Tiling onto cement render

Cement rendering is the application of a pre-mixed layer of sand and cement to brick, concrete, stone, or mud brick. It is generally used on exterior walls but can be used to feature an interior wall and is often textured, coloured, or painted after application.

The render must be a minimum of two weeks old (three weeks for swimming pools) to enable movement caused by drying shrinkage to have taken place. It must be clean, dry and free from dust, laitance or any other contaminants which may act as a release agent, preventing the adhesive from bonding to the render.

If the render is dusty it should be thoroughly dry brushed with a stiff bristled brush and the dust removed from the surface prior to priming. When tiling with a cementitious-based tile adhesive, prime the render with one coat of BAL Primer or BAL Prime APD – diluted 1:1 by volume with water. Allow to dry before tiling.

No priming is required when using a ready-mixed adhesive such as BAL White Star Plus.

Tiles should be fixed with Topps Tiles’ Slow Set Flexible adhesive or Kerakoll’s Biogel No Limits.

Topps Tiles Rapidset Flexible adhesive or BAL Rapid-Flex Fibre Plus may be used if a rapid setting adhesive is preferred.

Mix the adhesive in accordance with the mixing instructions on the bag.

Alternatively you can use BAL All Star, a ready-mixed adhesive for ceramic or porcelain tiles (up to 60x60cm). Do not use ready mixed adhesives on the floor.

For a sustainable and more eco-friendly option, Regener8 is a great adhesive available in S1 rapid and standard setting bags of 20KG (white and grey).

Most adhesives are available in either white or grey. Generally, when using a lighter tile or grout you should use a white adhesive, and vice versa.

British Standards recommend that any water sensitive substrate in a wet area should be tanked – even if it states it is “waterproof”.

Various methods can be used, such as a liquid membrane (BAL Waterproof 1C) or a matting system, either technique should be used before tiling.