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Thin brick needs two things from mortar: a strong bond behind each brick and, often, a mortar joint between them. The best mortar for thin brick veneer grips cement board or masonry, does not sag on walls and suits the climate where the wall lives.
We compared a premium polymer-modified thinset, a fortified value thinset, a pre-mixed tub thinset, Type S masonry mortar and a ready-to-use polymer paste.
Quick Answer: The Best Mortar for Thin Brick Veneer
- Best Overall: Ardex X 77 Microtec Polymer-Modified Thinset Mortar, White (40 lb)
- Best Value Thinset: Custom Building Products VersaBond Fortified Thin-Set Mortar, Gray, 50 lb (MTSG50)
- Best Pre-Mixed for Small Walls: Custom Building Products SimpleSet Pre-Mixed Thin-Set Mortar (1 Quart)
- Best for Mortar Joints: Quikrete Mason Type S Mortar Mix (60 lb)
- Best No-Mix Repair Paste: YKF Ready-to-Use Polymer Cement Adhesive Paste, Pre-Mixed Mortar Alternative
Ardex X 77 is the best mortar for thin brick veneer because its polymer-modified, fiber-reinforced formula bonds well indoors and outdoors. Custom VersaBond is the value pick, and Quikrete Type S is best for traditional mortar joints between the bricks.
Best Mortar for Thin Brick Veneer Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ardex X 77 Microtec Polymer-Modified Thinset Mortar, White (40 lb) | Best Overall | Polymer-modified thinset | Fiber-reinforced, interior and exterior | Check Price |
| Custom Building Products VersaBond Fortified Thin-Set Mortar, Gray, 50 lb (MTSG50) | Best Value Thinset | Polymer-fortified thinset mortar | Bonds natural stone panels to cement board | Check Price |
| Custom Building Products SimpleSet Pre-Mixed Thin-Set Mortar (1 Quart) | Best Pre-Mixed for Small Walls | Pre-mixed thinset mortar | No mixing, interior walls and floors | Check Price |
| Quikrete Mason Type S Mortar Mix (60 lb) | Best for Mortar Joints | Type S masonry mortar | High-strength pre-blended mortar, just add water | Check Price |
| YKF Ready-to-Use Polymer Cement Adhesive Paste, Pre-Mixed Mortar Alternative | Best No-Mix Repair Paste | Pre-mixed polymer cement paste | Thick paste that resists sagging on walls | Check Price |
The 5 Best Mortar for Thin Brick Veneer
Our picks for the best mortar for thin brick veneer, ranked by bond strength, sag resistance, interior or exterior rating and ease.
Ardex X 77 Microtec Polymer-Modified Thinset Mortar, White (40 lb)
1Ardex X 77 is a pro-grade polymer-modified thinset that suits thin brick on floors, showers and exterior walls.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Pro-grade bond
- Fiber reinforced
- Exterior rated
Cons
- Costs more
- Must be mixed
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Polymer-modified thinset
- Size: 40 lb
- Color: White
- Bed: Thin to medium, up to 5/8 in
- Use: Interior and exterior
Use a medium-bed trowel for uneven thin brick backs.
White thinset will not shadow through light joints.
Custom Building Products VersaBond Fortified Thin-Set Mortar, Gray, 50 lb (MTSG50)
2A fortified thin-set mortar for setting natural stone ledger panels on cement board.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong bond for stone
- Common, easy to find
- Gray suits stone
Cons
- Heavy bag; needs mixing
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Fortified thin-set mortar
- Color: Gray
- Size: 50 lb
- Use: Stone and tile on cement board
- Mix: Water
Back-butter heavy stone for full coverage.
Mix only what you can use in 30 minutes or so.
Custom Building Products SimpleSet Pre-Mixed Thin-Set Mortar (1 Quart)
3SimpleSet is a no-mix thinset in a tub, handy for small interior thin brick and tile jobs.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- No mixing or mess
- Good for small thin brick jobs
- Easy cleanup
Cons
- Interior only
- Small quart size
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Pre-mixed thinset
- Size: 1 quart
- Use: Interior walls and floors
- Tile size: Best up to 8 x 8 in
- Mixing: None
Use it for backsplashes and small accent walls rather than whole rooms.
Back-butter each thin brick for full coverage.
Quikrete Mason Type S Mortar Mix (60 lb)
4Quikrete Type S is a high-strength masonry mortar used for exterior brick work and for pointing thin brick joints.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong, versatile mortar
- Good for exterior thin brick joints
- Easy to find
Cons
- Must be mixed
- Heavy bag
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Type S mortar mix
- Size: 60 lb
- Use: Above and below grade masonry
- Mixing: Add water only
- Made in: USA
Mix small batches; mortar stiffens fast in heat.
Use a grout bag to fill joints neatly.
YKF Ready-to-Use Polymer Cement Adhesive Paste, Pre-Mixed Mortar Alternative
5YKF paste is a ready-to-use polymer cement alternative to mortar for small non-structural veneer jobs.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- No mixing
- Stays put on vertical walls
- Resealable
Cons
- Not for structural work
- Small batch size
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Polymer cement paste
- Mixing: Ready to use
- Use: Brick, block and stone veneer (non-structural)
- Consistency: Thick, low sag
- Package: Resealable pouch
Great for small thin brick repairs and touch-ups.
Apply with a margin trowel and press bricks firmly.
How We Chose the Best Mortar for Thin Brick Veneer
To choose the best mortar for thin brick veneer, we compared bond strength, sag resistance on walls, interior and exterior use, mixing and cost for thin brick.
Ventilate well while you work with adhesives, grout and sealers, following the EPA guide to VOCs indoors.
Product details in this guide come from manufacturer specifications and patterns in verified owner feedback; we do not claim hands-on testing we have not done. Read more on our How We Test page.
Buying Guide: Best Mortar for Thin Brick Veneer
Use these points to choose the best mortar for thin brick veneer.
Setting bed vs. joints
Thinset holds bricks to the wall; Type S mortar or grout fills the joints between them.
Polymer-modified for exterior
Outdoor and wet areas need a polymer-modified thinset with freeze-thaw ratings.
Back-butter every brick
Spread mortar on the wall and the brick back for full coverage.
Mind the substrate
Cement board, masonry or a scratch coat are good bases; bare drywall is not for heavy brick.
Small jobs can use pre-mixed
Tub thinset is handy for backsplashes and small interior walls.
Mix to the right consistency
Mortar that is too wet slides; too dry will not bond.
Thin Brick Mortar Tips
Strong bond, clean wall.
- Dampen dusty masonry before setting.
- Back-butter each brick.
- Use spacers for even joints.
- Clean faces before mortar dries.
Questions about the best mortar for thin brick veneer:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best mortar for thin brick veneer?
Ardex X 77 is our top pick for its strong polymer-modified, fiber-reinforced bond.
Can I use thinset for thin brick?
Yes, polymer-modified thinset is the most common setting mortar for thin brick.
What mortar for thin brick joints?
Type S mortar or sanded grout, applied with a grout bag.
Can I use pre-mixed mortar for thin brick?
For small interior jobs; use bagged polymer thinset outdoors.
Do I need a scratch coat?
On exterior framed walls, follow the brick maker system with lath and scratch coat.
Final Verdict
Our final pick for the best mortar for thin brick veneer is the Ardex X 77 Thinset. Choose the VersaBond Fortified Thin-Set (Gray) if you want a lower budget, or the Custom SimpleSet Pre-Mixed Thinset for traditional mortar joints.
Related Guides
More thin brick and veneer guides:
- Best Faux Brick on Amazon
- Best Grout for Thin Brick Veneer
- Best Angle Grinder for Cutting Thin Brick
- Best Masonry Blade for Cutting Thin Brick
- Best Brick Veneer for Kitchen Island
Product details are based on manufacturer specifications at the time of writing. Prices and availability change often, so check Amazon for the latest price.
