That Mapei yellow mesh - Ceramic Tile Advice Forums

JC · 02-20-2002, 03:56 PM

Ok i seen the stuff up close and personal and it is about 1/8 -3/16 thick and has holes about a little bigger then a 1/4 inch. You staple it down over felt paper or else directly to vinyl, then float it with Mapei ultra contact thinset(a runny mixture).
This is a possible low profile solution I am looking for.

Not sure of the cost yet but it should not be that much as there is not a whole lot to the stuff.

I have another new home coming up and would like to not have the ceramic any higher then the carpet and hardwood.

My question is has this stuff proven itself? It is really safe to use over OSB, any first hand knowledge of this stuff would be much appreciated.

Jim(in the eternal search for a 1/4 mud bed) Cordes

John Bridge · 02-20-2002, 04:59 PM

JC,

I can't find it on the Mapei site. What's the name of the stuff?

And what's wrong with Ditra?

JC · 02-20-2002, 06:14 PM

Oops I did'nt get the name..Dang.
Ditra works alright but the cost scares people away sometimes.
Also I understand the reasons why they put the fleece on the newer stuff(to keep guys from filling the underside with mud) but I would much rather have the old webbing any day. The fleece seems to suck the moisture out of the thinset or something coz it is harder to get it to bond , Maybe it is me but it is less installer friendly if you ask me.
Also the sqaure holes in the new ditra are hard to fill in when you key it. You have to run the trowel over it 3 times to get all the voids out. The old stuff was easier.
Another thing I want is to be able to level the floor better, Like in the case of a normal mud bed.
Although the mesh would still be hard since it uses a runny thinset but there might be a possibilty of using SLC with this stuff though.
Another thing I just thought of is if this stuff is designed to be floated then it would save a whole trowing step as you could just float the mesh the as you are setting the tile (keying it as you go).

Thing is I trust Ditra, I am not sure I trust this stuff.

Dave Gobis · 02-20-2002, 07:50 PM

JC,
You need a new mixer.

Bri · 02-20-2002, 08:13 PM

Good grief JC...the old Ditra was brutal compared to the new stuff! And as far as cost goes...the Ditra is cheaper..both in cost, and in the amount of labour used. I think maybe you just had a bad day with the new stuff...try it again, I think you'll agree.

JC · 02-20-2002, 10:30 PM

Yea it does use less mortar. Dave, should I mix the thinset wetter or something to make it easier? I have been mixing it the same as I do for tile.
You might have something there Bri.

Dave ,now what is the low down on this mapie stuff...just how many calls you guy on this stuff?

02-20-2002, 11:08 PM

JC, how is this yellow mesh any different from guys stapling down mesh and thinsetting over it? I think that has been pretty much denounced with the Robison test.

Yes, mix the thinset wetter for use under the ditra!

Dave Gobis · 02-21-2002, 05:27 AM

I honestly haven't had enough experience with it to have an opinion and if I did, I probably still wouldn't have one. I do recall a recent incident where it was used with another manufacturers powder, meeting with disaster.

John K · 02-21-2002, 06:17 AM

JC. I know what your trying to accomplish with the "thin
mud bed". I have been trying to figure out the same thing.
Most of my work is occupied residences, and all the cabinets are usually set for a luan and vinyl combination.
I use ditra almost exclusively, but it doesn't cure the " out of plane" problem. What seems ideal is to put down lath and SLC and have a perfectly flat and level floor, but the manufacters charge way to much for there product to make it
cost effective. Mud men, say that self leveler is for guys who don't know how to mud, but most of the floors I run across, if they were mudded with even the minimum allowable thickness. It would be impossible to get the dishwasher out or get the refrigerator back under the cabinets. So I call on the famous Dave Gobis to guide us. Any suggestions Dave?

John K

John Bridge · 02-21-2002, 06:49 AM

Guess we're going to have to have a rule, and I hate rules!

But will you guys please identify the product we're talking about? Will ya?

Dave Gobis · 02-21-2002, 11:04 AM

I understand the problem but I don't see the question. All I am seeing is judgement call.

John Bridge · 02-21-2002, 01:54 PM

Am I to take it that you don't know the name of the product? And wouldn't this equate to not knowing what you're talking about?

Bri · 02-21-2002, 03:58 PM

For you JB

A lightweight, interlocking polyethylene grid system used in preparation of substrates. PRO/FLOAT is stapled or nailed to the substrate, then prepared with MAPECEM PREMIX as the final surface to receive tile & natural stone, sheet vinyl, carpet, hardwood or engineered floor systems. PRO/FLOAT is a thin application system that will substantially increase floor rigidity without compromising the overall finished height of the floor. In addition, the floor surface can be screeded to meet stringent tolerances of today’s floors. PRO/FLOAT is non-corroding and alkaline-resistant.

PACKAGING:
1/4"(6 mm) GRID; 50 pieces per carton
7/16" (11 mm) GRID; 32 pieces per carton

John Bridge · 02-21-2002, 05:23 PM

Okay, don't know where you got that, because I can't find it on the Mapei site. Anyway.

From what you've said the stuff doesn't sound any better than the so-called "scratch coat" system (metal lath screeded with thinset) that most or all of us agree is not worth anything at all.

I won't call Pro-Float garbage until I know a little more about it, but it's starting to sound like garbage.

Maybe somebody from Mapei will straighten me out (by email, of course).

Bri · 02-21-2002, 06:02 PM

Hi
Go to mapei's site and look under mortar bed installation systems..(top menue bar)...it's pdf so I can't send the actual link...but it is there.

It cost more that Ditra...a lot more..

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