Epoxy advice

[davy_G]

After posting on another thread I thought i would start my own to get some advice.
Now, I have never used epoxy but will be tiling my own extension kitchen/diner and back hall this year. Being a farmhouse and with patio doors and the back door (the main door for the house) I would like to use epoxy to stop the grout getting grubby over time.

So whats the difference in cost over regular flexi grout.
Oh, some of it will have UFH....any issues there?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[diamondtiling]

Lots of difference in cost Dave, last time I bought some it was in the region of £80 for 5 kilos if I remember right. Its 100% waterproof and I find it easy to use if you have the correct sponges. As for UFH I dont really know, never used it in those situations mate although it is heat resistant up to very high temperatures.

 

[Alan.P]

Big cost difference but it will be worth it if your going to have heavy traffic, no problems with the ufh as far as I know

 

[Peter]

Last time I used epoxy, a few years ago, I think it was out of Frackletons. Not sure of the price but would be worth giving them a ring. Theirs would most likely be Bal so probably at the dearer end of things.

 

[davy_G]

Last time I used epoxy, a few years ago, I think it was out of Frackletons. Not sure of the price but would be worth giving them a ring. Theirs would most likely be Bal so probably at the dearer end of things.

Cheers Wingn, im not saying its a blank cheque but as its for my own pad I dont mind getting decent gear and paying for it. Im sure i can negotiate some discount

 

[Dan]

It's fine with UFH. BAL "Easypoxy" isn't easy at all! I'd use a Mapei one that is easier, but still a bit of a maul.

It does cost quite a bit more, you being trade should help get it down a bit compared to the scary retail prices of it, but it's still not cheap.

It is brilliant stuff once down though. And I think it looks neater than normal grout too as it sort of looks like Silicon once it's set. Has a bit of a smooth sheen to it. (You probably know what it looks like).

I'd go for it in my own heavy traffic areas. I don't think I'd do walls in it in a kitchen though, but a wetroom I'd definitely consider it as it's one extra layer that's waterproof - that said I'd still tank etc but you know you're protecting the tanking even if you use epoxy.

 

[Peter]

Cheers Wingn, im not saying its a blank cheque but as its for my own pad I dont mind getting decent gear and paying for it. Im sure i can negotiate some discount

If you go in in your work clothes you should get a few quid off. Can ask in Huttons on Monday for you if you like, they give 40-70% discount depending on what it is.

 

[davy_G]

If you go in in your work clothes you should get a few quid off. Can ask in Huttons on Monday for you if you like, they give 40-70% discount depending on what it is.

I usually get my gear at Mccalls or through a contact at Larsons. Mccalls stock Dunlop and Ardex so I will price them, dont think larsons do epoxy!

Sure ask next time your in and see. Thanks!

 

[tfs]

mapei kerapoxy is approx £40 per 3kg tub. The 3kg tub could grout anything between 8 - 10 sqm with a 300x600 tile.

 

[davy_G]

mapei kerapoxy is approx £40 per 3kg tub. The 3kg tub could grout anything between 8 - 10 sqm with a 300x600 tile.

This could add up. 55m2 to do, 45x45.

But as its for myself it will be worth it! Thanks for all the help folks!

 

[mistral]

I'd use a Mapei one that is easier, but still a bit of a maul.

Agreed, the kerapoxy is good stuff.

 

[hillhead]

Hi davy.tilemarket on boucher road i think stock laticrete epoxy grouts and laticrete have actually set up in there with an office.i net the guy in newry and is keen to promote the adhesives and grouts so dont be afraid to go in and introduce yourself and tell him you want to try it.he WILL give you a good price or a bag for nothing id say.i got 2 bags superflex addy and a permacolour grout of him in newry on a promotion night. Damn good stuff.

 

[davy_G]

Cheers Joe,
I prefer the Bangor TM as i cant be bothered with the traffic on the Boucher road. I will call Bangor first to see if any of the lemmings know what epoxy is though!

Will call into Boucher sometime im passing, got a nice kitchen floor coming up off the Malone road. Waiting on the kitchen fitters to get the old kitchen out first....

David Scott tiles, expensive$$$$$$$

 

[merlecollins]

Kerapoxy is spot on and as Dan says Easypoxy is NOT easy at all

The best and easiest I've ever used was Laticrete - it was a 3 part product not sure of its name as it was about 15 years ago, but a doddle to use all the same

No problems with the UFH at all:smilewinkgrin:

Just make sure you get some scotch pads and doodlebug holder for emulsifying the grout and thinners for cleaning your tools

The air temperature plays a massive part in the installation of the epoxy as well

 

[Rob Z]

Kerapoxy is spot on and as Dan says Easypoxy is NOT easy at all

The best and easiest I've ever used was Laticrete - it was a 3 part product not sure of its name as it was about 15 years ago, but a doddle to use all the same

No problems with the UFH at all:smilewinkgrin:

Just make sure you get some scotch pads and doodlebug holder for emulsifying the grout and thinners for cleaning your tools

The air temperature plays a massive part in the installation of the epoxy as well

Merle,was it SP100 that you used?

 

[merlecollins]

Merle,was it SP100 that you used?

I know it was 'SP' something or other - i thought it was SP200 or 250, but like I said it was years ago, so it might have been SP100, excellent stuff nonetheless incredibly easy to wash off:hurray:

 

[hillhead]

I was at the laticrete demo night near me a couple of months ago and seen a demo of the epoxy grout! Extremely easy to work with.expensive but brilliant..even laticretes grout dont loose colour! And are guaranteed to hold consistant colour! I have a bag of white permacolour but haven't used it yet.too many floors.lol.a sponge and bucket of water cleaned the epoxy off! Unreal.

 

[merlecollins]

Found this link for a Mapei epoxy in the states

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYCPZFPIqsE]YouTube - MAPEI OPTICOLOR GROUT APPLICATION DEMO[/ame]

Do you know much about this one Rob? might be that it's just the same grout as what we call Kerapoxy over here :smilewinkgrin:

Found this one for Laticrete product as well:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-0CYcXgb6s[/ame]

 

[Rob Z]

I know it was 'SP' something or other - i thought it was SP200 or 250, but like I said it was years ago, so it might have been SP100, excellent stuff nonetheless incredibly easy to wash off:hurray:

Merle,

I know that Laticrete uses different numbers for the same products that are sold outside of the US and Canada. They might have renamed SP100 as SP (some other #). SP100 is still sold overseas, although it is hard to get here. Spectralock has essentially replaced it nationwide.

 

[merlecollins]

Hi Rob,

Is this the Laticrete product you mention:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0BBGSPbuPw]YouTube - LATICRETE® SpectraLOCK? Grout* Instructional Video[/ame]

Cheers,
MC

 

[Rob Z]

Merle, the Mapei epoxy is what I would choose to use if I didn't have the good Laticrete connection that I have. Mapei is highly regarded and make great products just like Laticrete. A buddy of mine uses that Mapei epoxy and really likes it.

That Laticrete 2000 is a commercial epoxy that meets the furan standard, and I haven't used it.

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Rob,

Is this the Laticrete product you mention:

YouTube - LATICRETE® SpectraLOCK? Grout* Instructional Video

Cheers,
MC

Merle, that's the stuff! I use that on almost every job. I think we used cement grout only once in 2009.