Tile adhesives are a valuable tool in the construction industry. These are used to attach tiles to the wall or floor and are also commonly used to fix tile roofs. There are a few different types of Tile adhesive available from tile adhesive manufacturers in Chandigarh, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Types of Tile Adhesives:
Know about the four most common types of tile adhesives: hot melt adhesive, epoxy adhesive, silicone adhesive, and grout adhesive.
- Hot Melt Adhesive:
Hot melt adhesives are the most popular type of tile adhesive because these are easy to use and provide a strong bond between the tiles and the substrate. These work best when applied in a thick layer, and should be prepped with abrasive objects before application. Hot melt adhesives can be glossy or matte finish, depending on your needs. These have a low set time and require minimal sanding after application.
However, these can cause issues when installing and take longer than other tile adhesives to dry. These are also not as resistant to water damage as other types of adhesives.
- Epoxy Adhesive:
Epoxy adhesives from tile adhesive suppliers in Chandigarh are similar to hot melt adhesives in the sense that both of these use a filler material (epoxy) and an epoxy resin base. However, epoxy adhesives have few disadvantages over hot melt adhesives. For example, these have higher resistance to water damage, set faster than hot melt adhesives, and require less sanding after application. Epoxy adhesives also have a slightly higher gloss level than hot melt adhesives.
One downside is that these can be difficult to remove if discontinued by mistake or if installed too deeply.
- Silicone Adhesive:
Silicone adhesive is a hybrid type of adhesive that uses silicone resin as the filler material and an elastomeric silicone base as the curing agent. This makes it easier to apply than traditional silicone sealants because you do not need to parts like latex gloves. However, this also makes it more vulnerable to weathering and wearing away over time.
Silicone adhesive has high gloss levels but weaker bonds than epoxy adhesive. This means that it can pull away from underlying substrate if not properly reinforced by another layer of tile adhesive. Additionally, silicone adhesive melts at a lower temperature than hot melt or epoxy adhesive which may limit its application temperatures range.
- Grout Adhesive:
Grout adhesive is unique in that it does not use any filler material. It is solely composed of Portland cement paste mixed with water temperate (typically around 50 degrees). Grout adhesive is popular among homeowners because it requires little installation time and no sanding post-installation. Additionally, grout adhesive is resistant to mold growth. So, it may be preferable for applications such as kitchens where hygiene is important.