exterior tile fixing

8/17/2019 Exterior Tile Fixing

1/6

Moisture Free Installation of Natural Stones

Natural stone like Granite, marble, sand stone has long enjoyed use as an exterior and interior

cladding, flooring material because of its inherent strength, abrasion resistance and superior

weathering durability, which are likely to keep it as one of the pre-eminent material selections

available to today's architects. vailable in a striking array of colors, natural stone's durability,

longevity, and economy make it ideal for kitchen countertops and other heavily used surfaces,

including table tops and stair cases.

Natural stone can be classified into two general categories according to its composition! siliceous stone

or calcareous stone. "iliceous stone #Granite, slate, sandstone, $uart%ite, brownstone and bluestone&

is composed mainly of silica or $uart%-like particles and relatively easy to clean with mild acidic

cleaning solutions. alcareous stone #marble, travertine, limestone and onyx& is composed mainly of

calcium carbonate. (t is sensitive to acidic cleaning products and re$uires different cleaning procedures

than siliceous stone.

ll natural stones are porous, made up of countless interconnected capillary pores through whichli$uids and gases can move. )his is the most critical aspect of all the natural stones. (t is understood

that these natural beauties can get ugly patch marks on them due to their high absorption property.

s a thumb rule, the experts say that the dark colored natural stones have low absorption and the

light colored natural stones have high absorption. )he reason why we prefer and use black* dark

green granite as the kitchen top or table top is that it has very low absorption and hence does not look

ugly when in use.

+n the contrary, all the light colored and white natural stones absorb li$uid materials $uickly and so

the color of the li$uid gets into the pours of the stone making it look ugly with patches on the surface

of the stones. )his phenomenon is called picture framing when the stone gets ugly on the borders due

to absorption from stone edges as shown in the picture . and ..

Picture 1.1 (Picture Framing) Picture 1.2 (Picture Framing)

)he absorption of stones also results in the following problems surfacing over a period of time!


2/6

Rusting Moss and Fungus formationDiscoloring or staining of

stones

Chemical reaction with minerals in the

Natural stones and hence change in color of stones

Soil accumulation (Stones lie!ra"ertine)

esides the above problems in /loorings, there are other problems which occur on the Natural stone

installations on walls. "ome of them are!

#fflorescence Permanent wet $atches

(t is imperative that we take care of these natural stones to keep the natural look and yet sealing

them from absorption of li$uids. 0et's look at the possible li$uid attacks on these stones.

. 1xcess 2ater in the )raditional ement "and mortar mix installation method

. 2ater raising from the sub-layers of the flooring due to capillary action,

3. utting of stones using wet cutting technology

4. uring water absorbed by the natural stone


3/6

5. 2ater from the washing of the installed surfaces

6. "pillage of food materials and beverages

7. "pillage of paints, warnish and other coating li$uids

8. 1xcessive humidity in the environment

9. bsorption of li$uid from various adhesives used for various applications on the project site.

:. cid washing of the stones for keeping them clean and tidy.

How do we address this problem of absorption of Natural Stones?

• y creating a moisture free sub - base or underlayment below the stone so that there is no

excessive free moisture to moving into the stone.

• y using a ;olymer modified and ;olymer fortified adhesive materials for installation of natural

stones. )hey have a characteristic to absorb and utili%e #for hydration& all the excess water used

during the installation and also acts a water resistant layer between the substrate and the stone.

• y sealing the stones from absorbing the li$uid materials. 2hile doing so, we should not do

this by coating of the surface with leak proof materials as they can form a water proof barrier on

top or bottom surface of the stone and can spoil of the natural stone. )his

breathability is very essential for the stones as this phenomenon allows vapour to move freely

through the stone, thereby releasing any stress that may have developed by restricting the vapour

movement.

• esides this, the very purpose of having the natural stone installation )+ 1 +N1 2()=

N)?@ 0)(@ 0)(


4/6

Picture 2

Latascreed 100 as a Surface Preparation Material

0atascreed ::, 1ngineered cement powder, is best recommended for granite stone installation screed

system where prevention of moisture ingression to the surface is of utmost importance. 0atascreed

:: is chemically designed to incorporate self cure and self contain technology #")&. )he self cure

technology #")& enables the 0atascreed :: to cure itself without need for any external addition of

cure water. )he self contain technology #")& prevents any excess water evaporation from the screed

material during and after hydration. )he other advantages of 0atascreed ::, 1ngineered ement,

are!

• 2ater retaining and self-curing

• (nterior and 1xterior applications - mm to 6: mm thickness

• /lexibility to use local aggregates

• /lexibility to use with Bwet on wetB or Bwet on dryB adhesive systems

• Cimensionally stable-shrinkage free

• Aeets or exceeds traditional screed system on compressive strength #3::: psi # Apa&& for

4! mix after 8 days

• 1conomical yet high performing

Polymer Modified Adhesive as a ondin! Material


5/6

A>@ 0)(


6/6

and less slippery. (t is ideal for interior as well as exterior application and recommended for granite,

marble, sand stone, porous slate, brick and sanded grout.

LA"AP)(* SP 100 or A+uashield as a ,rout Material

(t is very critical that all the stone joints howsoever small have to be sealed with appropriate joint or

grout material in order to prevent any water or harsh cleaning material penetrate in to the stone joints

and subse$uently to the stone matrix.

A>@ 0)(

"; :: is a stainfree, color-fast, chemical resistant ::F "olid 1poxy Grout for tile or stone

installation. )his product provides ::F water and stain resistance and excellent abrasion resistance

in heavy traffic areas like airport and shopping malls. A>@ 0)(

exterior tile fixing

Documents