Latex Floor Levelling Comparison: Arditex NA vs Stopgap 1200

When preparing a subfloor for LVT, carpet tiles, or tile installations, choosing the right latex floor levelling compound is key. Today we compare two popular two-part, latex-modified compounds: Arditex NA and Stopgap 1200.

Product Overview

Arditex NA

  • Brand: Ardex
  • Type: Powder with pre-measured latex liquid
  • Coverage: ~5 m² at 3 mm per unit
  • Application Range: 3–12 mm neat; up to 30 mm with aggregate
  • Key Features: Excellent adhesion to almost all substrates—including bitumen, vinyl, underfloor-heating and damp concrete—without priming

Stopgap 1200

  • Brand: F. Ball
  • Type: Powder + separate latex liquid
  • Coverage: ~5 m² at 2–3 mm per unit
  • Application Range: up to 30 mm for deep filling
  • Key Features: Moisture-tolerant, fast drying (flooring can be installed after ~4 hours), suitable over damp concrete, waterproof membranes, old adhesive residues and steel

Substrate Compatibility & Preparation

Arditex NA excels in easy application—with no need for priming across most substrates: ceramic, bitumen, vinyl, plywood—even in damp conditions . However, preparation such as surface abrasion is still advised for heavily contaminated floors, as confirmed by an installer forum:

“Arditex NA or f‑ball Stopgap 1200 Pro both with latex bottle. Arditex NA would be better in your instance as it can be applied to a feather finish.” – Source

Stopgap 1200, by contrast, is engineered for moisture tolerance and broad diverse surfaces—including damp concrete and waterproof membranes. It easily handles old adhesive residues and asphalt floors .

Ease of Use & Application

  • Mixing: Both products involve mixing powder with latex liquid—generally easy with a drill and paddle. Users report mixing as manageable even for DIYers.
  • Flow & Finish:
    • Arditex NA allows feather-edge starts (ideal for transitions).
    • Stopgap 1200 is more typical for full-depth fills and fast track installs.

Drying Times & Project Flow

  • Arditex NA: Walk-on within ~2 hours; new floor coverings (tiles/LVT/carpets) installed after ~3–4 hours
  • Stopgap 1200: Flooring is ready after ~4 hours . Both compounds support quick project turnover.

Performance Considerations

Both compounds share excellent adhesion, moisture resistance, and compressive strength. ARDEX reports:

Stopgap 1200 features CT‑C16‑F6 rating under EN 13813, indicating professional-grade strength suitable in clinical/hospital settings.

Expert & Community Insights

DIY and pro install forums highlight practical strengths:

“Arditex NA or f‑ball Stopgap 1200 Pro … Arditex NA would be better … applied to a feather finish.”
Ultimate Handyman Forum

“Arditex NA, Stopgap 1200 and Uzin L3 Gold all state that they can be used over old, non‑water soluble adhesive residues… If the bitumen is nearly all dry … use NA or 1200 pro and don’t bother grinding.”
MyBuilder community consensus

Side‑by‑Side Comparison Table

Feature Arditex NA Stopgap 1200
Substrates Bitumen, tile, vinyl, damp concrete, steel ([ardex.co.uk][1]) Damp concrete, asphalt, old adhesives, waterproof membranes, steel
Priming Required? Rarely; for absorbent floors, pre-damp Follow substrate primer instructions as per datasheet
Working Range 3–12 mm (neat); 30 mm with aggregate Up to 30 mm depth fills
Walk‑on Time \~2 hours; flooring in 3–4 hours \~4 hours for flooring
Feather‑edge Finish ✔ Ideal for transitions Typically full-depth fills
Mixing Ease Powder + latex; easy with paddle drill Same
Ideal Use Smooth transitions, feather edges, damp subfloors Deep fills, moisture-prone areas, waterproof substrates

Summary

Both Arditex NA and Stopgap 1200 are high-performance latex-modified levelling compounds. Your best choice depends on project specifics: feather-edge smoothness vs deep fill moisture resistance. Armed with this detailed comparison, you can pick the right compound — and enhance your site’s SEO with targeted keyword use and thoughtful internal linking.

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