VersaBond®-LFT Professional Large Format Tile Mortar

Product ID: TDS-132

One of the industry’s most popular mortars. This non-sag, non-slump medium bed mortar is designed for most large format porcelain, ceramic and natural stone tile. Suitable for internal and external floors and walls.

  • For most standard floor and wall installations
  • Supports large and heavy tile for flat, even installations
  • For use with in-floor heating systems
  • Exceeds ANSI A118.4HT and A118.11

Coverage Chart

SQUARE FOOT COVERAGE PER 50 LB BAG (SQUARE METER PER 22.68 KG)

Trowel Size Min Coverage Max Coverage
Longest side of tile 8" to 15" use 1/4" x 3/8" x 1/4" (6 x 9.5 x 6 mm) Square-Notch 60 ft² (5.6 M²) 67 ft² (6.2 M²)
Longest side of tile more than 15"+ use 1/2" x 1/2" x 1/2" (13 x 13 x 13 mm) Square-Notch IMPORTANT NOTE BELOW IMPORTANT NOTE BELOW
Longest side of tile more than 15"+ use 3/4" × 9/16" × 3/8" (19 × 14 × 9.5 mm) U-Notch 34 ft² (3.2 M²) 38 ft² (3.5 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" (19 × 14 × 9.5 mm) U- Notch at a 30° angle provides better coverage with the same coverage as the ½” notched trowel.

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. CUSTOM recommends testing to confirm adequate bonding mortar coverage. 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 flat back troweling, refer to The National Tile Contractors Association / Reference Manual & Flat Back & Notched Back - Troweling (TileTVS3 22 08)

Chart for estimating purposes. Coverage may vary based on installation practices and jobsite conditions. For more sizes, use the material calculator at CustomBuildingProducts.com or contact CUSTOM Technical Services at 800-282-8786.

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