What size trowel for ceramic Tile ?

Question

I was told by one guy at Menards to use a 1/4 teeth trowel for

6-1/2'' x 1/4'' floor tiles. I am worried this will be too much glue and will ooze out the 3/16'' gaps between tiles. then it will be a nightmare mess, and can't grout.

Also do you just lay the tiles on the glue? or press down ?

how much?

Thank you very much

Answer 1

2 mm is enaugh i think, because more smaller gap, nicer for look.

thanks - http://www.asesidea.com

Answer 2

Coverage is the most important thing you need.. Although I d NEVER use  a mastic on a floor because it s much more expensive I ve always used a thinset  (cement based) adhesive.. When setting a tile  gently push   the tile into the glue w/ a twisting / turning motion.. This sets the tile into the adhesive better.Occasionally lift a tile up by carefully prying up on it and check the coverage on the backing..You ll want  approx. an 80% coverage.. A 1/4 x1/4 size trowel will work but by personal choice I ll use a 1/4 x 3/8 deep trowel if it s  a hard bodied  tile . For a soft bodied tile ( usually have lugs or teats  for spacing on the edge ) I ll then put them together and use a 1/4 x 1/4 trowel. Use the RIGHT type of grout for the type of tile your using.. If you are using a mastic I d wash or clean out the grout joint since grouts won t properly bond to a mastic like they will to a cement type adhesive.. GL

Answer 3

No matter how much mastic you use for tile it will come up in the grout joint areas because you have to press down and what I hve found easy and everyone is different is to have a bucket of water and use a spacer to clean the mastic out of the grout joints as you are laying them. After they are dried you can still clean out the grout joint areas which it not hard either. Hope this helps