How much tile adhesive do I need?

When you are building a new kitchen or redecorating the bathroom most people tend to think about the tiles they want but not necessarily the adhesive that may be needed to hold everything in place. 

Tile adhesive is used for a range of tiles whether it be sticking the tiles to the walls and floors. There are three key questions you need to answer when purchasing tile adhesive. Where are you tiling? Which type of adhesive shall I buy? How much will I need?

What’s the best type of tile adhesive to purchase?

There are two main options for tile adhesive. Pre-made mixed pastes and powders adhesives. Ready-made adhesives are very easy to purchase and can be quickly applied to walls however they are limited in their capacity to do larger projects. We would recommend this type of paste for smaller tasks such as fitting small ceramic tiles. Conversely, powdered mixtures require water to be added but offer a better bond between the tile and the surface and are highly adaptable. Powdered mix can be used on a number of surfaces such as plaster, plasterboard, timber, and concrete. 

How much tile adhesive will I need?

The short answer is that it depends on the size of the project. If you live in a flat with a small kitchen you will need less adhesive than if you lived in a country farmhouse. Additionally, depending on the substrate which you are tiling you may require more or less adhesive. Floors and walls require different amounts of adhesive.

However, a good rule of thumb to have is below:

Walls

• You will require 1.5l of pre-mixed adhesive for a square metre of the wall that needs tiling.

• This will cover 10 square feet of the surface.

Floor

• Tiling the floor will require around 3kg of adhesive per square metre for 10 square feet.

A good tip is to add an extra 10% onto the amount of tile adhesive that you need. When applying the adhesive, you will likely spill some on the floor and therefore it is worth having extra. The last thing you want is to get close to completion and find that you have run out of tile adhesive. Making a little more could save you time and stress. Once these steps are complete you can begin tiling the bathroom or kitchen with the confidence that not only will the tiles stick but that you have enough material to complete the task.

Importantly before starting the tile you will need a few items, especially for powdered adhesive. You should have a bucket, a mixing paddle, spacers, water, a notched towel and of course the adhesive. Additionally, we suggest purchasing some protective gear as well such as eye masks and gloves. This reduces the chances of suffering from an accident.

The best thing you can do when planning to tile a room in your home is to speak with a professional. They have experience using tile adhesive and will be able to provide tips on the best methods and the ideal amount of mixture that is required to successfully carry out the project.

Additionally, here at BC Profiles, we pride ourselves on our ability to answer questions and provide industry-leading customer service and therefore if you would like recommendations on the best type of adhesive to buy or what type of product would best suit your needs please contact our team.