Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" tile?

[Mark in Baltimore]

Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" tile?

We are having our basement finished. Our contractor is saying he has to use flooring leveler (or more flooring leveler than with regular ceramic tiles) because our concrete slab floor is not level enough for the long, 48" ceramic wood planks. However, we did put ceramic tiles in the scope of work (didn't specify they would be ceramic planks), so this should have not been a surprise to the contractor.

I'm thinking that he would have had to use flooring leveler anyway with 16" tiles; it's not as if we were planning on using tiny, mesh-backed bathroom tiles for the floor.

Appreciate any thoughts.

 

[PelicanPines]

Re: Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" til

I'm in to know what others think... I recently did a bathroom with the 48" planks and will admit they can be slightly harder to work with.

 

[Gerald O]

Re: Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" til

Yes, large format tiles have a much tighter requirement for flatness of the base than smaller tiles. It just makes sense. Smaller tiles 'adapt' easier to hills and valleys.

Sounds like you're hoping to put the screws to your contractor. 48" planks are far from being common. Don't try to fault your contractor for not assuming this would be your choice.

 

[Mark in Baltimore]

Re: Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" til

Thanks for the help, everyone.

Yes, large format tiles have a much tighter requirement for flatness of the base than smaller tiles. It just makes sense. Smaller tiles 'adapt' easier to hills and valleys.

Sounds like you're hoping to put the screws to your contractor. 48" planks are far from being common. Don't try to fault your contractor for not assuming this would be your choice.

There are parts of this renovation that are not known to anyone else here. I'm looking for a fair approach to all aspects of the project and have been more than understanding with issues that have cropped up. Although the project has gone okay for the most part, there have been some other problems I won't go into here that have me concerned such as other cost creep as well as a deadline that has gone over three times past the quoted time frame.

 

[Gerald O]

Re: Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" til

Completely understand the aggravation when the unexpected occurs in a construction project. But unfortunately that's par for the course in this game. As the owner, you gotta maintain a balance between toughness and fairness.

 

[Mark in Baltimore]

Re: Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" til

That balance has been maintained on numerous levels, thanks. As I mentioned, there are details that no one else is aware of.

 

[bczygan]

Re: Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" til

When all the details and selections are not part of the contract documents, there is room for contractors to ask for and get extras. It is entirely the responsibility of the owner to make sure these details are defined.

Bill

 

[b-boy]

Re: Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" til

Is he jacking up the materials cost, labor costs, or both?

If he had to level the floor anyway, and now needs more material, I think you'd just need to pay for the extra material.

If he's saying that the new format tiles are simply harder to install, then I can see why he'd want more money. I can't imagine that it would be that much more, but I'm not a tiler.

 

[jonshonda]

Re: Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" til

I have limited experience with tiling, but have worked with 12x12" and 6x24", and I will say that the 6x24" was much harder to work with. I can imagine that a 4' would be a whole different story. Maybe compromise on a different length of tile?

 

[roscoe2000]

Re: Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" til

The larger the tile the greater the manufacture specification for leveling of the subfloor, this is to prevent tile cracking. Thou this tile is heaver, it is easier to break when on an uneven surface and subjected to foot traffic. The product for floor leveling is different than what is uses for the tile to adhere to the subfloor.

 

[ant.foste]

Re: Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" til

Setting 6x48" is a complex process and much more involved than 16x16". Apples to oranges. Your contract should have stated the size of tile.

 

[clamhammer]

Re: Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" til

The need for a flat floor is exponentially greater with a 48 inch tile vs a 12,13 or even 24 inch tile. It must be damn near perfectly flat in order for no lippage or voids. If your contractor is doing it correctly and using a self leveling floor leveler and not just back buttering the tiles, it isnt cheap. We use Ardex K-15 to level our floors and its not cheap at all. Being in the tile industry, i hate the big tiles. look good but a pain in the **** to install

 

[Kaizen]

Re: Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" til

Yes he will need a lot more leveler for four foot tiles.

 

[Mark in Baltimore]

Re: Installation difference between 16"x16" ceramic tile vs 48"x8" ceramic "wood" til

Appreciate all of the replies, everyone. I’ve definitely obtain my answer.