Tile adhesive

The tile has long remained the same finishing material for the bathroom. This type of ceramics is perfect for conditions of constant high humidity, dampness, temperature changes, is resistant to mold, washing household chemicals and other factors unpleasant for humans and decoration. But to get a high-quality result, in which the design of the tile you choose for a long time retains its strength, color fastness and other important characteristics of wall and floor decor, it is possible only on condition that you select the right glue for the tile. What exactly to pay attention to and instructions on how to lay the tiles correctly, you will learn from this article.

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Tile Adhesive Criteria

When deciding which glue to choose for tiles in the bathroom from the whole modern variety of the construction market, one must take into account a set of the following criteria:

1. Type of adhesive base and method of application.
2. The necessary speed of completion and the availability of skills to perform similar work
3. The working time of the solution, that is, the time at which the adhesive after preparation retains its properties and can be used as intended.
4. Tile dimensions.
5. Type of surface - otherwise the materials at the base of walls and floors and their characteristics.

Tile Size

When choosing a tile adhesive, it is very important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the use of a particular tile size. Usually, this information is indicated directly on the package with the dry mix or ready-made solution and looks like this:

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

Important! Compliance with the recommended values ​​will ensure 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, then tile glue simply can not withstand the load and every detail of your decor will fall off over time.

Surface type

In this regard, the strength of the material, the permissible load on it, the location is horizontal, vertical, as well as the degree of surface roughness. For example:

• for concrete and glass, completely different solutions will be used, in the second case, those that exclude the sliding of tiles on the base;
• for horizontal surfaces, denser mixtures are used, the use of which will not allow the tile to slide down.

Speed ​​of work and professional skills

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

1. So that the working time of the solution, that is, the period of its setting, is somewhat longer. This will allow you to slowly use glue for the tiles and calmly adjust the position of the elements if they were not immediately able to be glued evenly.
2. To make tile adhesive easy to prepare - one-component, in the form of a simple dry mixture or a ready-to-use mortar.
3. That tile glue was absolutely safe for health.Some mixtures are suitable only for professional use and require special protection against exposure to harmful fumes during dilution and use.

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Types of Tile Glue

There are a lot of varieties of glue for tiles, so we will highlight a separate section in this article for their description. By comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each possible option, you will probably be able to decide for yourself which glue to choose for tiles in the bathroom.

Dry cement mixes

This is a classic version of tile adhesive, which is very simple to use: for use, it is enough to dilute the powder with a mixer or manually with the amount of water indicated on the pack until a homogeneous mixture is formed.

Advantages:

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

Disadvantages:

The setting speed is quite high, so you need to prepare the amount of the mixture that you can use during the working time of the solution. The correct, clear organization of the finishing work when facing walls and floors will not be superfluous.

Important! It is possible to neutralize such a disadvantage if you buy a modern version of cement adhesive for tiles - with plasticizers. Plasticizers are special additives and additives in a mixture that can affect the following characteristics of a solution:

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

At the price, such tile adhesives are slightly higher, but they have clearly more advantages, 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 performing such work.

Advantages:

1. High accuracy of work.
2. Long working period of solution.
3. Ease of use and impossibility of violation of the recipe - it is supplied in the form of a ready-to-use mixture
4. Uniformity of the applied layer.

Disadvantages:

Such glue is less resistant to moisture and is less durable than any other option. It is more suitable for the simplest finishing work.

Two-component polyurethane or epoxy blends

According to technical specifications, this is the best option, but regarding ease of use, security, price and other equally important requirements, it is far from always suitable.

Benefits:

1. Extremely high strength fixing tiles on walls and floors.
2. Long-term result.
3. Resistance to any type of adverse effect.
4. Such tile adhesive is suitable for use both as a fixing solution and as a trowel.

Disadvantages:

1. The need for independent preparation of a solution of several components, which in this case is quite difficult.
2. The toxicity of the solutions is still uncured.
3. Fully 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 tile adhesive is better?

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

• for beginners who decide to do the entire bathroom repair on their own, it is better to choose cement glue for tiles with plasticizers;
• for those who want to get the perfect quality and are willing to spend money on paying for the services of professionals - epoxy or polyurethane;
• for local finishing work, for example, fixing a pair of tiles among plastic panels, it is better to take the water-dispersion option.

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Popular brands

The manufacturer and brand is something that you should also pay attention to when deciding which glue to choose for tile in the bathroom. The final result will largely depend on the correctness of your preferences. The main thing to understand here is that:

• there are quite expensive brands whose reliability has been tested for years, which means that the result is expectedly excellent;
• there are newcomers in this field who are rather reverent about their reputation, supply quality products at a reasonable price;
• There are manufacturers who make their profit from local production of building mixtures in a particular region.

Important! But, of course, fakes in the market and poor quality goods are also more than enough. Therefore, the choice of glue for tiles should be done wisely, taking into account the experience of professionals, home craftsmen and the advice of consultants of a shopping center.

The best brands to date in terms of price and quality are the following brands:

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

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How to make wall decoration with tiles?

In order for the entire styling process to take place without a hitch, you must proceed in stages:

1. Calculate the 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 a regular one, soil, putty, silicone and rubber spatulas of different thicknesses, as well as a notched trowel, ruler, grout, crosses for tiles, wooden or metal slats, glass cutters, buckets for solution preparation.

Surface and tile preparation

The surface ready for facing should be surely equal and strong. To get this result:

1. Remove all remnants of the previous decorative material.
2. Strip the surface.
3. Tap walls to detect voids.
4. If there are irregularities - putty them.
5. Apply a primer to improve the adhesion of the adhesive and tile to the surface.
6. Wait a technical pause for all solutions to freeze.
7. Mark the location of the tiles - apply rows of verticals and contours. Do not forget to make allowances for seams - usually their size is 2.5-3 mm.
8. If the surface does not fit a certain number of full tiles, cut the elements of the desired size using a glass cutter.

Important! If you are finishing the floor, use self-leveling mixtures, for example, from the Cerezit trademark, for leveling.

Glue the tile - instructions:

1. Pre-make the layout of the pattern on the first 1-2 m2 of the surface to be trimmed.
2. According to the recipe, prepare the glue for the tile.
3. Using a notched trowel, apply the mortar to the surface of the wall or to the tile - read the information about it again on the packaging with tile adhesive.
4. If you apply on the 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 walls - from any angle.
6. Apply tile elements alternately to the base, slightly pressing into the solution, but without excessive force.
7. Insert crosses between the details of your decorative coating so that the tile does not slip and the geometry of the entire canvas is not disturbed.
8. Check the position of several tiles by level. This must be done throughout the entire laying cycle, and not at the end of the process.
9. As soon as the glue has set a little, clean the seams from excess. Do not hesitate too much, because if the solution finally dries, it will be much more difficult to clean it.
10. After the entire tile has been laid, to clean the surface of the tile and seams from excess glue, leave everything in this form for 24 hours - the standard time for the full setting of tile glue.
11. Remove the crosses.
12. Stick masking tape along the seams, prepare a grout and decorate the seams with the selected mixture.
13. After it dries, remove the protective tape.

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Stock footage

Now you know what glue to choose for tiles and bathrooms and how to lay tiles on walls and floors. We hope that everything turned out perfectly or close to such a result and you are proud of yourself for your skills and abilities. This means that you are guaranteed daily moral satisfaction while visiting the bathroom, and, accordingly, a good mood.