Glue for tiles

Tile has long been an unchanging finishing material for the bathroom. It is this type of ceramics that is excellent for conditions of constant high humidity, dampness, temperature changes, it is resistant to mold formation, washing household chemicals and other unpleasant for human and finishing factors. But to get a high-quality result, at which the design of the tile covering chosen by you will retain its strength, color stability and other important characteristics of wall and floor decorations for a long time, provided that you select the right glue for the tile. What exactly to pay attention to and instructions on how to lay the tile correctly, you will learn from this article.

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Selection Criteria for

Tile Adhesives When deciding which adhesive to choose for bathroom tiles from the whole modern variety of the construction market, the following criteria should be taken into account:

1. The type of adhesive base and the way it is applied.
2. Required completion rate and availability of skills for doing such work.
3. The working time of the solution, that is, the time at which the glue after cooking retains its properties and can be used for its intended purpose.
4. Dimensions of tiles.
5. Type of surface - otherwise materials at the base of walls and floors and their characteristics.

Tile size

It is very important, when choosing tile glue, to observe the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the application for a particular size of tiles. Usually, this information is indicated directly on the package with a dry mix or ready-made mortar and looks like this:

• for a small tile - 20 * 20 or 20 * 30 cm;
• for large-format collections, natural stone;
• mosaic tile glue - it usually has a white or transparent neutral color, which is necessary for the extreme accuracy of the finished coating.

Important! Observance of the recommended values ​​will ensure a reliable and long-term adhesion of the tile to the surface of the base of the walls or floor. And vice versa - if you ignore them, tile glue simply can not withstand the load and every detail of your decor will fall off over time.

Surface type

In this respect, the strength of the material, the permissible load on it, the location-horizontal, vertical, and also the degree of surface roughness, is important. For example:

• for concrete and glass, absolutely different solutions will be used, in the second case those that exclude slipping of the tile on the base;
• for horizontal surfaces more dense mixtures are used, the use of which will prevent the tiles from sliding down.

Work speed and availability of professional skills

These conditions are very important, because all solutions differ in some degree of grasp and complexity, safety of use. For example, if you do not have enough skills or if you have not done such work at all, it's better:

1. That the working time of the solution, that is, the period of its setting, was somewhat larger. This will allow you to quickly use the glue for the tile and calmly adjust the position of the elements, if they were not immediately able to be glued exactly.
2. So that the glue for the tiles is easy to prepare - one-component, in the form of a simple dry mix or ready-to-use solution.
3. To ensure that the tile glue is absolutely safe for health. Some mixtures are suitable only for professional use and require special protection from harmful vapors during breeding and application.

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Types of glued tile

There are many types of glue for tiles, so we will highlight a separate section in this article for their description. Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each possible option, you will certainly be able to decide for yourself which glue to choose for the tile in the bathroom.

Dry cement mixtures

This is a classic version of tile glue that is very simple to use: for use, the powder should be diluted with a mixer or manually with the amount of water indicated on the pack until a homogeneous mixture is formed.

Advantages:

1. Ecological cleanness is based only on natural ingredients: sand, cement, water.
2. Low cost, if possible, to buy glue in the amount that you need to finish a particular surface. The format of the packaging from different manufacturers is from 2 to 25 and more kg.
3. High degree of setting with the base.
4. Withstands any mechanical stress and high humidity conditions.

Disadvantages:

The setting speed is quite high, so it is necessary to prepare the amount of mixture that you can use during the working time of the solution. It will not be superfluous to have a correct, precise organization of finishing works in the facing of walls and floors.

Important! Neutralize this disadvantage if you buy a modern version of cement glue for tiles - with plasticizers. Plasticizers are special additives and additives in the mixture that can influence the following characteristics of the solution:

• degree of its plasticity;
• period of working time of the finished mixture;
• ultimate strength;
• moisture resistance level.

At a price similar tile adhesives are somewhat higher, but their advantages are definitely greater, and it's easier to work with them.

One-component adhesives

This is a variation of the water-dispersion mixture, which is perfect for laying tiles, if you have absolutely no skills in doing such work.

Advantages:

1. High work order accuracy.
2. Long working solution period.
3. Ease of use and the inability to break the formula - on sale is supplied as a ready-to-use mixture.
4. Uniformity of the overlay.

Disadvantages:

This adhesive is less resistant to moisture and less durable than any other option. It is more suitable for the simplest finishing works.

Two-component polyurethane or epoxy mixture

This is the best option for technical specifications, but relatively easy to use, safe, price and other, no less important, requirements - not always suitable.

Advantages:

1. Extremely high strength of tile fixing on walls and floors.
2. The long-term result.
3. Resistance to any type of adverse effect.
4. This tile adhesive is suitable for both fixing mortar and trowelling applications.

Disadvantages:

1. The need for self-preparation of a solution from several components, which in this case is quite difficult.
2. Toxicity of solutions in still uncured form.
3. All chemical composition.
4. High price.
5. The need for certain technical skills - for beginners these types of glue for tiles are not suitable, you will certainly have to enlist the help of specialists.

Conclusion - which glue for tiles is better?

Based on the above features of the application, pluses and minuses of each option, we can draw the following logical conclusion:

• for newcomers who decided to independently do the whole bathroom repair by their own hands, it is better to choose a cement adhesive for tiles with plasticizers;
• for those who aspire to get the perfect quality and are ready to spend money on the services of professionals - epoxy or polyurethane;
• for local finishing works, for example, fixing a pair of tiles among plastic panels, it is better to take a water-dispersion version.

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Popular brands

Manufacturer and brand - this is what is also worth paying attention to when deciding which glue to choose for the tile in the bathroom. From the correctness of the preference you make, the final result will also largely depend. Here the main thing is to understand that:

• has quite expensive brands, the reliability of which has been checked for years, and hence the result is expected to be excellent;
• is a newcomer in this field, who are quite sensitive to their reputation, deliver high-quality products at a fairly affordable price;
• there are manufacturers who receive their profits by locally producing construction mixtures in a particular region.

Important! But, of course, fakes on the market and goods of poor quality are also more than enough. Therefore, the choice of glue for tiles must be done reasonably, taking into account the experience of professionals, home craftsmen and advice consultants of a particular trade building center.

The best brands in terms of price-quality ratio are the following brands:

• Ceresit;
• Unis;
• Litokol;
• Knauf;
• Bergauf;
• Kilto;
• Vetonit;
• Marshall;
• Plitonite;
• Volma;
• Crepus.

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How to make the decoration of walls with tiles?

For the whole laying process to pass without a hitch, you need to act step by step:

1. Calculate glue. On average, with a layer thickness of 1 mm per 1 m2, about 1.3 kg of the mixture is used.
2. Prepare a set of necessary tools. You will find it useful: a drill with a nozzle, a level, a rubber hammer and the usual, a primer, putty, spatulas - silicone and rubber of different thicknesses, as well as a notched trowel, ruler, trowel, tiles, rails of wood or metal, glass cutters, buckets forsolution preparation.

Surface preparation and tiles

The finished surface must be absolutely smooth and firm. To get this result:

1. Remove any debris from the previous decorative material.
2. Strip the surface.
3. Knock the walls to reveal the presence of voids.
4. If there are irregularities - zashpatlyuyte them.
5. Apply a primer to improve the adhesion of the adhesive and tile to the surface.
6. Wait for the technical pause to allow all solutions to freeze.
7. Make the layout of the tiles - put a series of verticals and contours. Do not forget to make allowances on the seams - usually their size is 2.5-3 mm.
8. If a certain number of full tiles are not placed on the surface, cut the elements of the desired size with a glass cutter.

Important! If you are making flooring, use self-leveling mixtures for leveling, for example from the trade mark "Ceresite".

Glue tile - instruction:

1. Pre-make a pattern on the floor for the first 1-2 m2 of the surface to be trimmed.
2. Prepare the glue for the tiles with a prescription.
3. Using a notched trowel, apply the mortar to the surface of the wall or to the tile - read the information on it again on the packaging with tile glue.
4. If applied on walls, it is better to process an area of ​​not more than one square meter - so you will not be in a hurry and it will be more convenient for you to work.
5. When laying tiles on the floor - start from the center, when laying on the walls - from any angle.
6. Apply the elements of the tile one by one to the base, slightly pressing into the solution, but without excessive force.
7. Between the details of your decorative cover, insert crosses so that the tile does not slip and the geometry of the entire canvas is not disturbed.
8. Adjust the position of several tiles in the level. It is necessary to do this throughout the entire cycle of laying operations, and not after the completion of the process.
9. Once the glue has seized a little, peel the seams from the excess. Strongly do not delay, because if the solution finally withers - it will be much harder to clean it.
10. After laying all the tiles, clean the surface of the tile and the seams from the excess glue, leave it as it is for 24 hours - the standard time for the complete setting of the tile glue.
11. Remove the crosses.
12. Stick adhesive tape along the seams, prepare the grout and trim the seams with the selected mixture.
13. After drying, remove the protective tape.

Now you know which glue to choose for the tiles and bathroom and how to tile the tiles on the walls and floors. We hope that everything turned out to be perfect or close to this result and you are proud of yourself for the demonstrated skills and abilities. So - daily moral satisfaction while visiting the bathroom you are provided, and accordingly - and a good mood.