Floor HEAT Wire

Floor HEAT Wire is a versatile floor warming wire system designed for use under many types of finished floor coverings to provide luxury and comfort.

All electrical connections must be made by a licensed electrician. Failure to do so will void all warranties and claims. Comply with all applicable building and electrical codes. Designed for use with Floor Warming Thermostat.

• Component of LATICRETE Lifetime System Warranty.
• Multiple spacing options allow for variability in heat output.
• This appliance wiring material component (wire style 21427) is recognised by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) Representative samples have been evaluated by UL and meet applicable UL requirements.

Click here for more information.

LataBaby!

Carissa has already been branded by "Uncle" Henry.

Nothing but the best for this baby girl!

Tile Installers Apprenticeship Contest

Boston Local 3 Tile Installers Apprenticeship Contest.

(Check out the lovely message left on the wall from a contestant).

Praise for STRATA_MAT

A recent comment from a tile installer regarding STRATA_MAT:

Shane wrote: "What is it? It's called STRATA_MAT or Godsend depends on your perspective. I know from experience the first time I ever saw it was the first time I ever needed it. And that is providence thanks - Nick Collett. Henry Rothberg please give him a raise he's certainly worth it :)."

Click here for more information on this AWARD WINNING Product.

Go Fish!

The LataLure 

The LATICRETE logo makes its way onto some very unique items!

LATICRETE Extends Hand to Magnet School Robotics Team

LATICRETE, a global manufacturer and leader of premium installation and finishing systems for the building industry, announced the Engineering and Science University Magnet School Robotics Team won the Rookie of Excellence Award and qualified for the April Regional Championship competition in Boston.

“Our goal was to make it to the competition with a working robot, something many rookie teams fail to do simply because of a lack of funds, information or experience,” said Daniel Wivagg, student team member. “Thanks in part to LATICRETE, we were able to eliminate one of those problems early on, and it has led to our overall success.”

As the team prepared for the regional event, Wivagg said, “LATICRETE engineers and innovates things, and our team looks up to you for this reason. “Your sponsorship helped us to reinforce these values through our achievement.”

LATICRETE is a leading manufacturer of globally proven construction solutions for the building industry. LATICRETE offers a broad range of products and systems covering substrate preparation, tile and stone installation, concrete construction chemicals, and decorative flooring. For nearly 60 years, LATICRETE has been committed to research and development of innovative installation products, building a reputation for superior quality, performance and customer service. LATICRETE methods, materials and technology have been field and laboratory proven by Architects, Engineers, Contractors and Owners. Offering an array of low VOC and sustainable products, LATICRETE products contribute to LEED certification, exceed commercial/residential VOC building requirements, and are backed by the most comprehensive warranties in the industry.

We are GREEN!

LATICRETE offers resource tools to help design and specification professionals save time when specifying tile and stone installation systems.

First, the web-based LATICRETE Architectural Guidebook empowers design and specification professionals to create custom specifications based on industry standards for over 100 types of installations with just a few clicks of a mouse.

Second, LATICRETE offers BIM-Compliant, Revit® format details and objects which provide visual, specification and material references for design and construction teams. You can now generate specifications even faster, and with greater clarity and ease. Our integrated 2D and 3D model-based details allow you to quickly and easily reference, manipulate, and visualise detail components in an electronically automated format.

CERTIFIED PRODUCTS, CONTRIBUTING TO LEED PROJECTS

LATICRETE provides tile and stone installation materials certified by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI). Based on criteria used by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED-CI program, the GREENGUARD certification provides the proof and assurance that the specified LATICRETE Systems meet appropriate indoor air quality standards for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde.

Visit www.laticrete.com/green today.

A Beautiful Project

Glendale Galleria Project

Location: Glendale Galleria, Glendale, CA

Installer: Premier Tile & Marble, Gardena, CA 

Executive Architect: ELS Architecture & Urban Design, Berkeley, CA
Design Firm: Kevin Kennon Architect, NYC

General contractor: VCC Construction, Irvine, CA

LATICRETE distributor: Daltile City of Industry, CA

There are always challenges to renovating existing tile structures, but when the project is also constricted by a small window of opportunity, being able to source highperforming building materials from a single supplier can be critical. That was the task presented to Andrew Games, Vice President of Premier Tile and Marble, when he began work on the Glendale Galleria renovation project, in Glendale, Calif., in 2013. The job called for the tiling of 27,871 square metres of the mall’s interior flooring and wall spaces which included corridors, restrooms and food court. In addition, an 743.22 metres exterior living wall was tiled along with areas of exterior paving. 

“During renovation, Glendale Galleria remained open for business. All work performed during each shift had to be finished, clean and ready prior to the mall opening,” explained Mr. “Games. Since Glendale Galleria's tenants must be ready for business by 9 a.m., we only had a very small window of time to perform our work. That window was from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

With this challenge in hand, Games set out to line up his team of suppliers. The majority of the tile was being supplied by Daltile. “We worked with John Christy of Daltile from start to finish in regards to getting the proper tile specified. We also worked closely with the VCC Construction team and General Growth Properties, the owner of Glendale Galleria, to make sure we were all on the same page, working towards getting a high quality finished product within the time constraints that were required,” said Games. 

Once the 300x600mm porcelain tiles were ordered, it was time to find a single supplier that could not only deliver the necessary ancillaries, but deliver exceptional service, especially under the job’s tight time constraints. Mr. Games chose LATICRETE. He explained, “We are very familiar with LATICRETE® products and they have always performed very well under stringent conditions. Just as important was the excellent support we received from LATICRETE sales representative Eddie Obymako. Any time we had a question or an issue that came up, he was on site within hours, day or night.” 

Glendale Galleria's intricate stairs were manufactured by Wausau. Crossville/Longust supplied porcelain stainless steel brushed tile for the elevator walls. LATICRETE 254 Platinum, a high performance, polymer fortified thin-set mortar, was utilised to adhere to the stainless steel tile on the elevator walls, which was subject to constant movement from the elevator usage. 

For the main concourse area, Mr. Games chose the LATICRETE 253R Gold Rapid a fast-setting, polymer-fortified thin-set for installing ceramic tile, pavers, brick and stone. This flexible mortar is a fast-setting, polymer-fortified thin-set that is ideal for installing ceramic tile, pavers, brick and stone. The advantages of 253R Gold Rapid include being ready for grouting in 2 to 4 hours at 21 °C. The mortar has a tenacious bond to concrete and masonry and mixes with water. It also meets ANSI A118.4 and ANSI A118.11 standards.

Click here to continue reading this project spotlight.

Excellent Colour Uniformity - Epoxy Grout

SPECTRALOCK® PRO Premium Grout*

SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout is a patented, high performance epoxy grout which offers excellent colour uniformity, durability, stain protection, and beautiful, full grout joints in an easy-to-use, non-sag formula.

SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout is designed for use on ceramic tile, glass tile and stone applications, both residential and commercial. It can be used both interior and exterior on floors and walls. Ideal for re-grouting applications, SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout is perfect for swimming pools, fountains and other wet area applications.

† Stainproof (residential installations only) to common household cleaners, liquids and other goods. Clean all spills immediately.

* United States Invention Patent No.: 6881768 (and other Patents)

• Stainproof†
• Improved non-sag formula for walls and floors
• Uniform colour—no blotchiness or shading
• Easy to maintain, cleanable to the original colour
• Meets performance requirements of ANSI A118.3
• 80 minutes working time at 21°C
• Inhibits the growth of stain-causing mould and mildew in the grout joints with Microban® antimicrobial product protection
• Ideal for installations at wide temperature ranges
• Tough, durable, and crack resistant
• Improved outperforms cement based grout
• High fashion with DAZZLE™ component

Click here for more information.

Contact us to obtain FREE samples, arrange a FREE demo, discuss your projects and our available System Warranties. Call LATICRETE Technical Sales & Services on 0151 486 6101.

DuPont and LATICRETE Reach Agreement on Sale

LATICRETE is gearing up to acquire the DuPont™ StoneTech®, DuPont™ Stone Care and DuPont™ Paver Armor Pro lines of products! These innovative products are designed to protect, clean and transform tile and stone surfaces.

“LATICRETE knows the stone and tile market well and sells complementary products, and we believe the DuPont Surface Care business can best pursue its potential and most effectively meet market needs through this transaction,” said Thierry F. J. Vanlancker, president, DuPont Chemicals & Fluoroproducts. “The DuPont Surface Care business has a strong team that will join LATICRETE to continue to support these products.” 

LATICRETE will merge the DuPont™ StoneTech®, DuPont™ Stone Care, and DuPont™  Paver Armor Pro branded products with its existing portfolio of products, which are already placed in professional and retail channels around the world. 

“This business is an excellent fit with our strategic approach,” said Ed Metcalf, LATICRETE  president, North America. “We are excited about working with the team to build on the strong foundation they have put in place and to achieve the full potential of this business in the future. We will continue to focus on providing customers with high quality products and service to deliver solutions that meet their stone and tile care needs.” 

DuPont Surface Care offers a range of innovative, easy-to-use solutions to protect and preserve stone and tile against the damaging effects of everyday living. This complete line of products protects, cleans and transforms stone and tile surfaces, helping to ensure the beauty of natural stone and tile countertops, floors and walls. The business offers products under the DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional, DuPont™ Stone Care, and DuPont™ Paver Armor Pro brands.

UK Pool & Spa Expo

UK Pool & Spa Expo will return to The NEC in the larger Hall 10 from 22nd – 24th January 2015.

Come and visit our stand where we will have innovative products, demos, displays and technical sales and services representatives for you to discuss your pool and spa product needs with. 

Click here for more information on the Expo.

Rapid Drying for a Faster Time to Tile

HYDRO BAN Waterproofing Membrane

HYDRO BAN is a thin, load bearing waterproofing/crack isolation membrane that DOES NOT require the use of fabric in the field, coves or corners. HYDRO BAN is a single component self curing liquid rubber polymer that forms a flexible, seamless waterproofing membrane. HYDRO BAN bonds directly to a wide variety of substrates.

• Allow for flood testing in 2 hours at 21°C or higher¥
• Does not require the use of fabric.*
• Bonds directly to metal, PVC and ABS plumbing fixtures only
• Thin; only 0.5–0.8 mm thick when cured
• Changes in colour from a light sage to an olive green when cured
• Anti-fracture protection of up to 3 mm over shrinkage and other non-structural cracks
• “Extra Heavy Service” rating per TCNA performance levels (RE: ASTM C627 Robinson Floor Test)
• Exceeds ANSI A118.10 and A118.12
• IAPMO approved
• Contains Microban® antimicrobial product protection
• Rapid drying for a faster time to tile
• Lighter colour for ease of inspection
• Safe—no solvents and non-flammable
• Install tile, brick and stone directly onto membrane

* For gaps 3 mm or less see DS 663.5 for complete instructions

¥ Refer to cautions section for more information on curing

Click here for more information on HYDRO BAN.

Airless Spraying of HYDRO BAN:

In addition to the conventional means of applying HYDRO BAN, the airless spraying technique can be used as an alternate means of application. HYDRO BAN can be effectively sprayed to increase productivity up to 3x or 4x on large projects. Any airless sprayer can be used which will deliver up to 3300 PSI (22.8 MPa) using a maximum tip size of 0.79 mm.

See TDS410 for further information on the application of HYDRO BAN with an airless sprayer.

Message from a Tile Installer

Message from a tile installer - James Picarazzi

James wrote: "There isn't enough space for me to explain how much I took away from PTK. One very important thing worth mentioning though is that ever since we went there last year, my bottom line has increased. There were so many things that LATICRETE offers in terms of support that I didn't even know existed and I utilise them now. A great, simple example is the Lifetime Tile and Stone System Warranty, which has closed more jobs than I can count and justifies my pricing. I'll stop there before I write a book and make Henry blush."

Click here to read more about the LATICRETE Warranties. 

Proven Products Around the Globe

Over 5000 metres squared of locally quarried limestone was installed using the LATICRETE MVIS (Masonry Veneer Installation System) as the exterior façade of The Cedar Park Centre in Cedar Park, Texas. (Above image).

For over 50 years LATICRETE has been one of the major key players in the worldwide manufacturing of installation materials and methods for tile and stone. LATICRETE offers the products, systems, warranties and technical support to ensure the tile and stone installation on your project is permanent and problem-free. Our in-depth technical support and installation materials consultation is available throughout your project to ensure success.

Click here to read more about LATICRETE MVIS.

Looking Good!

Check out Bud Morris decked out in his sharp LATICRETE bicycle shirt.

Bud is a long time and valued LATICRETE distributor, reseller and friend.

LATICRETE STRATA_MAT Wins Award

Barry from ATC NSW with Adam Marks, LATICRETE Australia National Sales Manager

Best Manufacturers/Wholesalers Product Award

LATICRETE Australia obtained the Award of Excellence for the Category: Best Manufacturers/Wholesalers Product Award, for STRATA_MAT™. 

Barry Bulmer, President of the Australian Tile Council, NSW Division presented the award to Adam Marks, LATICRETE National Sales Manager recently at DESIGNEX Trade Show.

STRATA_MAT is a next generation high performance uncoupling membrane for use under ceramic tile and stone installations, for both residential and commercial applications. Designed to replace traditional underlayment materials. The unique patent pending design of STRATA_MAT provides for an enhanced mechanical bond of the adhesive mortar and provides for faster drying of the mortar, allowing for shorter time to grout. Specifically designed for use with both modified and unmodified mortars,STRATA_MAT allows for the proper adhesive mortar to be used with porcelain or large format tiles and stone.

Click here for more information.

1 Step Sound & Crack Adhesive

125 Sound & Crack Adhesive is a superior crack prevention and sound isolation adhesive mortar.

Independently tested to ANSI A118.12 specification for crack isolation for ceramic tile and stone installations and independently tested to ASTM E2179 and ASTM E492 for impact sound isolation. 125 Sound & Crack Adhesive is a single component adhesive mortar which takes the place of costly time consuming membrane or mat systems by allowing for faster, more effective tile or stone installations.

• Prevents transmission of cracks from the approved substrates to the tile or stone finish when subjected to horizontal in plane movement of cracks up to 1/8" (3 mm) under normal usage.
• Single component, just add water
• Contains 33% post consumer recycled materials
• Superior workability—equipped with lightweight technology
• GREENGUARD certified, LEED compliant
• Reinforced with Kevlar®
• Equipped with Microban®
• "Extra Heavy" as per ASTM C627 Robinson Floor Test - TCNA

Click here for more information.

^ United States Invention Patent No.: 6784229 (and other Patents)

Sports Basement Becomes Reality with DRYTEK®

LATICRETE helps lifelong fan show the love for his favourite team with emblem embossed on floor in basement football headquarters.

The first step in the process was to get rid of the excessive adhesive markings on the floor, which Leahy noticed during the initial meeting. The markings were a result of carpeting that previously was pulled off of the floor. To get the job done, Leahy enlisted the help of four LATICRETE team members – including Dean Cunningham, Gilles Bignolas, Rick Carino and Art Mintie – and Modine, to diamond grind the floor. This concrete pavement restoration technique is designed to help correct irregularities such as faulting and roughness. In this case, it was to smooth out the cracks and eliminate any leftover adhesive residue.

After they diamond grinded the floor, Leahy noticed that there were more cracks on the surface. “Once you remove glue, you can see fully see the concrete,” Leahy says. “That’s when we noticed there were more cracks.” To further smooth out the floor, they put mesh tape on the cracks, and then laid down DRYTEK 104S Epoxy Primer, which would help further smooth out the cracks in the concrete. The two-component, high-solids epoxy primer, part of the DRYTEK Decorative Wear Surface System, is applied with a sand broadcast.

Next, Leahy poured DRYTEK 7400, a fast drying, dual purpose, self-leveling cement in gray. The cement can be used both as a durable and attractive interior wear surface and as a high performance underlayment for troubled substrates. To give the floor that Steelers’ look, Leahy poured a black liquid dye in the concrete, and then poured the floor, which took a day to dry.

The next steps included spraying one coat of LATICRETE Epoxy Primer (which takes eight to 12 hours to dry), positioning in the Fathead logo (followed by painting the “Pittsburgh” and “Steelers” word logos), spraying another coat of clear, and then adding a coat of LATICRETE SPECTRALOCK DAZZLE, which adds a metallic, micro-chip glitter look.

The last step involved using a spray that would lock in the micro chip glitter and give the emblem that shiny look. The enthusiastic installation team also sprayed yellow epoxy paint over the words ‘Pittsburgh’ and ‘Steelers’ in the logo.

Click here to continue reading this Project Spotlight.

Click here for more information on DRYTEK.

Residential Stone Veneer MVIS Project

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name: Residential Hawthorne MVIS Project

Project City: Brisbane

Project State/Territory/Province: QLD

Project Country: Australia

Project Area: 1000 m²

Climate: Tropical

Project Description: This substantial residence needed a quality installation system for the vast amount of stone. LATICRETE provided the system and the warranties for this project.

Products Used:

LATAPOXY® 310 Rapid Stone Adhesive

LATAPOXY 310 Stone Adhesive

335 Premium Flexible Adhesive

4237 Latex Additive

LATICRETE Masonry Pointing Mortar

LATICRETE Masonry Veneer Mortar

PERMACOLOR Grout

A Glowing Testimonial

A glowing testimonial for 255 MULTIMAX:

"It's Erik Tundra finish works mpls, MN. Tom turned me onto 255 MULTIMAX, I replaced Pro Lite and used 255 MULTIMAX to wrap this project! My client is a scientist, he loved the fact it has kevlar in it. Really good, no slip on the pitched ceiling of this steam shower. Thx LATICRETE."

255 MULTIMAX is a patented, versatile polymer modified thin-set that provides maximum non-sag performance on walls, maximum build up of up to 18 mm without shrinkage for floors and maximum coverage due to its lightweight creamy smooth consistency. In addition, 255 MULTIMAX is reinforced with Kevlar® to provide maximum strength and durability. GreenGuard certified, and now contains >10% post-consumer recycled content.

For more information, click here.