Tayg Spacers, Wedges and Pedestal Floors: A Technical Guide

Tayg is a Spanish maker of tiling accessories. We stock its tile spacers and wedges, its Plot and Pedestal system for raised outdoor floors, and Flexi Tub mixing buckets. This guide covers what each does, how the pedestal "floating floor" works and how to size a job.

Spacers and Wedges: Controlling the Joint

A uniform joint hides small size differences between tiles and keeps long grout lines straight.

Tayg cross spacers set a fixed joint at the intersection of four tiles. We carry four sizes:

• 1.5 mm (1/16 in), bag of 500: rectified porcelain and stone with tight tolerances, and wall tile.
• 3 mm (1/8 in), bag of 500: the most common joint for floor and wall porcelain.
• 5 mm (13/64 in), bag of 300: handmade, tumbled or pressed edge tile with more size variation.
• 7 mm (9/32 in), bag of 300: rustic terracotta, pavers and wide rustic joints.

Start from the tile maker's minimum joint; if sample pieces vary by 1 mm or more, go up a size.

Tayg tile wedges, 1 to 5 mm, bag of 300 are tapered, so one wedge covers every joint from 1 to 5 mm depending on how far it is pushed in. Use them where a cross spacer will not fit, to shim the first course of wall tile off an uneven tub, and to correct a drifting run.

Spacers and wedges do not flatten neighboring tile faces; that still depends on a flat substrate and full mortar coverage. Pull spacers once the thinset firms up and before grouting, so no plastic is left in the joint under the grout.

The Floating Floor: Tayg Plot and Pedestal System

The "floating floor" is a raised outdoor floor. Plastic pedestals sit on the existing surface and 2 cm or 3 cm porcelain pavers rest loose on them, one pedestal under each corner where four pavers meet. No mortar is used, so the floor "floats" above the slab.

How it works

Each pedestal has a wide base, a threaded column and a head. Turning the head sets its height, so a level surface can sit over a slab that slopes for drainage. Rain passes through the joints and runs off by the existing drains. Conduit, lighting and irrigation lines can run in the void, and any paver lifts out for access.

We stock six adjustable pedestal sizes, sold individually:

• .70 to .98 in (18 to 25 mm)
• 1.0 to 1.41 in (28 to 36 mm)
• 1.41 to 2.0 in (36 to 51 mm)
• 2.0 to 3.2 in (52 to 82 mm)
• 3.2 to 5.3 in (82 to 135 mm)
• 5.2 to 8.8 in (133 to 225 mm)

Tayg's data sheet for the tallest model lists a 195 mm (7.7 in) base, a 147 mm (5.8 in) head and a tested load of 1,590 daN, roughly 3,500 lbf, when the load is spread over the full head.

Two snap-in accessories set the paver joint on the head: the Snap-In Cross Tee Spacer 3 mm (TBF-SC3) for corners and the Snap-In Straight Spacer 3 mm (TBF-SM3) for edges.

Installation steps

1. Confirm a stable substrate: concrete, compacted gravel or a roof membrane rated for the load. Lay any vapor barrier first.
2. Measure finished height at the highest and lowest points to choose pedestal sizes.
3. Snap a grid matched to the paver size plus the 3 mm joint.
4. Place a pedestal at every intersection. At edges, break off two tabs so pavers sit tight.
5. Set pavers and turn each head until the surface is level under a long straightedge.
6. Fit spacers and recheck level every few rows.

For estimating, Tayg's distributor chart puts 24 x 24 in pavers at about 0.35 pedestals per square foot including edges.

Pedestal accessories

• Self-leveling heads. These fit on the flat top of an adjustable pedestal, add 20 mm (3/4 in) of height and tilt to sit level on ground that slopes up to 7%, according to Tayg's product page for its self-leveling heads. Use the TBR-C center head under the middle of a paver and the TBR-TS3 cross head with 3 mm tabs at paver corners. For wood decking, the TBR-WH beam head holds joists 40 to 50 mm wide and the TBR-WHS beam head takes joists up to 80 mm.
• TB-CL height extension. A 180 mm extension that adds height to an adjustable pedestal.
• TBF-W wooden beam clip. Snaps into the holes on a pedestal head and rotates a full 360 degrees. Screw it to the joist to lock a timber frame for deck boards.
• 3 mm spacing disc. Sets a 3 mm paver joint and works with all Tayg adjustable pedestals.
• TB-A damper, pack of 12. A 2 mm rubber pad that sits on the pedestal head or self-leveling head. It quiets footsteps and stops pavers rattling.
• TB-MTF top frame and TB-MBF bottom frame. Metal fittings that clamp a vertical edge onto the platform at open sides with no wall, such as a deck edge or step.
• Fixed plots, packs of 12. These are low supports with a set height rather than a threaded column: TBF-14, 14 mm (1/2 in), TBF-16, 16 mm (5/8 in) and TBF-30, 30 mm (1 1/4 in). They follow the existing slope instead of correcting it.

Limits

Pedestals are built for porcelain pavers 2 cm or 3 cm thick and for wood decking. Standard 8 to 10 mm floor tile is too thin to span between supports and will crack. Some concrete pavers need an extra pedestal at the center with all four tabs removed. On roofs, confirm load and membrane compatibility with the roofer or engineer.

When You Need Low Height: TAP System

Tayg does not make tile leveling clips, caps or pliers. For outdoor porcelain slabs where even the shortest pedestal sits too high, we carry the TAP System complete kit. Each slab corner is glued to a round 4 mm TAP support pad over compacted gravel or concrete, so the slab cannot rock and water still drains through the gap. Replacement UNTAP, dome, spike and Lucky spacer parts are sold individually.

Mixing Buckets

Tayg Flexi Tubs are flexible buckets for thinset, grout and mortar; cured material cracks off when flexed. We carry 14, 26, 30, 42 and 65 liter sizes, including a 26 liter black tub with a metal handle and 42 liter tubs in red, green, blue and black.

Matching Adhesive and Grout

For large format porcelain on thinset, a high strength elastic gel adhesive such as Litokol PowerGel Pro Max gives full coverage. For joints from 1.5 mm up, Litokol Starlike Pro epoxy grout resists stains and water in showers and kitchens.

FAQ

What is a floating floor in tile?

It is a raised floor of thick porcelain pavers resting on adjustable pedestals, with no mortar bed. The pavers sit loose on the pedestal heads above the original surface, leaving a drainage void underneath.

Can I use Tayg pedestals with regular floor tile?

No. Pedestals are designed for 2 cm and 3 cm pavers that span between supports. Standard 8 to 10 mm tile needs a full mortar bed on a solid substrate.

Which pedestal size do I need?

Measure the finished height at the lowest and highest points of the area. Pick the size whose range covers that span, or combine sizes across a sloped area.

Does Tayg make tile leveling clips?

No. Tayg's spacers and wedges set joint width and alignment but do not pull tile faces flush, and Tayg makes no clips, caps or pliers. For outdoor slabs that need a very low profile, see the TAP System.

Do I leave spacers in the joint when grouting?

Remove spacers and wedges before grouting. Plastic left in the joint creates thin spots where grout can crack.