What size T spacers for metro style tiles (10cm x 20cm)

[Graham]

Hi guys, I will be doing a kitchen splashback using metro tiles.

The tiles are 10cm x 20cm in size. Should I go with 2mm spacers or 3mm spacers? Grout is Mapei Keracolor Super Fine (SF).

Thank you.

 

[acaciaguy]

2 mm

 

[Dumbo]

2

 

[acaciaguy]

Make sure wall is flat and a nice surface and you will be fine

 

[Graham]

Great thank you, I will grab a big pack of Rubi T spacers then and get cracking. Any tips for metro tiles specifically?

 

[acaciaguy]

Do you have a pic of area you are tiling ?

 

[Graham]

 

[Graham]

Metro tiles, 2mm spacers, Mapei Primer G (white emulsion will be scraped off first!), then Mapei adhesive and tiles.

 

[acaciaguy]

First thing is to get work top fitted dead level. Will make life easier

Is the sink centred to the two wall units left and right ?

What do you mean by internal corner trim

 

[Flintstone]

Lovely diagrams

No trims required on internal corners Graham, just external - 8mm trim.

 

[Graham]

I'm panicking a bit now as I have a length of this, from Genesis, please see attached. Do I not bother using it in the internal corners? Shall I mitre the tiles instead in the corners?

 

[Graham]

Also, this is the external corner trim I have.

Shall I use that instead in all corners, both internal and external then?

I crossed out the wall on my atachment as that doesn't apply in my case, I will move the profile slightly to the right to sit flush with the left wall, if you see what I mean.

DIY gets me excited but when a pro says you doing wrong I start panicking!

 

[acaciaguy]

Don’t bother with it. Mitre or scribe internal corners and use silicone

 

[Graham]

OK fine, so I will ditch the white internal corner trim in that case (it's the most expensive one too, at £14!).

To cut the tiles I went and bought one of these, hopefully it will be ok. Spec says it can do mitre angles.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plasplugs-Compact-DWW200-Electric-Cutter/dp/B00PLY2KI0

 

[acaciaguy]

So with metros. Pick the centre of your main wall. Usually a cooker hood area. But in your case it’s a sink. If that is centred between the two wall units then find the center of that. Tile from that line off the counter top.

 

[Flintstone]

I'd say 99% of metro jobs done by professional or diy get the tiles butted up in the internal corners same as any other internal tile corner and siliconed after.

 

[Graham]

Great thanks. Mate is coming round on Friday to help fit the worktops, the base units are all level.

Do I need to batten, from the starting point, I am guessing no?
Also (and forgive me) do I leave the T spacers in the wall and grout over them or pick them out?

 

[acaciaguy]

No batten. Tile off work top

Personally I use cross spacers. Stick arm in rather than flat in joint and pull them out when set

 

[acaciaguy]

I'd say 99% of metro jobs done by professional or diy get the tiles butted up in the internal corners same as any other internal tile corner and siliconed after.

I see that often. What do you do? I prefer mitre or scribe. Gets rid of diamond effect

 

[Flintstone]

I butt them up. A lot of the metros I have used recently seem to have a very subtle bevel.

 

[acaciaguy]

I agree with that. There are many that are really flat

 

[Graham]

These metros I am using have a subtle bevel that is roughly half inch on the outer perimeter of each tile.

In terms of butting the tiles together, do I use (A) or (B) joint at the internal corners?

 

[acaciaguy]

Are you an engineer or graphic designer?

 

[acaciaguy]

A and B will look the same when siliconed

 

[Graham]

Haha, neither, just a hopeless idiot who can just about use a PC, but who always wants to try his hand at everything.

Good point re: A and B. Mitre is a no-no? It's partly why I bought that very Plasplugs tile cutter as I saw a video on YouTube which shows it can mitres and I went "oooooh, that looks good, I'll be doing that!" hahaha.

 

[acaciaguy]

Very much like me. Good for you ! Striving to get it right is a lovely thing to see

 

[acaciaguy]

And to be honest with a subtle bevel. Just butt up and silicone. If you really want to then mitre

 

[Graham]

My philosophy has always been "do it once, do it right, leave it. If you cut corners, it will come to bite you in the butt sooner or later!" Also it's my place, so it's in my own interest to get it right. And who better to ask then the knowledgeable chaps on here

 

[acaciaguy]

And to be honest with a subtle bevel. Just butt up and silicone. If you really want to then mitre

Mitre them. You will enjoy doing it

 

[acaciaguy]

My philosophy has always been "do it once, do it right, leave it. If you cut corners, it will come to bite you in the butt sooner or later!" Also it's my place, so it's in my own interest to get it right. And who better to ask then the knowledgeable chaps on here

I agree. However you question now really is about cutting corners !