The Complete Guide to Cement, Gypsum, and Tile Adhesives in Saudi Arabia: Types, Grades, and Correct Use

Short answer: Cement, gypsum, and tile adhesives are the wet bonding and finishing materials of a build: cement for mortar and concrete, gypsum for plaster and ceilings, adhesive for fixing tile. Choose each by location, moisture exposure, and the material being fixed, not by price alone. The median price in this category of Almadah's catalog is SAR 28.35 including VAT (05/11/2026).

What does the cement, gypsum, and finishing materials category in Almadah's catalog include?

The parent category Cement, Gypsum & Finishing Materials branches into seven sub-categories. Products sit inside the sub-categories, not in the parent:

Sub-category	What is inside	Price range (SAR)	Median (SAR)
Cement	Ordinary, sulfate-resistant, pozzolanic, finishing, and white cement from Saudi plants	13.46 to 35.89 (named cement products)	18.11
Gypsum & Plaster	Gypsum powder, ready-mix renders, joint compound, hand plaster	4.00 to 1,983.75	26.08
Tile Adhesives & Grout	Ceramic and porcelain tile adhesive, grout, silicone, general-purpose glues	2.30 to 340.00	33.18
Silicone & Sealants	Silicone and sealants for bathroom and kitchen joints	5.00 to 114.00	17.25
Plastering & Finishing Tools	Trowels, floats, and straightedges for rendering	2.30 to 51.75	9.20
Access Openings	Access doors and inspection panels for gypsum and suspended ceilings	44.00 to 165.89	70.00
Corner Beads & Finishing Mesh	Corner protection beads and reinforcing mesh for plaster and gypsum	0.49 to 71.30	12.52

Prices include 15% VAT, from Almadah's catalog on 05/11/2026, for published and approved products only, after any active discount. The median for the whole category is SAR 28.35. The Cement and Gypsum sub-category ranges are stretched by special items and accessories, so for cement we quote the range and median of named cement products only. Compare like with like: the same type, the same bag weight.

What are the cement types and which one suits which job?

Four types recur on Saudi projects: ordinary (Portland) for concrete, mortar, and general work; sulfate-resistant for foundations and soil or groundwater with high salt content; pozzolanic, offered by some plants; and white for decorative and exposed finishes. There is also a "finishing" cement sold for plastering and wall work. Ask the designer or engineering office which type the foundations need before you buy: it is a design decision, not a price decision. Take the bag weight from the product page, as it differs between brands.

Cement type in the catalog	Example	Price (SAR, VAT incl.)
Ordinary	Riyadh Cement (ordinary)	18.11
Finishing	Riyadh Cement (finishing)	17.51
Sulfate-resistant	Saudi Cement (sulfate-resistant)	19.32
White	Riyadh Cement (white)	32.00

As of 05/11/2026. Grey cement of all types sits close to SAR 18, and white costs roughly double. A dedicated sub-article in this cluster covers the types and when each is required.

How do I choose a tile adhesive for ceramic and porcelain?

Tile adhesive is not a general glue: it is a cement mortar modified with polymers. Low-absorption porcelain needs a stronger-bonding adhesive than absorbent ceramic, and the need grows with larger tile formats or exterior, hot, or damp locations. On the product page, look for what the manufacturer specifies: intended use (ceramic or porcelain), interior or exterior, adjustment time, and coverage per bag. Do not use a budget ceramic adhesive under large-format tile just because it is cheaper. Large tiles are usually back-buttered with a thin extra layer so the contact is complete, so follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Tile adhesive in the catalog	Sub-category	Price (SAR, VAT incl.)
Saveto Porcelain Tile Adhesive - White - 20 kg	Tile Adhesives & Grout	42.26
Ceramic Tile Adhesive	Tile Adhesives & Grout	24.15

As of 05/11/2026. The gap between ceramic and porcelain adhesive reflects bond strength, so choose by tile and location, not by the lowest price. Saveto's white porcelain adhesive is the best-selling product in this category by a clear margin.

Which gypsum and plaster suits ceilings and plastering?

Gypsum sets fast and gives a smooth surface, but it is sensitive to moisture, so it should not be used unprotected in bathrooms, kitchens, or facades. Use moisture-resistant gypsum where needed, joint compound to fill joints and prepare surfaces before painting, and ready-mix render when you want a consistent mix with no on-site proportioning. Do not mix gypsum with cement in the same mortar. Fit corner beads and reinforcing mesh at corners and between dissimilar materials to reduce cracking, and plan access openings before closing a suspended ceiling.

Product in the catalog	Sub-category	Price (SAR, VAT incl.)
Al Khayat White Gypsum	Gypsum & Plaster	11.11
Saveto Vetogyps Compound - 28 kg	Gypsum & Plaster	60.38
Moisture-Resistant Gypsum Powder - 40 kg	Gypsum & Plaster	145.85

As of 05/11/2026. The price gap comes from weight and formulation (moisture-resistant, ready compound, or plain powder), so compare the price per kilogram, not per bag.

When should I use silicone instead of grout?

Grout fills joints between stable tiles. Silicone is for joints that move or see water: wall-to-floor junctions, around basins, tubs, and kitchen counters, and internal corners. Sanitary silicone with an anti-fungal additive suits bathrooms better than general-purpose silicone. Remove dust and grease from the joint before application, and let the silicone cure as the pack specifies before exposing it to water.

As of 05/11/2026: German GP silicone, white, at SAR 15.76, and a median of SAR 17.25 for the Silicone & Sealants sub-category (VAT incl.). Silicone types and why they blacken are covered in a later sub-article.

In what order do plastering and tiling work go?

• Prepare the substrate: clean, slightly rough, free of dust and oil, and dampen absorbent backgrounds as the product instructions say.
• Plaster: apply cement or ready-mix render in suitable thicknesses, and fit corner beads and mesh at corners and joints.
• Allow it to cure: do not rush tiling onto render that has not dried enough, because trapped moisture weakens the bond.
• Fix the tile: spread adhesive with a notched trowel in one direction, press and slide each tile slightly, and lift a tile now and then to check for full coverage.
• Joints: leave the joint width suited to the tile size, fill with grout, and place silicone at corners and where tile meets basins or tubs.
• Reference: follow the manufacturer's instructions and the requirements of the Saudi Building Code, and have the work done by an experienced contractor or tradesperson.

For the tile itself see the Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Guide, and for protecting wet surfaces the Thermal and Moisture Insulation Guide.

What do the prices range from and what is the median?

Prices across the seven sub-categories combined (VAT-inclusive at 15%, as of 05/11/2026):

• Cheapest item: SAR 0.49 (a small finishing accessory)
• Median price: SAR 28.35
• Arithmetic mean: SAR 52.47 (pulled up by special products and sets)
• Median of named cement products: SAR 18.11, with white cement at SAR 32.00 to 35.89

Why median, not mean: the category mixes items priced at a few riyals with products in the hundreds, so the mean is almost double the median and misleads. Compare cement with cement and adhesive with adhesive; do not compare a cement bag with a tube of silicone.

Which brands and product types are most in demand?

Among adhesives and finishing materials the visible brands are Saveto, Mapei, and Sika, with Dunlop and Pattex in general-purpose glues. In cement the catalog carries products from the Riyadh, Eastern, Tabuk, Saudi, and Najran cement plants. A large share of items carry no named brand in the catalog. By far the best-selling product is Saveto's porcelain tile adhesive; sales across the rest of the category are still small, so we do not build a fixed ranking on them.

What sub-articles are coming in this cluster?

Links are added here as each article is published:

• Cement types in Saudi Arabia: ordinary Portland vs sulfate-resistant vs white, and when each is required.
• The price of a cement bag in Saudi Arabia in 2026 and how to work out your mix quantities.
• Tile adhesive: standard, improved, and flexible grades, and which suits large porcelain and exterior surfaces.
• Grout: cement-based vs epoxy, and anti-bacterial grout for bathrooms.
• Silicone and adhesives: sanitary vs general-purpose vs polyurethane, and why silicone blackens.
• Plasterboard vs traditional plaster for ceilings and partitions.

FAQ

What is the difference between ordinary and sulfate-resistant cement?

Ordinary cement is for general work; sulfate-resistant cement is for foundations and for soil or groundwater rich in salts. The type is a design decision set by the engineering office before purchase.

Can I use ceramic tile adhesive with porcelain?

A dedicated porcelain adhesive is better, because porcelain absorbs little water and needs stronger bonding, especially in large formats and exterior areas. Check what the manufacturer states on the pack.

Is gypsum suitable for bathrooms and kitchens?

Ordinary gypsum is sensitive to moisture, so in wet areas prefer moisture-resistant gypsum or another suitable material, with good waterproofing of the surface.

When should I use silicone instead of grout?

In joints that move or see water: wall-to-floor junctions and around basins, tubs, and kitchen counters. Grout is for joints between stable tiles.

How long must I wait before tiling onto render?

There is no single figure; it depends on thickness, weather, and product. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and never tile onto damp, undried render.

How do I compare cement and adhesive prices between suppliers?

Compare type, weight, and brand together, confirm the price includes VAT, and work out the price per kilogram, not per bag.

How much do cement and tile adhesive cost at Almadah?

As of 05/11/2026, VAT-inclusive at 15%: the median for named cement products is SAR 18.11, Saveto white porcelain adhesive (20 kg) is about SAR 42.26, German GP white silicone is about SAR 15.76, and the median for the whole category is SAR 28.35.

Are the prices VAT-inclusive?

Yes, every price quoted includes 15% VAT, and no tax is added on top of the displayed price.

Related links

• Cement, Gypsum & Finishing Materials
• Cement · Gypsum & Plaster · Tile Adhesives & Grout · Silicone & Sealants
• Ceramic & Porcelain Tile · Waterproofing (Rolls & Liquids)
• Ceramic and Porcelain Tile in Saudi Arabia: Types, Sizes, Quantities, and Installation
• The Complete Guide to Thermal and Moisture Insulation Under Saudi Building Code SBC 602
• النسخة العربية: دليل الأسمنت والجبس ولواصق البلاط: الأنواع، التصنيفات، والاستخدام الصحيح