Freeze, Thaw, Gale Force Winds, Driving Rains and Blazing Hot Sun are No Match for this Tile Mural Project

This is a guest post by Bill Vincent, Owner, Creative Ceramic & Marble

Mural installed on exterior wall, Casco Bay, South Portland, Maine

I was hired to install a unique, one-of-a-kind mural on the exterior wall of Casco Bay home in South Portland, Maine.  The exterior wall was a blank canvas. 

1. First the opening was made and waterproofed with Grace Ice and Water Shield®. Then USG DUROCK® was installed, and waterproofed, including the edges with 9235 Waterproofing Membrane by LATICRETE.

2. Then the tile pieces were installed one at a time with 254 Platinum polymer fortified thin-set mortar. Note that each piece was double notched-- thinset was notch troweled onto the surface, and notch troweled onto the back of the tile to try and create a suction between the two, almost like setting a ceiling with normal thinset.

3. Some of these pieces being installed where as much as 6 inches thick and STILL hung! 

4. The final step was to grout with PERMACOLOR^® Select high performance cement grout. I chose the Twilight Blue color kit which was the perfect color match for this project. The PERMACOLOR Select base was easy to mix with the color kit and it required no sealing! 

If I wasn't already convinced about the superiority of LATICRETE® products, this project would have been all it took. This next picture shows you the wall where the mural went, prior to the start of the project, as well as showing you how completely open to the bay, and the elements it is. 

This was installed a year ago, went thru all the seasons, freeze / thaw, gale force winds, driving rains coming in from the ocean, blazing hot sun, and no problems what-so-ever.

Thanks to LATICRETE Matt Bunzell, Technical Sales Representative and Art Mintie, Senior Director of Technical Services for helping me put together a winning system for this installation!

Bill Vincent, Owner of Creative Ceramic & Marble from Bridgton, ME is a custom ceramic and stone installation company. Bill has been in setting tile as a trade since 1980 but developed his interest in tile and stone work at the early age of 10 while helping his father build his family’s home. His work takes him all over New England from small shops and restaurants to malls, corporate office buildings and multi-million dollar mansions.
For more information visit: http://www.creativeceramicandmarble.com/

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USS Laticrete

Report from the field ....

Tile Contractors, Building Inspectors and Waterproof Membrane.

"Okay the maiden voyage. Of the USS LATICRETE. I am sure you will smile a mile. Here is the funny part. The inspector said he would pass it if a boat could float. Never under estimate a clever tile installer in love with great products from Laticrete !"

Note: The water filled area is lined with Laticrete waterproof membrane. Its not a box. Its the actual entire shower stall. The Contractor is K9 UNIT REMODELING. And the city inspector had three other guys come by and look at the shower. But they really wanted to see the USS LATICRETE.

Laticrete 9235 .... Improved

Over 45 years ago Laticrete introduced the first liquid applied waterproofing / anti-fracture membrane for use directly under interior and exterior thin bed installations of tile and stone.

Since then Laticrete 9235 Waterproofing Membrane has become a staple in tile and stone industry specifications and on jobsites.

In order to make this product more user friendly to the installer we have improved it by reducing the odor. When you open your next pail with the sticker which says “New Improved Low Odor Formula” you will notice the difference.

Along with this you may see a slight change to the color from a black with a blue tint to black with a slight green tint. Rest assured that the Laticrete 9235 Waterproofing Membrane will retain all of the other great features that make your waterproofing jobs worry free.

Inhibits stain causing mold and mildew growth in the substrate with Microban® antimicrobial product protection
Safe—no solvents and non-flammable
Good for interior and exterior use
Vertical and horizontal surfaces (including ceilings)
Thin—only 0.02" (0.5 mm) thick when cured
Anti-fracture protection of up to 1/8" (3 mm) over shrinkage and other non-structural cracks
ASTM C627 Robinson Floor Test “Extra Heavy Service” rating per TCNA performance levels
IAPMO and ICC approval
Applies quickly with a paint brush or roller—no special mixing or application equipment needed
Fast cure—normally ready in hours for tile or stone applications
Install tile, brick and stone directly onto membrane
GREENGUARD Certified for Children and Schools
Easy cleanup—just use water while fresh
Protects concrete and reinforcing steel from corrosion

You will start seeing the “New Improved Low Odor Formula” version in the next few weeks

Laticrete stands behind this tile & jobsite proven product with a Lifetime System Warranty giving you peace of mind in your next waterproofing installation.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Laticrete waterproof membrane product manager, Jay Conrod, at 1.800.243.4788 x 320 or via email at jconrod@laticrete.com

Being Competitive

In August of 2009 we launched the Laticrete Hydro Barrier waterproofing membrane product to aggressively compete at a lower price point with a superior value.

Up to now Laticrete Hydro Barrier was only available in a 3.5 gallon container. Starting 5/31/10 it will be available in a One Gallon container size covering 50 SF with two coats.

Laticrete Hydro Barrier varies from our flagship product, HydroBan, as follows:

Allows for flood tested in 24 hours at 70ºF (21ºC) or above
Requires the use of fabric in the coves, corner, and changes of plane and around drains for waterproofing only; (it is not required for anti-fracture applications)
Backed by the Laticrete 5 Year System warranty
Changes from a light blue to a darker blue when cured
Allows for foot traffic in 4 to 6 hours @ 70°F (21°C) 50% RH

The following attributes remain the same for both Laticrete Hydro Barrier and HydroBan.

Anti-fracture protection up to 1/8” (3mm)
GREENGUARD low VOC certified
IAPMO Approved as a shower pan liner
Extra Heavy rating per ASTM C627 “Robinson Floor Test”
Passes ANSI A118.10 and A118.12
Thin; only 0.020-0.030” (0.5-0.8 mm) thick when cured
Inhibits stain causing mold and mildew growth in the substrate with Microban® antimicrobial product protection
Single component
Paint roller, brush, trowel or airless spray applied
Lighter color for easier inspection
Safe - no solvents and non-flammable

If you have questions concerning this or other Laticrete waterproofing products, call or contact our Laticrete waterproof membranes product manager, Jay Conrod. (203) 393-0010 ext 320 or email: jconrod@laticrete.com

For more info click here.

Wet Film Thickness Gauge ... Various Uses

A Wet Film Thickness Gauge is a useful tool to have when installing liquid applied waterproof membranes.

Do you have one ...?

If you would like one, send me an email .... hbrothberg@laticrete.com

HydroBan demo boxes

Who wants some of these ..?

These are supplied flat, unassembled. The boxes are assembled by you and you apply the HydroBan.

These are a GREAT item for distributors, contractors, dealers.

Would you like some of these …?

How Many …? Send me an email: hbrothberg@laticrete.com