Laticrete Buyer's Guide — TradieCart
This guide helps you choose the right Laticrete product for your tiling, waterproofing, or stone care project. Laticrete is a family-owned brand with over 70 years of innovation, trusted by professional tilers across Australia.
Product Range
| Product | Best For |
|---|---|
| 335 Premium (20kg) | The go-to polymer modified adhesive for most tiling jobs — walls, floors, interior and exterior. More cost-effective than 254 Platinum for standard applications. Available in White and Off-White |
| 254 Platinum (20kg) | Premium polymer modified adhesive for demanding installs — large format tiles, natural stone, external cladding, and pools. Step up from 335 Premium when extra bond strength and flexibility are needed. White and Off-White |
| Hydro Ban (15L) | Premium waterproofing and crack isolation membrane — no fabric required, saving time on site. Crack suppression up to 3mm. Ideal for showers, wet areas, balconies, and swimming pools (over Latapoxy Moisture Shield). The most popular Laticrete waterproofing product |
| Hydro Barrier (15L) | Liquid waterproofing membrane for wet areas. A cost-effective alternative to Hydro Ban where a standard liquid membrane suits the job |
| Hydro Ban 600ml Sausage | Pre-mixed fillet sealant for waterproofing corners, joints, and penetrations. Sold individually or in boxes of 15. Pairs with Hydro Ban or Hydro Barrier systems |
| Wide Joint XL (20kg) | Cementitious grout for joints 2mm to 60mm — internal and external. Available in 6 colours including Antique White, Natural Grey, and Sterling Silver |
| Spectralock Pro Epoxy Grout | Premium 3-part epoxy grout — stain-proof, never needs sealing, with built-in antimicrobial protection. Only 0.5% absorption rate, making it ideal for pools, commercial kitchens, and high-traffic areas. 25+ colours plus Dazzle Silver metallic. Available in Mini, Full, and Commercial unit sizes |
| STONETECH BulletProof Sealer | Maximum stain protection for natural stone, tile, and grout — the go-to sealer for benchtops, floors, and high-traffic stone surfaces. Available in 946ml, 1L, 3.8L, and 18.9L |
| Other Tile Adhesives | 315 Super (budget-friendly), 335 Rapid (fast-set, grout same day), 335 Lite (lightweight walls), Ultra X8 (C2TES1 large format), Lataflex Gold and Multiflex (rubber-based flexibility), Multimastic (ready-to-use mastic), 125 Tri Max (3-in-1 adhesive + anti-fracture + sound), Latapoxy 300 and 310 Rapid (epoxy adhesives), 211 Crete Filler |
| Other Grouts | Permacolor (everyday cementitious, 20+ colours, 10kg), Permacolor NS (non-sanded for narrow joints, 5kg), Permacolor Select (customisable base + 39 colour kits), Latasil Silicone (colour-matched, 21 colours) |
| Waterproofing Accessories | Hydro Ban Slurry (20kg cementitious slurry for substrate prep), Hydro Tape (100mm x 15m bond breaker tape) |
| STONETECH Sealers | Enhancer and Enhancer Pro (colour-enhancing), Heavy Duty and Heavy Duty Exterior (high-performance), Impregnator Pro (professional-grade), Stone Tile & Grout Sealer (everyday), Salt Water Resistant (coastal/pool), Grout Sealers, and Grout Release |
| STONETECH Cleaners & Restoration | KlenzAll (heavy-duty), Stone & Tile Cleaner (daily maintenance), Revitalizer (clean + reseal), Epoxy Grout Haze Stripper, Restore Acidic Cleaner, plus Mold & Mildew, Oil Stain, and Soap Scum removers. Honing Powder in 5 grits for marble restoration |
| Primers & Admixtures | Prime N Bond (multi-purpose), Primer Concentrated (dilutable, economical), Primer RTU (ready-to-use), 101 Rapid Latex Admix, 3701 Mortar Admix, 4237 Latex Additive, Latabond |
| Levelling, Screed & Substrate Prep | Level (self-levelling), 226 Thick Bed Mortar, 3701 Fortified Mortar Bed (one-step, no admix needed), MVIS Masonry Veneer Mortar (facades) |
| Uncoupling & Moisture Barrier | Strata Mat (uncoupling membrane, 12.2m and 26.2m rolls), Latapoxy Moisture Shield (epoxy moisture barrier, 10L and 20L kits) |
Laticrete grout, silicone, and epoxy grout share a comprehensive colour-matching system with 40+ colours, so you can achieve a consistent look across joints, fillets, and silicone throughout your project.
Swimming Pool Systems
Laticrete offers a complete single-source tiling system for swimming pools, spas, and water features — from substrate prep through to grouting. Using Laticrete products together as a system unlocks pool-specific warranties that cover materials and labour.
Three warranty tiers are available:
| Warranty | Adhesive | Grout | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year | 335 Premium | Permacolor or Permacolor Select | Entry-level system using cementitious grout |
| 15-Year | 254 Platinum | Spectralock Pro or Latapoxy SP-100 | Epoxy grout upgrade — must use a Laticrete-trained epoxy grouter |
| 25-Year | Latapoxy 300 or SP-100 | Spectralock Pro or Latapoxy SP-100 | Full epoxy system — adhesive and grout |
All pool systems include Hydro Ban waterproofing (applied over Latapoxy Moisture Shield), Hydro Ban Sausage fillets, 3701 Fortified Mortar Bed or 226 Thick Bed Mortar, and Latasil silicone at movement joints.
Why these products suit pools:
- 254 Platinum is rated for continuous water immersion with over 150% greater bond strength than Australian Standard requirements
- Hydro Ban provides crack isolation up to 3mm — critical for pool shells prone to thermal movement and ground settlement
- Spectralock Pro has only 0.5% absorption, is unaffected by chlorine, salt, and pool chemicals, and its colour cannot wash out like cement-based grouts
- Latapoxy Moisture Shield is required under Hydro Ban in all pool installations to manage moisture vapour from the substrate
For the best value on a residential pool, the 10-year system (335 Premium + Permacolor) is the cost-effective starting point. Upgrading to the 15-year system (254 Platinum + Spectralock Pro) adds long-term chemical resistance and colour permanence — ideal for salt water pools or where low maintenance matters most.
Quick Recommendation Guide
- Standard wall and floor tiling → 335 Premium — the cost-effective workhorse for most jobs
- Large format tiles, natural stone, or pools → 254 Platinum — extra bond strength and flexibility where it counts
- Wet area waterproofing (save time) → Hydro Ban — no fabric required, load-bearing membrane
- Wet area waterproofing (budget-friendly) → Hydro Barrier — standard liquid membrane at a lower cost
- Corner fillets and penetrations → Hydro Ban 600ml Sausage — pre-mixed and ready to go
- Wide joints (2–60mm) → Wide Joint XL — internal and external rated
- Epoxy grout for pools, commercial, or high-traffic areas → Spectralock Pro — stain-proof, never needs sealing
- Natural stone sealing → STONETECH BulletProof Sealer for maximum protection
- Tight timeline, need to grout same day → 335 Rapid
- Swimming pool (best value) → 10-year system with 335 Premium + Permacolor
- Swimming pool (long-term performance) → 15-year system with 254 Platinum + Spectralock Pro
Key Features & Benefits
- No-fabric waterproofing system (Hydro Ban) saves labour and materials on site
- Complete colour-matching across grout, silicone, and epoxy grout — 40+ coordinated colours
- Spectralock Pro epoxy grout is stain-proof and never needs sealing, with built-in antimicrobial protection
- Complete swimming pool tiling system with 10, 15, and 25-year warranty options
- Comprehensive product range covers every stage from prep to finish — adhesives, waterproofing, grout, sealers, and care
- Over 70 years of proven performance in projects worldwide
- Full system warranties when using Laticrete products together
Common Questions
What is the difference between 335 Premium and 254 Platinum? — 335 Premium is the everyday adhesive for standard wall and floor tiling. 254 Platinum is the premium option for large format tiles (600x600mm+), natural stone, external cladding, and pools. For most residential tiling, 335 Premium is the cost-effective choice.
Should I use Hydro Ban or Hydro Barrier? — Hydro Ban is the premium option — no fabric required, saving time and materials. Hydro Barrier is a standard liquid waterproofing membrane at a more budget-friendly price. Both suit wet areas; Hydro Ban is faster to apply.
What grout should I use for wide joints? — Wide Joint XL handles joints from 2mm right up to 60mm, making it ideal for pavers, brick, and feature tiles with wide spacing. For standard tile joints, use Permacolor.
When should I use Spectralock Pro instead of Permacolor? — Spectralock Pro is the upgrade for areas exposed to chemicals, moisture, or heavy traffic — swimming pools, commercial kitchens, laundries, and outdoor areas. It never needs sealing and its colour will not wash out. Permacolor is the cost-effective choice for standard residential tiling.
Do I need to seal Spectralock Pro epoxy grout? — No. Spectralock Pro is stain-proof and never needs sealing. It also includes antimicrobial protection. It is the premium grout option for high-traffic and commercial areas.
Which Laticrete system should I use for a swimming pool? — For a residential pool on a budget, the 10-year system (335 Premium + Permacolor) works well. For salt water pools or long-term low maintenance, upgrade to the 15-year system (254 Platinum + Spectralock Pro). All pool systems require Hydro Ban waterproofing over Latapoxy Moisture Shield. Warranties must be registered with Laticrete before filling the pool.
Which STONETECH sealer is right for my stone? — BulletProof Sealer provides maximum stain protection for benchtops and high-traffic areas. Enhancer Sealer deepens natural stone colour. Heavy Duty Exterior Sealer is rated for outdoor use. Visit TradieCart for the full range and current pricing.
What primer should I use? — Prime N Bond for general adhesion improvement, Primer Concentrated for large areas (dilutable for economy), and Primer RTU for waterproofing preparation (ready to use, no dilution needed).
Why Choose Laticrete?
- Over 70 years of innovation backed by a family-owned company trusted by professionals worldwide
- Complete tiling system — from substrate prep to final seal — with full system warranties
- Swimming pool systems with 10, 15, and 25-year warranty options covering materials and labour
- Fast and easy waterproofing with Hydro Ban (no fabric needed)
- Colour-coordinated grout, silicone, and epoxy for a professional finish
- Same-day and next-day delivery available across Metro Melbourne, with Australia-wide shipping
- Visit TradieCart for current pricing and to order online