Tile & Stone Installation

The most important thing for wet room projects such as bathrooms, showers, and tub surrounds is to ensure that the area is properly waterproofed to prevent water access and subsequent water damage, deterioration, and microbiological growth within the structure of the application.

Sika® provides a complete integrated system to fulfill the very demanding requirements of these areas. Surfaces are made waterproof using SikaTile®-100 Moisture Guard, a quick drying, one-component, elastomeric waterproofing membrane, providing a thin mil, continuous barrier to protect adjacent rooms and floors below from water damage. For common change of plane areas such as coves, corners, cracks, and drains, it can be combined with optional Reinforcing Fabric to provide additional protection. SikaTile®-100 Moisture Guard dries in 2 to 4 hours depending on ambient conditions and is then ready to receive any SikaTile® polymer modified or epoxy mortar such as SikaTile®-350 Flex Set or SikaTile®-450 LHT Secure Set.  Once tiles are set, finish installation by grouting with one of Sika’s premium grouts, such as: SikaTile®-800 Sanded Grout, SikaTile® 800-Unsanded Grout, SikaTile®-815 Secure Grout or SikaTile®-825 Epoxy Grout.  Finally, the system is completed with a Sika® high performance, antifungal, movement joint sealant.

Made from heated, refined clay, porcelain tile is one of the most durable tile materials. It is resistant to breaks from drops and damage suffered in high-traffic areas. From wood look to stone look and mosaics to hexagons, porcelain tile can be classic and timeless or trendy and modern. The success and longevity of tile installation relies on a solid base and installation techniques.

Ceramic and porcelain tile should be installed on a clean, level, and rigid substrate. If there are uneven areas or deflection in the floor, repair and add support where needed according to TCNA guidelines. Follow up with a cement board or fiber cement underlayment. Use appropriate Skimcoat or patching materials or one of Sika’s high performing Self Leveling Underlayments.

Map out your installation. Once the beginning point is established, spread the appropriate SikaTile® Thinsets with the notched edge of a trowel. Larger tiles require a SikaTile® LHT mortar and a larger notched trowel. As you set the tile, use plastic spacers to help ensure straight grout lines. Remove spacers before the thin set dries and clean up any excess thinset mortar immediately.  Allow the tile to set, typically 16 hours then grouting can begin.  Chose the right grout for the job, SikaTile®-850 Ultima Ready-to-Use Grout is an excellent choice for ceramic and porcelain tile. Clean the tile surface with a damp sponge and clean water.

As with any flooring material, general cleaning techniques of porcelain and ceramic tile depend on the surface, texture, and condition of the surface. Water and a soft sponge will usually be enough to clean the surface of most ceramic and porcelain products.

Installing tiles on building facades has long been considered challenging and risky work. However, Sika® has developed flexible tile adhesives and grouts that are capable of withstanding exposure to these demanding requirements, including accommodating the extreme weather conditions and the thermal movement of different facade materials.

The preparation of a substrate is important in any installation, but with large and heavy tile (LHT), a flat surface is crucial. Use appropriate SkimCoat and Patching materials or Sika’s high performing Self Leveling Underlayments.

Sika’s line of cementitious tile adhesives for external facade tiling has a high polymer content to ensure accommodation of the thermal movement due to the wide and rapid temperature variations. For best results, use SikaTile®-350 Flex Set or SikaTile®-475 LHT Premium Set.  SikaTile®-815 Secure Grout and SikaTile®-825 Epoxy Grout are high performing grouts for facades are efflorescence-free, color consistent, stain and abrasion resistant, and contain high mechanical strengths. Finally, the joints and perimeter terminations are sealed with high performance, elastic polyurethane based sealant, which is designed for joints that must accommodate high movement and maintain a good aesthetic appearance.

The installation of tiles in and around swimming pools and other wet applications has always been a critical function and Sika has extensive expertise and experience of providing the ideal solution with a complete system.  First, the substrate needs to be properly prepared, flat, leveled, and/or sloped to drain with an appropriate cementitious mortar bed, surface smoothing patching compound such as SikaLevel®-025 Patch or SikaLevel® SkimCoat.  Once prepared it is ready to begin tile installation but since the tile itself does not create a complete waterproof condition, additional measures need to be taken as part of the installation process. For the most part, the tile surface, either glazed or unglazed, does repel water, but other than a porcelain product, the body of the tile is absorptive to some degree. The only way to stop the movement of the water absorbed through the grout joints and into the tile body is to provide a positive water barrier behind the tile, while also providing a load-bearing capacity by using SikaTile®-100 Moisture Guard, a fast drying, elastomeric waterproof and crack isolation membrane.

Install tile or stone using one of Sika’s polymer modified or epoxy mortars such as SikaTile®-475 LHT Premium Set or SikaTile®-500 LHT Lite.  Once tiles are set, finish installation by grouting with one of Sika’s exceptional grout products, such as: SikaTile®-800 Sanded Grout, SikaTile® 800-Unsanded Grout, SikaTile®-815 Secure Grout or SikaTile®-825 Epoxy Grout. Finally, the system is completed with a high quality, flexible, and chemically resistant, neutral curing Sika® silicone joint sealant.