Selection priorities

There are key factors that influence correct product selection. These can often be grouped as below with some examples of considerations needed:

Background/base

• What is the substrate onto which tiles are to be fixed?
• Is it flat - or does it need levelling/smoothing?

Location

• Is it indoors or outdoors?
• Is it a domestic installation - or a public/communal place?
• Will it be a dry place, or intermittently wet - or regularly wet?

Service conditions

• What is the tiled area to be used for?
• Is there a power shower - or total immersion?
• Will it be subject to movement/vibration and/or heavy trafficking?
• Are there any special service requirements applicable (EXAMPLES: extra hygiene/ sterile conditions/protection from bacteria/chemical resistance)?

Tile type and size

• Are tiles porous - or fully-glazed/vitrified?
• Are they light-coloured/ translucent or natural stone?
• Is the tile material vulnerable to staining by grouting?
• Are the tiles subject to water-staining?
• Are they large format tiles? (Adhesive may take longer to set fully on some substrates).
• What is the tile weight per m²? (Is the substrate able to carry that weight?)

Guidance on all of these considerations can be found in the BAL professional fixing guides; "product selection" and its companion "sitework guidance" and can be downloaded below.

Product Selection Guide

Sitework Guidance

Further tiling tips are also available in these guides including:

• Product classifications / Tile types
• Wall tiling weight guidance
• Product flexibility
• Use of admixtures
• Use of primers