What can I use instead of thinset?

It is impervious to water, so it does not need any special latex additives, as does some thinset. Epoxy mortars work well for porcelain and ceramic, as well as for glass, stone, metal, mosaic, and pebbles. Epoxy mortars can even be used for installing rubber flooring or wood block flooring.
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Can I use tile adhesive instead of thinset?

If installing a small area of ceramic floor or wall tiles, mastic is the better choice. The adhesive is premixed, does not require water and will hold the tiles in place with no beating or additives. If installing a large amount of tiles, stone tiles or glass tiles, thinset mortar should be used.
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Can I use Liquid Nails to lay tile?

Tiles can be glued in place with Liquid Nails. Liquid Nails manufactures many kinds of adhesive, including one designed to be used on tile. Tiles cannot be nailed, screwed or stapled in place because the surface must remain unbroken, so adhesive is the only way to attach tiles.
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What can I use instead of tile mortar?

Thinset is a stronger material than mastic, making it a better choice for horizontal applications such as flooring that get a lot of pounding. Dry-mix thinset is inexpensive and easy to use.
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Can I use silicone instead of thinset?

Silicone caulk is easy to use, adheres granite to a flat surface with minimal mess, and sets faster than thin-set mortar. It's not the best choice for floors or walls, but for smaller decorative areas, setting granite tiles with silicone caulk is an easier alternative to traditional use of thin-set mortar.
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Modified vs. Unmodified thinset - when to use each



Can I use grout in place of thinset?

Can you use grout as Thinset? No- it's not advisable to use grout in place of thinset- as these two don't boast the same structural strength. As such, grout isn't able to effectively stick tiles to the concrete subfloor as well as thinset does.
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Can I install tile with construction adhesive?

Yes, construction adhesive applied with a notched trowel should work just fine, assuming that it doesn't bleed through the grout. It won't have the grab to keep tiles from sliding down, so you'll need to use spacers if they're not self-spacing.
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Can I use glue for tile backsplash?

Two basic types of material are used to install wall tiles for home renovations, such as a backsplash: portland cement-based mortar, which is also known as thinset, and mastic, an organic tile adhesive used only on drywall applications like backsplashes.
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What is a floating tile floor?

What is a Floating Tile Floor? In general, a floating floor composed of any material, whether wood, laminate, or ceramic, is one that is not attached to the subfloor; individual pieces are attached laterally to themselves.
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What is the best adhesive for tile?

Best Glue for Tile: Mastic or Thinset Mortar

If the adhesive looks like dried glue, use mastic (view example on Amazon). If it looks like cement, premixed thinset is the best choice (view example on Amazon).
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What is the best adhesive for floor tiles?

Because thinset is not affected by moisture, it is best for floor tile and any tile in wet areas, including shower floors, walls, and ceilings and tub surrounds. Since thinset tile mortar may crack, you may wish to mix it with a special latex additive to increase its strength.
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Will mortar stick to Liquid Nails?

The answer is yes. Liquid Nails construction adhesive will fasten wood to concrete as long as the conditions are right and you use the right type of Liquid Nails. The ideal conditions include: surfaces must be clean, dry, and dust-free, and the application temperature must be between 40–100° F (5–38° C).
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Can I use glue instead of mortar?

In short, brick glue is an effective and convenient substitute for mortar in many masonry uses, but when using it, you should be aware of its disadvantages.
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Is mastic better than thinset?

Compared to some thinsets, mastic has a superior holding strength and it is easier to apply. Mastic has several major drawbacks when used as a tile adhesive. It is not recommendeded for use in any environment that is exposed to moisture. Being organic, mastic becomes prone to mold growth once it encounters moisture.
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What happens if you use wall tile adhesive on floor tiles?

Although it has worked well for some people, the real answer to this question is no. Unlike floor tile adhesives, you can only use wall tile adhesives for holding tiles on a vertical surface. The floor tile adhesive is strong and can withstand horizontal pressure as people move.
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Can I just glue tile to drywall?

As long as your wall is smooth and flat, you can install a ceramic tile kitchen backsplash directly over drywall or plaster with no problem. Start by cleaning the wall to remove any grease, then apply thin-set adhesive, and set the tile. After the adhesive has set, apply grout, and you're done.
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Can you use liquid nails on tile backsplash?

Yes, especially for a backsplash in a kitchen. It works great and then you can grout the joints the next day. Remember to not let the glue ooze through the cracks.
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Can you use Liquid Nails on shower tile?

Liquid Nails FUZE-IT adhesive is recommended for all wall tile applications. FUZE-IT can be used on nearly any substrate including plywood, particle board, treated lumber, drywall, green board, tile board, MDF paneling, glass, metal, ceramic, rubber, and mirrors.
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Can you use Gorilla glue on ceramic tile?

Is Gorilla Glue good for ceramic repairs? Yes. Gorilla Super Glue is the brand's most recommended product for ceramic repair.
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Can I glue down ceramic tiles?

New ceramic tiles can be installed directly over old ceramic tiles or vinyl tiles with thin-set adhesives sold by tile dealers. It is important that the old flooring be smooth, firm and well-adhered to the subfloor. Examine the old floor carefully and glue down any loose tiles.
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How do you make thinset?

Thinset cement is basically a combination of three additives. Sift the brick sand through a 1/4-inch wire screen to remove any rocks or debris from the contents. Add two coffee cans full of dry Portland cement to the sand and water. Add more water to soften the mixture and more sand and dry powder to thicken it.
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Can I use grout as cement?

Terms like cement, mortar, concrete, and grout are often used interchangeably, although there are actually major differences between the strength and application of these materials. Both grout and concrete are cement-based substances that are commonly used in DIY and construction projects.
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Can you lay tiles with grout?

Warning. Even with rectified tiles, it is not recommended to lay tiles without grout. Grout helps to protect the tiles against movement in case of the house shifting, it also helps make the tiles easier to care for in wet areas.
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