When laying tiles on a wall or floor, it matters a lot what adhesives are used. For porcelain stoneware - this is one type, for wall tiles made of white or red clay - another. The difference lies in the components. In a dry state, porcelain stoneware adhesives are a sand-cement mixture with water-soluble polymers in certain proportions. Due to these components, the plasticity and viscosity of the mass, as well as the adhesion of the material, is ensured.
Modern high-quality porcelain stoneware adhesives are characterized by high technical and operational performance, such as resistance to temperature changes, moisture resistance, frost resistance, plasticity, adhesion strength and high adhesion. The difference between the choice of adhesive mass for floor tiles and wall tiles is that porcelain stoneware has a low water absorption threshold, thereforethe so-called cement milk will not be absorbed into the pores of the tile, and over time, voids will form between the surfaces. And this, in turn, will lead to cracking and lagging of the tiles from the floor surface. Therefore, this issue should be taken seriously.
Successful laying of floor tiles and long service life largely depend on the preparation of the substrate, as well as on which porcelain stoneware adhesives you use. Even on the packaging with the mixture, it is always prescribed that it is correct to work only with a flat, pre-primed surface. Important advice: before buying, consult with the seller of the tile, specify the technical characteristics of the selected material, and also take into account the features of the area in which you will be laying (indoors or outdoors). Porcelain tile adhesive, the price of which varies depending on the constituent components, plays a big role in how long the selected floor cladding can last. Therefore, when buying expensive tiles with high technical performance, do not skimp on the appropriate adhesive material.
The consumption of glue for porcelain stoneware is easy to calculate. Since floor tiles are subject to constant loads, there is an unspoken rule: the thickness of the adhesive layer is equal to the thickness of the tile being laid. Also, the consumption is written on the packaging with the mixture.
Adhesives for porcelain stoneware to be laid on underfloor heating must have the following properties:
- Elasticity.
- Increased adhesion to the base.
- The ability to equalize the voltage that occurs due to temperature differences.
Tip: wait for the adhesive to dry completely before turning on the floor heating.
In the case when laying is carried out in difficult operating conditions (outdoors, in a technical room, etc.), it is better to use two-component adhesives for porcelain stoneware. They are more resistant to temperature and humidity changes. And this contributes to the durability and longer life of the selected coating.
For tiling on wood, metal, plastic and similar surfaces, use porcelain tile adhesives based on polyurethane or epoxy.
