We all know that quartz is a popular material for countertops and tile backsplashes. But what adhesive should you use to install it? I’ll tell you the pros and cons of each type of glue, as well as their best uses.
So what adhesive can you use quartz backsplash? You can use the following adhesive for your quartz backsplash;
- 100% Silicone
- Polyurethane Glue
- Epoxy Adhesives
- Hot Glue
- Contact Cement
- Mastic Adhesive
To learn the details on each adhesive, keep on reading!
1. 100% Silicone
Silicone glue is an adhesive that offers a strong bond with flexible movement, which makes it the best choice for backsplash tile.
100% silicone is made up of both an adhesive and a sealant in one bottle. It’s perfect for wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms, or pools because it is waterproof when cured.
It is also resistant to water damage and can handle hot and cold temperatures, which makes it a great choice for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Silicone adhesives are easy to use, have a low odor, and are the most affordable type of adhesive.
As good as this adhesive is, you don’t need to apply too much when using them to fix your backsplash.
Simply applying a squiggly line or thin beads of silicone along the edge or on the back of the quartz will do.
However, since it is not as strong as epoxy or polyurethane adhesives, it is not the best for outdoor countertops.
It also takes a long time to dry and will need at least 24 hours before it is completely set.
The Pros:
- Flexible and offers a strong bond
- Resistant to water damage
- Works well in both indoor and outdoor applications
The Cons:
- Does not offer a permanent bond for outdoor countertops
- Takes a long time to dry and needs at least 24 hours before it’s completely cured.
All in all, if you want a strong bond and want to keep your backsplash indoors, silicone adhesive is the best choice for you.
2. Polyurethane Glue
Polyurethane glue is an adhesive that offers a strong bond with a quick set time, which makes it one of the best choices for backsplash tile.
Polyurethane glue is made up of a combination of liquid polymers and a hardener.
The two liquids are mixed together to form the adhesive, which begins to dry immediately upon mixing.
This type of adhesive can handle hot and cold temperatures, making it a great choice for both indoor and outdoor applications.
It is also resistant to water damage and can handle hot and cold temperatures, that’s why it is a great choice for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Polyurethane adhesives are easy to use and have a low odor, which means you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals.
However, they are not as strong as epoxy adhesives, which means they are not the best for outdoor countertops.
They also take a long time to dry and will need at least 24 hours before they are completely cured.
The Pros:
- Offers a strong bond
- Can handle hot and cold temperatures
- Is resistant to water damage
The Cons:
- Long curing time
Polyurethane is a fair and safe choice for outdoor countertops. It’s a good option if you want to do the job yourself.
3. Epoxy Adhesives
Epoxy adhesives are a very popular choice because they offer an extremely strong bond. Epoxy adhesives are made of a combination of liquid resin and hardener.
The two liquids are mixed together to form the adhesive, which begins to cure immediately upon mixing.
Epoxy adhesives are easy to use and have a low odor, which means you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals.
They are resistant to water and can handle both cold and hot temperatures better than other adhesives, which makes them the best choice for outdoor adhesive.
However, they are still a great choice for indoor countertops because of their durability and resistance to water damage.
Epoxy adhesives can be used on most clean, dry surfaces and are easy to use. However, they do require a curing process that is both time-consuming and can be hard to do.
They are also the most expensive type of adhesive, which is why they are not usually used for small jobs.
The Pros:
- Offers an extremely strong bond
- Can handle hot and cold temperatures
The Cons:
- Not a beginner-friendly adhesive
So, if you are looking for a strong adhesive to use on your next quartz backsplash, then epoxy adhesives are the best option.
4. Hot Glue
Hot glue is an adhesive that offers a strong bond with a quick set time, which makes it a great choice for small jobs. The hot glue is made up of a combination of liquid polymers and a hot glue gun.
The two liquids are mixed together to form the adhesive, which begins to dry immediately upon being applied to the surface.
Hot glue is easy to use and does not have a strong smell, which means you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals.
However, it is not suitable for outdoor applications because of its lack of water resistance and poor heat tolerance.
Hot glue is a good choice for small jobs and only requires a few tools to do the job.
However, it does not offer a strong bond and is not suitable for large or heavy objects.
It is also resistant to water damage and can handle hot temperatures better than other adhesives, which makes it a great choice for indoor countertops.
Hot glue is easy to use and does not require any special safety precautions. However, it typically only works for small projects and is not the best choice for larger countertops.
The Pros:
- Offers a strong bond
- Can handle hot temperature
- Is resistant to water damage
The Cons:
- Non a beginner-friendly adhesive
- Not suitable for outdoor applications
- For small jobs
5. Contact Cement
Contact cement is an adhesive that offers a strong bond with little to no mess, which makes it the best choice for small jobs.
Contact cement is made up of a combination of liquid polymers and solvents.
The two liquids are mixed together to form the adhesive, which begins to dry immediately upon being applied to the surface.
Contact cement is easy to use because it does not require any tools or mixing. It may have some smell so you may want to wear a nose mask.
Contact cement is resistant to both water and heat damage, which makes it a great choice for most countertops.
It is also resistant to water damage and can handle hot temperatures better than other adhesives, which makes it a great choice for indoor countertops.
Contact cement is very easy to use and does not require any special safety precautions. However, it typically only works for small projects and has a strong odor.
The Pros:
- Offers a strong bond
- Is resistant to water damage
- Can handle hot temperature
The Cons:
- May have a strong smell
6. Mastic Adhesive
Mastic adhesive is an adhesive that offers a strong bond with little to no mess, which makes it the best choice for small jobs. It is made up of a combination of liquid polymers and solvents.
Mastic is a type of glue that, combined with thin-set mortar, is used to attach tile to walls or floors before grouting.
Mastic, on the other hand, has several drawbacks. It is not especially good in wet locations and does not have the same high degree of performance as other adhesives in wet locations.
Mastic adhesive is very easy to use and does not require any special safety precautions. However, it typically only works for small projects and has a strong odor.
The Pros:
- Offers a strong bond
- Can handle hot temperature
The Cons:
- Not especially good in wet locations
Final Thoughts
When it comes to adhesives for quartz backsplash, silicone adhesives are one of the best options.
However, before you decide on the adhesive to go for, you have to know the different types of adhesives available, their characteristics, and their limitations.
This article will help you understand all that information so that you can make an informed decision.