How To Put Tiles On Foam Blocks Or Aerated Concrete Blocks In The Bathroom

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Stacking possibility
• Tile selection
• Adhesive selection
• Preparation for styling
• The main stages of work

Correctly laid tiles on a foam block or gas block can increase the strength and moisture resistance of the structure. And they perform such works most often on the walls of bathrooms and kitchens, providing also the decoration of their interior.

Foam blocks are a building material characterized by high heat and sound insulating properties, lightness and relatively affordable price. That is why they are increasingly used for housing construction. However, in addition to its advantages, the material also has a small drawback - the need for a finish that can preserve its characteristics and increase its operational life. The inner surfaces of blocks in living rooms require plastering and painting. And sometimes it becomes necessary to put tiles on a foam block - both in order to protect the enclosing structures from high humidity, and to decorate the interior.

Stacking possibility

Homeowners making repairs in a foam block house often have a question whether it is possible to lay tiles on a foam block. The answer to it is positive - however, due to the increased fragility of such a base, pieces of material may eventually begin to fall off along with the tile. Prevent this situation by using first a primer, and then plaster or special tile adhesive.

Most often, the need for laying tiles on foam blocks arises when finishing the enclosing structures of the bathroom and kitchen. Indeed, in addition to the fact that the humidity here is noticeably higher than in other rooms, there is a likelihood of water getting on the foam concrete and, as a result, the destruction of blocks and the appearance of mold. It is worth noting that ceramics can also be laid in such rooms on the floor, however, work with foam blocks is carried out only when decorating the walls.

Tile selection

An important nuance when laying tiles on foam blocks in the bathroom or in the kitchen is the correct choice of finishing materials and finishing area. So, giving preference to the option with ceramic cladding up to the ceiling itself, you can visually reduce the room, creating the illusion of a lower ceiling. Therefore, in small bathrooms or kitchens, it is advisable to lay tiles, leaving at least 30-40 cm to the ceiling. And at the same time choose smooth materials in cold colors. For a large bathroom and kitchen, tiles in warm colors will be an excellent option for tiling a foam block.

The dimensions of the tiles should depend on the filling of the premises with furniture and other items (household appliances and plumbing fixtures), their area and height:

• if there are a lot of interior elements, you should choose large tiles or plain light mosaic;
• for a small bathtub in a minimalist style (with the installation of only the essentials, without a washing machine and wall cabinets), the ideal option is a small square tile with a size of 100 x 100 mm;
• for low rooms, a vertically rectangular tile is suitable, for low rooms - square products.

Adhesive selection

Before buying tile adhesive, you should pay attention to its increased elasticity. And when choosing a way to put tiles on foam blocks in the bathroom, they pay attention to such characteristics as resistance to increased moisture. For the working wall in front of the kitchen stove, it is worth giving preference to tiles, the operation of which is possible under conditions of high temperatures.

As the materials with which dry rooms (corridors, living rooms or offices) are finished, compositions based on a conventional cement-sand mixture of the CM9 type are suitable. And among the special options for tile glue, the mosaic glue stands out separately, designed for sticking mosaics on the walls. Due to the presence of white cement in the composition, this material does not have its own shade and provides increased strength of the facing.

Preparation for styling

Before preparing foam blocks for tiles, you should evaluate the evenness of the wall surface. If the foam concrete was laid correctly, almost no additional finishing is required. If there are significant irregularities, the performer will have to do serious work on preparing the base and plastering the foam block.

Since the foam block strongly absorbs moisture, it is ideal for wet rooms to waterproof the walls and ceiling.

The next stage is block priming. For this, specialized materials are used, a wide range of primers is presented. When decorating bathrooms, it is worth additionally waterproofing the walls; such work is not required in the kitchen. Having finished with the preparation, they go directly to the question of whether it is necessary to plaster the foam block under the tile - as a rule, they choose the option with plaster, which is more expensive, but also provides increased wall strength. For these purposes, tile adhesive is quite suitable. Having plastered the surface on which the tiles will be laid, they proceed to the main part of the work.

The main stages of work

The first step in laying tiles on a foam block or aerated block (the principle of gluing ceramics to both materials is the same) is to prepare the solution. To do this, add a dry glue mixture and water to a previously prepared container, mixing them using a perforator with a special nozzle. The mixing ratio is usually indicated on the adhesive packaging.

Despite the instructions for preparing the adhesive mixture, it is advisable to independently control the mixing process. The finished substance should not be too liquid and free of lumps, but also not very hard, so as not to impair the adhesion of the tile and wall.

Continuing the work, you should:

1. Apply the ready-made adhesive mixture with a notched trowel;
2. Attach the first tile to the wall and press firmly;
3. Check the horizontalness of the material with a level and, if necessary, level the tile. Alignment of tiles is given no more than 10-15 minutes after applying the glue. If this time is over, the glue should be removed and put back;
4. Repeat the same steps for the next tiles. In order to leave the tile joints of the same thickness, use plastic crosses;
5. If it is necessary to cut the tiles, use a tile cutter, holding the cutting part of the tool along the marked surface of the tile;
6. In the corners of the room, plastic corners are laid, with the help of which even seams are provided. And to bypass the water, gas and heat supply pipelines, holes are cut in the tiles.

After all the tiles have been laid and the material has dried (about 24 hours), the crosses are removed and grouting is performed. The material for these works is selected to match the tile. Excess grout is removed with a sponge. And after 2-3 hours, the cladding is wiped again, removing traces of the grout mixture. This concludes the facing of the foam block with tiles.

When deciding whether it is possible to glue tiles on foam blocks, and giving preference to this option, they get high-quality finished walls, the repair of which can not be done for many years. At the same time, the surface of the enclosing structures is reliably protected from external influences both with the help of plaster and thanks to the tiles. And such a result can be achieved only through a responsible attitude to work and strict adherence to all requirements.

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