiles and did all my straight cuts with the sigma, no issues.
Used a 9mm notch and back buttered. Tiles very secure to the floor. I just need to finish off the awkward cuts with an electric cutter which I am borrowing. Work commitments meant that I couldn't quite finish but ill put pics up when it is complete.
Thanks for all the tips.

 

[bcd-87]

10mm is fine as long as the floor is flat and level ,

Flat and level.... That's a myth an old wives tale

 

[StevieBoy]

15mm for me.