Product ID: TDS-114
Most popular lightweight product in the CUSTOM line for a reason. This exceptional handling mortar is ideal for setting large and heavy tile on interior or exterior floors and walls. A 30lb. bag has the same coverage as a 50 lb. bag. Non-sag, non-slump formulation capable of medium bed applications up to 3/4″.
SQUARE FOOT COVERAGE PER 30 LB BAG (SQUARE METER PER 13.6 KG)
Chart for estimating purposes. Coverage may vary based on installation practices and jobsite conditions. For more trowel sizes, please use the material calculator at CustomBuildingProducts.com or contact CUSTOM Technical Services at (800)282-8786.
|
Trowel Size |
Min Coverage |
Max Coverage |
|
1/4" x 1/4" x 1/4" (6 x 6 x 6 mm) Square-Notch |
90 sq. ft. (8.4 M²) |
100 sq. ft. (9.3 M²) |
|
1/4" x 3/8" x 1/4" (6 x 9.5 x 6 mm) Square-Notch |
63 sq. ft. (5.9 M²) |
70 sq. ft. (6.5 M²) |
|
1/2" x 1/2" x 1/2" (13 x 13 x 13 mm) Square-Notch |
IMPORTANT NOTE BELOW 45 sq. ft. (4.2 M²) |
IMPORTANT NOTE BELOW 50 sq. ft. (4.6 M²) |
|
3/4" × 9/16" × 3/8" (19 × 14 × 9.5 mm) U- Notch @450 angle 3/4" × 9/16" × 3/8" (19 × 14 × 9.5 mm) U- Notch @300 angle |
36 sq. ft. (3.3 M²) 45 sq. ft. (4.2 M²) |
40 sq. ft. (3.7 M²) 50 sq. ft. (4.6 M²) |
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Custom Building Products does not recommend the use of a 1/2" x 1/2" x 1/2" (13 x 13 x 13 mm) Square-Notched trowel as the ½” spacing between each square notch has been shown to make it more difficult to bed tiles and achieve proper mortar coverage. CUSTOM recommends the use of a trowel design that promotes mortar ridge collapse such as either a deeper, slanted, U-notch, V-notch, or ridged large format trowel when applying thicker amounts of mortar to accommodate tile warpage and back pattern recesses. Applying mortar using a 3/4" × 9/16" × 3/8" (19mm × 14mm × 9.5 mm) U- Notch at a 300 angle provides better coverage between the tile and the substrate and the same coverage area as a ½” notched trowel.
Regardless of the trowel used, mortar coverage between the substrate and tile underside is required to be ≥80% for dry areas and ≥95% for wet areas and exteriors with all tile edges properly supported with mortar and in a minimum of 3/32” (2.38 mm) and a maximum of ¾” (19mm) continuous thickness. Note: Larger tiles, tiles with deep underside patterns and ungauged natural stone tiles may require larger notch sizes and may need to be flat back-troweled (formerly back buttered) or notched-back troweled to achieve proper coverage and mortar support. To meet warranty requirements, CUSTOM recommends testing to confirm adequate bonding mortar coverage.
When back troweling, consider the tile’s underside pattern and depth to estimate thickness and usage to add to your estimate. For achieving proper mortar coverage see the following video: Trowel & Error. (Also available in Spanish and Russian.) For information regarding back troweling, refer to The National Tile Contractors Association / Reference Manual & Flat Back & Notched Back - Troweling (TileTVS3 22 08)
