Terraco makes two cement-based wall tile adhesives for the UAE: Terrafix W11 and Terrafix W22. They look the same in the bag and use the same trowels, but they sit in different performance classes. Short answer: use W11 (C1T) for ordinary ceramic and glass mosaic tiles on solid cement or concrete walls, including concrete swimming pools. Use W22 (C2TE) when the tiles are larger than about 30 × 30 cm, the wall is gypsum board, cement fibre board or sound paint, or you need more time to position tiles. This guide compares the two using Terraco’s UAE technical data sheets.
What C1T and C2TE mean
Both codes come from EN 12004, the European standard that classifies tile adhesives. The letters and numbers describe what the adhesive has been tested to do:
- C means cementitious: a powder you mix with water.
- 1 is normal adhesion, at least 0.5 N/mm². 2 is improved adhesion, at least 1 N/mm². Both figures are given by Wacker and Mapei.
- T is reduced slip, so tiles hold their place on a wall while the adhesive sets.
- E is extended open time: you can lay tiles into the combed bed for longer before it skins over.
Wacker’s guide describes C1 adhesives as suited to standard ceramic and porcelain tiles no larger than 30 × 30 cm, and C2 adhesives as suited to most tile types and substrates with formats up to 60 × 60 cm. It also notes that very low-absorption porcelain, larger formats and difficult bases such as plasterboard may call for a deformable adhesive (class S1 or S2). Neither W11 nor W22 carries an S rating on its data sheet.
Terrafix W22 vs W11 side by side
| Terrafix W11 | Terrafix W22 | |
|---|---|---|
| EN 12004 class | C1T | C2TE |
| Tensile adhesion (EN 1348) | > 0.5 N/mm² | > 1.0 N/mm² |
| Open time | > 20 minutes | > 30 minutes |
| Adjustability | > 30 minutes | > 45 minutes |
| Pot life | 2 hours (sheet also says use within 1 hour) | 2 hours |
| Mixing water | 28 to 30% | 26 to 28% (5.2 to 5.6 L per 20 kg) |
| Bed thickness | About 3 mm | About 3 mm |
| Application temperature | 5°C to 35°C | 5°C to 35°C |
| Grouting | After 24 hours | After 24 hours |
| Colours | Grey, white | Grey, white |
| Packs | 20 kg and 25 kg bags | 20 kg bags |
| Data sheet | Version 09.2014 | 2023 |
W22’s tensile adhesion figure of more than 1.0 N/mm² holds in all four test conditions on the data sheet: initial, after heat ageing, after water immersion and after freeze/thaw. W11 gives more than 0.5 N/mm² under the same four conditions.
When to use Terrafix W11
Terraco describes Terrafix W11 as a non-slump wall tile adhesive for ceramic and glass mosaic tiles on interior and exterior walls and concrete swimming pools. It fits everyday jobs on sand/cement render or concrete: kitchen splashbacks, bathroom walls with standard ceramic tiles, and mosaic in pools. It is also the only one of the two sold in 25 kg bags.
When to use Terrafix W22
Terrafix W22 lists a wider range of bases: sand/cement render, precast concrete, gypsum board, cement fibre board and sound painted walls, inside and out, with ceramic, stone and mosaic tiles. Choose it when:
- The wall is gypsum board, cement fibre board or an existing painted surface.
- You are fixing stone, or tiles larger than about 30 × 30 cm.
- You want more working time: its longer open time helps on large walls or when cutting many tiles.
For very large porcelain slabs, tile-over-tile work or any job where a consultant specifies an S1 adhesive, check the specification before ordering. Neither data sheet gives an S1 rating.
What about ready-mixed tile paste?
Terraco also makes paste adhesives that need no mixing. Terrapaste is for interior walls, and Maxi Tilepaste is for walls inside and out. Terraco says neither is suitable on its own for areas of prolonged saturation such as floors or pools, which is where the cement adhesives come in.
How many bags you need
W11 and W22 have the same consumption on Terraco’s data sheets. It depends on the notched trowel, which you choose by tile size and flatness:
| Notched trowel | Consumption | Area per 20 kg bag |
|---|---|---|
| No. 4 | 2.0 to 2.5 kg/m² | 8 to 10 m² |
| No. 5 | 2.5 to 3.0 kg/m² | 6.7 to 8 m² |
| No. 6 | 4.0 to 6.0 kg/m² | 3.3 to 5 m² |
Example: 20 m² of bathroom wall with a No. 5 trowel needs 50 to 60 kg, so three 20 kg bags. Buy one extra for waste, uneven walls and back-buttering. The areas per bag are our own calculations from Terraco’s consumption figures.
How to apply either adhesive
- Prepare the wall. It must be clean and sound. Wet absorbent surfaces thoroughly. For dusting surfaces, Terraco specifies a penetrating primer; for W22 it names Penetrating Primer Clear or Terrabond A diluted 1:5.
- Mix. Add the powder to the stated amount of water and mix to a thick, creamy consistency. Let it stand 5 minutes, then re-stir.
- Spread and comb. Apply about 3 mm with the smooth side of the trowel, then comb with the notched edge.
- Fix the tiles. Press them in for full contact before the adhesive skins over.
- Grout after 24 hours. Terraco pairs both with Terragrout G11, a CG1 grout for joints up to 5 mm. The tiled wall is ready for use after 14 days.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use W11 or W22 on floors?
Terraco presents both as wall tile adhesives, and the data sheets describe wall applications. For floors, ask for a floor adhesive specification.
Which one is for swimming pools?
Terrafix W11’s data sheet lists concrete swimming pools. W22’s does not. Waterproof the pool first; Terraco’s Terracrete slurry is one option.
Buying Terrafix in Sharjah and Dubai
Al Tashteb Al Saree is an authorised Terraco distributor and supplies Terrafix W11, Terrafix W22 and Terragrout G11 direct from the manufacturer. Message us on WhatsApp with the product, colour and tile area for prices and delivery. You can also browse every Terraco product we supply.
Sources
- Terraco UAE: Terrafix W22 technical data sheet (PDF, 2023)
- Terraco UAE: Terrafix W11 technical data sheet (PDF, version 09.2014)
- Wacker: Tile adhesives standards
- Mapei: Which adhesive should I use?
Retrieved 1 and 2 November 2026. Check the latest Terraco data sheet before specifying. Bag quantities are our own calculations. The main image is illustrative.
