When installing ceramic and porcelain tiles, you need a substance to make it stick to the subfloor. These substances are called adhesives. There are basically two types of adhesive. One is called thinset and the other is called mastic or organic mastic. In this article we will find out a little about thinset.
Thinset is basically a mixture of cement, sand that has been finely graded, and a water-retention compound that allows the cement to properly hydrate. It has many aliases such as “thin set mortar”, “thin-set cement”, “drybond mortar”, or “dryset mortar”. What is thinset used for? It is designed to provide strong sticking power though it is spread in a thin layer.
Advantages Of Using Thin-set
What are some advantages of using thin-set? Well, it can be used in areas that see a lot of moisture such as the bathroom and certain kitchen areas. This, however, does not mean that it is waterproof. Thinset, in fact, is not. However the key factor is that it does not dissolve in water, it will dry out quickly. Another benefit is that thinset is not an organic compound. Therefore mould will not grow on the thinset.
Because of its strength, though, thinset is a good choice for horizontal applications such as flooring that get a lot of heavy foot traffic.
With this new found knowledge, you can confidently go to your local tile store or a reputable tile factory outlet and ask for the best quality tiles and tile adhesives at the cheapest prices possible!
