Page 282 - COSTILES Carrelages et Bains - Catalogue NEW TILES 2023

CERAMIC TILES: INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

Ceramics have undergone a rapid evolution in the last few years. This has been · Metal support surfaces: the surface must be clean and in good condition, free
reflected in as much as the ceramic tiles (low porosities, large formats…) as in the of any rust. The recommended adhesive materials are reaction resins (epoxy
areas where they are put to use (large shopping centres, façades, refrigerating or polyurethane).
chambers…) · Fixing glass tiles: to correctly apply the glass series, you need a professional
To optimise the planning of tiling operations one must first study the nature, polyurethane two-part adhesive, which offers elasticity and no vertical
condition and behaviour of the surface onto which the tiles are to be applied, slippage. We recommend SUPERFLEX.
the fixing system and adhering material, and lastly, the grouting and finishing
materials for floor and wall tiles. THE INSTALLATION METHOD:

THE SUPPORT SURFACE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS: To determine the correct setting system, one must take into account the type
and size of the tile, whether it is for interior or exterior applications, and the
There are many reasons for which a surface may be considered inadequate for previously mentioned support surface considerations.
applying certain types of tiles with certain types of adhesives and with certain
installation techniques. INSTALLATION UTILIZING A THIN ADHESIVE LAYER:
To achieve the final goal, which is a high quality and durable covering, it is This is the most current installation system, adapted to modern ceramic
necessary to begin with a surface which is prepared in the best possible way prior materials and the wide variety of possible support surfaces. A preliminary layer
to applying the adhesive layer.
is usually applied to plumb and level the support surface, whether it may be a
CERAMIC BRICK SUPPORT SURFACES: coating on the walls, or a mortar base on the floors.
This type of surface is ideal for ceramic coverings. It is very absorbent and therefore This system is adequate for all types of tiles, especially low-porosity tiles, and is
the ambient temperature and humidity must be controlled. furthermore compatible with all types of support surfaces. There are adhesive
A cement coating of sand mixed with Portland cement is recommended, as the products adapted to each type of setting system, and the workability time is
surface is normally not level. high.
The buttering and floating method is recommended on formats over 900 cm2
CONCRETE SLAB SUPPORT SURFACES: by using a toothed trowel.
When laying tiles onto this type of surface, it is recommended to first make a careful
analysis of the surface, carrying out any necessary modifications to prepare the RECOMMENDED CUTS:
surface for the tiles. As a general rule, several layers, each having its own function, We recommend the use of circular tools or water jet cutters in order to cut
will be needed (insulating, levelling,...) stoneware material and to obtain a clean and suitable cut.
It is highly recommended that, in order to avoid the negative effects brought
about by a lack of flexibility or dimensional stability, the tile should be isolated ADHESIVE MATERIALS:
from the surface with an isolating layer. This could be a sand base, a polyethylene For optimum results, it is vital to select an adhesive which is appropriate (these
membrane... are known as tile setting adhesives).
Subsequently, it is a good idea to apply a levelling layer to correct any irregularities It is recommended to follow the guidelines indicated in the new UNE 138002
in the flatness of the surface and thus conveniently apply the adhering material. standard:12 as “General rules for the execution of coatings with ceramic tiles
by adhesion.”
PLASTER WALLBOARD SUPPORT SURFACES:
In order to adhere ceramic tiles to plaster wallboards, one must remember that the The following describes the different gripping materials according to the
different demands, which are listed in UNE EN 212004, and the tables are
weight of the tile layer must not be excessive (the use of tiles larger that 30x30cm
is not recommended and adhesives should be applied in an evenly applied thin attached for the correct selection of the adhesive according to each case.
layer). TYPES OF ADHESIVES (ACCORDING TO UNE EN 12004)
It is essential to ensure that the panels which are to receive the ceramic tiles are
correctly reinforced and attached so they do not warp in any way or become • C - Cementitious adhesive; adhesive mortars
deformed during installation, or afterwards. • D - Dispersion adhesives; adhesive pastes
• R - Reactive resin adhesives
PLASTER SUPPORT SURFACES:
Plaster surfaces must be carefully inspected before proceeding with any tiling These adhesives can be classified into two classes:
work. It is essential that the fixing material bonds correctly to the plaster, so it is • 1 - Normal
highly recommended to apply a sealant in order to close the pores. • 2 - Improved
Check the compatibility of the plaster adhesive and the primer.
With three optional features:
OTHER SUPPORT SURFACES
(Ceramic, terrazzo or natural stone, wood, metal): • F - Fast setting (for all adhesives)
There are certain surfaces which need maximum preparation prior tiling. • T - Reduced slippage (for all adhesives)
· Ceramic support surfaces: when applying ceramics in restoration work, they • E - Extended open time (only cementitious and dispersion)
need to be thoroughly cleaned with specialized products to remove all traces of
grease and dirt which have adhered to the surface over time. It is recommended The standard also contemplates the “improved” characteristic in deformability:
to consult the adhesive materials manufacturers to see which procedure is best • S1 - Deformable adhesive
to follow, and the best products to utilize. • S2 - Very deformable adhesive
· Terrazzo or natural stone support surfaces: the surface must be thoroughly
cleaned before laying any tiles; all traces of dust must be removed to ensure The following tables show the type of adhesive with the minimum performance
optimum adhesion and avoid any posterior detaching. If the natural stone has that must be selected according to the intended use of the ceramic coating.
not been smoothed and has a rough surface, it must be levelled and smoothed The factors that determine the type of adhesive for each use are:
with a cement-rich mortar. Recommended fixing materials for this type of surface - The type of placement support.
are adhesive mortars with a high polymeric resin content and reaction resins
(epoxy or polyurethane). - The water absorption capacity of ceramic tile.
· Wood support surfaces: on wood surfaces it is a good idea to apply a - The length of its longest side. 281
waterproofing sealant. The recommended adhesive material is a reaction resin In order to ensure that the chosen adhesive is suitable, it is always advisable to
(epoxy or polyurethane). check the manufacturer’s technical specifications. 280