All high-quality tile adhesives will work well for the first few days. But if you notice that the material used for the backsplash is eventually falling off, the first thing you should think about is the adhesive you used.
To avoid this situation and other potential complications, choose the best adhesive for your backsplash based on the area of application. In this blog, we will compare mastic and thinset to better understand which adhesive will work best with your backsplash.
What is mastic?
Mastic is an organic adhesive made from the sticky resin of the mastic tree. Mastic is a tile glue that works best in a dry environment. Mastic for a backsplash should be applied as thin as possible, no thicker than 3/16 inch. It is also used to hold things in temporary position so that material can be permanently screwed into a specific location. Unused mastic can be stored and used for the next application.
Benefits of Using Mastic for a Backsplash
Mastic is used to install backsplashes in many budget-friendly homes because it has the following features:
- Better adhesive strength. Because mastic adheres well to vertical surfaces, bending of tiles on vertical walls during curing is reduced.
- Faster curing time and easier application. Fewer tools are required to tile walls with mastic.
- Easy to remove. The mastic makes it fairly easy to remove the backsplash when it is time to take it down.
Disadvantages of Using Mastic for a Backsplash
Although it is mostly used for building regular homes, mastic has a few drawbacks, including the following: Not good for high-moisture locations Quick setting properties Possibility of tile lippage Possibility of bacterial growth May contain harmful substances
Best Mastic for Backsplashes
There are thousands of tile adhesives available online and at retail stores, here are the top 3 mastics for backsplashes we recommend you try.Henry 314 Premixed Mastic AdhesiveRoberts 5900-1 Ceramic Tile AdhesiveDap 25192 Weldwood Ceramic Tile Adhesive
This mastic is durable and hardens perfectly. Most homeowners recommend this product because it performs excellently in holding the tile on a vertical plane.
What is thinset?
Thinset is also known as thinset mortar or dry-set mortar. Thinset is a tile adhesive that works best in areas where moisture is a problem such as shower walls, tubs, sink backsplashes and bathroom floors. It is composed of cement, finely graded sand and a water-retaining substance that helps the cement properly hydrate. It is designed to be applied in a thin layer that is usually no more than 3/16″ thick.
Benefits of Using Thinset for a Backsplash
- Stronger than mastic. Thinset is the better choice for horizontal applications that are often subjected to strong forces.
- Strong structural support. Thinset provides excellent stability and makes small height modifications possible.
- Suitable for larger applications. There are product variations of thinset such as medium bed thinset mortar which is useful for larger and thicker materials.
- Ideal for high moisture areas. Although thinset is not waterproof, it is also not water soluble. When moisture is present, it will not return to a liquefied state, unlike mastic.
- Mold growth is unlikely. Thinset is inorganic and does not catalyze the formation of any bacteria.
Disadvantages of Using Thinset for a Backsplash
- Slow-Curing Tiles. Thinset takes a long time to cure, which can cause stacked tiles to loosen during this period.
- Removal is difficult. Removing a backsplash with thinset requires a lot of effort and a lot of labor to demolish the area.