Adhesives

[TheWrightTiler]

As there have been several threads with the title, what is favoutite brand or adhesive, I am asking all the pros to give all new tilers a little more info

so if you feel inclined could you post your answers to this thread

many thanks

andy


explain why in few words as why this is your choice

personal choice of mix for floors including uneven floors and choice of trowel,

personal choice of mix for walls be it wet or dry and again choice of trowel

personal choice for large format tiles, again choice of trowel

personal choice for mosaics, again what trowel

personal choice for primers and grouts including wide joints

i know this may have been discussed aerlier but as there is no definitive answers to these, i feel it may help the newcomers


again thanks for your time

andy

 

[Dan]

explain why in few words as why this is your choice

BAL. As it was the one I learnt with at the BAL training centre many years ago. It was the one I sold at Topps Tiles many years ago, and it was the one I used to tile with many years ago. And it's the choice I use for the odd job these days too even.

If I started off again I think I'd give Mapei my money for a while as they seem to have pretty good adhesives these days from what I read about them. And their prices smash BAL's all over the country.

personal choice of mix for floors including uneven floors and choice of trowel,

Floors I used Rapid Set or Rapid Set Flex for underfloor heating installations on concrete and I opt for the two-part flexible adhesive suitable for floorboards when I can rather than using a ply overlay. Far too time consuming, and you can make a few extra quid selling the adhesive whereas the wood the customer can normally buy too so you're charging for time there... making you look more expensive rather than a product

Trowel: Floor Trowel. Needs to leave 100% coverage so a "thick-bed solid-bed" trowel or a Karl Dahm Maxi.

personal choice of mix for walls be it wet or dry and again choice of trowel

White star for most. Rapid set otherwise. 6 or 10mm square notch trowel unless I need full coverage (power showers, family standard showers, whatever.

personal choice for large format tiles, again choice of trowel

Large format is usually PTB (pourable Thick-bed) with a Large format trowel. 18".

personal choice for mosaics, again what trowel

Mosaic fix with mosaic trowel. Prep here is key. Walls need to be pretty flat or else it can be a maul getting the mosaics neat... quickly. Mosaic trowels use less adhesive but still give lots of coverage. They just don't overcome lumps and bumps and dips well at all.

personal choice for primers and grouts including wide joints

BAL Prime APD only. Or suitable similar brand. Grouts I trust BAL too **blushes** Usually superflex or microflex from BAL, as they're white as hell and can last if done right.

i know this may have been discussed aerlier but as there is no definitive answers to these, i feel it may help the newcomers

Good post mate. Should get a good bunch of replies to this

 

[Fekin]

B&Q value adhesive and grout combined for everything :lol:

Sorry...

Ceramic wall tiles upto around 300 x 300, tubbed ready mixed adhesives.

Dry areas , Toppfix, good stick and not expensive.
Low wet areas, Bal Bluestar, good stick with some water protection
High wet areas, Bal Whitestar, good stick with high water protection.


Mosaics...

Light weight mosaics, Topps mosaic fix.
Heavier mosaics, Ardex mosaic fix

 

[TheWrightTiler]

Fekin pmsl