Ultraflex 2 or Laticrete 253 Gold

[Jeraza]

Got an upcoming commercial project that consists of 5000 s/f of 12x24 Crossville floor tile and 6000 s/f 3x12 Crossville wall tile and I'm debating between Mapei & Laticrete... I would like to use One thinset for the whole job... Also looking at Hydroban vs. Aquadefense but leaning toward Mapei due to cost, $200 (.66 cents s/f) for 5gl cvg 300 s/f, vs. Hydroban $300 for 250 s/f
(.83 cents s/f)

Budget is a concern on this project but I need to use good quality products as failure is not an option. Feedback / experience with these products would be greatly appreciated...

Thank you in advance

Jerry

[tilelayer]

Only thing I don't like is the aqua defense is hard to see pencil marks on for laying out compaired to the hydro ban. Both thin sets are good products.

[tilejoe]

Does 253 have the dust less feature like ultraflex 2? I agree that you can't see what you're doing over aquadefense. You might save some time just by using hydroban, so you're lines don't get lost.

253 rapid is my all time favorite quick set mortar. It is perfect.

[Crestone Tile]

253 rapid is THE BEST rapid thinset mortar ... period. I don't really like the regular 253. Personally, I would roll with AquaD and LFT or Hydroban and 4XLT.

Budget concern / failure not an option ... hard choices.

[tilelayer]

I did a job and all I could get was ultra flex two. That's some good thinset very neat to work with. 253 is priced better for me though.

[Jeraza]

Thank you for the reply's ,,, this is my first job of this size and don't want to make a big mistake using an unfamiliar product ( 4 pallets of thinset would be a big goof ) I need to be competitive but i do have a good repore with the GC so I can sell him on the merits if need be. I like the hydroban, don't get me wrong, but i'm talking about (22) 5 gl. units of the stuff which boils down to a $2,200 upcharge for Hydroban. We'll have to come up with a way to overcome the dark color of Aquadefense (Does Mapei have a suggestion box...lol) ... Good thing there are no fancy patterns on the floors...

Jerry

[Cain]

there is a good chance your supplier might come down on the ban if your buying that much. never hurts to ask.
I've only bought the small buckets of aqua at lowes but I thought the price was the about the same.
I always lean Laticrete, and you won't beat them when it comes to customer support.

as far as the color of aqua, red chaulk works real good, as well as lasers.

[gueuzeman]

As Crestone pointed out, using either the Mapei LFT or the :Laticrete 4XLT for the large format floor tile would probably be recommended for the 12 x 24 floor tile.

Aquadefense color could be solved with neon pink chalk lines.

System warranty? Is the membrane for waterproofing or just crack isolation?

.

[Levi the Tile Guy]

Originally Posted by Rick

That's some good thinset very neat work with. 253 is priced better for me though.

Wow that is crazy. I pay $13.95 a bag for Ultraflex 2 and if I wanted to order 253 I would pay $24 plus shipping.

Ultraflex 2 is my go to thinset unless I need a non sag or medium then it's 255 or 220.

[Higher Standard Tile]

UF 2 White is $27 here at Lowes. 253 White is $23 at the tile store.

Both are good, but I am a Laticrete man, and the tile store loads my truck.

I have the same question Gueuze has, is the membrane for waterproof and anti-fracture or just anti-fracture?

Laticrete does have Hydrobarrier that is a waterproofing/antifracture at a lower price. Read the specs to see if it would work for you.

Other thing to consider, what is the layout? If it is an offset pattern you might want to read this thread. Interesting read.

http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/...ad.php?t=89443

[Cain]

for 253 I pay a little over 14 a bag at the tile store. you guys are payin xlt prices. uf2 is about 25 at lowes, don't know what it is at the tile store cause if I'm there it's laticrete.

[Jeraza]

The membrane is spec'd as a waterproofing only. The plans actually spec out Merkrete Hydro-Guard 2000 w/fabric, a product I have not used yet....

I'm interested in your insights so feel free...

Jerry

[silvercitytile]

merkrete hydro gaurd is good stuff. if u thought aqua defence was dark this stuff is black!

[duneslider]

I have used the hydro 2002 too and it is really dark, less expensive too if I remember right. Pretty good stuff but I didn't like having to use the fabric. I would look into hydrobarrier, you only need fabric for changes of plane and such.

I would be surprised if your supplier wouldn't make you a good deal on that size of an order, when I was really busy I would get killer deals on thinset if I bought a full pallet.

[BetterBuiltBaths]

Love Mapie Ultra Flex.

If you contact your local rep for Mapie, he should be able to hook you with a product discount.

Had a Spec Job using Expoxy grout. Called him up to ask him some questions on the installation of this type of grout. Told him that I always use Mapie products, but have never grouted with Expoxy grout before. I was floored ( non pon intended ) with his responce.

He asked when we were grouting?
What color was spec'd?
How many Square feet was the install?
What was the projects exact location?

He came out to the job site with 4 floats, whole box of sponges and all the expoxy needed for the floor. He told use exactly how to apply and clean wipe the expoxy. Than put on Knee pads and helped grout 1/2 of the 1400 Sq. Ft. floor. Asked us if we had it under control to finish the floor ( we did ). He said he had to get back to the office before the end of the day. I asked him what I owed him for the products and his Labor for helping us out?

Nothing, No charge for anything. He said just keep buying my products is all I ask. What a product REP.