It so happens that it is difficult to make a choice and make the only right decision, especially when it comes to a product with a wide range. Glue for tiles in the bathroom can be safely attributed to this category. At the moment, a huge number of companies are engaged in its production, and he has many varieties, in which the properties and purpose are different. It is worth considering in detail what it can be and how to choose it correctly. You can describe its main advantages.
The advantages of dry mixes
Dry tile adhesive, reviews of which you can read, can easily be placed on walls of any curvature, as it copes well with the leveling tasks, even without prior plastering. Polyurethane compounds can be used exclusively on perfectly smooth surfaces. For example, for wall mosaics, this option is ideal. It is sometimes even positioned as a means for mosaic tiles.
Dry tile adhesive in the bathroom is much more affordable than all other types. If you compare the identical volume of finished and self-prepared substances, the price difference will be immediately noticeable.
If you conduct a comparative analysis of both types of compounds, then they cope with their duties simply perfectly. The polyurethane mixture holds a little better, it is able to hold the tile almost forever. Dry adhesive for tiles in the bathroom based on cement can last more than half a century. In any case, the coating glued through one or the other option, just get tired for this time. And this gives another advantage to dry mixes.
Dismantling of dry glue is much easier, you can use a hammer to do this, which will remove everything, albeit with difficulty. And the polyurethane mixture requires removal with part of the base, and if it is, for example, drywall, then it will need to be altered again.
Main varieties
Modern production is carried out in accordance with international classifications. Glue for laying tiles in this case is no exception. In accordance with this classification, it can be divided into five enlarged groups: for flooring, for internal work, increased fixation, universal, and also moisture resistant, used for facing surfaces that are constantly exposed to water. Now each species can be dealt with separately.
For the production of internal work
This type of adhesive is the cheapest, it is usually used for wall decoration in domestic premises. They do not contain any special additives that can improve their properties, but at the same time they are able to glue tiles of standard sizes with sufficient quality to strong brick and concrete substrates. The most important condition for using such a composition is the absence of exposure to temperature and humidity differences.
High glue
Its main characteristic is a high degree of adhesion, as well as the ability to cope with high tensile loads. This determines the scope of its application. It is actively used for facing bases that are exposed to temperature and dynamic effects. Most often it is used for laying natural stone and large-format tiles - it connects well to old surfaces that have already been painted or tiled. An important condition for such an interaction is the following: it is imperative to make sure that the previous cladding holds well.
Universal
This adhesive for tiles in the bathroom is the most common among the tilers. This type of composition can be used both indoors and outdoors. This type is designed in accordance with standard operating conditions, so you can not talk about its versatility in the literal sense. It cannot be used where heavy loads, strong moisture and temperature changes are expected. It is not recommended to lay tiles on it , the dimensions of which are more than 30 * 30 centimeters.
For floor tiles
In this case, a significant amount of plasticizer has been added to the original composition for floor tiles. This is done so that during laying with the solution, all available voids are carefully filled. You can not use this glue for tiles on the wall, as it will float on it. All other characteristics allow you to compare this option with the universal.
Water repellent
If you need glue for tiles in the bathroom, then this type can be called the most suitable. It is designed for decoration of fountains and pools. In fact, this tile adhesive is reinforced, but a modifier has been added to it, giving it hydrophobic properties. It is quite expensive, so many craftsmen prefer to use the usual one in combination with a water-repellent grout mixture for joints instead.
Subtleties of choice
Before carrying out repairs, it is required to make the right choice of materials, as this affects the durability of their operation in certain conditions. Do not think that you can get rid of a universal mixture, as this will affect the life of the tile. For example, if you lay the tile in the bathroom on universal glue, then instead of the prescribed 30 years, it will serve you no more than 15. Of course, for dry rooms this option is simply irreplaceable, however, when it comes to operating at the highest level, then there’s no risk .
Criterias of choice
There are very few criteria when it comes to choosing a glue composition. There are only three global nuances that have a direct impact on the choice: operating conditions, the structure of the base on which the tile is laid, and also the size of the elements.
If we talk about operating conditions, then everything is simple. In the production of laying tiles in the kitchen, a substance for internal work or a universal mixture is suitable. Even floor cladding can be carried out using a standard version. In the bathroom, you can use reinforced adhesive for tiles or a composition with special moisture-repellent properties. However, you can use the universal option, while its shortcomings will be compensated by a special grout for joints. The porch can be lined with a water-repellent composition or a mixture of increased fixation.
An important parameter of choice is the base material, which is faced. Solids can be divided according to their adhesion with certain materials. For example, mixtures made on the basis of cement should not be used for lining the floor, which is covered with OSB, special compositions have been created for these purposes.
The adhesive composition should be selected and depending on the area of the material. The larger the tiles in size, the more powerful they must be attached to the surfaces. However, there are certain reservations, one of which is as follows. The floor tile keeps quite normally on the adhesive of increased fixation and on the universal, of course, if it is laid correctly. And the walls are rarely tiled with large tiles - for interior decoration, the largest elements in terms of area have parameters of 30 * 60 centimeters. They will keep pretty well on the standard squad unless there are voids under them.
Tile Adhesive: Characteristics
It should be said that there are several color differences between the compositions. Materials based on cement have a gray color, which for all has already become familiar, or non-standard white. The second is usually used for laying mosaics, which is quite difficult to clean the seams between the elements from existing gray growths. White color can be considered neutral, so it can easily be masked with grout of any shade. In general, not every composition is suitable for fixing mosaics. The technology of its laying dictates the need to use two-component latex glue.
findings
If we summarize everything said above, then we can not give a definite answer about the choice. It all depends on a whole range of factors, according to which it is necessary to give preference to one or another option. You will need to study the glue for the tile itself, reviews about it, the properties of many adhesive compositions and other characteristics.