Which tile adhesive is better in the bathroom - compare and choose
Ceramic tiles used for finishing the bathroom are considered the most expensive material, which is associated with serious financial costs. Even if you do not aim at the exquisite collections of Italian masters, but limit yourself to a good domestic tile, you will have to pay a tidy sum.
Tiles, by their properties, are hard but brittle materials, so you should not grab the first bathroom tile adhesive that comes across. This article will tell you which adhesive to choose for use in a difficult slot, which brands are best for floors and walls, and what you need to pay attention to when making a purchase.
Properties of quality glue
Glue for tiles in the bathroom is used to fix the tiles on the surface of the walls and floor. Sanitary visits have an aggressive microclimate, which leads to rapid deterioration of building materials. In this process, high humidity, temperature changes, and the risk of fungus spread play a role. Therefore, ceramic tiles are used to finish the bathroom, which can be used for decades. In order for the adhesive to hold the tile on the surface, it must have the following qualities:
- High degree of adhesion. The weight of each tile, especially if it is made of porcelain stoneware or large size, is quite large. Glue for tiles in the bathroom is able to instantly fasten it to the finished surface;
- Plastic. No matter how thick it is when diluted, a good adhesive must adhere well to tiles, walls or floors. High-quality adhesives do not flow during processing, even if the layer is thick;
- Spreadability. This quality is most relevant for floor tiling, since the best adhesive for ceramic tiles, spreading, fills all the small cracks, bumps, chips of the concrete base;
- Slow drying speed. If during the drying process the adhesive does not immediately release water, then during installation the tiles can be corrected by correcting small flaws. Quick-drying glue is not convenient to use, since it needs to be diluted in small portions, and it must be worked quickly, paying less attention to the quality of installation. The lower the drying rate, the stronger the fastening of the tile.
When deciding which adhesive to choose, remember that not only the strength of the fastening depends on it, poor-quality glue leads to the fact that the tile can crack from the fall of any object or accidental impact.
Composition options
In our heyday of the chemical industry, you can choose a tile adhesive based on the following substances:
The chemical composition of any adhesive is listed on the packaging along with recommendations for use, keep in mind that not every composition is suitable for working with drywall, concrete or wood.
Criterias of choice
Sellers or advertising are unreliable advisers on the issue of which adhesive for ceramic tiles to purchase. Experienced craftsmen can recommend a manufacturer, but in order to choose the best option, the following factors should be clarified:
Worth noticing! An important factor in the choice of glue is the consumption during laying, for finishing 1 sq. m surface of average evenness spend 5 kg, agree, having calculated the area of \u200b\u200bthe walls and floor, the cost of acquiring it will become a serious budget item for repairs.
Flow calculation
Usually, craftsmen try to complete the laying of tiles in one day, especially since the small area of \u200b\u200ba standard bathroom allows. Therefore, it is better to calculate in advance how much glue is needed so that during the installation process it does not turn out that it is not enough. To determine the required volume, find out:
Pay attention to the packaging, it shows the average consumption per 1 sq. m, multiply this value by the area of the surface to be finished, increase the resulting number by 1.5-2 times, depending on the curvature of the walls, the size and weight of the tile.
Experienced craftsmen advise purchasing adhesive for floor and wall tiles separately, rather than using universal compounds, it is more economical and reliable.
According to the assurances of professional finishers, it is better to choose glue for ceramic tiles in accordance with your habit, if you have not had experience with such work yet, pay attention to the products of companies whose names are well-known, as they pay more attention to product quality control.
