Hi, about 4 years ago, (before i was a tiler) i was advised to use Bal Grip adhesive to tile my bathroom walls with 30x45cm ceramic tiles, by my local tile shop. Since becoming a tiler i have always used powder adhesives for large format tiles, as Bal grip states on the tub it can only be used for wall tiles up to 30x30cm. the tiles seem to be very secure still in my bathroom, is there a certain tile size you can go up to using tubs ?. Also does the background make any difference to the tile size ie. skimmed walls, plaster board etc.

Stick to what is says on the tub.. or even better stick to just bagged adhesive.

Only ever use powder..... the only thing I miss about tubbed adhesive, is having the empty tubs!

ok thanks for the replies

tubbed stuff is only for splashbacks imo and thats only if the walls are good

Tubbed adhesive is only good for CERAMIC, WALL tiles only, not porcelain or floor tiles. I only use tubs if fixing ceramic wall tiles upto 25 x 20, anything bigger then i use the appropriate powder depending on substrate.

I would only use tubbed adhesive for kitchen splashbacks if fixing ceramic tile upto size specified on tubbed

I always use bagged powder adhesive, it ticks all the boxes, obviously there are also different classifications of bagged adhesive to use accordingly

I only use tubs for Splashbacks and then its D2 grade.
The reason why you should not use tubbed on large format tiles is because it needs to dry out by dispersion via the grout lines and or into substrate. using 10x10 for splashbacks there is lots space for the addy to dry, but using 30x45's it could take a week or more to set. if you grouted before it has dried it may never set completely. Cement based Addy's though set by chemical reaction.

depends what you are fixing as to what adhesive i use..ie..size and weight of tile,the substrateetc.....But as Dave says..always use powdered adhesive.

Powdered gear all the way

Tub gear is for small tiles under 300 x300, better always use powder where if there is any padding, you know it will set, unlike using tubbed gear to pad out, never sets, IMO.

Not used tubed addy for over 2yrs now, just dont see the point.

used tubbed gear till i joined this forum i have never used it since its rubbish!

Only use tubbed for kitchen splashbacks and even then it's only really to get the bucket. Don't particularly like working with it but it's worth it when you have a brand new spotless bucket suitable for white grout.