It is not so easy to choose glue for cladding work: the modern market is literally overwhelmed with a wide range of offers for different tastes and budgets. However, among all this variety, professional craftsmen often choose Knauf Fliesen tile adhesive. To understand its relevance, it is worthwhile to get acquainted in more detail with its features, advantages and disadvantages, as well as technical characteristics.
Features of the
Knauf Fliesen tile adhesive is a product of a domestic manufacturer and is intended for indoor and outdoor use. This is a facing mix for breeding, which is suitable for laying small size ceramic wall tiles (no more than 30x30 cm) with a water absorption of more than 3%. In addition, the composition is designed for laying floor tiles, as well as porcelain stoneware with dice sizes up to 60x60 cm inside buildings.
Wall cladding can be carried out inside and outside buildings, including over tongue-and-groove slabs.
The composition has a gray tint and, depending on the variety, is characterized by a minimum layer thickness, which distinguishes it from other analogues. It is able to adhere even heavy material with a high degree of adhesion to the surface. However, in order to achieve maximum strength after laying the tiles with this mixture, it is necessary to maintain the temperature in the room of the order of + 20 … +25 degrees for at least two days.
The main components of the glue are cement and fine sand. The composition of the product has special additives based on polymers that increase the degree of adhesion to the treated substrate. Each type of brand glue has a certificate of quality and compliance with regulations. The formula of the composition is designed in such a way as to prevent the formation and spread of mold and fungal infection of the surface.
The composition of the product is designed to fix moisture-absorbing tiles on relatively flat substrates. When working with tiles, you can use special primers of the same brand. For tiles that do not absorb moisture well, the company recommends using other compounds in the line. The mass is not applied immediately to the entire wall, since while each fragment is installed in its place, it can begin to dry out, reducing the adhesive properties.
When working, the surfaces of gypsum screeds and places of direct contact with water must be insulated with waterproofing. When working with a screed, the layer must be monolithic. You can work with the composition using the minimum set of inventory. This will require a plastic container, mixer, notched trowel, and trowel. However, due to the special strength and fossilization during drying, the manufacturer strongly recommends removing adhesive contaminants immediately, without waiting for the solution to solidify.
Advantages and disadvantages
Tile adhesive of the trade mark has a wide range of advantages. For example, it can be used with different types of blades. It is suitable for cladding concrete, cement, brick, stone and other bases (gypsum board, gypsum plasterboard, PGP, SML, TsSP). Cladding with this glue can also be carried out on cement plaster. In addition, the composition is easy to prepare: if you follow the instructions on the packaging of the product, it will not be difficult to prepare it.
In addition, it is easy to work with, which is especially important for any master and even a beginner.
This composition is plastic, which allows it to be used for finishing the base with a height difference of up to 2 mm per 1 m2. The diluted mass is comfortable, does not flow and does not slide from vertical planes, therefore it does not increase the degree of the angle of inclination of each top stacked row. The mortar has a long life cycle, so there is no need to dilute it in small portions.
The company's glue is resistant to high dynamic loads. It can be used for laying not only ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware, but also for tiles, mosaics in the form of separate fragments and on a grid, natural and artificial facing stone. This is a modern adhesive that allows you to perform surface cladding at a professional level. Convenience for buyers is the availability of modifications, due to which it is possible to choose a special type of glue for a specific material.
In this case, there is no need to pre-soak the tiles. Due to its high plasticity, the solution not only fits well on the base, but also allows you to correct its minor irregularities. It will cover small pits and remove microcracks from the rough base. It is a material with a long service life. Subject to the technology of dilution and installation, the facing of surfaces with glue of the trademark will last for more than a decade, without needing to be repaired.
Due to its high resistance to moisture, the mixture can be used for finishing rooms with a high humidity coefficient. The adhesive is a waterproofing of hygroscopic and mineral floors. An additional advantage is the fact that this composition is suitable for laying on previously installed tiles. In addition, the price of the material pleases every buyer.
However, with a lot of advantages, the glue also has disadvantages. For example, it will not hold the cladding well if the base is not properly prepared. In addition, if you do not withstand the temperature conditions during operation, this can affect the quality and durability of the coating. If the air in the room is too dry, the life cycle of the finished solution will be shortened.
At the same time, the glue mass will dry out quickly, and the time for correcting an incorrectly installed element will be reduced.
Views
Today the trade mark offers the attention of the buyer Fliesen glue in three modifications: "Universal", "Plus" and "Max". Each type of mixture is different. For example, the mixtures have different areas of application, as well as the thickness of the adhesive layer, which makes it possible to use materials of different weight and size for laying wall and floor tiles. Thus, the Fliesen Plus variant is a product with a reinforced formula.
It can be used not only for wall and floor decoration of buildings. It is suitable for cladding the facade of the house and even the basement. The total weight load of such glue per 1 sq. m of cladding is 50 kg (weight of tiles + glue). Fliesen Max is distinguished by the possibility of thick-layer application of the working solution.
For example, the maximum layer thickness under the tiles when laid with this mortar can be 3 cm. This feature allows the elements to be laid on the base while leveling it at the same time. Maximum permissible weight load per 1 sq. m of such a cladding is 50 kg. However, this composition is incompatible with the "warm floor" system, which is its disadvantage. It is also not intended for finishing the basement, although it is considered universal, suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Comparison with other analogs of the line
If we compare all modifications with the compositions "Flex" and "Marble", then "Marble" is distinguished by the presence of a mineral filler in the composition, as well as white. It is this factor that determines its purpose, since this is the only option from the entire line of Knauf adhesives that does not distort the color of glass and translucent mosaics, translucent ceramic tiles. The varieties in question cannot protect the color of such a cladding from discoloration. Therefore, with their help, it is possible to carry out laying of more traditional materials, and nothing more.
With regard to comparison with the analogue Flex, it is worth noting that this composition is more relevant for the cladding of industrial facilities. In addition, it differs in that it is suitable for processing unstable type bases. These are deformable floors, which include tongue-and-groove slabs and chipboard, as well as wood.
The reinforced version "Fliesen Plus" is designed for fixing low-porosity porcelain stoneware slabs.
Specifications
The main physical and mechanical characteristics of the dry mix are as follows:
- the life cycle of the finished solution is no more than 2.5 hours;
- adhesion to concrete - not less than 0.6 MPa;
- time for element correction - up to 10 minutes;
- the thickness of the adhesive layer is from 2 to 6 mm;
- grouting can be performed one day after the end of the installation;
- you can walk on the floor cladding after 24 hours;
- full weight load on the finished finish is possible after 7 days;
- working t of work is from +5 to +25 degrees;
- the composition is compatible with the "warm floor" system in the "Fliesen Plus" modification;
- frost resistance is at least 50 cycles;
- the shelf life should not exceed one year, provided the packaging is intact.
The brand's tile adhesive is quite elastic, which simplifies the cladding and the adjustment of individual elements. The composition dries on the floor quickly enough, while the glue is resistant to cracking.
Forms of issue
Today the composition is produced in standard 25 kg bags. Less often on sale you can find packaging of 10 kg. Regardless of the type, powder glue must be stored strictly in dry rooms on wooden pallets. If there is damage, the composition is recommended to be used first.
How to calculate the expense?
According to experts, the consumption of Knauf Fliesen tile glue, depending on the type, is from 2.2 to 2.9 kg / m2 for the Fliesen modification and from 1.7 to 3.7 kg / m2 for the Fliesen + analogue. An important aspect in determining the application rate is the height of the teeth. For example, when laying dice with dimensions of 10x10 cm per 1 sq. m, no more than 1.8 kg of working solution can go, provided that the length of the teeth of the notched trowel is 4 mm. If the trowel tooth is longer (6 mm), the consumption will increase to 2.3 kg or more.
You can calculate the number of bags using the formula. To do this, you need to know the size of the treated area (S), the length of the trowel teeth (L) and the base flow rate (H) indicated on the marking. The formula looks like this: (S * L * H) / 2. For example, with an area of 18 sq. m with a basic consumption of 2.2 kg / m2, packing of 25 kg and a spatula teeth height of 6 mm, you will need (18 * 2.2 * 6) / 2 = 118.8 kg or 5 bags (round 4.75 to a whole number) …
Using
Before laying tiles or other facing material, it is necessary to properly prepare the base. This does not only involve removing the old crumbling coating. It is necessary to remove any dirt and oil stains, get rid of lime, if it is on the surfaces of the floors.
After that, you need to remove dust from the surface of the future cladding.
Next, a deep penetration primer is applied to the floor. It will strengthen the base, align its structure, bind the remaining dust particles and microcracks. After applying the primer, the surface is leveled with a rough cement-based plaster mixture, then trimmed and treated with a primer again. And only then can the cladding be performed.
The glue is diluted with clean water at room temperature according to the instructions on the bag label. In this case, a construction mixer is used so that the working solution has a uniform consistency. After the initial stirring, it is left for a few minutes, then mixed again and used. In the course of work, a conventional spatula is used to apply glue to the work surface, as well as a toothed tool for standardizing the amount of glue.
Glue is applied to a part of the surface, it is evenly distributed, then the excess is removed with a notched trowel. They take a die, spread glue on it, and then pass through the solution with a notched trowel in a direction perpendicular to that on the plane. So it will be possible to distribute the glue correctly, as well as to carry out the work as accurately as possible. After the element is pressed slightly against the base.
This is how all the dies are laid. For the identity of the gaps between the tiles, use plastic crosses or special clamps. The excess composition is removed with a rag. Do not scratch it off the tile or other material, as this will affect the aesthetics of the cladding.
In a day from the moment of laying, the crosses or clamps are removed, and the voids between the fragments are filled with a special grouting mass. After it dries and hardens, the remnants of the grout are removed with a dry sponge, passing it over the entire facing area. You can treat the surface with a special spray. Do not grout if the tile adhesive is still wet.
Violation of the laying technology can lead to delamination of the material from the base.
Testimonials
Knauf Fliesen is considered a high quality tile adhesive. This is evidenced by the reviews of those who worked with this solution. Moreover, often acquaintance with the mixture begins with the recommendation of professional craftsmen in the field of construction and repair. According to the available comments, the solution is easy to work with, holds the tile tightly, dries optimally quickly. The material is appreciated for its flexibility and economy in work. It does not slip from the base and the elements themselves, has an optimal setting time and, which is especially important, does not crack.
A comparative test of tile adhesives is waiting for you in the next video.