Get a quote
SP-02

Tile Adhesive and Grout in South Africa: Get Free Quotes

Get a free quote for tile adhesive, tiling grout and flexible adhesive for slate from independent South African suppliers. No fee and no obligation.

  • Quotes from: tile shops and builders' merchants
  • Area: all nine provinces
  • Cost to you: free
Bags of tile adhesive and a bucket of mixed grout beside a floor being tiled with rustic slate tiles
Bags of tile adhesive and a bucket of mixed grout beside a floor being tiled with rustic slate tiles

Measure up

Know the size? Enter it and we add the area to your request. Skip it if you are not sure.

0 m² to order

Roofs, walls and steps: measure each face and add them up, or type the total in the form.

Get a free quote

Tell us what you need and where. A slate supplier, tiler, cladding installer or roofer who works in your area quotes you directly.

Measure sheetMS-57565
Tick what applies (optional)

Free and no obligation. By sending you agree that we may share your request with a suitable supplier or installer. See our privacy policy.

The right tile adhesive decides whether a slate floor stays flat and solid for years. SlateTiles.co.za is a free quote service. Tell us the tile type, the area in m² and whether the job is a floor, wall or outdoor area. We pass your request to independent suppliers in your area, who quote you directly for adhesive and grout. There is no fee and no obligation. We do not sell adhesive and we do not lay tiles. You simply compare what suppliers offer.

Types of tile adhesive and grout

Cement-based adhesive is sold as a powder that you mix with water. People often ask for tiling cement, but plain cement is not the same thing. Tiling adhesive is a blended product made to grip both the tile and the surface under it.

  • Standard adhesive suits small ceramic wall tiles on a sound surface.
  • Flexible, polymer-modified adhesive suits floors, outdoor areas and large tiles.
  • Rapid-set adhesive is used when the floor must be walked on sooner.
  • Tiling grout comes cement-based in many colours, or epoxy-based for wet and stain-prone areas.

Choosing adhesive for slate

Most slate jobs call for a flexible adhesive for slate. Natural slate can curl slightly, and floors and outdoor areas move with heat, cold and damp. A polymer-modified product copes with that movement.

  • Uncalibrated slate has uneven thickness and needs a thicker adhesive bed.
  • Calibrated slate has an even thickness and can use a thinner bed.
  • Dark slate looks best with grey or charcoal grout. White grout shows as a harsh line.
  • Some adhesives can stain light stone, so ask your supplier about natural stone.

What to check before tiling

Good adhesive cannot fix a poor base. Check these before work starts:

  • The screed must be cured, flat and clean. Damp screeds can cause efflorescence (white salt bloom).
  • Use a solid bed with no voids under floor and outdoor tiles. Hollow spots crack under load.
  • Back-butter large or uneven slate tiles as well as combing the bed.
  • Leave movement joints and fill them with flexible sealant, not rigid grout.
  • Outdoor areas need falls (slope) so water runs off.

Follow the mixing and open time instructions on the bag.

What affects your adhesive quote

Suppliers usually ask for the following:

  • The area in m² and the tile size.
  • Whether the tiles are slate, other stone, porcelain or ceramic.
  • Floor, wall, outdoor or wet area.
  • Grout type and colour, and whether you want movement joint sealant.
  • Supply only or supply and install, plus delivery to your site.

Suppliers can usually estimate the number of bags once they know the area and tile type.

Comparing tile adhesive and grout quotes

Natural stone varies from batch to batch, and prices move with imports, stock and transport. When quotes arrive, check:

  • Exact product: the colour, finish, size and thickness, and whether it is calibrated, so every quote is for the same thing.
  • Quantities: the price per m², box, pallet or piece, and how much is allowed for cuts and breakage.
  • Stock and delivery: in stock or on order, delivery to site or collection, and any off-loading charge.
  • VAT and returns: whether VAT is included, how long the price holds and whether unopened boxes can go back.

What to include in your request

  • State the area in m² and the tile size.
  • Say if the tiles are slate, other stone, porcelain or ceramic.
  • Mention whether the job is a floor, wall or outdoor area.
  • Say if the slate is calibrated or uncalibrated.
  • State your delivery address and when you need the bags.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use ordinary cement instead of tiling cement for slate?
It is not recommended. Plain cement mixes lack the polymers that give grip and flexibility. Slate floors and outdoor areas move, and a rigid bed can crack or let tiles lift. Ask suppliers for a flexible, polymer-modified adhesive that is rated for natural stone.
How much tile adhesive do I need?
Coverage depends on tile size, trowel notch size and how flat the surface is. Uncalibrated slate uses more than even porcelain tiles. Give suppliers the area in m² and the tile type, and they can estimate the bags needed, plus a small allowance for waste.
Which tiling grout suits slate floors?
Cement-based grout in a grey or charcoal shade suits most slate. Epoxy grout resists stains and moisture, which helps in kitchens and showers. Keep grout off the cleft surface as it dries, because it can be hard to remove from the texture.
How long before I can walk on tiles and grout them?
Standard adhesive usually needs about a day before light foot traffic and longer before grouting. Rapid-set products are quicker. Check the bag for your product, as cure times change with temperature, humidity and the thickness of the bed.

Tile Adhesive and Grout by province

Tile Adhesive and Grout by city and town

Get a free quote