Fixing Materials

In the instance of an uneven surface, a levelling compound such as Keratech Eco R10 can be installed (suitable for thicknesses between 1-10mm) - full application advice can be found on the Keratech Eco R10 product page. Always ensure the levelling compound is suitable for your substrate.

We strongly recommend priming your substrate prior to installation. A primed substrate will benefit from lower absorbency and an improved bond strength. The primer required will be determined by your substrate.

Kerakoll Primer A
Should be used for mineral, cement or gypsum based substrates.

Kerakoll Keragrip
Should be used for wood, bitumen/asphalt and existing tiles.

Full application advice can be found on the product page.

To improve adhesion, an SBR slurry primer should be applied evenly to the back of the paver prior to fixing to the mortar bed.

The slurry primer should be made from white cement, water and SBR at a ratio of 4:1:1, mixed together to the consistency of paint. You may need to add more cement or SBR to achieve the required consistency.

Be careful not to get any on the face of the tile as it can stain. We recomend using suction cups to handle the paver.

Anti-fracture matting is designed to neutralise lateral stresses that occur between the substrate and tile, thus preventing cracking and possible delamination. Anti-fracture matting does not accommodate differential vertical movement.

Kerakoll Bio-Tex is suitable for the majority of internal applications, at only 0.7mm in thickness it is one of the thinnest on the market.

For wet areas or external application, we stock the Kerakoll Green Pro - full application advice can be found on the product page.

Full application advice can be found on the product page.

A full bed of adhesive (free of air pockets) guarantees that loads are distributed evenly throughout the support layers - any voids can lead to cracked tiles. Under no circumstance should tiles be installed using the 'dot & dab' or spot fixing method.

It is important to trowel the adhesive ribs in one straight direction, this helps to prevent air bubbles becoming trapped between the adhesive and the tile.

We recommend back buttering the tile to ensure the maximum coverage and best adhesion possible. This is particularly important for large format tiles or backs with ribbed or key profiles.

Full application advice can be found on the product page.

In most cases, it is your tilers preference whether to opt for a standard or rapid set adhesive.

In some instances, certain natural stone tiles require fast set adhesive as prolonged moisture retention can cause various reactions - we list the adhesive required on every product page.

Full application advice can be found on the product page.

A white adhesive must be used for the installation of natural stone tiles to prevent irreversible discolouration of the tiles.
It is recommended to use a cementitous adhesive with either an S1 or S2 classification.

An S1 adhesive is flexible and has a deformability of between 2.5mm - 5mm.

An S2 adhesive is highly flexible and has a deformability of over 5mm.

In most instances an S1 adhesive is sufficient, an S2 adhesive should be considered for projects prone to
more movement or vibration - such as tiling directly onto tongue and groove floorboards, tiling onto a single layer plywood or chipboard and floating floors. It is also worth noting that some UFH manufacturers require an S2 adhesive.

Your professional installer will be able to advise which is suitable for your project.

Full application advice can be found on the product page.

Tiles should always be installed with a grout joint of at least 3mm. A grout joint allows a degree of movement to take place without damaging the edges of the tile.

We always recommend choosing a grout colour that is similar or lighter than the floor tile. It is important not to use grout that is darker than the tile with natural stone, this can lead to picture framing.

Recommended grout colours can be found on every product page.

For porcelain and straight cut natural stone, a 3mm minimum joint is required.

For natural stone with distressed edges, we recommend a 3-5mm grout joint but this can be wider based on the level of distressed edge, as well as your personal preference.

When installing an opus pattern, the grout joint will vary in width due to the layout of the tiles in the pattern. The grout joint should be able to accommodate variation within tile size where necessary.

Full application advice can be found on the product page.

Porcelain tiles can come in a tumbled effect finish. This is manufactured in two ways, with the first being most common:

Straight cut with a textured surface edge
These tiles are straight cut and rectified which allows for narrow grout joints. The grout can be applied as normal which would provide a linear grout joint and an exposed texture to the surface edges.

Alternatively, the grout can be applied higher than usual and worked into the textured surface edge, creating the illusion of a tumbled tile. Please note this method of grouting does take longer to achieve and should be factored into the installation time.

Wavy edge
These tiles are unrectified and have a wavy edge. The grout is applied as normal and will showcase the tumbled edge. At present only our Rapello porcelain is finished in this way.

A 'slurry' grout is recommended for natural stone to fill surface pits, fissures or vents. The colour grout should be similar or lighter than the floor tile.

Full application advice can be found on the product page.

Porcelain - Grouting (using the Kerakoll Fugabella Colour) can take place from 24 hours after installing the tiles with Kerakoll White H40 Adhesive.

Natural Stone - Grouting can only take place once the initial coat of sealant has been applied. The sealant should only be applied once the tiles are clean, fully dry and released of all moisture. Please note the drying time of the adhesive does not indicate the floor is released of all moisture. This can take days and in some cases weeks - your professional installer will be able to guide you.

These timings are based on optimal temperature and humidity conditions. Always be led by your professional installer.

Full application advice can be found on the product page.

Natural stone requires a minimum of two coats of sealant. The first coat of sealant should be applied only once the floor has been released of all moisture, following this the floor can be grouted using Kerakoll Fugabella Colour (24 hours after the initial seal). The initial seal helps to protect the floor against pigment absorption from cementitous grouts. Please note, the majority of porcelains do not require sealing.

Always check application times with your professional installer. If using an alternative manufacturer for fixing materials, we strongly recommend checking application times for their products.

Tiles should be cleaned thoroughly to remove all grout residue using Lithofin Powerclean at a ratio of 1:30, the sponge must be washed in clean water. For areas with stubborn grout residue, the ratio can be increased to 1:8 with use of a white emulsifying pad. We recommend working in small controlled sections to get the best result.

Full application advice can be found on the product page.

Sealant is required for natural stone tiles and will help protect the tiles against water and oil based spillages. It should be noted that no sealant can protect against acidic damage. Our natural stone tiles do not come pre-sealed and we strongly advise against sealing prior to installation. We recommend two coats of sealant - one after fixing and one after grouting. Please note, the majority of porcelains do not require sealing.

Full application advice can be found on the product page.

We recommend using Lithofin Stain Stop, applying the first coat after fixing and before grouting. Apply generously using a sponge, whilst constantly moving the product around the area for 15 minutes, applying more product if necessary. It is always advisable to work in small sections to avoid application marks. Tilt the sponge at a 45 degree angle over the edge to protect the edges of the tile - take care to not flood the grout joints. Ensure all excess sealant is removed by buffing the stone touch dry with a white towel. We recommend a second coat of sealant after grouting, following the same application method.

Full application advice can be found on the product page.

We do not recommend sealing the tiles prior to installation. Sealant should only be applied once the tiles have been fixed, are clean, fully dry and released of all moisture. Please note the drying time of the adhesive does not indicate the floor is released of all moisture. This can take days and in some cases weeks - your professional installer will be able to guide you.

Full application advice can be found on the product page.

The Stain Stop MN is a solvent based sealant that can be used on all stones both internal and external - this sealant should be used in bathrooms and wet rooms (vs Stain Stop W).

Stain Stop W is a non-solvent, water based impregnator designed for use with harder stones. Stain Stop W can be used both internally and externally and has the benefit of being odourless.