| Composition |
Cement, quartz sand, polymers, water retention agents, and other additives |
Cement, fine sand, water |
| Adhesion |
Strong bonding, suitable for large-size and low water absorption tiles |
Average bonding, best for small-size, high absorption tiles |
| Thickness |
Thin-bed application (approx. 3–5 mm) |
Thick-bed application (approx. 10–20 mm) |
| Installation |
No soaking or wetting needed; direct tiling on dry surfaces |
Requires tile soaking, wetting, and sometimes back-buttering |
| Efficiency |
Easy to apply, fast installation, lower labor skill requirements |
Slow installation, labor-intensive, higher skill required |
| Hollow Spots |
Dense structure, low chance of hollowness or detachment |
Prone to hollowness and tile detachment |
| Durability |
Water-resistant, freeze-thaw resistant, aging-resistant, suitable for tough conditions |
Less durable, easy to degrade in harsh environments |
| Material Usage |
Thin layer saves material, cleaner application |
Higher material consumption, messy work, higher cost |
| Application Scope |
Best for large tiles, low absorption tiles, complex surfaces |
Suitable for small tiles, high absorption tiles, and surface leveling |