Popular: Sikaflex · waterproofing · grout · data sheets
Fixing ceramic, porcelain and stone floor tiles indoors, on courtyards and terraces, on heated floors and in shops with heavy foot traffic. A flat, mature base and the right adhesive stop hollow, cracking and lifting tiles.
A level base, the right adhesive for the use and full contact under every tile carry the load evenly. C2TE on an adhesive means cementitious (C), improved strength (2), reduced slip (T) and extended open time (E). Movement joints at the edges and across large floors let the floor expand without lifting the tiles.
What it does: A screed or levelling mortar, improved with a latex where needed.
Why it is needed here: Tile adhesives need a flat base: the adhesive data sheet asks for levelling where the base is out by 5 mm or more under a 2 m straightedge.
What it does: A membrane under the tiles in wet areas.
Why it is needed here: Tiles and grout are not waterproof; wet floors need the membrane first.
What it does: Notched-trowel ribs pressed flat so the adhesive fully covers the tile back.
Why it is needed here: Full contact removes the hollow spots that cause loose and cracked tiles. Choose the adhesive by tile and use: indoor ceramic and marble, or C2TE for outdoor, heavy-traffic and heated floors.
What it does: The wearing finish.
Why it is needed here: Protect new tiles from traffic until the adhesive has set.
What it does: Fills the joints between tiles.
Why it is needed here: Cement grout for general floors; epoxy grout for interior wet rooms and commercial kitchens.
What it does: A gap at walls and across large floors, filled with an elastic sealant over a backer rod.
Why it is needed here: Floors expand and shrink; the joints absorb the movement so tiles do not lift.
Products are named only where the data sheet confirms the use (verified); other layers say "Ask us". Diagrams are schematic, not to scale. Draft pending technical sign-off.
General guidance based on the manufacturer data sheets. Site conditions differ: confirm the system with MCT before you start. Where we do not name a product, ask us and we will confirm the right one.
Remove weak concrete and laitance. Cement bases must be at least 28 days old (SikaCeram-205 PK p.2). Level differences must be less than 5 mm under a 2 m straightedge. If they are more, level the base first with a mortar made with Sika Latex, MonoTop or SikaRep (SikaCeram-205 PK p.3). Allow 24–48 hours after repairs before tiling (SikaCeram-205 PK p.2).
SikaLatex® PK is used as bonding agent and sitemix mortar admixture for the following applications: Grouts and screeds, Patch repair mortars, Mansonry mortars, Renders, Tile adhesives. (TDS p.1)
For bathrooms, kitchens and wash areas, apply a waterproof coating listed for wet areas under tiling (SikaTop-550 Seal p.1). For roofs and terraces, follow the waterproofing guides before tiling.
As a waterproof lining for water retaining structures. (TDS p.1)
SikaCeram-90 PK fixes floor tiles, marble and terrazzo, and is suitable indoors and outdoors (SikaCeram-90 PK p.1). SikaCeram-103 PK fixes ceramic, porcelain and marble on indoor floors, in layers up to 10 mm (SikaCeram-103 PK p.1). SikaCeram-51 is for high-absorption ceramic tiles indoors only (SikaCeram-51 p.1, p.2).
SikaCeram®-90 PK is suitable for fixing: Wall and floor tiles, Insulation and acoustic tiles, Marbles and terrazzo tiles, Mosaics. (TDS p.1)
SikaCeram®-103 PK is suitable for bonding all kinds of ceramic tiles, porceline tile and marbel stones. (TDS p.1)
Suitable for bonding high absorption ceramic tiles Indoor application without primer over concrete, cement mortars, bricks Suitable for floor and wall applications (TDS p.1)
SikaCeram-205 PK is listed for outdoor floors, swimming pools, industrial and heavy-traffic floors, and water-based heating floors (SikaCeram-205 PK p.1).
SikaCeram®-205 PK has following uses: Laying all kind of ceramic tiles, even grès porcelain in large size, Laying marbles and natural stone, provided not sensitive to water, Indoor walls and floors, outdoor floors, Laying on water-based heating floors, Indoor over-tiling application on old tiles,… (TDS p.1)
Choose the notched trowel by tile size: 6 mm for small tiles, 8 mm for 20 × 20 to 40 × 40 cm, 10 mm for large tiles (SikaCeram-205 PK p.2). Back-butter tiles larger than 300 × 300 mm or tiles that will carry heavy loads, and press each tile firmly into the adhesive (SikaCeram-205 PK p.3).
Keep foot traffic off for at least 24 hours, and grout no sooner than 24 hours (SikaCeram-205 PK p.3). Cement grout covers floors, inside and outside, dry and wet areas (SikaCeram-600 Tile Grout PK p.1). Wait 24 hours before walking on new grout (SikaCeram-600 Tile Grout PK p.2). Use epoxy grout in wet rooms, malls and commercial kitchens (SikaCeram-850 Design p.1).
For filling the spaces of homogeneous tile, ceramic tile, marble, granite, mosaic, and natural stone, over a range of applications as below: Floor and wall, Interior and exterior, Dry and wet area, For dry area, mix SikaCeram®-600 Tile Grout PK with water, Do not mix the fresh material to previou… (TDS p.1,2)
Grouting tiles for the following interior residential and commercial building applications: Wet rooms, Shopping malls, Hospitals, Commercial / Industrial kitchens, Food industry, Swimming pools (indoors). (TDS p.1)
Leave movement joints in normal practice (SikaCeram RSG 705 p.3), and seal them with a floor sealant for pedestrian areas (Sikaflex PRO-3 p.1). Insert a closed-cell polyethylene backer rod (Sikaflex PRO-3 p.3). Joints must be 10–40 mm wide with a width-to-depth ratio of 1:0.8 (Sikaflex PRO-3 p.2).
Horizontal and vertical interior and exterior sealing joint applications: Food industry, Cleanrooms, Sewage treatment plants, Tunnels Sealing horizontal and vertical joints for:, Floors, Pedestrian and traffic areas. (TDS p.1)
A starting point for a site proposal. Quantities, prices and the final specification follow a site visit or photos.
| Step | Product | Pack | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Check and level the base | SikaLatex PK | 05 ltr jerry can 20 ltr plastic can 200 ltr drum 1000 ltr IBC Bulk supply in tanker is… | TDS p.1 · June 2025, Version 02.01 |
| 2. Waterproof wet floors first | SikaTop-550 Seal | — | TDS p.1 · March 2024, Version 01.01 |
| 3. Indoor floors: ceramic and marble | SikaCeram-90 PK | 20 kg & 40 kg bag | TDS p.1 · October 2023, Version 01.02 |
| 3. Indoor floors: ceramic and marble | SikaCeram-103 PK | 20 kg | TDS p.1 · June 2025, Version 06.01 |
| 3. Indoor floors: ceramic and marble | SikaCeram-51 | Grey color - 25 kg bag | TDS p.1 · May 2021, Version 03.01 |
| 4. Outdoor floors, heavy traffic and heated floors | SikaCeram-205 PK | — | TDS p.1 · October 2023, Version 01.02 |
| 6. Protect, then grout | SikaCeram-600 Tile Grout PK | 1 kg Pouch | TDS p.1,2 · June 2024, Version 01.01 |
| 6. Protect, then grout | SikaCeram-850 Design | 400 ml double side-by-side cartridge | TDS p.1 · April 2025, Version 01.01 |
| 7. Seal perimeter and movement joints | Sikaflex PRO-3 | 600 ml cylindrical foil pack | TDS p.1 · May 2021, Version 03.01 |
After at least 24 hours for light foot traffic (SikaCeram-205 PK p.3), and again 24 hours after grouting (SikaCeram-600 Tile Grout PK p.2).
SikaCeram-205 PK is listed for outdoor floors (SikaCeram-205 PK p.1), and SikaCeram-90 PK for indoor and outdoor use (SikaCeram-90 PK p.1). Do not use SikaCeram-51 outside (SikaCeram-51 p.2).
SikaCeram-205 PK lists laying on water-based heating floors (SikaCeram-205 PK p.1). For electric heating mats, ask us: it depends on site conditions.
Only small irregularities. Differences of more than 5 mm under a 2 m straightedge must be levelled first with a Sika Latex, MonoTop or SikaRep mortar (SikaCeram-205 PK p.3).
On very porous bases, or in high temperature or low humidity, dampen the base first, with no standing water (SikaCeram-205 PK p.3). Where the adhesive could dry fast, light water fogging for 48 hours after final set, hessian or a curing compound is recommended (SikaCeram-90 PK p.2).
Steps and product facts are taken from the manufacturer data sheets (page cited). Products are named only where the data sheet confirms the use; quantities follow a site visit or photos. General guidance: check the data sheet or ask us before you start.