Putty vs. Mastic — What's the Difference?

Often composed of linseed oil and whiting.

Adhesive used for tiles and heavy materials.

Needs time to dry and harden.

Stays flexible after application.

A material used to seal glass in windows.

Not typically paintable.

Can be painted after setting.

Sets quickly to provide strong adhesion.

Soft, malleable filler used to repair wood.

Used in wet areas due to moisture resistance.

Putty is a material with high plasticity, similar in texture to clay or dough, typically used in domestic construction and repair as a sealant or filler. Although some types of putty (typically those using linseed oil) slowly polymerise and become stiff, many putties can be reworked indefinitely, in contrast to other types of filler which typically set solid relatively rapidly.

The mastic tree.

A doughlike cement made by mixing whiting and linseed oil, used to fill holes in woodwork and secure panes of glass.

The aromatic resin of the mastic tree, used in varnishes and as a flavoring and formerly in chewing gum and as a medicine.

A substance with a similar consistency or function.

Any of various substances used as an adhesive or sealant.

A fine lime cement used as a finishing coat on plaster.

A pastelike cement used in highway construction, especially one made with powdered lime or brick and tar.

A yellowish or light brownish gray to grayish yellow or light grayish brown.

An evergreen shrub or small tree, Pistacia lentiscus (mastic tree), native to the Mediterranean.

To fill, cover, or secure with putty.

A hard, brittle, aromatic and transparent resin produced by this tree and used to make varnishes and chewing gum, and as a flavouring.

A form of cement, made from linseed oil and whiting, used to fix panes of glass.

An alcoholic liquor flavoured with this resin.

Any of a range of similar substances.

A flexible, waterproof cement used as an adhesive, sealant or filler.

An oxide of tin, or of lead and tin, used in polishing glass, etc.

A low shrubby tree of the genus Pistacia (Pistacia Lentiscus), growing upon the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; - called also, mastic tree.

A fine cement of lime only, used by plasterers.

A resin exuding from the mastic tree, and obtained by incision. The best is in yellowish white, semitransparent tears, of a faint smell, and is used as an astringent and an aromatic, also as an ingredient in varnishes.

A golf ball made of composition and not gutta-percha.

A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc.

Of, pertaining to, or resembling putty.

An aromatic exudate from the mastic tree; used chiefly in varnishes

(transitive) To fix or fill using putty.

A pasty cement used as an adhesive or filler

A kind of thick paste or cement compounded of whiting, or soft carbonate of lime, and linseed oil, when applied beaten or kneaded to the consistence of dough, - used in fastening glass in sashes, stopping crevices, and for similar purposes.

A ball made of composition and not gutta percha.

A kind of gaiter of waterproof cloth wrapped around the leg, used by soldiers, etc.

To cement, or stop, with putty.

A dough-like mixture of whiting and boiled linseed oil; used especially to patch woodwork or secure panes of glass

Apply putty in order to fix or fill;

Mastic is not typically used as a substitute for putty because it has different adhesive properties and flexibility.

The drying time for putty can vary but typically ranges from a few hours to several weeks.

Putty is primarily used to seal glass in windows and to fill small holes in wood.

Mastic provides strong, durable adhesion and moisture resistance, which are essential qualities for tiling projects.

Common uses include setting tiles, bonding building materials, and sealing ductwork.

Mastic should be applied evenly and carefully, following the manufacturer’s instructions for the best adhesion.

Putty is best suited for small gaps and repairs; larger gaps might require a different type of filler.

Putty dries slowly and lacks the structural strength provided by other adhesives like mastic.

Yes, putty can be painted over once it has dried and hardened.

Yes, mastic is moisture-resistant, which makes it suitable for use in areas like bathrooms.

Yes, but it should be properly sealed and painted to protect against weather conditions.

While mastic can adhere to wood, it is generally not recommended for use where flexibility and aesthetics are concerns.

Mastic is valued for its quick-setting, flexibility, and strong bond, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications.

Yes, surfaces should be clean and dry to ensure the putty adheres well and performs as expected.

Adequate ventilation, gloves, and possibly a mask should be used when applying mastic due to its strong chemical composition.