Suggested
installation guidelines
guidelines
2
When cutting Large Format Tiles, we recommend to use professional dry cutters. Using other tools may lead to uneven cuts or breakage of the material.
It is recommended to check the cutter blade before any cut.
A damaged blade increases the risk of damaging.
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— Prepare a screed with a perfectly flat, dry, compact, dust-free surface, with no cracks or other visible damage. The ideal height difference should be no more than 3 mm, measured using a 2 m spirit level
— In case of slightly cracked or non-solid screed, it is recommended to use as crack preventing mat between substrate & slab. Screed should have suitable hardness and mechanical resistance to stresses due to the final uses. It should be prepared using perimeter bands & all structural expansion joints as necessary. Moisture of the
screed must be ≤ 4%.
— It should be according to BS 8204-1-2003 or DIN 18560 standards.
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— Deciding where to position the joints is also a part of the work which should be entrusted to qualified workers.
— The joints must be positioned:
- on structural connections (structural joints)
- between the wall and the floor (perimeter joints)
- between one tile and another (laying joints or gaps)
- between tiles and other materials (e.g. pairings between ceramic, linoleum, or wood).
— A 2 mm joint spacer is suggested for all sizes.
— For Large Format Tiles, a 2 mm joint is strongly recommended, as well as proper positioning of spacers on floor sides.
— With help of 2 mm spacer & thanks to a 0.8 caliber (meaning that a 120×240 cm minimal size actually measures 119.8×239.8 cm), different sized tiles can be used within a single floor pattern, while still achieving perfect
8
— Thorough initial cleaning is essential to ensure the tiles a long-lasting appearance over time. It should not be carried out until at least 4 to 5 days after laying and grouting but no later than 10 days afterwards.
— For washing, we advise you to use an acid-based product, diluted according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. However, we advise against the use of products containing hydrofluoric acid or derivatives thereof.
— It is a good idea to use a piece of unlaid tile, or a hidden part of the laid tiles, to check the resistance of the ceramic surface to the acid. This applies in particular when laying honed or polished tiles.
— When you start washing, it is worthwhile soaking the tiled surface first of all, focusing in particular on the joints. The acid solution must be left to work for no more than two minutes and must never be left to dry.
— To remove the acid solution, one of the following methods should be used: single-brush machine equipped with a non-abrasive disc, a wet vacuum, or washing by hand. After removing the solution, we recommend you rinse the tiled surface thoroughly.
— In the event that machines are used, we suggest that you finish off the job by hand in the harder to reach spots, such as the corners of the walls
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For optimum surface performances, it is strongly
recommended to use a tile leveling system.
This solution also acts as a spacer for joints, thus
contributing to make the installation more accurate.
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— We recommend you to use grout with the same colour as the product.
— We recommend you to wait for the adhesive to dry completely before grouting the joints.
— We also advise you to ensure there is no adhesive or dust in the joints.
— Apply the grout using rubber trowel.
— Both cement & epoxy grout can be used. It is not recommended to use grouting with coloured pigments in contrast with colour of tiles.
— We recommend you to grout no more than 4-5 square metres of tiling at a time. This applies in particular when laying textured, non-slip and polished tiles.
— You are advised to remove all excess grout from the tile surface while the grout is still wet, working in diagonal movements. This applies in particular to tiles laid in outdoor areas.
— Use a damp sponge and perfectly clean water to thoroughly clean the entire tiled surface and the joints. — We then recommend that you dry the surface with a damp cloth.
— Considering how quickly epoxy grouts set, if these are used, we recommend you to clean the excess grout off immediately with a sponge and plenty of water.
— On the day after grouting, you should give the laid tiles a second cleaning with alkaline detergents.
8
— Thorough initial cleaning is essential to ensure the tiles a long-lasting appearance over time. It should not be carried out until at least 4 to 5 days after laying and grouting but no later than 10 days afterwards.
— For washing, we advise you to use an acid-based product, diluted according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. However, we advise against the use of products containing hydrofluoric acid or derivatives thereof.
— It is a good idea to use a piece of unlaid tile, or a hidden part of the laid tiles, to check the resistance of the ceramic surface to the acid. This applies in particular when laying honed or polished tiles.
— When you start washing, it is worthwhile soaking the tiled surface first of all, focusing in particular on the joints. The acid solution must be left to work for no more than two minutes and must never be left to dry.
— To remove the acid solution, one of the following methods should be used: single-brush machine equipped with a non-abrasive disc, a wet vacuum, or washing by hand. After removing the solution, we recommend you rinse the tiled surface thoroughly.
— In the event that machines are used, we suggest that you finish off the job by hand in the harder to reach spots, such as the corners of the walls