Laying 500x500 tiles???

[Kaiser Soze]

I have a large area 50sqm to lay and have bought 500x500 tiles. A friend has warned me that laying large tiles has particular problems in that, due to its size it's difficult to lay evenly. I think the problem was when he was firming down, to get good adhesive coverage beneath the tile, one end would rise up slightly and there were issues with getting the tile to be level with it's neighbors.
He is only a WW Warrior like me but I thought I would ask here for any thoughts.

I am concerned that with such a large tile if it isn't firmed down enough it will crack when walked apon!!

THANKS

[johnc]

As a weekend ratbag the largest I've laid is 600 x 300, as long as you apply with a notched trowel and the floor is even it should be fairly straightforward. The only tip I'd give is keep your work area clear and make sure no tile spacers, grit or anything else slips into the adhesive. I used a longish straightedge to make sure everything went down flat and other than an errant spacer it was pretty easy. There have been no cracks and the job was on a timber floor with cement sheet underlay.

[Honorary Bloke]

Should go fairly straightforward. Consider purchasing a "tile puck" which, when slid across the tiles as you lay them will "catch" on any raised edges, allowing you to level them before the adhesive sets.

[Tools]

I have never seen a tile puck in Australia,in fact had nevr even heard of one.But now that I have googled them, I want one! Anyone seen them in Australia?

Tools

[Dirty Doogie]

Yeh - The tilers here have Puk's - or something very similiar.

Re 500 x 500 tiles - if the surface you are laying them on has lumps and bumps - or even gradual undulations there could be problems getting them set.

You will no doubt have to use thick bed glue if this is the case. If tiles are being put down on a concrete slab I think I would use cement mortar to set them. If glue is supporting about 75% of the tile it is unlikely they will crack under normal wear.

[Kaiser Soze]

Sorry been away from the board (Gastro in my girls)
Thanks all, great advice. Can you believe I was laying 50mm wall tiles once and even got a spacer underneath one of them!! So I will be careful.
Mortar sounds problematic. Is it superior to normal adhesive?

[Dirty Doogie]

Mortar is cheaper and more reliable for laying tiles in thick bed situations.

[TLS]

how about using the Tuscan Leveling system? www.tuscanleveling.com.

Mick