Adhesives
Get the right bond strength for your projects with premium quality tile adhesives. The Tile Shop carries tile adhesives and tile mortar in a variety of formulas that offer increased bond strength for tile installation projects with ceramic, porcelain, mosaic, glass, metal and natural stone tiles on walls or floors.
Alato Midnight Chevron Glass Mosaic Wall Tile
Recycled Glass Round Pewter Gray Mosaic Wall and Floor Tile - 2 in.
Glass Grape Amalfi Mosaic Wall Tile
Glass Silver Cloud Blend Cardine Mosaic Wall Tile
Claros Silver Mercer Athens Stone and Glass Mosaic Wall Tile
Ibizia Glass Mosaic Wall Tile
Glass Grape Blend Mosaic Wall Tile - 1 in.
Winter Morning Athens Glass Mosaic Wall Tile
Glass Periwinkle Amalfi Mosaic Wall Tile
Estallido Frost Glass Hex Wall Tile - 10 x 11 in.
Antique Mirror Bevel Glass Mosaic Wall Tile
Estallido Blue Mocha Glass Hex Wall Tile - 10 x 11 in.
Winter Morning Picket Glass Mosaic Wall Tile
Recycled Glass Round Clay Mosaic Wall and Floor Tile - 2 in.
Corralejo Glass Mosaic Wall Tile
Alato Beachwalk Chevron Glass Mosaic Wall Tile
Glass Light Blu Amalfi Mosaic Wall Tile
Marbella Glass Mosaic Wall Tile
Beachwalk Napier Glass Mosaic Wall Tile
Foggy Morning Picket Glass Mosaic Wall Tile
Oceanside Picket Glass Mosaic Wall Tile
Glass Iridescent Indigo Blend Mosaic Wall Tile - 1 in.
Lagoon Niebla Koh Pai Glass Wall and Floor Tile - 2 x 2 in.
How to Pick the Right Tile Adhesive
Tile adhesives all serve the same purpose, but different environments and types of tile will require different varieties of adhesive. For example, a shower tile adhesive will require different properties compared to a living room wall tile adhesive. However, you will likely be choosing between one of three types of tile adhesive.
Thinset
Thinset is highly resistant to moisture, making it suitable for areas like kitchens, showers, and even swimming pools. Modified thinsets offer enhanced flexibility, making them suitable for areas with slight movements or temperature fluctuations, such as heated floors or exteriors. This makes it a popular choice as stone, porcelain, and ceramic tile adhesive because it provides excellent adhesion.
Mastic
Mastic is a pre-mixed, paste-like adhesive made from organic compounds. It's ready to use straight from the container. However, unlike thinset, mastic is not water resistant and therefore should only be used indoors in dry environments. Still, mastic can be easier to use than thinset since it does not require mixing and is generally easier to apply.
Wood Flooring Adhesive
Wood floor tile adhesive is specially formulated to adhere to most types of wood flooring, including natural, manufactured, bamboo and many others. This type of adhesive provides the elasticity needed for wood flooring, keeping firm adhesion while the wood naturally expands and contracts. High quality wood flooring adhesives will also contribute to noise reduction and water resistance.
White vs. Gray
Tile adhesives may come in white or gray variants. While the color itself isn't usually the most critical factor for bond strength, it's important to consider how the adhesive's color might affect the aesthetics of your project.
When using light-colored tiles or grout, white thinset mortar is preferred to avoid any gray adhesive showing through the grout lines and disrupting the clean look. Conversely, with darker tiles or grout, gray thinset mortar might be a better choice for a seamless appearance.
In most cases, choosing the adhesive based on its functional suitability for your project is the top priority.
We Can Help
Still not sure which adhesive is right for your project? You can visit one of our showrooms and our tile experts will help guide you.