TILING OF LARGE-SIZE TILES BEING LAID EDGE TO EDGE FOR BEING VISIBLE AS EDGE-JOINT FREEE

Due to the fact of difficulty to fix large-size tile(Such as Granito, Porcelain, Marble and Granite) including their non-absorbent property, the right tile adhesive and the right application should be considered when fixing these types of tile in order to avoid debonding problem.

Common issues and queries you can face

1. Thicker cement screed create more shrinkage

The thicker cement screed, the more shrinkage cement screed itself. To fix tiles at the same time as to do surface leveling will be the cause of tile debonding. This is because; Non-absorbent means no porosity, there is then no pore for traditional mortar to penetrate and create bonds between tile and adhesive. Cement generally shrinks once it sets, which causes less contract of cement (mortar) to the tile surface.

2. Large tiles are homogeneous with low porosity

Most of the large-size tiles are homogeneous with very low porosity. Tile adhesive usually works by penetrating itself through tile porosities and then generate bonds called mechanical bonding. But when there is no porosity, chemical bonding plays an important role. To have chemical bonding is to add Polymer into the formula of tile adhesive. It is then necessary to use high performance tile adhesive with Polymer composition to fix large-size tiles or non-absorbent tiles.

3. Different tile adhesive provides different open

The meaning if open time is the maximum time interval after application during which tiles can be embedded in the applied adhesive and meet the requiremnet of specified tensile adhesion strength. Open time is an important property for tile adhesive; no longer the open time, the quicker the tiling process.

4. Using general tile grout

General tile grout, which is not fine enough to fill up very narrow joints, is used with unawareness by either home owners or tilers. This eventually will make the joints to be wearing off. See more here

Solution

Most of large-size tiles are homogeneous while the absorbent value of granite and marble depend on their source. It is not more difficult to fix these type of tile than to fix normal size ones. Therefore high performance tile adhesive with Polymer composition has to be used for tiling in order to have extended open time and adjustability. High performance tile adhesive also provides more bonding efficiency between tile and substrate. This type of tile adhesive is called "Improved Cementitious Adhesive".