What do you use for your tiling project, a tile adhesive or a traditional cement mortar? This is the question most people will have to contend with before they begin tile installations. Both of these options come with their own set of advantages. You’ll have to make an informed decision between the two to ensure the best tiling job possible.
Cement mortars have been the go-to option for many years. However, interior or exterior tile adhesives have been gaining in popularity in recent times, largely because of how they are formulated and the benefits they offer.
If you want to make an informed decision here, consider this article tailor-made for you. We’ll be comparing the two options against each other and reveal which one proves to be the better alternative for modern tiling jobs.
So without much further let’s dive in.
An Overview of Cement Mortar for Tile Installations
As we mentioned before, Cement Mortar has been the traditional option for tiling projects for many years. Many construction companies still make use of cement mortars for tile installation to this day for good reason.
For starters, cement mortar is considerably cheaper than most of its alternatives in the market. This makes the material cost-effective for large-scale tile installation projects. If your priority is to save cost, cement mortar becomes the obvious choice.
Besides the cost, cement mortar is also known for exhibiting superior compressive strength. As such, these materials are ideal for application on surfaces where a tile might experience heavy loads like driveways and industrial floors. Fire-resistance is another one of Cement mortar’s most appealing properties.
Cement mortar is also easy to apply. You should have no issue installing a variety of tiles on various substrates using this material.
That said, Cement Mortar isn’t without its limitations.
The Drawbacks of Cement Mortar
The effectiveness of a cement mortar will largely depend on how accurately it was mixed during preparation. Any miscalculation during the initial mixing can compromise a tile’s bond with the substrate down the line.
Tiles that are installed using cement mortar are also more likely to shrink and crack after some time has passed. It is also not at all easy to apply a cement mortar. The entire process that involves mixing, application, and eventual leveling can cost you a lot of time and money.
Cement mortar also tends to absorb moisture quickly as it is porous. The material’s poor water-resisting properties could cause mold growth over time. You could also see a white powdery substance appear on the surface of your tiles due to cement mortar’s porous nature.
While cement mortar might have been the traditional favorite, its glaring limitations make it less than ideal for modern tiling projects.
An Overview of Tile Adhesives
Unlike cement mortar, tile adhesives are bonding agents that come pre-mixed. This bonding agent is specifically formulated to ensure strong adhesion between a variety of tiles and substrates. The mere fact that a tile-adhesive comes ready-to-use, gives this bonding agent a significant advantage over its traditional counterpart.
Ease of application isn’t the only thing that gives tile adhesives an edge over cement mortar though. Here are all of the other benefits that one can reap by employing tile adhesives:
1. Superior Strength
Tile adhesives are specifically formulated to ensure excellent adhesion between all types of tiles and surfaces. Many tile adhesives that are made by reputable manufacturers exhibit polymer-modified bonds. The chances of tile detachment or loosening over time are reduced by a long shot when you use a good-quality and flexible tile adhesive.
The superior bonding strength that these adhesives promise also makes them perfect for the installation of large-sized or heavy tiles.
2. Time-Efficient
Tile adhesives come ready to use and pre-mixed right out of the package. You don’t have to worry about accurately mixing materials and are guaranteed excellent performance as there is no chance of human error here. The agent’s consistently smooth texture also makes it easy to apply, making the installation process less labor-intensive and saving you a lot of time in the process.
3. Flexibility
Rigidity is a massive issue with cement mortar. Any movement in the substrate after the cement mortar is set could result in tile breakage. Most modern tile adhesives are formulated to be flexible. They are strong enough to handle any natural substrate movements.
The additives in a flexible adhesive allow it to move with the tile. You can count on a good-quality tile adhesive to accept thermal expansion without weakening the bond between a tile and substrate.
4. Ideal for Modern Tile Types
Many new types of tiles are very popular these days. Large format tiles, slim tiles, or ones made of porcelain and glass are widely preferred today. Cement mortar is not at all suitable for installing such tiles because of its limitations concerning adhesion.
If you want to have an easy time installing these tiles, a pre-mixed tile adhesive is your best option. Tile adhesives are known for their bonding strength and durability. Therefore, they are perfect for modern tiling jobs that involve modern types of tiles. You are guaranteed a long-lasting bond, regardless of your tile’s size or type.
5. Excellent Coverage
A cement mortar requires a thicker layer of application. On the other hand, a thinner layer is enough to ensure a strong bond when using a tile adhesive. Using thin layers also means the leveling is precise. Simply put, you get a more consistent tile finish that is visually pleasing when using a tile adhesive.
6. Quick Conclusion
Cement mortar takes its sweet time to dry. You could be waiting for days until the applied mortar dries up. This isn’t an issue you’ll experience when using tile adhesive. An adhesive dries up much faster. This makes tile adhesives particularly ideal for commercial projects that are time-sensitive.
Cement Mortar VS. Tile Adhesive
One could argue that this is where cement mortar has a clear advantage over tile adhesives. Cement mortar is cheaper and perhaps still used for tiling projects because of this reason. However, tile adhesives make up for their relatively expensive cost with a bunch of enhanced benefits.
A typical tile adhesive’s bonding strength, workability, flexibility, and overall performance ultimately make it cost-effective in the long run.
Tile Adhesives are better than Cement Mortar
As far as bonding agents go, tile adhesives are indisputably better than cement mortar. You are guaranteed better performance and quality when using tile adhesives. Tile adhesives are easy to apply, durable, and will save you a ton of money in the long run by helping you avoid costly maintenance work.
Whether you are renovating a bathroom or upgrading an office space, tile adhesives are simply perfect for modern tiling projects. That said, you still need to practice caution when purchasing an adhesive.
Always make sure to buy from reputable manufacturers and this is where Magnus Ventures comes into play. Widely hailed as one of the best tile adhesive distributors in the country, Magnus Ventures is home to eco-friendly tile adhesives that have been formulated after extensive research and development.
We suggest you check out our catalog to explore what we have to offer.
