12 best tile adhesives

Tile adhesive is one of the most demanded building materials today. With its help, traditional ceramics or porcelain stoneware are laid, transparent mosaics are mounted, marble or natural stone finishes are made. Adhesives differ in purpose, price, color and other technical characteristics. In order for an ordinary consumer to choose the optimal mixture for repairing an apartment or house, you should pay attention to several important parameters.

• The plasticity of the glue allows you to quickly finish, it does not exfoliate or spread during operation.
• After hardening, the glue line must remain elastic in order to withstand deformation loads and vibrations.
• A valuable quality for the tiler will be the speed of initial drying. The larger this gap, the longer it is possible to make changes to the position of the tile.
• Good adhesion allows the tiles to be mounted on different substrates without additional processing and preparation. At the same time, the tile is securely held and does not slip spontaneously.

Our review includes the best adhesives for different types of finishes. In the selection, in addition to technical characteristics, the opinions of experts and consumer reviews were also taken into account.

The best all-round tile adhesive

If tile materials of small sizes are used for finishing (within 100x100 - 150x300 mm), you can use universal adhesives. Among them are the most affordable products, as well as high quality professional mixes. Such glue is suitable for interior decoration, where it is not required to solve super-tasks.

3 Bergauf Keramik Pro

Bergauf Keramik Pro glue reliably holds various tile materials. Its distinctive feature is the high elasticity of the seam after drying. The composition is able to hold for many years, both standard ceramic tiles and fashionable clinker, natural or artificial stone. The glue retains its qualities in a wide temperature range (-50 ... + 70 ° C), which makes it possible to use it for outdoor work or for revealing a warm floor. A dried seam feels comfortable in humid conditions, so it is also suitable for a shower or bathroom.

User reviews indicate both the advantages of the glue and its disadvantages. If the majority of consumers are satisfied with the price, elasticity, versatility, then the masters express a number of dissatisfaction. First of all, this concerns the complexity of working with a thick layer, while the life of the finished solution is limited to 20 minutes.

2 Volma Ceramic

The well-known domestic manufacturer of dry building mixtures Volma managed to create the most affordable tile adhesive. A product named Ceramic has the best qualities of a cement composition in full. Professional tilers emphasize the viability of the mortar, you can use the prepared glue within 3 hours. At the same time, the position of the tiles can be adjusted within 10 minutes. The composition behaves well at different joint thicknesses (2-5 mm), if the work is carried out with standard ceramic tiles. The mixture is also suitable for laying small-sized porcelain stoneware. The frost resistance of the glue (F35) allows for outdoor work, it is not afraid of the dried seam and the conditions of damp rooms.

Users in the reviews report about the economy of the composition, affordable price, quick stirring, convenient consistency for work. The disadvantages include only the limited species composition of the tiles.

1 Litokol Litoflex K80

One of the best tile adhesives for universal use is the Litoflex K80 composition of the Italian company Litokol. It is used by Russian finishers when it is necessary to lay different types of tile materials.The glue will cope not only with fixing the tiles inside the premises, it can also be used for outdoor work. The mixture is made on a cement basis, but thanks to the addition of synthetic resins, the manufacturer managed to achieve a high elasticity of the joint. Experts note high adhesion, moisture resistance, environmental friendliness. The scope of the product is wide, it is walls and floors inside premises, stairs, terraces, balconies and facades. The glue penetrates deeply into the base, therefore it is suitable for concrete, cement-sand, plasterboard bases, as well as for underfloor heating.

Users praise the Italian glue for the minimum amount of dust during work, high quality of the material. The downside is the high price and deficit in the retail network.

Best reinforced tile adhesive

Large tiles are very heavy. Therefore, for the installation of ceramics or porcelain stoneware, concrete or stone slabs, it is recommended to use reinforced tile adhesive. It has increased adhesion, resistance to static and dynamic loads.

3 Unis Plus

Domestic glue Unis Plus has recently become one of the most popular compositions for gluing tiles. This can be judged by the number of requests in Wordstat, as well as by the number of purchases on NM. The secret of popularity lies in the combination of reasonable prices and excellent technical parameters. When laying heavy tile materials (porcelain stoneware, stone, clinker tiles), the joint thickness can be varied from 2 to 15 mm. Builders note the convenience in working with the composition, for 3 hours the prepared solution retains its viability. And you can make adjustments to the position of the tiles within 20 minutes.

Along with a lot of positive feedback from users, there are signals about low-quality products. Some attribute this to the deterioration of technological discipline at the enterprise, while others are confident in the massive counterfeiting of the popular glue.

2 Weber Ultra Fix Winter

When tiles are to be laid at subzero temperatures, Weber Ultra Fix Winter is the best choice. Even at -10 ° C, outdoor work can be performed efficiently. Few of the competitors can boast of frost resistance (over 150 cycles). Such unique abilities were highly appreciated by Russian tilers, they recommend that customers buy this composition for decorating ramps, terraces, balconies and stairs with tiled materials. The advantage of the mixture is its high adhesion to various substrates, including waterproofing materials. The only exceptions are bituminous coatings. As for the species composition of the tiles, the seam withstands large-format porcelain stoneware, ceramics, artificial and natural stone.

In the reviews, users express satisfaction with the frost resistance, ductility and durability of the glue. The disadvantage of the composition is the high stickiness of the prepared solution.

1 Ceresit CM 17 Super Flex

Ceresit CM 17 Super Flex glue can handle any types of mineral tiles. The product is reinforced with Fiber Force microfibers, which makes the seam elastic and durable. Reinforcing mesh allows you to use the adhesive on the most difficult substrates that are exposed to vibration or mechanical stress. High adhesion properties significantly expand the range of applications, from concrete surfaces to drywall. Since the main glue is cement, the composition can be used when performing outdoor work. The operating temperature range (-50 ... + 70 ° С) is suitable for almost all regions of Russia.

In the responses of domestic consumers, such epithets as “excellent glue”, “Ceresit CM 17 is the best”, “the most reliable” prevail. Tilers also describe the product's virtues with admiration. But the high price tag is becoming a stumbling block for many Russian homeowners.

The best moisture resistant tile adhesive

In rooms with high humidity, special glue is required.It must not only be immune to water, but also be inert to chemical and biological effects. Therefore, additives are added to such compositions to prevent the appearance of mold or mildew.

3 Unis 2000

Russian glue Unis 2000 is intended for laying tiles in dry and damp rooms. The strong points of the product are high adhesion and fast drying. Within a day, you can walk on the tiles, and the remnants of dried glue in the tile joints will not be easy to remove without special means. Experts note the vitality of the prepared solution (3 hours), sufficient time to adjust the tiles (20 minutes), as well as a wide range of thicknesses (2-15 mm). Therefore, in skillful hands, ceramics, porcelain stoneware, stone will fit evenly even on unprepared surfaces.

User reviews are not monotonous. Many praise the composition for its quick drying, good adhesion to the base, moisture resistance and strength. In addition, the product is widely represented in the trade network. Of the negative aspects, a large consumption is allocated, and the glue seams also crumble after drying.

2 Ceresit CM 11 Plus

In the wettest rooms, experts use Ceresit CM 11 Plus glue for laying tiles. Its amazing moisture resistance allows small indoor pools to be tiled. Thanks to the introduction of a special elastomeric agent, the composition perfectly adheres to deforming bases (drywall, warm floor), to ceramic cladding, to young concrete, to cellular blocks. The master must knead such a volume of the solution that he can work out it within 2 hours. You can edit the tile in the first 20 minutes after installation. Tilers consider the optimal layer thickness to be 7-8 mm.

In consumer reviews, positive assessments of the properties of the glue prevail. The composition is of high quality, easy to apply, quickly sets, withstands high humidity. The disadvantage of users is the short shelf life of the mixture in the opened bag.

1 Knauf Fliesen

Many flattering words from domestic tilers can be read on construction forums about Knauf Fliesen glue. One of the main advantages of the product, according to experts, is ease of use. The composition is made on a cement basis, it mixes well, after preparation it turns out to be plastic and obedient. Due to its moisture and creep resistance, the adhesive is considered the best for laying tiles on facades, walls of bathrooms and shower rooms. The mixture is suitable for the installation of ceramics, porcelain stoneware and other tile materials. The prepared solution must be worked out within 3 hours, and it is allowed to make adjustments to the position of the tile no later than 10 minutes.

Consumers appreciate Knauf Fliesen glue for its environmental friendliness, frost resistance and quick mixing. It is well made and affordable. There were no particular complaints about the composition in the reviews.

Best tile adhesive for mosaic and marble

A beautiful veneer is obtained from mosaics or marble. But in order not to spoil its chic appearance, white tile glue is required. It will emphasize the beauty of transparent and translucent tiles, the nobility of marble or natural stone.

3 Mapei Kerabond T

Mapei Kerabond T glue should be preferred for installing heavy mosaic tiles on ceilings, floors or walls. It is sold as a white and gray cementitious compound. High adhesive capacity allows mounting tile materials, both on horizontal and vertical surfaces. At the same time, experts note the absence of slipping or falling. The mixture has high moisture resistance, which is especially important when laying tiles in the bath. The product has a long pot life (8 hours) and can be used for a warm floor. The master can make the adjustment within 45 minutes after gluing the tiles.

On the forums, heated debates arise over the preparation of a working solution. Some tilers are good at working on water, while others recommend using Isolastic.The composition is not suitable for use on deformable substrates (drywall, asbestos cement).

2 Litokol Litoplus K55

Litokol Litoplus K55 dry adhesive is made on the basis of white cement. Thanks to this formula, it is perfect for gluing natural white stone, transparent and colored mosaics. Experts believe that a distinctive feature of the product is high thixotropy, due to which tile materials do not slip on vertical bases. With the help of glue, it is possible to carry out external work, since the temperature limit of operation is -30 ... + 90 ° С. The mixture is also suitable for laying tiles on a warm floor. You can walk on a new tile after a day, and full operation is possible after 14 days of exposure.

Users in the reviews note that the glue has all the necessary qualities for laying transparent tiles or mosaics. The solution can be used within 8 hours, and the tile position can be adjusted up to 40 minutes. The white seam hardens quickly and holds the veneer securely.

1 Ceresit CM 115

Many craftsmen consider the composition of Ceresit CM 115 to be the best tile adhesive for marble or mosaic cladding. Its main advantage is the perfectly white color of the joint after drying. Therefore, the mixture does not stain light-colored stone slabs, marble or transparent mosaics. In addition to this property, experts highlight such positive aspects of the glue as environmental friendliness, the possibility of installation on a warm floor, use for outdoor work, and resistance to moisture. The prepared solution retains its viability for 2 hours, and the initial setting occurs after 25 minutes. The thickness of the glue joint should be between 4 and 10 mm, then the tiles will not slip during vertical installation.

In the reviews, users note the perfectly white color of the seam, its strength and moisture resistance. But it is not recommended for beginners to work with glue. In addition, it is necessary to carefully prepare the base for cladding in advance.