Laying Recommendations
Use of top quality porcelain stoneware tiles, such as Fiandre materials, requires a number of special steps during installation, for installation techniques represent the true added value of our materials.
Before you start, it’s a good idea to check that the surfaces on which the tiles will rest are sufficiently flat and clean (if not, proceed to treat them with shot-blasting or grinding to clean the substrate and make it rough enough for the adhesive to grip).
The slab or concrete topping forming the substrate on which the floor is to be laid is made up of a combination of cement, water and clean inert materials.
Porcelain tile floor and wall tiles should be laid with adhesive applied to the substrate with a special toothed spatula (being sure to cover at least 80% of the total surface area). The choice of adhesive is very important and is closely linked with other aspects such as, for example, the size of the material to be laid, the specific application (floor or walls, indoors or outdoors), climatic conditions, etc.
Always follow the instructions on the adhesive’s label precisely. When covering wall surfaces to a height of more than 3 metres with large tiles, it is best to use a system combining adhesives with mechanical supports, to be chosen on the basis of the weight and height of the porcelain stoneware tiles.
The next step is grouting the joints. There are a number of different types of grout available on the market, to be chosen on the basis of the intended use (home interiors, bathrooms, swimming pools, public places); in general, the grout is applied with a rubber or plastic spatula to ensure that all spaces are completely filled.
To eliminate excess cement grout, wait until the grout becomes opaque and then remove it with a hard sponge; remove epoxy grout while still fresh, using a very wet sponge.
Once you have finished grouting, proceed with initial cleaning, to be repeated a few days later for more thorough cleaning with an acidic cleaning product.
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