post #1 of 1
7/21/05 at 7:20pm
Thread Starter 
I am really frustrated. Someone gave me some ceramic tiles last year and I have finally gotten into gear and started using them. But the problem I have run into is this. Most thinset (the stuff used to adhere the tiles to the floor) and grout are polymer enhanced. Not so natural. Another friend of mine gave me some leftover thinset. The bag had paint all over it so I couldn't read it. At that point I thought it was only the grout that was polymer enhanced, so I used it. Now I have found out that it is difficult to find thinset without polymers.

So anyway I just wanted others who care about all natural flooring to know that if they are going to lay ceramic tile, make sure the thinset is not polymer enhanced. And as for grout, there are some options. One is to make your own. If the grout spaces are very small, all you need to use is portland cement. But if the grout spaces are larger, you can use a one to one mix of portland cement and mesh 20 sand. I couldn't find mesh 20 sand, so I just used morter and so far it seems to have worked well. If you are having a professional do the job, make sure you ask to see what they are using. Also, professionals always seal at least the grout joints if not the tiles themselves with nasty stuff.

Sigh, I wish there was a really great natural flooring solution.

Lauren