Tiling materials used in the UK

How the wall is built, layer by layer

123456Illustrative image (AI-generated)

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1
Base wall (blockwork / plaster)Pared base (bloque / yeso)
2
Primer / waterproofingImprimación / impermeabilización
3
Tile adhesive (notched trowel)Adhesivo cerámico (llana dentada)
4
TileAzulejo
5
GroutJunta (lechada)
6
Silicone in the cornerSilicona en la esquina

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The order of the job

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Also: 🔲 Types of tile

Also: 🧰 Tools

🧱1. Prepare the base

Tile backer board

Cement or foam board that water does not damage.

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Sand and cement screed

Layer of sand and cement that makes the floor flat.

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Plasterboard

Board of gypsum screwed to studs or battens.

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More materials (3)

Gypsum plaster

Smooth coat of plaster on the wall.

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Exterior plywood

Timber board screwed on top of floorboards.

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Anhydrite (calcium sulfate) screed

Liquid floor screed that levels itself. It contains gypsum.

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Technical data and sources

Maximum tiling weight (tile + adhesive + grout): plaster ≤20 kg/m²; direct plasterboard ≤32 kg/m²; skimmed board counts as plaster, ≤20 kg/m². Add about 2–4 kg/m² for adhesive and grout. The weakest layer sets the limit. — Source: BAL Site Work Guide (weight limits, substrates)
New plaster: dry ≥4 weeks; never tile onto plaster backing coats. Natural stone is not fixed to gypsum plaster (BS 5385-1). — Source: BAL Site Work Guide (weight limits, substrates)
Plasterboard: screws ideally at 300 mm centres; British Gypsum does not recommend skimming board that will be tiled. Glasroc H tilebacker: 32 kg/m² on walls, 50 kg/m² on floors. — Source: British Gypsum White Book: Tiling
Plywood over floorboards: ≥15 mm, screws at 300 mm centres, staggered joints. — Source: BAL TN Tiling to Timber Floors
Sand and cement screed: ≥3 weeks drying; relative humidity <75 % before tiling. — Source: BAL TN 08.23 Screed Drying Times
Anhydrite: dries about 1 mm/day up to 40 mm; sand off laitance (the thin weak top skin), vacuum and prime; moisture <0.5 %. — Source: BAL TN 24.23 Tiling to Anhydrite Screeds

💧2. Waterproof

Tanking

Layer under the tiles that stops water.

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Primer

Liquid painted on the base before the adhesive.

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Self-levelling compound

Runny mix that makes the floor flat.

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More materials (1)

Uncoupling membrane

Sheet that separates the tiles from a base that moves.

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Technical data and sources

Uncoupling membrane: reduces sideways stress from the base (not vertical). Required for natural stone over underfloor heating (BAL). — Source: BAL TN 04.24 Tiling to Heated Sub-floors
Liquid tanking to BS EN 14891, or sheet, or board system. Wet room falls: 1:80 to 1:35. — Source: BAL technical guide to wet rooms and tanking
Primer on plaster or anhydrite: stops cement reacting with gypsum. — Source: BAL TN 24.23 Tiling to Anhydrite Screeds

🪣3. Stick

Powder tile adhesive

Powder in a bag that you mix with water.

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Notched trowel

Trowel with teeth that combs adhesive into ridges.

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Tile spacers

Plastic crosses between tiles.

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More materials (3)

Flexible tile adhesive

Powder adhesive that bends a little without cracking.

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Tile levelling clips

Clips and wedges that keep two tiles at the same height.

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Laser level

Tool that shines straight lines on the wall.

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Technical data and sources

BS EN 12004: C = cementitious, D = ready-mixed (dispersion), R = reaction resin. Class 1 normal, 2 improved. Extra letters: F fast setting, T low slip, E extended open time. Deformability: S1 2.5 to <5 mm, S2 ≥5 mm. — Source: BS EN 12004 adhesive classes (Laticrete TDS 137; Mapei)
Ready-mixed adhesive (D): wall tiles in dry interiors; not advised for large porcelain on plasterboard (BAL). Resin adhesive (R): two-part, for chemicals or moisture-sensitive stone. — Source: BAL Site Work Guide (weight limits, substrates)

✂️4. Cut

Manual tile cutter

Scores the tile and snaps it straight.

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Angle grinder with diamond blade

Disc machine for awkward cuts.

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▦5. Grout

Grout

Paste that fills the gaps between tiles.

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Grout float

Soft float that pushes grout into the joints.

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🛁6. Seal and finish

Silicone sealant

Flexible sealant in a cartridge.

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Tile trim

Metal or PVC strip for the tile edge.

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More materials (2)

Stone sealer

Liquid that protects stone from stains.

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Grout rake and sealant finisher

Small tools to clear old grout and smooth silicone.

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Technical data and sources

BS EN 13888: CG cementitious (CG1 normal, CG2 improved; A abrasion, W low water absorption, F fast); RG reaction resin (epoxy): stain and chemical resistant, for commercial kitchens; clean off quickly. — Source: BS EN 13888 grout classes (Mapei)
Stone sealer: usually before grouting, per the maker. — Source: Mapei: installing moisture-sensitive stone
Movement joints (BS 5385-3:2024): internal floors in bays ≤10 × 10 m; heated ≤40 m² with side ≤8 m; external every 3–5 m; walls every 3–4.5 m. Always at perimeters and internal corners. — Source: Movement joints, BS 5385-3:2024 clause 9.9 (Solus Ceramics data sheet)
Lippage = height step between two tiles; clips prevent it. — Source: BS 5385-1:2018 changes (The Tile Association)
Wet saw: water-cooled blade, clean cuts and less dust. Respirable crystalline silica: workplace exposure limit 0.1 mg/m³ (8 h), COSHH Regulations 2002. — Source: HSE construction dust: cutting tiles / stoneworkers FAQ

🔲7. Types of tile

Ceramic tile

Fired clay tile with a glaze.

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Porcelain tile

Very hard tile that hardly takes in water.

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Mosaic

Small pieces stuck on a mesh.

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More materials (3)

Wall tile

Soft, light tile that is easy to cut.

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Natural stone

Marble, travertine, slate or granite cut into tiles.

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Large-format tile

Very big tile.

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Technical data and sources

BS EN 14411 by water absorption: BIa ≤0.5 % (porcelain); BIb to BIIb medium; BIII >10 % (wall tile, not frost resistant). — Source: BS EN 14411 groups (Agrob Buchtal data sheet; NSAI EN 14411 contents)
Mosaic: each piece fits within 49 cm². Large format (BS 5385-1): >3600 cm² with no edge >1200 mm. — Source: BS 5385-1:2018 changes (The Tile Association)
Moisture-sensitive stone (e.g. green marble): rapid-set or resin adhesive; white adhesive for translucent stone. — Source: Mapei: installing moisture-sensitive stone

🧰Tools

Electric wet tile saw

Cuts thick and porcelain tiles with a blade and water.

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Mixing paddle and drill

Mixes adhesive or grout without lumps.

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Spirit level

Checks things are straight and level.

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More materials (6)

Buckets

For mixing and washing.

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Grout sponge

Cleans grout off the tile face.

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Tile nippers

Nibble small bits of tile for curves.

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Diamond drill bits and hole saws

Make holes in tiles and porcelain.

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Silicone gun

Applies silicone in corners and joints.

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Knee pads

Protect your knees when working on the floor.

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⚠️ Safety

Silica dust: cutting or sanding tiles makes dust that harms your lungs. Cut wet or with on-tool extraction (M or H class) and wear a fitted FFP3 mask. Legal limit: 0.1 mg/m³ averaged over 8 h (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002). Heavy bags and boxes: Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.

🎓 Learn with the courses

Tiling course – Level 1 – Basic Tiling course – Level 2 – Intermediate Tiling course – Level 3 – Advanced Versión en español Drywall materials Painting and decorating materials

Data sources

BS EN 14411 groups (Agrob Buchtal data sheet; NSAI EN 14411 contents) — agrob-buchtal.de
BS EN 12004 adhesive classes (Laticrete TDS 137; Mapei) — www.mapei.com
BS EN 13888 grout classes (Mapei) — www.mapei.com
BAL Site Work Guide (weight limits, substrates) — www.bal-adhesives.com
British Gypsum White Book: Tiling — www.walls-and-ceilings.co.uk
BAL TN Tiling to Timber Floors — helpcentre.building-adhesives.com
BAL TN 08.23 Screed Drying Times — helpcentre.building-adhesives.com
BAL TN 24.23 Tiling to Anhydrite Screeds — helpcentre.building-adhesives.com
BAL TN 04.24 Tiling to Heated Sub-floors — helpcentre.building-adhesives.com
BAL technical guide to wet rooms and tanking — www.bal-adhesives.com
Movement joints, BS 5385-3:2024 clause 9.9 (Solus Ceramics data sheet) — solusceramics.com
BS 5385-1:2018 changes (The Tile Association) — www.tiles.org.uk
Mapei: installing moisture-sensitive stone — cdnmedia.mapei.com
HSE construction dust: cutting tiles / stoneworkers FAQ — www.hse.gov.uk
General UK tiling practice (no figures)

Photo credits (free licences)

Tile backer board — Builder Depot
Sand and cement screed — Builder Depot
Plasterboard — Builder Depot
Gypsum plaster — Builder Depot
Exterior plywood — Wickes
Anhydrite (calcium sulfate) screed — Kelmore
Tanking — Builder Depot
Primer — Builder Depot
Self-levelling compound — Builder Depot
Uncoupling membrane — Builder Depot
Powder tile adhesive — Builder Depot
Notched trowel — Builder Depot
Tile spacers — Builder Depot
Flexible tile adhesive — Builder Depot
Tile levelling clips — Builder Depot
Laser level — Stanley
Manual tile cutter — Vitrex
Angle grinder with diamond blade — Builder Depot
Grout — Builder Depot
Grout float — Builder Depot
Silicone sealant — Builder Depot
Tile trim — Builder Depot
Stone sealer — SmartSeal
Grout rake and sealant finisher — Builder Depot
Ceramic tile — Wickes
Porcelain tile — Builder Depot
Mosaic — Wickes
Wall tile — Wickes
Natural stone — Wickes
Large-format tile — Builder Depot
Electric wet tile saw — Wickes
Mixing paddle and drill — Builder Depot
Spirit level — Wickes
Buckets — Builder Depot
Grout sponge — Builder Depot
Tile nippers — Builder Depot
Diamond drill bits and hole saws — Builder Depot
Silicone gun — Builder Depot
Knee pads — Wickes

Tap a material to see its page with the UK brands and shop links (Builder Depot, Wickes, B&Q and others); prices and stock may change. Photos: Builder Depot, the manufacturer or the shop (see photo list). Original Fixiz Academy text, checked on 30 October 2026. It does not replace the data sheet or your project specification.