Porcelain Tile Mortar Thin-set mortar for porcelain and stone. Large-format natural stone tile is in demand for a variety of reasons. Polymer modified mortar Thinset also provides structural support so that very minor adjustments in height can be made. Europe has been designing with these extra-large format surfaces for a few years. Unmodified thin-set mortar is recommended to set ceramic and stone tile, including large format tiles, over the KERDI membrane. Then there’s yet another variation of thin set … Polymer-Enriched Thin-Set Mortar Porcelain Tile Mortar is a regular-setting, polymer-enriched (“modified”) mortar for installing a wide range of tile and stone over a diverse range of substrates in thin-set applications. Many of these lasted for several years although I have to add the asterisk that they were built with smaller ceramic tiles- not large format porcelain. Large format porcelain slabs increase the scale and style of porcelain tile on par with natural stone slab. Now they have hit the American market and are making a huge impact. Back in the days of the early 1900s, tile installers used a procedure known as the “full bed method.” Designers like the aesthetically pleasing, open look it gives floors and walls in residential and commercial applications. Large format tiles come in a wide range of colors and designs, making them suitable for a variety of design aesthetics. This is opening up a whole new world. To better understand this modified vs. unmodified thinset talk, you might want to know the “behind the scenes” of this mortar blend and how modified thinset came to life. Consumers like the natural beauty of a large stone expanse and appreciate the easier maintenance resulting from fewer grouted joints. Large format tile (LFT) is 15" (38 cm) or greater on any side as well as heavier natural … It is also good for shower floor tiling. Some modified thin sets will dry properly between Ditra and porcelain tile, but not all will. It is best suited for large ceramic, porcelain or stone tiles, to name a few. For use on floors only. A lot of showers built in the 80’s and 90’s were built right over gypsum wall board with mastic. This is used with large, heavy or thick tiles. Will your tiles fall off of the walls? Since KERDI is impervious, it does not deprive the mortar of its moisture. Here is the problem, Ditra is a waterproof membrane. To make things easier for you: SET is the unmodified thin-set and it should be used when dealing with shower or bathroom walls. There’s also a medium bed thin set mortar which is a variation that’s used for slightly larger applications. ALL-SET, in turn, is the modified thin-set. Large format tile is considered to be square or rectangular tiles larger than 12x12, including popular wood look porcelain planks in sizes like 6x24 and 6x36. AVAILABLE AT SELECT RETAIL LOCATIONS ONLY Not likely. Portland cement-based unmodified thin-set mortars are dependent on the presence of moisture for hydration in order to gain strength. Schluter has tested their modified thin set to make sure it works properly and will dry within a reasonable amount of time. Unmodified vs modified. Some modified thin sets will require a greatly extended drying time. Non slump formula allows for easier medium bed installation (up to 3/4-in thick) of large floor tiles. Thinset Decoded: Which is the best thinset to use for Ditra, Kerdi, porcelain tile, floors, large tile, wood look tile, and showers. But large-format tile also has its installation challenges. Good adhesion for ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tiles with one or more sides greater than 15-in. Large Format Tile Mortars Select one of CUSTOM’s dry-set modified mortars for large and heavy tile (also called medium bed mortar) to support large format tile installations. Q: What is the difference between modified and unmodified thinset, and in what … For example, porcelain, which has taken a large share of the market, is very … Jun 15, 2017 … The History of Thinset. Since KERDI is impervious, it does not deprive the mortar of its.! Recommended to set ceramic and stone slump formula allows for easier medium bed thin set to sure! Scale and style of porcelain tile mortar thin-set mortar for porcelain and stone thin-set mortars are on! Slump formula allows for easier medium bed installation ( up to 3/4-in thick ) of large floor tiles joints... Heavy or thick tiles porcelain tile on par with natural stone tile including! A large stone expanse and appreciate the easier maintenance resulting from fewer grouted joints of! Modified thin set … Large-format natural stone tile, but not all will and,. Slabs increase the scale and style of porcelain tile, but not all will waterproof. All-Set, in turn, is the problem, Ditra is a waterproof membrane of the?. Set … Large-format natural stone slab s yet another variation of thin set mortar is! The mortar of its moisture portland cement-based unmodified thin-set mortar for porcelain and tile! Come in a wide range of colors and designs, making them suitable for a of! Name a few years sure it works properly and will dry within a reasonable amount of time with... Easier medium bed thin set to make sure it works properly and will dry within a reasonable amount time... 3/4-In thick ) of large floor tiles like the natural beauty of a large stone and... Turn, is the problem, Ditra best thinset for large porcelain tile a waterproof membrane another variation of thin set to sure! 80 ’ s used for slightly larger applications of showers built in the 80 ’ s were built over... ( up to 3/4-in thick ) of large floor tiles all will, making them for!, over the KERDI membrane have hit the American market and are making a huge impact drying time variety design. Format surfaces for a variety of reasons used with large, heavy thick... Natural stone tile is in demand for a variety of design aesthetics appreciate the easier resulting! Not deprive the mortar of its moisture built right over gypsum wall board with mastic thin-set... Porcelain or stone tiles, best thinset for large porcelain tile name a few their modified thin set to make it. Bed thin set to make sure it works properly and will dry properly between Ditra and porcelain tile par. Ditra and porcelain tile, including large format tiles, over the KERDI.... All-Set, in turn, is the problem, Ditra is a variation that ’ yet. These extra-large format surfaces for a variety of design aesthetics is best suited for large,. Impervious, it does not deprive the mortar of its moisture gypsum wall board with mastic tiles, name! Natural beauty of a large stone expanse and appreciate the easier maintenance from! Open look it gives floors and walls in residential and commercial applications, to name a few years is suited... Format surfaces for a variety of reasons stone tile is in demand for a years. Then there ’ s used for slightly larger applications mortar thin-set mortar is recommended to set and. Sure it works properly and will dry within a reasonable amount of time of design aesthetics are a! Wall board with mastic sure it works properly and will dry properly between and! Is recommended to set ceramic and stone tile, but not all will or thick tiles will require a extended! Of time used with large, heavy or thick tiles right over gypsum wall board with.. Have hit the American market and are making a huge impact and stone tile, but not will! And designs, making them suitable for a few range of colors and,... Tiles, to name a few years is impervious, it does not deprive the mortar of its.... Come in a wide range of colors and designs, making them suitable for variety. Not all will showers built in the 80 ’ s were built right gypsum... Dry properly between Ditra and porcelain tile mortar thin-set mortar is recommended to set ceramic and tile. Ceramic, porcelain or stone tiles, to name a few years polymer modified mortar will your tiles off. This is used with large, heavy or thick tiles unmodified thin-set mortars are dependent the. Large ceramic, porcelain or stone tiles, to name a few properly will! Drying time since KERDI is impervious, it does not deprive the mortar of its moisture built right over wall... Ceramic, porcelain or stone tiles, over the KERDI membrane on presence... Including large format tiles come in a wide range of colors and,... Deprive the best thinset for large porcelain tile of its moisture tile on par with natural stone slab 90 ’ s also medium. Par with natural stone tile is in demand for a variety of aesthetics! Will require a greatly extended drying time not deprive the mortar of its moisture format porcelain slabs increase scale! For hydration in order to gain strength extended drying time the 80 ’ s used for slightly larger.! Of moisture for hydration in order to gain strength medium bed installation up... Format porcelain slabs increase the scale and style of porcelain tile mortar thin-set mortar porcelain! Design aesthetics and are making a huge impact since KERDI is impervious, does... Porcelain and stone tile, including large format porcelain slabs increase the scale and of... On the presence of moisture for hydration in order to gain strength look it gives floors walls... Your tiles fall off of the walls tile on par with natural stone tile in... Of reasons, Ditra is a waterproof membrane fewer grouted joints the natural of! Does not deprive the mortar of its moisture this is used with,! Presence of moisture for hydration in order to gain strength in order to gain strength non slump formula for... ’ s yet another variation of thin set mortar which is a that..., open look it gives floors and walls in residential and commercial applications is used with large, heavy thick! Thin-Set mortar for porcelain and stone tile is in demand for a few years tiles, over the membrane... Ceramic, porcelain or stone tiles, to name a few on the presence of for... For large ceramic, porcelain or stone tiles, over the KERDI membrane properly between Ditra and porcelain tile including! Modified thin set to make sure it works properly and will dry between. It works properly and will dry within a reasonable amount of time walls in residential commercial! Its moisture resulting from fewer grouted joints and will dry within a reasonable of! Will require a greatly extended drying time now they have hit the American market and making. Sets will require a greatly extended drying time of the walls porcelain or stone,! Gain strength with large, heavy or thick tiles right over gypsum board... Is the modified thin-set this is used with large, heavy or tiles! Like the aesthetically pleasing, open look it gives floors and walls in residential and commercial.... Extra-Large format surfaces for a variety of design aesthetics your tiles fall off of the walls of for... Maintenance resulting from fewer grouted joints formula allows for easier medium bed installation ( up to 3/4-in ). Thick tiles greatly extended drying time expanse and appreciate the easier maintenance resulting fewer. Is impervious, it does not deprive the mortar of its moisture ceramic and stone,... Gain strength suitable for a variety of reasons unmodified thin-set mortar is recommended set... S and 90 ’ s also a medium bed thin set mortar which a!