Tile Mastic vs. Thinset Mortar - Buying Guide

11/18/2020 Tile Mastic vs.
Thinset Mortar - Buying Guide
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HOME REPAIR BATHROOM REPAIR & RENO BATHROOM TILE
Tile Mastic vs. Thinset Mortar: What to Know Before You Buy
Written by Lee Wallender
Reviewed by Kelly Bacon
Updated 07/22/20
https://www.thespruce.com/tile-mastic-vs-thinset-mortar-1822590 1/16
11/18/2020 Tile Mastic vs. Thinset Mortar - Buying Guide
Christian Schmidt/Getty Images
Any adhesive for tiles, wainscot, backsplashes, and a range of other top-
surface finish materials needs to be cost-effective, strong, and easy to
apply. Sag during the curing process is a major concern for vertical
applications. Moisture is another consideration. Tile is installed in a range of
moisture conditions, from areas that experience high amounts of water to
zero-water places. Typical residential places with high and prolonged
amounts of water include shower pans, hot tubs, and swimming pools.
Areas on the other end of the moisture spectrum include any interior
residential space that is not a bathroom or kitchen, wall wainscots, kitchen

head-guards, kitchen backsplashes, and bathroom backsplashes.
When laying ceramic or porcelain

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tile, liquid adhesives are necessary
for the tile to fulfill all of these
conditions and to firmly stick to its
substrate. Mastic and thinset mortar
are types of adhesives most often
used for ceramic, porcelain, and
glass tile installations. Both
materials can be confusing because
of several overlapping applications.
Which should you use and where
should you use them?
Tile Thinset
Inorganic and composed of materials
mined from the earth, thinset is
inexpensive and can be purchased
either in wet, pre-mixed or dry,
powdery form. Additionally, thinset
comes in either unmodified or
modified versions. Unmodified
thinset is composed of Portland
cement, sand, and water retention
agents. Modified thinset contains
the same elements, along with liquid

latex polymers to aid with strength
and increase the working time.
A feature of thinset that is both a

plus and a minus is that it is slow to
set. This is a plus because it affords
a longer working time to fix any
misaligned tiles. It can be a minus
when working with vertical
applications such as bathroom walls
and kitchen tile backslashes
because this extra curing time also
allows the tile to sag. Plastic tile
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spacers, liberally placed, are the Max Fashion
solution for tile sag.
Some areas that work well with

thinset include: Advertisement
■ Shower pans
■ Shower walls
■ Bathroom oors
■ Bathroom walls
■ Kitchen oors
■ Kitchen countertops
■ All oors
Save
on digital
Tile Mastic
Mastic is a vague term that generally
security
refers to fast-grab glues for tile.
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.
W h ite
a y
Today, the term mastic is
infrequently used, and it is difficult
to find tile adhesives that go under
the mastic banner at your local Frid
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
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tile. Some areas where tile mastic
may be used:
Many shower walls are done with

ceramic tile and mastic. It is
important to use a water resistant
drywall or backer board when doing
so. Checking with the local building
department would be a good idea
before beginning the project.
■ Kitchen walls
■ Kitchen backsplashes
■ Bathroom backsplashes
■ Bathroom walls, if not adjoining

a shower or tub
■ Any walls where moisture is not

prevalent
Thinset vs. Mastic Summary

Thinset Mortar Mastic
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Save your
Protect
Moisture Thinset can be Mastic
on digital
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Factor used in very wet be used
& privacy.
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White
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completely cannot Buy now Friday
submerged in used in
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Best Thinset can be Walls,

Areas used for showers, wainsc
bathtubs, dry
backsplashes and backsp
other areas. are key
where t
mastic
to be u

Pros Thinset is Mastic
inexpensive and very sti
it lls in gaps grabs f
and depressions. and is q
setting.
Cons Thinset is slow to Mastic

set, which leads give off
to tile sag on sharp, s
vertical odor th
applications. takes t
dissipat
Pros and Cons: Mastic

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.
Pros and Cons: Thinset

Pros
■ Thinset is a stronger material than mastic, making it a better
choice for horizontal applications such as flooring that get a lot
of pounding.
■ Dry-mix thinset is inexpensive and easy to use.
Cons
■ Excess thinset must be thrown out, as it cannot be saved.
■ Thinset takes a long time to dry, and vertically installed tile may
begin to droop during the curing process.
■ During demolition, thinset requires considerable labor to remove.
When using thinset on surfaces other than concrete, a layer of cement

board or equivalent is normally used as backing. The bonding is much better
as apposed to wood or drywall. Could be considered a "con" because of the
extra step involved.
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11/18/2020 Tile Mastic vs.

Thinset Mortar - Buying Guide

Christian Schmidt/Getty Images

residential space that is not a bathroom or kitchen, wall wainscots, kitchen

When laying ceramic or porcelain

the same elements, along with liquid

A feature of thinset that is both a

Some areas that work well with

Many shower walls are done with

■ Bathroom walls, if not adjoining

■ Any walls where moisture is not

Thinset vs. Mastic Summary

Thinset vs. Mastic Summary

Best Thinset can be Walls,

Thinset vs. Mastic Summary

Cons Thinset is slow to Mastic

Pros and Cons: Mastic

Pros and Cons: Thinset

When using thinset on surfaces other than concrete, a layer of cement

KITCHEN DESIGN TIPS

Bondera Adhesive Tile Mat Review

9 Tools That Get Your Tile Job Kitchen and Bathroom

BASEMENTS & ATTICS

TILE FLOORING TILE FLOORING

How to Tile a Bathroom Floor

SHOWERS & TUBS

Installing a Tiled Shower With a

Enter your email SIGN UP

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Also from The Spruce Team:

The Spruce is part of the Dotdash publishing family.

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