Mortar is a key ingredient in tile installation, acting as both the adhesive and grout. With the different types of mortars, you may be wondering which one is best suited for your tiling project. We did our research and this is what we found out.

Thinset mortar is the most commonly used tile mortar for indoor and outdoor projects. This type of mortar is ideal for most tiling projects. Then there are also other types of mortar such as tile mastic and epoxy mortar.

In this article, we'll discuss one by one the different types of mortar.

For Self-leveling Mortar

There are three basic types of mortar used to install tiles: thin set, mastic mortar and epoxy mortar.

Thin set

Thin set mortar mix is the most commonly used tile mortar for interior and exterior projects. It provides a strong bond and is resistant to moisture and heat. Thin set tile mortar is smooth and sleek, pre-mixed or in powder form, and mixed with water. A major advantage of thin set is that it helps level slightly uneven surfaces. Thin set is suitable for shower floors and walls, kitchen countertops, and other applications in high humidity environments.

Tile Mastic

Mastic is a pre-mixed tile adhesive. This tacky adhesive is a water-based acrylic resin that is easy to clean up. However, it is neither heat nor moisture resistant and does not help to level the surface on which the tiles are laid. It is usually used for tiles in dry areas, but cannot be used with glass tiles.

For Self-leveling Mortar

Epoxy Grout

Epoxy mortar contains three different components: resin, hardener and powder. It sets quickly and provides an incredibly strong bond. Water resistant to chemicals, epoxy mortar has a strong odor at first and is expensive. Because mixing and application can be complicated, it is usually used only by professional tile installers. This type of mortar is recommended for ceramic floor tiles.

Large format mortar vs. regular mortar

Large format tiles, i.e., tiles larger than 15 inches on one or more sides, require a large format mortar specifically formulated for large, heavy tiles. Large format mortars support the added weight and reduce unevenness between tiles.

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Mixing Mortar

Mortar can be mixed by hand in small amounts. If you are making mortar from scratch, use a dry bucket to measure the ingredients. Pour the ingredients into the mixing container and add water and mix, scraping the bottom frequently. Continue adding water and mixing until the mortar has a smooth consistency and slides easily off the mixing utensil, but holds its shape as you punch holes in the mixture. Always wear eye and hand protection when mixing mortar.

Once you have mixed your mortar, it should be good for 90 minutes before it starts to lose its essential characteristics. If the mortar starts to dry out while you are using it, add a little more water to thin it out. However, once the mortar starts to set, do not add water. Doing so will interfere with its basic properties and will not work for your application.