What glue is needed for gypsum tile?

It seems that new ideas will never run out in the world of room design. Tired of regular wallpaper? Here are the canvases with 3D drawings. Do you really want to glue the wallpaper? Then you can try decorative plaster. Want to make the room look simpler and more elegant? Masonry will be a great solution. In this case, of course, we are not talking about real brick. To create such a design, gypsum tiles imitating decorative stone or brick are used. You can hire workers to do the repair, or do it yourself. But for this you will have to understand some theoretical questions. And first of all - choose a special adhesive for gypsum tiles. Because without the right means, you cannot get a good result.

Composition

If you are going to glue gypsum tiles on concrete, brick, plaster or drywall (and this is probably so, because the listed surfaces are the most common), then you need to purchase a special gypsum glue. This is the common name, in fact, the means that are used for interior decoration, a large number. They differ in compositional features.

• Dry mixes mainly consist of building alabaster and plasticizers. The latter are needed so that the glue sets and hardens faster.
• In this case, you should carefully read the composition - cheaper products are usually diluted with sand. Naturally, such an adhesive for gypsum tiles should not be used, because it is unreliable.
• And if you doubt the honesty of the manufacturer, then you should know that a direct indication in the composition of the presence of sand is not the only way to determine the quality of the product. The boxes should always indicate the amount of water needed to dilute the glue. If for one kilogram of powder, according to the manufacturer, you need less than three hundred milliliters of water, in front of you is clearly diluted with sand alabaster.

Gypsum glue is not the only option. To fix gypsum tiles, you can also use liquid nails or adhesive for ceramic tiles. True, liquid nails are convenient to use only for a small area. A means for ceramic tiles is more expensive than specially designed for gypsum.

Specifications

Consider the technical characteristics of all tools that can be used to fix gypsum tiles.

• Plaster dry mixes. It is not for nothing that a special substance was developed for tiles made under a brick. The fact is that, due to the porous structure, such tiles absorb moisture in large quantities. And the liquid in the diluted composition is necessary for the correct, quick and uniform hardening of cement. So it is not suitable for repairs with such tiles. But the gypsum mixture is designed specifically for such cases. It has a high solidification rate.
• Liquid glue or liquid nails. The main advantage of these products is that they are sold ready-made and conveniently packaged. In addition, they are no less reliable, and it is easier to apply them than gypsum glue (when using it, it is difficult to keep the room clean). That's just the cost of the finished compounds is much higher. And usually they are sold in small volumes, so they are used in small areas.
• Reactive glue. This tool consists of the adhesive itself and the catalyst, through which the curing process begins. The product is suitable for application on any surface, it is very convenient to use. But it freezes faster than all of the above.So it should be used only by experienced workers.

What to glue a decorative stone?

So, what tool is more suitable for fixing decorative stone?

• You can use a classic cement mortar, which is used for other types of tiles. But due to the specific structure of the stone, the cement will harden for a very long time. It is also not very flexible.
• Liquid nails are also a universal remedy. But this is an expensive option. Use them better if you need to attach a small number of tiles.
• Reactive glue is suitable for all materials and surfaces. It is easy to apply. But it freezes very quickly. If you are gluing tiles for the first time, then this is not the right tool, because of any delay, the work will be spoiled.
• Gypsum adhesive is the best option for beginners. Special glue for decorative stone hardens faster than cement, but allows you to work at a quiet pace. It is suitable for almost all surfaces.

Glue consumption per 1 m² and 1 m³

Another important thing you need to know when starting repairs is how much glue you need to apply. Calculations must be made in advance.

Firstly, it will help even at the purchase stage - no one wants to spend money on extra packaging, because with proper application gypsum tile will last you a very long time. If you buy too little money, this will also become a problem - you will urgently have to buy the missing amount, and glue of the same brand may not be in the store. And to use together products of different brands is extremely undesirable.

Secondly, the calculations are important directly in the installation process - if you choose the adhesive that you will breed yourself, you need to remember that the finished composition hardens quite quickly. And if you prepare a lot of solution, then it will be wasted.

So, on average, 43 kilograms of dry glue is required per 1 cubic meter of decorative stone. About 1 kilogram of gypsum powder is required per square meter. The amount of substance depends on the size of the tile. The standard layer is six millimeters. But if you glue large tiles (the side of which is more than twenty-five centimeters), then the adhesive layer should be thicker.

Manufacturers

Consider the main manufacturers of adhesives for decorative stones.

• PLUSFIX. One of the most inexpensive options, as this is cement mixed with sand. It can only be applied to concrete and brick walls. It is also suitable only for small tiles (with sides less than twenty-five centimeters).
• Perflix - This is a more preferable option, since the glue is made of gypsum and special additives that increase its elasticity and drying speed. Ready solution must be used within half an hour. Glue is sold in packages weighing thirty kilograms. And this amount will need fifteen liters of water.
• Satyn PKG-28 - A better option for those who are first engaged in laying tiles. Due to the addition of special substances, the glue is very plastic. And the solution remains suitable longer than the remedy described above - as much as fifty minutes. Sold in packages weighing twenty-five kilograms.
• Plaster - Another mixture of gypsum and minerals. The finished solution must be used within half an hour, and on the wall it dries faster than the previously listed means - in a day. A package weighing thirty kilograms will need approximately eighteen liters of water.

Application Rules

When using glue, you need to follow a few simple rules and strictly follow the sequence of actions.

1. Start by thoroughly cleaning the surface. We are talking, of course, about the traces of the old coating (wallpaper, glue, etc.), and about dirt and dust.
2. Dry the walls thoroughly.
3. It will be useful to apply a primer. Some surfaces strongly absorb moisture. Accordingly, they will stretch it out of the applied glue, because of which it will harden worse.
4. You can work only indoors, the temperature in which does not drop below plus five degrees.

Tip

Due to the fact that gypsum tile imitates natural material, all instances are different. Therefore, it is worthwhile to lay out several tiles in advance in order to imagine how individual sections will look on the wall.

Next, you need to start preparing the glue.

1. Use water at room temperature.
2. Immediately pour the entire amount of water into a bucket or basin (calculate it, following the manufacturer's advice).
3. Stir the water with a stick or a non-included construction mixer to form a funnel.
4. Pour the powder slowly into this funnel.
5. Stir glue thoroughly. Better construction mixer, as there is always a risk of lumps.
6. Do not cook a lot of glue at once - remember that it very quickly becomes unusable.

First apply a thin layer of glue to the wall. And then on the tiles themselves. Apply the tiles to the wall and press them firmly with your hands.

Output

Gypsum tiles that mimic bricks and stones are an interesting repair solution. To decorate a room with such a design, it is not necessary to turn to specialists. You can glue the tiles yourself. But it is important to choose the right materials, including adhesive. Preference should be given to special plaster glue.