Big Spin Hurricane 250 x 3mm Tile Spacer Bases — Standard Tile Levelling System for Tiles 3–15mm

When the job calls for a wider, more defined joint on standard indoor tiles, Big Spin Hurricane 3mm Standard Bases are one of the best tile levelling systems available for the task. The 3mm joint is the widest in the Standard range — a popular choice on rustic natural stone, textured ceramic and handmade-style tiles where a more generous joint suits the character of the material. The same reliable screw/spin mechanism brings adjacent tiles into perfect alignment, every time.

Designed for standard wall and floor tiles from 3–15mm thick, the 3mm bases produce a consistent, well-defined 3mm grout joint across 250 pieces per tub — ideal for natural stone, textured porcelain, limestone, Indian sandstone and larger ceramic formats where the joint is a deliberate design feature rather than something to minimise.

We're a small, family-run business — I'm Cleo, the owner, with over 25 years in the construction industry working with businesses including Tarmac and Instarmac. I work alongside a team of incredibly knowledgeable and caring individuals, and the 3mm comes up regularly in conversations about natural stone floors and wall tiles where the grout line is part of the look — not just a functional gap.

We'd confidently recommend the 3mm Standard bases for natural stone, textured and handmade-style tiles from 3–15mm thick where a more generous joint is specified or preferred. It's also worth knowing that some natural stone materials — limestone, Indian sandstone, slate — benefit from a wider joint to allow for slight variation in tile edge. If you're working with outdoor tiles or anything over 15mm, you'll want our Deep range (4mm, 5mm or 6mm) instead. Get in touch if you'd like advice on which size is right.

Why Big Spin Hurricane?

The biggest difference between Big Spin Hurricane and conventional clip-and-wedge levelling systems is the mechanism itself. Traditional systems use a clip pushed into the adhesive bed, with a separate wedge physically forced through the clip to create levelling pressure. Big Spin Hurricane replaces that entirely with a threaded base and a screw-on cap:

Insert the base. Position the tile. Spin the cap down until the adjacent surfaces are flush. Leave to cure. Remove.

No specialist tensioning pliers. No separate wedge to lose. No additional tool required beyond your normal installation kit. Five reasons professional tilers reach for it:

• Spin-to-level technology — adjust tile alignment by simply rotating the cap down onto the threaded base. Controlled, intuitive, and straightforward to fine-tune.
• Reusable caps — the cap is the part you keep. Buy the caps once, keep them in your kit, and replace the inexpensive bases job by job. A far better long-term proposition than replacing the whole system every time.
• Built for large-format tiles — with 600×600mm, 600×1200mm and larger formats, even small amounts of lippage become very visible. Big Spin Hurricane is designed specifically to hold large-format tiles in plane while adhesive cures.
• Standard range for tiles 3–15mm — covers the full thickness range of typical indoor wall and floor tiles, from ceramic to large-format porcelain and natural stone.
• Protection plates available — optional reusable protection plates (PPC178) sit between the cap and the tile surface, preventing contact damage on polished, gloss or textured finishes.

Features & Benefits

• Two-part mechanical tile levelling system — threaded spacer base and reusable screw-on cap
• Screw/spin cap mechanism — controlled levelling without wedges or specialist pliers
• Produces a precise, even 3mm grout joint
• Designed for standard wall and floor tiles from 3–15mm thick
• Suitable for large-format porcelain, marble, natural stone (limestone, Indian sandstone), ceramic
• Works on walls and floors
• Reusable caps sold separately — 100 caps (BSHC177)
• Caps interchangeable across the full Big Spin Hurricane range — one cap system for both Standard and Deep bases
• Specifically designed break-off point on bases for fast kick-off removal
• Durable construction for a secure installation
• No specialist pliers or tensioning tool required
• Optional protection plates available (PPC178) for polished and gloss surfaces
• 250 bases per tub, supplied in a handy plastic carry tub — product code BSHB174

Which size do I need?

For outdoor 20mm porcelain paving or tiles over 15mm thick, you'll need the Deep range instead. If you're unsure, get in touch and we'll advise.

How to Use Big Spin Hurricane Tile Spacer Bases & Caps

1. Spread tile adhesive over the surface in the usual way.
2. Slide the threaded base underneath the edge of the tile until it sits flush against the tile face — position at each corner (4 bases per standard square tile; 6 for larger formats or plank tiles).
3. Lay the adjacent tile into position.
4. Place the cap onto the threaded base and spin it down until both tile surfaces are brought into alignment and flush with each other.
5. Continue across the installation. The system holds tiles in place while the adhesive cures overnight, eliminating slumping, sinkage and lippage.
6. Once the adhesive has cured, remove the bases by kicking them off or using a rubber mallet in the direction of the grout joint.
7. Remove the caps and store them in the tub for the next job — caps are reusable. Purchase caps here.

Clean any excess adhesive from the base and cap before it cures to make removal easier.

What is a Tile Levelling System?

Tile levelling systems are designed for perfect tile-to-tile alignment. They allow the tiling or paving contractor to level, align, space and hold each individual tile while the adhesive sets. The spacer bases and caps form a two-part system that creates a perfectly symmetrical surface, with accurate, consistent spaces between each tile for a uniform, precision joint when grouting. On large-format and natural stone tiles in particular, a levelling system is one of the most effective ways to eliminate lippage and achieve a truly professional finish.

Also Available in the Big Spin Hurricane Range

Big Spin Hurricane bases are available in six joint sizes across two ranges — Standard (3–15mm tiles) and Deep (15–25mm tiles). If 3mm isn't the right size for your project, the full range is here:

• Standard range (3–15mm tiles): 1mm bases · 2mm bases · 3mm (this page)
• Deep range (15–25mm tiles, incl. 20mm outdoor porcelain): 4mm bases · 5mm bases · 6mm bases
• Reusable caps (BSHC177) — compatible with all bases in the range

Big Spin Hurricane 3mm Tile Spacer Bases — Frequently Asked Questions

I'm Cleo, owner of The Paving Experts, with over 25 years in the construction industry working with businesses including Tarmac and Instarmac. I work alongside a small team of incredibly knowledgeable and caring individuals who share the same passion for getting it right. The FAQ answers below come from the questions we're asked every single day.

What is the difference between the Standard and Deep Big Spin Hurricane bases?
The Standard range (1mm, 2mm, 3mm bases) is designed for wall and floor tiles from 3–15mm thick — typically indoor ceramic, porcelain and natural stone. The Deep range (4mm, 5mm, 6mm bases) is designed for thicker tiles from 15–25mm, including 20mm outdoor porcelain paving. The caps are interchangeable across both ranges.

Do I need to buy new caps every time?
No — the caps are reusable. The bases are the consumable part of the system; the caps can be removed after the adhesive cures, cleaned, and used again on the next job. Caps are sold separately so you can top up bases independently without replacing the whole system. Buy caps here.

How many bases do I need per tile?
As a guide, use 4 bases per standard square tile — one at each corner. For larger format or plank tiles, use 6 bases to ensure full support and alignment across the tile.

Do I need any special tools to use Big Spin Hurricane?
No specialist tools are required. The screw/spin cap is tightened by hand — simply spin it down onto the threaded base until the adjacent tile surfaces are flush. Standard tile installation tools are all you need.

Can I use Big Spin Hurricane on walls as well as floors?
Yes. The system is specified for both wall and floor tiles across both the Standard and Deep ranges.

What are the protection plates for?
The optional Big Spin Hurricane protection plates (PPC178) sit between the cap and the tile surface during installation. They're particularly useful on polished, gloss or textured surfaces where direct cap contact could mark the finish. They're reusable and available separately.

Why 3mm — when is a wider joint the right choice?
The 3mm joint is the widest in the Standard range and works particularly well on natural stone — limestone, Indian sandstone, slate — and on textured or handmade-style tiles where slight variation in tile edge is part of the character of the material. A wider joint accommodates that variation more naturally and gives the grout line a more deliberate, visible role in the finished floor. If your tile supplier specifies a 3mm minimum joint, this is the right base. If you're unsure between 2mm and 3mm, give us a call.

Why use a screw/spin system instead of a wedge system?
Conventional wedge-and-clip systems require a separate wedge to be physically forced through a clip to create levelling pressure. Big Spin Hurricane replaces that with a threaded cap you simply spin down by hand — no separate wedge, no specialist pliers, just a straightforward mechanical action that gives you intuitive control over the levelling pressure.

Can I mix Standard and Deep bases on the same job?
Yes — the caps are interchangeable across the whole Hurricane range, so you can use Standard and Deep bases on the same project with the same caps.

What causes tile lippage and how does a levelling system prevent it?
Tile lippage is when the edge of one tile sits higher or lower than the edge of the adjacent tile, creating an uneven, stepped surface. On natural stone in particular, where tiles can vary slightly in thickness, a levelling system is especially valuable — it mechanically holds adjacent edges in the same plane while the adhesive cures, regardless of minor thickness variation between individual tiles.

Is the Standard range suitable for outdoor use?
The Standard range covers tiles from 3–15mm thick, which is the typical range for indoor wall and floor tiles. For outdoor installations — particularly 20mm porcelain paving — you'll need the Deep range (15–25mm). Natural stone used outdoors often comes in thicker formats — always confirm thickness with your supplier before choosing your base size.

How do I remove the bases after the adhesive has cured?
Once the tile adhesive has fully cured, remove the bases by kicking them off with your foot or using a rubber mallet, striking in the direction of the grout joint. The bases have a specifically designed break-off point that makes removal clean and fast. The caps unscrew and can be stored for reuse. Clean any adhesive residue from the caps before it hardens to make removal and reuse easier.

What is the difference between Big Spin Hurricane and a wedge tile levelling system?
A wedge system uses two components: a clip that sits under the tile edge and a separate wedge that is pushed or driven through the clip to apply levelling pressure. Big Spin Hurricane uses a threaded base and a screw-on cap instead — you spin the cap down by hand to bring the tiles into alignment. There's no separate wedge to push through, no specialist pliers needed for basic operation, and the cap is reusable across multiple jobs.

Got a question about Big Spin Hurricane? Call us on ☎️ 0330 122 1025 or drop us a message through our contact form — we'll get back to you by email or phone as soon as we can. We're a small team, but happy to help.

• Brand: Tile Rite
• Product Type: Tile Spacers
• SKU: TPE-BIGSPIHUR3MM
• Weight: 1.0 kg / 2.2 lb