Overview
ISO/TR 17870-2:2015 - "Ceramic tiles - Guidelines for installation - Part 2: Installation of thin ceramic wall and floor tiles and panels" provides practical, international guidance for the correct selection, specification and adhesive installation of thin ceramic tiles and panels. It applies to internal and external thin ceramic floor and wall tiling installed by adhesive methods and defines key characteristics of quality: regularity, durability and safety. The Technical Report clarifies roles, materials and installation steps so required levels of performance are achieved.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and definitions: clear definitions for thin ceramic tiles, large-format tiles and panels (e.g., thickness ≤ 5.5 mm and area limits), and the term “thin ceramic tiling” (tiles/panels plus bedding and jointing).
- Materials selection: guidance on choosing tiles, adhesives, grouts, primers and waterproofing membranes to meet performance, compatibility and safety criteria.
- Specification and project data: required information for contracts and drawings including installation location, environmental conditions and background substrates.
- Background and substrate preparation: requirements for backgrounds, levelling layers, primers, separation layers and filling-out layers to ensure adequate adhesion and flatness.
- Fixing and adhesive methods: recommended practices for application of bedding materials, adhesive selection (per ISO 13007 series), and techniques for setting thin tiles and panels.
- Movement and jointing: specification and installation of movement joints (structural, perimeter, intermediate) and tile joints to accommodate thermal and structural movement.
- Quality characteristics and tolerances: guidance on regularity (flatness, alignment), durability expectations and safety requirements for finished tiling.
- Storage, environmental control, cleaning and maintenance: best practices for storage, initial cleaning, protection, surface treatments and ongoing maintenance to preserve performance.
Practical applications and target users
ISO/TR 17870-2 is useful for:
- Architects and specifiers preparing tile installation contracts and performance requirements
- Tile manufacturers and suppliers providing product data and compatibility guidance
- Contractors and tile installers seeking standardized installation practices for thin ceramic tiles and panels
- Building owners, facility managers and consultants evaluating durability, maintenance and safety of tiled installations
Use cases include residential, commercial and exterior façades where thin-format ceramic tiles or large panels are used and bonded with adhesives.
Related standards
- ISO 13006 - Ceramic tiles: definitions, classification and marking
- ISO 13007-1 / -3 / -5 - Grouts and adhesives: terminology, specifications and liquid-applied waterproofing membranes
These referenced standards complement ISO/TR 17870-2 for product testing, adhesive classification and waterproofing requirements.
Keywords: ISO/TR 17870-2:2015, thin ceramic tiles, installation guidelines, tile adhesives, tile panels, movement joints, ISO 13007, tiling specification, tile installation best practices.