Difference btwn SpectraLock Pro and Laticrete at Blue Box store

11 years ago

Calling All Tile Pros!

I am having trouble figuring this out (or if it is important)--

I am doing a white subway tile in my girls' bath. Was leaning toward Silver Shadow (or maybe a hair darker, what is next)? Want easy to clean (or no maintenance) and no or little staining. So, I was thinking "epoxy".

I said to my tile person I might do "spectralock" grout, and he said, oh don't do that. Then, he said, well, spectralock pro is fine. Then, I asked his preferred one, and he said he likes the Laticrete grout at Lowes with the additive.

Now, I am not certain what the additive would be, other than the spectralock epoxy. That is what I am finding online at Lowes.

Are these the same products? He swears by the "Laticrete with the additive" (which seems to me would be "spectralock") Maybe my terminology is off?

What are the differences? And, what would you recommend?

Featured Answer

enduring

11 years ago

Go to the Laticrete web site to get the final word. But this is what I understand. SpectraLock is an epoxy grout, meaning that it has a part A and a part B that is mixed (like epoxy) and then the colored sand is added. It is durable and stainproof. There are 2 formulations of SpectraLock, the Pro (at Lowes) and the Pro Premium. I have heard that while they are both epoxy there is a slight difference in the color out come and they should not be used next to each other (in the same grout job) because the grouts will be slightly different in color. I have also heard that the Pro Premium is supposed to have better spreadability.

Laticrete has a regular cementous grout product called LATICRETE PermaColor. I do not think that Lowes carries this any longer. I have heard from Bill V. on this site that this is a very fine product.

I have just finished grouting my slate bathroom floor and used the SpectraLock Pro Premium that I ordered online with great success. The site I ordered from was linked on the Laticrete site as a distributor. This is their web site and I was very happy with the packing and shipping time frame.
http://www.tilestoreonline.com/default.asp
I got the "full unit" without the bucket for $43.70. I can't remember if shipping is free. Anyway, got the grout, and with my 1/4 grout margins, I got about 45-50 sf out of this "full unit" - about what I predicted using Laticrete's grout estimator.

I have read that epoxy grout is hard to use for some people. I did not find it to be difficult, but I don't have much to compare it to. I followed the instructions to the "T". Except I learned on the JB forum from a poster, that you can freeze the epoxy and take it out later for patches. So, I took a zip lock bag and put about a 1/2 cup of the grout in to it, smashed it to about the thickness of a pancake, zipped it shut, and froze it. A few days later I found a few divots in the floor where my toes or fingers may have pushed in, as I was grouting. I broke of some pieces of the frozen grout and it thawed very quickly. I smeared it into the imperfections, then waited 20-30 minutes. I then went over it with a damp sponge rinsed and rung out in a few cups of H2O mixed with a few TBS of white vinegar. In other words I used the same cleanup procedure that I was instructed to do with the initial installation of SpectraLock. Except I didn't have the "rinse" product. I had read on the JB forum to use vinegar in the water and this will work as a rinse. After it fully dried I could not see any difference between the small patches and the original installation.

I plan to use SpectraLock Pro Premium on my walls too when I get them tiled.

Here is a link that might be useful: Laticrete web site

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Comments (6)

barbcollins
11 years ago
I am not a "pro" but I have used both.

I liked the Laticrete & additive. It is a lot cheaper than the epoxy grout. I used it to tile a kitchen countertop. One morning I came out to find that my DH had spilled some tea before going to bed the night before. I thought it was doomed, but I wiped it up and there was no stain,

I used the epoxy grout to do the my last countertop. I found it harder to work with, and I had to buy a lot more than I expected.

My local Lowes does not sell it anymore. They now have Mapei products.
kirkhall
Original Author
11 years ago
Okay. Thanks Barb!
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kirkhall
Original Author
11 years ago
Any others?

Also does anyone know if Lowes is doing away with the Laticrete line, or is it regional?
kirkhall
Original Author
11 years ago
I had to go dig up my post! Why have they stopped emailing?
Anyway, thanks enduring for your long and thoughtful post!

Any others who have used both?
dani_m08
2 years ago
@enduring - I keep running across posts from you while researching information for my bathroom renovation!

I am using marble hexagon mosaic tile for the shower floor in my master bathroom. I have read many posts where people have had issues re: water discoloration. I read some articles by Pavlo Starykov (referred to here on Houzz) based upon some experiments he did related to this issue. After reading a few articles, I sent him an email with a few Qs. He replied back in less than 10 minutes- and told me that he’d be happy to discuss his recommended installation method with my tile setter.

When a surface bonded waterproof membrane has been installed, Mr. Starykov recommends the use of an epoxy adhesive/epoxy grout (along with a highly breathable penetrating sealer). Based upon what I’ve read re: epoxy adhesives/grout, they are difficult to use. While looking at products, I found Laticrete SpectraLOCK Pro Premium Grout as a possible product to use. That’s how I found your post!

You commented that you didn’t find it very difficult to use - but that you didn’t have much to compare it to. Had you ever grouted tile prior to using this SpectraLOCK Pro Premium epoxy grout? I’m just trying to understand the extra level of difficulty vs. non-epoxy grouts before discussing the installation method recommended above by Mr. Starykov with my GC (and his tile setter). I’m not sure if there is enough of a difference that I should expect an added charge for labor - and if there is, how much would be reasonable? While I know that you don‘t have answers to those Qs, it would be helpful if you would share some more detailed thoughts about using this particular epoxy grout.

Once again, I appreciate your help! Thanks!

Difference btwn SpectraLock Pro and Laticrete at Blue Box store

enduring

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barbcollins

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Difference btwn SpectraLock Pro and Laticrete at Blue Box store

enduring

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barbcollins

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