Projects
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12/20/2023
Fallsview Casino Entertainment Centre in Niagara Falls (Ontario, Canada)
A host of products to install ceramic tiles and stone in various areas of a large ultramodern multifunctional theatre
Mapei took part in the construction of this large entertainments centre by supplying complete systems for the installation of more than 32,500 m2 of ceramic tiles and stone on the floors and walls of many areas in the centre
Visitors to the “Canadian side” of Niagara Falls, one of the “seven wonders” of this country, now have new ways of having fun: after admiring the grandiosity of the natural spectacle offered by the falls, they can relax in the new multifunctional theatre which opened its doors to the public in the summer of 2021 at Niagara Falls.
The Fallsview Casino Entertainment Center, with a capacity of 5,000 spectators, features cutting-edge technologies and perfect acoustics: and it is no coincidence that the stage is top-ranked among stages of the same kind in Canada.
Mapei also took part in the construction of this large entertainments centre by supplying complete systems for the installation of more than 32,500 m2 of ceramic tiles and stone (including Carrara marble) on the floors and walls of many areas in the centre. The materials provided by Mapei guarantee not only sound and durable installation of the various covering materials, but also a high level of sustainability. All the products used for this project have been tested by an external body which certified their very low emission of VOC (volatile organic compounds). The tests carried out are the most stringent used in the whole of North America and have enabled the products to obtain “Indoor Advantage Gold” certification issued by SCS Global Services.
All the products mentioned in this article are distributed on the Canadian market by Mapei Inc., apart from MAPELASTIC AQUADEFENSE, which is also available on the global market.
Challenges faced by the project
Thanks to Mapei solutions it was possible to overcome problems associated with the installation of slabs and ceramic tiles on large surfaces, including large formats, and, in several cases, in areas with curved outlines exposed to intense traffic. The company’s products proved to be a decisive factor right from the very first stages of the project, such as in the preparation of the substrates for the floors made from concrete base slabs. Cementitious screeds were made from TOPCEM PREMIX mortar. To make sure the surfaces were even and level, they were then topped with PLANIPREP SC skimcoat and NOVOPLAN 2 PLUS self-levelling underlayment.
Then, to make sure the surfaces of the substrates were ready to receive the stone slabs without running the risk of damaging the final covering, a layer of MAPEGUARD UM anti-fracture membrane was applied which, apart from providing good crack control, also ensures adequate protection against any moisture present in the substrates.
Ceramic and stone flooring were installed on most of the internal floors with ULTRAFLEX LFT adhesive.
A real defence against water
In the bathrooms and bars, as well as in other areas where substrates are more easily exposed to damp conditions, surfaces were waterproofed by applying MAPELASTIC AQUADEFENSE, a liquid, elastic membrane supplied ready to use which is particularly suitable for waterproofing damp areas such as bathrooms, showers, laundry rooms, saunas, balconies and terraces. This product, available on the global market, dries quickly and forms an elastic membrane which is ready to receive ceramic tiles, stone and mosaics after just a few hours.
So many adhesives for so many areas
Numerous adhesives from the Mapei line for ceramic and stone were employed inside the Fallsview Casino Entertainment Centre. Thin-set ceramic tiles were bonded on the bathroom walls with MAPEI ULTRALITE MORTAR adhesive with anti-mould BioBlock technology, which makes it particularly suitable for use in damp environments. The flooring in the bathrooms was installed with ULTRAFLEX LFT, an adhesive particularly recommended for quick and durable installation of medium and large-format tiles, and again to bond 30x61 cm porcelain tiles on the floors in the large entrance and atrium of the theatre. Slabs of Carrara marble were also installed in the corridors of the auditorium using ULTRAFLEX LFT adhesive and with the rapid version, ULTRAFLEX LFT RAPID, in those areas where installation had to be completed more quickly.
Slabs of granite, on the other hand, were installed on the steps of the stairway at the entrance with GRANIRAPID SYSTEM after treating the surfaces of the substrates with PLANIBOND EBA epoxy adhesive broadcast with sand.
KERAFLEX SUPER adhesive, meanwhile, was chosen to bond external porcelain flooring tiles in order to guarantee durability and resistance to intense traffic.
ULTRACOLOR PLUS FA polymer-modified grout, was used to grout joints in the ceramic and stone floor and wall coverings installed in the centre.
Granite slabs were installed on the steps with GRANIRAPID SYSTEM.
Not only ceramic tiles: adhesives for textiles and vinyl
Other Mapei products were also used in areas where no ceramic or stone had to be installed. For example, carpet tiles were installed in the auditorium using ULTRABOND ECO 811 acrylic adhesive, while in other areas, such as the backstage area, vinyl flooring was bonded with latex-based ULTRABOND ECO 711 adhesive.
