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Tile Adhesives.
Any tile, any place, anywhere.
From mosaics to large format, porcelain to natural stone, inside and out, Dunlop tile adhesives allow you to take on any tiling job.
Not sure which adhesive to use for your tiling project?
View our Product Selector Guide to find which tile adhesive is best for your situation, tile background and selected tile type.
Tile AdhesIves FAQs
Explore our tile adhesive FAQs to find quick answers to common questions, including application guidelines and best practices for achieving optimal results.
Q: What types of tile adhesives are available in the Dunlop Adhesives range?
Dunlop Adhesives offers three main types of tile adhesives:
Ready-Mixed Adhesives: These come pre-mixed in tubs and are ready to use directly:
- Dunlop RX-1000 Non-Slip Wall Tile Adhesive
- Dunlop RX-2000 Showerproof Wall Tile Adhesive
- Dunlop RX-3000 Waterproof Wall Tile Adhesive
- Dunlop Multi-Purpose Fix ‘N’ Grout
- Dunlop Tile-on-Wood
Standard Cement-Based Adhesives:
- Dunlop CX-24 Essential Tile Adhesive
- Dunlop CX-03 Fast Set Tile Adhesive
Flexible Cement-Based Adhesives:
- Dunlop CF-24 Flexible Tile Adhesive
- Dunlop CF-03 Flexible Fast Set Tile Adhesive
- Dunlop CLF-03 Flexible Large Format & Natural Stone Adhesive
- Dunlop CS1-12 S1 Ultra Flexible Tile Adhesive
Q: What's the difference between standard setting and rapid setting adhesives?
Standard setting adhesives (like Dunlop CF-24 or CX-24) typically take 24 hours to set before you can grout. These give you more working time to adjust tiles and are ideal for larger projects where you need extra time.
Rapid setting adhesives (like Dunlop CF-03 or CX-03) set in as little as 3 hours, allowing you to grout the same day. These are perfect for fast-track projects, quick repairs, or when working in colder conditions.
Q: How do I correctly mix Dunlop cement-based adhesives?
- Always refer to the specific mixing instructions on the product’s packaging or technical data sheet
- For most Dunlop cement-based adhesives:
- Add powder to clean water (not water to powder)
- Mix thoroughly until a smooth consistency is achieved
- Allow the mixed adhesive to stand (slake) for 1-2 minutes
- Briefly remix for 30 seconds before using
- Typical mixing ratios:
- Dunlop CF-03: 20kg requires approximately 4.4 liters of water
- Dunlop CF-24: 20kg requires approximately 5.6 liters of water
- Dunlop CLF-03: 20kg requires approximately 4.0-4.2 liters of water
- Use an electric drill with a mixing paddle at low speed (under 300rpm)
Q: What size trowel should I use with Dunlop adhesives?
The size of the notched trowel depends on the size of the tile:
- Small wall tiles (up to 100mm x 100mm): 6mm notched trowel
- Standard wall tiles (100mm x 100mm – 250mm x 250mm): 8mm notched trowel
- Floor tiles (200mm x 200mm – 300mm x 300mm): 10mm notched trowel
- Large format tiles (over 300mm x 300mm): 12mm notched trowel or larger
For Dunlop CLF-03 when being used with large format tiles, a large format solid bed trowel is recommended.
Q: What is solid bed fixing and when is it required?
Solid bed fixing means achieving 100% coverage of the adhesive on the back of the tile. It’s required by British Standards for:
- All floor tiling
- Wall tiling with tiles larger than 0.1m² (roughly 300mm x 300mm)
- All tiling in wet areas, outside or in swimming pools
To achieve solid bed fixing with Dunlop adhesives:
- Use the correct size notched trowel
- For floor tiling, use a solid-bed trowel or a suitably sized notched trowel
- Back-butter large format tiles
- Periodically check coverage by lifting a newly laid tile
Q: How much Dunlop adhesive will I need?
Coverage depends on the type of adhesive, tile size, trowel size, and substrate condition. As a general guide:
- Wall tiles (dry areas): Approximately 2kg/m² when using Dunlop CF-03 or CF-24
- Floor tiles: Approximately 4kg/m² when using Dunlop CF-03 or CF-24
- Large format tiles or natural stone: Up to 8.75kg/m² at 5mm thickness when using Dunlop CLF-03
Consult the specific product’s technical data sheet for more precise coverage information, or use the product calculators on the product pages.
Q: Do I need to prime surfaces before applying Dunlop tile adhesives?
Yes, priming is often necessary:
For plaster walls:
- When using cement-based adhesives: Apply 2 coats of neat Dunlop Multi-Purpose Primer
- When using ready-mixed adhesives: Prime only if the plaster is very shiny or dusty (Dunlop Multi-Purpose Primer diluted 1:1 with water)
For cement:sand screeds and rendering:
- Apply Dunlop Multi-Purpose Primer diluted 1:1 with water or
- Apply Dunlop SBR Universal Bonding Agent diluted 1:4 with water
For anhydrite/calcium sulphate screeds:
- Apply 2 coats of Dunlop Multi-Purpose Primer (first coat diluted 1:1, second coat neat and at 90° to the first)
For wooden floors:
- Apply neat Dunlop Multi-Purpose Primer
Q: How long should different substrates dry before tiling?
- Concrete: 6 weeks
- Cement:sand screeds: 3 weeks
- Cement:sand rendering: 2 weeks (3 weeks for swimming pools)
- Plaster: 4 weeks
- Plasterboard: Ready to tile once securely fixed
Q: Can I use Dunlop adhesives in wet areas and showers?
Yes, but choose the appropriate adhesive:
- For shower walls: Use Dunlop RX-3000 Waterproof Wall Tile Adhesive, Dunlop CF-03, CF-24, CS1-03, or CS1-12
- For shower floors and wet rooms: Use cement-based adhesives such as Dunlop CF-03, CF-24, CLF-03, CS1-03, or CS1-12
- For swimming pools: Use Dunlop CF-03, CF-24, CLF-03, CS1-03, or CS1-12
In all wet areas, Dunlop recommends using a waterproofing system like Dunlop Shower Waterproofing Kit before tiling.
Q: Can I tile directly onto plywood or wooden floors?
For wooden floors, Dunlop recommends using a decoupling system:
- Ensure boards are securely fixed and rigid with no movement
- Prime with Dunlop Multi-Purpose Primer (undiluted)
- Apply Dunlop CF-03 or CF-24 adhesive
- Install Dunlop ProCover Uncoupling Mat
- Apply another layer of Dunlop CF-03 or CF-24 adhesive
- Lay tiles with minimum 3mm joints
Alternatively, overlay with a suitable tile backer board (minimum 15mm thick) prior to tiling.
Q: What is the pot life and open time of Dunlop adhesives?
Pot life (working time once mixed):
- Dunlop CF-03: 45 minutes
- Dunlop CF-24: 5 hours
- Dunlop CLF-03: 30 minutes (grey), 60 minutes (white)
- Dunlop CS1-03: 45 minutes
- Dunlop CS1-12: 3 hours
Open time (time during which tiles can be applied after spreading):
- Dunlop CF-03: 15-20 minutes
- Dunlop CF-24: 30 minutes
- Dunlop CLF-03: 15-20 minutes
- Dunlop RX-1000: 20 minutes
- Dunlop RX-2000: 30 minutes
- Dunlop RX-3000: 30 minutes
Working times may vary depending on temperature and site conditions.
Q: Can I use Dunlop adhesives for tiling over screed with underfloor heating?
Yes, several Dunlop adhesives are suitable for underfloor heating:
- Dunlop CF-03 Flexible Fast Set Tile Adhesive
- Dunlop CF-24 Flexible Tile Adhesive
- Dunlop CLF-03 Flexible Large Format & Natural Stone Adhesive
- Dunlop CS1-12 S1 Ultra Flexible Tile Adhesive
The underfloor heating should be commissioned before tiling begins and then switched off for at least 48 hours prior to tiling. The heating should remain off for at least 2 weeks after grouting is completed.
For additional protection with underfloor heating, consider using Dunlop ProCover Uncoupling Mat between the substrate and tiles.
Q: What is the maximum weight of tiles I can apply to different wall surfaces?
Maximum weights for tiling (including adhesive):
- Gypsum plaster: 20kg/m²
- Plasterboard: 32kg/m²
- Cement:sand rendering: Can support heavier loads
Always check that the wall structure is capable of supporting the weight of tiles before beginning your project.
For technical assistance with any Dunlop adhesive product, please contact the Dunlop Technical Helpline on 01782 591120.
Top Tip
“When using our cement-based adhesives such as CF-03 or CF-24, always check the condition of your substrate first. What many builders overlook is that different substrates absorb moisture at different rates, which directly affects the performance of your adhesive. For highly absorbent surfaces such as new plaster or screed, priming isn’t just recommended – it’s essential to get the full open time from your adhesive.
And here’s a trick for fast-track jobs: with our rapid-setting products, you can still get plenty of working time by mixing smaller batches as you go, rather than one big batch. This gives you all the benefits of fast setting without rushing your application. Remember, the perfect tile job starts long before the first tile is laid!
David Hilton – Technical Support Manager
How to Select Your Tile Adhesive
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