Information

Installation and Care for Stone Important Information • Methods of installation can vary depending on the substrate, it is important to make sure that the correct installation methods are used for your surface. • It is important that before you begin installation, your surface is level, clean and secure. Any movement in the surface you are planning to tile on could result in the tiles cracking. • Natural Stone tiles can vary in tone from piece to piece, it is imperative that tiles are selected carefully and blended into your selection. • It is highly recommended with stone installations to use a decupling membrane, especially in underfloor heating applications. • Being a fragile material, it is very possible that some of your tiles could have slight chippings upon delivery. In this case, these tiles can be used for cuts. • With all tiles, it is standard for there to be slight tolerances in size and thickness. Adhesive • For all tile applications we would recommend the use of a flexible adhesives, especially in cases where underfloor heating is being used. Flexible adhesives allows for additional movement on the surface bed. • When using standard set adhesive you should expect the floor to set at a slower pace to the fast set adhesive. Generally, standard set takes 24 hours and up to 6 hours for fast set. • With all tile applications we recommend a full bed of adhesive. • White powdered adhesive is recommended with all stone applications to prevent any bleeding or change in stone colour. Grout • When laying opus patterns and free length tiles, you may need to use a variation of different grout widths. • Grout should be applied once the floor is secure and the sealant has dried. • It is also our recommendation that flexible grout is used for all applications to allow the tiles additional room to breathe. • Make sure that the width joint chosen accommodates any potential variation in the sizes of your tiles. Sealing • Sealant is an essential part of the application process for natural stone. A coat of sealant should be applied prior to grouting then another coat after the installation has been complete. • Generally, the floor will need to resealed every 6-12 months. But this can vary depending on the foot traffic of the area. • Acidic cleaners can be harmful to the sealant on your tiles, use products that are specifically manufactured to clean and maintain natural stone.