Hey everyone! I'm currently working on tiling my shower with these 16x4 ceramic subway tiles I've picked out. I got some thinset, but I noticed the bag mentions it's only good for tiles up to 15" long. The manufacturer suggests using Large Format Thinset (LFT) for my tiles, but I've mainly seen LFT recommended for much bigger tiles like 12x24s. Should I really stick with the LFT, or can I get away with the thinset I have? Just checking before I head back to the store to return it.
3 Answers
I don’t see any harm in using the LFT thinset. It’s always good to have that extra coverage and adhesion, especially since those tiles might not sit perfectly flat due to being budget options. If you can return your current thinset, go for it!
Honestly, you should definitely listen to what the manufacturer says. If they're recommending Large Format mortar, there's probably a good reason for it. Using the right thinset is super important to avoid issues down the line. Better safe than sorry, right?
Yeah, I agree. It's not worth risking your tile job!
Before you start tiling, I suggest testing a few tiles by placing them glaze down on a flat surface. Many of these tiles can be pretty bowed, so using a random installation pattern might yield better results. You might not need to treat them as large format, but it's crucial to check how they sit before committing to your layout.
Good tip! Those cheaper tiles can definitely have warps.
Makes sense! Better to be safe than sorry with tiling.