Ceramic Tile Thinset Thickness

The trowel size determines how much thinset to put on the substrate as well as how thick the bed of thinset should be under the tile.

Ceramic tile thinset thickness.

If the mortar starts to harden while you work either on the surface or in the bucket discard it and mix a new batch. For most tile installations a square notched trowel with 1 4 inch notches produces grooves of the right thickness. Medium 6 by 6 inch and 12 by 12 inch tiles are typically 3 8 inch thick. Tile set by the thinset method is adhered to the substrate with a thin layer of thinset cement.

For example a 3 8 notch trowel will produce a 3 16th inch thick coating after the tiles are pressed in to the cement. 1 mix the thinset mortar. For thicker tiles larger notches are recommended. How to spread thinset for ceramic tile.

I would say a typical thickness is close to but most tiles do not have flat backs. When you use a square notched trowel with the same size notch and teeth i e. A 1 2 x 1 2 the bed of thinset will be half of that measurement or 1 4 beneath a flat tile over a flat substrate. This type of cement is designed to adhere well in a thin layer typically not greater than 3 16th thick.

For example a 3 8 notch trowel will produce a 3. The terms thinset cement thinset mortar dryset mortar and drybond mortar are synonymous. So in regards to how much the thinset will raise the tiles you should figure 3 32 1 4x3 8 trowel leaves ridges that are no more than 5 16 high. Most 12 x 12 tiles that are fairly flat wind up with a 1 4 notched trowel and that would probably be a good starting point with 15 x 15 tiles as well.

If your tiles vary a lot in thickness such as handmade tiles then a larger notch might be required to accommodate the variations and your resultant thinset layer will be thicker. Jun 11 2011 the thinset thickness is determined by the size of the trowel used and the size of the trowel is determined by how the back of the tile is constructed and the size of the tile. Large format tiles such as 18 by 18 inch and. Stylish ceramic tiles on your kitchen walls or perhaps even the countertops maybe an accent wall in the house or a blend of.

The thinset manufacturers want a minimum of 3 32 cured thickness. This type of cement is designed to adhere well in a thin layer typically not greater than 3 16th thick.