Even with the most modern, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, no two porcelain tiles are identical. As they are baked in the kiln, there is a slight amount of shrinking and warping. It's generally not noticeable to the eye, but with large installations – and large-format tiles – it may make a difference.
Porcelain tiles may look perfectly flat but they tend to warp slightly over their length. This is less noticeable on smaller tiles, but is more obvious on larger tiles - and of course, tiles have been growing in size in recent years.
Cons to consider:
Although porcelain tile is extremely durable, it does occasionally chip, particularly around the edges. This may not be noticeable with through-body composition, but it is a concern. Porcelain tile is typically more expensive than ceramic and other popular flooring materials.
All sizes of Pressed Floor and Porcelain Tiles with grout joint widths of 1/16″ wide to less than 1/4″ wide: Allowable lippage is 1/32″. All sizes of Pressed Floor and Porcelain Tiles with grout joint widths of 1/4″ wide or greater: Allowable lippage is 1/16″.
Check the slip resistance: If you're using porcelain tile in a bathroom or kitchen, choosing porcelain tiles with a high slip resistance rating is essential to prevent accidents. Porcelain floor tiles with an R rating of 10 are the most slip-resistant.
1. Lower quality materials: The tiles may be made from lower quality materials, which can affect their durability and longevity. 2. Mass production: The tiles may be produced on a large scale, which can lower the cost per unit.
Tile Thickness
The vast majority of porcelain tiles are 6mm to 10mm thick and a tile in this range will serve most purposes. Wall tiles typically range from 6 to 10mm thick. Mosaics and decorative wall products also range from 6 to 10mm thick to make combining them easier.
As noted in the first answer above, the surface to be tiled, in your case the floor, must be flat within 1/8” in 10' when measured from the high points of the floor. To achieve this, be sure to use the appropriate patch or self-leveling compound (with the same manufacturer's primer), but never thin set mortar.
The acceptable industry standard for lippage between adjacent tiles is 1/32 inch, for stone tiles. The acceptable lippage for porcelain can vary as it depends on the width of the grout joint. The rate is either 1/32 or 1/16 inch. So you can see, not every anomaly is considered a lippage.
Uneven tiles
It is also possible that the floor or wall itself is uneven causing the tiles to be uneven. Lippage is the most common uneven tile issue – this is when the edge of a tile is slightly higher or lower than the one next to it. This is often caused by the installer choosing the incorrect pattern or offset.
Durability: The density of porcelain tile makes it more durable than ceramic tile while being less subject to wear and tear. This makes it more suitable for commercial use as well as in the home. Water Resistance: Porcelain tile is almost impervious to water compared to ceramic tile.
Best for Cost: Ceramic Tile
As a general category, ceramic tile is less expensive than most porcelain tiles. But there is a surprisingly large range of prices for both types of tiles. Note that the very highest quality designer tiles tend to cost roughly the same for ceramic and porcelain.
Porcelain tiles are denser than ceramic, and therefore less porous. Meaning they're harder, therefore more durable and absorb less water. This makes them more suited to high footfall areas which will see heavy use.
Again, the wider the grout joint, the more one can minimize tile irregularities and minimize lippage. On the other hand, the more narrow the grout joint, the less one can compensate for irregularities within the tile or its substrate.
Porcelain is a high-quality tile, that weighs a significant amount and is more time consuming to install therefore the cost is generally higher. If you're really on a budget then consider your laying pattern, the least complicated design will take less time making it more economical to be fitted.
According to ANSI A137. 1, when a pressed floor and porcelain tile is installed using a grout joint between 1/16” to less than 1/4”, the allowable lippage is 1/32” (about the thickness of one credit card, The ANSI requirement under A108.
There are tolerances for tile lippage. The ANSI A108. 02 standards say that acceptable lippage for floor tiles with a grout joint width of 1/16" to less than 1/4" is 1/32" plus the allowable inherent warpage of the tile.
In general, if the grout joint is less than ¼-inch thick the acceptable lippage is 1/32-inch and if the grout joint is ¼-inch or greater the acceptable lippage is 1/16-inch.
Tiles that have been installed properly should not have any visible damage such as cracks, depressions, holes, specks, spots, and cavities, as they could lead to water damage over time.
Luigi's Answer: Curvature occurs in almost all tiles due to the firing process with which they are made. Discussion: The centre of the tile is the highest point with the ends being the lowest. Curvature generally becomes noticeable when tilers attempt to brick lay tiles at 50% overlay.
You should begin placing the porcelain tiles from the corner. Lay all the tiles, leaving a gap of around 4-5mm between each tile. Once you are done placing a tile, press it into place and adjust the level using a spirit level and rubber mallet. Don't forget the water drainage.
Its hardness makes it more difficult for a DIYer to work with, as they'll need a specialized tile cutter to cut porcelain to shape. This means porcelain tile installation is typically a job left to professionals.
ANSWER. ANSWER - Porcelain Tile should be installed with a latex modified thin-set or a polymer modified thin-set. The Custom Marble Granite Mortar I believe is a polymer modified thin-set.