What Kind of Mastic to Use for Tile on Wallboard?
When laying tiles on a wall, mastic can be a good choice for the adhesive. Unlike thinset, which is a concrete-type product, mastic is an acrylic-based, or water-based for the organic versions, adhesive that comes premixed. Some brands of mastic are listed as organic. There are two main types of mastic, which differ based on the strength rating and water-resistance qualities of the product. Deciding on a mastic will depend on the project for which it is to be used. Does this Spark an idea?
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Benefits
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Mastic is stickier than thinset, making it ideal for vertical tiling projects. It will hold the tile in place better and set more quickly, so the tiler doesn't have to support the tile as the mastic dries. It comes premixed, which reduces the labor involved in a tile job. Mastic is also less expensive.
Drawbacks
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Mastic should not be used in places where it might get wet, such as bathrooms or near sinks. It can be appropriate for use in kitchens, but it will fail at temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If the tile is used near a stove or oven, it should be checked for heat leakage. Only Type I mastics are rated for use on floors, but it can't withstand heavy traffic. Organic mastics have a higher water content than thinset, which can cause natural marble tiles to curl or warp, so it should not be used with marble.
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Type I Mastic
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Type 1 mastic has a higher resistance to water. This does not mean it should be used in bathrooms, merely that it can withstand more moisture in kitchen applications. It can be used for flooring in residential settings, but it would be important to prevent water from sitting on the tiles for any length of time.
Type II Mastic
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Type II mastic has little to no water resistance, so should not be used for any tiling other than walls or ceilings. It is not as strong as Type I, so it would be best for purely decorative tile jobs away from any source of moisture, such as a sink.
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References
- Photo Credit blue tile background image by Galina Barskaya from Fotolia.com
