Installing 12×24 porcelain tile on wall is not something so easy to do. Installing tiles on the floor is also difficult but not as difficult as this tile on the wall thing. The project is usually not for beginners or newbie. However, if you want to try the project and do everything on your own, you need to read some of the best tips down below.
Clean the Wall Completely
Installing large format wall tile is never easy. It has complicated preparation for sure. You have to clean the wall completely. Make sure there are no nails or hooks that are still intact to the wall. Wallpapers and all sorts of decorative elements must be scrapped as well from the surface. Clean the wall by scrubbing the surface with water for the final step.
Make Sure There is No Lippage
When you press the wall to stick the porcelain tile, you need to make sure that there is no lippage on the wall. Lippage is like the gap between the porcelain tiles that are not even and they disturb the eventual result of the wall to look incredibly awful. This is why when installing 12×24 porcelain tile on wall always check for the lippage or the gap fill.
Use Medium-bed Mortar
The best tip here is probably this one: do not use store-bought, ready-to-use mortar. They are generally thicker and they won’t hold up the weight of the porcelain tiles. You want to use medium-bed mortar. They are thicker, stronger and when they dry up, they can certainly hold the tiles on the wall sturdily.
Add Crack Isolation Membrane
One of the most important things that you have to remember is to prepare crack isolation membrane. It is a kind of fiber-like material used to seal up any crack on the tiles. Remember that even the smallest crack can end up making the entire thing breaking apart. So, prevent them by using or adding the crack isolation membrane.
Considering that 12×24 is a large tile and the price is also not that cheap, you need to consider installing them on the wall properly. If you cannot handle the project, it is better to leave them to the professionals. They know exactly what to do and how to put those tiles properly. Indeed, sometimes installing 12×24 porcelain tile on wall is not a DIY project at all.