SEAL BEACH, Calif. – Sept. 24, 2014 – Custom® Building Products (www.custombuildingproducts.com/), the leading provider of tile and stone installation systems, announces how its system of mortars and uncoupling membrane products meet the new guidelines in the 2014 edition of the Tile Council of North America’s (TCNA) 2014 Handbook.

The new TCNA guidelines help eliminate any confusion over which mortar or uncoupling membrane tile contractors should use for any particular installation. With the addition of the ANSI A118.15 standard and with the changes to the ANSI A118.1 and A118.4 standards, it is now easier for contractors, architects and specifiers to select the right products for their job; now that the use of high performance mortars have been defined by TNCA installation details. CUSTOM has the right mortar for any ceramic tile installation.

“Tile contractors need to take note of the changes made to the 2014 TCNA Handbook, which, in turn, will guide them toward Custom Building Products’ strong line of dry-set mortars and uncoupling membranes,” said Steve Taylor, director of technical and architectural marketing for Custom Building Products. “CUSTOM has multiple dry-set mortars that meet or exceed the requirements of ANSI A118.15 and that work well with a variety of installation systems.”

CUSTOM offers key mortars that meet or exceed the new ANSI A118.15 standard. ANSI A118.15 defines the performance requirements of a higher bond strength mortar that is ideal for use in demanding installations, and the new TCNA Handbook defines where these mortars should be used. ANSI A118.15 also differentiates mortars with unique properties to prevent sagging on walls (T), extend working time (E) or are fast setting (F).

CUSTOM dry-set mortar products that meet or exceed requirements of ANSI A118.15 and are suitable for the installation of ceramic, glass and stone tile per the new details found in the 2014 TCNA Handbook include:

• MegaLite Crack Prevention Mortar: With the highest bond strength of any CUSTOM mortar, this is a medium-bed mortar that prevents the migration of minor cracks up to 1/8” in the subfloor into the tile surface.
• MegaLite Crack Prevention Rapid Setting Mortar: For use in the most demanding installations where the floor needs to be quickly returned to service.
• ProLite Tile and Stone Mortar: A lightweight alternative for installation of large format tile or natural stone.
• ProLite Tile and Stone Rapid Setting Mortar: Fast setting, lightweight formula useful in renovations where there is limited installation time.
• Flexbond Crack Prevention Mortar: A thin-set mortar that helps prevent the migration of minor cracks in concrete surfaces into the tile surface.
• Porcelain Tile Mortar: Thin-set mortar suitable for installing porcelain tile to concrete surfaces.
• Complete Contact LFT Rapid Setting Mortar: A full coverage mortar that eliminates the need for tile back buttering.

TCNA also added performance criteria to the definition of uncoupling membranes suitable for use in the details in the 2014 handbook. Now, the uncoupling membrane must have shear bond strength greater than 50 psi, according to ANSI A118.12, section 5.1.3. CUSTOM’s SpiderWeb II meets this shear bond strength requirement, as well as the full requirements of ANSI A118.12 for Crack Isolation Membranes and ANSI A118.10 for Waterproofing Membranes.

About Custom Building Products
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2014, Custom Building Products is North America’s leader in flooring preparation products and tile and stone installation systems for residential and commercial projects. The company’s product brands, including WonderBoard® Lite backerboards, RedGard® waterproofing membrane, SimpleMat® tile setting mat, Fusion Pro™, Prism®, CEG ™ and Polyblend® grouts, a comprehensive line of lightweight mortars, TileLab® and Aqua Mix® maintenance products, and SuperiorBilt® tools, are considered among the most popular and most trusted by industry professionals. Installation systems are backed by CUSTOM’s industry leading lifetime system warranty. Custom Building Products continually raises standards for the flooring, tile and stone industry through its commitment to provide performance- driven installation systems and support.

For more information on CUSTOM’s quality tile, stone and flooring installation products and comprehensive resources including product and warranty information, installation specifications and technical support, please visit www.custombuildingproducts.com or call (800) 272-8786.

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