Best 10 Tile Adhesives

Are you in the process of updating your floorboards? Are you looking for a robust and hard-wearing solution that will ensure your floors, tiles and space look as fresh and gorgeous as ever? If you cut and fit new tiles in your bathroom, kitchen splashbacks or any other area indoors and outdoors, the right tile adhesive can make the biggest difference. Similarly to how you use a block paving sealer for your patio or driveway, the best tile adhesives are versatile to combine with multiple different surfaces and materials. 

And if you're a newbie when it comes to home improvement projects, we even have a helpful step-by-step guide on how to seal your bathroom the right way. Whether you have silicone, mosaic tile, ceramic or plasterboard, there is a right adhesive type waiting for you to select it. With our buying guide, you'll be ready to pick the best adhesive for your needs. Stay with us as we show you the available types, what to look for and which is best for each tile material. 

What is tile adhesive? 

It is a special formula used when laying tile to improve its longevity and prevent further wear and tear over time. They are versatile and high-performing adhesive sealants that you can use on your existing tile or when putting on ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles and more. Some people use them on the wooden substrate too, but you should ensure that the manufacturer states that the solution is fit for use for that material. 

The two most common types of adhesives are ready mixed paste and powdered adhesive. Each is a better fit for a specific tile type or surface. We go further in-depth about this below, so keep reading to find out more. 

What to look for in an adhesive? 

Are you a beginner when it comes to tiling? Do you want to learn more about the top features to consider before you purchase a product for your home tasks? Skip out on asking a professional tiler to help and read our buying guide to learn all the must-have things to look for when purchasing an adhesive. 

1. Type 

The first thing you need to identify is what type of adhesive your project needs. As we mentioned, there are two types, ready mix and powdered ones. Do you have porcelain or mosaic tiles? Are you looking to replace your wall or floor tiles? Each type is better suitable for different scenarios. Generally, for small-scale renovations, ready-mixed ones are perfect. For larger areas, go for powder adhesives.

2. Capacity 

A wide range of tube and tub sizes is available, from small 0.3kg tubes to large ones over 15kg. The choice is a matter of personal preference and depends on the project you have in hand. If you want to make a quick adjustment or fix, the small tubes or 1-2kg tubs will suffice. For a higher bonding strength, opt for heavier tubs as their mix is more robust and sturdy. 

3. Colour 

The adhesive’s colour is a design consideration that you shouldn’t miss out on as it can have a significant effect on your room’s final look. The most common adhesive colours are white, grey and black. Combining the tiles to match with the adhesive will give you a neat and simple aesthetic for a minimalist look. The latest trend for a unique decor element is the grey-coloured adhesive. For the least upkeep and if you don’t like cleaning as often, black works well to hide dirt and debris. Also, installing black adhesive in contrast to white tiles can make the tiles look polished and cleaner.

4. Resistance 

To make the most of your tiling, ensure that the product you pick is built to withstand wear and tear while also providing longevity for your tiles. Good indicators of a high-quality and resistant product include waterproofing, anti-bacterial additives, slip and mould resistance that prevents harmful growth. 

5. Price

While pricing may not be a deal-breaker for adhesives, you may want to consider the different price ranges available to match your budget. Thankfully, most models cost less than £20, making them affordable to purchase. But, you may have to buy more than one container if your bathroom tiling area is larger than one quantity’s capabilities. For under £10, you can find aerosol spray types, small tubs, tubes less than 1kg and glues. A bit of an upped price can give you larger tubes with stronger bonding properties and higher resistance to water, mould, and bacterial growth. 

What types are available? 

There are two tile adhesive types, either the powdered adhesive or the ready-mixed one. Let’s look at their topline differences so you can understand their pros and cons.

• Powdered

The powdered ones have a bit of manual effort as you have to mix them with water. The one downside of that is that it requires a bit of arm muscle and time on your part. The benefit to them is that they have a higher bonding strength and are suitable for use on porcelain, ceramic tiles, and even natural stone tiles. 

• Ready Mix

Ready-mixed pastes offer ease of use as you can apply them directly from the tub. Their one drawback is that they are better suitable for smaller surfaces such as walls. But, if you are dealing with a small apartment bathroom, for example, these are excellent solutions. Not to mention that they are less complicated for beginner users. 

Which adhesive is the best for each substrate? 

There is such a wide variety of substrates for tilling that picking the correct adhesive for your needs can be a stressful task. Fear not, as we are here to help you and differentiate between the options available to match your tile to the tee. 

• Floors 

When applying adhesive on your floor, it is recommended that you avoid direct application on the floorboard. Instead, you could opt for a backer board as a sturdier surface on which you can tile the adhesive. Or, you can even place an additional plywood layer before applying the adhesive. To ensure you get the best results possible, steer away from ready mix adhesives for your floors and opt for a powdered one. When installing underfloor heating, flexible tile adhesive is important to absorb the floor’s bouncing.

• Walls

If your wall tiles are small ceramic ones, then you can easily get away with a ready-mixed adhesive to save time and effort. But, if your coverage area is large (above 30x30cm), you will require a powdered adhesive instead. Also, porcelain tiles and more delicates like mosaics, natural stone tiles, and more can benefit from a powder adhesive’s higher bonding strength.

How should you prepare when fixing tiles?  

Unless you’re a pro tiler, then you may need some tips and tricks to make the most of fixing tiles on your own. We wanted to share our expert recommendations to get you started immediately without any stress.

1. Ensure that your surface is fully flat to get the perfect tile installation. 
2. If your surface is uneven, adding a backer board or plasterer will help flatten it.
3. To perfect the adhesion and grouting, remove any dirt and dust build-up from the surface.
4. Fully cover the area between your substrate and tile to have a smooth result with no chance of cracks.
5. Let the adhesive naturally cure based on the manufacturer’s recommended drying time to avoid uneven tiles.
6. If you’ve installed underfloor heating, leave it off for up to 2 weeks so that the adhesive strengthens.

Closure

Start renovating your kitchen, bathroom or any other room by replacing your old tiles with new ones! The best tile adhesives are fantastic, strong and durable to withstand wear and tear on many types of tiles and surfaces. Spice things up in your kitchen splashbacks or your bathroom floor tiles like a professional! 

We are optimistic that our buying guide has helped you better understand which adhesive is the right one for your home reno needs. Take some time to review our top 10 picks and get to tiling on your own in no time! Are you ready to bring a fresh look to your space?