For decades, tiles in India were fixed on a thick bed of sand and cement. Ready-mixed tile adhesive does the same job with a thin bed and a much more reliable bond. Here is how the two compare.
The main differences
| Cement mortar | Tile adhesive | |
|---|---|---|
| Bed thickness | Typically 20–25 mm | Typically 3–8 mm |
| Mixing | Site-batched sand and cement, varies by mason | Factory-blended, add measured water only |
| Bond to vitrified tiles | Weak on low-absorption tiles | Polymer-modified grades bond to vitrified tiles |
| Hollow sound | Common where the bed has voids | Rare with full coverage and a notched trowel |
| Load on the slab | Heavy | Light |
| Tested strength | Not graded | Graded to IS 15477:2019 |
When adhesive matters most
- Vitrified and large-format tiles. They barely absorb water, so cement paste has little to grip. A Type 2 or higher adhesive is designed for them.
- Walls. A slip-resistant adhesive holds tiles in place while it sets.
- Renovations. A thin bed keeps floor levels and door clearances where they are.
Which Tilexo grade replaces mortar?
For ceramic floor tiles, ST1 Silver is a direct upgrade on sand-cement. For vitrified tiles and walls, start at ST2 Gold.