Are you looking to put the final touches on your concrete floor and walls? Well, you can count on ceramic tiles to deliver an exceptional aesthetic and functional bang. These tiles are made from a combination of natural stone and special clays to give a material that allows flexible, colourful applications and resistance to stains. During installation, you can go for the traditional method where ordinary cement is used to set the tile on the concrete surface or opt for modern tile adhesives.  Here is a look at both alternatives to help you make an informed consumer choice:

Ordinary Cement Bonding

The ordinary cement bonding technique requires portland cement and sand. Since cement absorbs water quite fast, the bond will cure rapidly and the floor will be ready to use within a very short period. To add on that, this technique is quite economical considering that the cement-sand mixture is used at a lower rate per tile unlike the tile adhesives. On the downside, sand is drawn from rivers and quarries, meaning that it is hard to standardise the quality, cleanliness and grain size of what you'll use for the bonding process. This often compromises the strength of the bond over time. Moreover, using cement and sand is generally dusty, and it might force you to set up some mechanical ventilation mechanisms if the work is being done in poorly ventilated rooms.

Tile Adhesives

Tile adhesive refers to a material made using specially selected sand, general-purpose cement, and other chemical additives that improve the quality of the mixture and make it suitable for laying tiles. The packaged adhesives are mixed with water before they are used to install the tiles. This provides clean working space (no dust), unlike in the traditional method.

It is also important to note that tile adhesives come in various classifications. Pre-mixed tile adhesives are ideal for wall applications because of their rapid bonding. As soon as the adhesive makes contact with the tile, it starts to grip the tile and minimises the chances of the tile sliding downward. Thinset mortars, on the other hand, are good at withstanding heat and wetness through flexible and strong bonds. This makes them suitable for tile flooring. Lastly, there are high-performance tile adhesives that you can use when laying tiles on polished cement, wood or existing tiles.

Certainly, tile adhesives are the way to go over the traditional cement method. Even though some might be a little hard on your wallet, they are worth the investment for a clean job and better bond quality. For more information, contact suppliers like Tile Warehouse (Newcastle) Pty Ltd.