Replies

1. 
   FastEddie | Apr 12, 2006 03:18pm | #1

   Use a modified thinset.  Lowes sells mapei, get the UltraFlex II.  HD sells Custom, use the versabond.  Both are good products. 

   The price difference you see is because they sell different products.  The cheapest is probably unmodified thinset, which you would need to mix with an additive.  The most expensive one is probably white thinset ... the rest are grey.

   Figure out how may bags you'll need and then cvalculate the cost difference.  it probably isn't much.  Go ahead and buy the good stuff.

    

    

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

2. 
   mojo | Apr 12, 2006 03:41pm | #2

   To add to what FastEddie said, if you get the Custom products one with Redguard (I think it's called Flexbond), it's even more expensive.  It's supposed to resist cracks up to 1/16th" or so it says.  $25 a bag around here as opposed to $16 a bag for Versabond.

1. 
   davidmeiland | Apr 12, 2006 04:33pm | #3

   The Redgard I have seen is in a pail, and is a waterproofing/crack isolation membrane, not a tile mortar. Are you saying that Custom has a thinset with Redgard already in it?

1. 
   mojo | Apr 12, 2006 04:38pm | #4

   I don't have a bag on me but I'm pretty sure it has a Redguard label in the corner.  My tile guy always insists on it.  I'll double check.  Hope I didn't  post any false info.  I had this discussion with him a while back and this is what he told me.

2. 
   mojo | Apr 12, 2006 04:46pm | #5

   http://www.custombuildingproducts.com/ProductCatalog/SettingMaterials/LatexPortlandCementMortars/FlexBondFortifiedThinSet.aspx?user=pro&lang=en

    

   I should keep my mouth shut.  It does claim to prevent cracks but contains 'MoldGuard', not 'RedGuard'.  Sorry about that.

1. 
   davidmeiland | Apr 12, 2006 04:59pm | #6

   I've got three types of Custom mortar on hand at the moment, from the $6 Master Blend unmodified to the $18 Versabond, they all have that MoldGard thingy on the bag. I assume it's some kind of additive but who knows. Haven't used RedGard yet but I have a small job for it shortly, about 100SF of concrete floor to tile over. Any experience with it?

   To the OP's question, I think I'd go with the most expensive thinset I could get, but the main issue is deflection of the floor. A floor like that is probably going to need 1-1/8" subfloor minimum, and short joist spans, otherwise the best mortar in the world won't keep the tiles down.

1. 
   wolffdog | Apr 12, 2006 05:30pm | #7

   Thanks for the input.  I am familiar with the brands sold at Lowes and Home Depot.   The tile store has two brands which are expensive.   One is Mapei and the other is Tec.   Does anyone have experience with these brands? 

2. 
   FastEddie | Apr 12, 2006 09:00pm | #9

   The Mapei at the tile store and at Lowes are the same product.  If money is a concern, I would go with the most expensive grey thinset.  The only thing you gain with the white is it hides a little easier, and it has to be used under some stone tiles.

     

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

3. 
   sharpblade | Apr 13, 2006 04:28am | #11

   I've been using the Custom thinsets sold by HD for some time now and have been satisfied.  Flexbond is their top shelf item, used for the most demanding applications (latex modified,  meets ansi 118.4 and 118.11), sticks to glossier surfaces such as old tile, is flexible... Currently doing a small bathroom, used flexbond for the floor (because I had a bag around) and started using Tec for the walls , because the tile dealer carried it & I wanted to try something new, to learn and widen my horizons. the 2 top  choices were Full flex and Sturdi Flex, both latex modified, both meet ansi 118.4 and 118.11.  According to teh spec and the dealer, Full Flex is the "stickier" and more flexible product, I opted for the Sturdi Flex.  It met my application best.

   From a working perspective, I find the Tec Sturdi Flex much smoother to work with than the Custom Flexbond.  It is creamier, & the mortar granules seem smaller.  It also has a bit of a longer work time.  Also, because it is a bit less "sticky" than Flexbond, it is a bit easier to clean the tiles before grouting.

   Haven't tried the Tec Full Flex, but will next next time I need the extra "stickiness" and "flex".  If I was doing 17x17 tiles on concrete I would opt for that or the Custom Flexbond

   Last note: I smile every time someone mentions cost WRT to thinset.  the most expensive thinset is still cheap ($100 for a small bathroom) compared to nice tile (a couple grand) labor, and callback insurance.

   YMMV...

   edit to say that Tec Full Flex and Custom Flexbond exceed  (instead of meet) ansi 118.4 and 118.11 specs (& no, I'm not a lawyer)

   Edited 4/12/2006 9:37 pm ET by sharpblade

4. 
   FastEddie | Apr 13, 2006 05:21am | #12

   Last note: I smile every time someone mentions cost WRT to thinset.

   My point exactly.  There's no point in paying extra for the white, but otherwise the OP should buy the best available.

     

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

5. 
   razzman | Apr 12, 2006 07:48pm | #8

   Seems the OP: original poster, is going to tile directly on the concrete.

    

     

    

   'Nemo me impune lacesset'No one will provoke me with impunity

6. 
   davidmeiland | Apr 13, 2006 01:54am | #10

   Oh yeah, yer right, I guess I should pay some ficking attention.

3. 
   docotter | Apr 13, 2006 05:50am | #13

   I like Tec Full Flex. I've used a lot of it and it always works well for me.

   I made the mistake of buying the Custom Building Products Versabond once (weekend, tile supplier closed). It failed misrably. Probably a bad bag, but I wound up having to scrape up all of the tile and the Versabond residue off the slab. The tile was a total loss since it was a mosaic. Luckily it was only 50 feet. Completely blew my schedule. Never again.