The widespread use of tiled crosses is well justified. Without these small details, beautiful and even seams simply will not work. Crosses for laying tiles are an integral part of the work associated with the installation of tiles, regardless of their size and texture. In addition, not only the quality of tile laying, but also the simplification of work largely depends on the correct choice of this consumable.
Destination
The main purpose of tile crosses is an aesthetic tile joint. But there are other functions:
- Help to align (or hold) the horizontal and vertical level of the tile. And this is important, given the flaws in production, which is very common.
- Limit the "walking" of neighboring tiles, fixing the desired size seam.
- The seam formed by the cross compensates for the difference in thermal expansion between the tile and its base.
- Tile crosses are able to hide the difference in the size of ceramics, especially whenusing more than two types of tiles. Differences of up to 1.5 mm are often found even in tiles from the same collection.
- Allows you to align the edges of the tiles in one plane, eliminating subsidence during the drying of the glue.
These are the main points to consider when deciding whether to use crosses or not.
Types of crosses for tiles
First of all, they are divided into solid and hollow products. Both the first and second come in different sizes and shapes. There are no significant differences between them, the choice is determined by the preference of the master.
Mostly crosses are:
- Cruciform - have the shape of a cross. The most common type for classic ceramic laying due to its availability and low cost.
- T - figurative, mainly used when laying in a run. If desired, you can make it yourself by cutting off one of the rays of the cross-shaped crosses.
- Wedges are a less common option for fixing seams. If only for very uneven tiles. Mainly used when installing the first row of wall tiles, to adjust the horizontal level. For floor tiles - as a wall retainer. It can also be used to even out the thickness of the tile joint.
- SVP - tile leveling system. It is better known as 3D crosses. Appeared on the Russian market relatively recently. They are less common due to the higher price compared to the standard options (about 7-8times).
3D crosses
Consist of wedge and clamp. When tightening the clamp into the wedge, the conditional leveling of the surface occurs. According to manufacturers, using 3D crosses for tiles, any beginner can easily do this job.
Let's figure out whether to believe the brochures?
- 4 times faster cladding. A very dubious plus, since the main job of a tiler is not to put crosses in. And even with little experience, setting up these consumables will take a minimum of time.
- You will get a perfectly flat surface, the seams will not differ from each other and the like. There is some truth in this, but only for a tile that is ideal by all criteria, which you don’t see so often. The surface of the cladding cannot depend on the crosses in any way, and even seams between the tiles directly depend on the side edges of the tiles and the difference in diagonal sizes.
- The high price is easily offset by savings on hiring specialists (that is, the work can be done independently). It turns out that it is the purchase of 3D crosses that determines the level of skill in laying tiles, which, of course, does not correspond to reality.
- Keeps tiles from sagging. This is more like the truth, since there are indeed moments of tile sinking (especially corners), but this also depends on the quality of the tile. It happens that in one batch (and sometimes in one pack) there are both concave and curved tiles. In such a situation, the purchase of this system will be an extra waste.budget. The same applies to tiles of different thicknesses (for example, a regular slab and a decor) - using 3D crosses for a tile would be an unjustified action.
The use of this system is very limited and it will be effective only for high-quality tiles on a flat surface with a minimum layer of glue.
Tile wedges
Not really crosses (in the usual sense) and are mainly used to correct the first row of wall tiles and keep the distance from the wall for flooring, as floor tile crosses will not do the job.
But their use doesn't end there:
- Local thickening of the seam, that is, a deliberate increase in its size in one place. This application is justified when there is a noticeable difference (more than 0.5 mm) between the parallel edges of the tiles in length, and this action is required to maintain a horizontal or vertical level.
- Also used when installing artificial stone, to keep an even horizontal seam line. Since the artificial turf may vary in size up to 5 mm.
- For laying a plinth of tiles around the perimeter of the room. The top edge of such a plinth should create a visually even line, and it is extremely difficult to achieve such an effect without the use of wedges. This is because baseboard tiles are mostly sawn, which means that an uneven bottom edge is quite likely.
- Wedges are almost indispensable when facing steps. Helps line up the seamtiles on the outer and/or inner corner.
Made of plastic and available in different sizes. Of course, it is quite possible to do without them, but their use will greatly simplify the work process.
How to use?
How many people, so many opinions. That's the only way to describe this topic. It mainly depends on the preferences of the tiler, and each of them will defend exactly his own way:
- Using eight crosses per tile, that is, two per side.
- Installing crosses at the intersection of tile seams.
- Installing crosses for laying tiles in the middle of the product.
No matter how you use these consumables, the main thing is to try to achieve the most even seams and crosshairs. After all, that is their main purpose. After the glue has dried, it is necessary to dismantle the crosses and wedges. This can be done with a paint knife or pliers.
Tile cross sizes
The size of the tile joint directly depends on the thickness of these consumables, so this issue is no less important than other aspects.
Sizes vary greatly:
- The thickness is from 1 to 10 mm. The most popular of them are from 1.5 to 3 mm (for walls and floors).
- The width, length or height (meaning the size of the body of the cross) is usually 10-12 mm, but there are options and more. This parameter depends solely on the manufacturer.
- The number of crosses in a package varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but mostly it is 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 500 pieces in one package.
How to choose the right one?
It is not very clear where the information came from that the size of the thickness of the crosses directly depends on the size of the tile. Even a certain formula is given: the length of the tile in mm is divided by 100 and the required thickness of the cross is obtained. The proof is that the correction on a wide seam is easier and less noticeable. And if the tile, for example, is 60 x 120 cm (600 x 1200 mm), do you need 12 mm crosses? And besides, any seam correction of more than a millimeter on a long tile will be noticeable regardless of the size of the crosses.
Therefore, when choosing, we advise you to pay attention to the following:
- The choice of the size of the crosses can conditionally be affected by the design of the tile (or the room as a whole), its quality, and only last but not least, the dimensions. But the basis of choice is the wish of the customer himself.
- Don't rely on the price factor, i.e. more expensive doesn't mean better, but don't buy the cheapest material.
- It is desirable that consumables are not too hard or too soft. Excessively hard crosses for tiles are very brittle, and the latter can be crushed in the seam under the weight of the tile and thereby “take away” the horizontal level.
- It is worth noting that a too wide seam is more prone to contamination (with light tones of grout), cracking (when using poor-quality grout). In addition, the cost increasesmaterial.
- The most popular crosses for walls are 1.5-2 mm, for the floor - 2-3 mm. If necessary, it is advisable to buy more from the same manufacturer, since the crosses of the same size, but different manufacturers may have differences in thickness, and this will adversely affect the tile seam.
- Also an important fact: for a tile with a bevel on the side faces, the thickness of the seam will increase by 0.5-1 mm, that is, if you put the cross to its full length, then instead of 2 mm we get a seam of 2.5-3 mm.
Can I do without them?
The answer is unequivocal - it is possible, and sometimes even necessary. Tiles without crosses are laid mainly in two ways:
- With seams - tiles are laid as usual, only without the use of consumables. That is, the width and evenness of the seam are determined visually ("by eye") by the performer. First of all, it depends on the professionalism of the tiler, as well as on the walls and the composition of the adhesive mixture.
- Seamless way - the tiles are joined close to each other, leaving a minimum gap of 0.5-1 mm, which is rubbed with epoxy-based grout. The grout is selected to match the tone of the tile, and the joints are practically invisible, a monolithic surface is obtained. But this method requires the most even tile and laying surface. More suitable for large porcelain tiles with smooth, non-bevelled edges.
Expense
It directly depends on the chosen method of application, the size of the tile, and also on the quality of the crosses themselves:
- Good consumables can be reused after they are removed from the wall, but provided that the correctforms.
- The larger the tile, the fewer crosses will be needed for the same volume.
- Since the price of regular crosses is low, don't be too picky about this issue.
- Better not waste time and buy them with a small margin, 2-3 packs will be enough for a standard bathroom.
In conclusion, I would like to add that if this is your first tiling experience, then still use this consumable. In the process of work, you yourself will understand which crosses for tiles you need. The choice is always yours, just remember that any crosses (even 5D ones) cannot replace the hands of a professional craftsman. And experience is gained only through practice.
