Mastic can also grow and harbor mold, making it a product to avoid at all costs on any installation that might be subject to moisture. The organic make up of this product makes it inappropriate to used in any application where it will be exposed to moisture – where the adhesive will re-liquify and lose its adhesive strength. The product itself is organic, made from the resin of the mastic tree. Mastic will normally come in bucketed forms, making it tempting for many tile installers that don’t want to mix their own setting materials, however mastic has a number of drawbacks.

Mastic is another related setting material product that you’ll find in the thinset aisle. The main drawback with Epoxy thinset is that it is far more expensive than standard thinset, can have a powerful odor when working with it, and sets very quickly, making it harder to work with for an installer not familiar with the product. Epoxy thinset is extremely strong and versatile, bonding nicely to a variety of different substrates, including metal, and is also impervious to water, making it a good choice for exterior or moisture heavy applications. Mixing Thinset for Stone Veneer InstallationĮpoxy thinset will come in buckets which normally require mixing of the resin, hardener, and powder to “activate”. Whatever packaging method you choose for your next stacked stone installation project, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you’ve purchased the right mix or combination of materials to achieve the desired thinset for your project. You’ll even find some premixed and bucket thinsets, which can be good for small projects but tend not to make economic sense for a large project. Other manufacturers sell the latex or polymer modifiers in liquid format, and the installer will add the “modifiers” to regular thinset to create a latex or polymer modified variety. Some brands offer a dry pre-mixed version of either latex or polymer modified thinset which just requires the installer add water to the mix. Thinset is packaged in a variety of different methods, depending on the manufacturer. Unmodified thinset has limitations as it relates to what kind of substrate it can be applied over, whereas the latex and polymer varieties have had special chemicals added to them which improves certain characteristics of the setting material, most often freeze/thaw resistance, improved flexibility, and improved adhesion to a variety of different substrates. Within the thinset mortar category, you’ll likely come across unmodified, latex, and polymer varieties. This type of cement is designed to adhere well in a thin layer – typically not greater than 3/16th thick.

The terms thinset cement, thinset mortar, dryset mortar, and drybond mortar are synonymous. Tile and stone set by the thinset method is adhered to the substrate with a thin layer of “thinset” cement. Thinset mortar is a blend of cement, very finely graded sand, and a water retention compound that allows the cement to properly hydrate. What does all this mean, and what is the right product for a stacked stone tile installation? Let’s take a look at these different types of setting materials and learn more about what each type is best suited for. Some products are polymer modified, others have or require a latex additive.

There’s thinset, mastic, mortars, epoxies, and additives that are available in a different variety of formats like pre-mixed and bucketed, powder and liquid. If you wonder into your local home improvement or discount tile and flooring store to pick up supplies for your next tile or thin stone veneer project, you’ll likely find yourself at some point in the setting materials aisle confused by what you’re seeing.

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