For facade tiling, compatible products should be selected for corresponding to the movements (expansions and shrinks on floor) caused by thermal and mechanical effects.
If plastering for surface smoothening or repairing surface damages is needed, select CERMIMORTAR 2-10 surface smoothening and repair mortar. CERMIMORTAR 2-10 should be applied with a maximum thickness of 7 mm. Prepare and apply the plaster following the instructions on product packaging and technical data sheets. In case of complete plastering of the surface, wait for at least 6 weeks for the plaster to complete its final setting.
To improve the technical performance of CERMIMORTAR 2-10, it is recommended to add CERMILATEX into the mixing water in the ratio 1:3 (As for the mixing water; instead of 3 scales of water, 2 scales of water and 1 scale of CERMILATEX).
The surfaces exposed to direct sunlight and have a surface temperature above +35 °C must be cooled by damping. Application on hot surfaces and during sunny and/or windy weather is not recommended.
For fixing select CERMIDUR SYSTEM.
Mix two components of CERMIDUR SYSTEM to a smooth and homogenous paste. It is recommended to use a low cycled electrical drill-mixer for mixing. The paste should be in a consistence such that it does not flow when handled with a trowel.
The paste should rest for 5 minutes prior to application and should be applied after remixing.
In external facade tiling of large sized tiles; double buttering method should be applied. Apply the adhesive on the substrate (adhesive should be buttered onto the tile back as well) with a suitable notched trowel to achieve the required bed thickness. Glass tiles, natural stones and marbles should be fixed with double buttering method.
The tiles must be fixed within the open time of adhesive and pressed on with a twisting and sliding action to achieve a good contact. The tile should be gently hammered with a rubber hammer in order to provide the stability of bonding and the adhesive to spread and fully cover the tile back. Lift an occasional tile after fixing to verify that the required contact is being achieved.
Excess adhesive must be cleaned off from the tiles and joints with a damp cloth or sponge before it hardens.
Be advised that joint widths should be minimum 4 mm.
In fixing transparent and light colored tiles and natural stones, a sample application should be carried to observe the possibility of the formation of stain and shades.
Grouting should start after the adhesive has set and dried. Grouting material’s colour may taint due to adhesive’s cement content and colour.
For grouting application select CERMIJOINT 3-10 FLEX. To improve the technical performance, it is recommended to add CERMILATEX into the mixing water in the ratio 1:3 (As for the mixing water; instead of 3 scales of water, 2 scales of water and 1 scale of CERMILATEX).
While applying cement based grouts, carefully follow the rules and instructions on product packaging and technical legends of the products. Do not add more water into the mixture or re-wet once the mixture is prepared. This will cause the set grout to be weak. It may also cause discrete holes and grains on grout surface, and surface discolouration and variation which will be more noticable with darker grouting colours.
For a easier application and to ensure full final product performance, the grout should be applied at an ambient temperature range of +10 °C - +25 °C.
Grouted surfaces must be protected for at least 24 hours from direct sunlight, frost and rain.
If any stains and residues remain after grouting, wait for 10 days and treat the tile with CERMINET tile cleaning material to loosen and remove these residues.
Expansion joints should be incorporated to allow for slight movements
due to changes in temperature, humidity and thermal and mechanical loads formed on the surface and substrate. Expansion joints should be provided considering heat transmitting systems and insulation applications, floors exposed to heavy traffic and pedestrian loads, wideness of the area, where tiling meets other materials, along all internal corners, existing movement joints or changes in background material. As described above expansion joints absorbs the stresses formed between different movement capacities of overlapping materials. Thus, it prevents the deformations that may arise in the surface and covering. Expansion joints should be insulated by using proper profiles or mastics. Cementitous grouting materials are not appropriate for expansion joints.
On facades; along storey transitions, in internal corners, overlapping wall coverings, wall-floor intersections and on areas > 3 m x 3m expansion joints should be applied. Expansion joints should have minimum width of 10 mm. Skirting should be fixed upon to the completion of tiling.
No coatings or coverings should be applied on the existing dilatation zones and structural expansion joints in buildings. These zones should be insulated by using proper profiles or mastics.
CERMITHANE mastic can be used to fill expansion joints.
When tiling on walls, the weight of tiles per m2 should not exceed 30 kg.
Porcelain tiles sized between 300 cm2 (15x20 cm) to 900 cm2 (30x30 cm) are limited up to 4 m for facade tiling. Please consult to the technical support for larger sized tile applications at higher elevations.
