Before tile goes down, the slab needs to be flat, stable, and moisture-managed. Laticrete NXT self-leveling underlayments bring uneven slabs to tolerance. Drytek moisture barriers protect against rising damp. Strata Mat crack-isolation membranes prevent substrate movement from showing through the finished tile. Regina Concrete installs the right Laticrete product for your slab condition, coordinated with your tile trade.
A tile project's success starts below the tile. The slab must be flat (within tolerance), dry (no rising moisture), and stable (no cracks telegraphing through). Laticrete makes three products that address these three conditions: NXT SLU for flatness, Drytek for moisture, Strata Mat for crack isolation.
We assess the slab condition on-site, then specify which Laticrete underlayment (or combination) the substrate needs. NXT SLU is poured to bring the slab to the tile installer's tolerance target. Drytek is applied where moisture history or slab age suggests rising damp risk. Strata Mat is bonded down where existing cracks or seasonal movement could telegraph. All three products are part of the Laticrete system, so when the tile installer uses Laticrete thinset and grout on top, the whole assembly stays under one warranty.
We measure flatness, check for moisture, look for cracks, and coordinate with the tile installer on their tolerance and warranty requirements. This determines which Laticrete product (NXT, Drytek, Strata Mat) is needed.
Surface preparation
The slab is ground, cleaned, and primed per Laticrete spec. Contaminants, dust, and any loose material are removed. The primer is applied and allowed to cure before the underlayment goes down.
Underlayment installation
NXT SLU is mixed and poured to the target depth, or Strata Mat is laid and bonded, or Drytek moisture barrier is applied. Each product follows Laticrete's mixing, application, and coverage specs for the slab condition.
Cure and handoff
The underlayment cures per Laticrete timeline (typically 24-48 hours depending on product and conditions). Once cured, the slab is handed to the tile installer with documentation so the Laticrete system warranty stays intact through the tile install.
System warranty
Staying in the Laticrete System Warranty Path
When the tile installer specifies Laticrete thinset, grout, and waterproofing, the underlayment layer also needs to be Laticrete. Mixing brands at the substrate level breaks the system warranty, even if the tile install itself is all Laticrete. We install Laticrete underlayments so the warranty chain stays unbroken from slab through grout.
NXT vs Drytek vs Strata Mat, tile-system warranty, substrate match.
NXT SLU for tolerance correction. Drytek for moisture management on suspect slab substrates. Strata Mat crack-isolation for substrates with existing cracks that might telegraph. We pick based on the actual substrate condition.
Yes, the Strata Mat product is engineered to absorb minor substrate movement so cracks in the slab below do not telegraph through to the tile finish. It is essential on certain substrates.
To keep the whole-system warranty path intact. Mixing brands at the underlayment layer breaks the Laticrete system warranty even when the tile install is whole-Laticrete on top.
No, NXT is designed as substrate for tile or other finish. For polished-as-finish projects, a different product is required.
Per Laticrete spec, typically within a day or two depending on the underlayment product and conditions. The tile installer's spec also factors in; we coordinate cure handoff.
Client reviews
What Regina Tile Trades Say About Laticrete Underlayments
Laticrete NXT under my Laticrete thinset. Same brand through whole assembly, my warranty path stayed intact. Substrate was tile-ready when handed off.
Z. K6
Tile Contractor, Regina
★★★★★
They installed Strata Mat crack-isolation on a slab with hairline movement. Two years of seasonal cycle, no telegraph through to the tile. The right tool prevented the problem.
Y. K6
GC, Regina
★★★★★
Drytek moisture system on a basement slab that had unmanaged moisture history. The Laticrete spec saved the tile install from delaminating later. Real engineering match.
Q. K6
Renovation Specialist, Emerald Park
★★★★★
Whole-Laticrete project from substrate through grout. The customer's tile-trade-aware contractor specifically asked for Laticrete; install matched the spec. System discipline paid off.
X. K6
Custom Builder, White City
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