1/8 inch versus 1/4 inch notched trowel for countertop thinset
- Thread starter DMY
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Kreemoweet
In the Trades
It would depend on what product you're using to bed the tile in, and the size of the tiles. The setting material will come
in packages with instructions, most likely.
in packages with instructions, most likely.
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DIYorBust
Active Member
The mortar package should tell you but it probably won't matter a whole lot if it's working. I'm guessing the quarter inch will be fine for this project unless the tiles are really small.
Jadnashua
Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
It very much depends on two things:
- how flat the back of the tile is
- how flat the substrate is
The less flat things are, the more thinset you need to ensure that there's full coverage without either voids, or rocking over a high point. FWIW, a typical thinset should not exceed 3/16" final depth after the notches are flattened and the tile is set. Setting the tile (should) flatten the mortar into a continuous, flat sheet with full contact between the substrate and the tile. To check how you're doing, pop an occasional tile back up after setting and verify coverage. If you don't have good coverage, you then have to determine if it was not enough thinset, or poor technique actually setting the tile.
The bond doesn't get stronger with a thicker layer as long as there's proper coverage. Excess mortar tends to shrink and crack, making for a poor bond.
- how flat the back of the tile is
- how flat the substrate is
The less flat things are, the more thinset you need to ensure that there's full coverage without either voids, or rocking over a high point. FWIW, a typical thinset should not exceed 3/16" final depth after the notches are flattened and the tile is set. Setting the tile (should) flatten the mortar into a continuous, flat sheet with full contact between the substrate and the tile. To check how you're doing, pop an occasional tile back up after setting and verify coverage. If you don't have good coverage, you then have to determine if it was not enough thinset, or poor technique actually setting the tile.
The bond doesn't get stronger with a thicker layer as long as there's proper coverage. Excess mortar tends to shrink and crack, making for a poor bond.
DIYorBust
Active Member
That's smart jadnashua. By the way, I like to use prolite mortar as it's much more forgiving especially with bigger tiles, and you can build it up to 3/4 of an inch to compensate for various issues. It does cost around 10 bucks a bag more but for small projects I do find it worth it. Other LFT mortars may work well too, but the prolite seems really good.
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