Top 10 Favorite LATICRETE Products – Told to Us by Our Facebook Fans

Earlier this month we ran a contest on our LATICRETE International Facebookpage asking our followers to tell us which two LATICRETE products were their favorite and why. We received over 275 responses! We randomly selected three lucky winners from those who commented on our post. The winners each got to choose two great prizes! 

Congrats to our winners: Paul Luccia of Cabot & Rowe in Texas, Elmar Roennig of Coastline Flooring & Design in Alabama and Kris Klinge in Texas! 

If you haven't liked our Facebook page already you're missing out on contests, product and installation tips, industry news, events and more. Just click here to like and follow us on Facebook or check us out on other social channels like Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn! 

We compiled all the responses from our contest and have come up with the top 10 favorite LATICRETE products told to us by our Facebook fans. See them below along with comments from our fans.

1. HYDROBAN® - the industry’s premier standard in liquid applied, thin, load bearing, waterproof, anti-fracture membrane. The product that started it All! 

“Easiest to install product of their kind, bulletproof, consistent and provides the best in industry warranty.”

“It's wicked. Super easy to apply! Saves time and money!”

2. PERMACOLOR®Select – advanced high performance cement grout offering the industry’s first dispersible dry pigment solution

“Color consistent, workability and I can stock all 40 colors on one shelf.”

“Best grout on the planet! True color every time, workability A+, select any color is very cool, and you can also get a few colors off the custom grout chart. Seriously, I love all your products and will continue to try out all of them with confidence. Thank you!” 

3. TRI-LITE™ - lightweight, high performance tri-purpose mortar designed for large and heavy tile, thin bed and wall installations.

“The best period no explanation needed. Non-sag and gives the shower system a 25 year warranty! Rad stuff!!”

“Is one of the most versatile thinsets, and so nice to work with. It’s creamy smooth, and holds the trowel well, non sag, works like a medium bed, the bags are light to carry (old guy friendly).”

4. SPECTRALOCK®PRO Premium Grout  – the world’s # epoxy grout

“Easiest to install product of their kind, bulletproof, consistent and provide the best in industry warranty.”

“The color consistency is amazing! I have never had any problems with final color. Workability is superior to other epoxies I've tried.”

5. 254Platinum – one-step, polymer fortified, thin set mortar for interior and exterior installation of ceramic tile, stone, quarry tile, pavers and brick

“Tenacious bond which allows you to install over practically everything.”

“It will stick to anything and everything. When doing a premium job nothing less than a premium thinset will do.”

6. ThePEOPLE – while, this isn’t s a product, many responses also included the people of LATICRETE! We’re glad to hear it as our mission is to be a customer-focused company who pride ourselves on the service we offer.

“I must say far and away the best part of LATICRETE is the people who work there. Second-to-none customer service consistently provided by well trained and friendly employees (and owners!) put LATICRETE International, Inc. at the forefront of our industry. Sure they make great products, but that wouldn't mean as much without the people who make it all happen.”

“#1 the team behind the products! I have found that LATICRETE has the best staff in the industry!” 

7. STRATA_MAT™ - Allows you to use the appropriate thin-set mortar for the job, with this next

generation high performance uncoupling membrane you get anti-fracture protection, a quicker time to grout and great adhesion all compliments of the mortar hydration vents.
“It's a money-making, back-saving, technological marvel that provides a lightweight and fast way to give many of our installations the high-end base it deserves!”

“Has been a go-to for the past year now. I actually got local shops to keep it on standby for stock. It makes the job go so much easier and the customer gets an amazing product with an amazing warranty. I like the fact that I can see the coverage as well when installed.”

8. HYDROBAN® Board – made with two layers of waterproof sheet

membrane and XPS you can triple your waterproof protection with this new lightweight, easy to handle, ready to waterproof tile wallboard. No tab washers required on the wall, just add HYDRO BAN liquid, Sheet Membrane or Adhesive & Sealant for the seams and penetrations to get the industry’s most comprehensive warranty!

“It’s so easy to work with and yet stiffer than any other foam board I've worked with.”

“Efficiency = money to an installer. The only way to make more (without stretching your family life thin) is to install more jobs per year. HYDRO BAN Board saves me around 6 hours on the average shower. If I hustle, that's several showers per year I can install in the saved time. Lighter and faster is unbeatable.”

9. 4-XLT - multi-use, polymer fortified adhesive mortar for non-sag wall installations and more

“Is our only choice for thinset/medium bed (we only stock one thinset). It is great for all applications: floors, walls it doesn't slide, interior and exterior and sold together it gets the end user a 10 year warranty. It was a no brainer for us to make the switch, and doing very well with it!”

10. GlassTile Adhesive - one-step, non-sag, polymer fortified adhesive mortar specifically formulated for use in glass tile applications

“We install a lot of glass tile and love to work with GTA. Completely bright white creamy and smooth. Satisfied customers every time.”

Thank you to all who participated in our 'Pick Two' contest. We appreciate the comments and feedback! Stay tuned for our next contest by following our social media pages! 

Historic Home on National Register Receives a Ceramic Tile Install of a Lifetime

This is a guest post by Robert Davis, Owner, Davis Solutions

In April 2016, I was contacted by the owner of a historic Oregon residence. The home, listed on the National Register, was built in 1910.  The homeowner was in possession of a custom printed ceramic panel and was referred to Davis Solutions for its installation.  The panel, a world map with historic relevance to the home's builder, was to be set over the home's original concrete hearth. 

The concrete substrate had several in-plane cracks, as well as something like a dozen coats of various colors of paint. After grinding to remove paint, flatten the slab, and scarify, the homeowner and I discussed and decided upon a layout.

I gave the concrete a drink and installed STRATA_MAT™ uncoupling membrane with TRI-LITE™ light weight mortar. My company had been included in the field trials for TRI-LITE, and I was glad of its availability for this ceramic installation. A fun and rewarding occupation is enhanced by the availability of excellent tile installation materials.  TRI-LITE offers excellent workability and pot life, and performs very well as a non-sag LFT (large format tile) mortar.

Pot life came into play as the neighbor arrived and initiated a debate over the wall tile layout. Thank goodness I hadn't made any cuts yet! After a settlement was reached, I gave my mud a turn and had no problem with open time as I set the hearth.  The grab of this mortar at full coverage is impressive even on 6" soft-body.  I was a bit worried I'd damage an irreplaceable piece by pulling it up for adjustment.

Three days later, I returned to grout using PERMACOLOR® Select unsanded cement grout. Knocking on the tile was like knocking on bedrock.  I know that TRI-LITE over/under STRATA_MAT will be my workhorse installation for many years to come. It is easily the most forgiving 118.15 mortar I have ever used. 


Stay tuned for additional pictures of this project once the hearth has been trimmed.

Robert Davis of Davis Solutions (541-905-5228) specializes in custom tile and stone installations. He is a general contractor doing business in Lebanon, Albany, and Corvallis, Oregon. He began as a helper for Von Ruden Construction in '07, and immediately knew he’d found a career. After installing for several local shops over the years, he went out on his own as Davis Solutions in 2015.

Jobsite Visit

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Anthony & William of Sasso Tile

I visited a residential jobsite this morning. Residential community being constructed.

Lots of Strata_Mat going down over Particleboard. Kitchens, Bathrooms, Laundry rooms.

Strata_Mat

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Strata_Mat Install

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"Just finishing up an exterior porcelain tile job with Strata Mat/4xlt/Permacolor. Job is in Maui but the client moved here from Connecticut and is glad to support their home state."
Isaac Homza
Higher Standard Tile & Stone
www.higherstandardtile.com
808.214.4364

Make the Comparison and Go For Productivity

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Solutions for Challenging Tile & Stone Installations

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We provide solutions for challenging tile & stone installations supported by experience, expertise and in-depth technical support.

Strata_Mat Ready To Go

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Ready To Go !

The next generation high performance uncoupling membrane for use under ceramic tile and stone installations. For both residential and commercial applications. Designed to replace traditional underlayment materials. The unique patent pending design of  STRATA_MAT provides for an enhanced mechanical bond of the adhesive mortar and provides for faster drying of the mortar, allowing for shorter time to grout. Specifically designed for use with both modified and unmodified mortars.  STRATA_MAT allows for the proper adhesive mortar to be used with porcelain or large format tiles and stone.
 
Mortar Hydration Vents - creates a mechanical bond between the mat and adhesive mortar - allows the mortar to cure faster providing a stronger bond of tile at 16 – 24 hours for faster time to grout.
Allows for use of the appropriate mortar per industry standards.
Provides vapor management.
Eliminates transmission of in plane substrate cracks of up to 1/8" (3 mm).
Instant coverage verification - allows for installer to see mortar coverage underneath the mat during installation without having to lift and verify.
Allows for easier floor layout as chalk lines are easily visible on surface prior to tile installation.
Part of the LATICRETE Lifetime System Warranty.
Rated Extra Heavy per ASTM C627.
Lightweight, easy to carry and fast to install with standard tools.
Can be used under moisture sensitive stone.

Click here for more Strata_Mat info

Strata_Mat Uncoupling Membrane

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LATICRETE STRATA_MAT is a next generation high performance uncoupling membrane. For use under ceramic tile and stone installations. Residential and commercial applications. Designed to replace traditional underlayment materials. The unique patent pending design of Strata_Mat provides for an enhanced mechanical bond of the adhesive mortar and provides for faster drying of the mortar, allowing for shorter time to grout. Specifically designed for use with both modified and unmodified mortars, Strata_Mat allows for the proper adhesive mortar to be used with porcelain or large format tiles and stone.
Installation photos courtesy of Jim Picarazzi of Jack Splash's Backsplashes and Floors, Upstate NY
Top photo courtesy of Betsi Baker, Laticrete Distributor Sales Rep, South Carolina
Strata_Mat technology courtesy of the incredible technology team at Laticrete

Something Interesting

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Strata_Mat About To Be Installed

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Message from a Tile Installer:


"The only brand allowed on my job sites."


Thank YOU and YOUR TEAM for awesome technical support, products that perform, and always having our backs on the job.

This is the big residential job I was telling you about. I've been documenting everything since it was a floor that originally could not have been tiled, so we took it down to joists, are replacing the subfloor, and utilizing the Laticrete Lifetime Warranty. The homeowner had gotten multiple quotes and I was by far the highest but got the job because I went through and explained how I could warranty their floor by using your products.

Since PTK, I've been selling the lifetime warranty on ALL jobs. Another tool in my toolbox thanks to the guys and gals at Laticrete. Oh, and Strata_Mat...awesome!

Should be done next week. I'll send you all of the pics. I'm planning on using them myself on my business page on facebook to show how the warranty system works. I'm looking forward to putting that together.

Hope all is well. Thanks again.


James Picarazzi

Oogle 5 Days Until Coverings

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Only 5 days until Coverings! 

Visit us at booth #7731 for a look at our new innovative products. See you next week!

Coverings in Atlanta

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Coverings is less than 2 weeks away, so Oogle is preparing his packing list! Will you visit us at our Laticrete exhibit at Coverings - booth #7731?