Best glue for granite tile walls
Expert Guide For Selecting The Right Adhesive To Install Granite Wall Tiles
Granite wall tiles are heavy with dense compositions and have low moisture absorption rates (non-absorbent). For these reasons, granite wall tiles need to be adhered with special adhesives that are defined by the following characteristics: 1). These adhesives must have High Tensile Strength to withstand any pull-of, and 2). They must have Excellent Long Term Weather Resistant and Good Stable Gap-Filling Properties. Standard and universal adhesives will not provide adequate long-term support for granite wall tiles after installation, resulting in sagging, holes and eventual separation of the granite wall tiles from the wall. However, for the installation of granite wall tiles both indoor and outdoor, professionals have consistently ranked the following three adhesives to be among the highest-rated for reliability:
1. Two-Part Epoxy Stone Adhesive (Best Used For Permanent Installations) – The two-part epoxy adhesive is the most commonly recommended adhesive by the industry to use for adhering granite wall tiles, because this type of adhesive has very high bond strength, virtually no linear shrinkage, high levels of waterproof, thermal and durability to aging resistance, and therefore produces a strong bond to dense textured surfaces (e.g. granite).
Granite wall tiles must be adhered with two-part epoxy adhesives on concrete, cement and masonry substrates due to the fact that these types of adhesives provide full surface area coverage (i.e. no voids) after the adhesive has been cured. For this reason, all large/heavy granite wall tiles will remain in place indefinitely once they are affixed properly.
Silicone Sealants (i.e. Caulking) are NOT able to be substituted for any of the above mentioned adhesives. Silicone Sealants (i.e. Caulking) are only used to seal joints and do not give structural support.
2. Polyurethane Construction Adhesive (PUR) – (Best for multi-use applications in wet environments) – Single Component Polyurethane adhesive is a highly flexible, versatile, and high performing adhesive that is great for use when bonding granite wall tiles to walls. Polyurethane adhesive has excellent gap filling properties and adapts easily to uneven wall surfaces. Polyurethane adhesive has an extremely fast curing time and has excellent waterproofing and mildew resistance properties. Polyurethane adhesives can be safely used in both kitchens and bathrooms, where the walls are granite. Polyurethane adhesives can also be used on the exterior of granite walls that are continuously exposed to moisture due to rain and/or wind, or are exposed to extreme temperature changes.
There is no smell associated with Polyurethane adhesives and they have a moderate curing speed. Polyurethane adhesives will make a good compromise between ease of use and installation integrity, with regard to construction time and materials.
3. Modified Stone Special Adhesive – (Best for everyday renovations) – Modified Polyether Stone Adhesives have been specifically designed to be used for everyday granite wall tile applications (new installations or partial repairs). Modified Polyether Stone Adhesives are 100% compatible with stone and will NOT corrode the granite surface on which they are applied. They cure clear (do not turn yellow) after curing.
Being light in weight and simple to use, Modified Polyether Stone Adhesive is ideal for all small and medium sized conventional granite wall tiles, making deze adhesives ideal for home renovations work and providing cost-effective means of bonding granite wall tiles to walls in a true structural manner.
Tips for Professionals When Choosing Adhesives
The best way to select adhesive products for granite wall tile applications is to utilize 2 Part Epoxy Adhesive for long-term, high-load exterior granite wall tile applications or for large wall surfaces. PUR Adhesive should be used for all high moisture indoor application and for walls that have uneven surfaces. Do NOT use regular cement adhesives (both powdered and pre-mixed) and/or single component construction sealants on granite wall tiles because these adhesives will not support the dead weight of granite and will not withstand the deteriorative forces resulting from environmental exposure.
