02/01/2024
Sika’s Floor Covering Materials kicked off 2025 with a successful showing at the premier industry event, The International Surfaces Event (TISE 2025), January 28 to 30 in Las Vegas.
Floor Covering Materials comprises Sika’s surface preparation, wood and resilient flooring adhesives, and tile-setting materials product categories, which are bolstered by the acquisition of industry-leading brands. TISE 2025 offered the ideal venue to debut repositioned, reimagined, and revolutionary product solutions that fortify a Sika Secure system.
Reimagined Grout Solutions
Sika presented two improvements to its tile grout product category. First, it presented the transition of the Merkrete grout product line to Sika branding. The transition allows Sika to provide a single one-stop product category of grout solutions designed to complete any SikaTile and/or Merkrete tile or stone project.
Second, the repositioned SikaTile® grout line is being expanded and reimagined with new colors. The refreshed pallet contains 32 colors, retaining select best sellers, retiring outdated hues and introducing several popular, modern tones. Additionally, all colors will be available in each SikaTile® grout product.
Rebranded Flooring Adhesives
Formerly existing within the Sika-DriTac product range, DriTac® 5900 MegaBond and DriTac® 5800 ToughBond have been relaunched as SikaBond®-5900 and SikaBond®-5800. Marking the start of a new generation for our resilient flooring adhesive offerings, their time-tested and proven technology now features enhanced packaging and user-friendliness.
SikaBond®-5900 and SikaBond®-5800 are formulated for a range of resilient and flexible floor coverings. Maintaining their trusted pressure-sensitive technology and high moisture resistance, they now feature an increased shelf life from 1 to 2 years.
Both adhesives contribute to LEED credits and are independently tested and certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Green Label Plus Program for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). The premium-grade installation solutions complement Sika’s full line of moisture mitigation, sound control, and subfloor surface preparation products comprising the Sika® Secure System.
Fabric Membranes Preview
Finally, the Floor Covering Materials team provided a glimpse of its upcoming fabric membrane solutions for tile and stone installations: the SikaTile-150 Moisture Guard Fabric system and SikaTile-250 Fracture Guard UCM. The SikaTile-150 Moisture Guard Fabric system is a comprehensive solution that satisfies a large demand for waterproof fabric in showers, tubs, and other wet areas. It is a resilient, easy-to-use alternative to SikaTile-100 Moisture Guard liquid-applied membrane, and hones Sika’s competitive edge in the waterproofing-solutions market.
Likewise, SikaTile-250 Fracture Guard UCM is a durable, lightweight uncoupling membrane that answers customers’ and installers’ demand for an alternative Sika solution to liquid-applied SikaTile-200 Fracture Guard Rapid. And like SikaTile-150 Moisture Guard Fabric Membrane, the uncoupling mat provides crack-isolation protection for in-plane faults 1/8” wide and less.
Looking Ahead
The Floor Covering Materials team looks forward to several more planned opportunities to engage with customers, installers, and industry players in the next few months. Upcoming trade shows, in-person demo / training events, and expanded online interaction will mark 2025 as the Floor Covering Materials department continues to build value for Sika and its customers.
