This thinset sticks like mastic?

darsunt · 02-09-2012, 01:10 AM

Does polymer modified portland cement thin set mortar grip tiles as good as mastic? I read that regular thin set has difficulty 'holding' the tiles to the wall.

**oh'mike** · 02-09-2012, 07:01 AM

There is more 'slide' while setting,with a thinset than a premixed mastic---some grip better than others-

Most setters will leave out the first (bottom) row of tiles and attach a temporary ledger board to give the tiles a firm starting point.

Once set the tile are more firmly attached with thinset---and there is no chance of the tiles coming loose in a wet area---bucket mastics will dissolve when exposed to water--

darsunt · 02-11-2012, 01:30 AM

Then what I read is inaccurate? I've read that thinset is so poor at grabbing tiles that some tile setters only put up 3 rows of tile at a time to prevent them from falling off. But from what you said, some thin set grabs just fine. The thin set installation I just saw, the tiles are holding on just fine without any special help.

**oh'mike** · 02-11-2012, 07:52 AM

I stick tiles to the ceiling all the time,using thinset---no problem---sliding down can be a problem on a wall--that's why the ledger---you can do an 8 foot tall wall in one shot if the bottom tile is secure and spacers or wedges are used between tiles.

I haven't used mastic in years--just thinset--some have great grab---others not so much--different surfaces (floors--walls--ceilings) might call for switching products.