https://www.tradiecart.com.au/ardex/
Ardex Buyer's Guide — TradieCart
This guide helps you choose the right Ardex product for your project. Ardex is a German-engineered, family-owned brand with 75+ years of experience and local manufacturing right here in Australia — trusted by professional tilers, waterproofers, and floor layers across the country.
Product Range
| Product Category | Best For |
|---|---|
| X 17 Tile Adhesive (White, 20kg) | Cost-effective polymer-modified adhesive for standard residential tiling on concrete, render, or cement sheet — walls and floors, internal and external |
| X 18 Tile Adhesive (White & Grey, 20kg) | Fibre-reinforced upgrade to X 17 — adds swimming pool suitability, timber subfloor compatibility (via CTU), commercial-grade strength, and 10% better coverage. When in doubt, go X 18 |
| X-Series Specialist Adhesives (X32, X52, X56, X68, X77) | Natural stone (X32), fast-set, lightweight, and high-performance adhesives for specific applications |
| Quickbond / Elegance / Optima Adhesives | Fast-setting, mastic, and two-part adhesive systems |
| FG8 Tile Grout (17 colours, 5kg & 20kg) | Standard rapid-set flexible grout for joints 1–8mm — the everyday workhorse |
| FS-DD Designer Grout (10 colours, 5kg) | Water-repellent, dirt-resistant grout with a premium finish |
| WJ 50 Wide Joint Grout (6 colours, 20kg) | Non-shrink grout for wide joints 2–50mm |
| EG15 Epoxy Grout (8 colours) | High-performance epoxy for wet areas, commercial kitchens, and pools |
| WPM 155 Rapid Plus (5.3kg & 20kg) | Single-component liquid waterproofing membrane — ready to tile in 4 hours, ideal for residential bathrooms where you need to waterproof and tile the same day |
| WPM 002 (40kg two-part kit) | Two-part cementitious waterproofing membrane — will not re-emulsify once cured, best for swimming pools, balconies, heavy-duty commercial projects, and prolonged water exposure (24-hour cure) |
| WPM Range — Other Products (30+ products) | Sheet membranes, torch-on membranes, primers, roofing, and tanking coatings |
| Butynol Membranes | Roofing and tanking sheet membranes, scuppers, and seam tape |
| K 65 Timber Floor Leveller (20kg) | The only K-series compound engineered for timber substrates — handles movement in strip timber, particleboard, and plywood with MICROTEC fibre reinforcement. Walkable in 2–3 hours |
| LQ 92 Undertile Levelling Compound (20kg) | Purpose-built levelling for concrete before tiling — tile over in 4 hours, works internal and external, and more cost-effective than the K-series. The go-to for standard floor levelling before tiles |
| K-Series Levelling Compounds (K12, K15, K55, K80, K125, K275, K301, K900) | Self-levelling, rapid-drying, and bulk-fill compounds for concrete subfloor prep |
| Feather Finish / Fine Finish | Smoothing compounds — Feather Finish ready for floor coverings in 15 minutes |
| SE Silicone (14 colours) | Colour-matched silicone sealant for tiling |
| ST Stone Silicone (multiple colours) | Silicone specifically formulated for natural stone |
| Multiprime / P-Series Primers | Universal primers and bonding agents for surface preparation |
| Grout Booster (1L & 4L) | Polymer additive that improves grout performance and stain resistance |
| RA Repair & Sealant Range | Polyurea, polyurethane, and epoxy systems for crack repair and joint sealing |
| Concrete Crack Lock (20-pack) | Carbon-fibre crack bridging stitches — 10x stronger than steel, non-corrosive, and easy to install. Permanently bonds both sides of a crack in slabs, walls, pools, and foundations. Pair with RA 88 epoxy paste |
| A-Series Screeds & Mortars | Rapid-set screeds, patching compounds, and repair mortars |
| WR Render Range (WR 80, WR 100, WR 120) | Acrylic and polymer-modified renders for internal and external walls |
| DS40 / DS60 / UI 740 Decoupling | Sound and decoupling mats and uncoupling membranes |
| CA20P Construction Adhesive | Multipurpose construction adhesive in black or white |
All grout and silicone ranges are available in a wide palette of colours — 37 distinct shades across the full range.
Quick Recommendation Guide
- Standard residential bathroom tiling on concrete → X 17 adhesive + FG8 grout + SE silicone in matching colour
- Swimming pool or commercial tiling → X 18 adhesive (mix with E90 for S2 rating) + EG15 epoxy grout
- Waterproof and tile a shower the same day → WPM 155 Rapid Plus + Multiprime primer
- Swimming pools, balconies, and commercial waterproofing → WPM 002 two-part cementitious membrane — built for permanent immersion and long-term exposure
- Levelling a timber floor before carpet or vinyl → K 65 with P 82 primer
- Levelling a concrete subfloor before tiling → LQ 92 undertile levelling compound — purpose-built for tiling, tile over in 4 hours, works internal and external, and more cost-effective than the K-series
- Repairing cracked concrete slabs, walls, or pool decks → Concrete Crack Lock carbon-fibre stitches + RA 88 epoxy paste — 10x stronger than steel, non-corrosive, and minimal aesthetic impact
Key Features & Benefits
- System Solutions Approach — Ardex products are designed to work together as complete systems, not standalone products, giving you confidence the whole job performs
- Ardurapid Technology — Proprietary fast-drying formulations that reduce downtime on site
- Microtec Technology — Microfibre reinforcement in levelling compounds for superior strength and flow
- Extensive Colour Range — 37 colours across grout and silicone lines so you can colour-match perfectly
- Australian Manufacturing — Locally made in Brisbane and Sydney, formulated for Australian conditions
- Ardex Academy Training — Free and discounted training courses in every Australian capital city
Common Questions
What grout should I use for floor tiles? — Ardex FG8 is the go-to for most floor tiling jobs with joints 1–8mm. For wider joints up to 50mm, use WJ 50. For wet areas needing extra protection, step up to EG15 epoxy grout.
Should I use X 17 or X 18? — X 17 is great for standard residential tiling on concrete or cement sheet. Step up to X 18 if your job involves a swimming pool, timber subfloor, commercial project, or you want the extra strength of fibre reinforcement. When in doubt, go X 18 — it does everything X 17 does, plus more.
Which waterproofing membrane — WPM 155 Rapid or WPM 002? — WPM 155 Rapid Plus lets you waterproof and tile the same day (4-hour dry time), making it the go-to for most residential bathrooms. WPM 002 is a two-part cementitious system best suited to swimming pools, balconies, and large commercial projects where a 24-hour cure time is acceptable.
Can I level a timber floor with Ardex? — Yes — use K 65, the only K-series compound designed for timber substrates. It handles the movement of timber, particleboard, and plywood with MICROTEC fibre reinforcement. Walkable in 2–3 hours.
Can I use Ardex products on natural stone? — Yes. Use X 32 adhesive (specifically formulated for natural stone) and ST Stone Silicone. Avoid standard cement grouts on sensitive stone — check the Ardex system selector for your stone type.
Is Ardex Grout Booster worth it? — Yes, it replaces mixing water in your grout to improve flexibility, adhesion, and stain resistance. Highly recommended for high-traffic or wet areas. Visit the TradieCart website for current pricing.
Why Choose Ardex?
- Trusted by Australian tradies for over 20 years, backed by 75+ years of German engineering
- Complete system solutions — adhesive, grout, waterproofing, silicone, and primers all designed to work together
- Local manufacturing and technical support, with Ardex Academy training in every capital city
- Fast delivery options including same-day Metro Melbourne via TradieCart
- Premium performance products that save time on site with rapid-set and fast-drying formulations