FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
The Daily Fix

Set Tile Without Mastic or Thinset

By Mike Guertin

Ok, I haven’t tried this stuff but I am intrigued.  Bondera from Grace is a double sided peel and stick (polyolefin and synthetic elastomer) sheet you bond to a wall or countertop and then stick regular ceramic tile to.  No mix, no spread, no mess.  

There are limitations: 6×6 max tiles on walls (no max for horizontal apps), interior use only (but you can use it for shower and tub walls), NO floor or ceiling applications (darn), handmade uneven back tiles won’t work.  

On the plus side: No VOCs, Grout immediately, waterproof (think shower walls), bonds over many substrates (old tiles, plastic laminate, painted surfaces, VCT…..), reposition tiles if needed.

So what’s the catch?  You can only get it in Central and Northern New England at Lowes stores.  Outside that area you have to contact Grace.  I’ll have to drive to Seekonk Massacheusetts (about 30 min) to get some.

Obviously it’s geared to DIY but as a pro I can see using it for backsplashes, bathroom walls and other small tile projects I run into when remodeling.  It’ll eliminate the mess of mastic or thinset in tight quarters and speed the process since you can grout right away.

 

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

View Comments

  1. FHB Editor
    JFink | Jul 20, 2009 09:19am | #1

    Cool idea - but if this sticky mat is anything like Grace's other products, I could see a problem when it comes to repositioning the tiles. I mean, is it a "once they're stuck, they're stuck" kind of a bond? Any idea what size the material comes in? I'm envisioning DIYers wrapping themselves up in giant sheets of peel-n-stick...

  2. Fortunat | Aug 17, 2009 06:52pm | #2

    Not sure why you need the extra step of cutting and placing material on vertical, non-stressed surfaces like stair risers or back splashes. I use PL construction adhesive products and its a quick and permanent way to get things done. The shower and tub area is an interesting prospect but to have one more product to carry around just doesn't seem worth it.

  3. User avater
    demouser | Aug 31, 2009 09:47am | #3

    What about the grout joints? If the bonding sheet flexes, the grout joints will fail. Stick on tiles are nothing new. After a few years of moisture exposure, the tiles come loose.

  4. User avater
    JeremyYoung | Sep 13, 2009 10:53pm | #4

    Unless you use conditioner, and are applying Grace like products at higher temps, they dont really stick that well. The conditioner works good, but since the tiles want to be flush with each other, and anyone who's applied membranes knows(especially after conditioner) it's very delicate & time consuming to get no wrinkles, witch would make tiles not flush. Not to metion the grout moving like already said above. When I see cold temp installations on here, like behind a ledger or around a window, I laugh. Like when it heats up its going to bond with no applied force evenly by itself? Ever heard of capillary weeping? It just takes a pin hole to actually suck water in! That happened(millions later) on a 20,000sqf+ home we fixed.

  5. User avater
    mike_guertin | Sep 24, 2009 05:15pm | #5

    Jeremy

    Bondera isn't asphalt based or anything like the Grace plastic surfaced peel and stick membranes. I used Bondera last week on 3 tile installs and it worked great. No problems with bonding except over drywall dust (to be expected)and wrinkles can be cut out then sealed over with companion seam tape.

  6. dragongate | Feb 28, 2010 07:35am | #6

    you can now get this product at lowes in lakeland fl.

  7. berferdt | Apr 27, 2010 09:01am | #7

    JFink you made me laugh out loud! DIYpaper instead of flypaper! What Lucille Ball could have done with it!
    Have seen it in Home Depot on the way to the most useful area - the restroom. Nothing in the store surprises me, but I did notice it since it had Grace on it.
    I agree with Fortunat - PL for small jobs - if closed up with epoxy grout.

  8. nvman | Jan 18, 2011 09:25pm | #8

    A similar product, maybe even the same, just not aware of the name, is available at HD in Canada (Edmonton) but it is expensive. I also have to wonder how the tiles would adhere if there is a bit of unevenness in the wall?

  9. hfranca | Feb 07, 2013 09:40am | #9

    I haven't done any installation with the Bondera, but for those concern about self adhesive tiles, I can tell you that the DIY Backsplash Kit works really well.
    Mineral Tiles sells it online and has great prices.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More The Daily Fix

View All
  • Eight Ways to Patch Drywall
  • How much is your pinky worth?
  • Energy-Efficient Framing Practices for Hurricane and Tornado Country
  • 2012 IRC Codifies Window and Door Pan Flashings
View All

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Achieve a Flat Drywall Finish

These products and methods result in the clean lines essential to a midcentury-modern aesthetic.

Featured Video

How to Install Exterior Window Trim

Learn how to measure, cut, and build window casing made of cellular PVC, solid wood, poly-ash boards, or any common molding material. Plus, get tips for a clean and solid installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 569: Bath Fan Installs, Sunroom Trim, and Basement Control Layers
  • Podcast 569: Members-only Aftershow — Rob Yagid’s Addition
  • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
  • New House, Old Shell

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All Videos
  • Podcast 569: Bath Fan Installs, Sunroom Trim, and Basement Control Layers
  • Podcast 569: Members-only Aftershow — Rob Yagid’s Addition
  • Brick Veneer Details for an MCM House
  • Podcast 563: Members-Only Aftershow — The Joy of Homeownership
View All

Design and Planning

View All Design and Planning Articles
  • Mud-Free Work Area
  • Mason Lord, Builder and Remodeler
  • Reduce Embodied Carbon With Simple Forms
  • Remodeling Around Electrical Panels
View All Design and Planning Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 316 - July
    • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
    • Build a Transom Above a Stock Door
    • Understanding Toilet Design and Efficiency
  • Issue 315 - June 2023
    • How to Craft a Copper Roof
    • 5 Lessons from Building in a Cold Climate
    • The Advantages of Cellular PVC Siding
  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in