Tile Adhesive costs

[joesenior]

Why is there such a wide range of price for tile adhesive?

I'm laying some Porcelain floor tiles and the mrs spotted the ones she wanted in Topps. price was ok so I ordered them.

What shocked me was £54 a bag for white flexable rapid 20kg bags by BAL.

Wickes own brand is £17. Unibond in B&Q is £23!! All say white flexable rapid set, suitable for Porcelain.

Is there really that much difference??

Is the BAL really worth 3 times the price? What makes it better? Easier to lay? Easier to mix? Less problems? What , I don't get it?


I've only got 14m to do.

 

[Richard C]

What sort of floor do you have?

Some use Wickes but you won’t find any pro’s using the other one, it’s not held in very high regard. I believe B&Q trade also stock Webber products which have a good name.

Is the BAL really worth 3 times the price? What makes it better? Easier to lay? Easier to mix? Less problems? What , I don't get it?

It’s all about quality; you tend to get what you pay for with this stuff & IMO it is worth the extra & far cheaper than a tile failure but you have to beat Topps down as they are notoriously expensive retail. I only use BAL but there are others that individual pro’s swear by.

 

[tictic]

it aint cheap mate,unless your in the trade.

you could try...mapei/weber..you will get these slighty cheaper than the bal.
as rich has said you will get these in bq,but not at the trade counter,unless ..again your in the trade.

 

[Richard C]

Maybe brain cells are failing me as a result of too much Spanish sun but it could be Mapei & not Weber that’s available at B&Q trade outlets, I can’t remember I don’t generally buy tiling products there but do find B&Q to be very competitive on plaster/cement stock; it’s all dry/well stored & their turn over is massive so you can more or less guarantee you won’t get any problems with rapid setting of “off stock”. I don’t use anyone else for this stuff now.

You don’t have to be registered as “trade” to get trade outlet stock/prices, you just won’t get the monthly freebies & account credits they offer.

 

[joesenior]

What sort of floor do you have?

Some use Wickes but you won’t find any pro’s using the other one, it’s not held in very high regard. I believe B&Q trade also stock Webber products which have a good name.

Is the BAL really worth 3 times the price? What makes it better? Easier to lay? Easier to mix? Less problems? What , I don't get it?

It’s all about quality; you tend to get what you pay for with this stuff & IMO it is worth the extra & far cheaper than a tile failure but you have to beat Topps down as they are notoriously expensive retail. I only use BAL but there are others that individual pro’s swear by.

Its a screed floor (with fibres) laid about 12 weeks ago. I've laid warm up boards and an electric mat over them. Its a conservatory but its got walls on both sides, so never gets hot. Only gets the sun about an hour or two a day maybe.

I haven't laid the tiles yet. I was going to do it tomorrow. Will the Wickes stuff be ok do you reckon? Or is it too big a risk?

If I was gonna try to haggle Topps down?? How far do you reckon I could push for ? The list price is £54 a bag!!

 

[1john]

http://www.wallsandfloors.co.uk/acc-details.php?aid=8 may be of help to you, i have used this company twice and find them to be excellent.