No surface finishing treatment allows as much play and creativity as a tiled surface – from graphic patterns and matte finish, to wood planks and glass tiles. Many shapes, textures and colors in all sizes can be used in almost infinite combinations – the geometric puzzle comes together in any design you can dream up. The critical part comes when choosing how to set this beautiful tiled surface and ensure it stays watertight.
From decorative tiled surfaces to highly functional tiled wall and floor finishes, tiling is one of the most popular surface finishing techniques used to enhance the appearance and functionality of all types of buildings and facilities. It is always crucial to select the right tile and the right tile installation system for each different area of the specific project. This should include the correct surface preparation, waterproofing, tile setting, tile grouting and joint sealing.
Sika Provides Tile Setting Systems to Benefit Your Project
- We provide a guaranteed, comprehensive system approach and supply compatible products from primers, repair and levelling mortars, waterproofing membranes and tapes, to tile adhesive, tile grout mortars, and joint sealants to be used as integrated systems.
- Our comprehensive range of products can be used on all types of tiles and substrates for new and repair projects, both indoor and outdoor, from one private home bathroom up to the largest scale, highrise project.
- We have solutions that can be successfully applied in wet areas, like bathrooms, kitchens, balconies and more critically watertight projects, including swimming pools and façades.
- Our tile systems enable tilers to achieve professional results quickly and cost-effectively.
Application Examples for Sika Tile Setting Systems
Tiling on Facades
Tiling New Balconies
Tile Repair on Balconies
Tiling for Wet Rooms
Tiling Drywalls in Wet Areas
Tiling in and around Swimming Pools
Tiling with Large-Format Ceramic
Tiling with Porcelain Stoneware
Tiling with Marble, Granite & Other Natural Stone Tiles
Explore our Tile Setting Solutions
Leveling Mortar
Tile Adhesives
Tile Grout
Sealants
Tile Adhesive Admixture
FAQ
Generally, most grout joints are filled with materials made from cement, making the filling material porous and absorbs liquid readily. Consequently, grime, water and moisture can seep through it and under the tile. After a prolong period, problems such as debonding of tiles and hollowness may occur.
Sealing grout joints will reduce/prevent the growths of mold and mildew. It also prolongs the tile lifespan and minimize damage to a considerable extent by keeping water and moisture out.
Before sealing grout joints, carry-out a simple test by releasing droplets of water onto the grout. If it absorbs water, it is a tell-tale sign that the grout joint needs sealing.
Normally, grout joint sealing materials comes in liquid form. To seal grout joints, apply 2–3 layers of the sealing material onto the tile grout.
Sika's product:
Yes, most cementitious tile grouts can be mixed with latex.
Sika's product:
Epoxy tile grouts are made of epoxy resins and filler powder which makes it waterproof and resistant to stains, harsher cleaning detergents and mild chemicals. Its durability makes it the ideal choice for wet areas (eg. showers, kitchens and bathrooms), swimming pools, high foot traffic areas and commercial areas.
Sika’s Product: Davcopoxy 271
Sanded tile grouts contain sand and is used for grouting floor and wall grout joints, with width between 3–12 mm. The sand thickens the grout to prevent shrinkage and cracks in wider grout joints.
Unsanded tile grouts does not contain sand and is used for grouting grout joints that are ≤ 3 mm wide. It has a smooth texture making it suitable for grouting smaller joints.
Sika's product:
Sanitized coloured tile grout is a cementitious grout designed for use with most types of ceramic tiles and natural stone applications and is available in a wide range of colours. The grout contains additives, which provides resistance to a broad spectrum of molds and mildew. It is mostly used in wet areas (eg. household kitchens and bathrooms)
Sika’s Product:
Generally, there are two types of tile grout:
- cementitious tile grout – made of cement and filler powder
- epoxy tile grouts – made of epoxy resins and filler powder
The space in-between the tiles is called a “grout joint”. Tile grout is used for filling up grout joints in between tiles and natural stones and is available in a wide range of colours. It helps to keep dirt, debris and water from getting in between and under the tile. It also adds rigidity and strength to the tile installation besides keeping the tile line straight.
Sika’s Product:
- Cementitious tile grout - Davcogrout
- Epoxy tile grout - Davcopoxy 271
Normally, polyurethane sealants are used for outdoor areas and silicone sealants are used for indoor areas.
Sika's product:
Perimeter and field movement joints are essential and required when laying / setting tiles within an area.
Perimeter movement joints are required where the tilework abuts restraining surfaces such as perimeter walls, dissimilar floor finishes, curbs, columns, pipes, ceiling and where changes occur in backing materials.
As a general rule, field movement joints are required at approximately 7 m in each direction for indoor tilework, and 3–4 metres in each direction for outdoor tilework, indoor tilework exposed to direct sunlight and tilework on concrete slab above ground level.
For tiling outdoors, an improved cementitious adhesive with extended open time (C2TE) or an improved deformable cementitious adhesive with extended open time (C2ES1) is recommended.
- C2 Tensile adhesion ≥ 1.0 N/mm² (after normal curing, water immersion, heat aging and freeze-thaw cycles)
- E Open time ≥ 30 minutes
- S1 Transverse deformation ≥ 2.5 mm and < 5 mm
Sika's product:
In selecting tile adhesives, you need to take into consideration the
- type of substrate - screeds, concrete, boards, over existing tiles, heated floors etc.
- type of tile and size - ceramic, porcelain, stoneware, large format, mosaic tiles etc.
- the environment - outdoors, indoors, floors, walls, shower wall, bathrooms, wet areas etc.
For assistance, please contact us.
Tile adhesives that are categorised under C2TES1 are recommended to be use in swimming pools.
C2TES1 = Improved deformable cementitious adhesive with reduced slip and extended open time.
- C2 Tensile adhesion ≥ 1.0 N/mm² (after normal curing, water immersion, heat aging and freeze-thaw cycles).
- T Slip ≤ 0.5 mm
- E Open time ≥ 30 minutes
- S1 Transverse deformation ≥ 2.5 mm and < 5 mm
Sika also recommends the use of epoxy tile grout for filling up grout joints in-between tiles in swimming pools.
Sika’s Tile Adhesive:
Sika’s Epoxy Tile Grout:
- Davcopoxy 271
A C2TE tile adhesive is described as improved cementitious adhesive with reduced slip and extended open time.
C2TE tile adhesives are normally used as adhesives for walls and floors.
- C2 - Tensile adhesion ≥ 1.0 N/mm² (after normal curing, water immersion, heat aging and freeze-thaw cycles).
- T - Slip ≤ 0.5 mm
- E - Open time ≥ 30 minutes
Sika's product:
C1 has a lower tensile adhesion requirement (≥ 0.5 N/mm²), while C2 has a higher tensile adhesion requirement (≥ 1.0 N/mm²).
A C2 tile adhesive is cementitious and has improved characteristic in tensile adhesion. To be categorize as C2, cementitious tile adhesives must meet the tensile adhesion requirement of ≥ 1.0 N/mm² after normal curing, water immersion, heat aging and freeze-thaw cycles (EN 12004).
C2 tile adhesives are normally used as adhesives for low water absorption tiles (eg. porcelain tiles) and large format tiles (600 × 600 mm), and in areas where higher bonding strength is required (eg. outdoors).
Sika's product:
A C1 tile adhesive is cementitious and has normal setting characteristics. To be categorize as C1, cementitious tile adhesives must meet the tensile adhesion requirement of ≥ 0.5 N/mm² after normal curing, water immersion, heat aging and freeze-thaw cycles (EN 12004).
C1 tile adhesives are normally used as adhesives for ceramic tiles and small format tiles (up to 300 mm × 300 mm) in general conditions.
Sika's product:
The European Standard EN 12004 classifies tile adhesive into 3 types:
- C – Cementitious adhesive (for internal and external tile installations)
- D – Dispersion adhesives (for internal tile installations, on walls and floors)
- R – Reaction resin adhesives (for internal tile installations, on walls and floors)
Each type of tile adhesive will have its own distinct product characteristics and designation based on the requirements of EN 12004.
- 1 - normal adhesive
- 2 - improved adhesive (meets the requirements for all the additional characteristics)
- F - fast setting adhesive
- T - adhesive with reduced slip (Thixotropy)
- E - adhesive with extended open time
- S1 - deformable adhesive
- S2 - highly deformable adhesive
Tile adhesives are specially formulated factory-made, ready to use adhesive with improved bonding and thixotropic properties. They are used as adhesive for laying/setting tiles (ceramic, porcelain, natural stones etc.) on walls and floors, both indoors and outdoors.
Porcelain tiles are more durable (denser and harder), has lower water absorption properties (≤ 0.5 %), and are normally used in areas with high volume of foot traffic (eg. commercial properties, hotels, offices, and retail outlets). Hence, porcelain tiles require a tile adhesive with improved bonding properties (C2).
Sika's product:
Ceramic tiles are easier to use (less brittle, easy to cut and shape), have higher water absorption properties (˃ 0.5 %), and are normally used for walls and floors in housing projects, interior walls of commercial buildings and low volume foot traffic areas. Therefore, ceramic tiles require a tile adhesive with normal bonding properties (C1).
Sika's product:
Although the use of primers is not widely practiced in tiling most substrates, priming can improve the laying/setting of tiles by eliminating dust and stopping the substrate from absorbing all the water from tile adhesives, especially when the substrate is porous.
For assistance, please contact us.
Yes, provided the existing tiles are in relatively good condition (solid and sound). Tiling over badly damaged or uneven tiles is not recommended as it will cause further complications and possible repairs to the newly laid/set tiles. So, it is advisable that you assess the condition of the existing tiles. A solid, level, and clean work surface that is free from cracks, crumbling grout, or signs of retained moisture are conditions that are suitable for tiling over.