Cement mortar, tile glue, tile back glue, what is the difference? Which material is better for tiling?
Tile installation is undoubtedly one of the most crucial aspects of home decoration. If not done properly, issues like hollow spaces, detachment, and cracking can arise, posing challenging problems to resolve.
There are various considerations in tile installation, including the method of installation such as wet, dry, and adhesive installation. Additionally, the choice of bonding materials during installation presents several options, such as cement mortar, tile adhesive, and tile back glue.
Faced with these complex terms in home improvement, many people may feel confused about the differences between them and unsure of which option is the best for tile installation. Today, let’s delve into these issues.
Traditional tile installation commonly employs the cement mortar method, where cement mortar, a mixture of cement, sand, and water in specific proportions, forms the bonding material. Once the cement mortar solidifies, it generates a robust bonding force, securing the tiles firmly to walls or floors. Tile adhesive, also known as tile bonding agent or adhesive mud, consists mainly of cement, quartz sand, glue powder, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, starch ether, etc. Similar to cement powder, it needs to be mixed with water and stirred into a paste before use.
Tile adhesive boasts powerful bonding strength, making it a substitute for traditional cement mortar in tile installation. During the installation process, tile craftsmen apply the adhesive to the back of the tiles, walls, or floors, pressing the tiles firmly into place.
Tile back glue, also referred to as tile back coating glue, differs entirely from cement mortar and tile adhesive. It doesn’t function as a bonding agent but serves as an interface treatment material, similar to glue, applied to the back of the tiles. When installing tiles, the back glue is brushed onto the back of the tiles. After the back glue dries, it is combined with cement mortar or tile adhesive for the actual installation on walls or floors.
Therefore, the role of tile back glue is solely to enhance the bonding strength between the tiles and the bonding agent. It acts as a transitional layer, connecting the tiles and the bonding agent, without direct contact with walls or floors, and cannot replace the use of bonding agents.
What are the differences? As mentioned earlier, tile back coating glue is not a bonding agent, so it cannot be compared with tile adhesive and cement mortar. Generally, when tiling, if you want to ensure a tight fit between the bonding agent and the tiles, avoiding issues like hollow spaces or detachment, tile back coating glue can be used, especially for large-sized tiles and situations where floor tiles are applied to walls.
As for the differences between cement mortar and tile adhesive, traditional cement mortar tends to have a greater thickness, weaker bonding strength, and is more prone to issues like hollow spaces or detachment after installation. In contrast, tile adhesive offers excellent crack resistance, water resistance, and impermeability. While some may believe that tile adhesive is more expensive to purchase than cement mortar, the overall cost calculation, considering material usage, construction period, difficulty, and labor costs, often reveals that using tile adhesive for tile installation can be more cost-effective.
Which option is better for tile installation? When tiling, which method should you choose? Based on the mentioned tile installation materials, we can summarize several methods for tile installation: 1. Traditional cement mortar installation; 2. Tile back coating glue + cement mortar; 3. Tile adhesive installation; 4. Tile back coating glue + tile adhesive installation.
In my opinion, if the budget is sufficient and you are pursuing optimal tile bonding effects, choosing tile adhesive for the entire house would be ideal. However, it’s essential to note that when installing large-sized tiles with low water absorption, such as vitrified tiles, polished tiles, full-body tiles, etc., especially for floor tiles applied to walls, it’s advisable to use a combination of tile back coating glue and tile adhesive.
For those with a moderate budget, traditional cement mortar installation for floor tiles can be considered. Traditional cement mortar installation is well-established, and if the floor is adequately leveled and the thickness is sufficient, tiles are less likely to exhibit hollow spaces.
As for wall tiles, can cement mortar be used for installation? The answer is yes, but it is recommended only for wall tiles with high water absorption, low density, and dimensions below 300*600.
In conclusion, the choice of tile installation method depends on factors such as budget, desired bonding effects, and the specific characteristics of the tiles being installed. Each method has its advantages, and selecting the most suitable one will contribute to a successful and durable tile installation.
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