When you invest in new floor and wall tiles, remember that a tile will only look as good as it is installed. We’re here to ensure you make a well-informed decision about which adhesive and underlay is required to install your new tiles.
Adhesive for Tiling Walls
When tiling onto a wall, you will need time to make small adjustments throughout the process. Therefore it is recommended that a slow setting mix be selected. We suggest Evo-Stik Technik One Part Flexible Tile Adhesive (OPF), an easy-to-mix powdered compound which is slow setting and white in colour.
If you are tiling directly on top of an existing tile then we would advise the use of a Primer. A primer, such as Evo-Stik Special Hard Primer, increases the roughness of the wall to ensure that the wall has suitable grip on the tile, to prevent tiles from simply sliding off at a later date.
A 1L bottle of this primer should cover approximately 10 SQM and is only £10 – nothing compared to a brand new set of replacement tiles!
Adhesive Colour
If you are tiling a lightly coloured or white tile, it is recommended you use a white adhesive, for example Evo-Stik Rapid Set Flexible White Tile Adhesive. This is because a darker coloured mix will impact on the colour of the tile after installation, regardless of the fact that the adhesive will not be visible after grouting.
A darker adhesive, such as Evo-Stik Rapid Set Flexible Grey Tile Adhesive should be used on coloured tiles.
Tiling a Wooden Subfloor
It is important to appreciate the difference between tiling on a wooden subfloor compared to tiling onto a less flexible concrete subfloor. Wood is naturally strong; however, it is also a flexible material, meaning it is possible for tiles to move or crack. To solve this problem, we strongly promote the use of the Dural Durabase Underlay which compensates for this movement allowing maximum adhesion and minimising the risk of cracking.
Tiling a Concrete Subfloor
Take steps to maximise the adhesion between your new tiles and a concrete subfloor with surface preparation. Examine the condition of your floor. If the floor is in bad condition, or uneven throughout, it is vital to level it. Larson’s Self Levelling Compound is a quick mix product which offers a brilliantly flat tiling surface when installed. If the floors are new it is unlikely that this product will be required, saving you time, effort and money.
Adhesive for Underfloor Heating
The second factor which will influence the adhesive for a concrete subfloor is underfloor heating. Underfloor heating is a modern, clean and efficient method of heating your home and tiles have better heat conduction properties than wood, carpet or vinyl flooring. As heat comes through the ground, it will be transferred through the tile but also the adhesive. As the heat continuously passes through the adhesive, the adhesive will expand and contract slightly causing small movements. It is an absolute must that your floor adhesive is a ‘flexible’ compound, to allow for these small movements.
Liquid Screed Floors
Liquid screed floors are growing in popularity. Correct preparation and moisture conditions affect the choice of adhesive and it is critical to get it right. Call in and speak with one of our advisors who will help you make the right choice.
