Custom Building Products Calculator
Calibrated to official Custom Building Products Technical Data Sheets (TDS). Calculates VersaBond, VersaBond LFT, ProLite, and FlexBond with RedGard compatibility.
Select CBP Product & Area
When installing over Custom RedGard waterproofing, always use polymer-modified mortar (VersaBond LFT or ProLite). Never use unmodified mortar over RedGard.
Coverage estimates are planning figures calculated under TCNA standards and ANSI specifications. Actual mortar consumption may vary based on substrate flatness, troweling technique, tile back profile, and jobsite environment.
How This Tool Calculates Your Results
Complete mathematical transparency with formulas, standard assumptions, and variable definitions.
CBP TDS calculation math:
Custom ProLite vs VersaBond Yield Normalizer
Compare ProLite's recycled glass microspheres against standard sand-aggregate VersaBond.
Washed silica sand aggregate. 40–42 sq ft coverage per bag. Reliable workhorse for general residential tiling.
Total Job Load: 300 lbs (6 bags)Hollow glass beads deliver 48 sq ft coverage per bag (15% more yield with 40% less weight).
Total Job Load: 150 lbs (5 bags)Official Custom Building Products Technical Matrix
Direct specifications from Custom Building Products technical sheets.
| CBP Product | ANSI Classification | Packaging | 1/2" Square Yield | Water Ratio | RedGard Approved? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VersaBond LFT | ANSI A118.4HT / A118.11 | 50 lb (22.7 kg) | 38 – 45 sq ft | 5.5 – 6.0 Qts | Yes |
| ProLite Lightweight | ANSI A118.15 / A118.11 | 30 lb (13.6 kg) | 45 – 50 sq ft | 6.0 – 6.5 Qts | Yes |
| FlexBond | ANSI A118.4TE / A118.11 | 50 lb (22.7 kg) | 40 – 48 sq ft | 5.5 – 6.0 Qts | Yes |
| VersaBond Standard | ANSI A118.4 | 50 lb (22.7 kg) | 60 – 70 sq ft | 5.5 Qts | Yes |
| MegaLite Ultimate | ANSI A118.15TE / A118.11 | 30 lb (13.6 kg) | 48 – 54 sq ft | 6.5 – 7.0 Qts | Yes |
Custom Building Products Quality Checklist
Ensure complete TDS compliance with Custom Building Products guidelines.
Common Field Custom Product Orders
80 sq ft Over RedGard
Requires 2 bags of VersaBond LFT (50 lb) + 11.5 quarts water.
220 sq ft (ProLite 30lb)
Requires 5 bags of ProLite (30 lb). Haul weight is 150 lbs instead of 300 lbs!
180 sq ft (FlexBond EGP)
Requires 5 bags of FlexBond (50 lb) rated ANSI A118.11 for direct wood bonding.
5 Fatal Custom Product Installation Mistakes
Common blunders that void Custom Building Products system warranties.
RedGard is pink when wet and turns solid red when cured. Applying thinset over pink areas seals moisture inside the rubber membrane, preventing the polymer from curing and causing the membrane to peel.
Standard VersaBond shrinks during curing and lacks medium-bed non-slump polymers. Setting heavy 12×24 tiles in standard VersaBond causes severe edge lippage. Always use VersaBond LFT.
FlexBond is heavily loaded with elastomeric polymers. Skipping the mandatory 10-minute slake prevents the polymers from dissolving, cutting crack-isolation performance by 50%.
CustomBlend has zero polymers. When seasonal humidity causes wood subfloors to expand, unmodified mortar breaks away from the wood, resulting in loose, rattling tiles.
Custom Building Products Engineering Manual
Polymer formulation standards, crack isolation, and RedGard system warranties.
1. Custom Building Products Mortar Lineup Comparison
Custom manufactures specialized mortars engineered for distinct tile applications:
- VersaBond: The contractor staple (ANSI A118.4). Cost-effective polymer-modified mortar for ceramic and small porcelain.
- VersaBond LFT: Upgraded with medium-bed non-slump polymers (ANSI A118.4HT / A118.11). Can be applied up to 3/4" thick to eliminate lippage on large tiles.
- ProLite: Premium lightweight mortar (ANSI A118.15 / A118.11). 40% lighter, unmatched non-sag performance on walls, superior shear bond.
- FlexBond: High-polymer crack-isolation mortar capable of bridging up to 1/16" in-plane substrate cracks without fracturing tile.
2. RedGard Liquid Membrane Integration
When installing over Custom RedGard Liquid Waterproofing and Crack Prevention Membrane, always apply two continuous coats to achieve a dried thickness of 30 mils. Because RedGard creates an impenetrable rubber moisture barrier, thinset dries purely through chemical hydration rather than water absorption into the substrate. Polymer-modified thinsets (VersaBond LFT, ProLite) are required to achieve chemical adhesion.
3. Custom Lifetime System Warranty
To qualify for Custom's Lifetime System Warranty, use a complete Custom installation system: CustomTech surface prep + RedGard waterproofing + ProLite / FlexBond mortar + Prism Ultimate Performance Grout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers backed by TCNA Handbook recommendations and ANSI specifications.