Substrate Identification Wall Tiling

Principal Wall Substrates Cement/sand rendering Gypsum plaster Plasterboard Existing tiling Timber based boards Painted surfaces Tile Backer Boards

Minor Wall Substrates Brickwork Blockwork Concrete Decorative laminate

Substrate Preparation Walls

Cement/sand Rendering Ideal substrate 1: 3 or 4 cement/sand Wood float finish Allow 14 days drying time All adhesive types can be used

Gypsum Plaster Most common in the UK Allow 4 weeks drying time Only tile on finishing coat Prime if dusty All adhesive types can be used Prime if using a cement based adhesive 20kg/m2

Plasterboard Direct fixing No drying time 32kg/m2 All adhesive types can be used Prime if using a cement based adhesive

Tile on Tile Check for soundness Hollows/voids Sounding tiles Wash down surface All adhesive types can be used Delayed drying

Painted Surfaces Soundness/strength Tape test Wash down surface All adhesive types can be used Delayed drying Weight of tiling

Tile Backer Boards No drying time Impervious to water Can take large weight of tiles Ready mixed adhesives have delayed drying time Big weight variation depending on the type of board Must use cement based adhesive

Timber Walls Ensure that the boards are WBP grade It is to be rigidly supported. Prime the back and edges of the boards and allow to dry. Weight of tiling MDF (Small areas only) Do not tile onto OSB Board Would normally recommend highly polymer modified cement based adhesive

Brickwork & Blockwork Allow 6 weeks before tiling onto new block work. The surface must be flat. Lightweight block need priming with PR360 Tiling over 3m from the ground should be mechanically restrained Must use cement based adhesive

Minor Substrates Concrete Decorative laminate Fix direct Sound and grease free

Adhesive Choice Ceramic up to 300 x 300 mm Porcelain Natural Stone Mosaic

Adhesive Choice Solid Backgrounds Backgrounds subject to expansion