Adhesives & Thinset Mortar

Floor Craft stocks the adhesives and thinset mortars that contractors and serious DIYers actually use on tile, carpet, sheet vinyl, LVP, and engineered hardwood installations. Our in-stock SKUs include Mapei Ultrabond ECO 20 carpet adhesive, Mapei Keraflex Plus thinset, Mapei Mastic Type 1, Schluter All-Set modified thinset, and Henry 440 cove base adhesive, the products our installation crews use on the job every day.

Choosing the right adhesive depends on your flooring type. See our full vinyl flooring selection if you're planning a glue-down LVP or LVT installation.

Beyond what's listed here, we're authorized dealers for the full lines from Mapei, Custom Building Products, Taylor, Schluter, Tec, Bostik, Henry, and Armstrong. If you need a specific SKU, Bostik Ultraset, Armstrong S995, a particular Mapei modified thinset color - call us at (719) 633-7724 or stop by our Colorado Springs showroom and we'll confirm availability or special-order it through our distributor network. Most special orders arrive in 5–10 business days.

 

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Choosing the Right Adhesive or Thinset

The two questions that determine which adhesive or thinset you need: what's the substrate, and what's getting installed on top of it?

For tile installations, you typically want a modified thinset mortar. The polymers in modified thinset give it the bond strength and flexibility that ceramic and porcelain tile assemblies need. Mapei Keraflex Plus is the workhorse for most residential tile jobs. For Schluter Kerdi or Ditra membrane installations, Schluter specifies thinsets that meet their published requirements. Schluter All-Set is the easiest way to meet these specifications. It’s an approved option and a convenient single-mortar solution when installed per Schluter guidelines. For higher-end commercial or large-format tile, ask about non-sag professional-grade thinsets like Mapei Ultraflex LFT.

Thinset choice depends on the substrate and the tile itself, see the floor and wall tile we carry if you're matching adhesive to a specific product.

For carpet installations, the adhesive depends on the carpet backing. Mapei Ultrabond ECO 20 is a versatile pressure sensitive adhesive that works for most modular carpet tile and broadloom installs. For installations over moisture-prone substrates, you'll need a moisture-mitigation adhesive. Call us and we'll match the right product to your spec.

For sheet vinyl, LVP, and resilient flooring, you'll typically need either a pressure-sensitive adhesive for certain resilient or modular applications, or a permanent adhesive such as Henry 440 cove base adhesive for cove base or specialty full-spread systems like Bostik Ultraset, a urethane adhesive and moisture vapor barrier commonly specified for engineered hardwood installations. Floating LVP or laminate installations typically do not require adhesive.

If you're a contractor sourcing for a multi-job material list, our team can pull a complete adhesive and thinset package from your specs and confirm in-stock quantities. If you're not sure which product fits your project, bring substrate and finish material details to our showroom or describe them over the phone- we'll match them to the right SKU.

Adhesive & Thinset FAQs

What's the difference between modified and unmodified thinset?

Modified thinset contains polymer additives that improve bond strength, flexibility, and water resistance, making it suitable for most tile installations including porcelain and large-format tile. Unmodified thinset is required for some specific applications, including tile set directly over Schluter Kerdi and Ditra membranes, where the membrane itself provides the uncoupling and flexibility. Always check the manufacturer's spec for the membrane or assembly you're working with!

Do you stock Mapei thinset and adhesives?

Yes. We carry Mapei Ultrabond ECO 20 carpet adhesive, Mapei Keraflex Plus modified thinset, and Mapei Mastic Type 1 at our Colorado Springs showroom. For other Mapei products like Ultraflex, Granirapid, Kerabond, or Ultracolor grout, we can special-order through our authorized Mapei distributors and typically receive materials in 5–10 business days. Call (719) 633-7724 to confirm specific SKUs and quantities.

Can you special-order Bostik, Armstrong, Henry, or other adhesive brands?

Yes. We're an authorized dealer for Bostik (including Bostik Ultraset and Bostik wood floor adhesives), Armstrong (including Armstrong S995 and S288 adhesives), Henry (cove base adhesives, latex underlayments), and Tec installation products. Special orders typically arrive in 5–10 business days. If you have a specific SKU number from a manufacturer's spec or installation guide, share it with us and we'll confirm pricing and availability.

Which thinset works with Schluter Kerdi and Ditra?

Schluter specifies thinsets that meet their published installation requirements for Kerdi and Ditra assemblies. Schluter All-Set modified thinset is a highly recommended option when installed per Schluter guidelines. We stock Schluter All-Set in 50lb bags in both gray and white. For more on Schluter products and complete shower system materials, see our Schluter Systems collection.