tile questions

[forgeblast]

Ive had to go to three different Home Depots to get enough tile to do a job. Its faster then waiting for it from a flooring store that never has anything in stock.

I have looked at the three around us, they do not have enough in stock to fill the order that I need. Its going to be a hurry up and wait issue, which my wife will just love Thankfully there is a really good brick place near us, hoping they have a thin brick product. I emailed one company they wanted $12 a sq ft for their product I said thanks but no thanks lol.

 

[Macinnis]

I am just a diy’er, but re-did my master bath last year. An architect friend of mine turned me onto the Schulter products. Initially I though, what a ripoff. I bit the bullet and used ditra and the foam board stuff for tile on walls and all I can say is...best move ever.

All of the other products/methods said above are perfectly fine. But I was just amazed as to how well that schlueter stuff is engineered.

I was working by myself and after a long day at the office, so I knew it was going to take a while. But had I had a crew, I bet you could demo what I had, put up new schlueter board on all the walls and had a good base tile run in your first day.

 

[Macinnis]

For grout, I would HIGHLY recommend: mapei flexcolor cq

Premixed epoxied grout. Guaranteed color from pail to pail and the stuff is solid. Bonds well, and does not stain. It takes a bit getting used to, but so glad I wen with that grout.

It is more expensive, but once you read up on it, you will see why.

 

[EddieWalker]

For grout, I would HIGHLY recommend: mapei flexcolor cq

Premixed epoxied grout. Guaranteed color from pail to pail and the stuff is solid. Bonds well, and does not stain. It takes a bit getting used to, but so glad I wen with that grout.

It is more expensive, but once you read up on it, you will see why.

Never buy pre mixed grout or mortar. NEVER!!! It will set up on you before you are done, and you will never be able to use enough of it while it's in the desirable moisture level.

As for Mapei, there are a few pros that like it, but the vast majority are using Polyblend for a reason. Once you mix it, the Polyblend can be worked for a lot longer. Both the sanded and unsanded give greet results, and once sealed, become rock hard.

There are a few specialty brands out there that are really good for specific needs, but for 90% of all jobs, Polyblend in king.


Shulter/Ditra make some great products. They have specialized in new ways to do things, and invented stuff that has been needed forever. Their edge trim is just awesome. What really sets them apart is their marketing. They used to train contractors to use their products in Dallas for free. All paid for, hotel and everything for three days. Then they moved the training to the Padre Island to make it really nice. Then they make just about everyone a dealer with wholesale pricing based on volume. The more you sell, the less they charge you for it, and they mark up is significant.

Their main point is how their products make a shower waterproof. But for a lot less money, RedGard does the same thing and it's pretty much idiot proof. Their products are also plastic, fiberglass and Styrofoam, depending on what you use. Technology is changing, so who knows, maybe it will last? I like the results, but I'm constantly removing fiberglass shower pans that leak. And everything they offer, is super expensive.

 

[downsizingnow48]

On grout, I guess I don't understand the rationale for premixed anyway. With a drill and mixing paddle it is easy to mix a batch suited to your pace of work. Polyblend colors are consistent and there are many of them.

On thinset, nobody mentioned Laticrete Platinum so I will. I used it for the first time installing glass tiles in a shower. The tile directions said to use Laticrete Platinum because it dries pure white and you need that behind glass tiles. It was so easy to use - very grabby and long lasting in the bucket - I started using it on everything.

 

[EddieWalker]

On thinset, nobody mentioned Laticrete Platinum so I will. I used it for the first time installing glass tiles in a shower. The tile directions said to use Laticrete Platinum because it dries pure white and you need that behind glass tiles. It was so easy to use - very grabby and long lasting in the bucket - I started using it on everything.

Ardex is also very good for specialty tiles and stone work. But for most stuff, the $14 grey stuff at Home Depot is by far my favorite and what most people use. It has the longest work time and the strongest bond.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Installing ceramic tile, or any other tile is an art, that requires a lot of skill. I would never consider it a home owners project.

 

[GLyford]

I'm constantly removing fiberglass shower pans that leak.

We have a shower pan that kept leaking around the drain fitting every few years. When we had the ceiling under it apart for the kitchen reno, our plumber put in a new drain fitting and noticed that the builder simply threw the pan in and never did the next step, foaming under the pan to support it. So we put in about two cans of spray foam in the big open space between the pan and the floor. It has only been 3 years since, but so far so good...

As for doing tile, my only advice is slow down and take your time. You get in a hurry and muss something up you'll be stuck living with it for a while.

 

[Macinnis]

Never buy pre mixed grout or mortar. NEVER!!! It will set up on you before you are done, and you will never be able to use enough of it while it's in the desirable moisture level.

Eddie - I respect your opinion immensely, and have learned a lot from you on these forums.

I agree with you in that is how the typical view of premixed grout is. But this flexcolor cq is different. They sell it in plastic tubs and say it has a shelf life of 12 months after opening. I personally used it 4 months after opening and it was fine.

Try it on a small job and let me know what you think...I will be willing to bet you a cool refreshing beverage it won’t be the last time you use it...it’s that good. And I absolutely detest grouting...

 

[Macinnis]

Regarding the plastic tile basin, around here, we just get a bag of joint compound/plaster and put that inside the base and let it ooze out into the gaps...feels like concrete when it’s dry.