what do most professionals prefer to use?

Used to be Bal.. But i find Mapei a better product and a damn site cheaper.. So mapei for me now..

thats good news, we have not used Mapei before but we are considering switching.

I think there has been quite a steady trend of tilers switching from BAL to Mapei over the last few years. Personally I also now prefer Mapei, having said that I don't buy much as I don't tile professionally any more, I just some how seem to get roped into family jobs. tut. Though I did start out in the trade using BAL.

mapei adhesive and bal grouts for me

i prefer mapei adhesives and bal grouts also,the lack of colours in big bags is a bit annoying (only white)

Mapei for me

Ardex!!!

Mapei for me.

Benfer !!!

Mapei because its much cheaper than bal but still good quality..

Nicobond & Larson.

mapei for me! although its creeping up in price now that we are all addicted ...

budget brand would be palace.

mapei for me also.

we are going to start selling a bit too, where awaiting our Mapei sample just to justify what everyones saying. Are the grouts not as good as BAL's to use? As the grout colours look no difference on sample board.

IMO Ultra colour from mapei is way way better than bal grouts..

Ultra colour is Anti efflorescence and fast setting, so perfect for stone use and vitrified tiles.. and more colour choices.

mapei adhesives and bal grouts for me, but i do think bal adhesives dry quicker, which is handy for small floors.

Originally Posted by pesky8

mapei adhesives and bal grouts for me, but i do think bal adhesives dry quicker, which is handy for small floors.

I agree but would rather spend less and wait a tad longer..LOL LOL..

Originally Posted by furness tiles

we are going to start selling a bit too, where awaiting our Mapei sample just to justify what everyones saying. Are the grouts not as good as BAL's to use? As the grout colours look no difference on sample board.

I have to say I prefer Mapei grout. I've used a lot of BAL grout and a little mapei on comparison but the few mapei grouts I've used they've been sound. A bit stodgy if you're working to a longer pot life on large jobs. Don't know if that was just my situation at the time though.

Though the colour range of Mapei grouts is huge, and they match their silicones perfectly. You'll not get that with BAL, even their white doesn't match either superflex (brilliant white) or bal wall white or bal wide joint white.

I think mapei ultraolour sets faster than bal superflex, (I was using superflex last night and wanted to get home for my tea). I don't think there's a lot to hoose between the two tho', both superior top end stuff. But!! mapei is nowhere near as expensive as Bal, so Mapei it is in my book

Perhaps that's what I used on my biggish job once then mate. Though superflex did it too, your right. Perhaps it's whatever makes them decent that does it.

Superflex has efflorescence issues so i hear but ultra colour is efflorescence free. .. just a tip from me..

Originally Posted by Dave

Superflex has efflorescence issues so i hear but ultra colour is efflorescence free. .. just a tip from me..

I was aware of that Dave, so gave it minimal watering on rinsing down, but had to wait like what seemed an age before I could tool and smooth joints, (starving when I did get home)

See Ultra colour would be set in 15 mins..lol..

only one problem Dave,,,,,nearest Mapei stokist is 10 mile away from me,,,,, altho' one of my mates is re-opening a tile shop and asked me what products to stock (Ithink I mentioned this a while ago, well he opens in next couple of weeks), was a bit of a no hesitation no brainer reply

Get a trade day there with mapei and others on board soon after he opens and tell him advertise it locally, a bit of free training, a bit of a breakfast, and a chance to find a local mapei supplier. Win:win:win's are better than win:win's imo and are worth the extra effort.

I can organise the trade day for you.. no probs

Mapei are good that way.

will do Dan, he's a good lad with a good business head on him and as long as he doesn't stock tat, he'll appeal to the money folk here in Lakes and should make a success of it

where not far from your mate doug, where setting a shop up that opens in a couple of weeks in Barrow. Is he setting his shop up in Kendal? That Mapei Trade day sounds good.