Mapei Ultraflex 2 50-lb Powder Thinset Mortar Reviews
It'due south difficult enough just selecting your tile let lonely a tile mortar.
Now yous walk into the thinset aisle at the home improvement shop and there are eight dissimilar choices of thinset mortar.
Suddenly, questions showtime furiously billowy into your caput:
- What's the difference betwixt the $6 bag of thinset and the $40 bag?
- Do I become with grayness or white thinset mortar?
- What most 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 3 sections
Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
Disclaimer: This post is to be used as a general guide for mortar selection. It'southward upwards to you lot to make sure the product that you are using is proper for the awarding. Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions on the production(south) you are installing.
Applications: "I am installing ______ over _____. Which thinset mortar do I buy?"
Beneath is a list of products and applications. Ii things to keep in mind:
- These brands are typically constitute in retail stores
- Schluter products are their own thing and are mentioned in their own category below.
Installing cement board over a wood subfloor
The good news is that, basically, whatsoever thinset mortar will work for this. Some manufacturers' instructions say to use a modified mortar and yous should follow those instructions. More than on modified mortars below.
However, it's my understanding that the mortar doesn't need to adhere to the plywood. Rather, the organisation of a mortar bed underneath the cement board and fasteners above holds the material properly in identify.
Installing cement lath over a concrete subfloor
Short respond is: Don't practice information technology.
Longer answer is: Cement lath shouldn't be installed over physical
Installing uncoupling membranes over concrete
Most manufacturers, including Custom Redgard Uncoupling Mat and Laticrete Stratamat, will want y'all to utilize an ANSI 118.eleven; 118.4; or 118.15 mortar and the products listed beneath meet this standard. [More on those numbers in the Terms section]
However, if you are installing Ditra then coil downwardly to the Schluter section below.
- Ardex: X5, X77
- Custom Building Products: Versabond Flex; FlexBond
- Laticrete: 253 Gold; 254 Platinum
- Mapei: Ultraflex ii; Porcelain Tile Mortar
- TEC: Sturdi Flex; Full Flex
Installing an uncoupling membrane over a wood subfloor
For this, y'all want to use a thinset mortar meeting ANSI 118.xi and information technology should take this number on the characterization.
ANSI 118.eleven ways information technology'southward approved to go over exterior course plywood. That'due south what y'all want. It doesn't have to be an LHT mortar. Specific products include:
- Ardex: X5, X77
- Custom Building Products: Versabond Flex; FlexBond
- Laticrete: 253 Aureate; 254 Platinum
- Mapei: Ultraflex 2; Porcelain Tile Mortar
- TEC: Sturdi Flex; Total Flex
Ditra users: scroll downwardly to the Schluter section below
Thin, waterproof sheet membranes over backer lath
Well-nigh manufacturers desire a modified mortar used to install their waterproof sheet membranes. Sheet membranes such every bit: Hydro Ban Canvass Membrane, Ardex SK 175, Mapei Mapeguard WP 200, Redgard Cloth Membrane, Wedi Subliner Dry out
- Ardex: X5, X77
- Custom Edifice Products: Versabond Flex; FlexBond
- Laticrete: 253 Gold; 254 Platinum
- Mapei: Ultraflex 2; Porcelain Tile Mortar
- TEC: Sturdi Flex; Full Flex
Kerdi users: whorl down to the Schluter section below
Tile nether fifteen-inches over cement lath
- Ardex: X4, X5, X77
- Custom Building Products: Versabond, Versabond Flex; FlexBond
- Laticrete: 253 Gilded; 254 Platinum, 272*
- Mapei: Kerabond*, Floor Tile Mortar*,Ultraflex ii; Porcelain Tile Mortar
- TEC: Full Prepare Plus*, Sturdi Flex; Full Flex
*unmodified ANSI 118.1 mortar
Tile under 15-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 Edifice Products: Versabond Flex; FlexBond
- Laticrete: 253 Gilt; 254 Platinum
- Mapei: Ultraflex 2; Porcelain Tile Mortar, Uncoupling Membrane Mortar*
- TEC: Sturdi Flex; Full Flex, Uncoupling Membrane Mortar*
*unmodified ANSI 118.ane mortar
Ditra users: scroll down to the Schluter section below
Tile under xv-inches over waterproof membranes on walls in wet areas like showers (annotation: includes waterproof foam boards such as Wedi and GoBoard)
- Ardex: X5, X77
- Custom Building Products: FlexBond; Versabond Flex; Prolite
- Laticrete: 253 Golden; 254 Platinum; Tri-Lite
- Mapei: Ultraflex 2; Porcelain Tile Mortar; Ultralite
- TEC: SturdiFlex; SturdiLight; 3N1; Ultimate 6 Plus
Kerdi users: leap to the Schluter section below
Big Tile Thinset Mortar (LFT, LHT, etc)
Now for the tile adhesives that are specifically for large format tiles.
Large Tile (at to the lowest degree ane side is 15-inches or longer) over physical or cement board
- Ardex: X5, X77
- Custom Building Products: Versabond LFT; Natural Stone & Large Tile Mortar, Prolite
- Laticrete: LHT Plus; Tri-Lite; iv-XLT
- Mapei: Large Tile & Stone Mortar; Ultraflex LFT, Kerabond T*
- TEC: Ultimate Large Tile Mortar; 3N1; Uncoupling Membrane Mortar*
*unmodified ANSI 118.i mortar
Large tile (at least one side is 15-inches or longer) over uncoupling or crack-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 Stone & Large Tile Mortar, Prolite
- Laticrete: LHT Plus; Tri-Low-cal; iv-XLT
- Mapei: Large Tile & Stone Mortar; Ultraflex LFT, Kerabond T*
- TEC: Ultimate Large Tile Mortar; 3N1; Uncoupling Membrane Mortar*
*unmodified ANSI 118.1 mortar
Ditra users: scroll down to the Schluter section below
Large tile (at least one side is fifteen-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 Edifice Products: Versabond LFT; Prolite
- Laticrete: Tri-Calorie-free; 4-XLT, 255 Multimax Lite
- Mapei: Large Tile & Stone Mortar; Ultraflex LFT, Ultralite
- TEC: Ultimate Large Tile Mortar; 3N1, Ultimate six Plus
Kerdi users: See the next subheading below
Thinset Mortar for Schluter Products like Kerdi and Ditra
When installing a Kerdi Shower, Ditra uncoupling membrane, or Ditra-Heat they want you to use Schluter's ain branded tile agglutinative mortars such as: [11]
- Schluter Set (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 example, you would use an A118.4 mortar such as: [iv,11]
- Ardex: X5; X77; X78
- Custom Building Products: Flexbond; Versabond Flex; Complete Contact
- Laticrete: 253 Gold; 254 Platinum; 255 Multimax Light
- Mapei: Ultraflex 2; Porcelain Tile Mortar, Ultracontact
- Schluter: All-Set (Schluter's preference)
- Tec: Total 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
E'er check with the manufacturer of the drinking glass because the better manufacturers will often list the thinset name and type that's to be used with their products. In full general, these thinsets work well with glass: [v]
- Ardex: X7 Plus
- Custom: Megalite; Glass Tile Premium Thinset mortar
- Laticrete: Glass Tile Agglutinative, 254 Platinum
- Mapei: Adesilex P10; Mosaic and Drinking glass Tile Mortar
- Tec: Super Flex Ultra Premium; Ultimate 6 Plus
Exterior Tiling
Outside tiling is something that needs to be taken very seriously. It'southward not the same every bit tiling indoors. For exteriors, you lot'll want to employ tile adhesives such equally these: [x]
- 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 another application that has its own quirks and special details. In general, you want to use WHITE tile mortars and ones that will agree the weight of natural stone (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 lite; Select Bond with non-sag additive
- Mapei: Kerabond T*; Large Tile & Stone mortar; Ultraflex LFT
- Tec: Uncoupling Membrane Mortar*; Ultimate Big Tile; Ultimate 6 Plus
*unmodified ANSI 118.ane LFT mortars
If you are installing natural rock in a wet expanse similar a shower you'll desire to brand sure that you lot sympathise what y'all are getting yourself into.
Moisture Sensitive Natural Stone- Of import!
Some natural stones are considered "moisture sensitive" and demand to be installed with special adhesives similar epoxy mortars. Many green marbles fall into this classification and other stones as well.
Cheque with your supplier to see if your natural stone falls into this category.
Thinset Terms & Buzz Words
Unmodified
An unmodified mortar doesn't incorporate polymers. Rather, it's simply made up of cement, sand, and lime [1,ii]
Modified
Modified mortar contains polymers. Can be latex or otherwise. [ane]
ANSI 118.1
ANSI A118.1 is the lowest grade for thinset mortars. By and large, it's used to determine if a thinset is unmodified. Mortars must run across or exceed 150psi with the porcelain tile shear bond test. A118.1 Department 7.two. [1,2,4]
ANSI 118.iv
Generally, ANSI A118.four mortars are considered to be modified mortars. Thinset mortar must meet or exceed 200psi with the porcelain tile shear bond test to meet this standard. A118.four Department 5.2.iv [two,4]
ANSI 118.11
The ANSI A118.11 standard ways that a thinset mortar is suitable to bond to outside grade plywood. These are modified mortars. [four]
ANSI 118.xv
ANSI A118.5 is the highest mortar rating. To see this standard thinset must meet or exceed 400psi in the porcelain tile shear bond test. These are modified mortars. A118.15 Section 7.ii.5 [2,4]
Dryset mortar
Dryset mortar is some other term for unmodified mortar [1,2]
LFT
LFT is an acronym meaning big format tile
Lightweight
If a mortar is marketed as lightweight it's probably not using traditional sand as a component. Lightweight mortars typically counterbalance 25-30lbs compared to their 50lb counterparts. These mortars would probable be marketed equally non-sag mortars.
Mastic and premixed mortars
Tile mastic and premixed mortar is an adhesive for tile that comes in a saucepan. More often than not, they accept very limited uses just they are OK to install smaller ceramic tiles over drywall. [5]
Medium Bed
Medium bed mortar is commonly intended to hateful big format tile mortar [five]
Non-sag
Non-sag describes a mortar's ability to agree 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. [2]
Not-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 flooring) without it sinking. [ii]
Polymers
Polymers are added to mortar to increase such characteristics every bit adhesion, flexural or tensile force, and alter working times amongst other things thereby making the thinset 'modified'. [1]
Rapid Ready
Rapid set mortars are thinset mortars that cure at an accelerated pace. Typically, OK for human foot traffic in under four hours. These are definitely modified mortars. [ii]
Slake
In the world of tile, thinset mortar is thoroughly mixed with liquid, then there is a waiting period before it gets remixed.
Slaking takes place during the waiting flow and yous are allowing the chemicals to hydrate and react with one some other before mixing again. [7]
Nearly, simply not all, mortars crave a slake time during the mixing process.
Thinset
Thinset is a type of mortar that is used to adhere tile to a substrate like a flooring or a wall. It is in contrast to the thicker prepare applications that used a thick mortar bed underneath tile. Thick mortar beds were much more mutual decades agone. [i,five]
Thixotropic
Thixotropic is a liquid or gel that has "torso" to it merely becomes more than liquid if it's agitated. Ketchup is an example of a common thixotropic liquid.
They accept tile adhesives with thixotropic properties that are designed for large tile or porcelain panel applications. Sometimes referred to as total contact, flowable, or loftier transfer mortars. Typically, back buttering is not necessary. [2,four,eight]
Thinset Mortar Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deviation between white and greyness thinset mortar?
Basically, the difference between white and gray tile adhesive is only color.
In general, you'll want to use white mortar with white and low-cal-colored grouts and gray mortar with darker and gray-colored grout colors. [nine]
Even so, if you are installing a see-through tile, similar drinking glass tile, or something that has some translucency, similar natural rock or glass, then you almost e'er want to utilise white mortar.
What is the difference between modified and unmodified mortar?
Unmodified mortars are made up of sand, cement, and lime. Modified mortar contains polymers that affect the strength, flexibility, and dry times of the thinset. [1,two]
Are mortar and thinset the aforementioned thing?
Thinset is a type of mortar that is tile-specific and is sort of condign a slang term. Mortar is a much broader category than just tile and is used for a diverseness of building materials. [i,five]
Is grout the same equally thinset?
No, grout and thinset are two different things. Grout goes in the gap between the tiles and is role of the finished tile installation.
Thinset is an adhesive that attaches tile to the substrate and is not part of the finished appearance of the tile installation.
What does LFT stand for?
LFT stands for Large Format Tile. Big format tile has at least one dimension that is 15-inches or longer.
Can I employ thinset to level the floor?
You are not supposed to. Virtually production manufacturers will tell you to flatten the flooring get-go with the proper floor flattening products and then tile over information technology using an appropriate thinset mortar. [half dozen]
How long does it accept for thinset to dry?
The real reply is "it depends" but generally 24-48 hours is a suitable amount of fourth dimension to look for light foot traffic on a tile flooring.
Can I employ an LFT mortar for minor tiles like mosaics?
Ordinarily, yes, you can use an LFT mortar for modest ceramic and porcelain tile. Brand sure to cheque the manufacturer's instructions to be certain.
Tin I use thinset outdoors?
Aye, just you tin't use but any thinset for outdoor installations. See to a higher place for more than details on outdoor tile installations. [10]
What do the letters mean next to the ANSI ratings? For case, A118.15HTE or F?
The letters side by side to the ANSI standards are additional indications of the use of the tile adhesives. The "H" means the mortar can be used for big or heavy tile. The "East" indicates extended open fourth dimension. The "F" is fast or rapid setting. The "T" stands for thixotropic and indicates a non-sag thinset. See the terms and buzzwords section in a higher place for more than details. [2]
Why do I demand large format tile mortar?
LFT or LHT mortars are designed to hold the tile in place while it dries so that when the thinset dries it doesn't shrink and motion the tile in the process.
If a non-LFT mortar is used so yous may discover that your tiles have moved later on they've been fix and the corners and edges are uneven the next day. [five]
What is the all-time thinset for shower walls?
The all-time thinset for shower walls depends on the products that you are using on the walls and what kind of tile that you lot are installing. All of this information is constitute by scrolling up to the above post.
What is the best thinset for cement board?
Most any thinset mortar will practice equally it isn't required to adhere to the subfloor. However, always check the manufacturer's instructions equally some have specific mortar requirements. For more than on this subject meet this post.
What is the all-time thinset for a shower flooring?
The best thinset for a shower flooring depends on what products you lot are using (for case: Kerdi, Wedi, mud pan?) and what yous are installing (porcelain tile, large tile, marble tile, etc). There'due south a lot more than information if you scroll upwards.
Which mortar for a backsplash?
The best mortar for a backsplash depends on what kind of tile that you are installing. This information is found past scrolling up to the above mail.
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 118.1, 118.4, 118.eleven (plywood) and not ANSI 118.15. Additionally, information technology is neither lightweight nor an LHT mortar. Meet terms section above for more on the ANSI ratings. It'south also less expensive than Prolite.
What is the best thinset for large porcelain tile?
To detect out the best thinset for large and porcelain tile, look on the packaging for terms similar large tile, LFT, and LHT. Additionally, look for an "H" or "T" rating next to the ANSI number. This blog doesn't favor particular brands. See the terms department above for more than details. [2,five]
References
- https://world wide web.tcnatile.com/near-the states/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://www.schluter.com/schluter-us/en_US/faq/difference-between-the-ANSI-standards
- https://mapeihome.com/faqs/
- https://world wide web.mapei.com/u.s.a./en-u.s./training-and-technical-service/tech-talk-weblog/detail/mapei-blog/2020/08/03/can-mortars-exist-used-to-patch-or-level-floors
- http://laticrete.blogspot.com/2015/05/what-is-slake-time.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thixotropy
- https://www.schluter.com/schluter-us/en_US/faq/divergence-between-grayness-and-white-mortar
- https://www.tecspecialty.com/product-support/web log/iv-ways-to-avoid-mortar-missteps/
- Schluter Kerdi and Ditra Handbooks download link
Sources for mortars mentioned above can be constitute hither:
- 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/us/en-us/products-and-solutions/lines/tile-and-stone-installation-systems
- https://www.tecspecialty.com/products/mortars-additives/
- https://www.schluter.com/schluter-usa/en_US/Setting-Materials/c/SM
Source: https://www.diytileguy.com/which-thinset-to-use-infographic/
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