Thinset Reviews for Kerabond Keralastic Laying Porcelain Tile
It's hard enough just selecting your tile let lonely a tile mortar.
Now you walk into the thinset alley at the home improvement store and there are eight unlike choices of thinset mortar.
Suddenly, questions start furiously bouncing into your caput:
- What'southward the deviation between the $vi bag of thinset and the $40 handbag?
- Do I go with gray or white thinset mortar?
- What about the premixed mortar in the buckets?
- How do I know if the thinset is unmodified?
Finally, your answers are here!
This post is divided into three sections
Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
Disclaimer: This post is to exist used every bit a general guide for mortar selection. Information technology'southward up to yous to make sure the product that y'all are using is proper for the awarding. Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions on the product(due south) you lot are installing.
Applications: "I am installing ______ over _____. Which thinset mortar practice I buy?"
Below is a list of products and applications. Two things to keep in heed:
- These brands are typically found in retail stores
- Schluter products are their ain thing and are mentioned in their ain category below.
Installing cement board over a wood subfloor
The skillful news is that, basically, whatsoever thinset mortar will piece of work for this. Some manufacturers' instructions say to use a modified mortar and you should follow those instructions. More than on modified mortars below.
Even so, it's my understanding that the mortar doesn't demand to attach to the plywood. Rather, the organisation of a mortar bed underneath the cement board and fasteners above holds the material properly in place.
Installing cement board over a concrete subfloor
Short answer is: Don't practise it.
Longer answer is: Cement board shouldn't be installed over concrete
Installing uncoupling membranes over physical
Most manufacturers, including Custom Redgard Uncoupling Mat and Laticrete Stratamat, volition desire you to use an ANSI 118.xi; 118.iv; or 118.15 mortar and the products listed below meet this standard. [More on those numbers in the Terms section]
Even so, if you lot are installing Ditra and so curl down to the Schluter section below.
- Ardex: X5, X77
- Custom Building Products: Versabond Flex; FlexBond
- Laticrete: 253 Golden; 254 Platinum
- Mapei: Ultraflex 2; Porcelain Tile Mortar
- TEC: Sturdi Flex; Total Flex
Installing an uncoupling membrane over a forest subfloor
For this, you desire to use a thinset mortar meeting ANSI 118.11 and information technology should accept this number on the label.
ANSI 118.11 means it's approved to go over outside grade plywood. That's what you desire. Information technology doesn't take to exist an LHT mortar. Specific products include:
- Ardex: X5, X77
- Custom Building Products: Versabond Flex; FlexBond
- Laticrete: 253 Gold; 254 Platinum
- Mapei: Ultraflex 2; Porcelain Tile Mortar
- TEC: Sturdi Flex; Full Flex
Ditra users: roll down to the Schluter section below
Thin, waterproof sail membranes over capitalist lath
About manufacturers want a modified mortar used to install their waterproof sheet membranes. Sheet membranes such every bit: Hydro Ban Sheet Membrane, Ardex SK 175, Mapei Mapeguard WP 200, Redgard Fabric Membrane, Wedi Subliner Dry
- Ardex: X5, X77
- Custom Building Products: Versabond Flex; FlexBond
- Laticrete: 253 Gold; 254 Platinum
- Mapei: Ultraflex 2; Porcelain Tile Mortar
- TEC: Sturdi Flex; Full Flex
Kerdi users: scroll down to the Schluter department below
Tile under 15-inches over cement board
- Ardex: X4, X5, X77
- Custom Building Products: Versabond, Versabond Flex; FlexBond
- Laticrete: 253 Gold; 254 Platinum, 272*
- Mapei: Kerabond*, Floor Tile Mortar*,Ultraflex 2; Porcelain Tile Mortar
- TEC: Full Fix Plus*, Sturdi Flex; Total Flex
*unmodified ANSI 118.1 mortar
Tile under fifteen-inches over uncoupling or crack-isolation membranes (CIS)
Uncoupling membranes such as: Flexbone, Stratamat, Mapeguard UM, Redgard and CIS membranes similar Nobleseal CIS
- Ardex: X5, X77
- Custom Building Products: Versabond Flex; FlexBond
- Laticrete: 253 Gold; 254 Platinum
- Mapei: Ultraflex ii; Porcelain Tile Mortar, Uncoupling Membrane Mortar*
- TEC: Sturdi Flex; Full Flex, Uncoupling Membrane Mortar*
*unmodified ANSI 118.1 mortar
Ditra users: roll down to the Schluter department below
Tile under 15-inches over waterproof membranes on walls in wet areas like showers (note: includes waterproof cream boards such as Wedi and GoBoard)
- Ardex: X5, X77
- Custom Building Products: FlexBond; Versabond Flex; Prolite
- Laticrete: 253 Gilt; 254 Platinum; Tri-Lite
- Mapei: Ultraflex 2; Porcelain Tile Mortar; Ultralite
- TEC: SturdiFlex; SturdiLight; 3N1; Ultimate half-dozen Plus
Kerdi users: bound to the Schluter section below
Large Tile Thinset Mortar (LFT, LHT, etc)
At present for the tile adhesives that are specifically for large format tiles.
Big Tile (at least ane side is 15-inches or longer) over concrete or cement board
- Ardex: X5, X77
- Custom Building Products: Versabond LFT; Natural Stone & Large Tile Mortar, Prolite
- Laticrete: LHT Plus; Tri-Calorie-free; 4-XLT
- Mapei: Large Tile & Stone Mortar; Ultraflex LFT, Kerabond T*
- TEC: Ultimate Large Tile Mortar; 3N1; Uncoupling Membrane Mortar*
*unmodified ANSI 118.1 mortar
Large tile (at to the lowest degree one side is 15-inches or longer) over uncoupling or scissure-isolation membranes (CIS)
Uncoupling membranes such as: Flexbone, Stratamat, Mapeguard UM, Redgard and CIS membranes like Nobleseal CIS
- Ardex: X5, X77
- Custom Building Products: Versabond LFT; Natural Rock & Large Tile Mortar, Prolite
- Laticrete: LHT Plus; Tri-Lite; iv-XLT
- Mapei: Large Tile & Stone Mortar; Ultraflex LFT, Kerabond T*
- TEC: Ultimate Big Tile Mortar; 3N1; Uncoupling Membrane Mortar*
*unmodified ANSI 118.i mortar
Ditra users: roll down to the Schluter department below
Large tile (at to the lowest degree ane side is 15-inches or longer) over waterproof membranes on walls in moisture areas like showers (note: includes waterproof foam boards such as Wedi and GoBoard)
- Ardex: X5, X77
- Custom Building Products: Versabond LFT; Prolite
- Laticrete: Tri-Lite; 4-XLT, 255 Multimax Lite
- Mapei: Large Tile & Stone Mortar; Ultraflex LFT, Ultralite
- TEC: Ultimate Large Tile Mortar; 3N1, Ultimate half-dozen Plus
Kerdi users: See the next subheading beneath
Thinset Mortar for Schluter Products like Kerdi and Ditra
When installing a Kerdi Shower, Ditra uncoupling membrane, or Ditra-Heat they want yous to apply Schluter's own branded tile adhesive mortars such every bit: [11]
- Schluter Gear up (unmodified)
- Schluter All-Set
- Schluter Fast-Set
- OR an unmodified ANSI 118.1 mortar
In all situations EXCEPT:
- Ditra products over a plywood subfloor.
In this case, you would utilize an A118.four mortar such as: [4,11]
- Ardex: X5; X77; X78
- Custom Building Products: Flexbond; Versabond Flex; Consummate Contact
- Laticrete: 253 Gold; 254 Platinum; 255 Multimax Lite
- Mapei: Ultraflex 2; Porcelain Tile Mortar, Ultracontact
- Schluter: All-Gear up (Schluter's preference)
- Tec: Full Flex; Full Contact Mortar
For more on modified mortars, unmodified mortar, and using them with Schluter products similar Ditra and Kerdi see this post.
Tile Adhesives for Specialty Tile Situations:
Glass tile
Always check with the manufacturer of the drinking glass because the better manufacturers will often listing the thinset proper noun and blazon that's to exist used with their products. In general, these thinsets piece of work well with glass: [5]
- Ardex: X7 Plus
- Custom: Megalite; Drinking glass Tile Premium Thinset mortar
- Laticrete: Drinking glass Tile Agglutinative, 254 Platinum
- Mapei: Adesilex P10; Mosaic and Drinking glass Tile Mortar
- Tec: Super Flex Ultra Premium; Ultimate half-dozen Plus
Exterior Tiling
Exterior tiling is something that needs to exist taken very seriously. It'southward non the same as tiling indoors. For exteriors, you'll want to apply tile adhesives such equally these: [10]
- Ardex: X90 Outdoor
- Custom: Megalite; Megaflex
- Laticrete: 254 Platinum; Multimax Lite
- Mapei: Ultralite Pro; Keraflex Super
- Tec: Super Flex Ultra Premium; Ultimate 6 Plus
Natural Stone
Natural stone is some other application that has its ain quirks and special details. In general, yous want to use WHITE tile mortars and ones that volition concur the weight of natural rock (look for an "H" grade next to the ANSI number). Mortars such as:
- Ardex X4; X5; X77
- Custom: Natural Stone and Large Tile mortar; Prolite; Versabond LFT
- Laticrete: LHT; Multimax low-cal; Select Bail with non-sag additive
- Mapei: Kerabond T*; Big Tile & Stone mortar; Ultraflex LFT
- Tec: Uncoupling Membrane Mortar*; Ultimate Large Tile; Ultimate half dozen Plus
*unmodified ANSI 118.one LFT mortars
If yous are installing natural stone in a wet expanse like a shower you'll want to make sure that you lot sympathize what you lot are getting yourself into.
Wet Sensitive Natural Stone- Of import!
Some natural stones are considered "moisture sensitive" and demand to exist installed with special adhesives like epoxy mortars. Many green marbles fall into this classification and other stones besides.
Check with your supplier to encounter if your natural stone falls into this category.
Thinset Terms & Buzz Words
Unmodified
An unmodified mortar doesn't incorporate polymers. Rather, it's only made up of cement, sand, and lime [1,2]
Modified
Modified mortar contains polymers. Tin can be latex or otherwise. [1]
ANSI 118.i
ANSI A118.i is the lowest form for thinset mortars. Generally, information technology's used to make up one's mind if a thinset is unmodified. Mortars must meet or exceed 150psi with the porcelain tile shear bail test. A118.1 Section vii.2. [1,2,4]
ANSI 118.4
Generally, ANSI A118.4 mortars are considered to be modified mortars. Thinset mortar must encounter or exceed 200psi with the porcelain tile shear bond test to meet this standard. A118.4 Section 5.2.4 [2,four]
ANSI 118.11
The ANSI A118.11 standard means that a thinset mortar is suitable to bond to exterior grade plywood. These are modified mortars. [4]
ANSI 118.xv
ANSI A118.5 is the highest mortar rating. To meet this standard thinset must meet or exceed 400psi in the porcelain tile shear bond exam. These are modified mortars. A118.15 Section 7.2.5 [2,4]
Dryset mortar
Dryset mortar is another term for unmodified mortar [one,2]
LFT
LFT is an acronym meaning big format tile
Lightweight
If a mortar is marketed as lightweight information technology's probably not using traditional sand every bit a component. Lightweight mortars typically counterbalance 25-30lbs compared to their 50lb counterparts. These mortars would likely be marketed as not-sag mortars.
Mastic and premixed mortars
Tile mastic and premixed mortar is an agglutinative for tile that comes in a saucepan. More often than not, they have very limited uses but they are OK to install smaller ceramic tiles over drywall. [5]
Medium Bed
Medium bed mortar is usually intended to mean large format tile mortar [5]
Non-sag
Non-sag describes a mortar'southward ability to hold a large format tile on a wall. Your mileage volition vary and, frankly, you shouldn't rely on tile adhesives to hold a tile on a wall. That's why they make tile spacers. [ii]
Non-slump
If a mortar is non-slump this means that it can concur the weight of a large format tile on a horizontal surface (like a floor) without it sinking. [2]
Polymers
Polymers are added to mortar to increase such characteristics as adhesion, flexural or tensile strength, and alter working times amidst other things thereby making the thinset 'modified'. [1]
Rapid Prepare
Rapid set mortars are thinset mortars that cure at an accelerated pace. Typically, OK for foot traffic in nether four hours. These are definitely modified mortars. [2]
Slake
In the world of tile, thinset mortar is thoroughly mixed with liquid, and then in that location is a waiting period before information technology gets remixed.
Slaking takes identify during the waiting period and you are allowing the chemicals to hydrate and react with 1 another before mixing again. [seven]
Most, but non all, mortars require a slake time during the mixing process.
Thinset
Thinset is a blazon of mortar that is used to adhere tile to a substrate similar a floor or a wall. It is in dissimilarity to the thicker set applications that used a thick mortar bed underneath tile. Thick mortar beds were much more than common decades agone. [ane,5]
Thixotropic
Thixotropic is a liquid or gel that has "body" to it but becomes more liquid if it's agitated. Ketchup is an example of a common thixotropic liquid.
They have tile adhesives with thixotropic properties that are designed for large tile or porcelain panel applications. Sometimes referred to as full contact, flowable, or high transfer mortars. Typically, back buttering is not necessary. [2,4,8]
Thinset Mortar Oft Asked Questions
What is the deviation between white and greyness thinset mortar?
Basically, the departure between white and gray tile adhesive is merely color.
In general, yous'll want to use white mortar with white and calorie-free-colored grouts and gray mortar with darker and gray-colored grout colors. [9]
Nevertheless, if you are installing a come across-through tile, like glass tile, or something that has some translucency, like natural rock or drinking glass, and so y'all nigh e'er desire to employ white mortar.
What is the deviation between modified and unmodified mortar?
Unmodified mortars are made upward of sand, cement, and lime. Modified mortar contains polymers that touch the strength, flexibility, and dry times of the thinset. [one,2]
Are mortar and thinset the aforementioned affair?
Thinset is a type of mortar that is tile-specific and is sort of becoming a slang term. Mortar is a much broader category than just tile and is used for a diverseness of building materials. [ane,5]
Is grout the same every bit thinset?
No, grout and thinset are two different things. Grout goes in the gap betwixt the tiles and is part of the finished tile installation.
Thinset is an adhesive that attaches tile to the substrate and is non function of the finished advent of the tile installation.
What does LFT stand for?
LFT stands for Big Format Tile. Big format tile has at least one dimension that is 15-inches or longer.
Can I use thinset to level the flooring?
Y'all are not supposed to. Nearly production manufacturers will tell you to flatten the floor first with the proper flooring flattening products and then tile over it using an appropriate thinset mortar. [6]
How long does it have for thinset to dry out?
The existent respond is "it depends" but generally 24-48 hours is a suitable amount of time to await for light foot traffic on a tile floor.
Can I apply an LFT mortar for small tiles like mosaics?
Usually, yes, you can apply an LFT mortar for modest ceramic and porcelain tile. Make certain to bank check the manufacturer's instructions to exist sure.
Can I use thinset outdoors?
Yep, but you can't utilise simply any thinset for outdoor installations. Come across above for more than details on outdoor tile installations. [10]
What do the letters mean next to the ANSI ratings? For example, A118.15HTE or F?
The letters next to the ANSI standards are boosted indications of the use of the tile adhesives. The "H" ways the mortar tin be used for large or heavy tile. The "E" indicates extended open time. The "F" is fast or rapid setting. The "T" stands for thixotropic and indicates a non-sag thinset. See the terms and buzzwords section above for more details. [2]
Why exercise I need large format tile mortar?
LFT or LHT mortars are designed to hold the tile in identify while it dries and so that when the thinset dries it doesn't shrink and move the tile in the process.
If a non-LFT mortar is used then you may find that your tiles take moved later on they've been set and the corners and edges are uneven the next solar day. [5]
What is the best thinset for shower walls?
The best thinset for shower walls depends on the products that you are using on the walls and what kind of tile that yous are installing. All of this information is found by scrolling upward to the above post.
What is the best thinset for cement board?
Well-nigh whatsoever thinset mortar will do as it isn't required to adhere to the subfloor. Even so, ever cheque the manufacturer'south instructions equally some have specific mortar requirements. For more on this subject run across this post.
What is the best thinset for a shower floor?
The best thinset for a shower flooring depends on what products you are using (for case: Kerdi, Wedi, mud pan?) and what you lot are installing (porcelain tile, big tile, marble tile, etc). There's a lot more than information if you scroll up.
Which mortar for a backsplash?
The all-time mortar for a backsplash depends on what kind of tile that you are installing. This data is constitute by scrolling up to the above post.
Versabond vs Prolite
Both Versabond and Prolite are products made by Custom Building Products. Prolite is a lightweight, heavily modified, big and heavy tile mortar.
Versabond meets or exceeds ANSI 118.i, 118.iv, 118.xi (plywood) and not ANSI 118.fifteen. Additionally, it is neither lightweight nor an LHT mortar. See terms section above for more on the ANSI ratings. It'due south also less expensive than Prolite.
What is the best thinset for large porcelain tile?
To observe out the best thinset for large and porcelain tile, look on the packaging for terms like large tile, LFT, and LHT. Additionally, look for an "H" or "T" rating side by side to the ANSI number. This blog doesn't favor particular brands. Encounter the terms section to a higher place for more details. [2,5]
References
- https://www.tcnatile.com/almost-united states of america/ii-chief-content/208-ansi-standards.html
- https://laticrete.com/~/media/press-releases/new-ansi-standards-for-thinset-mortars.ashx
- https://www.tcnatile.com/faqs/68-dryset-mortar.html
- https://world wide web.schluter.com/schluter-us/en_US/faq/deviation-betwixt-the-ANSI-standards
- https://mapeihome.com/faqs/
- https://www.mapei.com/us/en-us/training-and-technical-service/tech-talk-blog/item/mapei-web log/2020/08/03/can-mortars-be-used-to-patch-or-level-floors
- http://laticrete.blogspot.com/2015/05/what-is-slake-fourth dimension.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thixotropy
- https://world wide web.schluter.com/schluter-united states/en_US/faq/deviation-between-grey-and-white-mortar
- https://www.tecspecialty.com/production-support/blog/4-means-to-avoid-mortar-missteps/
- Schluter Kerdi and Ditra Handbooks download link
Sources for mortars mentioned above tin be found here:
- https://www.ardexamericas.com/products/tsis/adhesives-mortars/
- https://www.custombuildingproducts.com/product_categories/setting
- https://laticrete.com/en/tile-and-stone-installation/adhesives-and-mortars
- https://www.mapei.com/u.s.a./en-us/products-and-solutions/lines/tile-and-stone-installation-systems
- https://www.tecspecialty.com/products/mortars-additives/
- https://www.schluter.com/schluter-u.s.a./en_US/Setting-Materials/c/SM
Source: https://www.diytileguy.com/which-thinset-to-use-infographic/
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