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What are the benefits of using tile adhesive over cement mortar for installing tiles?

by SYSNET

The process of beautification and decoration begins after the building construction is complete. We often face a dilemma when choosing suitable binding agents for installing tiles on a given surface. Nowadays, tile adhesive formulations have gained popularity over commonly used binders. Whether you want to lay tiles on interior or exterior floors of other different areas, use no. 1 tile adhesive in India and bid goodbye to your worries for several years. The following are the benefits of using tile adhesives over traditionally available binding materials-

  • Lay tiles quickly and efficiently 

Fixing tiles on a surface using cement-sand paste takes significant amount of time. There are a number of steps involved- mixing both materials with water to form a paste and soaking tiles in water before commencing the laying work. The freshly prepared mixture is applied onto the base surface and rear side of the tiles. But tile adhesive doesn’t pose such challenges. It becomes suitable for application once you mix powder with water or additional liquid substances. The manufacturers mention amount of water needed to form a workable paste on the packaging. You don’t have to go through the hassle of pre-wetting tiles. Just prepare the adhesive paste and begin the laying process. It has self-curing properties, thus, eliminating the need for water curing. You can occupy the area in a day or two after the installation process is done. 

  • Convenient to prepare the mix

It is a hassle to transport cement bags and sand to the working sites. Preparing a workable mixture is a messy and cumbersome process. You need to mix carefully because adding more water than required and messing proportions of constituents can render it unusable. Only Highly skilled labour can prepare such mixtures, thus, leading to higher labour costs. Also, these materials are bulky and require more storage space. However, the tile adhesive boxes or packets are convenient to transport and store. It is available in ready-to-use powder form. Mix it with an additive provided with the bag and begin the tile-fixing process in a clean working environment. Since there are no aggressive mixing requirements, the associated labour costs are low. 

  • Long-lasting Quality work

Unlike traditional binding agents, tile adhesive offers superior fixing strength. Tiles installed using the best tile adhesive don’t crack or shrink under extreme weather conditions or stresses. It is because the paste does not shrink once fully dry. Tiles stay intact without chipping or breaking. The paste prevents seepage of water for several years. This way, you don’t have to worry about maintaining the tiled surfaces or replacing the broken tiles. Use adhesive formulations to make considerable cost-savings in the long run. As a result, Tile adhesive is preferred over traditional mixes by all- big builders and individual building owners. Select a tile adhesive depending on the surface where you wish to lay tiles such as indoor floors, exterior walls or swimming pools. The tile adhesive manufacturers mention all details regarding its surface application on the packaging itself, thus, adding to the convenience of the buyers. 

  • Easy application 

It is crucial to make an even binding agent base before beginning the installation process. A smooth base ensures tiles are attached perfectly with the surfaces and don’t fall off. Its paste has an even consistency. It offers great workability, thus, making it a popular choice for installation stones on different surfaces. You have to use spreading tool with notches to uniformly distribute adhesive formulation on the substrate. Compared to adhesive paste, it is difficult to evenly apply a granular binding mixes onto the wall. The application becomes increasingly complicated if bigger sized tiles are installed. It is because so many different materials of varying sizes are present in the mortar mix. Consequently, the tiles do not stick properly and come out or break easily because of this uneven spreading of cement-sand paste. You also end up using more material than required. All these issues make traditional binding agents inconvenient to use.

  • Strongly binds tiles to the surface

The traditional sand-cement paste has several limitations. It is not suitable for fixing tiles or stones on highly polished surfaces or wet areas. Using tile adhesive is advantageous if you want to install tiles on the layer of existing tiles or on surfaces that have to withstand greater pressure. Always prefer tile adhesive over cement-sand paste as the former strongly binds tiles to different types of substrates such as an internal and external vertical wall or flat ground. Just apply a thin layer of adhesive mix using proper tools and stay stress-free for a long time. Carefully read the specifications mentioned on the adhesive packaging to finalise the one best suited for a specific surface application. The area a bag of adhesive can cover is also specified by the manufacturers on the bag. One should calculate the area of the surface and purchase the required quantity accordingly.

  • Aesthetically pleasing outcome 

Once the tiles are fixed onto the adhesive, it doesn’t dry immediately. You have enough time to make adjustments to ensure the fixed tiles are properly aligned. It reduces overall material wastage and you save both time and money. The outcome looks neat and aesthetic. This is not the case with cement mortar because tiles cannot be adjusted once fixed. You can fill the gaps between tiles using no. 1 grout in India, a day after the installation process is complete. Grout is of utmost importance as it prevents tiles from chipping or cracking along the sides. 

Conclusion 

Using adhesive for laying small or large-size tiles offers myriad advantages over traditional binding materials. It is an excellent option for installing tiles on different types of surfaces- wet bathroom areas, exterior walls, wooden surfaces, indoor floors etc. The tile adhesive formulation is easy to work with. The process is quick as it involves no mixing or curing hassle. Even a very thin layer of adhesive ensures a long-lasting bond between the wall/floor and tiles. Once the work is complete, you don’t have to worry about repair or maintenance for several years.

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