Title:   ISO 13007; Standards for Ceramic Tile, Adhesives and Grouts 
ID:   EE210 
Date:  TBD 
Time:    TBD 
LU:   .25 
 
Program Summary: 
In the past two decades particularly, ANSI standards have served a vital purpose for the construction 
industry. These standards have given our industry guidelines for acceptable installation methods and 
minimum requirements for product performance. These minimum requirements distinguish non‐polymer‐
modified thin‐set mortars from polymer‐modified thin‐set mortars, in addition to defining minimum 
requirements for mastics, epoxies and urethanes. 
 
As the construction industry has grown, construction adhesive manufacturers have worked hard to meet 
the challenges of this growth, developing construction products that perform at higher levels. As a result, 
today’s adhesives – whether cementitious, mastic or reaction resins – can vary greatly in their performance 
levels. Modern product diversification has created a need for better differentiation in performance and 
other characteristics. For years, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) had a voluntary 
body of technical experts from 156 member countries consider North American, British and European tile 
adhesive and grout standards. After thorough research and negotiation, the committee agreed to a new set 
of global standards defining the chemical nature and performance level of these adhesives and grouts. 
 
The ISO 13007 standards are bringing simplicity and consistency to the architect’s task of specifying the 
right product for the right job in tile and stone installations. The standards express product classifications 
alphanumerically, using simple letters and numbers. Letters describe the chemical nature of the adhesive 
(such as cement based, mastic, epoxy or urethane) along with special characteristics (such as fast‐setting, 
slip‐resistant or deformable). Numbers indicate whether the product performance is “normal” (such as 
normal bond strength, for light to medium traffic use) or “improved” (such as higher bond strength, for 
high traffic use).  
 
Learning objectives: 
• Understand how ISO 13007 standards will improve the Architects ability to ensure specific levels of   
performance are used for specific applications 
• To show how existing ANSI standards are the taken to the next level; identifying the chemical and 
performance make up of an adhesive and grout. 
 
Provider:  
MAPEI Corporation, 954‐246‐8888, www.mapei.us  
 
Speakers:    
Don L. Miller, CDT, CSI, CTC and Michael Granatowski, CDT 

This presentation is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, display, and use of the 
presentation without written permission of the speaker is prohibited. 
 
This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be 
deemed or construed to constitute approval, sponsorship, or endorsement by the AIA of any method, product, service, enterprise, 
or organization. The statements expressed by speakers, panelists, and other participants reflect their own views and do not 
necessarily reflect the views or positions of the American Institute of Architects or of AIA components, or those of their respective 
officers, directors, members, employees, or other organizations, groups, or individuals associated with them. Questions related to 
specific products and services may be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation. 
ISO 13007Standards; Tile Adhesives and Grouts

Session ID: EE210

Date:
Time:

This presentation is protected by US and International

Copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, display and
use of the presentation without written permission of
the speaker is prohibited.

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This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing
professional education. As such, it does not include content that
may be deemed or construed to constitute approval, sponsorship or
endorsement by the AIA of any method, product, service, enterprise
or organization. The statements expressed by speakers, panelists,
and other participants reflect their own views and do not necessarily
reflect the views or positions of The American Institute of Architects
or of AIA components, or those of their respective officers, directors,
members, employees, or other organizations, groups or individuals
associated with them. Questions related to specific products and
services may be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

Understand how ISO 13007 standards will improve the Architects ability
to insure specific levels of performance are used for specific applications

To show how existing ANSI standards are the taken to the next level;
identifying the chemical and performance make up of an adhesive and grout.

There are many different bonding materials to install ceramic tile.

In the 1980s the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) set up

the first standards for tile and stone installation materials. These
standards outlined proper installation methods and minimum
product performance requirements. Of these standards, the ANSI
A118.1 and A118.4 standards helped distinguish between
cementitious thin-set mortars that contain polymers (latex) and
those that do not.

There are major performance differences between the various types

which ANSI does not cover; such as dry polymer modified, liquid
latex admixtures and flexible mortars”…. All are considered ANSI
A118.4

We are going to discuss why the ISO standards will prove to be

much more specific in performance characteristics than ANSI.

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 Why Implement ISO 13007 Standard
9 The tile and stone installation industry is changing to
meet the growing needs of Architects, Contractors and
installers to find the right product for the right job.

9 When architects, contractors and distributors begin using

ISO 13007 performance standards classifications, they will
reduce installation failures.

9 The adhesive and grout manufacturers will help ensure

the right product for the right job by supplying products that
meet global performance standards, and the standards will
be easy for everyone to use.

What do the ISO 13007 Classifications Identify?

1. Each product is classified according to its

Chemical Nature & Performance

2. Product Performance levels are identified

within each Classification

CEMENTITIOUS ADHESIVES (MORTARS)

Type Classes Special Characteristics

C- Cementitious F = Fast-setting
1 = Normal
(Thin-set mortars)
2 = Improved T = Slip-resistant
E = Extended open time
S1 = Deformable
S2 = Highly deformable
P1 = Plywood adhesion
P2 = Improved plywood
adhesion

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 CEMENTITIOUS ADHESIVES (MORTARS)
C1: Where Normal adhesion strengths are acceptable
Where Would You Use?
Class 1:
•Concrete & Masonry Surfaces Tensile adhesion
•Ceramic & Bisque Tile strength of ≥ .5 N /mm2
•Rigid Surfaces (72.5 psi)

C2: Where higher performance is required

Where Would You Use?
•Concrete & Masonry Surfaces
Class 2:
•Ceramic & Porcelain Tile
Tensile adhesion
•Surfaces Subject to Deflection strength of ≥ 1 N /mm2
•High traffic areas (145 psi)
•Freeze-Thaw conditions

REACTION RESIN AHDESIVES

(EPOXIES & URETHANES)

Type Classes Special Characteristics

R- Reaction Resin 1 = Normal T = Slip-resistant

(Epoxy –Urethanes) 2 = Improved

REACTION RESIN AHDESIVES (EPOXIES & URETHANES)

R1: Normal Adhesion Reaction Resin

Shear adhesion strength of ³ 2 N/mm² (290 psi)
Where Would You Use?
•Moisture sensitive stones
•Chemical Resistant Applications
•Difficult to bond substrates such as steel

R2: Normal Adhesion Reaction Resin

Shear adhesion strength of ≥ 2 N/mm² (290 psi)
Where Would You Use?
•Moisture sensitive stones
•Chemical Resistant Applications
•Difficult to bond substrates such as steel
•Industrial Plant Installations
•Exposure to Higher Temperatures (up to 212° F)

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 CEMENTITIOUS GROUTS

Type Classes Special Characteristics

CG- Cementitious 1 = Normal F = Fast-setting

Grouts A = High Abrasion Resistance
2 = Improved
W = Reduced Water Absorption

CEMENTITIOUS GROUTS
CG1: Normal Cementitious Grouts
Where Would You Use?
•Ceramic & Porcelain Installations
•Installations not exposed to extreme changes in temperature and moisture

CG2: Improved Cementitious Grouts

Where Would You Use?

•Ceramic & Porcelain Installations
•Areas subject to prolonged moisture exposure
•Thermal Shock
•High Traffic Areas
•Commercial & Industrial Applications

REACTION RESIN GROUTS

Type Classes Special Characteristics

RG- Reaction Resin Grouts 1 = Normal Higher Performance

Characteristics than Improved
Cementitious Grouts

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 REACTION RESIN GROUTS
RG: Reaction Resin Grouts

Where Would You Use?

•Industrial Installations
•Exposure to areas of Higher Temperatures (up to 212° F)
•Food Processing Areas
•Chemical Resistance

Putting Classifications Together

Scenario: Thin Set mortar for Exterior Veneer in Las Vegas:

Installation System Requires

1. Improved performance = C2
Outside of a building. Mortar that will perform to an above-normal level

2. Slip resistant = T
Vertical installation tile will not slip more than 0.0196” (0.5 mm).

3. Extended Open Time = E

Dry hot climate will require longer setting time.

4. Improved Deformability = S2
Mortar to stretch and flex with changes in temperature and movement of
the building

Architect Specifies: C2TES2

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How will the Standards Benefit our Industry?

• Architectural specifications will designate the

installation products that best fits the application.

• Project Bids will be according to product performance

without inferior substitutions
• Substitution requests will be easier to determine if
products being substituted are equal.
• Reducing Liability-Saving Time!

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9

Questions ?

Speakers

• Michael Granatowski
• Don L. Miller

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Contact Information:

Don L. Miller Mike Granatowski

MAPEI Corporation,
Technical Services
Architectural Sales Support
(954)-246-8595
dmiller@mapei.com
Mapei Corporation
National Manager -
Architectural & Commercial Projects
(949) 212-2363 cell
mgranatowski@mapei.com

www.mapei.us