Laying of vitrified / ceramic / porcelain tiles on floors, walls, and skirting using cement mortar (bedding) or tile adhesives. Includes surface preparation, fixing, grouting, and sealing for residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
IS 15622 (Vitrified tiles), IS 13630 (Ceramic tiles), ASTM C1028 (slip resistance), manufacturer guidelines.
| Type | Common Sizes (mm) | Water Absorption | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glazed Vitrified (GVT) | 600x600, 800x800, 600x1200 | <0.5% | Floor, wall, decorative |
| Double Charge | 600x600, 800x800 | <0.1% | High traffic commercial |
| Full Body / Through Body | 600x600, 600x1200 | <0.1% | Industrial, outdoor |
| Polished Glazed (PGVT) | 800x800, 600x1200 | <0.5% | Luxury residential |
| Matt / Satin Finish | 600x600, 200x1200 (plank) | <0.5% | Bathroom, kitchen (slip resistant) |
| Parameter | Cement Mortar (1:4 or 1:6) | Tile Adhesive (polymer modified) |
|---|---|---|
| Bed thickness | 20–40 mm | 3–6 mm (thin bed) |
| Mixing | Cement + sand + water | Ready mix + water |
| Bond strength | Moderate | High (≥1 N/mm²) |
| Curing time | 7 days before grouting | 24–48 hours |
| Ideal for | Large area, uneven base | Walls, renovation, even floors |
| Consumption (per m²) | 0.02–0.03 m³ sand + 4–6 kg cement | 3–5 kg (bag coverage 4–5 m²/20kg) |
Adhesive grade: C1 (standard) for interior, C2 (flexible) for exterior / large tiles.
Industry trend: Adhesives increasingly preferred for vitrified tiles >600mm due to lower thickness, faster setting, and reduced dead load .
| Method | Material | Quantity (10m²) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cement mortar (30mm bed) | Cement | 1.8 – 2.2 bags (90–110 kg) | Mix 1:4 (cement:sand) |
| Sand | 0.25 – 0.30 m³ | Coarse sand (zone II) | |
| Waterproofing (optional) | 0.5 – 1.0 kg | for wet areas | |
| Thin bed adhesive | Tile adhesive | 40–50 kg (2–2.5 bags of 20kg) | Coverage 4–5 m²/20kg |
| Primer | 1 litre (approx) | for concrete base | |
| Grout (both methods) | Grout powder (white/grey) | 2–4 kg (depends on joint width) | 2–3 mm joint |
Add 5% wastage for tiles; adhesive coverage may vary with notch trowel size (6mm vs 10mm).
| Activity | Skilled mason + 1 helper | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Floor tiling (cement mortar, up to 600x600) | 12–16 m² | includes bedding & fixing |
| Floor tiling (adhesive, large tiles >600mm) | 10–14 m² | slower due to leveling system |
| Wall tiling (adhesive, up to 300x600) | 8–12 m² | vertical work slower |
| Skirting / borders | 15–20 linear meters | cutting and fixing |
| Grouting (floor/wall) | 30–40 m² | after tile fixing |
Output varies with tile size, pattern complexity, and site conditions.
In large floors ( >25m² ), provide expansion joints at doorways or columns. Use flexible sealant over backer rod.
Er. Kuljit Singh · Arshavtar.in