Determining which tile adhesive to use for your tile project is the key to installing tile that lasts for decades rather than years. The choice between thinset mortar and epoxy mortar, two common types of tile adhesive, will yield different levels of water resistance, chemical resistance, and strength. Additionally, the learning curve for the application of epoxy mortar vs thinset may surprise you, so it's worth knowing what you're getting yourself into before starting your tiling project.
Fortunately, choosing tile adhesive vs mortar can be a lot simpler than you might think. In most cases, the tile application—where the tile is installed—clearly determines the best mortar option. And sometimes the type of tile itself is a determining factor. Below, we've outlined the most common tile adhesives to help you determine which type is best for your project.
What Is Tile Adhesive?
Tile adhesive is any medium that adheres tile to a substrate. It must be easy to work with, and it must adequately fill in gaps between the tile and the substrate. It cannot cure too fast: Otherwise, you do not have adequate working time. But if it cures too slowly, it takes forever to get to the grouting stage.
Thinset Tile Mortar
Thinset is a mortar that is made of Portland cement, silica sand, and moisture-retaining agents. Thinset mortar is your default tile mortar for most indoor and outdoor applications. Thinset tile mortar has a smooth, slippery consistency, similar to mud. It is applied to the substrate with a notched trowel.
Pros
Tight bond
Easy to work with
Resists moisture
Helps prevent mold growth
Cons
May crack
May need additives to achieve full strength
The best uses for thinset tile mortar include:
Standard and Pre-Mixed Thinset
Standard thinset comes as a bagged powder that is mixed with water. The mortar begins setting once it is mixed, so you have to use up the entire batch or discard any excess.
Premixed thinset comes in big tubs and is ready to apply right out of the package. Even though it is heavy to carry and more expensive than dry mortar mix, the ease and convenience of premixed thinset mortar make it ideal for DIYers. Use premixed mortar for spaces such as small bathrooms, mudrooms, or utility rooms. If you are dealing with multiple spaces, then you may want to consider a dry mix to save money.
Working With Thinset Mortar
Thinset tile mortar provides a very strong bond and is resistant to moisture and mold growth. Thinset is also heatproof, so it will not lose its grip in hot environments. Because it is cementitious, thinset is dimensionally stable—it will not shrink or contract.
Another advantage of thinset is that it allows you to level uneven surfaces to some degree. You cannot level wildly out-of-level surfaces, but you can bridge gaps and compensate for slight level changes.
Because thinset is not affected by moisture, it is best for floor tile and any tile in wet areas, including shower floors, walls, and ceilings and tub surrounds.
Since thinset tile mortar may crack, you may wish to mix it with a special latex additive to increase its strength.
Epoxy Tile Mortar
Epoxy tile mortar is a non-cementitious tile adhesive that comes in two or three separate components that must be mixed by the user right before use. Relative to thinset, epoxy mortar sets quickly, allowing you to get to the grouting of the tile within just a couple of hours. It is impervious to water, so it doesn't need any special latex additives, as does some thinset.
Pros
High compressive strength
Sticks well to resin-backed stone
Strong bond
Works with damp surfaces
Cons
Needs higher temperatures for installation
Higher priced
Strong smell
Sets quickly
Epoxy mortars work well for porcelain and ceramic tile, as well as for glass, stone, metal, mosaic, and pebbles. Epoxy mortars can even be used for installing rubber flooring or wood block flooring.
The best uses for epoxy tile mortar include:
Working With Epoxy Tile Mortar
Epoxy-based mortars have high compressive strength and stick well to resin-backed stones. These mortars are simple to use and maintain. Mechanical strength is strong, so they hold the tile firmly in place and resist compression. Pigmented epoxy mortars do not leak onto ceramic or porcelain tile. Epoxy mortars are resistant to a wide variety of chemicals.
Temperatures must range between 60 and 90 F for proper installation. Warmer temperatures speed up curing time; cooler temperatures slow it down. Installation can be made on a damp surface, but new concrete must cure for at least 28 days before adhering the tile.
Due to the difficulty in mixing and working with epoxy mortars, they tend to be used by professional tile installers more than by DIYers.
On the downside, epoxy mortar is more expensive than thinset and has a strong smell while it cures. Additionally, epoxy mortar sets quickly. This can be a deficit because it provides only a short window of time to make changes. Pot life for most epoxy tile mortars is about 45 minutes. After pot life expires, the product is considered to be unusable.
Mastic Tile Adhesive
Mastic is a vague term that generally refers to fast-grab glues for tile. It isn't cement-based like thinset and doesn't require mixing reactionary compounds like epoxy mortar. Traditionally, mastic was an organic plant-based resin from the Pistacia lentiscus shrub, and its term is related to the word masticate, due to its sticky, gummy consistency.
Pros
It sticks very well, so tile sag on vertical surfaces during curing is minimized
Unused mastic can be saved
When it comes time to demolish the tile, tile mastic makes it relatively easy to remove the tile
Cons
Mastic's quick-grab feature means that it is difficult to fix poorly aligned tiles
Mastic cannot be used in high-moisture areas
Mastic has a pronounced odor
Today, the term mastic is infrequently used, and it is difficult to find tile adhesives that go under the mastic banner at your local home center. Henry 314 Ready Set Premixed Mastic Adhesive is one of the few exceptions that actually incorporates the word mastic. For the sake of clarity, look for tile adhesives advertised as fast grabbing with no-sag qualities that are generally used for porcelain, quarry, stone, ceramic, and mosaic tile.
The best uses for tile mastic include:
FAQ
Are mortar and tile adhesive the same?
The difference between mortar and tile adhesive comes down to technicalities. Technically, mortar is a type of adhesive. The confusion comes from the fact that many people, including industry professionals and major brands, use the term "tile adhesive" to refer to tile mastic, which isn't the same thing as mortar.
Can I use tile adhesive instead of grout?
Tile adhesive and grout are not the same thing and should not be used interchangeably. Tile adhesive will not wash away from tiles in the same way that grout does and, if left too long, may not wash off at all.
How long does tile adhesive last?
Premixed tile adhesives have a shelf life of around six to 12 months. Powdered adhesives will typically last longer, but you should always consult the manufacturer's label to ensure you don't use tile adhesive that is expired, as the holding power and performance will likely be compromised.
The right tiles can add plenty of style and convenience to a home. But when the time comes for installing those tiles, it’s important to use the right mortar or glue. Applying the wrong adhesive is one of the most common tiling mistakes, and it could hurt the durability and convenience of your tiles.
Here’s how to pick the right tile adhesive for your project.
Thinset mortar is the most common choice for both indoor and outdoor tiling projects. Thinset has a smooth, slippery consistency, similar to mud. It comes in two primary forms: standard and premixed.
Standard thinset is a dry powder. When mixed with water, it forms a mortar you can use for securing tiles.
Premixed thinset, on the other hand, comes in tubs and is ready for action as soon as you open it up. This variety is more expensive than standard thinset, but its simplicity makes it a popular choice for DIY projects.
Thinset mortar creates a strong bond once it dries, securing tiles firmly. This makes it a great choice when installing tile floors in any room. Plus, thinset can be used with virtually any tile material, including ceramic, natural stone, and glass.
Thinset is also moisture- and heat-resistant, making it ideal for tiling showers, countertops, bathtubs, or any other area that gets too wet or hot. Thinset is the go-to option for outdoor applications, such as patios and swimming pools.
And if you’re dealing with an uneven or pockmarked surface, thinset can help. You won’t be able to fix wildly out-of-level surfaces, but you can patch up minor problems.
Best of all, thinset is relatively affordable and easy to use. There’s a reason it’s the default tile adhesive for most home renovation projects.
On the other hand, you also need to mix a special latex additive into your thinset to strengthen the bond further and prevent cracking. And if you’re using standard thinset, you’ll have to use up the entire batch or throw out any excess. It can’t be saved.
Thinset also takes 24–48 hours to dry, and vertical tiles may slip during the curing process if not secured properly.
Thinset often proves extremely difficult to remove as well, which can create problems if you ever decide to replace your tiles. (Though in some cases, you may be able to simply tile over your old tiles.)
Tile mastic is an acrylic product with a sticky, gummy consistency. It operates more like traditional glue than thinset.
If your local home improvement store doesn’t have any tile adhesives labeled as mastic, don’t be surprised. Manufacturers typically advertise it as “ceramic tile adhesive” instead.
Mastic’s sticky, glue-like nature helps hold tiles in place better during installation. This is perfect for keeping vertical tiles from sagging or slipping when tiling walls or backsplashes.
Mastic generally only takes 24 hours to dry. And unlike thinset, unused mastic can be saved and used later. Mastic is also much easier to remove than thinset, which comes in handy when you want to pull your old tiles out.
However, while mastic's stickiness is useful for securing tiles, it makes it harder to adjust or fix them once they’ve been placed.
Mastic isn’t suited for environments with high moisture or heat, either. It’s rarely wise to use mastic for a shower pan, outdoor patio, or swimming pool. Mastic can be used for some areas with only intermittent exposure to water, such as shower walls, but you’ll need to use water-resistant drywall or backer board when doing so.
Mastic also gives off a sharp, strong odor that takes some time to dissipate.
You have to be careful about what tiles you use mastic with, too. Mastic is also only designed for use with ceramic and porcelain and should always be avoided when installing natural stone or glass tiles. Size is a factor as well, since mastic isn’t recommended for use when installing large-format tiles.
Epoxy tile mortar comes in two or three separate components, which you then mix together immediately before use. Epoxy tends to be the most effective tile adhesive, but it does have some complications that make it less suited for DIY projects.
There aren’t any tiling applications inside or outside that epoxy won’t work for. From floors to walls to ceilings—and anywhere else—epoxy will do the job.
Epoxy provides an even stronger bond than thinset and mastic, and is completely impervious to moisture, water, and most chemicals. Epoxy also doesn’t require a latex additive to protect it from cracking as some thinset does.
And like thinset, epoxy can be used with virtually every type of tile. In fact, epoxy will even bond to metal or rubber. It sets up quickly, too, making it possible to grout tiles within just a couple of hours after applying it.
However, epoxy is more expensive than thinset or mastic—and much more difficult to mix and apply. Plus, because it dries so quickly, you won’t have long to install your tiles or make adjustments.
In short, epoxy requires quick, skilled application, and may not be the best option for DIYers.
If you’re considering a home renovation project involving tiles, we’d love to lend a hand.
At Downright Tile and Renovations, we’ve spent years helping homeowners throughout the greater Kansas City area with their remodeling needs. We install, replace, and repair tiles in a wide variety of applications, including:
And if you’re not sure exactly what you want, we even offer personalized design services. Just contact us, and we’ll come to your house to help you pick out the perfect options for your unique needs and preferences.
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