Looking for advice on a good thinset.

[oscar]

Hi All,

I'm tiling two bathrooms, second floor with 3/4 in. wood subtrate and 19.2" joist. I've never tiled over wood before and I'm looking for a good thinset and it needs to be from Laticrete. It's says in the installation guide to use Latex p.c. mortar under the Ditra and unmodified under the tile. Can someone tell me what are the better quailty products from Latricrete for this application. Also, I'm installing porcelain tile.

thx
O

[muskymike]

Hi Oscar, you can use 254 under the Ditra and 317 on top.

[oscar]

OK, now I'm getting confused.

So, 317 is unmodified and the porcelain tile manufacture says to use modified. Then Laticrete specs for 317 say, "LATICRETE 317 must be fortified with LATICRETE 333 Super Flexible Additive or LATICRETE 3701 Mortar Admix for exterior use, porcelain, mosaic, glass and stone tiles, and heavy traffic areas. Designed for floors and walls, interior and exterior applications". So does this mean I need to add something to 317.

And 254 is a modified latex thinset?

thx
O

[cx]

Oscar, when you're confronted by a conflict between product manufacturers on how to use the products together, yours is the choice of which recommendations to follow.

In this case, consider that porcelain tile has been set for many, many years before the advent of modified thinset mortars and even before thinset mortar of any kind was developed. I would follow the Schluter recommendation. I can re-post my very often posted photo of setting porcelain if it would make you feel better.

If you'll go to the Laticrete website you can get all the information on the 254 Platinum you might want, along with information on all their other products. They're very good about supplying information.

And while I certainly can't argue with MMike that 254 would not satisfy your current need, I can say that you don't really need anything as exotic as that to install your Ditra.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[oscar]

Thanks CX. I guess I'm just confused at what is modified and unmodified. The 317 says to add something to it for porcelain, does this make modified and using it with just plain water makes it unmodified.

Sorry for the dumb questions but this is not my line of work.

Thx
O

[tileguynky]

The 317 is an unmodified thinset. No polymers are in the bag. It's just sand, Portland and some other stuff (not really sure what, but it's in there). The liquid that Laticrete wants you to use with porcelain tile is the polymers that are in the modified thinset, such as the 254. The reason for the polymers is to slow the drying process to allow the thinset to achieve the strongest bond.

For Ditra to tile applications, Schluter wants you to use an unmodified thinset. The reason, the thinset being trapped between the non absorbent porcelain tile and the non-absorbent Ditra will have it's drying time slowed down allowing the thinset to achieve its strongest bond. If you use a modified thinset, it will just take a lot longer for it to dry. Due to the double slow down caused by the polymers and the two surfaces that are non-absorbent. Laticrete will not warranty the 317 being used without the additive under porcelain. However, if you follow the instructions for the Ditra and do have a failure, Schluter will warranty the Ditra, thinset, tile and labor to fix it. So, like CX suggested, follow the Schluter instructions for a bullet proof install with a great warranty.

[oscar]

Ok, that makes sense. Thanks tileguy, cx and muskymike.

[oscar]

Quick answer needed please. Anyone know of good unmodified thin set at home depot?

[Executive Flooring]

Quick answer..... there isnt one! The unmodified that Homers carries is.. ummm less then good. Versabond is a modified but not by much and may work for you depending on what your exact needs are.

[oscar]

Thanks, I need for on top of Ditra, setting porc tiles. In the middle of a job and ran out.

Thx

O.

[java]

Versabond.

[jadnashua]

If you have a Lowes nearby, try there. Also, some have mentioned that HD doesn't stock the same things everywhere, so you may have a chance. You do NOT want to use the entry level dryset thinset, although it DOES meet the minimum requirements, it isn't the easiest to work with.

[pwgsx]

Lowes has Un-Mod, try there

[oscar]

Thanks. Lowes carries Mapei. Any feedback as to quality or if easy to work with?

[jadnashua]

Custom makes a decent unmodified, but they stopped selling it at HD (at least in most places) years ago - what they have there is their price leader. A quality dryset needs to cost in the order of $12/bag if you want decent materials. The Lowes stuff should work fine for you.