Chris wrote in :

Red Green wrote:
Chris wrote in :

infiniteMPG wrote:
We're about to start tiling a kitchen floor over stripped bare
concrete slab. We're going to be using 18" X 18" tile and we've
started noticing that the floor has quite a few uneven spots in it
up to 1/4" or so. We've heard about leveling compounds but we're
kind of new to this.
Use self leveling concrete, if those spots are large, or even if the
whole floor slopes 1/4" from one end to the other. A level floor
will make much easier installing cabinets, for example.

We already have our cabinets mounted so whatever we use
we need to take that into consideration.
Ouch! Are you going to tile around the cabinets? Bad choice, IMO.
Will be a PITA to install or service a dishwasher,for example, and
hope you'll never have to replace one of the bases. Also, probably
you'll have to make more tile cuts to fit the profile of the
cabinets.

Not sure what can be put
down prior to the tile to level the floor better or if something
different can be used to mount the tiles that can take up the
uneven floor?
Again I would use self leveling concrete, and would consider
removing the cabinets and covering the whole kitchen floor with
tiles .

If there are only a few lower spots you could just use more mortar
under the tiles there, but there is a potential risk to leave air
pockets if you're not careful.



The floor just needs to be flat, not necessairly level.

Well, may be not everybody sees a need there, but I would have a
strong preference.

I've never used self leveling concrete. I've used those floor
levelers in bags. Expensive stuff.


How does the self leveling concrete compare to this I'm curious?

I've never used the expensive stuff you mention, so not sure how
compares. I am overly simplifying but with SLC you just pour and let
it settle. Gravity will keep the surface smooth and at the same level.


Not sure if you know any of this but I'd be curious:

How expensive is the self leveling concrete/cement?
(bags/buckets? - Coverage?)
Where can it be got?
What's the thickness range?
(the stuff I spoke of was from feather edge to 1".)