UAE’s climate is beautiful, but brutal on building materials. High temperatures, humidity, and extreme substrate movement create challenges for adhesives used in tile installation. If you choose the wrong adhesive, tiles may debond, crack, or show hollow sounds within months.
As Kerakoll’s distributor in the UAE, Flameco Group helps consultants, contractors, and interior designers select the right tile adhesive for UAE’s climate conditions. In this guide, we explain the key factors you must consider and where Kerakoll Super Bio fits as a trusted, eco-friendly solution for many projects.
Why Tile Adhesives Can Fail Easily in UAE
Moisture-affected Cement-based substrates can slow adhesive curing if the material is not designed for such conditions.
Extreme Heat
Building surfaces are exposed to sun and can reach 50–60°C. The result? An increase in tile expansion and low-quality adhesives can weaken.
High Humidity
Moisture-affected Cement-based substrates can slow adhesive curing if the material is not designed for such conditions.
Change in Temperature
The AC-cooled Indoor areas and heat-exposed outdoor areas create constant expansion and contraction cycles.
Fast Drying Conditions
Absorbent substrates, strong ventilation, and hot temperatures cause adhesives to lose workability too quickly.
Kerakoll adhesives are designed to overcome these challenges, but each adhesive is designed for specific environments.
What to Consider When Choosing a Kerakoll Adhesive for UAE
1. Substrate Type
Start by identifying your substrate:
- Cement plasters
- Cement-lime mortar
- Mineral or cement-based screeds
- Gypsum or anhydrite surfaces (must be primed first)
Super Bio works well on all these, as long as priming is done where required.
Avoid using Super Bio on:
- Plasterboard
- Old ceramic tiles
- Natural stone, marble
- Underfloor heating
- Highly flexible substrates
- Wet environments with constant water exposure
2. Tile Type
Super Bio is ideal for:
- Ceramic tiles
- Ceramic mosaic
- Single-fired tiles
- Double-fired tiles
NOTE: The maximum tile size should be 60cm x 60cm
3. Application Area: Indoor + Outdoor
Kerakoll Super Bio is suitable for:
✔ Internal floors and walls
✔ External floors and walls
✔ Domestic, commercial, and industrial areas
But avoid using it in continuously wet areas or swimming pools. For those, Kerakoll’s higher-grade solutions are more suitable. Get in touch with us for recommendations.
4. Workability in UAE’s Climate
The installation speed can be affected, and the open time can be shortened by the hot conditions in the UAE.
This is where Super Bio delivers exceptionally well:
Open time ≥ 30 minutes
The adhesive stays workable long enough for safe tile laying even in warm conditions.
Adjustability time ≥ 40 minutes
Installers can reposition tiles without adhesive drying too fast. Isn’t this a major advantage for projects in high-temperature zones?
Installers must still avoid applying adhesive over very large areas at once, as strong sun, AC drafts, and absorbent substrates will still speed up drying.
Kerakoll Super Bio: Why It Works Well for UAE
Super Bio is a single-component, mineral adhesive with high adhesion, engineered for reliable tile installation.
Key Advantages:
- High adhesion strength
- Suitable up to 10 mm thickness
- Eco-friendly formulation (GreenBuilding Rating 5)
- VOC Low emission
- Suitable for laying single and double-fired ceramic tiles on mineral or cement-based substrates
- Extended pot life: ≥ 8 hours
- Excellent adjustability for hotter climates
- Compatible with gypsum/anhydrite when primed
When to Use Kerakoll Super Bio
Super Bio fits perfectly for:
✔ Residential flooring and walls
✔ Commercial interiors
✔ Exterior ceramic tiles
✔ Highly absorbent substrates (after priming)
✔ Areas requiring strong adhesion
Not suitable for:
❌ Underfloor heating
❌ Highly flexible substrates
❌ Areas that are always wet
❌ Old ceramic floors, marble tiles, or natural stone
❌ Metal, timber, plastic substrates
How to Prepare for Successful Installation in UAE Conditions
Prime Highly Absorbent Substrates
Hot, dry substrates in UAE can absorb moisture and quickly reduce adhesive performance.
Contact us to choose the right Kerakoll product for this.
Avoid Using Adhesive to Level Uneven Surfaces
Uneven areas must be corrected in advance with suitable finishing products.
Work in Shaded, Controlled Conditions When Possible
Exposure to sunlight and air currents may reduce the open time.
Use the Right Trowel Size
This is important to obtain maximum adhesion to the substrate and to regulate water absorption.
For Exteriors or Heavy Use Areas, Use Double Spreading
This guarantees 100% application of the product to the rear of the tiles.
Super Bio Technical Details
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Open time | ≥ 30 min |
| Adjustability | ≥ 40 min |
| Pot life | ≥ 8 hrs |
| Thickness | ≤ 10 mm |
| Foot traffic | ≈ 24 hrs |
| Grouting | ≈ 8 hrs (walls) / ≈ 24 hrs (floors) |
| Interval before normal use | After 7 days |
| Working Temperature | -30°C to +80°C |
| VOC rating | Low emission, EC1 Plus |
| Environmental rating | GreenBuilding Rating Eco 5 |
Selecting the Right Kerakoll Adhesive for UAE is Equal to Matching Climate + Substrate + Tile Type
Kerakoll Super Bio is a strong, eco-friendly adhesive that performs reliably for many residential and commercial applications across Dubai and the UAE. Its long open time and adjustability make it installer-friendly even in warmer conditions like UAE.
But for challenging substrates or heavy traffic areas, Flameco Group can guide you to other Kerakoll high-performance solutions.
If You Need Help Choosing the Right Kerakoll Adhesive
Flameco Group provides consultants, contractors, and designers with:
- Technical datasheets
- BOQ support
- Adhesive recommendations
- Site-specific guidance
- Fast delivery anywhere in the UAE
Contact us today for a project-specific recommendation.
