Are there low-odor mortars and grouts that can be used with ceramic tile?
We’ve found that most thinset mortars are relatively low-odor products that are made with Portland cement and a few additives. But, occasionally, we’ll come across a brand that has a very strong chemical odor. In one case, someone sent us a sample of a product that had a very nasty odor. It was the same brand that we’d just used on a project, and ours didn’t have any odor at all. Yet, they were being sold as identical products. As it turns out, they were made in different factories, and the suppliers of the additives were different companies. Still, most of these products generally don’t have much odor, and once they’re covered with tile, they’re usually just fine. If you get a sample before you start a project, mix it with water and sniff it to determine if there’s any odor. The “bad stuff” has a very strong, synthetic-chemical odor. Because grout is directly exposed to the living space, we usually make our own in order to avoid additives completely. For typical 1/4″ joints, mix 2 par
