Are you looking for the perfect adhesive for a tiling project? Well, adhesive can make or break your project in the long run because you would want your tiles to stay put for years to come.
Versabond and Mapei are two very renowned thin-set mortar brands. But you need to know Versabond vs. Mapei thin-set to know which one is best for your project.
I will show you the differences between Versabond and Mapei thin-set mortar. You will know which one is perfect for your project at the end of it.
A Quick Comparison Table
You will have a quick idea about the differences they have between them from the following table:
| Features | Versabond | Mapei |
| Sand Grind | Larger Sand Grinds | Regular Sand Grinds |
| Work Time | Takes more time | Takes less time |
| Coverage | 50 lbs./85 sq. feet | 28 lbs./ 85 sq. feet |
| Bonding Strength | Very Strong Bonding Strength | Less Bonding strength |
| Modifier Amount | Modified; has acrylic latex modifiers | Unmodified |
| Moisture Factor | Not so good at it | Very good at it |
Key Differences Between Versabond And Mapei Thinset Mortar
You have a basic idea from the table. You know where these two brands are different from each other. But that is not enough for making a choice.
You have to have detailed information on how they are different. You can easily make your choice after that.
Every detail is helpful when you are looking for a product. You cannot make the right decision if you do not have a clear idea in front of you.
In this section, I will discuss every nitty-gritty of these brands. I will do that by comparing them to one another. So, let’s get into it.
- Sand Grind
Sand grind is one of the main components of thinset mortar. The size of- sand grinds matters because- the bigger the sand grind, the more weight it will absorb. If your thin-set has large sand grinds, it will not sag from walls because of the tile weight.
Mapei thinset has larger sand grinds than Versabond. As a result, it will not sag from the weights of large tiles. Large tiles mean one side of the tile is longer than 15 inches.
- Work Time
Not all the thin-set requires the same amount of time to finish. Some take more time to set, and some take less. You can complete your project fast if you use one that requires less time.
Versabond takes more time to set than the Mapei thinset. It has both pros and cons. Because of the longer working time, it will take more time to become set on the surface.
But it is also easier to fix any misaligned tiles because you will get more time to do so.
- Coverage
Coverage means the amount of thinset needed to cover an area. If your thinset mortar covers a large one- you will need less of it. It will cost you less money too.
You will need approximately 50 lbs. of Versabond thinset to cover the 85 square feet area. On the other hand, you need only 28 lbs Mapei thinset to cover the same space. So, Mapei will give you more coverage.
- Bonding Strength
Bonding strength will decide how strongly your thin-set will create a bond between the surface and the tiles.
You will always want a thinset that provides better bonding strength.
Mapei provides excellent bonding strengths for concrete floors and walls. It also has a quick-dry mechanism that makes it dry faster than the Versabond.
On the other hand, Versabond can also provide a good bonding strength for plywood and concrete. It is better than Mapei in terms of bonding strength. Because- it has modified agents.
- Modifier Amount
A thinset can be modified or unmodified: Modified ones have polymers formulated into the dry mix. It increases both the performance and the strength.
Versabond is a modified thinset with many acrylic latex modifiers in its formula. They make Versabond very flexible and powerful as a thin-set.
On the contrary, Mapei is an unmodified thinset. So, it does not contain any latex modifier. So, Versabond is the winner in terms of modifier amount.
- Moisture Factor
Thinset mortars are well known for their usage in wet places. You can use them on your bathroom floors and walls.
So, moisture is a very prudent factor here. Thinset with superior moisture content is better.
Mapei has high moisture-resistant contents. You can use Mapei thinset for shower walls without being concerned.
On the other hand, moisture-resistant is not Versabond’s strong point. It also has moisture resistance but is not better than Mapei.
- Price
Price is a prime factor for choosing a thinset mortar. You would want one that provides better performance but with less cost.
Mapei thinset will cost you around $28 for a 5p lbs. bag. But a Versabond 50 lbs. pack will cost you only $15. So, Mapei is the expensive one.
Which Thinset is Suitable for Your Project?
You have all the facts in front of you from the previous discussion. You should be able to select the best thin-set mortar from their differences.
But if you are still confused, do not worry. I will guide you on how to choose the perfect match.
There is no better adhesive or bad. Both these Thinset are good in terms of their performance.
But you have to decide the one best for your needs. You have to understand where you will use the thin-set and choose one according to that.
If you are doing the project yourself- you should go for Versabond because- you can fix the nonaligned tiles with it- use Versabond Thinset for the shower wall. But if you need a strong adhesive, go for Mapei.
If price is your concern, buy Versabond as it costs significantly lower. But remember, Mapei is costlier, but you will need less thin-set overall if you use Mapei.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A Thinset with powerful bonding strength is- considered the strongest one. Many factors can make a Thinset strong. Generally, modified Thinset is the strongest. It has acrylic latex agents and other materials that make it stronger.
Versabond is an all-purpose Thinset. It is- used for tiles. It is a professional formula that provides good bond strength for floors and tiles. It also works perfectly in cold weather. So, it is pretty good for tiles and works better on plywood and concrete surface.
Most Mapei Thinset is not modified. But some Mapei products are- modified. For example- Mapei Ceramic Tile Mortar. You can use this Mapei Thinset for the shower floor and many other places.
Versabond Thinset is known for its bonding strength and high performance. You can use it on plywood subfloors, concrete floors, walls, and many other places. They work excellently with porcelain and glass tiles.
Conclusion
There are some fundamental differences between Versabond and Mapei products. You might not know about them if you are not a professional.
But it is necessary to know them because tiling a floor or wall is a long-lasting project. You will have to pay a cost if you accidentally choose the wrong adhesive.
Remember that Versabond and Mapei are two different brands of thin-set mortar. Each of them has multiple products in their line. I have discussed all the differences between these two thin-set mortar brands.
Tiling a floor or wall is a long-lasting project. You would not want to do it very often. So you must select the best Thinset.
As one of the best in the market, I have discussed Versabond vs. Mapei thinset. I am sure it provided you with a clear idea.
Now you have to select the best one based on all the facts you have- gathered from this article. I’m sure it wouldn’t be a problem anymore.