What’s the one thing you need for installing decorative tiles in your home?
A best-in-class thinset adhesive.
And that’s because the right thinset can impact the durability of your tile installation.
Today, we’re outlining what thinsets are, their benefits, and the thinset adhesives we recommend for our patterned natural stone tiles.
Keep reading to make your knowledge of thinset adhesives really stick!
What is a Thinset Adhesive?
A thinset adhesive is a type of tile mortar, usually used in indoor and outdoor tile installations.
Thinsets are made from an aggregate of materials, such as:
- Cement
- Silica sand
- Water-retaining agents or additives
Typically, they have a smooth and creamy consistency, much like mud or toothpaste.
During installation, a thinset adhesive is applied to the base surface (like a wall or floor) where the final tile installation will be.
Once the tiles are laid on top of the thinset, it forms a strong bond with the tile and works to securely lock the installation in place.
Benefits of Thinsets
As we mentioned above, thinsets provide a superior bond that keeps your tile in place for decades to come.
But they also provide a couple of other key benefits. They are:
- Moisture resistant
- Mold proof
- Heatproof
- Stable
With these characteristics, thinsets keep your tile installations strong in both wet and hot environments like:
- Shower walls
- Bathtub surrounds
- Kitchen backsplashes
- Accent walls
Which Thinset Should You Use With StoneImpressions Tile?
Wondering which adhesives are the best for StoneImpressions tile installations?
We’re here to help!
Find our list of recommended thinsets for our natural stone pattern tiles below.
Laticrete
Tried and true, Laitcrete products are top of the line. Here are the Laticrete adhesives we recommend with our tiles:
| Recommendation | Product Name | Recommended Color |
| Best | 254 Platinum | White |
|
Best
|
MULTIMAX™ LITE | White |
|
Good
|
4-XLT | White |
|
Good
|
253 Gold | White |
MAPEI
Another solid option for thinset. MAPEI! See our top product selections for MAPEI adhesives below:
|
Recommendation
|
Product Name | Recommended Color |
|
Best
|
Kerabond/Keralastic System | White |
|
Best
|
Ultraflex 2 | White |
|
Good
|
Mapei Ultralite Mortar | White |
Happy Tiling
With those recommended thinsets in your back pocket, go forward and create incredible tile installations in your home!
In need of installation inspiration?
Check out our Ventana Tile Spotlight, where we show one of our most popular designs in a variety of homes.
Or, visit our Showroom Locator to find a StoneImpressions dealer in your area so you can see our unique art tiles in person.