Laying tiles - Frequently asked questions | FAQ

1. cooling:

During wet cutting, the water serves as cooling for the diamond saw or cutting tool. The constant supply of water reduces heat build-up. This reduces the risk of overheating and damage to the tool. A lower operating temperature also increases the service life of the diamond blades.

2. dust reduction:

Wet cutting enables faster and more efficient cuts, as the cutting tool can work faster and for longer due to the cooling and reduced wear. In addition, work does not have to be interrupted to remove dust or clean the tool.

Laying large-format tiles is a challenge for any tiler. Here are some tips that must be followed when laying large tiles:

Before you start laying, make sure that the substrate is stable, level, clean and free from dust, dirt or other contaminants. Careful substrate preparation is essential to ensure an even result. You may need to level or pre-treat the subfloor.

Choosing the right tile adhesive is very important to ensure that your tiles last for a long time.

You want to lay large format tiles like a professional?

Then why not attend one of our large format training courses at the Karl Dahm Academy? After that, even the largest tiles will be child's play for you!

The buttering-floating method is a special technique that is mainly used when laying large and thin tiles:

Tile adhesive is applied to both the substrate and the back of the tile before the tile is placed on the substrate.

The buttering process:

When buttering, the tile adhesive is applied to the substrate with a notched trowel. At the same time, a thinner layer of tile adhesive is also applied to the back of the tile. After buttering, the tile is placed on the adhesive-covered substrate and moved slightly (floating) to spread the adhesive over the back of the tile and ensure even adhesion. This helps to avoid cavities and unevenness and ensures optimum flatness of the tile.

The buttering-floating process is used in particular when laying large and thin tiles to prevent the tiles from warping or sinking and to achieve a professional result. It ensures even distribution of the adhesive and secure adhesion of the tiles, resulting in a durable and stable tiled surface.

Manual tile cutter:

A manual tile cutter is well suited for ceramic tiles and thinner porcelain tiles. It is easy to use and ideal for smaller tile cuts. Our range includes tile cutters from the KARL DAHM Ideal or Highline series, as well as from the Kaufmann, Sigma or Montolit series.

Electric tile cutter:

Electric tile cutters are more powerful and can cut thicker tiles such as porcelain, natural stone or even marble. They are ideal for larger projects and more demanding tile cuts. Our KARL DAHM D8, D20 or Super Cut stone cutting machines are just right for this purpose.

A wet cutter is particularly suitable for delicate tiles such as natural stone or glazed tiles, as it uses water for cooling during cutting. This prevents the tile surface from breaking or being damaged. Our stone cutting machines D8, D20 and Super Cut as well as the wet cutter D14 Art. 30140 can be found in our store.

Diamond cutting blade:

A diamond cutting blade on an angle grinder is the best choice for particularly hard materials such as granite or marble. It enables precise and clean cuts in hard tile materials. The diamond band saw Art. 40910 is suitable for extremely precise cuts.

Area of application:

Depending on whether you need tiles for indoor use (e.g. living room, kitchen, bathroom) or outdoor use (terrace, balcony), different tile materials are more suitable. Ceramic tiles are generally a good choice for indoor use, while frost resistance is important for outdoor use, making porcelain stoneware or natural stone a better option.

Moisture load:

In damp rooms, such as bathrooms or kitchens, you should choose tiles with good water absorption properties to prevent mold growth. Glazed tiles or porcelain stoneware are a good choice here.

Tile size can greatly influence the appearance of a room. Large format tiles can make rooms appear larger, while smaller tiles are more suitable for detailed patterns and designs. Consider the size of the room and the desired appearance to choose the right tile size.

Optics and design:

Choose tiles that match your desired style and design. There is a huge selection of colors, patterns and finishes that can reflect your individual preferences and the overall concept of your space.

Cleaning:

Remove any dirt, dust, grease or other contaminants from the surface. A clean and dust-free surface is essential for the tile adhesive to adhere properly.

Checking the flatness:

Make sure that the substrate is level. Unevenness can lead to cavities under the tiles and damage them. If necessary, any unevenness should be evened out, e.g. by applying filler.

The substrate should be dry before you start installing the tiles. Moisture can affect the tile adhesive and cause damage in the long term. Check the moisture of the substrate with a moisture meter, e.g. with our GM-200 moisture tester, Art. 40435.

Primer:

Apply a suitable primer to the substrate. The primer improves the adhesion of the tile adhesive and prevents the penetration of moisture.

Load capacity:

Make sure that the substrate can bear the additional load of the tiles. For wooden subfloors, you should use special subfloors or decoupling mats to minimize movement or cracking.

Planning the tiling:

Before you start the installation, plan the tiling carefully. Measure the room and lay out the tile layouts to ensure you don't end up with narrow strips or small pieces. Careful preparation of the substrate is crucial for a durable and professional tile installation. Take your time with these steps to avoid problems later and achieve a beautiful end result.

Straight laying:

The simplest and most common laying technique is straight laying, in which the tiles are arranged in straight rows. This technique is well suited to rooms with clear lines and few cuts, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Offset installation:

Here, the tiles are laid in staggered rows, with the edges of each tile aligned with the center of the tile below. This technique is often recommended for large rooms, as it evens out unevenness better and achieves a better visual effect.

The tiles are laid diagonally here, which gives the room a dynamic and appealing look. This technique is often used for small rooms or rooms with irregular shapes to make the room appear larger.

Mosaic laying:

In mosaic laying, small tiles are joined together to form patterns or pictures. This technique allows a great deal of design freedom and is often used for decorative accents, murals or floors in sophisticated designs.

Large format installation:

Large-format tiles are used for an almost seamless look and give the room a modern and minimalist appearance. This technique is well suited to spacious, open rooms.

Preparation:

Make sure that the tiles and the substrate are completely dry and clean before you start grouting.

Select grout:

Choose the right grout for your tiles and the intended use. There are different types of grout, e.g. for indoor or outdoor areas, moisture-resistant grout for bathrooms or special colors for decorative effects.

Prepare the grout according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use a clean and smooth mixing bowl and a stirrer to achieve a uniform consistency.

Applying joint material:

Apply the grout diagonally to the tile joints using a grouting rubber. Make sure that the grout for floor tiles is rather thin. For wall tiles, the grout must be much more viscous. Then press the grout firmly into the joints to ensure that it adheres well and no cavities are created.

Flushing out:

Once the grout has set, remove any excess grout from the tile surface. Use a damp grouting sponge or sponge board to do this.

Final cleaning:

After grouting, a fine haze of grout may settle on the tiles. You should remove this haze from each tile as quickly as possible with a damp cloth and then polish with a dry, lint-free cloth. This will make your tiles shine and give you a flawless finish.

Tile cutter:

A tile cutter is an indispensable tool for cutting tiles to the desired size. There are different types of tile cutters, such as manual tile cutters for smaller tiles or electric tile cutters for larger formats (see "Which tile cutter is best for which tiles?").

Tile tongs:

Tile nippers are used to break tiles into small pieces or to cut irregular shapes (e.g. Art. 10106).

These tools are used to apply the grout evenly and smoothly into the tile joints and to remove excess grout.

Rubber mallet:

A rubber mallet is used to lightly tap the tiles during installation to ensure that they adhere evenly and firmly to the tile adhesive (e.g. Art. 11566).

Spirit level and tile dowels:

A spirit level helps you to ensure that the tiles are laid straight and level (large selection of spirit levels, e.g. Art. 11290-11295). Tile dowels are used to stabilize tiles in uneven areas.

Tile crosses or spacers:

Tile crosses or spacers are placed between the tiles to ensure uniform joint widths (e.g. tile crosses in various sizes, Art. 12622, 12623, 12624)

Notched trowel:

A notched trowel is used to apply the tile adhesive evenly to the substrate (e.g. Art. 10606).

Sponge board:

A sponge board is used to remove excess grout from the tiles and to clean the surface (e.g. Art. 10761).

Measuring tools:

A meter stick and a pencil are used to measure the tiles and set the cut marks.

Protective clothing:

Wear protective clothing such as knee pads and work gloves to protect yourself from injury (e.g. items 12559, 12777, 12063).