Ready to hire?
Post your job in minutes, browse real reviews and choose who to speak to.Post a jobNeed some tips or advice?
Ask a questionGroundwork & Foundations
What is the minimum depth of a mortar bed for a tile path?
Richard brown 07/08/2025 - 8.03 AM
I am going to lay a path of porcelain tiles 600x900. The builder has put down some MOT after installing drains. It is quite high in places (up to the level of the preferred new tile level) so I am going to have to remove some of it. As its compacted/hard its going to require the use of a pickaxe etc. I dont want to have to remove more than is required so I'd like advice on what is the minimum thickness of mortar bed?
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
4 Answers
Jay Jones Landscaping and Driveway Services
Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Ideal bed of mortar mix for this would be between 35mm and 50mm max
Answered8 August 2025
2
Oakstone Developments
Rating: 5 out of 5
For porcelain paving you generally want a full mortar bed of around 30–40 mm after compaction — enough to fully support the slab and allow you to adjust levels without it being too thin and prone to cracking. Anything much less than 25 mm can leave you with weak spots and risk of tiles rocking.
Make sure the bed is laid on top of a solid, well-compacted MOT base and use a slurry primer on the back of each tile for proper bonding. If the MOT is already high, you’ll only need to take off enough so that, once you add the mortar bed, you hit your final finished level. Better to chip out a bit more than to end up with a bed that’s too thin.
Answered11 August 2025
1
Anonymous user
Personally wouldn’t go anything less than 40mm.twice thickness of tile.
Answered11 August 2025
1
BM Services
No reviews yet
Generally speaking I would allow around 30-50mm underneath. You need plenty under it to ensure the tile doesn’t crack when weight placed on it
Answered29 August 2025
1