Clinker tiles for facades occupy a special place among building finishing materials. Its composition is similar to ceramics, but it is stronger and more resistant to external factors. High performance and aesthetic characteristics have led to a wide range of applications for clinker.
Advantages and disadvantages of clinker tiles
Even the ancient Romans used clinker tiles for cladding facades, which were made by firing clay and molding dense monolithic bricks. At the beginning of the 19th century, Dutch craftsmen improved the technology of tile production and created a perfectly smooth, durable finishing material - clinker.
The main component of the tile is high-quality refractory shale clay, which is cleaned of salts, calcareous components and impurities. After processing the clay, a finely dispersed promoter, fluxes and fireclay are added. The mixture is carefully mixed, shaped and sent for firing. All clay components are sintered at a temperature of 1200-1300 °C to a monolithic state, providing high strength to the finished product.
Clinker tiles have the following advantages:
- High strength, resistance to abrasion and mechanical damage.
- A layer of melted clay forms on the surface of the tile, which is even difficult to scratch.
- The surface of the material is UV resistant. Clinker tiles are almost ideal for outdoor work, as they do not fade in the sun.
- Frost resistance allows the use of clinker in regions with harsh climates.
- The high density of the material makes clinker tiles moisture resistant.
- Lightweight and easy to install - clinker is light in weight.
- Environmentally friendly material.
- Wide range of textures and colors of tiles.
The fairly high cost of clinker tiles is perhaps the only drawback of the material. The price of tiles varies from 650 to 4000 rubles/m2 (the cost depends on the manufacturer, shape, texture and color of the material).
Clinker installation methods
Cladding a house with clinker tiles can be done using a wet or dry method. The first option is considered traditional and is used for installing standard tiles, and the second option is for laying thermal panels with clinker tiles.
"Wet" method involves the use of an adhesive composition. The finishing of the facade is carried out piece by piece - in separate elements. The boards are glued to the prepared surface using special adhesive mixtures.
Important! With the “wet” method, a backing made of insulation is used, which is attached with self-tapping screws to a primed wall. The thermal insulation layer is leveled and reinforced, after which the tiles are laid
Advantages of the “wet” method: aesthetic appearance, durability, strength. Cons: more labor-intensive compared to the “dry” method.
"Dry" method involves laying panels consisting of insulation - polystyrene foam and slabs. The panels are supplied with fasteners necessary for fixing to the walls.
Installation of thermal panels with clinker tiles can be done with self-tapping screws or dowels directly on the wall of the house. If the base is uneven, then it is better to make a frame from metal or wooden profiles.
Advantages of “dry” installation: ease of installation (after attaching the panels, no additional processing of the seams is required). The downside is the high cost of thermal panels.
Criteria for choosing clinker tiles for the facade
In order not to get confused in all the variety of presented models, you need to clearly define the main parameters for choosing tiles for the facade:
Calculation of the required number of tiles
To cover the facade with clinker tiles, you need to calculate in advance how much material will be needed. The number of main and corner elements is determined separately. The main elements are calculated in square meters, and the corner elements - in linear meters.
Rules for calculating the number of tiles:
- Determine the area of the surface to be covered - multiply the length of the base by the width. From the resulting value, subtract the area of all uncoated elements (windows, doors, etc.).
- The packaging of the tiles indicates the material consumption per 1 m2. Usually this value is determined on the basis that the tile joints are 10-12 mm. Based on this value, simply calculate the number of clinker packages: divide the total coverage area by the consumption rate.
- To determine the number of corner elements, the total length of all available corners of the facade must be divided by the length of one corner tile. It is important not to forget about 10 mm between the plates.
What adhesive is suitable for laying clinker tiles
To attach clinker, you can use several types of adhesive mixtures:
- Cement-based compositions have lost some of their popularity, but some craftsmen continue to use cement mixtures today. Plasticizers (elastic properties), water-retaining components (reduce mixture consumption) and dispersion additives (increase frost resistance and adhesion of the material) are added to classic cement mortar.
- One-component adhesive is a ready-made paste mass. A significant drawback of the composition is the long drying time. This mixture is better suited for smaller tiles and thicknesses.
- Two-component epoxy or epoxy compounds require additional preparation. As a result of mixing the two components, an elastic and durable mixture is obtained. This option is the most reliable, but the cost of the glue is much higher.
Important! Adhesive compositions for laying clinker must have the most important property - elasticity. Therefore, when choosing adhesive for tiles, it is better to give preference to a composition enriched with elastic additives. Such mixtures are not afraid of building shrinkage, high humidity and temperature changes
Cladding a house with clinker tiles is carried out subject to a number of conditions:
- Correct preparation of the base. The surface must be flat, free from dirt/dust and well primed.
- Correct selection of glue. It is worth choosing frost- and moisture-resistant compounds. For exterior work, dry glue Ceresit CM17 and CM117 is suitable.
- Compliance with seam alignment technology. When laying regular tiles with cross-shaped intersection of seams, use regular crosses. To obtain even seams when laying tiles under brick, use a rod with a diameter of 6-8 mm.
- Sealing joints between slabs. Before laying the rod, the seam is filled with grout. After the composition has dried, the rod can be removed, and a neat seam will be created automatically.
- Before applying glue to the tile, it must be moistened and the back side primed.
Technology for laying clinker tiles
Preparing the base for installation
Applying an adhesive composition to the wall of a house requires leveling the flatness:
- Using a building level and a lath, check the evenness of the wall. The permissible error is 4 mm. If the unevenness is greater, then you need to apply plaster and then rub it until smooth.
- The base of the wall must be primed, preferably applying at least two layers.
- You can install a substrate - thermal insulation material. This will reduce the formation of condensation and additionally insulate the walls of the room.
Installation of clinker tiles
When starting installation, you need to prepare an adhesive composition, moisten the tiles in water and prime the back side.
Laying tiles begins with door and window openings. Before work, you need to measure the distance between the openings, determine the installation boundaries and apply markings with a pencil. This is one of the most critical stages, determining the symmetry and accuracy of the cladding.
After the doors and windows of the house are decorated, they begin to decorate the corners of the room. Wall cladding with clinker is carried out over the entire length in even rows. If you plan to create patterns on the facade, then it is more convenient to lay out the tiles in 1 m2 sections.
The final stage of installation is lining the external window sill. Once the cladding is complete, you can begin grouting the joints.
Sealing and grouting
To align the tile joints, the master will need certain skills. To control evenness, you should adhere to a special technology and use a metal rod:
- A round rod (diameter 8 mm) is laid on a row of laid tiles.
- After the slabs have set to the wall surface, you must carefully remove the rods from the tile joints.
- Fill the joint spaces with grout and remove excess.
Finishing the facade with clinker tiles: video
Features of finishing the base with clinker tiles
The plinth is most susceptible to moisture and mechanical stress, so special attention is paid to the finishing of this part of the facade. When facing, denser insulation materials and more massive, thick clinker tiles are used.
- laying of tiles begins slightly below ground level;
- the wall is reinforced with a metal mesh, which is attached to the base with self-tapping screws;
- for grouting tile joints, it is better to use polyurethane or acrylic grout;
- so that the base has one level, a starting strip is laid along the entire perimeter of the facade - it can be a wooden strip, an ordinary board or a steel profile;
- the glue is applied to the area of the base that can be covered with tiles; drying time of the adhesive composition is about 20-30 minutes;
- The seams are grouted 2-3 days after laying the tiles.
Advice. It is better to cover the base with tiles with double application of glue. Tile adhesive is applied to the tiles and the base. In this case, the solution completely fills the space under the clinker
Covering the base with clinker tiles: video
Houses made of clinker tiles: photos
The choice of material and technology for finishing the facade of the house should be done at the design stage. The modern market offers a lot of different materials, so arranging a facade in accordance with a certain budget or design idea is not difficult. When choosing a material for finishing the facade of a private house, you should take into account two of the most important factors. Firstly, the house must be in harmony with the surrounding area, look aesthetically pleasing and in accordance with the tastes of the owner. Secondly, the facade material should become protection for the house, playing the role of additional insulation and sound insulation, as well as protecting supporting structures from moisture, sunlight and other negative influences. Not every finishing material will cope with the tasks, so we will focus on the best options.
Types of facade structures
Among other things, when choosing a facade material, it is necessary to take into account what the building is built from; the principle of organizing the facade decoration may depend on this. For example, for wooden houses it is recommended to install a ventilated façade.
It is customary to divide facades into the following types:
Depending on whether there is a gap between the outer wall of the house and the finishing material, facades are divided into:
- ventilated;
- unventilated.
Ventilated facade
Ventilated facades assume the presence of a ventilation gap between the façade material and the wall or, if used. The gap is necessary for free air circulation and removal of excess moisture that condenses or leaves the house through the walls. The floor wall material remains completely protected from all atmospheric influences. It is better to equip such a façade when the walls breathe. involves installing finishing material directly to the wall. Sometimes facades are classified simply as ventilated and “wet”, although this is not entirely correct.
Now we can move on to the materials that are widely used in finishing the facade of a private house.
No. 1. Plaster for facade finishing
No. 3. Facing brick
One of the most popular materials for facade finishing has always been and is. It is clear that for these purposes, not an ordinary construction one is used, but a special decorative one, which is called.
Ceramic brick
Ceramic brick, made from clay by firing it, is well known to each of us. Its facing variety amazes with a wide variety of colors and textures, but this is not the only advantage of the material.
Advantages:
- durability;
- environmental friendliness;
- good sound and heat insulation characteristics;
- resistance to temperature changes, sunlight, fire;
- relative cheapness.
Flaws:
Hyperpressed brick
This material is obtained by using shell rock and some special additives using the semi-dry pressing method. Outwardly, it resembles ceramic brick, but in many respects it is ahead of it.
Advantages:
- durability and strength;
- good geometry;
- frost resistance;
- large assortment;
- ease of processing.
The water absorption of such bricks is at an average level - about 5-6%, and the obvious disadvantages of the material include high thermal conductivity, the ability to change color over time and heavy weight, which affects transportation. 
Sand-lime brick
Facing sand-lime bricks are made from a cement-sand mixture using the autoclaving method; special additives can be used. Due to the ease of production and low cost of raw materials, sand-lime brick is considered one of the most affordable materials among other types of bricks.
Advantages:
- high strength;
- precise geometry;
- environmental friendliness;
- good soundproofing qualities;
- low price.
Flaws:
No. 4. Porcelain tiles for facade
Advantages:
- durability;
- the widest range. You can find tiles of any size, color and texture, as well as those imitating stone, brick and other materials;
- resistance to negative environmental factors;
- fire resistance;
- relatively light weight.
The tiles can be installed either using the “wet” method or by installing a ventilated façade. 
No. 6. Concrete facade tiles
The material is produced on the basis of cement, quartz sand, filler and additives.
Advantages:
- durability and moisture resistance;
- strength and rigidity;
- large selection;
- relatively low price.
Flaws:
No. 7. Decorative siding
Siding is one of the most inexpensive, easy to use and modern materials for the facade of the house. It has excellent decorative qualities, is sold in a wide range, boasts decent durability (up to 50 years), and excellent sound and heat insulation qualities. Siding can be used to cover any surface and even improve a long-built house.
Main types of decorative siding:
- vinyl;
- wooden;
- metal;
- cement.
Vinyl siding
Made from polyvinyl chloride, it can imitate stone, brick, wood and other natural materials. – one of the most popular materials for facade cladding, used most often in domestic private construction.
Advantages:
Resistance to mechanical damage is often considered an advantage, but a strong blow can damage the integrity of the material. Among shortcomings a large coefficient of linear expansion, which must be taken into account during installation, low thermal insulation qualities and the difficulty of replacing a damaged element in case of repair.
It is worth highlighting basement siding. It is completely identical to vinyl, but differs in increased thickness: 3.5 mm versus 0.7-1.2 for conventional PVC siding. Due to this, the resistance to mechanical damage increases, which makes the material one of the best in terms of price and quality ratio for. 
Wood siding
Metal siding
Made from aluminum or steel, which are coated with a layer of primer and polymer coating. in private construction it is rarely used due to its high price. Better suited for cladding a house steel sheets with a zinc protective layer and polymer or powder coating.
Advantages:
- strength;
- durability (up to 50 years);
- resistance to temperature changes;
- non-flammability;
- resistance to any weather conditions;
- high aesthetics;
- relative ease of installation.
In addition, metal siding is resistant to corrosion due to protective coatings, but if such a coating is damaged, you should expect rust to appear. Naturally, there is no need to talk about heat and sound insulation qualities. 
Cement siding
The material is obtained by mixing and pressing cellulose fibers and cement. Cement siding can replace stone in its decorative and performance qualities.
Advantages:
- high strength;
- resistance to precipitation, sunlight, high and low temperatures;
- fire resistance.
Among cons heavy weight, difficult installation, high cost and insufficiently wide selection of colors and textures. 
No. 8. Sandwich panels
They are a multilayer material consisting of two layers of rigid material (usually metal) and a layer of insulation between them. This entire “sandwich” is connected using the hot pressing method; the surface of the panels can be smooth, embossed or decorative.
Advantages:
The only downside is the high price.
No. 9. Facade cassettes
Metal facade cassettes are today widely used for cladding the facades of administrative buildings, but more recently they have also been used in private construction. The material is easy to recognize by its characteristic appearance: these are square or rectangular elements made of metal (steel, aluminum, less often copper) with a polymer coating.
Advantages:
- high reliability and durability;
- aesthetics;
- large selection of sizes and colors;
- resistance to negative environmental factors and fire.
Metal cassettes can be used for cladding old and newly constructed buildings and are mounted on a frame. The only negative is the high price.
No. 10. New and undistributed materials
In addition to those materials that have already become traditional in the field of facade cladding, there are also more innovative and in some ways even more progressive. The most interesting of them:
- concrete siding. Made from cement, sand and dyes. The material has a beautiful appearance and a pleasant rough surface, it is durable, but quite heavy, so it will require reinforcement;
- clinker thermal panels consist of ordinary clinker tiles and a fused polystyrene foam layer, and this is an excellent insulation material. While visually attractive, such finishing becomes an additional heat insulator. Disadvantage – high price;
- glass panels– a popular option for shopping centers and administrative buildings. Suitable for furnishing a private home only if you like bold decisions.
The choice of finishing material for the facade should be preceded by a multifactor analysis, including the climatic features of the region, the type of house, the style features of the site, one’s own preferences, wall material, one’s own requirements and preferences. Fortunately, there are plenty to choose from.
Facade tiles are used to give the surface an aesthetic appearance and protect it from the harmful effects of the environment. Currently, you can find a fairly wide range of such products on the construction market. It varies in structure, characteristics, size and decorative components. This makes it possible to choose the most suitable option that will satisfy all requirements.
Just a few decades ago, it was difficult to imagine that facing tiles for exterior use would be so popular. Although it is inferior in demand to some types of finishing materials, it has a number of features that make it an excellent solution for installation on the facade of a building.
The advantages of the product are as follows:
- High strength. The coating can withstand significant mechanical loads, but many parts cannot withstand a pinpoint impact. Therefore, for the plinth it is necessary to select products with higher strength ratings.
- Vapor permeability. This is a very important parameter that ensures free steam exchange.
- Excellent protection against moisture. Although cladding tiles allow the walls to breathe, they prevent the penetration of dampness. Due to this, it is possible to avoid deformation and the appearance of mold and mildew.
- Not the most complicated installation technology. It happens that specialists are hired to decorate a house, whose services are not cheap, but when using this material, all the work can be done completely independently. Naturally, the process is quite labor-intensive, but if you are careful, the result will be impressive.
- All types of facade tiles are capable of hiding surface imperfections. There are two installation technologies: directly on the walls and on a previously erected frame. Each method eliminates existing problems.
- Environmentally friendly. The material does not endanger the life and health of others.
- Wide decorative range. The products are so varied that choosing can take a lot of time.
Note! The undoubted advantages of such products for exterior decoration include the fact that they lend themselves well to combination with each other and with other materials for cladding.
Types of facade facing tiles
Existing types of decorative tiles differ in their technical characteristics and installation method. That is why, when choosing a product, it is necessary to evaluate all the properties of the product, as well as identify the material from which the walls were made. For example, structures made of aerated concrete have high vapor permeability, which requires the use of tiles that will promote better vapor exchange.
Porcelain tiles
Porcelain stoneware is produced by firing and pressing the main components with special binding additives. Quartz, granite, and expanded clay can be used as a base. The result is a product that is highly durable. This option is considered a good replacement for natural stone and is superior to it in many respects.
Material Features:
- Ideal for external cladding, as it is practically not exposed to the environment. If all installation rules are followed, the resulting coating has extreme durability. The service life exceeds even natural products.
- Installation speed. Porcelain tiles are laid exclusively on the sheathing, because the parts are quite large in size - up to 90 cm. This ensures the speed of cladding, but is not suitable for secure fixation directly to the base, since such laying increases the load on the walls.
- Great visual effect. The option that has a rough texture with an imitation of natural stone is very popular.
- Reasonable price. Naturally, when compared with other types of tiles for finishing the facade of a house, such material will not be cheap. But if you compare the products with natural stone, the price turns out to be very affordable.
Porcelain tiles are distinguished by their high reliability, but the technology for their installation requires compliance with all rules. The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Initially, the frame is erected. A metal profile is used for the guides; it must be securely fixed to previously installed hangers.
- The overall structure should be extremely strong.
- To install tiles, a special type of clamps is used. It should be taken into account that it is recommended to fasten them as the finishing is fixed. For this, a drill and riveting tool are used.
Note! It is quite difficult to do all the work yourself, so it is better to use the services of specialists.
Concrete tiles
Concrete tiles are one of the most economical options. Such products are made from a mixture of sand, various additives to improve quality and Portland cement, which plays the role of a binder.
Advantages of the material:
- Such tiles for the facade of the house are lightweight, which avoids significant load on the walls.
- Possibility to choose a suitable shade. During the production process, color is added to the solution, providing a wide variety of products.
- The products are additionally coated with a special composition, which ensures resistance to atmospheric precipitation.
Cement tiles also have some disadvantages:
- Large parts are not suitable for fixing with tile adhesive, so installation is carried out on the frame using hidden fasteners.
- The frost resistance of the material is low. The elements are not able to withstand severe temperature changes or prolonged frosts; such exposure leads to the formation of cracks and deformation.
- Although concrete tiles are not afraid of moisture, a protective compound must be applied to its surface every 3-4 years.
Some problems may arise when choosing products. The fact is that for this material it is very important to adhere to manufacturing technology and use high-quality components. But often there are products for facade cladding that are made with gross violations, so it is advisable to require certificates before purchasing.
Clinker tiles
Clinker decorative facade tiles are a real find for those who want to get a beautiful and durable coating. A variety that imitates brick is very popular. Moreover, this can be an aged version, which provides an even more interesting decorative effect.
Positive qualities of this material:
- High strength. The product has good wear resistance.
- Ability to withstand temperature fluctuations.
- Vapor permeability.
- Easy to install.
But quite expensive, this limits the scope of use of the product.
Note! On the modern construction market there is a clinker thermal panel that combines tiles and a layer of thermal insulation.
Ceramic tiles
Facade ceramic tiles are a slightly different variation of the usual material for interior work, which is sometimes mistaken for simple tiles. Many craftsmen and specialists believe that this term is a general one, therefore they classify clinker and porcelain stoneware as subspecies. But ceramic tiles are a separate option for decorating the exterior of a home.
This product has many advantages:
- Insignificant load on the walls and foundation, which allows work to be carried out in any convenient way.
- Wealth of choice. There is a wide variety of options that provide the opportunity to show imagination and individuality.
- Easy to care for. The surface does not attract dirt and dust. And if necessary, just wipe it with a damp cloth.
- Resistant to any temperature.
In addition, ceramic facade tiles are an unfavorable basis for mold and mildew; their appearance is due to poor care of the seams.
Even such tiles for facades have disadvantages:
- The product is not entirely suitable for installation on frame structures or buildings made of lightweight materials. Such a lined house will experience a noticeable load, since its structure, including the foundation, is usually not designed for such a margin of safety.
- The product is not recommended for use on breathable walls; in this case, it is necessary to choose the right adhesive that will not interfere with the vapor exchange process.
- To reclare a house, you will need a sufficient amount of money. Although, taking into account all the positive properties, this option is the most affordable.
Lay the tiles according to the standard pattern:
- The surface is being prepared: all defects are sealed and dirt is removed.
- Marking is carried out, glue and tools are prepared.
- Installation is usually started from the second row from the bottom, so that the first one can be trimmed later.
- The adhesive composition is applied to the base and the reverse side of the parts. All elements are checked for level, seams of the selected size are formed.
- After 24 hours, the joints are carefully rubbed down.
Any type of facade tile is an excellent solution if you first weigh the pros and cons.
If funds allow, the owner can decorate his facade with tiles made of natural stone; if not, resort to the help of its artificial analogues, which are porcelain stoneware and clinker. By the way, their functional and aesthetic capabilities are not much different from significantly more expensive natural stone. Let's look at each of these options in more detail.
Read more about it on our portal.
Porcelain tiles
In the production of porcelain stoneware facade tiles, the same raw materials are used as for conventional ceramic tiles intended for cladding surfaces inside a residential building. Both types of tiles contain clay, kaolin and various mineral components. However, as a result of the specialized processing that porcelain stoneware undergoes during its creation, its strength characteristics turn out to be tens of times superior to the properties of ceramic tiles.
Porcelain tiles are pressed in special presses under very high pressure, as a result of which the formation of even microscopic pores in the clay becomes absolutely impossible. After compression, the tile is subjected to heat treatment at ultra-high temperatures (from 1300 degrees Celsius). Thanks to firing, the tile turns into a monolith, whose strength characteristics are practically no different from natural granite.
Clinker tiles
Facade clinker has significant external differences from porcelain tiles. Both in its shape and the texture of its surface, clinker, as a rule, imitates bricks of a wide variety of colors and shades.
Clinker tiles are produced as follows. Bricks of the required sizes and shapes are squeezed out of a mass of raw materials with a special press, and then subjected to heat treatment for one and a half days. As a result of firing, the material acquires resistance to physical impact, the ability to withstand sudden temperature changes and practically zero water absorption properties. The facade of a house covered with clinker tiles will not require any complex maintenance or repairs for several decades!
Two ways to install façade tiles
Experts point to 2 ways of tiling the facade of a building - easy gluing and installation on the frame. The choice of one or another cladding method depends on four important factors:
- Type and overall dimensions of tiles;
- Tile weight;
- The material from which the walls of the building are made;
- Do I need to use insulation?
Gluing tiles to the façade surface
Tiling the façade of a building using the gluing method is technically indistinguishable from the technique of laying ceramic tiles on the floor or walls indoors. But there are still differences.
Firstly, the external decoration of the facade requires a special frost-resistant cement-adhesive composition that can withstand both the harsh Russian winter and the off-season with its sharp temperature changes. Secondly, Work should be carried out exclusively at air temperatures from +5 to +25 degrees Celsius. The fact is that lower or higher temperatures have a destructive effect on the cement-adhesive composition that has not yet dried.
All work associated with tiling the facade using the gluing method can be divided into several parts:
- Before purchasing tiles, you need to calculate the total surface area of the facade intended for cladding. To do this, you need to multiply the height of the wall by its length. After this, the area of window and door openings belonging to a given wall is calculated in the same way. Then the area of all openings should be subtracted from the total area of the wall. We obtain the area of the wall intended for cladding. Similarly, we calculate the area of the remaining walls of the building facade. In order not to make a mistake with the number of corner elements, measure the length of the surface of all corners intended for cladding.
- Purchase the required number of tiles.
- Carry out preliminary leveling and priming of the walls. If the walls need a large amount of plaster to be completely level, use reinforcing mesh.
We have previously written about how it is produced and recommended bookmarking the article.
Training videos about installing façade tiles using clinker tiles as an example
- Make a “beat” of the lower level of the border of the surface intended for tiling. It is advisable to do this using a water level.
- The cement-adhesive solution should be applied sequentially to small areas of the surface and, using a special spatula with teeth, give the layer of the mixture applied to the wall surface ribbing. This must be done starting from the bottom corner of the wall.
- Carefully lay the tiles on the cement-adhesive composition, observing the selected thickness of the joints using plastic crosses.
- If the tile needs trimming, it is recommended to perform this manipulation with a grinder equipped with a stone disc. Mark a line on the surface of the tile along which the cut will be made (it’s better to do this using a square), then carefully cut off the excess with a grinder
- A few days after the cement-adhesive composition has completely hardened, the seams between the tiles should be filled with a special composition. This can be done using a construction gun or jointing.
You may also be interested in information about on our website.
Ceramic cladding of facades is one of the types of coatings that have an almost unlimited service life. The aesthetic aspect is no less important: when different colors and textures of tiles are combined, excellent design options are obtained.
Facades are faced with ceramic tiles using both adhesive and frame methods, which makes it possible to select the most suitable technology not only for concrete and brick walls, but also for wooden walls. The instructions and video in our article are to help those who decide to finish them themselves.
There is no need to talk about the wonderful properties of ceramic tiles, because there is probably no house or apartment where this material would not be used. Everyone knows about its main advantage: water resistance.
Thanks to this quality, the tiles are also excellent for outdoor use:
- Ceramic cladding of the facade protects the building from atmospheric influences to the maximum. Moreover, it lasts as long as the building costs, unless, of course, there were any violations in the work technology.
The owner of a house tiled with ceramics will never have to deal with the issue of updating the external walls - it is enough to wash them from time to time. - Facade tiles differ from the options used in interiors in thickness, formats and design. Small-format tiles are mounted with glue, and most often have the configuration of the tray side of a brick. Ceramic tiles for facade cladding, which have a large format, are installed on the frame, which makes it possible to insulate the walls during the finishing process, as well as hide their unevenness.
- The design of coatings for external walls most often imitates various types of brick and stone. This decoration on the facade looks most harmonious, but, if desired, the outer wall can be decorated with colored panels.
The main thing is that such decoration is appropriate and does not cause dissonance in the appearance of the building.
- If you compare facade tiles with full-size facing bricks, then their advantages in finishing are obvious. Having the same aesthetic effect, the cladding weighs little, which means it does not require additional support on the foundation.
All ceramic tiles for façade cladding are produced in accordance with GOST 13996-93, which regulates their properties necessary to withstand multiple freeze-thaw cycles.
What ceramic materials are best suited for facade cladding?
Our short review will help you understand this issue and make the right choice:
| Variety of tiles | Brief information | Size range |
| This type of tile is made from kaolin clay. Before being included in the raw material mass, it must remain in the open air for almost a year after extraction.
Terracotta tiles are formed using the extrusion method. That is, the raw material mass is pressed through an extruder, and then the layer is cut into blanks.
| Ceramic facing tiles for terracotta facades are produced not only in small formats 240*71*11 mm or 302*148*12 mm, intended for adhesive installation.
The maximum width of such a panel can be 60 cm, and the length can reach 1.8 m - this is exactly what you see in the photo above. |
| The peculiarity of clinker tiles is that only shale clay with a certain chemical composition is used in its production. It should not contain impurities of lime and salts.
The natural color of these products varies within the yellow-brown range, and with the help of dyes, you can get any shade.
| Here are several standard sizes of clinker tiles: 210*52*11238*64*18240*71*14 As a rule, tiles imitating stone have larger formats and thickness. |
| Tiles with such an interesting name gained popularity at the end of the 19th century, during the era of the dominance of the Art Nouveau architectural style. Many buildings built in those days have just such a cladding, and note that it still does not require replacement!
It is enough to hit its end with a hammer, and the blank breaks into two halves, turning into two tiles. If you take into account that its edges are beveled, you get a now fashionable voluminous relief. By the way, manufacturers of clinker tiles often offer consumers products that imitate the surface of a “hog”. | Standard sizes of “hog” tiles: 285*85*9 mm250*100*8 mm120*60*8 mm |
| Porcelain tiles are slightly different in composition from ceramic tiles. In its production, in addition to white clay, sand is also used. But, during the process of pressing and firing, the products are more dense and, accordingly, durable, and have almost zero water absorption. | The size range of porcelain stoneware is very large, but for finishing facades the following sizes are most often used: - for adhesive installation 30*30 cm and 45*45 cm - for assembling ventilated facades: 30*60; 60*60; 30*120 and 120*180 cm. The thickness of the tiles usually does not exceed 14 mm. |
- Facade cladding with ceramic tiles is one of those types of finishing that provide almost unlimited design possibilities. It is used with equal success in both low-rise and high-rise construction. The higher the building, the stronger the wind loads its walls are exposed to.
Therefore, in the process of designing buildings and structures, their cladding is calculated in the same way as load-bearing structures. Accordingly, the material for exterior finishing is selected according to these calculations.
Ceramic facade tiles are one of the few materials that can withstand almost any load.
Technologies for tiling facades
As we have already said, there are two ways to install ceramic tiles on a wall: with glue, and, according to the system of ventilated facades, with lathing. Theoretically, tiles can be glued to any surface, even wood and metal, but surface preparation, in this case, would be quite labor-intensive.
What's the point of this:
- Moreover, today manufacturers offer us facade systems, for example, “Ronson”, which provide for the installation of even small-format tiles on the frame. After all, it is precisely this that attracts home owners with its beauty and similarity to brickwork.
- For this reason, adhesive cladding of the facade with ceramic tiles is only good for concrete or brick houses of small heights. Let us briefly consider the technology for its implementation.
Installing tiles with glue
In order for a tiled wall to look beautiful, it must first of all be smooth. And it is the condition of the walls that sometimes plays a decisive role when choosing the method of installing tiles.
This is especially true when the finishing is not carried out in a new building, but it is planned, for example, to update the facade of an old house.
In any case, the walls should be prepared:
- Depending on the circumstances, you need to remove the old coating or layer of plaster; if it is brickwork, clean it from mortar build-up; plaster the recesses; remove dust from the surface and saturate it with primer.
- Many people believe that cement-sand mortar M50 (1:5) is quite suitable for laying tiles. But this is not so: as the grout between the tiles is washed away by rain, the screed, having such little strength, gradually collapses. The tiles, in this case, fall off one after another, or move away from the base in a layer.
- To prevent this from happening, you need to use specialized glue, which is sold in dry form on all construction markets. It contains special polymer additives that accelerate setting and enhance the adhesion of the mixture, making the screed absolutely impervious to moisture and resistant to temperature changes.
- Manufacturers often offer tile adhesive complete with grout. The price of a bag of glue weighing 25 kg is at least 400 rubles.
Its consumption depends on the thickness of the tiles, but on average it is 3.5 kg/m2. A simple calculation will show that one bag is enough for about seven square meters of wall area, and cladding even a small house will not be cheap. - To save money, but not at the expense of quality, you can make the right solution yourself. The ratio of cement in the solution should be made not 1:5, but 1:3, and a plasticizer should be added there.
These supplements are sold in cans and plastic bottles. The cost of one liter of plasticizer does not exceed 120 rubles, and it is enough for 100 kg of cement.
This amount will be enough to finish the walls of a small house.
- The order of cladding is as follows: a starting profile is mounted along the lower perimeter of the walls, on which the first row of tiles will rest, and they begin to glue it from the corners. All types of ceramic facade materials are equipped with additional and corner elements.
When working with a plasticized mixture, you most likely will not need to moisten the tiles. Study the manufacturers' recommendations carefully.
To ensure beautiful joints of equal thickness, plastic crosses are inserted between the tiles. After the glue hardens, they are removed and the joints are grouted. The result should be as neat as the picture above!
Assembly of a ceramic ventilated facade
The success of installing ceramic tiles using a ventilated facade system depends on the correct installation of the frame, because it will bear the load from the weight of the cladding. You can, of course, independently select the profiles of the required size, and perhaps at the same time you will be able to reduce costs a little, but this is the very case when it is better not to save, but to purchase all the frame parts from one manufacturer.
So:
- The set, as a rule, includes three types of profiles, with Z; L and T sections, brackets, clamps or screws. If you don’t plan to insulate the facade, you will only have to buy waterproofing separately (rolled or coated).
An insulated structure will require thermal insulation material and a windproof membrane.
- At the initial stage of installation work, the lines of the starting profile and the location points of the brackets are marked. If a rolled membrane is used as a waterproofing material, it is glued after the brackets are installed, carefully making slots for them.
It is easier to pre-treat a brick or concrete wall with a deep penetration primer. - Next, vertical posts are installed, and, if necessary, thermal insulation boards are laid between them. The first row of insulation must necessarily rest on a metal profile. During the installation process, it should be placed on the edges and center with glue, and then firmly fixed with disc-shaped dowels.
- After this, a wind barrier is installed, and on top of it is a transverse load-bearing profile that will hold the cladding and provide a ventilation gap. All that remains is to hang ceramic tiles on the frame. How to do this will depend on what kind of tile you purchased.
Some manufacturers provide installation of tiles on special fastening systems. In some cases, cladding elements have technological holes and are mounted using decorative screws.
Porcelain tiles (see Porcelain tile cladding: estimate for finishing), for example, are held on the frame by metal clamps that have special protrusions. In any case, a façade covered with ceramic tiles or panels will look respectable and sound, delighting with its practicality and beauty.