A tile leveler is a popular and widely used tool made of plastic, designed to level and align tiles used on floors and walls of buildings. This plastic tool has recently become more common among tile installers and is considered a modern tool. Join us as we explore the different types of tile levelers.
What is a Tile Leveler?
A tile leveler is an installation tool made up of two parts: the leveling clip and the wedge. The clip, usually white and made from high-quality materials, works alongside the wedge, which is produced in blue, red, or black. The clip is placed between adjacent tiles during installation, and when locked by the wedge, it ensures that the tiles are perfectly aligned and level with each other.
Using this method eliminates the need for repeated hammer strikes with a rubber mallet, as long as the surface underneath is properly prepared. Compared to traditional methods, using a tile leveler is easier and speeds up the process.
The tile leveler works by applying pressure from both the top and bottom, ensuring that neighboring tiles are leveled. This tool is especially useful for installing slab tiles with varying thicknesses.
Applications of Tile and Ceramic Levelers
Tile and ceramic levelers have various applications, including :
- Simplifying tile and ceramic installation
- For paving floors
- For easier installation of wall tiles and ceramics
Advantages of Using a Tile Leveling System
Before exploring the types of tile levelers, it’s important to understand the advantages of using a leveling system over traditional methods :
- The system prevents water from pooling between tiles after washing, reducing stains and discoloration.
- It increases both the speed and accuracy of tiling projects, eliminating the need for prolonged manual leveling with rubber mallets.
- The system doesn’t require extensive experience or skill, making it easy for even less experienced individuals to achieve professional results. It locks tiles in place, allowing foot traffic immediately after installation.
- Tile levelers can be used on both vertical and horizontal surfaces.
- In addition to leveling tile edges, the system helps create neat and uniform grout lines.
Types of Tile Levelers
Tile levelers come in different varieties, each suited for specific applications:
1. Flat Tile Leveler (Clip and Wedge)
This common type of leveler comes in three sizes :
- Small Tile Leveler: Suitable for small tiles (20x20 cm, 30x30 cm, or 40x40 cm) typically used in bathrooms, with a clip height of 17 mm for tiles 6-8 mm thick.
- Medium Tile Leveler: Designed for larger tiles (60x60 cm, 80x80 cm, or 100x100 cm), commonly used for floors and walls. Clip height is 20 mm, suitable for tiles 8-12 mm thick.
- Large Tile Leveler: With a clip height of 23 mm, this size is ideal for larger tiles (120x120 cm or 240x120 cm) and can handle tiles 9-16 mm thick.
2. Screw Tile Leveler
Unlike the flat tile leveler, the screw leveler doesn’t require pliers for tightening, making it less powerful but still useful in smaller spaces. It’s tightened by hand and can be used for tiles 6-14 mm thick.
3. Butterfly Tile Leveler
A newer product on the market, the butterfly leveler has two wings that, when pressed together, apply pressure to adjacent tiles to level them. Due to higher production costs, it’s less commonly used and has moderate leveling power.
How to Use a Tile Leveler
To use a tile leveler, first prepare and level the surface. Apply a quality tile adhesive using a notched trowel, place the tile, and then insert the leveling clips around the tile. Slide the wedges through the clips, and tighten using a leveling wrench. Once the adhesive dries (after about a day), remove the clips by tapping them with a rubber mallet or the edge of a shoe. Finally, fill the grout lines with a quality grout to complete the installation.
Conclusion
In this article, we introduced you to various types of tile levelers. As you can see, using a leveling system offers a more precise and efficient way to level tiles compared to traditional methods. If you’re planning to install tiles, we recommend using these tools to achieve the best results.