Un-modified thin set recommended

Can someone give me a good brand (exact name)
To use over my ditra?
Too many brand in box stores but all modified.

I'm using versabond under the membrance (modified)

You've been shopping at the wrong store. The orange place does not have a quality unmodified thin set at all. Lowes carries Megabond which is very decent. Make sure you mix it with water only.

The best is Ditraset, IMO, but you won't find it at the stores that wear vests. You gotta find the right "real tile" store. Laticrete #317 is very good too. I think it's the same as Megabond? There are many other brands. One is Mapei, their Kerabond is very good too.

Do you need it right now? What brands are available to you? Where are you?

Jaz

If you are a brand name shopper then go to Lowes. If not you can get a good quality un-mod thinset at Home depot called multiset. It's a good quality I use it daily.

I own a chevy and a ford too

You should use detra set. Thats what is recomended. It dries fast so you can set tile shortly after you get done setting your detra.

You should use detra set. Thats what is recomended.

That is what is recommended by Schluter because they are in bed with Bostik for this purpose. The biggest problem with DITRA-Set is: "WHERE THE HELL IS IT"?

There is nothing wrong with DITRA-Set I am aware of but it IS NOT the only thinset that can be used with DITRA. Schluter sells their products at/thru Home Depot, why isn't DITRA-Set sold at Home Depot?

You DO NOT have to use DITRA-Set when working with DITRA.

There is nothing wrong with DITRA-Set I am aware of but it IS NOT the only thinset that can be used with DITRA. Schluter sells their products at/thru Home Depot, why isn't DITRA-Set sold at Home Depot?

I wondered that same thing. You can get Bostick's best and for a short time, even MVP4 was in stock, so I asked the pro desk to call Bostik for me and the reply from bostik was that for whatever reason, Ditraset was not going to be made available to HD. I'd guess it might have something to do with Custom Building Products and whatever contractual deals there are between CBP and HD.

When these vendors make deals to sell in one big box vs another, it's like making a deal with the devil, but it runs both ways. A vendor might sell to a big box but only if the big box agrees to not bring in a competitor. At the same time, a big box agrees to bring in a product line but only if the vendor agrees to not sell their product through another big box retailer in that market.

It's how they can all say they have the lowest price. Of course they will, 'casue no one else will have it for comparison. A tile distributor doesn't count since most often they aren't selling to the general public and I know there's not a single setting product at a big box that I can't get cheaper at a tile shop if it's available at both.

Megabond from Lowes is a nice unmodifed.

John K, Multiset is modified, just lightly, though, enough to make it meet Ansi (118.4). The additive is to make it a highly modified thinset meeting Ansi (118.11).

Just Tile, keep in mind the substrate, Ditraset or any unmod is what is supposed to be used over a slab but over a plywood or osb subfloor, it's supposed to be modified thinset. Maybe where you live there's mostly only slabs, but on this forum, people are from all over the country and world.

Just Tile lives right here where I'm from I think. Hell he's probably right down the road from me right now

Hey Brian, I knew that the multi is a bit mod but it works f'in awesome. Better than the customblend by CBP but that is the bottom of the barrel too, though I've never had a callback with that either

Hope everybody is enjoying the new year so far!

I'm headed back to work now till 11 pm then all day tomorrow. Busier than a cat covering sh*t

Go Jets!

HD is a strange place. They are so big that efficiency and accuracy is not that important to them. Just go there and ask questions.

They carry Schluter products, but in many if not most stores they only carry their aluminum profiles and that is all. (I am very happy about that BTW.) A few of their stores around here carry Ditra, but only some of the orange vested associates in the tile department know what it's for.

Another good question about their selection of thin sets is, "why don't they carry a good quality unmodified mortar?" Again I am happy they don't, which shows they don't give a rat's behind about their customers. All they carry is that Custom Blend stuff, ($5.00 per). I guess it does meet minimums for A118. 1 but I don't like to use products that are made to the lowest posible standards.

Jaz

I just use Versabond.

Coincidence? Masterblend disappeared when ditra go. Tstocked in competitiom with wonderboard. Hmm.

Brian,

That had nothing to do with anything. It was Custom's call to stop making the two better un-mods. Of course since HD buys much of their mortars, and HD insists on "cheap", they made the mistaken choice of dropping the better quality mortars.

I don't think Ditra had anything to do with it. Matter of fact HD had Ditra in some stores by then. I know they need to cooperate with each other, but I believe HD makes the calls and Custom would do whatever HD wants cuz they could be told to take a hike.

Jaz

What is a good un-modified thin set and to what standard is it measured? How would one know a good one from a bad one? ANSI (118.1) high grade?
By the price? I dont think anywhere in the Schluter directions does it say use a "good" one.

You're right about that Eric. Maybe ANSI needs to add another category? Maybe ANSI (118.1).1? Maybe you'll bring it up. I recommend basing it on the % of Portland and shear & tensile strength.

The thin set controversy might be a brilliant marketing ploy by Schluter since it keeps people talking about it all the time. Their instructions do just say unmodified, since there's no other classification to distinguish basic from premium unmodifieds. However, the manufacturers do make several grades of the stuff one of which is better than the other.

It may not be official but the Schluter guys all told us to be sure to use a premium unmodified when I attended the workshop at CTEF last Oct. Of course I already knew that, however it was just a friendly suggestion on their part. If there was a failure and the thin set was determined to be the culprit it wouldn't be Schluter's problem anyway.

Jaz

Thanks for all your replies. Now
Which one is consider a meduim to premium
Lacrete 317, Megabond, Mapei Kerabond
Assuming they all un modified.

I will be looking for these from other than HD box store. I beleive they around 14 -15. 00 bag.
I live in Northern California.

Northern California is a big place, so can't help you much more. All those are excellent choices. I, m not sure if there's any Ditraset north of Sacramento.

Jaz

I've discovered a great new thin-set, that I can highly recomend. Ive been blown away by its performance. I think its new in the market the brand is called "Cement-Pro". And yes I used there "Cement Pro Thin-set" which is there un-modified. And it performs incredibly. Couldent believe it was un-modified, I bought there "ultra-pro" which is one of there top modifieds. And wow. Let me just tell you they dont make products like that anymore. [www.cementpro.com]

Setter, are you in any way affiliated with "Cement Pro"? You sound like a sales rep too me. But thanks for your input pal!

Ive been blown away by its performance.

Based on what? What is it that "Blows you away"?

I would recommend the Mapei Kerabond and I can get it in columbus ohio for a mere $11 per 50lb bag from a true flooring distributer. Just my two cents and they always know what there talking about.