Working with tiles as facing material requires certain skills and knowledge. Depending on where the tiles will be glued - outdoors or indoors, in the kitchen or in the bathroom - both the tile itself and the tile adhesive are selected.
We talk about what types of tile adhesive there are and how to correctly calculate its consumption in our article.
There are two main classifications of tile adhesive - according to properties and composition. Let's briefly go over both.
Fast-curing glue. Hardens within three hours after preparing the mixture. The premises where the tiles were laid with quick-hardening adhesive can be used immediately after completion of the work.
Where is best suited — laying a ceramic tile backsplash in the kitchen.
Leveling glue. Designed for tiling uneven surfaces with a height difference of up to 5 mm.
Where is best suited — cladding of balconies and terraces with porcelain stoneware.
Elastic glue. Compensates for base deformation and protects tiles from cracking. For example, during cyclic heating/cooling (underfloor heating), or from accumulating load (swimming pool bowl).
Where is best suited - mosaic cladding internal surfaces swimming pool
Heat resistant glue. Withstands heat up to 600°C and is used where there is an open fire.
Where is best suited - facing the fireplace or stove with clinker tiles.
Frost-resistant glue. It is resistant to moisture and low temperatures.
Where is best suited - gluing facade tiles on the basement of the house.
Thick layer adhesive. Used for cladding interior spaces large format tiles or artificial stone, which require an adhesive layer of 10-12 mm.
Where is best suited - decoration of the hall in country house marble slabs.
Universal glue. Due to its average characteristics, it is suitable for a wide range of works, including interior and exterior.
Where is best suited — laying floor tiles in the hallway of the apartment.
One-component tile adhesive. The basis of the glue is cement, which is sometimes supplemented with a plasticizer to increase the life time of the finished mixture.
Delivery format - dry mixture.
Two-component tile adhesive. There are polyurethane and epoxy. The first consists of a polyurethane base and a hardener. The second one is from epoxy resins and a catalyst.
Delivery format — paste base and liquid hardener/catalyst.
Acrylic tile adhesive. Ready composition for acrylic base, which does not need to be kneaded additionally.
Delivery format - mixture in the form of a paste.
A tile is defined by two key characteristics: size and type.
The size of the tile determines what tool you will use when laying it. It is recommended to apply tile adhesive with a notched trowel. It is the height of the teeth in the spatula that directly affects the glue consumption and is used in calculations. The logic is simple - the higher the height of the teeth, the greater the consumption.
If you don’t yet know which notched trowel will be used to lay the tiles, but have already decided on the size of the tiles, you can use this correspondence table:
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Tile size |
Spatula teeth size |
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up to 10x10 cm |
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up to 15x15 cm |
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up to 25x25 cm |
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up to 30x30 cm |
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from 30x30 cm |
The type of tile, material and purpose, in turn, influence the choice of the type of tile adhesive.
The following table will help you choose the right adhesive depending on the type of tile:
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Fast- |
Align |
Elastic |
High- |
Thermo- |
Morozo- |
Thick |
Univer- |
Reinforced fixation |
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Ceramic tile |
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Clinker tiles |
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Facade tiles |
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Mosaic |
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Porcelain tiles |
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Marble |
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Granite |
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A natural stone |
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Fake diamond |
The basic consumption of tile adhesive is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. As a rule, this is a standardized consumption in kilograms per square meter with an adhesive layer thickness of one millimeter.
S- area of the room/surface where the tiles will be glued;
r— basic consumption per 1 m2 with a layer of 1 mm,
h-height of spatula teeth.
Formula for calculating consumption in kilograms
Consumption = S x r x h/2
To convert the resulting value into bags of dry mixture, you will need to further divide by the mass of one bag.
Example 1 . In the bathroom, 16 m2 of ceramic tiles will be glued to the floor and walls. To prepare tile adhesive, Bergauf Keramik mixture is used with a base consumption of 2.5 kg/m2. The mixture is packaged in 25 kg bags. The height of the spatula teeth is 8 mm.
Consumption = 16 x 2.5 x 8 / 2 = 160 kg or 7 bags
Example 2 . In a corridor with an area of 10 m2, porcelain stoneware slabs measuring 45x45 cm are laid. The adhesive chosen is Litokol Litofloor K66 thick-layer adhesive in 25 kg bags, with a base consumption of 7 kg/m2.
Using the correspondence table, we determine that you will need a spatula with a tooth height of 12 mm.
Consumption = 10 x 7 x 12 / 2 = 420 kg or 17 bags
| Basic consumption (per 1 m2 with a layer thickness of 1 mm) |
Consumption for tiling 20 sq.m. surfaces with a layer thickness of 10 mm |
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| Tile adhesive Ceresit CM 11 Plus 25 kg
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There is no way to repair without glue. But the question always arises: how much glue to buy, for example, for laying tiles? It seems that there will be more glue than there won’t be enough in the midst of repairs. It is necessary to resolve this issue at a minimum to calculate repair costs.
So, tile adhesive is usually packaged in kilograms. Therefore, you need to determine the glue consumption per 1 square meter, and then calculate the total amount based on the area of the room. But there is no clear answer to the question of how much tile adhesive is consumed per 1 square meter. It all depends on many factors.
1) Glue type
Tile adhesive is divided into 3 groups: dispersion adhesive, epoxy adhesive and cement-based adhesive. The most economical and easiest option for work is cement-based glue (diluted with water). Depending on the thickness of the layer, the average consumption of such glue is 1-1.9 kg. Dispersion adhesive is ready for use; it is resin-based and has a liquid structure. Epoxy adhesive also contains a resin, to which a catalyst is added when used.
2) The second factor is the size of the tiles
The larger the size of the tile, the heavier it is, which means the thickness of the adhesive base should be greater. So, for tiles measuring 10x10, a layer of cement adhesive of 2 mm is required, for tiles 20x30 - 3mm, for tiles 30x30 or more - 4-5 mm.
Measuring the thickness of the adhesive base is quite difficult. Even if the glue layer looks even in appearance, in reality this may not be the case. So, rely on the size of the spatula teeth. So, for tiles 30x30 cm, a spatula with 8 mm teeth is suitable. When applying glue, the spatula must be held at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the wall, then the thickness of the adhesive layer can be more accurate. For optimal distribution of the glue, it must first be applied with a spatula without teeth and only then “combed” through the adhesive base. Therefore, the glue consumption also depends on the size of the spatula (this is often indicated in the instructions). So for example, if you use Ceresit CM12 adhesive, then the consumption will be 4.2 kg per square meter, provided that you use a trowel with 10 mm teeth for 30x30 tiles.
3) Type of tile
Different types of tiles, absorbs different quantities glue. Porcelain tiles absorb the least amount of glue, glazed tiles a little more, and finally, the porous surface of cotto tiles and tiles absorbs the most glue. self made It also absorbs a lot of glue.
In addition, if the surface of the tile is uneven, then a small layer of glue should be applied to it, which will increase consumption.
4) Another factor on which glue consumption depends is the tile laying technology and the type of base
The ideal surface for laying tiles should be smooth, even, and free of cracks. In this case, glue consumption is minimal, because it is only necessary to ensure adhesion of the tiles to the surface.
If the surface has differences or cracks, they are most often compensated for by leveling with glue. There are specially designed adhesives that also level the wall, usually these are used if the difference in differences is not more than 3 cm. Such adhesive will also be needed for laying tiles that have differences on the back side, for example, for clinker.
Not only the back side of the tile has different porosity, but also the surface on which it is laid. The higher the porosity, the more glue is absorbed. This means that additional costs will be required to securely fasten the tiles. For example, concrete walls absorb less glue than a cemented base.
5) The composition of the glue and the brand are no less important
The glue contains various additives that give it certain properties (frost resistance, etc.). Accordingly, these additives change the structure of the glue, making it liquid or, conversely, thicker. Therefore, the consumption of glue of different brands, but the same volume, may be different.
So for each type of glue and for a certain glue trademark its own consumption rate. For example, for Eunice Granite glue this norm is 1 kg, but for Litokol K80 glue the norm is slightly more - 1.35 kg.
6) Weather conditions also affect working technique
The optimal temperature suitable for laying tiles varies between 18-25 degrees. But the maximum standards are much wider: from 5 to 38 degrees Celsius. The higher the room temperature. The more glue you will need, because... moisture evaporates very quickly. At sub-zero temperatures, the glue may completely lose its properties.
7) Glue consumption depends on the work technique, as well as the qualifications of the craftsman
The amount of glue consumed depends on the technique of its application. So, when the spatula is tilted at an angle of 65 degrees, the glue consumption will be greater than at 45 (the difference is 20-30%). The shape of the spatula can also play a significant role. It is most economical to work with a V-shaped spatula; in second place is a spatula U shape. Spatulas with square teeth account for greater glue consumption. And of course, the glue consumption of an experienced craftsman will clearly be less than that of an amateur. So, if this is your first time laying tiles, it is better to buy extra glue.
There are several ways to calculate the required amount of glue.
Option one Suitable for those who buy glue again, have already worked with it and know all the features of the consumption of glue of this brand. In this case, when purchasing a certain glue, you can go to the official website of the representative company. Very often such sites offer a calculation option - a calculator. All you need to do is enter the tile size, area of the room and the specific type of adhesive. You will receive the final answer in kilograms.
Second option. We offer you an approximate calculation of the consumption of cement-based adhesive. We take the most favorable conditions, glue consumption weighing 1.3 kg. We multiply this value by the thickness of the adhesive layer (let’s assume that the tile has dimensions of 30x30 cm, then the thickness of the adhesive layer will be 4 mm). We get the result: 5.2 per 1 square meter. Accordingly, if you need to lay out 10 squares, then the consumption is 52 kg. For tiles of other sizes, only the thickness of the adhesive base changes. However, this result can hardly be called accurate, if only because all adhesives are different. However, a rough estimate will give you some reference point.
Option three– suitable for those who urgently need to know how much glue is needed per 1 m2.
To do this, the following parameters are required: half the thickness of the tile (mm), average consumption of purchased glue. We multiply these indicators and get the result. This method is the most inaccurate, because... Even porcelain tiles from the same batch have different thicknesses.
We bring to your attention the average statistical indicators of glue consumption per 1 square meter of the most popular, high-quality and in demand brands in the construction industry.
First, let's look at the general average indicators, where the first indicator is the rate of glue consumption in kg per 1 m2, and the second indicator is the thickness of the glue layer.
Glue Unix: 1-1.16 kg per 1 mm of glue
Ceresit glue: 1.4-1.6 kg per 1 mm of glue/1.5 - 6 kg per 2-8 mm
Litokol glue: 1.3-1.5 kg per 1 mm of glue / 2.5 -6 kg per 2-8 mm
Glue Hercules: 1.5 kg per 1 mm of glue
Mapei glue: 1.2-1.6 kg per 1 mm of glue / 2-8 kg per 2-8 mm
Well, now we bring to your attention detailed results of glue consumption.
Let's start with the most popular - Eunice glue consumption per 1m2.
The Yunis company has been producing adhesives and other building mixtures for 20 years. Today the company occupies a leading position in the sale of not only cement-based tile adhesive, but also other building mixtures High Quality.
Clay Eunice XXI
This adhesive is suitable for ceramic tiles, tiles, mosaics, porcelain tiles, and natural stone slabs.
Clay Eunice 2000
This adhesive is also very popular and is suitable for laying any type of tile.
Consumption 1.16 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue / 3.5 kg per 6 mm of glue.
UNIS Hi Tech glue
High-tech glue.
Consumption 1.16 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue / 3.5 kg per 6 mm of glue.
Glue Eunice Plus
This adhesive is suitable for ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, and mosaics.
Consumption 1.16 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue / 3.5 kg per 6 mm of glue
Clay Eunice Pool
This adhesive is specially designed for laying tiles in swimming pools and other water tanks.
Clay Eunice Granite
High strength tile adhesive, suitable for heavy and large slabs.
Tile adhesive for fastening large-format slabs of natural stone and porcelain stoneware
Consumption 1 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue / 3.1 kg per 6 mm of glue.
Belfix glue
This glue has a characteristic White color and is used for outdoor and interior work. Suitable for covering surfaces of ceramic, marble, granite tiles. Can also be used as a grout.
Adhesive UNIS FIX
Suitable for laying porcelain tiles and mosaics.
Consumption 1.16 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue.
Glue Ceresit CM 9
Tile adhesive for interior work.
Consumption - 1.6 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue / 2 – 4.2 kg (the size of the spatula teeth and the parameters of the tile are taken into account).
Adhesive Ceresit CM 11 Plus
This adhesive is intended for internal and external works with ceramic tiles, as well as for interior work with porcelain stoneware.
Consumption: 1.4-1.5 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue/1.7 – 4.2 kg (taking into account the size of the spatula teeth and the parameters of the tile).
Glue Ceresit CM 12
Floor tile adhesive, for tiles large sizes.
Consumption: 1.6 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue / 2.7 – 6 kg (taking into account the size of the spatula teeth and the parameters of the tile).
Glue Ceresit CM 117
Suitable for facing stone, facade tiles. The glue is elastic.
Consumption: 1.4-1.5 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue / 1.8 – 4.7 kg (taking into account the size of the spatula teeth and the parameters of the tile).
Glue Ceresit CM 16
This is an elastic tile adhesive, suitable for exterior or interior use.
Consumption: 1.55 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue / 1.5 – 3.2 kg (taking into account the size of the spatula teeth and the parameters of the tile).
Glue Ceresit CM 17
Highly elastic adhesive suitable for all types of work.
Consumption: 1.45 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue / 1.5 – 4.1 kg (taking into account the size of the spatula teeth and the parameters of the tile).
Glue Ceresit CM 115
Suitable for marble tiles, glass mosaic. Glue for marble tiles and glass mosaic
Consumption: 1.5 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue / 2.5 – 4.4 kg (taking into account the size of the spatula teeth and the parameters of the tile).
Calculation of Litokol glue consumption
Litokol is another popular tile adhesive from the Italian concern.
Cement-based adhesives (list below) are also produced in Russia.
Adhesive Litoflex K 81
Elastic cement mixture Suitable for laying ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware. Created on the basis of white cement.
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Tile size. cm |
Teeth size spatula. mm |
Average consumption glue, kg per m2 |
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from 2x2 to 5x5 |
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from 12x24.5 to 20x20 |
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from 20x30 to 30x30 |
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more than 30x30 |
Adhesive Litoflex K 80
Highly adhesive elastic adhesive, suitable for laying tiles on heated floors, as well as ceramic and porcelain tiles.
Consumption: 1.35 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue.
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Tile size. cm |
Teeth size spatula. mm |
Average glue consumption, kg per m2 |
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from 2x2 to 5x5 |
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from 12x24.5 to 20x20 |
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from 20x30 to 30x30 |
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more than 30x30 |
Adhesive Litoflex K80 eco
Adhesive cement mixture with low dust generation. It is frost-resistant and is intended for ceramic, porcelain stoneware, and natural stone tiles.
Glue consumption: 2.5-5 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue.
Adhesive Litokol X 11
Frost-resistant adhesive of increased strength for facing tiles.
Consumption: 1.35 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue.
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Tile size. cm |
Teeth size spatula. mm |
Average glue consumption, kg per m2 |
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from 2x2 to 5x5 |
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from 12x24.5 to 20x20 |
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from 20x30 to 30x30 |
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more than 30x30 |
Adhesive Litofloor K66
Adhesive specially designed for thick layer installation. Suitable for ceramic and porcelain stoneware floor tiles.
Consumption: 1.5 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue. However, these data are approximate.
Adhesive Superflex K77
Suitable for large format cladding slabs.
Consumption: 1.3 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue. Note that this adhesive is recommended to be applied to tiles for even greater strength, so the consumption will be increased.
Adhesive Litokol K 47
The mixture is intended for interior work: laying ceramic tiles on the floor.
Consumption: 1.3 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue.
Adhesive Litokol K 17
The adhesive is intended exclusively for ceramic tiles.
Consumption: 1.3 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue.
Dispersion-based adhesives
Litoacryl Fix glue
Ready-made adhesive containing synthetic resins.
Adhesive Litoacryl LA315
This adhesive belongs to class D1TE. It has zero level vertical sliding, suitable for ceramic tiles.
Litoacryl Plus glue
Contains resins water based. The adhesive is ready for use and is highly resistant to slipping.
Adhesive Adesivo Universale LK78
The adhesive belongs to class D1TE and is suitable for ceramic tiles.
Epoxy adhesives
Litoelastic glue
Universal adhesive based on epoxy resins and polyurethane. Suitable for laying all tiles on various surfaces, including elastic ones.
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Tile size. cm |
Teeth size spatula. mm |
Average glue consumption, kg per m2 |
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10, double application |
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10, double application |
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10, double application |
Epoxystuck X90
The mixture intended for filling joints consists of epoxy resins and organic catalysts. Suitable for ceramic tiles and natural stone tiles.
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Tile size. cm |
Teeth size spatula. mm |
Average glue consumption, kg per m2 |
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clinker |
1,16-1,86-2,33 |
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0,56-0,74-1,12 |
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3 – 4 – 6 – 8 |
0,33-0,43-0,65-0,87 0,45-0,60-0,89-1,19 |
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0,35-0,70-0,87 |
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Glue Hercules
Glue from the Hercules-Siberia company is an excellent example of domestic construction mixtures of the highest quality.
Hercules glue for tiles “Basic”
Suitable for cladding walls made of brick, concrete, tiled, mosaic or ceramic tiles.
Consumption (by dry weight): 4.5 kg per 1 square meter per 3 mm of glue.
Adhesive Hercules for swimming pools “AQUA///STOP”
Suitable for laying ceramic tiles in baths, pools, and showers. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Hercules adhesive for tiles and heavy slabs “Strong”
Ideal for working with slabs big size any type. The adhesive is suitable for both interior and exterior work on any surface.
Consumption (by dry weight): 5-8 kg per 1 square meter per 1 mm of glue.
More good articles about tiles: Grout for ceramic tiles. Types and differences of grout
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To lay tiles you need glue. Perhaps everyone knows this. But how much is needed? 1 bag of 25 kg? 10 bags of 5 kg? Often the decision is made at the last moment at the market or in the store and you have to buy as much as the seller said. Is he right or wrong? In another situation, your foreman buys as much glue as you need (he knows for sure), tells you the number, but you can’t check it. Or you want to plan all the costs of repairs in advance (a useful, but utopian activity) and calculate how much installation will cost you. What to do? How much glue do you need?
First the basics: tile adhesive is usually measured in kilograms. The amount you need is determined as the glue consumption per square meter of installation, multiplied by the total number of meters. Everyone usually knows the laying area, so all that remains is to find out how much glue is needed per square meter. There is no definite answer to this question, but we will help you roughly figure out how much glue you need.
To answer this question, you need to know the following:
Typically, tile adhesive is divided into 3 broad categories: cement based adhesive, dispersion glue And epoxy adhesive. In the first case, you buy a bag of cement (with various additives) and dilute it with water or a latex additive. This is the most popular option: economical and not difficult to work with. The average consumption of such glue is in the range from 1 to 1.9 kg per square meter per 1 mm of glue thickness. (For example, 1 kg per m2 for Eunice Granite glue, 1.5 kg per m2 for Litokol K66 glue and Hercules Basic glue, etc.) In the second case, you buy a ready-made liquid mixture (resin-based), which does not need to be diluted with anything. In the third case, you buy a liquid resin-based composition and a catalyst. You need to mix both components, a chemical reaction will occur and as a result an adhesive solution will be formed (this is a little more complicated, but this composition is not afraid of water and cold, is not subject to shrinkage, cracking and adheres perfectly to the surface). It is incorrect to compare the total amount of such a mixture in kilograms with the consumption of a cement-based adhesive mixture.
Typically, the larger the tile size, the larger the adhesive layer should be. As a rule, for small tiles (up to 10x10 cm) for cement-based adhesives for thin-layer installation, this layer is slightly less than 2 mm. For tiles with sides from 20 to 30 cm, the layer thickness most often ranges from 2 to 3.5 mm, for tiles from 30x30 to 50x50 the layer can be from 3.5 to 4.5 mm and for large tiles, the layer can be 4-5 mm. For large slabs (from 60 cm), it is also recommended to apply a layer of adhesive (about 1 mm) to the back of the tile.
The dimensions given are approximate; it is quite possible that you will lay 45x45 cm tiles on a much thinner layer. It is important to take other factors into account.
| About the spatula size and glue thickness Most often, when purchasing adhesive, the technical information for each tile size will indicate not the adhesive layer in millimeters, but the size of the spatula teeth that the factory recommends for application. For example: for tiles 30x30 use spatula 8, and for tiles 50x50 use spatula 12. Not a word about layer in mm. Why is this happening? Because measuring the adhesive layer in millimeters during application is not an easy task, how and with what will you measure? In addition, if you apply an even layer of glue, it is likely that visually it will seem even to you, but in fact it will have differences in height. If you lay tiles on such an uneven adhesive surface, you will most likely end up with air holes in some places under the tiles, which will sooner or later cause the tiles to chip. Therefore, factories recommend first applying the glue with the smooth end of a spatula, and then combing and leveling it with a serrated edge. The most commonly used spatula tooth sizes are 6, 8, 10 and 12 mm. The dimensions of the spatula are predetermined, each factory knows the properties of its glue, so it is much easier to predict the exact layer that you will put. Therefore, you can often see in the instructions the glue consumption in kg, depending on the type of spatula. (For example, for Ceresit CM12 adhesive for 30x30 cm tiles, the instructions recommend using a spatula with 10 mm teeth, and the adhesive consumption is immediately given as 4.2 kg per square meter). However, do not think that when using a spatula with 8 mm teeth you will get an 8 mm layer of glue. 8 mm is the initial height of the ridges that would be left behind by a spatula held at an angle of 90 degrees. But, firstly, you will move the spatula at an angle, and the initial height will be less, and secondly, when you lay the tile on top, it will press the glue and it will be distributed over the entire surface. Typically the adhesive layer will be in the range of 0.3 - 0.5 times the size of the spatula teeth. For example, for an 8 mm spatula, the glue thickness can be 2.4 - 4 mm. This proportion is approximate, since you can place the glue at different angles, and also for different glues different properties and only the glue manufacturer can tell you what height of glue you will get when using a given spatula. |
The back surface of the tile absorbs the adhesive. But different type The material differs in porosity - handmade and cotto tiles are very porous, they absorb more glue. Glazed industrial tiles absorb less, and porcelain tiles absorb even less. Most often, manufacturers produce special adhesives for each type of material that takes into account these features. But there are also universal adhesives, so you will need to account for differences in absorption between different materials. If you are installing stone, manufacturers will often also ask you to apply an additional layer of adhesive to the back of the material.
In addition, it is important to pay attention to the evenness of the back surface of the tile. Handmade and clinker tiles often have an uneven back surface, so it is recommended to apply an additional thin layer of adhesive. This will increase consumption.
If you plan to lay tiles of different thicknesses on the same surface, you will have to compensate for this difference using adhesive. Be prepared for that. that consumption will increase.
Before laying, you need to know the condition of the surface on which you will lay the tiles. Ideally, it should be an absolutely flat plane, without differences in height. In practice, most often there are 2 situations: in the first case, the surface is as level as possible and the differences in height do not exceed 3 mm. In this case, you can lay the tiles using the thin-layer laying method - this means that the layer of adhesive will be minimal, and the adhesive itself will be intended only for adhesion of the tiles to the base. Most often, in such cases, the adhesive layer will not exceed 5 mm (and will remain within the limits specified above). But the total consumption of glue in any case will depend on differences in the height of the base and irregularities (which it will fill).
In the second case. the surface may be difficult and uneven. There are adhesives that simultaneously level the surface and glue the tile to the base. Usually they can handle height differences of up to 30 mm. This technology is called thick-layer laying and the adhesive layer in this case will be determined by the presence and nature of irregularities and can reach up to 30 mm. Naturally, with this installation method, the glue consumption will be significantly higher.
Quite often this method is used when laying tiles that have strong changes in thickness (for example, this method is suitable for laying clinker with a highly profiled back side and handmade tiles with uneven surface. If you try to lay such an uneven tile on a thin layer of adhesive, the consequences will be dismal: the final surface may be uneven, the tile may not stick due to voids, etc.)
Accordingly, you must know exactly how you will install it before calculating the glue consumption. The smoother the surface, the less glue will be needed and vice versa.
In addition, one should take into account the fact that the bases on which the installation is carried out have different porosities. For example, a relatively porous base made of cement mortar absorbs more glue than concrete slab, so the glue consumption will be greater.
And one more thing: when laying on vertical surface(especially external facades) it is often recommended to apply adhesive not only to the base, but also to the back of the tiles for better adhesion and to avoid voids under the tiles. In this case, glue consumption will increase and you should take this into account.
In the composition of adhesives different brands includes various additives (to give greater adhesion, elasticity, change the speed of setting, resistance to slipping, temperatures, etc.). All this changes the density of the glue, so two 25 kg bags can contain different volumes of material, which, accordingly, changes its consumption. In order to more accurately calculate the material consumption, it is better to know the manufacturer and the name of the glue in order to be able to check its consumption according to the information stated by the manufacturer. (For example, the standard rate of consumption of Eunice Granite glue is 1 kg for each mm of glue, the rate of Litokol K80 is 1.35 kg for each mm. With a glue thickness of 4 mm for an area of 20 meters, the difference will be (approximately, other things being equal) 20 kg (80 kg vs 108 kg) Therefore, if you want more accurate calculations- be sure to look at the manufacturer's data.
The normal temperature for laying tiles is from +5 to +40 degrees Celsius. Ideal - around 18-24 degrees. The higher the temperature at which you lay the tiles, the more water evaporates from the surface of the glue and the greater its consumption. At low temperatures (below zero), the glue begins to deteriorate and it is extremely difficult to predict its consumption. It is also important to pay attention to the wind. If you are laying tiles outdoors, when strong wind moisture will again begin to leave the surface and glue consumption will increase.
The glue consumption depends on how you use the tool. With different angles of inclination of the spatula, the thickness of the applied glue changes (for example, at an angle of 60 degrees, the glue consumption may be greater than at an angle of 45 degrees. The difference can be up to 25 percent). Likewise, spatulas with different shapes The teeth distribute different amounts of glue: a V-shaped spatula usually distributes slightly less glue than a U-shaped spatula, which in turn distributes less. than a square tooth spatula. If you are laying tiles for the first time, then the glue consumption may differ from the standard due to the fact that you either practice, or break the technology, or for some other reason some of the glue is wasted. In this case, it is always better to buy material with a reserve so as not to stop the installation in the middle of the process.
The easiest one is if you know exactly what kind of glue you need. For example, you have been laying tiles for many years and know for sure that you want Eunice 2000 or Mapei Granirapid. Just go to the manufacturer’s website and find the calculator section (such sections are on the websites of all manufacturers). In the calculator, just enter the size of the tile, the area of the room and the brand of glue, click on the calculate button - and you will get a ready answer in kilograms. This figure can then be increased if you know for sure that you will use glue to level the height between the tiles, work in conditions where the back surface also needs to be covered with glue, and under other circumstances that increase consumption.
If you don’t yet know what kind of glue you will use, but want to estimate the cost of repairs, use the figures above. We will assume that you will use cement-based tile adhesive (this is the most popular and simplest option). Next you can take average temperature in the hospital - glue consumption is 1.3 kg per 1 mm of glue layer. Multiply by thickness. glue. Let's say you lay 30x30 cm tiles on the floor. Then, with an average layer of 4 mm (see the paragraph about tile size), the glue consumption will be 5.2 kg per 1 m2 of installation. If you need to lay 20 meters of tiles, you will need 20 * 5.2 = 104 kg of tile adhesive. If you decide to lay 10x10 cm tiles on the same area, you will need 1.3 * 2 * 20 = 52 kg of glue. If you decide to lay 60x60 cm tiles, then you will spend approximately 1.3 * 6 * 20 = 156 kg of glue
It is important to understand that this value is very approximate, and based on it you cannot go to the store and order glue. Let us repeat once again that adhesives are different, they all have different properties and consumption, so it is better to at least know the brand of glue. But this figure will help you navigate expenses and planning; at least the final result is unlikely to be ten times more or less.
And the third method, which is more suitable for sellers in a tile store. Suitable if the buyer asks to roughly say how much glue will be needed (without details, just for estimation). You need to take half the thickness of the tile in mm and multiply it by the average adhesive consumption per mm of the brand you sell. If you don’t know the consumption or there are several brands, multiply by the hospital average of 1.3. Typically, small-sized industrial tiles are quite thin (5-6 mm), medium-sized porcelain tiles are 10 mm thick, and thicker porcelain tiles are from 12 mm thick. Therefore, for porcelain stoneware 45x45 cm (10 mm thick) we get 5 * 1.3 = 6.5 kg per meter, which will give 130 kg per 20 meters and will be relatively close to the truth. Of course, you can’t issue an invoice based on such criteria, but at least you can name the order.
To help you a little with your calculations, we have collected average consumption rates for the most popular brands of glue. More detailed information on each type of glue is listed below, the summary information is as follows:
Glue Unix: average consumption rate 1-1.16 kg per 1m2 with a layer of 1 mm of glue
: average consumption rate is 1.4-1.6 kg per 1 m2 with a layer of 1 mm of glue, or from 1.5 to 6 kg per m2 depending on the size of the spatula and the type of glue
Glue Litokol: average consumption rate is 1.3-1.5 kg per 1 m2 with a layer of 1 mm of glue, or from 2.5 to 6 kg per m2 depending on the size of the spatula and the type of glue
Glue Hercules: average consumption rate around 1.5 kg per 1m2 with a layer of 1 mm of glue
Mapei glue: average consumption rate is around 1.2-1.6 kg per 1 m2 with a layer of 1 mm of glue, or 2-8 kg depending on the size of the spatula and the type of glue
Eunice is one of the most popular adhesives on the market. Produced by Unis, which was created in 1994 on the basis of SMU "Zhukovsky". Now the company claims to be the market leader in the production of dry cement-based building mixtures and ranks first in Russia in the production of tile adhesive
Eunice XXI
Tile adhesive for laying ceramic, tile and mosaic tiles, natural stone slabs and porcelain stoneware.
Unis 2000
The most popular glue model. Tile adhesive for laying ceramic, tile and mosaic tiles, natural stone slabs and porcelain stoneware
Consumption 1.16 kg/m2 per 1 mm of glue
Consumption when using a 6*6 mm spatula - 3.5 kg/m2
UNIS Hi Tech
Technological tile adhesive with extended open time
Consumption 1.16 kg/m2 per 1 mm of glue
Consumption when using a 6*6 mm spatula - 3.5 kg/m2
Eunice Plus
Tile adhesive for laying ceramic, tile and mosaic tiles, natural stone slabs and porcelain stoneware
Consumption 1.16 kg/m2 per 1 mm of glue
Consumption when using a 6*6 mm spatula - 3.5 kg/m2
Eunice Pool
Adhesive for laying tiles in water tanks
Consumption 1 kg/m2 per 1 mm of glue
Eunice Granite
Tile adhesive for fastening large-format slabs of natural stone and porcelain stoneware
Consumption 1 kg/m2 per 1 mm of glue
Consumption when using a 6*6 mm spatula - 3.1 kg/m2
Belfix
White tile adhesive "Belfix" for external and internal work is used for cladding walls and floors of ceramic, marble, matte, transparent, glass and decorative mosaic tiles, used as grout
UNIS FIX
Tile adhesive for laying ceramic, tile and mosaic tiles
Consumption 1.16 kg/m2 per 1 mm of glue
Ceresit(Ceresit) is a popular brand of construction mixtures produced by the German concern Henkel. In 2003, the company opened a plant for the production of Ceresit mixtures in Russia in the city of Kolomna, Moscow region, and then another plant in Chelyabinsk and Ulyanovsk. The adhesives listed below are produced in Russia.
Ceresit SM 9. Tile adhesive for interior use
Consumption - 1.6 kg per 1 m2 per 1 mm layer, or from 2 to 4.2 kg/m2 depending on the size of the trowel teeth and tile format
Ceresit SM 11 Plus.
Adhesive for fixing ceramic tiles for interior and exterior use and for porcelain tiles for interior use
Consumption: 1.4-1.5 kg per 1 m2 per 1 mm layer, or from 1.7 to 4.2 kg/m2 depending on the size of the trowel teeth and tile format
Ceresit SM 12.
Adhesive for fixing large format floor tiles
Consumption: 1.6 kg per 1 m2 per layer of 1 mm. or from 2.7 to 6.0 kg/m2 depending on the size of the trowel teeth and tile format
Ceresit SM 117.
Elastic adhesive for facade tiles, porcelain tiles and facing stones
Consumption: 1.4-1.5 kg per 1 m2 per 1 mm layer, or from 1.8 to 4.7 kg/m2 depending on the size of the trowel teeth and tile format
Ceresit SM 16.
Elastic tile adhesive for exterior and interior use
Consumption: 1.55 kg per 1 m2 per 1 mm layer, or from 1.5 to 3.2 kg/m2 depending on the size of the trowel teeth and tile format
Ceresit SM 17.
Highly elastic tile adhesive for exterior and interior use
Consumption: 1.45 kg per 1 m2 per 1 mm layer, or from 1.5 to 4.1 kg/m2 depending on the size of the trowel teeth and tile format
Ceresit SM 115.
Adhesive for marble tiles and glass mosaics
Consumption: 1.5 kg per 1 m2 per 1 mm layer, or from 2.5 to 4.4 kg/m2 depending on the size of the trowel teeth and tile format
Litokol- Italian concern for the production of building mixtures. In 2002, the company opened production in Noginsk (Moscow region). All cement-based adhesives are manufactured in Russia, and resin-based adhesives are imported from Italy.
Litoflex K 81.
Elastic, highly adhesive cement-based adhesive mixture for laying ceramic granite and ceramic tiles. For laying "tile on tile" on "warm" floors. Based on white cement.
Litoflex K 80.
Elastic, highly adhesive dry cement adhesive mixture for laying ceramic granite and ceramic tiles. For laying "tile on tile" on "warm" floors.
consumption -1.35 kg/m2 per 1 mm of adhesive layer thickness. Glue consumption rates in details:
Litoflex K80 eco.
Elastic, highly adhesive dry cementitious adhesive mixture with low dust generation. For laying ceramic granite and ceramic and natural stone tiles. For laying "tile on tile" on "warm" floors. Frost-resistant
Glue consumption: 2.5-5 kg/m2 depending on the tile format and the condition of the base
Litokol X 11.
Reinforced cement adhesive mixture for laying tiles on floors and walls. Frost-resistant
consumption -1.35 kg/m2 per 1 mm of adhesive layer thickness. Glue consumption rates in details:
Litofloor K66
Cement-based adhesive mixture for thick-layer laying floor tiles made of porcelain stoneware, ceramics and natural stone, including large-format ones.
consumption -1.5 kg/m2 per 1 mm of adhesive layer thickness, but this value very approximate
Superflex K77
Super-elastic, highly adhesive, cement-based adhesive mixture for laying facing slabs of porcelain stoneware, ceramics and natural stone, including large-format ones
nominal consumption -1.3 kg/m2 per 1 mm of adhesive layer thickness. However, this adhesive is used for high traffic areas, facades, industrial floors with high loads, and the manufacturer recommends applying it also with reverse side tiles to avoid voids. Therefore, the final glue consumption will be individual and may be more than specified.
Litokol K 47
Cement-based adhesive mixture for laying ceramic tiles on floors and walls. For interior work. Not suitable for laying porcelain tiles
Litokol K 17
Professional dry adhesive mixture for laying ceramic tiles on floors and walls. Not suitable for porcelain tiles
consumption -1.3 kg/m2 per 1 mm of adhesive layer thickness. Glue consumption rates in details:
Litoacryl Fix
Ready-to-use dispersion adhesive based on synthetic resins, with inert filler and organic additives. Classification according to EN 12004.
Litoacryl LA315
Dispersion adhesive with zero vertical slip and extended open time for laying ceramic tiles. Ready for use, belongs to class D1TE.
Litoacryl Plus
Dispersion adhesive with improved slip resistance and extended open time, ready for use. Based on water-based synthetic resin, inert filler and organic additives.
Adesivo Universale LK78
Universal dispersion adhesive with extended open time for laying ceramic tiles. Belongs to class D1TE.
L itoelastic
Reactive two-component epoxy-polyurethane adhesive for laying all types of tiles on various surfaces, including elastic and vibrating ones. Suitable for creating waterproof coatings and leveling.
| Tile size. cm | Teeth size spatula. mm |
Average glue consumption, kg per m2 |
| from 1x1 5x5 | 4 | 2-2,5 |
| 10x10 15x15 | 6 | 2,5 |
| 15x20 25x25 | 6-8 | 2,5-3 |
| 25x33 33x33 | 8-10 | 3-3,5 |
| 30x45 45x45 | 10, double application | 4-5 |
| 50x50 60x60 | 10, double application | 4-5 |
| over | 10, double application | 4-5 |
Epoxystuck X90
Epoxy acid-resistant two-component grout mixture for filling tile joints from 3 to 10 mm wide. Component A consists of a mixture of epoxy resins, silica fillers and additives. Component B consists of a mixture of organic catalysts. Designed for acid-resistant grouting of joints with a width of 3 to 10 mm for external and internal floor and wall cladding made of any type of ceramic tiles and natural stone.
| Tile size. cm | Teeth size spatula. mm |
Average glue consumption, kg per m2 |
| clinker 12x24x1.2 25x25x1.2 |
5 - 8 - 10 | 1,16-1,86-2,33 0,74-1,19-1,49 |
| 10x10x0.6 15x15x0.6 |
3 - 4 - 6 | 0,56-0,74-1,12 0,37-0,50-0,74 |
| 15x20x0.6 25x25x1.2 |
3 - 4 - 6 - 8 | 0,33-0,43-0,65-0,87 0,45-0,60-0,89-1,19 |
| 25x33x0.8 33x33x1 |
4 - 8 - 10 | 0,35-0,70-0,87 0,38-0,75-0,94 |
| 30x45x1 45x45x1.2 |
4 - 10 | 0,34-0,86 0,33-0,83 |
| 50x50x1.2 60x60x1.2 |
6 - 10 | 0,45-0,74 0,37-0,62 |
The Hercules-Siberia plant is located in Novosibirsk. According to the company, in development original technologies production was attended by the best Novosibirsk builders and specialists in the field of construction chemistry.
Hercules Tile Adhesive Basic
It is used for tiling tiled, ceramic and mosaic tiles on walls and floors made of concrete, brick, plastered surfaces inside dry and wet areas. Can be used to smooth out defects in walls, ceilings and floors.
Consumption (by dry weight) with a layer thickness of 3 mm - 4.5 kg / m2:
Hercules Pool Adhesive AQUA///STOP
Used to perform facing works ceramic tiles for swimming pools, saunas, showers and bathrooms, etc. Recommended for cladding with increased requirements for reliability, durability and durability of the coating. For external and internal works.
Average consumption of dry mixture is 5-8 kg per sq.m.
Hercules Adhesive for tiles and heavy slabs Strong
Used for interior and exterior cladding work with tiles made of marble, limestone, granite and other coarse crystals rocks, artificial stone materials for brick, concrete and cement plasters. Also suitable for working with ceramic tiles.
Average glue consumption: 5-8 kg per sq/m
Hercules Tile adhesive Superpolymer.
It is used for facing works with ceramic (wall or floor) tiles on brick, concrete, plaster. Suitable for both exterior and interior use
13085 0
Tile adhesive is the second most important material, the quality and properties of which determine the final result when tiling surfaces. Range of adhesives offered modern manufacturers, wide, therefore without knowledge of specific characteristics various types adhesives and comparing them with GOST requirements, it is difficult to make a choice in favor of a specific material.
In order for the tile adhesive to reliably hold the cladding, it is important to maintain specifications mixtures according to GOST
To choose correctly the right mixture, consider the following questions:
All types of adhesive mixtures for laying tiles must have a certain set of necessary technical characteristics, which, depending on the type of adhesive, may differ in value. Let us list these properties.
During operation (before the solution hardens):
First of all, the glue must have increased water and frost resistance.
After the tile adhesive has cured:
Based on the material of their components, all adhesive mixtures for ceramics are divided into 3 groups:
Let's look at these groups and their subgroups.
Cement-based adhesives are a dry mixture of cement, sand and certain chemical components, the set of which may vary. The requirements for the technical characteristics of cement adhesive mixtures are set out in GOST 31357-2007 “Dry building mixtures with a cement binder. General technical conditions", GOST 31358-2007 "Dry construction floor mixtures with cement binder. Specifications" and GOST 4.233-86 "Construction mortars. Nomenclature of indicators".
Tile cement adhesive is a dry mortar
These adhesives, depending on the variety, are intended for finishing external and internal surfaces with tiles made of natural and artificial materials. Standard packaging of the mixture is 25 kg bags.
Specific gravity dry material averages 1.3 g/cm3, the density of the ready-to-use solution is 1.8 g/cm3.
The compressive strength of fully cured glue, according to GOST, must be more than 10 MPa for universal compounds and not less than 15 MPa for materials marked “Elastic”, “With increased fixation” and “For flooring”.
The composition of the tile adhesive is mixed with water according to the instructions clearly stated on the packaging and used in two ways - by applying it to ceramics and laying it on the surface of the base. The cement in the solution is gray or white (for glass tiles and mosaics made of smalt) flowers.
Cement-based adhesive solutions retain water during the hardening process, allowing the joints to be grouted within 24 hours, while the adhesive gains full strength within up to 2-3 weeks.
When purchasing such mixtures, you should pay attention to the release date of the material, since after the expiration date, lumps form in the composition due to hygroscopicity. The shelf life of such mixtures in the manufacturer's packaging ranges from 6 to 9 months, so when purchasing, you must take into account that this period must expire before the repair is completed - each overdue month deprives the cement of 5% of its activity, and the polymer components may generally lose their properties.
Cement adhesive mixtures, in turn, are divided into 2 subgroups:
These mixtures are used to level the base under the tiles if the differences in surface levels are 1-3 cm. The use of such compositions allows you to avoid plastering the base and reduce repair time.
To ensure a long service life, it is important to choose the right adhesive composition
The composition of the leveling adhesive, which includes cement, sand of various fractions and a set of polymers, ensures the strength of laying tiles made of any material. Material of the “reinforced” brand is even used for the installation of cladding made of natural stone and porcelain stoneware, the specific gravity of which, due to their high density, is one and a half to two times the weight of conventional ceramics. Varieties of thick-layer adhesive are also produced for external and internal work, for rooms with high humidity And high temperature air.
The compressive strength of thick-layer adhesives after complete drying must be at least 10 MPa.
The disadvantage of leveling mixtures is their strong shrinkage, which makes it difficult to calculate the need for material and does not make this method of leveling surfaces economical.
Thin-layer cement-based adhesives are used for laying tiles on surfaces whose level differences do not exceed 1 cm.
The layer of glue applied to the back side of the ceramic must be at least 5 mm. As in leveling mixtures, thin-layer compositions use special additives that increase individual characteristics material necessary for its use in specific conditions, but the specific gravity of the adhesive changes slightly from this. Varieties of such adhesives with enhanced adhesion and strength for laying heavy tiles also exist.
Compressive strength thin-layer compositions after drying it should not be lower than 10 MPa.
The advantages of thin-layer mixtures are low consumption (1-1.5 kg per 1 square meter) and shorter drying times than thick-layer mixtures.
The disadvantage is low moisture resistance and there is no “moisture resistant” marking, which forces the use of only moisture-resistant mixtures.
Water-dispersion (polymer) adhesives are one-component aqueous solutions of polymer particles based on acrylic, latex or polyvinyl acetate (PVA). They are used for covering leveled concrete, plastered and plasterboard bases with ceramic tiles, forming a waterproof shell. Sold in sealed plastic containers of various sizes. The specific gravity of the ready-to-use solution is approximately equal to the weight of the cement-based adhesive and is 1.3 g/cm3; the same value is taken as the density.
The technical characteristics of such adhesive compositions are regulated by the requirements of GOST 28780-2004 “Polymer adhesives. Technical conditions" and GOST 12172-74 "Phenol-polyvinyl acetal adhesives. Technical conditions".
Dispersion adhesive is a water-based tile adhesive composition that includes acrylic or cellulose-glycolic acid and special additives - chalk, latex
These materials are produced in the form of thick white, colored solutions and pastes. Glue particles suspended in water when the water evaporates or goes into the base are connected to each other and form an adhesive film.
Instructions for use are usually in accessible form presented on the container.
Advantages:
Flaws:
Water-based adhesive is the most common on the market
Polyurethane-based adhesives are one- or two-component compositions. The technical characteristics of these adhesives must meet the requirements of GOST 30535-97 “Polymer adhesives. Nomenclature of indicators".
Curing of one-component compositions occurs due to moisture environment, reacting with the components of the solution. Two-component substances harden when the components are mixed in a certain ratio.
It must be taken into account that some types of polyurethane adhesive expand during curing and are therefore unsuitable for laying tiles.
The material has high strength, sufficient elasticity and resistance to impact chemical substances. Effectively bonds surfaces of even dissimilar materials (metal - glass, stone - wood), has almost zero moisture absorption, and is insensitive to large changes in temperature (from -50 to +120 degrees Celsius) and pressure. The composition, in addition to the strong connection of materials in short term, provides waterproofing of the base.
Industrially produced one-component and two-component polyurethane adhesive
The adhesive solution is applied with a brush or roller not to the tile, but to the base. A necessary condition The strength gain of polymer glue when used is thorough mixing of the solution and precise adherence to the proportions of the components in a two-component design.
Advantages of the material:
Flaws:
Working with polyurethane glue should be carried out wearing protective gloves, and if the solution gets on your skin, wash it off immediately warm water with soap.
Epoxy adhesives are divided into two- and multi-component. Solvent-free epoxy adhesive consists of a resin (the main binder) and a hardener (a liquid or powder activator). Binder mixed in a certain proportion with a hardener, after which the mixture is applied to the grease-free surfaces of the tile or base, and the product is glued in place.
A mixture of synthetic resin, mineral fillers and organic additives, hardening due to a chemical reaction
The setting time of the adhesive is approximately 20 minutes, and complete curing occurs after a few hours. The surfaces to be bonded must not be porous. IN difficult cases To increase strength, epoxy adhesive is reinforced with dry powdered fiberglass.
These adhesives have high technical characteristics, and therefore are used in critical places and in industries with aggressive finishing operating conditions.
The compressive strength of compositions based on reactive resins must be at least 15 MPa.
Advantages:
Flaws:
Having decided which type of glue to use for repairs, it is advisable to write down from GOST the characteristics that this material should have, and when purchasing, compare them with the data, albeit incomplete, indicated on the packaging. The shelf life is calculated from the date of production of the material, and not from the date of purchase.
And areas
Often modern interior design decorates with fashionable glass transparent mosaic, translucent tiles or light a natural stone designed to bring more light into the room, making it airy and voluminous. However, it is not recommended to lay such decorative elements on ordinary mortar, since it is made of gray cement, which will darken the surface and destroy the integrity visual perception. To ensure that such problems are avoided, it is recommended to use tile adhesive LITOKOL LITOPLUS K55 white (25 kg). What is its main difference?
Glue Features
As the main binder for the production of a dry mixture, high-strength white cement, giving the finished solution a neutral light color. Tile adhesive not only does not darken transparent Decoration Materials, but also serves as a substrate to highlight them against the general background of the surface being decorated. Moreover, the solution contains latex additives that provide high adhesion to any popular substrates: precast and monolithic concrete, gypsum plasterboard, plasterboard, cement plasters, it is also possible to install using the “tile-on-tile” method, without the need to dismantle the old coating.
In addition, it is necessary to highlight:
Additional information in articles:
in 3 hours
Laying textiles and coverings
in 24 hours
Ready for use
FINAL CHARACTERISTICS
Moisture resistance
excellent
Aging resistance
excellent
Resistant to oils and solvents
excellent
Acid and alkali resistance
Heat resistance
-30°C to +90°C
Mechanical strength
see table
In our building materials store you can choose tile adhesive from any manufacturer at the best prices, we work with the most well-known manufacturers tile adhesives.
Tile adhesive is mainly used for laying tiles ( ceramic tile), for laying artificial stone, laying paving slabs.
Tile adhesive the one you buy should be high if you want your tiles to be securely glued.
In our store you will find tile adhesive of the highest quality.
