Shower Wall Tile Thinset Thickness

Spread the mixture using a notched trowel whose notch size.

Shower wall tile thinset thickness.

The terms thinset cement thinset mortar dryset mortar and drybond mortar are synonymous. For example a 3 8 notch trowel will produce a 3. A chemical reaction takes place within 30 minutes of mixing that starts the bonding process between the tile and the underlayment or wall. Walls wainscots dry backsplashes are key areas where tile mastic tends to be used.

Jun 11 2011 the thinset thickness is determined by the size of the trowel used and the size of the trowel is determined by how the back of the tile is constructed and the size of the tile. Total wall thickness at least the surface on the bathroom side rarely exceeds 1 inch total unless marble tiles are used they are 1 2 inch thick. Thinset tile mortar has a smooth slippery consistency similar to mud. For example a 3 8 notch trowel will produce a 3 16th inch thick coating after the tiles are pressed in to the cement.

Therefore i almost always recommend a pre mixed mastic when installing light subway tiles over a shower wall. A 3 8 x 3 8 trowel will leave a 3 16 bed of thinset beneath the tile. This type of cement is designed to adhere well in a thin layer typically not greater than 3 16th thick. In the case of travertine the back of the tile is smooth so a larger notched trowel wouldn t necessarily be required.

The thin set in a bag would be as much weight once installed as the tile it is adhering even if it was rated to hold. Mastic is very sticky grabs fast and is quick setting. Thinset mortar is your default tile mortar for most indoor and outdoor applications. Thinset is a mortar that is made of portland cement silica sand and moisture retaining agents.

It is applied to the substrate with a notched trowel. Thinset is slow to set which leads to tile sag on vertical applications. Most ceramic tiles are between 1 4 inch to 5 16th inch thick in modern construction they are glued to water resistant gypsum board 5 8 inch thick or 1 2 inch thick cement board. Jun 11 2011 the thinset thickness is determined by the size of the trowel used and the size of the trowel is determined by how the back of the tile is constructed and the size of the tile.

Thinset is inexpensive and it fills in gaps and depressions. Using a u notched trowel and embedding the tile into the thinset leaves you with a bed of thinset beneath the tile a little over 1 3 the size of the trowel teeth.