The material you choose to use for fixing your tiles can greatly affect how your floor or wall looks, lasts and performs. The tile fixing adhesive and cement mortar can be compared to be able to get the best adhesive, durable and long-lasting tile fixing in any space.

Cement mortar has been utilised for several years, but modern tile fixing adhesive has emerged as an alluring option for numerous residential and business tasks.

Whether you’re installing a new system or upgrading an existing installation, it’s important to know the differences between the two.

What is Tile Fixing Adhesive?

Tile fixing adhesives, such as Battu, are specially formulated bonding materials with a specific function designed to fix ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, vitrified tiles and natural stone tiles. It is designed to offer better adhesion, lower movement of the tiles, and better installation quality than conventional cement mortar.

Many of the glues are used for multiple substrates, which can be used for both floor and wall applications.

What is Cement Mortar?

Cement mortar has traditionally been a blend of sand, cement, and water that have been used to install tiles. Its use is still widespread in certain projects; however, it still greatly relies on the quality of the mixing, type of sand used and the ability of the installer.

Quality control of the mortar is sometimes difficult, as it is made on-site.

Tile Fixing Adhesive vs Cement Mortar

1. Bond Strength

Among the most significant differences is bonding. Tile fixing adhesives such as Battu are made to create a more secure and stable bond to the surface of the tile and the tile substrate. The primary means of holding tiles in place in cement mortar is mechanical, which may not be adequate for larger or less absorptive tiles, like porcelain or vitrified tiles.

2. Ease of Application

Battu tile fixing adhesive is provided as an easy to mix or ready-to-use adhesive that will give you a consistent mix every time. This minimizes the errors when applying.

Proper proportioning of cement, sand and water is required for making cement mortar. Different proportions of the mixture can impact the final result.

3. Appropriateness for modern tiles

Most modern tiles are thicker, smaller and less porous than ceramic tiles in the past. All of these properties require improvements in bonding materials.

Standard cement mortar might not be able to offer good adhesion to these new tile sizes and work, while a tile fixing adhesive such as Battu is designed for such applications.

4. Thickness of Application

The thickness of the cement mortar generally needs to be greater, which results in more material and higher floors.

When using tile fixing adhesives, they can be used in a thinner layer and still provide a great bond, which can help to create a neater finish.

5. Durability

The bonding material can deteriorate over time, causing the tiles to either come loose or hollow sounds.

Battu is a quality tile fixing adhesive that provides greater resistance to shrinkage, minor substrate movement and daily wear. This can help provide a more durable installation that has fewer maintenance problems.

6. Speed of Installation

Battu tile fixing adhesive is easier to prepare and apply that helps in reducing the installation time. Good workability enables the laying and adjusting of tiles more efficiently, too.

The traditional cement mortar usually requires extra preparation and mixing, resulting in more time-consuming installation.

The places where Tile Fixing Adhesive works best

The following are some of the most popular applications of tile fixing adhesive:

• Residential flooring
• Bathroom walls
• Kitchen backsplashes
• Living rooms
• Commercial spaces
• Offices
• Retail outlets
• Renovation projects
• Large-format tile installations

Various formulations are available to suit the type of tile, the substrate, and the application.

The use of Cement Mortar – Is it a viable option?

For some simple applications, where the traditional construction practice was desired or budget was a major consideration, cement mortars may still be appropriate.

But in today’s tile installation market, many contractors prefer to use special tile adhesives that offer greater stability and longevity.

How to Choose the Right Tile Fixing Adhesive

When choosing a product take into account:

• The type of tile (ceramic, porcelain, vitrified or natural stone).
• Surface condition
• Can be used indoors or outdoors.
• Can be installed on the floor or wall.
• Exposure to moisture
• Manufacturer’s installation recommendations

The proper tile fixing adhesive, such as Battu, for the application will lead to improved performance and fewer problems with future tile failure.

Conclusion

Cement Mortar and tile fixing adhesive have their uses in construction, but they are used for different needs. Although cement mortar has been used by the industry for many years, it is becoming more and more imperative in modern construction to provide a greater bond, ease of application, and compatibility with modern tiles.

Battu is a superior quality fixing adhesive for tiles, which also provides the following benefits, enhancing cleanliness and durability. The manufacturer claims that the products fixed with BATTU tile fixing solutions will have long-lasting adhesion to a variety of tile applications and are ideal for both residential and commercial projects.

Whether you’re constructing a new home or renovating a space, selecting the right tile fixing adhesive, such as Battu from the beginning, can help to ensure your tile job is long-lasting and looks great. For more details, visit BATTU.`