Introduction
A tile leveling system is a must-have tool for both DIY enthusiasts and professional tilers. It ensures uniform height between tiles, prevents tile movement during installation, and eliminates lippage, ensuring a perfectly leveled tile surface. Choosing the right tile leveling system is crucial to achieving a professional, smooth finish and reducing the likelihood of costly rework.
Why Use a Tile Leveling System?
The best tile leveling systems serve three main purposes. Firstly, they ensure even tile placement, reducing the chance of uneven surfaces and edges. This is especially important for larger tiles or patterns that require precision.
Secondly, they help avoid tile lippage, an unsightly and potentially dangerous situation where the edge of one tile is higher than its neighboring tile. Lastly, the right tile leveling system can save you significant time and money on your tile installation, making the process more efficient and avoiding mistakes.
Types of Tile Levelers
Different tile leveling systems are suited to different types of projects and tiles. Understanding these types can help you make the best choice for your specific needs, whether you’re tiling a kitchen backsplash in Australia or a bathroom floor elsewhere.
Wedge and Clip Systems
Wedge and Clip systems, also known as tile clips and wedges, are popular because of their simplicity and effectiveness. They involve placing clips under the tiles during installation, then wedging them to ensure a level surface. Once the adhesive sets, the clips can be removed, leaving perfectly level tiles.
- Pros: Suitable for large format tiles, promotes even tile spacing, available in different sizes to match tile thickness.
- Cons: Clips can sometimes be challenging to remove, and there’s a slight risk of breaking the tile if not done correctly.
Spinner Systems
Spinner Systems are a newer addition to the tile leveling system market. They involve using rotating pucks that help balance the tile as it’s laid, reducing lippage and improving overall tile levelling.
- Pros: Quick to set up, reduces lippage, easy to adjust after setting tiles.
- Cons: Less commonly available, slightly more expensive, and requires more time to master the technique.
Plate Systems
Plate systems or paver spacers use a plate that sits underneath the tiles, with spacers that go between the tiles. They're often used for larger tiles or pavers, providing a solid base for the tile and reducing movement during setting.
- Pros: Excellent for large format tiles, reduces tile movement, promotes even spacing.
- Cons: Can be difficult to remove, more visible until grout is applied, requires more effort to set up.
When choosing the best tile leveling system, consider the type of tiles you're working with, the complexity of your project, and your comfort level with each system. Investing time in making the right choice can yield impressive results, giving you a perfectly level tile surface that stands the test of time.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Best Tile Leveling System
When looking for the best tile leveling system, whether you're in Australia or elsewhere, several factors should guide your decision. Below, we delve into these factors and offer insights to help you make an informed choice.
Tile Size and Thickness
The size and thickness of your tiles have a significant impact on the type of leveling system you should use. Larger and thicker tiles require a strong and sturdy system that can handle their weight and size.
- For larger tiles, consider a Wedge and Clip system or Plate system. These are typically robust enough to handle the size and weight. Tile clips and wedges offer excellent stability, ensuring tiles remain level throughout the installation process.
- For thinner or smaller tiles, a Spinner system might be a better choice. Its precise adjustment capabilities can help avoid tile lippage, even when working with smaller, delicate tiles.
Type of Project: DIY or Professional
The type of project you're embarking on - whether it's a DIY project or a professional job - also influences your choice.
- If you're a DIYer or a beginner, simplicity and ease of use should be your top priorities. In this case, a Wedge and Clip system might be ideal. These systems are straightforward to set up and remove, reducing the learning curve.
- For professionals, a more complex system like a Spinner system or Plate system could be beneficial. These systems offer greater precision and are better suited to handle a wider range of tile types and sizes.
Cost and Value
Cost is a significant factor in any project. However, when considering the cost of a tile leveling system, think beyond the upfront price.
- While some systems might be cheaper upfront, they may not provide the best value in the long run. For instance, a system that's difficult to set up and remove can result in a lot of wasted time (and time is money!).
- A slightly pricier system may be worth the investment if it guarantees a superior, lippage-free finish and saves you time and possible rework. This is where reading reviews and recommendations can be very beneficial.
Ease of Removal
Ease of removal is a crucial, often overlooked factor when choosing the best tile leveling system. Once your tiles have set, you'll need to remove the spacers, clips, or levelers.
- Systems that are difficult to remove can lead to broken tiles or damaged surfaces. Therefore, opt for a system that's known for easy removal post-installation.
- Wedge and Clip systems usually offer a clean break, making them easy to remove. However, always follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid causing any damage to your newly laid tiles.
Remember, choosing a tile leveling system should not be taken lightly. Take the time to research, understand your needs, and choose a system that's well-suited to your project. A well-chosen tile leveling system can mean the difference between a frustrating, time-consuming project and a smooth, successful installation with a professional finish.
Top Tile Leveling Systems in the Market
In the quest for the best tile leveling system, many options have surfaced in the market. However, only a few stand out due to their effectiveness, ease of use, and the quality of results they deliver.
1. Clip IT Tile Leveling System: The CLIP-IT® Tile Leveling System is a high-quality product designed and manufactured in Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia, with over 35 years of experience in toolmaking and injection moulding. Our system helps tilers achieve quick and seamless tile installations using our uniquely designed CLIP-IT® Clips and CLIP-IT® Wedges.
2. QEP Tile Leveling System: Designed for quick installation, the LASH® Tile Leveling System reduces costly call backs by ensuring that the finished floor surface is lippage-free. It is the perfect system to use with large-format rectified porcelain, thin porcelain tile, marble and stone where narrow grout joints are required. This fast, simple system is a very popular installation method on the market to eliminate lippage.
3. Awisdom Tile Leveling System: This unique tile leveling system offers both durability and simplicity, making it perfect for DIY and professional use. It effectively eliminates tile lippage, ensuring a beautifully leveled finish. The Awisdom system's easy removal also stands out; its clips break cleanly and easily after installation, preventing any tile damage.
Awisdom also provides a professional guidance service, which is very convenient for people who use the tile leveling system for the first time. Whether you are an experienced operator or a DIY enthusiast who is a first-time user, it is highly recommended that you choose Awisdom's tile leveling system, which is the best in Australia.
Remember, choosing the best tile leveling system isn't only about price or popularity. It's about finding a system that suits your specific needs and ensures a smooth, lippage-free tile installation.
If you want to know more about tile brands, please read this article: The best tile leveling system In 2023
How to Use a Tile Leveling System: A Step-by-step Guide
Using a tile leveling system doesn't have to be complicated, especially if you're using a simple and efficient system like the Awisdom Tile Leveling System. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
1. Prepare Your Tiles and Layout: Before you start, make sure your tiles are clean, and your layout is planned.
2. Apply Your Adhesive: Apply your tile adhesive on the surface where you're installing the tiles. Use a notched trowel to ensure an even distribution.
3. Place the Clips: If you're using the Awisdom system, place the clips at each tile corner. The opening should face upwards, ready for the wedge.
4. Lay Your Tiles: Carefully lay your tiles according to your desired pattern. Make sure each tile corner aligns with a clip.
5. Insert the Wedges: Slide the wedges into the clips, applying pressure to push down the tiles. This pressure ensures all tiles are at the same level, preventing lippage.
6. Let it Set: Allow the adhesive to dry. This might take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours, depending on the adhesive type and environmental conditions.
7. Remove the Clips and Wedges: Once the adhesive is dry, it's time to remove the clips and wedges. For the Awisdom system, you can easily do this by kicking or hitting the clips sideways. They should break off cleanly, leaving behind a perfectly leveled tile surface.
Remember, the key to successful tile leveling is patience and precision. Always double-check your work and take your time to ensure a beautiful, lippage-free finish.
Want to learn more? Come read this complete installation guide!
Beginners guide about installing tiles with tile leveling system
Or contact us immediately, there will be professional technicians to guide you.
Common Mistakes When Using Tile Leveling Systems
Despite their simplicity, tile leveling systems can be misused. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Not Using Enough Adhesive: This can lead to tiles not sticking properly. Always ensure you're using enough adhesive for your tile size and type.
- Placing Clips Incorrectly: Clips should be placed at the corners of each tile. Misplacement can lead to uneven tiles and increased tile lippage.
- Not Allowing Enough Setting Time: Patience is crucial when using a tile leveling system. Ensure the adhesive is completely dry before removing the clips and wedges.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Choosing and using the best tile leveling system can make a world of difference to your tiling project. Whether you're in Australia or anywhere else, ensure you choose a system that suits your needs, your tile type, and your skill level.
Awisdom Tile Leveling System is a solid choice, delivering excellent results with a user-friendly design.
Conclusion
Tiling doesn't have to be a daunting task. With the right tile leveling system, you can achieve professional, lippage-free results, whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a seasoned tiling professional.
Feel free to share your experiences or ask questions about tile leveling systems to us. We're always here to help guide you to the best tiling outcomes.
FAQ
Are tile leveling systems worth it?
Absolutely, tile leveling systems are worth the investment. They ensure your tiles are laid evenly, reducing the risk of lippage. This not only improves the aesthetic appeal of your tiling project but also extends its lifespan.
Can I use spacers with a tile leveling system?
Yes, you can use spacers in conjunction with a tile leveling system. While the leveling system ensures the tiles are at the same height, spacers can help maintain a consistent gap between tiles for grouting.
How do tile leveling systems work?
Tile leveling systems work by maintaining an equal height between tiles during installation. They typically consist of two parts: clips and wedges (or similar components). Clips are placed at the corners of tiles and wedges are inserted into the clips. As the wedge is pushed into the clip, it forces the tile downwards, leveling it with the surrounding tiles. Once the adhesive dries, the clips and wedges are removed, leaving a level tile surface.