Man tiling at the Epirus Sport and Health Center in Ioannina, Greece

From decorative tiled surfaces to highly functional tiled wall and floor finishes, tiling is one of the most popular surface finishing techniques used to enhance the appearance and functionality of all types of buildings and facilities.

It is always crucial to select the right tile and the right tile installation system for each different area of the specific project. This should include the correct surface preparation, waterproofing (if required) and joint sealing solutions for each area and tile type in order to ensure the right quality and durability.

Thanks to our knowhow in various application fields such as waterproofing, flooring and insulation, Sika is able to provide full systems. Sika has developed a comprehensive range of tile adhesives, tile grouts and useful ancillary products that are designed as integrated systems to achieve the optimum results.

Explore Our SikaCeram® Systems for your Tile Project

Illustration of large format tile setting adhesive in terrace of home with designer bench and garden
Illustration of tile setting adhesives in living room with yellow sofa
Illustration of tile setting adhesives and tiles on drywall in lobby with chairs
Illustration of tile setting adhesives and waterproofing tape for wet area bathroom with purple and white mosaic tiles, sink and bathtub
Illustration of tile setting adhesives at entry door terrace with marble stone tiles in black and white
Illustration of tile setting adhesives and waterproofing tape on balcony with furniture overlooking harbor bay city view
Illustration of tile setting adhesives on facade at terrace of home
Illustration of tile setting adhesives and waterproofing tape inside swimming pool with blue mosaic tiles

1. Tiling with Large-Format Ceramic

Larger ceramic and natural stone tiles create a seamless and contemporary look. But laying larger tiles successfully for the long-term, requires not only good skills but also advanced solutions that guarantee maximum reliability and performance.

Sika tile installation systems provide: a flat surface that is achieved with levelling technology designed to obtain an excellent finish. This is easily achieved by the use of polymer-modified tile adhesives applied in double spreading.

Then a flexible, water repellent tile grout with mold protection is used, together with a high performance elastic, polyurethane based sealant for all dilatation joints.

SikaScreed® HardTop-70
Ready to use screeds

SikaCeram®-205 Large
Cementitious flexible tile adhesive

SikaCeram® CleanGrout
Cement-based grout for joints from 1 to 8 mm width

Sikaflex®-11 FC+
High-performance PU sealant

2. Tiling with Porcelain Stoneware

Porcelain tiles are highly durable ceramic tiles, as they are produced under higher pressures and temperatures to be extremely hard and non-absorbent. Therefore they are frequently selected by demanding project owners who value performance and reliability.

For these areas and exposure conditions it is necessary to use a tile installation system that is also able to meet these requirements and accommodate the high stresses. This means providing a suitable substrate with high compressive and tensile strengths. Sika installation systems achieve this with a new generation of polymer modified tile adhesives that are specifically designed for bonding non-absorbent materials.

Then finishing is done with a flexible tile grout that also has good mechanical strength and high abrasion resistance. A high performance polyurethane based elastic sealant is used for any movement, isolation or connection joints that occur in the system.

SikaScreed® HardTop-70
Ready to use screeds

SikaCeram®-255 StarFlex LD
Deformable cementitious tile adhesive with low dust technology

SikaCeram® CleanGrout
Cement-based grout for joints from 1 to 8 mm width

Sikaflex®-11 FC+
High-performance PU sealant

3. Tiling on Drywall in Dry Areas

Drywall construction techniques and materials are the most widely used system to form the walls and ceilings in medical, hospitality, educational and urban housing developments today.

Sika provides a full system for the secure installation of tiles on these substrates. Firstly a primer is applied to ensure proper adhesion of the tile adhesive. Then cementitious tile adhesive with polymer content is applied on both floors and walls, followed by flexible tile grout that also has good mechanical strength and high abrasion resistance. Finally the system is completed with a high performance, antifungal, elastomeric movement and connection joint sealant.

Sika Primer-11 W+
Dispersion based primer for absorbent substrates

 

SikaCeram®-210 Easy
Bright white tile adhesive with Easy technology

SikaCeram® CleanGrout
Cement-based grout for joints from 1 to 8 mm width

Sikasil® C
Neutral-curing silicone sealant

4. Tiling in Wet Rooms

The most important thing for wet room projects is to ensure that the area is waterproof to prevent ingress and subsequent water damage, deterioration and microbiological growth within the building fabric.

Sika provides a complete integrated system to fulfill the very demanding requirements of these areas. Firstly the surfaces are made waterproof using a one-component cementitious waterproofing mortar, which is highly flexible and fiber-reinforced. Then a flexible cementitious adhesive with a high polymer content is used for the tile installation, which is followed by a two-component, epoxy tile grout. This is designed to provide high chemical and abrasion resistance in the selected color shade. Finally, the system is completed with a high performance, antifungal, movement and connection joint sealant.

Tiling Build up in Standard Wet Rooms

Sikafloor®-200 Level
Self levelling compound

Sikalastic®-1 K
One component cementitious mortar
Applied in two layers

Sika® SealTape
Elastic sealing tape

SikaCeram®-250 StarFix
Deformable tile adhesive

SikaCeram® StarGrout
Epoxy based grout for joints from 1 to 15 mm width

Sikasil® C
Neutral-curing silicone sealant

Tiling Wet Rooms - ETAG 022 Part 1

Drywall materials and techniques are quick and easy to work with, which contributes to their growing popularity, even for use in wet areas.

Sika provides a full system to fulfill these demanding requirements ETAG-022 approved*. Firstly a ready-to-use, elastic waterproofing membrane is applied, with compatible sealing tape to waterproof and seal at any joints, around fittings, penetrations and at all perimeter terminations. Then a flexible cementitious tile adhesive with a high polymer content is used for the tile installation. A special highly flexible epoxy tile grout with high mechanical strengths and abrasion resistance is applied in the selected color shade. Finally the system is completed with a high performance, antifungal, elastomeric, movement and connection joint sealant.

Tiling Build up in Wet Rooms with ETAG-022 Part 1 Approval

Sikafloor®-03 Primer
Universal primer

Sikalastic®-220 W
Liquid applied waterproofing membrane
Applied in two layers

Sika® SealTape F
Elastic sealing tape

SikaCeram®-260 StarFlex
Deformable adhesive and extra coverage

SikaCeram® StarGrout
Epoxy based grout for joints from 1 to 15 mm width

Sikasil® C
Neutral-curing silicone sealant

Tiling Wet Rooms - ETAG 022 Part 2

In specific job sites, water vapor coming from the wet room needs to be kept out of the structure (e.g: wood). Sometimes as well, installation of the wet room needs to be fast. For this specific application, foil membrane from Sika is the most suitable solution, offering a vapor tight substrate and possibility of tiling one hour after waterproofing (on absorbent substrates).

Sika provides a full system to fulfill these demanding requirements for ETAG-022 approval*. Firstly a waterproof adhesive is applied to bond the foil membrane and sealing tape to waterproof and seal at any joints, around fittings, penetrations and at all perimeter terminations. Then a flexible cementitious tile adhesive with a high polymer content is used for the tile installation. A special highly flexible epoxy tile grout with high mechanical strength and abrasion resistance is applied in the selected color shade. Finally the system is completed with a high performance, antifungal, elastomeric, movement and connection joint sealant.

Tiling Build up in Wet Rooms with ETAG-022 Part 2 Approval

Sikafloor®-01 Primer
Universal primer

SikaCeram® Sealing Fix
2-part waterproof adhesive used for bonding SikaCeram® Sealing Membrane

Sika® SealTape F
Elastic sealing tape

SikaCeram® Sealing Membrane W
Flexible sealing and decoupling membrane used for waterproofing walls and floors under tiles in wet rooms

SikaCeram®-260 StarFlex
Deformable tile adhesive with lightweight fillers

SikaCeram® StarGrout
Epoxy based grout for joints from 1 to 15 mm width

Sikasil® C
Neutral-curing silicone sealant

5. Tiling with Marble, Granite & Other Natural Stone

Natural stone tiles are one of the most timeless and elegant finishing materials that never goes out of style.

Sika provides a complete installation system for marble, granite and other natural stone tiles, which is not sensitive to moisture. Subfloor screeds made with a hydraulic binder that ensures high compressive and tensile strengths, plus rapid hardening with very low shrinkage, thus allowing installation of the tiles after only 24 – 48 hours. For these natural stone materials, the Sika system uses a fast, flexible, cementitious tile adhesive, with a high polymer content and low modulus that minimizes stress transfer. Finally, flexible, epoxy resin based grouts with high mechanical strengths and abrasion resistance are used, together with permanently elastic high performance non-staining sealant for any moving joints and connections.

SikaScreed® HardTop-70
Ready to use screeds

SikaCeram®-270 MultiFlow
Versatile fast-setting tile adhesive

SikaCeram® StarGrout
Epoxy based grout for joints from 1 to 15 mm width

SikaHyflex®-355
Sika® Primer-3 N *

High-performance non staining sealant
* For the sealant

6. Tiling on New or Renovated Balconies

Tiling for New Balcony Construction

The build-up and installation of tiled finishes on new balconies requires careful design and execution, in order to prevent commonly occurring problems such as uneven floors, inadequate drainage and/or incomplete waterproofing and detailing at the perimeters, etc.

The Sika installation system starts with the waterproofing layer, which uses a flexible, fiber-reinforced mortar that can be applied just 24 – 48 hours after the floor screed has been laid. Then the fast cementitious tile adhesive is applied, which is specially designed for use on fully exposed balconies that are subject to extreme weather conditions. This is flexible, with a high polymer content to accommodate movement due to both wide and rapid temperature variations. The cement based tile grout is also flexible with a low modulus of elasticity, in order to minimize stress transfer to the substrate, whilst retaining good mechanical strengths and abrasion resistance. A high performance, elastic sealant is used to seal any moving joints or connections and ensure that they also remain watertight.

Tiling Build up on New Balconies

Sikafloor®-200 Level
Self levelling compound

Sikalastic®-1 K
One component cementitious mortar
Applied in two layers

Sika® SealTape
Elastic sealing tape

SikaCeram®-270 MultiFlow
Versatile fast-setting tile adhesive

SikaCeram® CleanGrout
Cement based grout

Sikaflex®-11 FC+
Elastic adhesive sealant

Tiling for Balcony Renovation

The penetration of water from exposed horizontal surfaces such as tiled terraces and balconies is a common cause of damage and deterioration in many buildings. The solutions provided by Sika enable the rapid refurbishment and upgrading of these areas.

After removing any loose tiles and grout, then cleaning all of the sound surfaces, Sika repair mortars are used to fill any voids and restore the levels. The innovative 2-in-1 waterproofing layer and tile adhesive is applied in one single application, which is ideal for use on these areas exposed to the elements and all weather conditions. This solution therefore also saves you significant time and reduces the overall cost of the works. The system is completed with a flexible cementitious tile grout that has good mechanical and abrasion resistance. Finally, a high performance, elastic sealant is used to seal any moving joints or connections.

Tiling Build up on Renovated Balconies

Sikafloor®-200 Level
Self levelling compound

Sika® SealTape
Elastic sealing tape

SikaCeram®-500 Ceralastic
Waterproofing and tile adhesive in only one product and layer

SikaCeram® CleanGrout
Cement-based grout for joints from 1 to 8 mm width

Sikaflex®-11 FC+
High-performance PU sealant

7. Tiling on Facades

Installing tiles on building facades has long been considered as 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.

Sika’s cementitious tile adhesive for external facade tiling has a high polymer content to ensure accommodation of the thermal movement due to the wide and rapid temperature variations. Sika’s special cement based tile grout for facades also has considerable flexibility, abrasion resistance and high mechanical strengths. Finally, the joints and perimeter terminations are sealed with a high performance, elastic polyurethane based sealant, which is designed for joints that must accommodate high movement and also maintain good aesthetic appearance.

Sika MonoTop® range
Complete range of mortars

SikaCeram®-290 StarLight
Lightweight tile adhesive with sustainable raw material and 80% more coverage

SikaCeram® CleanGrout
Cement-based grout for joints from 1 to 8 mm width

SikaHyflex®-250 Facade
Low-modulus joint sealant

8. Tiling in and around Swimming Pools

The installation of tiles in and around swimming pools has always been a critical application and Sika has extensive expertise and experience of providing the ideal solution with a complete system.

Firstly the substrate is prepared, made good and levelled with an appropriate cementitious repair mortar / surface smoothing mortar. Then Sika’s polymer modified, fiber-reinforced, cementitious waterproofing mortar is applied in two layers, which ensures durable, long term waterproofing of the area. A special flexible, cement-based tile adhesive is then used, which is able to withstand thermal shock on the substrate, as well as continuous immersion. An epoxy resin based grout with high mechanical and chemical resistance is applied, and finally any moving joints and connections are sealed with a high quality, flexible and chemically resistant, neutral curing silicone joint sealant.

Sika MonoTop® range
Complete range of mortars

Sikadur-Combiflex® SG System
High performance joint sealing system

Sikalastic®-1 K
One component cementitious mortar
Applied in two layers

SikaCeram®-260 StarFlex
Deformable tile adhesive with lightweight fillers

SikaCeram® StarGrout
Epoxy based grout for joints from 1 to 15 mm width

Sikasil® Pool
Neutral-curing silicone sealant