Today’s ceramic glues are better, more efficient than ever before

HomeNewsToday’s ceramic glues are better, more efficient than ever before

“It’s not your grandmother’s linoleum” is a line that has become quite prevalent in recent years as the offerings in resilient flooring have evolved into fashion-forward, state-of-the-art, high-performance products. It can also be applied to ceramic tile, as technology continues to play a major role in advancing the segment, as well as tile adhesives.

What holds the tile in place has improved over the years, as ceramic adhesives/grouts have become safer for the professionals using them and to the environments surrounding them. Glues have also become more proficient and the grouts more aesthetically pleasing. Here is a look at some of the latest offerings in ceramic adhesives from several of the major players in that field.

Bostik

The company has recently brought to market Dimension, an addition to its urethane grout technology product line. Dimension offers unique and vibrant grout color options that will compliment tiles like no other grout, noted Michael Umbarger, technical service manager. “Dimension is based on the same technology as Bostik TruColor, which has proven to be a robust product that offers color consistency, stain and crack resistance. The products will not fade in color and never require sealing.” Dimension comes pre-mixed and unused product can be saved in its original container for the full product shelf life of two years.

Dimension’s patented technology features micro glass beads and a translucent urethane binder. “The glass beads reflect light unlike any other grout which creates a unique reflective appearance in all tile installations as well as a 3-D effect within glass tile installations,” he explained.

Dimension is also an ecologically engineered product that appeals to today’s green-conscience marketplace, specifically those seeking to obtain U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification for their projects. It contains 80% post-consumer, recycled glass and its unique combination of features produces one- of-a-kind specification potential for architects and designers.

Laticrete

The latest adhesive the company launched was at Surfaces 2011 when it debuted its new Glass Tile adhesive. Specially designed for use with glass tiles or glass mosaic tiles, the glue acts as a one-step, polymer-fortified mortar that’s been produced in a new ultra Bright White color to accent applications of glass tile and translucent glass tiles,” noted Sean Boyle, director of marketing and product management. “Mixed on-site with just water, it produces a smooth, creamy thin- set that’s easy to work with and has superior non-sag properties.

“It does not require additives or admix for any type of glass tile installation, eliminating a time consuming step even when used for exterior projects or swimming pools,” he explained. It is also equipped with Microban product protection to inhibit the growth of stain-causing mold and mildew in the grout joint. It is also GreenGuard certified for contributions to LEED and LEED for Homes building projects.

Laticrete 4-XLT is a new, multi-use, polymer-fortified adhesive mortar designed to allow for fast and easy installations of large-format, extra-heavy tile and stone surfaces on walls without sagging, medium bed installations up to 3⁄4-inches without shrinkage, and thin-set flooring applications over virtually any substrate. The multi-use adhesive mortar is the first product developed using the company’s new Water Dispersion Technology platform. It’s also the first thin-set produced by the company that used its new Dust Lock technology, which is designed to help reduce particle dust when mixing or transporting 4-XLT for cleaner job-sites and warehouses.

Finally, Laticrete’s 125 Sound & Crack Adhesive is a single-component formula that is mixed onsite with water to produce a lightweight, flexible sound and crack adhesive mortar in one step. 125 Sound & Crack Adhesive has been independently tested and proven to exceed all industry standards for sound control and anti-fracture protection.

Mapei

The latest from the company includes Ultraflex LFT mortar for large-format stone and tile. Designed to make setting large-format tile and stone easier than ever, Ultraflex LFT features the company’s Dust-Free technology. “Designed with nonsag and non-slump properties, it is an ideal solution for medium-bed and thin-set installations of interior and exterior walls, floors and countertops,” noted Brian Pistulka, business manager, tile and stone installation system line.

Also from the company, Granirapid is the next generation of high-performance, flexible mortar systems. Touted as the industry’s first and only fast-curing system geared for fast-track projects, it develops high, early mechanical strength and can be specified for the same applications as the Kerabond/Keralastic mortar system. However, Granirapid will cure faster because its drying-out characteristics produce low residual moisture behind the tile after 24 hours.

Finally, the company has developed Ultracolor Plus Grout with DropEffect technology, which is designed to reduce surface absorption to help repel water, dirt and grime from penetrating grout joints—making cleaning and long-term maintenance easier. The product’s rapid-setting technology allows foot traffic in 3 to 4 hours. Ultracolor Plus can be used for joint widths from 1⁄16- to 1-inch. It also contains BioBlock technology to help protect it from mold and mildew, and is available in 36 colors, including five new earth tones that reflect the latest trends in interior design.

TEC

The introduction of TEC Ultimate Large Tile Mortar has made installing large tiles easier than ever, said Tracy Muller, senior market manager, H.B. Fuller Construction Products. “Now, installers have one product that provides a simple solution, whether the tile is large or extra-large, thick or ultra-thin, on walls or on floors. In addition to its non-slip, non-slump and superior transfer characteristics, the new mortar is constructed for use in medium-bed or thin-set applications.

“Before now,” she explained, “there was no single solution that addressed the difficulties faced by installers, which include slumping or unevenness on floors, tiles slipping on walls, and lack of full transfer, as tiles need 100% mortar coverage to avoid hollow spots and bond failures.

“With the continued popularity of oversized tiles,” added Muller, “we saw an opportunity to better address the needs of installers. Our solution simplifies the installation of large tile, helps installers save time and money, and supports high quality workmanship in the finished job.”

Part of our commitment and strategy at H.B. Fuller is to develop environmentally friendly products for the flooring and tile industries, she noted. “Both versions of TEC Ultimate Large Tile Mortar (gray and white) are green solutions that are not only VOC- free, utilize recycled and local materials, but also exceed ANSI 118.4 and 118.11 specifications..”

W.F. Taylor

The company’s new Odyssey 901 Ceramic Tile Type 1 Floor & Wall Adhesive is a non-slip high performance, smooth spreading mastic formulated for interior installation of all types of ceramic wall and floor tile on vertical and horizontal surfaces. This product is non-flammable, freeze-thaw stable to 10oF, and exceeds ANSI-A-136.1 Type 1 specification on organic adhesive for the installation of ceramic tile, noted Mihir Gandhi, Taylor’s creative marketing manager. Organic mastics are not recommended for exterior use.

Odyssey can be used to install ceramic tile including ceramic mosaics, glazed wall tile, quarry tile, gauged slate, heavy tile and pavers, up to 12-inches.

-Louis Iannaco

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