XXL tiles - how to cut?

[Grime]

Hi All - a client wants his newly screeded floor tiled and is seriously talking about using massive ones: 2.4m x 1.2m.

If any of you have worked with tiles that big, what saw/cutter did you use to cut them?

The client wants 2mm grout lines - do you think there'd be any problems with this?

All advice appreciated. Ta.

 

[Dan]

Which make is it you're going for?

 

[Grime]

Hi Dan - sorry I don't understand.

 

[Dan]

Which tile manufacturer makes the large tiles your customer wants?
The quality, as with all tiles, usually comes down to who made them.

So the 2mm grout joint might be fine with one firm, but not with another.

So I just wondered. Not that I've installed any large tiles myself, I just thought the information would be handy for the others when they read the thread. 🙂

 

[Grime]

Lol. Sorry, I get you now. The manufacturer is Concept Tiles. The manufacturer's website says 2mm grout joints are fine, but I've never used tiles that big. I know the quality of the tiles and especially the sharpness of the edge ate the big considerations, but I'd still appreciate some advice or hear the experience of anybody who's worked with tiles that big.

 

[Dan]

@3_fall is pretty good with huge tiles 😉

Apparently your adhesive choice and mixture is important. And perhaps using some kind of levelling system. You need to guarantee 100% coverage still. Which is very hard to do with such a large tile. Apparently doing a sloppier mix is the way to go.

But like I say, don't listen to me. 🙂

 

[LM]

Hi Grime I am asking this to establish a baseline from where to work with as regards advice, how much experience have you with tiling?🙂

 

[Dan]

Said he's new in this thread mate

Advice for new electric cutter - http://www.tilersforums.com/threads/advice-for-new-electric-cutter.81937/

 

[Old Mod]

What thickness are they, 6mm?

 

[Italy]

It depends on the thickness,
not yet mentioned above

 

[Old Mod]

It depends on the thickness,
not yet mentioned above

Yes I did! 😛

 

[Italy]

Yes I did! 😛

 

[NZ_Tiler]

A rail cutter and grinder.

Mapei ultralite S2 is recommended for large tiles. That or kerabond iso neat.

 

[Dan]

A rail cutter and grinder.

Mapei ultralite S2 is recommended for large tiles. That or kerabond iso neat.View attachment 89023 View attachment 89024 View attachment 89025 View attachment 89026 View attachment 89027

What tiles are those?!

 

[Old Mod]

I can tell you he's using a flashline cutter haha

 

[Dan]

I can tell you he's using a flashline cutter haha

And a whole twin-axle trailer as a cutting bench pmsl

Still with overhang.

 

[Old Mod]

I heard 5m x 2m are starting to be rolled out now.

 

[Dan]

That's a silly size.

Are we really just doing this to not see grout joints?

Are people who are buying them thinking it's going to fool other people into thinking they have a room built from solid marble? lol

 

[Old Mod]

That's the thing tho, the resemblance is incredible. I'll post a couple of pics, one will be marble and one will be porcelain.
I challenge you to tell them apart.

 

[Blunt Tool]

I heard 5m x 2m are starting to be rolled out now.

Be aswell use aqua panel when they start getting that size! Customer wouldn't have a plasterboard wall or staircase left trying to get them in and upstairs

 

[Old Mod]

Take a guess

 

[Dan]

Ewwwww!

Is NZ Tiler using Porcel Thin there in his images? Looks the same stuff as you used on that posh job.

 

[Old Mod]

No, it's a Calacatta but not porcelthin. The largest they do currently is 1800 x 900,but that'll possibly increased to 2400 x 1200.

 

[Old Mod]

Ewwwww!

Yes but which is marble and which is porcelain? Haha

 

[Dan]

Is it from the same place though? I assume ray brands it Porcel-Thin when he gets it. Looks like the same print is used?

 

[Old Mod]

No idea where that is from but I highly doubt it.
Each marble has its own unique look.
Calacatta is Calacatta its distinctive, so doesn't matter who makes it, it will have a similar appearance.

 

[Dan]

I don't think i understand how it's made then lol

We need another thread for me pmsl

 

[Dan]

Nah that's what I thought.

It's a print. So that's the same print by the looks of it to me.

 

[Old Mod]

How porcelain is made and where is porcelain made are three different things haha

The xxl porcelain tiles are perfect copies of real slabs of marble.
They take a slab, and photograph it, they then 3D print the slab on to the porcelain.
Most often, the easiest way to create different designs of the same slab is to move the print along 10% and reprint. That way they get a tile that only repeats every so many tiles, but it all taken from 1 slab.
Help?

 

[Old Mod]

Answering your own questions now haha

 

[Dan]

Yeah lol cheers. 😀

Somebody wants to take more pictures then because NZ Tiler's getting the same stuff as Ray is. If it's not the same tile, it's taken of the same slabs lol