And in the frost, and in the heat

Adhesive for outdoor work: selection of glue for the exterior decoration, the main characteristics of adhesive compositions, subtlety working with the material

Facing of ceramic materials and natural stone is ideal for an open veranda and patio, entrance steps and houses of houses, barbecue street zones. But in our climate, it is subjected to extreme loads due to huge temperature differences (-30 ... + 40 s). Such tests are able to withstand only special adhesive compositions applied in strict accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer.

The first thing to do, choosing glue for the exterior finishing, is to find on the package of the word: "Applied to outdoor work." Indeed, in the micropores of the adhesive layer is usually there water. Freezing, it creates a huge tension that works on the tile break. Only the frost-resistant composition will reliably hold the facing at a negative temperature, as well as during its oscillations (from a minus to the plus).

EXAGRESTERNING STEED TO FINANCE FOR What type of cladding is intended for specific glue. The material you choose must necessarily appear in the list listed on the package. The fact is that the street use ceramic tiles with water absorption less than 3%, porcelain stoneware, clinker, natural stone (granite, basalt, slate), mosaic, agglomerates - in short word, low absorbable materials. To securely attach them to the base, it is necessary not a conventional cement-sand mixture, and the composition with high adhesive properties. The same dimensions of modern tiles increased markedly. To keep the element to the 6060 cm element, it takes much more effort than with sizes 1515cm.

Therefore, for external work, frost-resistant modified glue compositions - on cement-based and jets are used. The first are a dry mixture, which is indulge in water. The second consist of two components mixed immediately before use. When compounds, a chemical reaction occurs, and the result is a glue layer with special properties. Such adhesives are used on complex deformable bases and in cases where the finished coating should withstand high operational loads.

Embedded stores have a wide range of similar products. It is produced by Henkel (Trademark Ceresit), Pufas (Bourgeon), Index, Mapei (Obaitaly), Atlas (Poland), Bolls, Volma, "Glims-Prodakshn", "Knauf", " Saint-Goben Construction Products Rus "(Brand Weber-VeTonit), Ivsil, Litokol, Unis (All - Russia).

Photo 1. "STROYMONTAZH MS"

Photo 2. "STROYMONTAZH MS"

Photo 3. "Saint-Goben Construction Products Rus"

1.2. Manufacturers recommend using for facing works complex materials: soil enhancing adhesive adhesion with base, tile glue and grouting for seams. 3. Universal WEBER.vetonit Ultra Fix Cement Glue (Saint-Goben Construction Products RUS) for working with large-format ceramic tiles, stone, porcelain, facade panels

Time to think

Adhesive compositions have certain characteristics. Comparing the latter, you will easily rate how convenient to use certain means. First of all, this is the viability of the solution, or lifetime (use) during which it retains sufficient viscosity to perform work. The countdown begins after the dry mixture was created with water (latex, elastifier), left for 5-10min, so that the modifying additives dissolved, and mix them again. This time range is 2-8h. What it is more, the more convenient to work with glue. It is assumed that the finished solution is in the tank and is not dehydrated (that is, covered with a lid or polyethylene). In the opposite case, a film is formed on the surface, and the next portion does not provide settlement strength.

Open time, or the open layer time, is usually 15-30min. The left period of the upper layer of the adhesive composition applied to the base has not yet started to fit, and the master quietly lays several tiles on him. The excess of this time may worsen the adhesion of the adhesive layer.

EXAGRESTORDING CORRECTION, During which it is possible to adjust the position of the tile on the ground, is another important characteristic. Nervity of seams near are not always noticeable. Setting several tiles, the master is departed for a while to evaluate the quality of the masonry and, if necessary, eliminate individual inaccuracies. It is usually 20-60min. Any movement of the tile after the specified adjustment time elapses, leads to the fact that the bonds formed in the multilayer design "Basic Clamping" are destroyed. As a result, the compound strength decreases, which is especially critical for reactive compositions. Cerage, the adjustment time is sometimes confused with the time of life of the adhesive composition, thereby expanding the interval, during which it is possible to "make beauty", but at the same time significantly reducing the durability of the facing.

Opinion of a specialist

Most manufacturers are recommended to perform external cladding in dry weather, at air temperature and base 5-30 s and relative humidity no more than 80%. It is important to remember that information about the viability of the solution, the time of the open layer and the adjustment of the tile, partial and full load is obtained in laboratory conditions and are correct at ambient temperature of 20-25 s and air humidity 60%. However, it is difficult to expect similar constancy of the parameters on the street: in the morning and evening is always cooler than the day; That is quiet, then a strong wind or rain. Consequently, the technical characteristics of the adhesive solution can change somewhat. Not accidentally experienced masters necessarily take into account the weather. We give a simple example: glue is applied immediately by 1-2m2 to put several tiles. Suppose the open layer time specified in the specification is 15min. If the sun is hot and shines on the street, this interval, naturally, is reduced and need to act faster. Laying the tiles to the beefing layer of glue will not give the necessary clutch, so there is a risk that subsequently the facing fall off. In addition, performing outdoor work on large areas, it is necessary to provide deformation seams.

Arkady Lukoyanov, Head of the Training Department "Knauf Marketing Krasnogorsk"

Top down or bottom up?

Special attention should be paid to adhesion adhesion with the base. Used glue compositions it is 0.5-2.8 MPa. This parameter shows how much effort will be needed to tear the tile from the base when the glue completely curses. The most "strong" adhesives are designed for severe materials of large format with almost zero water absorption.

"BASF Construction Systems" of the Vatechnical Descriptions of some formulations, manufacturers proudly report that this agent has excellent adhesive and fixing properties. AV proof is written that the tile does not slip when laying and facing work can be guided from top to bottom. If so, why most masters put a tile on the contrary, bottom up? The answer is simple: high-quality glue has a good fixing ability, and the so-called sliding value does not exceed 0.5 mm, while the use of cheap compositions does not guarantee the stillness of the elements. When laying from the bottom up, the lower row of tiles naturally does not allow the elements of the top sliding. However, the tiles of the last row (under the ceiling) most often have to be trimmed, and it looks not too beautiful. If you perform a cladding from top to bottom, it looks more solid, finished, and the shortened (if necessary) the tiles of the lower row are not thrown into the eye.

Opinion of a specialist

The masters accustomed to work with simple cement-sand masonry solutions and ceramic tiles with water absorption up to 18%, accustomed to soak the finishing material. Porous ceramics absorbs water, and due to this slightly increases the open time of operation with the adhesive composition. Doves as external cladding use non-porous materials with extremely low water absorption. They do not absorb water, and it makes no sense to soak them. The same due to the additional moisture on the surface of the wet tile will be exceeded the amount of water required to set the strength of the adhesive layer; It will increase its drying and solidification. Subsequently, he is able to give shrinkage and crack, and voids can be formed. If these places are loaded, the tile is likely to crack. That this does not happen, modern high-tech adhesive compositions induce strictly defined volume of water.

Alexander Slivko, Litokol Technical Support Manager

Photo 4. Litokol

Photo 5. Litokol

Photo 6. "BASF Construction Systems"

Photo 7. "Knauf"

4.5. Litokol X 11 (Litokol) - reinforced frost-resistant glue mixture, which allows you to lay a ceramic tile on the floor and walls. It can be shut not only to water, but also latex additive LaTexkolm to improve the technical characteristics of glue and apply facing tiles of any format. 6. Elastic thixotropic glue PCI Nanolight (BASF), developed on the basis of nano-technologies, is suitable for laying all types of tiles on any base, both inside and outside. 7. FLEX ("KNAUF") - Elastic tile glue, recommended for finishing surfaces exposed to high load and temperature fluctuations, as well as for deformable bases and cladding tiles on tiles

Thin and thick

In contrast to the cement mixture, modern adhesive compositions are applied by a thin layer (using a toothed spatula) on a pre-prepared and therefore a fairly flat and smooth base. Agree, level the surface defects are not too cheap solution. At the same time, due to the excessive amount of glue, its shrinkage may occur, and emptiness will appear under the cladding. This is permissible, but undesirable. Thus, when finishing vertical surfaces, exposed only to wind load, the solution should cover at least 65% of the plane of the tile, and with a lining horizontal, at least 90%.

The optimal thickness of the adhesive layer is 2-6mm. The greater the tile format, the thicker should be a layer and, therefore, the greater the size of the teeth of the spatula. For example, for a square element with a side length of 10 cm, the necessary height of the spatula of the spatula is 6 mm, and for squares from 30cm, already 12-15mm. Each tile is applied to the base, pressing and slightly shaking to eliminate emptiness and get a smooth layer of glue.

Litoktacked Direct Dependence There is between the sizes of tiles and width of the seams between them. The small-format (up to 1010cm) is located at a distance of 2-3mm from each other, for large-format (from 3030cm and more) this distance should be at least 4-5mm. Seamless styling, very popular in the interior, on the street to do is categorically not recommended. With increasing temperature, all items are expanded, therefore, the tiles lying closely are "climbing" each other. On the posters of Italian or Spanish manufacturers of tiles illustrating the outer cladding, the intercutric seams are visible with a thickness of almost finger. AU of these countries ceramics are used very widely. Eau of manufacturers are difficult to blame incompetence.

It turns out that the interputric seams play the role of temperature deformation compensators (in cases where the coefficients of temperature expansion of facing materials and the base do not coincide), as well as shock absorbers, helping to more evenly distribute the load on the surface. So, the small tile on the vehicle site will "feel more comfortable" and will serve longer than the large-format porcelain stoneware. Judge for yourself: the wheel of the entering machine, falling on the edge of the tile, turns it into a lever, working for a gap. After moving the wheel to the center, the tile is experiencing a strongest pressure from top to bottom across the area, and then again becomes a kind of lever acting in the opposite direction. When exposed to a small tile, the power of the separation will be less.

Opinion of a specialist

If facing works could not finish before the onset of the cold and the daytime temperature rarely rises above 5 s, we suggest go to Weber.vetonit Ultra Fix Winter glue ("Saint-Goben Construction Products Rus"). It is used at -10 ... + 20 s, while the lifetime, the open layer and adjustment is fully consistent with the characteristics of the summer counterpart. Applying the winter version of the glue, it is important to follow several simple rules. The bag with a dry mixture must be kept in a warm room so that at the time of preparation its temperature was above 0 C. The required temperature of the water, which is embedded with a mixture, is 7-35 s. Finally, on the surface designed for cladding, there should be no inlet and ice on the surface . Often, workers induce the glue composition of hot water or wipe it a freezing base. Do not do this. Common error - incorrect dosage of water when cooking glue for winter work. After mixing with the amount of water specified by the manufacturer, the composition is a little thick. It is still mixed again after 5min after the first kneading and repeat this operation if the adhesive begins to thicken during the work. But it is impossible to add water to the water. It will change the flow of chemical processes, and the tile will not hold on as it should.

Anton Normantovich, Product Manager Saint-Goben Construction Products Rus »

The editors thanks the company "Knauf", Saint-Goben Construction Products Rus ", Litokol for help in preparing the material.

Adhesives for outdoor and internal works

Name	Manufacturer (country)	Adhesion, MPa	Viability of the mixture, h	Adjustment time, min	Frost resistance, cycle	Packing mass, kg	price, rub.
"VOLMA-EXTRACLES"	"VOLMA" (Russia)	More than 1.	3.	twenty	fifty	25.	300.
"Glims-96"	"Glims-Prodakshn" (Russia)	2.5	At least 4.	twenty	fifty	25.	466.
"Based Granpiles T-14"	"STROYMONTAZH MS" (Russia)	Not less than 1.	5-6	thirty	fifty	25.	275.
"FLEX"	"Knauf" (Russia)	Not less than 1.	3.	10	Not less than 25.	25.	500.
"UNIS 2000"	Unis (Russia)	0.5	3.	10	35.	25.	200.
Universal adhesive mixture atlas	Atlas (Poland)	0.5	four	10	N / D.	25.	275.
Ceresit CM 11.	Henkel (Germany)	More than 0.8.	2.	twenty	At least 100.	25.	220.
Litoflex K81.	Keraton (Russia)	More than 1.	eight	60.	fifty	25.	570.
Weber.vetonit Ultra Fix	"Saint-Goben Construction Products Rus" (Russia)	More than 1,4.	2.	10-15	75.	25.	555.