The 6 Best Tile Leveling Systems – Reviews 2020
Tiling is one of those jobs that people think should be easy. So, you might think, why I need the best tile leveling system? But, reality is it's not that easy at all. It's a load of squares you fit into a big space right? How hard can it be?
The answer is, it’s hard to get right but very easy to get wrong. Use someone else's bathroom and you'll soon notice shoddy tiling, whether you're in the trade or not. This is especially true with tiled floors. Apart from anything else, badly tiled floors can be dangerous.These days, there are great systems available to help make sure you get it right.
Table Of Contents
- 6 Best Tile Leveling Systems 2020 Reviews
- 1. T-Lock ™ PERFECT LEVEL MASTER ™ Pliers Tool Gun for Tile leveling system
- 2. 1/8" T-Lock ™ Complete KIT Anti lippage Tile leveling system by PERFECT LEVEL MASTER
- 3. 1/32" T-Lock ™ Complete KIT Anti lippage Tile leveling system by PERFECT LEVEL MASTER ™ 300 spacers
- 4. Raimondi Tile Leveling System Review - 100pcs wedges in bucket
- 5. QEP 99720Q LASH Tile Leveling, Aligning and Spacer Clips
- 6. ATR Resolution 20S100 Tile Leveling Alignment System, 100 Spindle's
- How To Choose Perfect Leveling Systems
- How to Use Tile leveling systems
- Final Thought
Comparison Chart
Image | Name | Space | Weight | Dimension | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1/32" | 4.55 Lbs | 15.2 x 9.5 x 7.7 Inches | |||
1/8" | 5.03 Lbs | 14.1 x 8.5 x 7.3 Inches | |||
1/16" | 4.4 Lbs | 10 x 9 x 9 Inches | |||
1/16" | 8.8 Oz | 1.2 x 1.1 x 1.6 Inches |
6 Best Tile Leveling Systems 2020 Reviews
1. T-Lock ™ PERFECT LEVEL MASTER ™ Pliers Tool Gun for Tile leveling system
Designed as part of the T-Lock Tile leveling system, this pliers tool gun is made to be used on both floor and wall tiles. As such, they are extremely tough, strong and well manufactured.
In conjunction with spacers and wedges, the two gripped gun locks each tile correctly into place next to its neighbor. With the spacer clips and wedges designed to keep tiles flush with both each other and the surface they are attaching to, the gun is the perfect tool to stick each one in place.
Check More Photos & Price at: amazon.com
Use this once, and you will never try to lay tiles with your fingers again; especially on bigger jobs.
2. 1/8" T-Lock ™ Complete KIT Anti lippage Tile leveling system by PERFECT LEVEL MASTER
This full leveling kit should be everything you need to do a great tiling job from start to finish. In conjunction with the pliers gun, these spacers and wedges will give you 1/8” even spacing all the way along the edge of each tile, as well as making sure the whole tile surface is flush.
This means, as long as your surface is flat, your tiles will be evenly spaced and there will be very little “lippage;” meaning one tile sticks up compared to its neighbor.
Check More Photos & Price at: amazon.com
Doing a large tiling job means using a lot of separators like these; this great plastic box has 300 spacers and 100 wedges. Just the job.
3. 1/32" T-Lock ™ Complete KIT Anti lippage Tile leveling system by PERFECT LEVEL MASTER ™ 300 spacers
If you’re looking for that super thin 1mm thick line of grouting, then this is the levelling kit for you. It will ensure that you get a crisp, perfect spacing along the edges of the tiles while making sure it is perfectly flat.
Whether you are a professional or your retiling the bathroom yourself you can do it effortlessly. It will remove any lippage whether on walls or floors and as you don’t have to level any tiles the old-fashioned way, it will save you time too.
Check More Photos & Price at: amazon.com
Depending on what tile size you are using, this complete kit can cover up to 65 sqft, saving you buying multiple kits. All in all it’s a great purchase.
4. Raimondi Tile Leveling System Review - 100pcs wedges in bucket
A great starter kit, this Raimondi set should be enough for the beginner, especially to gain confidence in using this kind of locking and leveling system for a better class of tiling job.
Raimondi spacers are 1/16”, ensuring the tiling coverage should appear almost jointless. Their pliers tile gun is designed to work with their system, and again will be great for the novice to gain confidence in laying tiles this way.
Check More Photos & Price at: amazon.com
This ceramic floor tile leveling systems has 100 each of spacers and wedges; this may restrict the size of floor or wall you can cover in one go. It is still sizable enough to look great when finished.
5. QEP 99720Q LASH Tile Leveling, Aligning and Spacer Clips
A vital part of flush and flat tiling, spacers are designed to help tiles stay in the right place until the grout sets. They also have to be designed to let as much cement as possible enter between each tile, its neighbor and the surface being tiled.
As such these spacers are a great product. They have a slightly different anchor shape design, which helps to raise each tile to the right height and be easily removed.
Check More Photos & Price at: amazon.com
While the correct way to use these spacers might take some getting used to, results should be worth it. To be used along with wedges.
6. ATR Resolution 20S100 Tile Leveling Alignment System, 100 Spindle's
These spindles are causing a bit of a stir among tilers. It seems that professionals and DIY-ers of some standing see their outstanding qualities, while others don't.
These spindles can be removed without any risk of breakage of any tile, do not require force of any kind (unlike wedges, which need a good knock), and are completely re-useable. The spindle screws into the spacing plate, holding it in place while the grout sets.
Check More Photos & Price at: amazon.com
This means it can be unscrewed, leaving the spacer and tiles in exactly the right place. As there are 100 spindles in a bag, this should easily the cost of 300 wedges, which often break when being knocked out.
How To Choose Perfect Leveling Systems
There are already a lot of things you might need to start a tiling job. But to finish it off, a leveling system is considered by professional tilers to be absolutely essential. Even if you have taken care to level off the surface of your walls or floor, incorrectly laid tiles will make all this hard work largely pointless.
The overall surface of your tiles should be as flat as your wall or floor. Modern tile leveling systems have been designed to ensure there is no, or minimal, “lippage”. Depending on your level of expertise, choosing such a system should be fairly straightforward, however. Here are some tips to help.
Right Combination
Ideally, a tile leveling system will have spacers, wedges and pliers gun. The three together work as a complete system when used correctly.
If you are not confident in using this system, however, remember that the spacers and wedges are essentially disposable; the tool you will need most is the pliers. This is to ensure that the tiles lie flat on the spacer plates; something you will not be able to achieve with your bare hands.
As with any tool, you should make sure you will be comfortable using it. Tiling any sort of surface is repetitive and hard work. As such, your pliers should be comfortable to use and the grips should be tough and durable.
Pliers will be designed to be used with other elements made by the same manufacturer to their own specification; be sure not to try to use one makers tools with another's accessories.
Don't Force It
Although the pliers are strong, do not try to use them to force badly placed spacers once you have laid the cement. Tiles are ceramic and made to last; however, pliers can break them very easily and cement dries surprisingly quickly.
Do not try to remove wedges from one part of a job to use on another. Make sure you start off with enough spacers and wedges to cover the area you are trying to tile. The spiral design may be the best way to make sure you have this covered.
As mentioned previously, some leveling systems are better for beginners than others. The pliers might look easier to use, for instance. Again, if you are not confident, or think you may have made a slight error, do not try to use the equipment to do things it was not designed for.
How to Use Tile leveling systems
As recommended by the experts, here are the steps to using your tile leveling system:
Final Thought
Tile leveling systems are recommended by professional tilers, and indeed were developed by them in the first place. They really can make the difference between a shabby looking job and a beautifully finished room.
As their usage spreads, more DIYers are growing in confidence as tilers in their own right. Although perhaps daunting to the uninitiated, they are by no means difficult once you get the knack. As the saying goes, it's not rocket science.
It is, however, good tiling practice, which will be appreciated by everyone. We hope our best tile leveling systems review post has helped inspire you.