Selection of materials for laying tiles

To ensure professional installation of tiles, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to the choice of materials.
It is important to understand that the selection of material is by no means limited to the questions: “How to choose the right adhesive for tiles?”, “What is better to choose tiles or porcelain stoneware?” or, for example, “Is it worth spending money on waterproofing?” First of all, this is a set of decisions that mutually influence each other. The cost of products also plays an important role, not least, but not decisive. A professional layer, first of all, should pay attention to the characteristics of the products, their compatibility, operating conditions of the facility, compliance with the technology of performing the work, and only then to the cost of materials. Remember that "the miser pays twice." But the other extreme - “the more expensive the better”, unfortunately, also does not lead to anything good. The materials must match each other, meet the customer's conditions and perform the tasks for which they are intended. You can structure materials into groups based on the stages of work. So:

Materials for preparing bases

Screeds and leveling mortars. They are usually cement or gypsum based. When choosing, you should pay attention to the recommended layer thickness, mechanical compressive strength (how much load the finished screed can withstand), the type of screed (semi-dry or mortar), and the possibility of mechanized application. In addition, an important factor is the operating conditions of the facility (inside or outside the premises, the use of heated floors, high humidity, the presence of dynamic loads, etc.). An absolute advantage for screeds and leveling mortars will be the earlier readiness time for subsequent cladding. For example: a 4 cm thick cement-sand mixture screed will be ready for laying tiles no earlier than in 28 days, and a semi-dry Keracem Eco Pronto screed (manufactured by Kerakoll) in 24 hours.

Padding

This is a process necessary to prepare the surface of the base for applying an adhesive composition to it. Surface preparation includes: increasing adhesive properties by binding dust in the top layer of the base, as well as regulating its absorption, which allows the tile adhesive not to lose its characteristics; increasing the mechanical strength (strengthening) of unstable foundations; neutralization of the chemical reaction between the gypsum or anhydrite base and moisture in the adhesive solution. Primers differ in their operating principle: penetrating and surface; according to condition: concentrated and do not require dilution with water; by purpose: for absorbent and weakly absorbent substrates. The method of application and operating rules are indicated in the technical data sheet, and sometimes on the product packaging.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing materials are intended for construction, repair and restoration work. The use of such compositions ensures reliable water resistance of building structures and insulating materials from the penetration of water and the effects of other aggressive environments. It is important to understand that waterproofing is not a way to protect neighbors below from accidental leaks; it is, first of all, protecting the base from moisture penetrating there and its subsequent destruction. Facing materials themselves are a serious obstacle to liquids entering from the external environment, but this does not apply to tile joints, which are usually filled with cement grout, especially in rooms with high humidity. If we talk about objects where the surface is in constant contact with water and is subjected to additional variable loads (swimming pools, showers, car washes, etc.), then increased attention should be paid to waterproofing systems. Waterproofing can be classified as follows: by type - roll bitumen-polymer, membrane, penetrating, coating, injection; according to condition - ready for use, one-component (requires mixing with water), two-component (to use, you need to mix the components); according to the degree of elasticity (a high degree of elasticity allows the product to be used in areas of high dynamic loads). Waterproofing an object is, first of all, a set of measures, so manufacturers, as a rule, in addition to technical parameters, try to indicate in the instructions or on the packaging not only the scope and technology of work, but also related materials, the use of which guarantees the declared characteristics.

Cladding materials

We are considering ceramic tiles as a facing material.
However, there are different options for producing ceramic tiles. Manufacturing features directly affect the technical characteristics of the resulting material. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the operating conditions of the facility when choosing a particular product. Today, the following groups of ceramic facing materials can be distinguished: Monocottura is a glazed (also called “salted” or “enamelled”) ceramic tile, intended, as a rule, for laying on the floor (but can also be used for wall cladding) , having a fairly dense structure and water absorption from 0.5% to 6%.
The manufacturing process takes place in one firing cycle, as a result of which the base acquires exceptional hardness and the enamel is fixed to it, forming a durable whole. Certain types of monocottura (with low water absorption <3%) are frost-resistant, which allows them to be used outdoors. Separately, it is worth highlighting single-firing ceramic tiles, made from a special composition based on white clay. This type of tile is called monoporosa. It is produced using the technology of pressing and subsequent simultaneous firing of the body of the tile and the applied glaze, in which it is completely similar to monocottura.
But thanks to the use of slightly different components for preparing the batch, the physical properties, and, accordingly, the scope of application of this tile are significantly different. Traditional high-density single-fired tiles use clays with a high iron oxide content, and feldspar-based fluxes are used to speed up the sintering process and add strength. When producing monoporosa, a fundamentally different clay is used - with a high content of carbonates. When fired, as a result of chemical processes, a fairly porous white mass is formed, with high water absorption (up to 15%). The white base allows the application of a thin layer of light enamel, realizing expensive graphic and chromatic effects. In addition, the monoporosa production technology makes it possible to bake large format slabs of almost ideal sizes. If such tiles are subjected to additional mechanical processing of the edges (retification), then they can be laid with minimal seams (the so-called “seamless installation”). In general, monoporosa has much lower strength than monocottura, so its base is much thicker (12 mm) and its use is limited only to indoor wall cladding. The white porous base and a thin layer of enamel require special rules for working with monoporosa tiles: for laying, you must use a white adhesive, and grout the seams very carefully, trying not to damage the enamel. The surface for laying large format tiles must be perfectly flat. Bicottura is a glazed ceramic tile intended for cladding indoor walls.
Glaze (also called “enamel”) can be matte or glossy, gives the tile shine and allows you to display the pattern of any design, and also protects the ceramic body of the tile from moisture penetration. The entire production cycle of this type of tile occurs in two firing processes: the first to create the base, and the second to fix the enamel. This tile is considered to be quite porous, with a high water absorption rate (from 6%). The thickness of the base, as a rule, is 5-7 mm; it is inferior in strength to all other types of tiles. Since the conditions for using the tiles (indoor wall cladding) do not involve significant mechanical or abrasive loads, the glaze applied to the tiles also does not have high surface strength. At the same time, it is quite resistant to household detergents used to clean ceramics, as well as to cosmetic and hygiene products that may come into contact with the surface of the tiles in bathrooms. Ceramic tiles are usually sold in collections consisting of several types of tiles (bicottura for walls and monocottura for floors) and decors that can be combined with each other.
Decorative elements are made in several ways, the main of which are: additional third firing - pre-made tiles are cut to the desired size (for example, a border) and another layer of enamel is applied to it, followed by firing to fix the design; use of gypsum - to make three-dimensional, relief elements, gypsum is added to the batch, which imparts plasticity, then molding, enamel coating and firing occurs (sometimes just drying without firing). Making decor is a more labor-intensive, time-consuming and expensive process, which is necessary precisely in order to highlight and emphasize the aesthetic aspect of using tiles as a facing material. The production of many types of decor is carried out in special workshops and studios that are not associated with the main production lines of factories. An important point in the process of selling ceramic tiles is that decorative elements are sold by the piece, and the background slab is sold by square meters (in multiples of pieces or packages).
Thus, the decoration share can be 3/4 of the total cost of the cladding. This often disorients the consumer, who primarily pays attention to the cost of the tiles, and not to the price of decorative elements. Clinker. Unglazed and glazed single-firing tiles with compacted shards, produced by extrusion (extrusion).
The raw material is a mixture of various types of refractory (fireproof) clays, quartz, feldspar, fireclay. Clinker belongs to the class of tiles with enhanced physical and mechanical characteristics associated with high-quality raw materials and production technology. In the production of unglazed clinker, as a rule, only natural components are used without chemical additives and dyes; this determines the color range - natural terracotta colors: all shades of red, yellow and brown. Glazed clinker - single fired tiles. A layer of glaze (up to 2 mm) is applied to the molded tile, then fired simultaneously with the shard at a temperature of 1200-1250ºC for 24 to 36 hours. Due to the high temperature and duration of firing, the body of the tile has very low porosity and, as a result, high strength indicators, resistance to abrasion and chemical reagents. Another consequence of the production technology is significant dimensional fluctuations, which requires installation exclusively with a wide seam. The main properties of clinker: low porosity (as a result of low water absorption, frost resistance, chemical resistance and resistance to staining); high strength (which increases with increasing tile thickness); surface hardness (resistance to abrasive influences). In addition, the extrusion molding method makes it possible to obtain products of complex geometric shapes (as opposed to pressing) - this makes it possible to produce a whole range of special clinker elements, allowing smooth joints of horizontal and vertical planes: steps and torello, profile corners, architraves, etc. . Cotto (or terracotta). Quite an exotic tile for domestic consumers, despite the fact that it is the most ancient type of ceramics.
It, like clinker, is produced by extrusion and fired once. The difference from clinker is in the temperature and duration of firing, and from monocottura in the absence of glaze and the molding method. Ceramic granite (porcelain stoneware / Gres porcellanato) is a type of ceramic tile produced by pressing and having a water absorption of 0.5% and below.
This is the lowest for all floor and wall tiles. Initially, porcelain stoneware arose as a purely technical tile of increased strength for use in industrial and industrial buildings and structures. However, over time, thanks to great successes in the field of improving aesthetic qualities (expanding the range of colors and chromatic effects, reproducing the structure of other traditional materials: stone, wood, etc.), ceramic granite was able to confidently gain popularity. Porcelain tiles come in: a wide variety of formats; glazed and unglazed; painted in full mass and made using the “double backfill” technology; ground, polished, structural, etc. Distinctive features of the material are: frost resistance;
strength; resistance to abrasion, staining, chemical attack and aggressive environments. This is due to low water absorption and the dense, compact crystalline structure of the shard. But such remarkable technical indicators do not make porcelain tiles a panacea for any situation, since the downside of these properties are: greater weight (since the density of the material is higher than that of ceramic tiles); difficulty in trimming and drilling holes (increased strength); application on bases that have capillary suction of moisture from the soil or the environment (foundations, plinths, steps, etc.). There is an opinion (and not without reason) that the low water absorption of ceramic granite, when used outdoors, can lead to peeling or even breaking of the tiles, as a result of the “greenhouse effect”. To avoid such problems, when performing external work, you should use a system of ventilated facades for wall cladding, and when laying on the floor, avoid large formats and make the widest possible joint between the tiles. Thin porcelain stoneware (colloquial name) is a modern innovative material, made using a special pressing technology (without the use of molds).
Traditional ingredients are used as raw materials: clay, feldspar, quartz sand and mineral dyes. It is fired at temperatures above 1220ºС. All these conditions make it possible to create a durable ceramic sheet with a high degree of flatness and a complete absence of internal stress. It, like porcelain stoneware, is characterized by: low water absorption (less than 0.1%), high surface strength, resistance to stains and temperature changes. The difference from traditional ceramic granite is the thickness (the most common sheets are 3mm; 3.5mm; 5.6mm), and, as a result, the weight of the material (1m² in a thickness of 3mm is 7kg, and in a thickness of 5.6mm - 14kg). In addition to strength, thin porcelain tiles are also flexible, which makes it possible to produce slabs of large formats from 50cm × 50cm to 100cm × 300cm; in addition, sheets reinforced with reinforcing mesh can be bent in diameter up to 5 meters, which allows covering concave or convex surfaces. Such technical indicators create an incredibly wide range of applications for this ceramics: cladding walls, floors, ceilings both indoors and outdoors, covering furniture, making doors and partitions, steps, slopes, fences and facades, restoration of old ceramic coatings (layed on tiles) etc. In addition to all the listed advantages, this material has one significant drawback: its high price, which significantly slows down the promotion of the product. And here the problem is not so much the lack of demand for the material by consumers due to its high cost, but the acute shortage of high-quality layers with practical experience working with it. Fortunately, the material is rapidly gaining popularity, not only in Europe, but also in Russia, so let’s hope that in the near future thin porcelain stoneware will earn the love and trust of our compatriots. An interesting fact, but in the official terminology the name “thin porcelain stoneware” does not exist and de jure this ceramic product cannot be called that way, so manufacturers use their own brand names (for example ARCH-SKIN, LAMINAM, LINEA, SLIM and others).
These are the main types of ceramic materials used for cladding indoor and outdoor surfaces. When making your final choice, it is important to remember that comparing these materials relative to each other with a “which is better?” approach. incorrect, it is more correct to ask the question “which material is best suited in this situation?” Having decided on the type, you can move on to assessing the cost and aesthetic component.

Compositions for laying ceramic tiles

Adhesive compositions are used when applying facing coatings to various types of surfaces. The general trend of facing work persistently gravitates towards European standards, which inevitably affects even domestic manufacturers. This leads to the basic standards by which adhesives for laying ceramics and natural stone are classified, namely:

In accordance with these standards, solutions and adhesives for ceramic tiles and slabs are divided into three types with corresponding designations:

Depending on the selected characteristics, each type is divided into different classes. The following abbreviations apply to these classes:

To identify a mortar or adhesive, first write the symbol for the type (C, D or R), then the abbreviation for the class or classes to which it belongs. As an example, below are the designations of solutions and adhesives for ceramic tiles and slabs:

The requirements that were discussed earlier are specified in detail in the standards, here are some excerpts from them:

Reactive resin adhesive:

It is possible to make a certain comparison, but it is quite difficult to imagine how these indicators will manifest themselves in the process of laying ceramic tiles or subsequent operation of the lined surface. And here we will not be able to give a more understandable answer to the question of why adhesive for ceramic tiles with improved performance is better than ordinary glue or cement-sand mortar; this can only be understood in practice, so to speak, from personal experience. An important aspect here, as in previous sections, remains the compatibility of materials. And if the finishing material requires compliance of the used building mixture with certain indicators, this must certainly be taken into account when choosing. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the characteristics that ensure ease of use, consumption and cost of the product. Master layers often act as a kind of conservatives in matters of choosing construction chemicals, 10-15 years ago they preferred a solution of cement and sand to any packaged mixture; today, many of them are also very reluctant to experiment with unfamiliar brands or fundamentally new products. And this has its own logic, since a master with experience in laying ceramics also acquires the skill of using mortar or glue. Even minor changes in consistency or time parameters (open time, adjustment time, etc.) can lead to disruption of years of established styling technology, work and rest schedule, etc., not to mention the cooking recipe and strict adherence to instructions. Agree, it would be naive to expect a measuring cup and scale from a person who has been mixing the solution “by eye” for many years when mixing a previously unused building mixture. Therefore, let us give a little advice: if you trust the master, have seen his work, respect his professional experience, etc., let him independently choose construction chemicals and the necessary tools. If you don’t trust it, or decide to work on your own, pay attention to following the instructions exactly, and if possible, practice with a small volume somewhere in inconspicuous places. Or, in the end, attend a master class or seminar in the store where you purchase the materials; many trading companies now provide similar training and do it completely free of charge.

Grout mixtures

Used for grouting joints between tiles. A high-quality grout mixture prevents moisture from entering under the tiles, has hydrophobic properties, protection against the formation of mold and mildew, high adhesion, exceptional mechanical strength and abrasion resistance. The standards by which grouting compounds for laying ceramics and natural stone are classified, respectively:

In accordance with these standards, grouting compounds for ceramic tiles and slabs are divided into two types:

Depending on the selected characteristics, each type is divided into different classes. The following abbreviations apply to these classes:

Requirements
Cement-based joint filler:

The main rivalry between cement grout and epoxy grout (based on reactive resins) lies in the inherent properties of cement in the first case, and attempts to eliminate them in the second. So, for example, the main complaints about cement grouts include: lack of plasticity, which on unstable deformable bases (wood, glass, drywall, etc.) can lead to cracking and spillage of the joint filler; in addition, cement compositions absorb moisture , and, accordingly, dyes, and this can lead to discoloration or the appearance of stains on the seams during operation. Hence, by the way, the advice is that you should not buy light-colored grout when laying floor tiles, especially in public places. Another problem may be a white coating (cement laitance) that appears after drying; it appears if too much water was added when preparing the solution. At the same time, cement grouts have two undoubted advantages: relatively inexpensive cost and ease of use, and most of the disadvantages listed above can be avoided by first adding special latex additives to the cement mixture. Latex additives are used to dilute adhesive and grout mixtures and help to significantly improve their characteristics. They increase the strength characteristics of grout and glue - frost resistance, water resistance, elasticity, and deformability.

As for epoxy grouts, they are indeed superior to cement grouts in many ways. They are more flexible and practically do not absorb moisture. Moreover, they can be completely transparent, allowing the color of the surrounding material to pass through, thereby creating the effect of “seamless” installation. But as in the previous case, in addition to the undoubted advantages, there are also obvious disadvantages: they are, as a rule, more expensive than cement grouts, and are also more demanding to use. They require compliance with safety regulations, as well as the use of special tools and equipment. And it’s quite difficult to find a professional installer with experience working with such products.  

Speaking of the issue of choice, if the situation does not limit you to the scope of application, you can use any grout mixture of a suitable color. To match the material or in contrast is a matter of taste. The color palettes of almost all manufacturers are quite wide. In addition to the main color, you can add colored fillers and various glitters recommended by the manufacturer to the grout mixture. When making a purchase, it is important to remember that grout has a significant impact on the overall perception of the interior, and its share in the total cost of materials is negligible. Therefore, you should not prioritize savings when choosing such a product.

Special materials for cleaning and maintaining the facing surface

Construction, repair and cladding work always includes a final stage - the cleaning stage. In order to efficiently and quickly remove residual glue, cement stains, grout and other contaminants from the surface, it is best to use products specially designed for this purpose. In addition, special means can protect pedestrian surfaces made of porcelain stoneware, polished marble or natural stone from excessive contamination. In some cases, the use of protective equipment is not just desirable, but mandatory! And material manufacturers, knowing this, are trying in every way to convey this information to end consumers. Therefore, we strongly recommend listening to sellers who talk about the operating features of a particular material. For example, natural stone, which has high water absorption, or polished porcelain stoneware, in which, as a result of processing, pores open in the upper surface layer - both of these materials fall into the risk zone, since an accidentally spilled glass of red wine or a bottle of brilliant green will leave a stain that will be impossible to remove by any means. Protective agents form a kind of film on the surface, which prevents the penetration of pigments and pollutants into the structure of the material. As for various cleaners, they usually specialize in combating organic or inorganic pollutants, and their composition contains alkali or acid. When choosing a cleaning product, pay attention to its composition, and think about how your facing material will react to it. If your tiles are decorated with a chandelier, there is reason to think twice about it. Don't hesitate to ask clarifying questions to the sellers. In the future, as practice shows, ordinary glazed ceramic tiles only need to be wiped with a simple soap solution from time to time, and they will look like new.