Tile Redi epoxy is an adhesive used on exterior and interior surfaces like walls and floors. You can apply it to both wet and dry areas without any difficulty. The glue is good for installing shower pans, ceramic tile, marble, or shower seats in high-end commercial restaurants or kitchens. However, it’s much more expensive, something that might prompt you into looking for an alternative.
An alternative adhesive you can use instead of Epoxy is the Thinset Mortar. This is because it can withstand the high moisture nature of areas where epoxy works best, like the shower.
If you’re wondering how all this is possible, you are in the right place. This article will elaborate further on the Redi epoxy alternative.
The Best Tile Redy Epoxy Alternative
If you don’t want to spend too much on adhesives when installing tiles or shower pan, opt for a thin-set. Thin-set is a better choice if you’re doing a DIY project as it’s easy to mix and doesn’t harden faster as epoxy would.
It comprises Portland cement, water retention agents and silica sand and comes in two different forms. You can either use the pre-mixed compound in a plastic tub or the powder to be mixed with water.
The pre-mixed thinset will not give you challenges using it, but it’s more expensive than the powdered one.
Why Opt for Thinset
- It’s moisture resistant making it a good choice for installing tiles in the shower.
- It doesn’t encourage mildew growth on surfaces because of the non-organic ingredients. This is regardless of the moist nature of the installation area.
- Thinset doesn’t expand or contract under extreme temperatures or humidity, making your surfaces durable.
- It takes time to dry, which is advantageous for you. This provides the chance to place the tiles well and do corrections before it hardens.
- It’s heat resistant, preventing it from peeling off when extremely hot.
However, you need to allow the mixture to rest before use to enable the chemicals to interact and give the best results.
Using Thin-set as A Tile Redi Epoxy Alternative
When you go for thinset in place of redi epoxy, know that it is prone to have cracks. So, you need to buy the modified thinset with special additives of acrylic or polymers that prevent this issue.
You also be ready to have sagging tiles, especially on the walls, as the thinset takes time to cure. You can stop this by installing tile spaces.
Using thinset mortar to install bigger and heavy tiles will not give you the best results. This is because it’s thinner and will not better hold the heavy tiles on the surfaces.
Expect to dig deeper into your pockets when you opt for thinset adhesive. This is attributed to the fact that you’ve got to apply cement boards as tile backers and not green boards or wood, which is more expensive.
Can You Use Thinset to Install Tile Redi Pan?
It’s not advisable to use thinset on a tile redi pan. Thinset best works on porous surfaces, and tile redi pan isn’t one of them. If you install tile redi plan using thinset, the following issues will arise;
- You will have challenges installing tile on the pan as it will not stick well. This is because thinset doesn’t adhere to these pans, forcing you to use epoxy that’s part of the shower base packaging.
- It will be difficult to clean up the thinset used on the tile redi pan as it is sticky. It will take you more time to clear the mess after using the thinset on this pan.
- You will incur losses after using this adhesive on the pan. It will be involving clearing the mess, plus the manufacturers won’t cover for it.
How To Clean Redi Poxy?
Since epoxy adhesive binds on surfaces through chemical reactions, it becomes almost impossible to remove it on surfaces after it dries. So, you need to be careful not to spill it all over during application.
However, if this happens accidentally, there are ways to remove it. You can use the heat removal method or acetone removal method. Here’s how to do it;
Acetone For Epoxy Removal
- The first thing you need to do before using acetone is wear gloves to protect your skin.
- Then apply acetone to a rag.
- Use the rag to rub on the surface with epoxy until it becomes soft. It should be about 20 seconds.
- After that, scrape it off the area with a plastic scraper.
- Don’t forget to clean the area to remove acetone and epoxy residue.
Heat Removal
- If you want to remove this adhesive easily, first heat it with a heat gun. Set the gun on the highest setting of about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat the area until the epoxy becomes soft.
- Then scrape off the soft epoxy using a plastic scraper. Do this in the shortest time possible, as the glue will harden faster. If you fail in removing all the glue, repeat the whole process.
- Finally, use tile cleaner and a rag to clean the dust and any marks created by the heat gun.
Tile Redi Epoxy Vs Thinset
You should use thinset any time on your surfaces to save on costs and get better results. Thinset is waterproof and moisture resistant, making it suitable for any tiling area. It’s also more durable, giving you value for money.
However, you should use epoxy on specific applications like installing tile redy epoxy pan. The adhesive works best when you use it directly on the shower base, holding it better.
Bottom Line
Thinset is a better alternative to tile redi epoxy. It’s cheaper, durable, and waterproof. This adhesive is also moisture resistant making it a good choice for surfaces with high moisture content that are also wet. The two share some features, making them a perfect alternative when you run out of any.
However, there are instances where each will give the desired results. For example, Tile Redi Epoxy will make the shower pan hold better at the base than when using thinset, which is thinner. Thinset, on the other hand, can withstand heat so it won’t get damaged on hot days. It also takes time to cure, giving a DIYer time to make corrections before it hardens.
Read More: Shower Pan vs Tile Floor (Guide to Choose)
