64 2017 | TECH Mortars MORTARS ––––––––––––––––––––– Bostik’s revolutionary Bosti-Set™ Thin Porcelain Tile Panel Adhesive & Sound Reduction Membrane is an amazing new one- component, non-sag, easy-to-trow- el adhesive that is specifically for- mulated for the installation of thin (gauged) porcelain tile panels on interior, vertical surfaces or counter tops. Bostik’s patent pending, propri- etary Tenirex™ Polymer Technology used in this product provides the adhesive remarkable instant grab and holding power, enabling panels to be rapidly set on walls and reposi- tioned for up to 30 minutes with no slip or sag. Bosti-Set™ requires only a single coat application for faster and easier installation than a conven- tional mortar installation and holds thin porcelain tiles as large as 1/4” x 5’ x 10’ (6mm x 1.5m x 3m). Once cured, Bosti-Set™ has a tenacious bond that remains tough, yet flexible for durability and sound abatement. This unique formulation is also easy to clean off tile surfaces before and after cure without the need for water or solvents. Bosti-Set™ contains 0% solvents, zero VOC (as calculated per SCAQMD Rule 1168) and is low-odor. www.bostik.com/us/bosti-set/ Custom Building Products’ two newest products are designed with speed of installation in mind. SpeedSlope is a rapid-setting sloping mortar that cures in about an hour with an exceptionally smooth finish. RedGard SpeedCoat is a rapid-curing waterproofing membrane with cross- linking moisture cure technology that allows it to cure in as little as one hour in any weather conditions. It actually cures even faster in damp conditions. www.custombuildingproducts.com LATICRETE has launched a high- performance thin-set mortar – 257 TITANIUM – designed to func- tion as the optimal choice for install- ing gauged porcelain tile and gauged porcelain tile panels/slabs. 257 TITANIUM not only exceeds ANSI A118.15 – the industry’s highest performance standard for a cementi- tious based adhesive mortar, provid- ing worry-free interior, exterior or submerged installations – but aligns with OSHA’s new silica regulations that went into effect September 23, 2017, due to its sand-free qualities. www.laticrete.com MAPEI’s Ultralite® Mortar is TCNA Green Squared Certified®. This light- weight, single-compo- nent, thin-set mortar for floors and walls can also be used for medium-bed and non-sag applica- tions. It is a polymer-modified mortar formulated with MAPEI’s Easy Glide Technology (for application) and with BioBlock (for mold and mildew resis- tance). Ultralite met the standards for use of reclaimed manufacturing waste of recycled material, environmentally sustainable packaging, durability-and- performance integrity, IAQ for low-/ non-emitting products and cleaning/ environmental maintenance guide- lines. Each of the six facilities where MAPEI manufactures Ultralite had to pass more than 35 tests for sustain- ability before the certification was awarded. www.mapei.com TEC® Ultimate 6 Plus Polymer Modified Mortar is designed to meet the challenges of installing gauged porcelain tile panels/slabs and large heavy tiles (LHT) on floors or walls. TEC Ultimate 6 allows grouting in six hours – even when installed over impervious sub- strates such as uncoupling mem- branes. Easy-to-use Ultimate 6 Plus Mortar has an extended pot life of two to three hours and open time of 50 to 60 minutes, allowing installers time to get full coverage and make adjustments. TECUltimate 6 Plus also works well for traditional tile applica- tions and exceeds ANSI A118.4TE and A118.11. www.tecspecialty.com CONTRACTOR PERSPECTIVE THINSETS/MORTARS –––––––––––– Erin Albrecht, M.Ed. J&R Tile San Antonio, Texas www.jandrtile.com J&R partners with manufacturers that are working to test materials to ensure compatibility with allthenewgoodscomingintothemar- ket and provide warranties for specific applications. Resin-back, man-made agglomerates and moisture-sensitive stones are constantly appearing, and need testing before installation. For instance, resin backs are used for 3 mm porcelain panels, and some porcelain panels that are less than the 5.6mm standard thickness – like