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Discussion Forum

When to use thinset; when to use mastic?

| Posted in General Discussion on March 3, 2000 06:07am

*
Under what circumstances should you use mastic for laying tiles? Is mastic preferred for walls only and never for floors? Does the amount of moisture that gets on the floor relevant? Is the type of tile (like mosaic vs. 12x12s) relevant?

How does thinset mortar differ from regular mortar? Is thinset just regular mortar with more liquid than you use for something like laying bricks? And don’t mortars differ in their composition…like more sand in some?

Do you know of a source where I can read up on these differences?

Thanks

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  1. Guest_ | Feb 29, 2000 03:53am | #1

    *
    Rufus: Look at Michael Byrne's book--Taunton Press. Your library might have it, I got it at BN. Please give my best to all 54. 58 or 59 by now?

    1. Guest_ | Feb 29, 2000 05:00am | #2

      *Rufus,

      Most of the tile men I have worked with including myself will use a mastic in areas that won't be subjected to large amounts of water, i.e. showers. I guess the best way to describe this is to say that if its got a cement product on it, use thinset. Another way might be to say that is you have any doubt use thinset.

      View Image © 1999-2000"Whenever, therefore, people are deceived and form opinions wide of the truth, it is clear that the error has slid into their minds through the medium of certain resemblance's to that truth." Socrates

      1. Guest_ | Feb 29, 2000 07:45am | #3

        *He Ruffs,Do like I do, When I have a question with respect to a certain trade, I ask within that trade. Do your basic research in order to determine the fundamentals, that way when you speak to the trade specific, you will appear somewhat savy. From that you can ask the questions which apply to your particular applicationFrom what I know, use thin set due to it's adhesion qualities, as well as it's durability in areas of high moisture. Why use mastic? because it comes pre-mixed? What is the offset for this convenience?

        1. Guest_ | Feb 29, 2000 09:30pm | #4

          *Lonecat -- there's a new kitten I nabbed from a feral colony that I feed, alter/spay, etc. But I have an interested party for a possible adoption. If I get them young enough, they're tameable.Mark -- mastic seems stickier to me and therefore I feel the tiles will adhere better. But I don't really know. I have some 1/4" thick 2" porcelain hexagon mosaics that are not on a mesh backing...they're just stuck together with a little dab of plastic on each edge. I started to try thinset, but the floor is heated and I can't turn it off or the guy who's trying to dry out the hardwood will get upset. So the thinset is drying really quickly and the mosaics don't stick very well. I may try again with a more liquid mix of thinset and do smaller areas and work faster.What are the disadvantages to using mastic? I admit, it seems easier to me.Joe-- I would think a shower would qualify as an area that DOES get a lot of water. Or would something with standing water, like a tub, be what you mean as a lot of water?thanks again

          1. Guest_ | Mar 01, 2000 07:09pm | #5

            *Hey Rufus,

            I guess if you read it FAST it might seem like I said that but, I didn't. The "i.e" should have been "like" my apologies for the confusion.

            View Image © 1999-2000"The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." Plato

          2. Guest_ | Mar 03, 2000 06:07am | #6

            *b Rufus, Mastic is mainly used in applications over drywall or plywood. Thinset is used over cement or tileboard. The major difference is flexibility and adhesion. Thinset varies from mortar in the addition of acrylic and other bonding agents. Thinset offers the highest strength bond when cured, but is very hard to work with in vertical applications. Also, you can't use thinset on Moisture resistant drywall(greenboard). Thinset also offers very little flexability, so applying it directly to plywood or other surfaces where movement will occour will loosen a tile for sure. Mastic, however will work on drywall and plywood, and is great for vertical applications.

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