What size tile cross is needed. How to choose crosses for laying tiles on the floor - sizes and types What crosses are needed for floor tiles

Tile crosses are designed to ensure perfect and even seams between tiles. In the article, we will consider issues related to the choice of goods, as well as explore the rules for its use in work.

Crosses for tiles: purpose, types

Crosses are plastic objects made in the shape of a cross. different sizes. In terms of their width, they reach from 1 millimeter to 1 centimeter. In this case, the length of the crosses for tiles can be much larger. However, any master tries to choose those crosses that are more convenient to use in work. Even despite such a simple additional element, it will be difficult to lay tiles evenly without them.

Crosses are of two main types:

with four ends, used for straight laying;
three ends, used for laying in a run.

Another difference between the species is the factor that crosses with three ends cannot be purchased in stores, since they are not produced. But, such forms are easy to make by separating one part of the cross from an instance with four ends.

The sizes of the crosses indicate the thickness of the object, and their width remains standard, and, as a rule, is 10 - 12 millimeters. They are sold in polyethylene packages with different quantities. Crosses for tiles, the dimensions of which in thickness have such parameters as 1; 1.5; 2; 2.5; 3; 3.5; 4; 4.5; 6, 7 and 8 millimeters.

The packages contain different amount objects, in most cases, it is equal to multiples. So, in the store you can buy sets of 50, 100, 150, 200 or 50 pieces. Some companies offer packs of 75 and so on.

The material for the manufacture of crosses is plastic. The use of such elements is more rational decision with its own benefits. First of all, the cost of such material is not high, and if the crosses are intended only as additional elements, it is not necessary to overpay for the product. Plastic products have a flexible and soft structure, and therefore do not damage the tiles during facing work.

What are tile crosses used for?

Crosses for laying tiles has the main purpose of creating even, identical seams that form:

a professional look of the tile, which gives an aesthetic design;
ensures the absence of errors in the geometric arrangement of the tiles;
the possibility of giving grout, which helps to repel moisture and evaporation;
smooth seams do not allow the facing to be deformed, which prolongs the service life of ceramics.

What are the consequences if you do not use crosses

The lack of seams between tiles, which are formed using crosses, can have some consequences:

1. In rooms with high level Moisture may cause tiles to swell. The peculiarity of ceramic products is that they consist of clay and are covered with glaze on top. It does not allow moisture to seep through the base and does not contribute to evaporation. But, if there are no seams between the joints of the tile, then water can penetrate through the side area of the product. To prevent such an effect, the crotches between the tiles are covered by special means that do not allow moisture to pass through.

2. The second consequence may be the fragility of ceramic products. If the object is saturated with moisture, it will become heavy and fall off the wall.

3. Uneven styling tiles. The consumption of crosses for tiles is not so great, so all specialists use them to make the work look professional. Without such elements, distortion and deformation will still be allowed. finishing materials. Ultimately, all geometry will be broken, which is not allowed in modern repair work.

4. In laying tiles without seams, there is no possibility to make the floor heated. After all, at certain temperatures, the base of the ceramic will be destroyed, which contributes to the swelling of the product, as well as the delamination of the ceramic layers.

How to choose the right crosses for tiles

Determining which crosses to use when laying tiles is very difficult, because the client does not know all the characteristics. As a rule, one plastic products it is difficult to distinguish from others, so buyers are guided by the cost of the goods, as well as the recommendations of friends and acquaintances.

But when choosing, you need to take into account some factors that are laid out here:

1. The cheapest products are not worth buying, because they can break or bend too much when working. Thus, it is not very convenient to choose the remains or broken parts of the crosses from the seams between the tiles, given the fact that ceramics can be damaged. But, often the price does not match the quality of the material, so before starting work, you need to check the strength of the product.

2. The second indicator of the correct choice is the width. It is determined, therefore, from the size of the tile, as well as from the discretion of the master on the product. The most suitable size is determined as follows: divide the centimeter of the large side of the tile by 100. An example is the equation: with dimensions ceramic product 200x300 millimeters, the width of the crosses for the tiles will be 3 mm. Such parameters are practical in wall cladding. When choosing crosses for tiles on the floor, it should be borne in mind that the location between the ceramic objects should be wider by about one millimeter. Therefore, experts recommend adding another unit of measurement to the above calculation. Of course, the width of the seams can vary depending on the wishes of the client.

3. It is not recommended to use large sizes of crosses. Usually, with a large distance between the tiles, it is necessary to grout a lot of space, and therefore the cost of materials becomes higher than usual. Moreover, it is the easiest to grout, and the larger the seam, the more visible all the dirt, especially in bright areas. It is possible to remove all contaminants with the help of special acid-based cleaners. Therefore, many experts recommend using a cross 3 mm wide for cladding. The maximum value can be a width of 4 to 5 millimeters.

4. If the tiles are laid original way, for example, similar to brickwork, then the dimensions between the seams can be from 10 to 12 mm. If there are no crosses for tiles of this size in the store, then they can be replaced with pieces of drywall or the remaining tiles.

5. Regarding the minimum position between the seams, the dimensions can be 1 mm. This method of ceramic cladding is called seamless tiles. For example, for dark-colored tiles, such small seams will not be noticeable. But such variations are suitable for very high-quality ceramics.

6. In other cases, which crosses for tiles are better to install, experts themselves select an exclusive option. This requires certain skills, and therefore only experienced craftsmen undertake such work.

How to use tile crosses

Different experts offer their own way of using crosses. Some suggest installing only non-cross sections between tiles.

Others suggest placing up to 8 crosses. Last option is more accurate and contributes to the appearance of perfectly even seams.

How to use crosses between tiles

1. In this case, there is a cross on each corner of the tile, as well as in its middle. It is worth noting that tiles are rarely perfectly even, and therefore placing crosses in the middle between ceramic products smooths out all the flaws.

2. Even using crosses in the lining, inaccuracies in work are allowed, but they are not significant, about 1 millimeter. Therefore, therefore, it is recommended to make seams of 3 or 4 millimeters, which avoids errors, and creates the perfect visual effect of an even line between the tiles.

3. If you install crosses for tiles one for four products, then the result will not look bad. In most cases, all the shortcomings are hidden in both options.

How to remove tile crosses

We considered the question: crosses for tiles, how to choose and how to use. Now let's define a way to remove these parts. You can remove crosses for tiles only on the second day after laying. Take them out carefully, using a knife or a second cross. If the lining was carried out on the wall, and not on the floor, then the crosses are removed on the same day. It is only necessary to take into account that one hour, no less, should pass from the laying of the last ceramic product. During this time, the tile will grab to the base and will no longer slip.

If you cannot remove or remove the cross, then first, you need to cut it into pieces, and take out each of them separately. In a difficult situation, when such work cannot be done, the cross is pushed deeper into the glue. This option is only suitable on the day when the lining was carried out.

Some vendors tell their customers that tile crosses are best left on rather than removed. But this is not a reasonable suggestion, since the grout layer on top will be thin and may fall off.

Many are interested in: what crosses are needed for tiles, and in what quantities should they be bought? The average package is enough for eight squares, given the size of ceramics 300x300. At large area for cladding, crosses can be reused.

Using crosses for tiles in repair work, the client will receive perfectly even seams and a beautiful bathroom or kitchen interior. To understand all the nuances in more detail, it is recommended to watch the video on right choice and using crosses for tiles.

Tile crosses ensure perfect and even seams between tiles Despite the fact that plastic crosses are elementary in design, one should approach their choice as it should. This is especially true for those people who have been laying tiles not so long ago.

How to choose the right cross size for tiles

When facing tiles, the choice of the size of the cross is essential, crosses should be used based on the size of the tile, its thickness, as well as the brand and quality of the tile. Many people believe that the thinner the cross, the thinner the seam, the more beautiful the tile will look. However, this is not entirely true, especially for cheap tiles, and certain rules should be followed.

Crosses are selected based on the largest length of the tile, while the latter must be divided by 10.

Many manufacturers complete boxes with tiles with instructions that indicate how wide the crosses should be used and how thick the joints should be.

So, for example, if the length of the tile is 20x30 cm, this length should be divided by 10 and it turns out that for this tile the thickness of the seam should be 3 mm. Despite such calculations, professional tilers recommend using crosses with a thickness of 2.5 mm to 3 mm, if this wall tiles. Provided that the tiles are laid out on the floor, the thickness of the crosses should be from 3.5 mm to 4 mm.

Crosses are also selected based on:

Evenness of tiles;
The presence of a chamfer;
The presence of chips;
Tile thickness;
The quality of the material.

With any design ideas, you can choose crosses with a thickness of 1-2 mm. But at the same time, it is not possible to correct the seams between the tiles and, in the event of a lining error, all defects will be noticeable.

Plastic crosses for laying tiles

When installing tiles, every master knows how difficult it is to keep the same distance between the tiles, and to maintain it between them, some use matches. But the matches let in by the industry often do not have the same thickness, and instead of them it is better to use special plastic crosses. Such crosses for tiles perform important functions.

Crosses define required thickness between the tiles, allowing you to achieve the same distance between the tiles.

Also, thanks to the crosses, which have jumpers, you can achieve a certain height of the tile. Due to the presence of jumpers, the crosses will be securely held. Only quality crosses should be purchased, they are called Rubi or Rubi Twin Flex, which differ high quality and reliability. And you can even use them several times. Of course, such crosses are more expensive, but their quality is on top.

Plastic crosses have the same thickness, which allows you to lay out tiles with an equal gap from each other

If the tiler tries to save on consumables and buys cheap consumable, this often results in:

uneven seams;
Ugly tiling;
The one that forces many to redo all the work again.

The standard size of the joints is mainly 3 mm, based on this, it is necessary to purchase crosses for tiles right size. Professionals in their field usually install either 8 crosses per tile, 2 on each side, or 4 closer to the center of the intersection of the tiles. Both methods are widely used when laying tiles on the wall.

The choice of crosses for tiles

Before choosing crosses for laying tiles, you need to familiarize yourself with their main characteristics and types. Crosses are also selected based on the size of the tile - the most long side tiles (in mm), you need to divide by 100, and in this way you can get the width of the seam and, accordingly, you can purchase crosses of the desired width.

And further:

The dimensions of these products intended for laying tiles can vary in width from 2–3 mm to 10 mm.
Crosses are made of plastic, and they are sold in packages at any hardware store.
Usually in each package there are from 50 pcs. up to 500 pcs., medium package, provided the dimensions of the tiles are 300x300 mm, enough for 8 m2.

Hollow plastic crosses for tiles perfectly fix the same width of the joints

Crosses are solid and hollow, most craftsmen prefer to use hollow crosses, as they fit into the seams as evenly as possible, and at the same time the solution is not squeezed out, unlike solid ones. Crosses can also be traditional cruciform, or they can be T-shape, they are usually used for laying the top, bottom and side rows of tiles. With a stretch, systems for leveling tiles can be attributed to crosses, but such a system is not used so often, and is intended mainly for laying floor tiles large sizes. Sometimes such a system is used by beginners for laying wall tiles.

Before using the crosses, you should check a few pieces for a break, if the crosses break easily, then it is better not to use them, since then it will be difficult to remove them from the tile joints.

It is better to use more reliable types of crosses, albeit more expensive ones. If tiling is in progress domestic production, the width of the seam needs to be made a little larger, since tiles of domestic production, even from the same batch, may have different sizes.

What crosses are needed for laying tiles on the floor

Before choosing crosses for tiles, you must first level the floor, for this it is possible to use self-leveling mixtures (self-leveling). When the surface is prepared, you can proceed with the installation of tiles or porcelain tiles on the floor.

Mounting:

An adhesive or cement composition is applied to the prepared surface;
Tiles are laid on it;
Lightly tapped with a wooden or rubber mallet;
After laying the second tile, a cross is installed so that the seam between the tiles is even.

3D crosses do their job perfectly, as they align the tiles not only in length and width, but also evenly press them, do not allow them to sag during the drying of the glue

If porcelain stoneware is mounted on the floor, then it is best to install crosses between the plates, 2 on each side. At the same time, their consumption is 8 crosses per slab, in order to save costs, some craftsmen reuse crosses. But still, it is better to put new ones for more quality styling tiles. Each master tiler tries to choose those crosses that are most convenient to use in work and at the same time, which are of good quality and relatively low price.

When using them, the seams are smooth, and the plastic does not damage the tiles during the work.

The crosses serve not only to lay the tiles evenly, but also to create seams that are subsequently rubbed. If there are no seams, then in this case moisture can penetrate between tightly laid tiles and, as a result, after a while, its destruction, swelling and swelling will begin. So, it would seem that the quality of the entire installation depends on such an insignificant detail as a tile cross. The crosses are usually removed 2-3 days after laying, if the cross cannot be removed in any way, it is necessary to cut it and take it out in parts.

How to choose crosses for tiles (video)

What crosses are needed, and how to pick them up, each person can find out by reading the material written above. And how to put them correctly, will also tell given material, which will be of interest primarily to beginners.

Plastic crosses for laying tiles

The crosses determine the required thickness between the tiles, allowing you to achieve the same distance between the tiles.

Also, thanks to the crosses, which have jumpers, you can achieve a certain height of the tile. Due to the presence of jumpers, the crosses will be securely held. Only quality crosses should be purchased, they are called Rubi or Rubi Twin Flex, which are of high quality and reliability. And you can even use them several times. Of course, such crosses are more expensive, but their quality is on top.

If a tiler tries to save on consumables and buys cheap consumables, this often leads to:

uneven seams;
Ugly tiling;
The one that forces many to redo all the work again.

The standard size of the joints is mainly 3 mm, based on this, it is necessary to purchase crosses for tiles of a suitable size. Professionals in their field usually install either 8 crosses per tile, 2 on each side, or 4 closer to the center of the intersection of the tiles. Both methods are widely used when laying tiles on the wall.

The choice of crosses for tiles

Before choosing crosses for laying tiles, you need to familiarize yourself with their main characteristics and types. Crosses are also selected based on the size of the tile - the longest side of the tile (in mm) must be divided by 100, and in this way you can get the width of the seam and, accordingly, you can purchase crosses of the desired width.

And further:

The dimensions of these products intended for laying tiles can vary in width from 2–3 mm to 10 mm.
Crosses are made of plastic, and they are sold in packages at any hardware store.
Usually in each package there are from 50 pcs. up to 500 pcs., medium package, provided the dimensions of the tile are 300x300 mm, enough for 8 m 2.

Crosses are solid and hollow, most craftsmen prefer to use hollow crosses, as they fit into the seams as evenly as possible, and at the same time the solution is not squeezed out, unlike solid ones. Crosses can also be traditional cruciform, and can be T-shaped, they are usually used for laying the top, bottom and side rows of tiles. With a stretch, tile leveling systems can be attributed to crosses, but such a system is not used so often, and is mainly intended for laying large floor tiles. Sometimes such a system is used by beginners for laying wall tiles.

Before using the crosses, you should check a few pieces for a break, if the crosses break easily, then it is better not to use them, since then it will be difficult to remove them from the tile joints.

It is better to use more reliable types of crosses, albeit more expensive ones. If domestically produced tiles are being laid, the width of the seam should be made a little larger, since domestically produced tiles, even from the same batch, may have different sizes.

What crosses are needed for laying tiles on the floor

Mounting:

An adhesive or cement composition is applied to the prepared surface;
Tiles are laid on it;
Lightly tapped with a wooden or rubber mallet;
After laying the second tile, a cross is installed so that the seam between the tiles is even.

If porcelain stoneware is mounted on the floor, then it is best to install crosses between the plates, 2 on each side. At the same time, their consumption is 8 crosses per slab, in order to save costs, some craftsmen reuse crosses. But still, it is better to put new ones for better tile laying. Each master tiler tries to choose those crosses that are most convenient to use in work and at the same time, which are of good quality and relatively low price.

When using them, the seams are smooth, and the plastic does not damage the tiles during the work.

How to choose crosses for tiles (video)

What crosses are needed, and how to pick them up, each person can find out by reading the material written above. And how to put them correctly, this material will also tell, which will be of interest primarily to beginners.

When laying ceramic tiles, almost all tilers use plastic crosses to get uniform and even seams. After filling with grout, such joints enhance the visual effect of the laid tiles.

What size cross to use?

The stronger the tile has errors in size and geometry, the larger the size of the cross should be. But common sense is also needed.

The larger the seam, the greater the grout consumption. The grout in the joint is the first to be contaminated. The wider the seam, the more visible the contamination. Dirt can be removed, especially on light seams, only with the help of. Therefore, a cross 3-4 mm wide can be considered maximum size. for tiles good quality, optimal size cross 2-3mm.

Another feature must be taken into account. Many tiles have a bevel (expansion) from front side. Installing a 3mm cross with one of the crosshairs, we get a 4mm seam.

If you put it in the crosshairs of 4 tiles, it is difficult to adjust the location in depth. Only if the cross is installed on the surface of the tile - the seam will correspond to what was intended.

A distance of 10 -12 mm is possible between the tiles. This is typical when tiling "boar" or gypsum stone. In the absence of crosses of this size, the uniformity of the seams can be maintained with the help of scraps of tiles or drywall.

An 8mm wide seam on a boar-type tile.

Seam on gypsum stone 6 mm wide.

Minimum possible size cross 1mm. This styling alternative .

Seam between tiles 1 mm

Such a distance can only be maintained on high-quality ceramics (as in the photo). The dark profile of the unfilled joints shows that the width is the same between all tiles.

Although there are cases when such a size between the tiles is necessary according to the designer's intention. Below is a tiling with a size of 300x300 mm. The drawing on the tile is made in the form of three rows of narrow plates with deep seams between them, 1 mm wide. The distance between ceramic tiles is also 1mm. When filling all the joints with grout (including on the surface of the tile), a continuous carpet of narrow tiles is obtained.

Similar seams are made between mosaic sheets. There, the width of the seam is made the same as between the squares of the mosaic.

seam on tiles 1mm wide

How to install and remove crosses?

This debate has been going on for a long time. You can put one cross in the center of the crosshairs of 4 tiles, lying down. You can also put 8 crosses on each tile. This method is considered to be more accurate. I have a different opinion and my own explanation on this matter.

It is better to put crosses in the center, between the tiles:

In this case, it is easier to wash the tiles after laying, especially when laying on the floor;
Tiles are rarely perfect. You could say it never happens. By inserting a cross in the middle, we sort of smooth out these differences. In some place, the ends of the tiles are shifted relative to each other. This shift is imperceptible, it is within one millimeter. With a seam width of 3-4 mm, this is not visible (which is why it is better to make a seam of this width). But the common seam between the tiles along the entire length is even, gives a readable even line.

In the case of installing 8 crosses on each tile, the seam will follow the size of the tile. But this will be noticeable only in case of a large difference between the sizes of the tiles (2-3 m)

How do the masters of another culture act in this case. People are similar in many ways, even on a different continent. If they use the same skills and habits, without knowing and not copying each other, then this is the best option.

The Japanese colleague puts crosses in the center between four tiles.

Crosses are set in the center of 4 tiles.

Laying tiles without crosses.

Installing crosses is a tradition of CIS tilers. The Czechs practice laying tiles without crosses. They are not even on sale there. The seams are made 3-4 mm wide visually, by eye. Seeing this for the first time, I was a little puzzled. But over time, I got used to it and sometimes I do lining without crosses. But I don't think it's better or easier. A little bit faster. During the day, 30 - 40 minutes are saved for laying and removing crosses.

When facing the walls, it is possible to correct the inaccuracies that arise, but on the floor, it is already difficult to correct the tiles that have moved out during cleaning. When crosses are inserted there, the tiles are fixed to each other. And there is no shift.

They remove the crosses, usually on the second day of laying, tucking it in with another cross or. When laying on the wall, the crosses can be removed on the day of laying. Approximately one hour after installation last tile. During this time, the glue will harden, and the tile will not slip. If the cross does not come out, it must be cut with a knife and removed in parts. In extreme cases, you can push the cross deeper into the glue. But this is possible only on the day of laying the tiles.

Removing crosses with a knife.

Tips to leave all the crosses in the seams are the tips of the sellers of the crosses. If the cross is on the surface, the grout layer above it will be thin and will fall off over time.

What is the consumption of crosses?

Usually, for a 300x300 tile, a pack of crosses is enough for an area of 5 - 8 squares. That is, two packs are enough for lining a bathroom or kitchen.

Crosses simplify the laying of ceramic tiles, but are not the most necessary device.

What can replace the crosses for laying tiles?

Matches and other nonsense will not be taken into account. But laying in a seam instead of crosses of a cord is an interesting way. It is used in Scandinavian countries when laying tiles on the wall. It is interesting in that the cord allows you to even out the difference in the size of the tiles. This is achieved by periodically aligning the series according to the rule and level.

Interesting discussion of this video. from delight to complete...

Despite all the predictions that the tiles will crumble, nothing will happen. The glue, most likely, is of increased plasticity and with minimal “weathering”. This allows you to apply it on a large plane. In addition, when installing the cord and leveling, the tile is “lapped” to the adhesive.

The fact that the master periodically aligns the rows with a wedge makes it possible to achieve a more even laying than with crosses.

In addition to crosses, the installation of “C”-shaped inserts between tiles has become widespread (America, Canada). What are the advantages and disadvantages of this method?

The installation and removal of such inserts is accelerated. You can use them to clean the seam from glue, in the process of cladding. But the main purpose is missing - to create a clear crosshair of four tiles.

The video shows an attempt to align the tiles by moving the insert to the junction of two tiles.

Not every tile can be laid with crosses if desired. If the designer's idea was implemented in the form of a collection, as in the photograph, then there is simply nowhere to put crosses. On the one hand, the problem of tile calibration is solved. She is useless now. But the installation process has become more complicated. We need new skills.

The tile collection is laid without crosses.

In such cases, the guideline proper styling may be an insert-square. It is necessary to monitor the width of the seam around the insert. It should be approximately the same for each square and may differ slightly between adjacent inserts. When narrowing the seam, the distance between the tiles must be expanded, and when sprawling, narrowed.

It is difficult to imagine laying tiles without the use of distance crosses, which allow you to get a uniform seam and fix the position of the tile at one point. Not all masters, especially beginners, know which crosses to use when laying tiles. In the article we will talk in detail about the varieties, size, quality, method of using remote crosses and the advantages of new 3D models.

Sizes of crosses - choose the right stitching materials

The minimum thickness of the crosses for laying is 1 mm, and the step of increasing the size is 0.5–1 mm. Crosses for tiles, which are used in everyday life, have sizes from 1.5 to 6 mm, although there are options and more. Some tilers claim: the longer the tile, the more thickness distance crosses. This opinion is wrong. A seam 1-2 mm thick looks neat and emphasizes appearance small and large tiles. To choose the right crosses, focus not on the dimensions of the plate, but on its geometry when docking. It is from the errors (protrusions) in the corners that the thickness of the crosses depends. With a gap of 0.5 mm, distance crosses up to 2 mm are sufficient. For more serious errors - 1 mm or more, we choose crosses from 3 mm.

The best option for wall tiles is a thickness of 1.5-2 mm, and for flooring - 2.5-3 mm. Thicker seams are rarely used. They increase the consumption of grout and complicate subsequent care. Exception - styling, decorative gypsum boards, as well as special projects, where an increase in tile joints is provided for by design.

Consumption per square meter - how many repair packs to buy?

Many novice craftsmen are interested in the consumption of crosses per 1 m 2. There is no single calculation formula. It all depends on the size and number of tiles per square meter. If you know this figure, it is easy to calculate the expense. Number of tiles in square meter multiply by 4 or 8 crosses, depending on the size, and add a margin of 10-15% to the amount received. As a result, the consumption per 1 m 2 is 30–100 pcs.

We do not recommend approaching this issue scrupulously, since the price of remote crosses is cheap, on average 50 rubles per pack of 100 pieces. Feel free to buy 2 packs per bathroom. This amount will be enough for you on the first day of laying, and after the glue finally sets on the next day, we take out the crosses and reuse them.

When purchasing crosses, do not forget about the wedges, which are necessary to obtain an even first row of tiles. The wedges allow you to adjust the position of the tile and prevent it from sliding down. For styling floor covering they are not used.

Newbie mistakes when laying and proper dismantling

The main mistake of beginners is laying crosses flat or with the entire plane at the intersection. Laying tiles as inexperienced craftsmen do is not worth it, there are three reasons for this. The dimensions of the tiles are not ideal, the error along the edges can vary from a few hundredths of a millimeter to 1-2 mm. Crosses of the same thickness may also have errors in size. There is a high probability of displacement of tiles on initial stage and distortion of the pattern.

As a result of such work, the seams are asymmetric or even diverge. Therefore, we set the crosses strictly vertically. We dismantle the crosses the next day after laying the tiles. We do this carefully, and if they are poorly removed, we use sharp knife, prying the fasteners over the ledge. Floor crosses removed on the same day an hour after laying the last tile. This is enough for the tile adhesive to form a monolithic connection with the cladding. If the latches are difficult to dismantle, remove them in parts.

What happens if you don't use stitching crosses?

If you do not use crosses for laying tiles, this may lead to the following negative consequences. Swelling tiles. Ceramic tile It is a product made of clay, covered with glaze on top, which does not allow moisture to penetrate deep into the base. However, in the absence tile joint water freely penetrates through the side walls, helps to soften the tile adhesive and break the adhesion of the tile to the surface. Grout does not allow moisture to seep through the seam, increases the life of the facing material.

Absence even seam. It is impossible to achieve a symmetrical tile joint without the use of crosses and wedges, no matter how accurately you measure. Distortions and deformations are inevitable. A pattern without crosses turns out to be crooked, and the tile can float.

Destruction of the coating under the influence of heat. When laying the underfloor heating system, installation of tiles without spacer crosses is also impossible. The base of the surface under the action of heat can collapse, leading to peeling of the top layer.

3D crosses - comparing domestic and foreign options

Relatively new development in the field of laying tiles, the use of 3D crosses has become . The main advantage of this system is the automatic leveling of adjacent slabs without the formation of drops. After drying, the inter-tile seam is perfectly even, the tile does not float. Facilitates the speed of laying tiles, the system is easy to use, suitable even for an inexperienced master.

How to choose the right 3D crosses for tiles? AT construction stores both domestic and foreign analogues of this alignment system are sold. Domestic production options consist of two elements - a wedge and a clamp. The wedges are reused, and the clamps are most often left in tile joints. Foreign 3D crosses have a slightly different structure. For their installation, special tongs are required. The design is also represented by wedges or flexible petals. To compare the quality, consider the products of the Spanish manufacturer Rubi of the Tile Level series and the Russian analogue of the SVP.

Rubi's 3D crosses are made of durable plastic, have flexible petals that securely fix tiles with a thickness of 0.3 to 2 cm. Nylon ties must be soaked in water for half an hour before use to increase tensile strength. The design of the tie allows you to loosen it as you need, and get a thin seam, which, if desired, can be adjusted with ordinary crosses. However, this system has disadvantages: weak pressure, when you try to expand it, the ties quickly break, it is problematic to insert it into dried glue, reusable caps last up to 7 times, high price.

SVP of domestic production are easy to use, the wedges have more robust design, fixation, strong ties that do not need to be pre-soaked in water. Unlike Rubi 3D crosses, the domestic analogue has small support platforms that allow you to work with the structure after a night break, easily fixing the fasteners into the recess. Disadvantages of SVP: the average quality of plastic, the difficulty of removing screeds, you have to hit them several times with a mallet or bend them with force, as a result, a rupture may occur in the wrong place.

The scheme for using 3D crosses is as follows:

1. We prepare tile adhesive according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. We apply glue to the wall and the selected tile, level the layer with a comb.
3. Press the tile firmly and level it.
4. We install 2 clamps, retreating 5 cm from the corners.
5. We apply the adjacent tile close to the clamp.
6. We insert the wedge into the clamp so that it fits snugly on the surface of both tiles.
7. When the tile adhesive is dry, remove the wedges and upper part clamping at lung care hit with a mallet (rubber mallet). The lower part remains in the tile joint.
8. Overwrite the seam.

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