Building Construction Handbook, Eighth Edition

Bedding of Internal Wall Tiles ~ generally glazed internal wall tiles

are considered to be inert in the context of moisture and thermal

movement, therefore if movement of the applied wall tile finish is

to be avoided attention must be given to the background and the

method of fixing the tiles.

Backgrounds ~ these are usually of a cement rendered or plastered

surface and should be flat, dry, stable, firmly attached to the

substrate and sufficiently established for any initial shrinkage to

have taken place. The flatness of the background should be not

more than 3 mm in 2„000 for the thin bedding of tiles and not

more than 6 mm in 2„000 for thick bedded tiles.

Fixing Wall Tiles ~ two methods are in general use:-

1. Thin Bedding † lightweight internal glazed wall tiles fixed dry
   using a recommended adhesive which is applied to the wall in
   small areas 1 m^2 at a time with a notched trowel, the tile
   being pressed into the adhesive.


2. Thick Bedding † cement mortar within the mix range of 1 : 3 to
   1 : 4 can be used or a proprietary adhesive, either by buttering
   the backs of the tiles which are then pressed into position or
   by rendering the wall surface to a thickness of approximately
   10 mm and then applying thin bedded tiles to the rendered
   wall surface within two hours.

Grouting ~ when the wall tiles have set, the joints can be grouted

by rubbing into the joints a grout paste either using a sponge or

brush. Most grouting materials are based on cement with inert

fillers and are used neat.

Note: The alternative treatment at edges is application of a

radiused profile plastic trimming to standard spacer tiles.

Wall Tiling