When installing tile, you may be faced with two products, tile adhesive and caulk. Understanding their differences is key to a successful project. Adhesives are used to hold tiles in place on a surface, while caulk fills in the gaps between tiles and ensures that the entire surface is flat and beautiful. Using the right products can improve construction efficiency, extend the life of your tiles, and make your remodeling project perfect.
| Feature | Tile Adhesive | Grout |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Secures tiles to floors or walls | Fills gaps between tiles |
| Composition | Cement, resins, additives | Cement-based or epoxy resin |
| Application Method | Applied to tile backs or installation surface | Applied after tile installation to fill joints |
| Drying Time | Approximately 24 hours | Approximately 24 hours; epoxy grout may take longer |
| Suitable Areas | Floors, walls, indoor, outdoor | Indoor, outdoor, wet areas, high-load zones |
| Special Properties | Provides strong adhesion to prevent tile shifting | Waterproof, stain-resistant, enhances overall tile strength |
What is tile adhesive?
Tile adhesive or mortar is used in the first step to laying new tiles. It is basically the “glue” that gets the tiles to stay in place. You use it not only when installing, but also when repairing cracked tiles. There are three main types of mortar: thinset, mastic, and epoxy.
Thinset mortar
Thinset mortar is perhaps the most common type. Traditionally, it is cement-based and comes in powdered form. When mixed, it has a smooth, sticky consistency. Thinset mortar creates a strong bond between the tile and the surface, making it a popular choice. It can also be heat- and moisture-resistant, as well as safe against mould. This makes it a good choice for wet areas such as bathrooms. It is, however, prone to cracking, so latex additives can be mixed in to improve its flexibility. Thinset mortar can come in powdered or pre-mixed form, with the latter being more expensive.
Tile mastic
Tile mastic is a sticky adhesive that comes in pre-mixed tubs. It is essentially water-based acrylic glue. Unlike thinset, it’s best for dry areas, as it’s not moisture- or heat-resistant. The material is very simple to use and easy to clean up. It also has a long shelf-life, meaning it can be stored longer than other types before it’s used. Its downside is that it can’t be used with glass tiles.
Cement based adhesive
Cement based adhesive is the most widely used form of tile adhesive. This product comes in powder form and is cement-based. lt is used in most residential and commercial locations.
When prepared, it has a sticky yet smooth consistency.The product bonds well with most surfaces and tiles, which is one of the main reasons why it is so widely used.Flexible cement based adhesive is mould, heat, and moisture resistant, which means it can be used in both dry and wet rooms.
Cement based adhesives are ideal for large-format, natural stone and porcelain tiles and help to adhere a tile to floors and wet environments. The added strength,flexibility and drying consistency are absolutely essential to ensure a quality and long lasting hold. Powdered cement-based tile adhesives also provide significant time savings to builders as they can be grouted quicker than ready-mixed tile adhesives.
Epoxy mortar
This is the strongest type of tile adhesive. It’s resin-based and typically comes with three components – resin, hardener and powder. The product sets very quickly and provides a strong bond to the surface. It is waterproof, chemical and grease-resistant, as well, making it a preferred choice for industrial floors. Its drawbacks are that it is more expensive than the other types, has a strong smell while being applied, and is quite tricky to use. Generally, epoxy mortar is best left to the hands of professionals.
What is grout?
Tile grout is, most commonly, a cement-based mortar that fills the space between tiles. This provides a clean, finished look and acts as a preventative measure against mould and bacteria build-up. The range of colours, it comes in, means that you can match it to your tiles and create a uniform look. To further protect the grout, a sealant can be applied over it. The main types of grout are sanded, unsanded and epoxy.
For more information, check out our helpful blog post.
Sanded grout
As the name suggests, this is a mortar compound that has fine sand mixed into it for better durability. It is mostly used for filling in wider spaces, starting from 3mm. Its added strength makes it a good choice for grouting floors. The material is ideal for stone, marble and granite, as well as for tiles, which are on the heavier side.
Unsanded grout
This mortar mixture does not contain any sand, although other additives can be mixed into it. It is best used to fill in thin grout lines, up to 3mm, as the lack of sand makes it easier for the compound to get into the tighter space. The product is also easier to apply and is the preferred grout for wall tiles.
Epoxy grout
As with epoxy tile adhesive, epoxy grout is the most durable and most difficult to work with. It is, however, waterproof and chemical resistant, making it perfect for bathrooms and showers. It is best for ceramic, porcelain and vitrified glass tiles.
Takeaways
- Tile adhesive, or mortar, is used to secure the tiles to the walls or floors.
- Grout is the compound that fills in the spaces between the tiles.
- Tile mastic can’t be used with glass tiles.
- Powdered thinset needs to be used up after mixing and cannot be stored for later use.
- Epoxy mortar and grout are the strongest types, but the most difficult to work with.
- Sanded grout is best used on floors, while unsanded is better for walls
