Tile Adhesives

What is a Tile Adhesive?

Tile adhesives are required for fixing tiles on the walls, floors, swimming pools, etc, which may have any type of substrate such as cement, wood, glass, etc. The adhesives are primarily based on cement, epoxy, and polymer. Here we will be discussing the types of tile adhesive that a homeowner should know before laying the tiles. Tile adhesive is a flexible material that does not shrink or crack due to moisture and it withstands temperature changes. Tile adhesive is frequently used to prevent crazing and shedding of the tiles.

The tile adhesive application is very easy as ready-made bags are available and you only need to add water. Nowadays pre-mixed tile adhesives are also now available by the top tile adhesive manufacturers in Delhi. They are also used to fix or prevent the seeping of water under the tiles.

There are different types of tile adhesives based on their application which are as follows:

Tile Adhesives for Tiles Flooring:

Tile adhesives that are used for new tile flooring are usually polymer modified and cement-based tile adhesives that are available in powdered form and are to be mixed with water before application. They give more strength to the tiles than the normal cement-sand mortar. They are also waterproof and can be used for application in wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens, swimming pools, etc.

Different polymers such as acrylic, latex, epoxy, etc. are added for strengthening its adhesion properties.

• Acrylic makes tile adhesive resistant to moisture. It is generally used for fixing small-sized tiles. Ceramic tiles, vitrified tiles, natural stone tiles, etc. can also be easily fixed by it.

• Latex gives flexibility to the tile adhesive. It is well suited for exterior use where some movement is required.

• Epoxy helps in increasing the hardness and strength of the adhesives. Epoxy-modified adhesives may be used both internally or externally as they are stain-resistant to oil, water, diluted acids, and other solvents. Epoxy is considered the most expensive and strongest tile adhesive. Epoxy-modified adhesives have industrial applications, such as fixing tiles that are chemical and corrosion-resistant.

• Polymer modified tile adhesives that have non-skid properties and are used for application on wall cladding. They are ready to use adhesives that are mixed with water before application. This adhesive can be used for ceramic, as well as vitrified tiles.

• Special adhesives that have high strength are used to fix glasses and mosaics. They can also be used to fix tiles in areas such as bathrooms, swimming pools, etc. The tile adhesive manufacturer in Haryana usually packages them as a white-colored powder in bags of 5 kg to 25 kg. The white color is due to the addition of white cement. They tend to be more expensive while renovating the old tile flooring. Many homeowners prefer fixing new tiles on the existing tile floor. For doing so tile adhesive having a non-skid and no shrinkage properties is used. These are made by blending special polymers with a cementitious mixture.

• Tile adhesives are generally available in 5 kg to 50 kg bags.

• Nowadays tile adhesive with many improved properties like rapid setting and no shrinkage is also available in the market.

• Tile adhesive is applied by using a trowel and mixed with clean water to obtain a homogeneous paste that is lump-free. One should be careful about the tile adhesive mix ratio.

• Tile adhesive should be stored in a cool and moisture-free atmosphere

We at Shawar Conchem offer the adhesive to fit your demands, whether you’re adding a welcoming atmosphere to your home, tiling your swimming pool, or giving your office that executive flair. We investigate the tile adhesive industry’s ongoing innovation. We understand the ever-changing needs, trends, and forms for wall and floor tiles, and we develop precisely what you can show off for years.

We are one of the leading adhesive floor tiles manufacturers because we offer a wide choice of tile adhesive products to pick from. Standard, elite, premium, white, flex, and super flex tile adhesives are available in our Tile Adhesive line.

We always recommend using adhesive instead of regular cement. Here are a few reasons why tile adhesives are a superior choice.

Difference between cement and tile adhesive

Sand cement usually is composed of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and sand. OPC is used for rendering and masonry work while sand is normally river sand, and its grain size, cleanliness, and quality cannot be controlled.

It is mighty:

When used to keep bricks together, cement is quite strong, but it fails miserably when used to lay tiles. After a few years, tiles grow loose and, in some circumstances, fall out. However, using Tile Adhesive is never an issue. It can keep the tiles in place for decades. This makes it particularly suitable as a wall tile adhesive for the installation of wall tiles.

It is possible to lay it down evenly:

Cement particles are relatively large, making it challenging to spread uniformly. As a result, a hollow gap is frequently left under a self-adhesive tile, resulting in an odd sound when you tread on it. However, the sound isn’t the only issue. If heavy furniture or whatever else is placed on the tile, it can easily break due to the hollow gap.

Scope of application:

The poor bonding strength of the sand-cement mixture is caused by dirt in the sand and the uneven proportion of the mixture. Besides, there are limitations to using the mixture for laying the following tiles in the following conditions.

• Low absorbent tiles
• Granito with a greater size
• Glass mosaics and  on polished substrates
• On pre-existing tiles
• On substrates that are subject to movement
• In the areas with high pressure and impact

It is not highly costly:

Some people still use cement because they believe self-adhesives will be much more expensive. However, this is not the case. The difference in the overall installation cost between cement and Tile Adhesive in a standard-sized home is only a few thousand.

It is simple to use:

A cement mixture for tile installation necessitates several different ingredients, all of which must be mixed in the exact proportions. It is not simple and requires a significant amount of time. Tile Adhesive, on the other hand, is designed specifically for this purpose and arrives fully prepared.

Efficiency: 

To lay tiles with sand-cement the traditional way is to apply the mixture of sand-cement in a lump on the tiles’ back so it has to be done with one tile at a time. This method is time-consuming and inefficient.

Debonding and aesthetics:

Without an additive to help retain water, a mixture of sand-cement dries very fast, and then it is difficult to adjust the tiles after being laid. This leads to the aesthetic problems of the line of tiles and is also responsible for poor bonding strength. This can cause debonding of tiles later. Laying tiles the traditional way by applying sand-cement mixture in a lump at the tiles’ back creates spaces underneath the tiles and water can easily seep through. This creates staining problems.

Wastage of Material

A thick layer of the sand-cement mixture has to be used to lay tile traditionally in lumps to adjust the floor level and in order to gain its bonding mechanism. This will add extra load to the structure. Moreover, the material wastage is more since the mixture dries faster than the application.

Tile adhesive Application

While applying the tiles with the tile adhesive, the following points can make the job simpler to complete and leave an improved and better finish:

• Use a spirit level before you apply the tile adhesive to make sure the surface is properly leveled or flat.

• Use a drill and mixing paddle to mix the tile adhesive by adding water to the powder and make sure the tile adhesive mix ratio is correct.

• The consistency of the mixture should resemble a thick paste and it should be lump-free. Spread the adhesive with a notched trowel to cover the surface.

• Place the first tile carefully into the adhesive and slide it away about 5 mm then back, using a batten for support and leave enough space between each tile.

• Frequently keep an eye that the tiles are aligned flush with the wall, using a spirit level.

• Don’t apply too much adhesive, make sure the adhesive should not fill the grout lines.

• If any adhesive gets onto the tiles, you should wipe it off at once with a damp sponge.

• Once all the tiles are applied, leave the adhesive to dry properly before starting the grouting.

How to mix floor tile adhesive without a mixer?

Usually mixing ceramic tile adhesive is not a  very hard task, providing you are using the right materials and tools. Consequently, you can mix the adhesive by hand by using a margin trowel or mechanically by using a drill machine.

Our tile adhesive application formulations come with a variety of uses that includes adhesives for ceramic tiles, floor tile adhesives, and tile on tile adhesives which help fix all kinds of tiles and walls, for home projects that may be interior or exteriors.

Building your dream house takes time and effort, and your choice of adhesive while designing a home can very easily make or break your project. We at Shawar Conchem are one of the top 20 tile adhesive manufacturers in India. We give you a diverse range of tile adhesives that are durable, strong, and weather-resistant.