Mortar Bed Thickness For Wall Tile

Mar 20 2019 the 2011 tile industry standards define the minimum bond layer thickness to be 3 32 after beat in but the maximum thickness has more to do with the manufacturer of the thinset mortar you are using.

Mortar bed thickness for wall tile.

When laying on a similar base medium format tiles it is recommended to apply a layer of 3 4 mm. Learn all about it here. Thinset mortar is not usually recommended for large heavy or uneven tiles. For example a 3 8 notch trowel will produce a 3 16th inch thick coating after the tiles are pressed in to the cement.

Thinset represents a modern alternative to the traditional mortar bed. If the thinset is combed with a 3 8 inch notched trowel when a tile is pressed into it and the grooves flattened the resultant thickness of the mortar is 3 16 of an inch the recommended thickness for thinset. As a general rule the finish thickness of thinset mortar with ceramic tile installations is around one eighth inch once the mud has been compressed under a tile. The mortar can be applied to a concrete plastered base or screed with a thicker layer.

This type of cement is designed to adhere well in a thin layer typically not greater than 3 16th thick. It consists of cement water and very fine sand resulting in a thinner mortar generally applied no more than 3 16 inch thick. A good way to tell if you have the right dry pack consistency is to make a ball with the mixed mortar similar to a snowball. So a 3 8 u notched trowel leaves a 1 8 bed of thinset beneath the installed tile.

The terms thinset cement thinset mortar dryset mortar and drybond mortar are synonymous. That doesn t give much leeway for leveling. If you are installing tile the mortar bed should be 2 3 inches thick on the outer edge and slightly less at the drain. The mortar bed sits over the sub floor and provides a smooth and stable base for the tile installation.

The tile installation method includes how the surface is prepared the materials to be used and the type of tile to use. When mixing the mortar use only enough water to obtain a dry pack consistency. 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. A thick set or mud set tile installation consists of finish tiles set over a 1 1 4 to 2 thick portland cement mortar bed.

Many thinsets max out at 1 4 in a single layer. Suitable sub floors for thick set tile installations include concrete slabs and properly installed wood.