Manufacturers recommend pre-wetting of cementitious substrates (concrete, screeds, plasters) before applying cementitious mortar over-lays eg grouts, waterproofing slurries, etc. There is a good reason for this and it is explained here. …

What is considered as Large format and slim tile? Large format tiles are those with at least one side greater than 60cm in length.  They come in various sizes and thicknesses, with some formats reaching dimensions of up to 3.2m x 1.6m.  They are…

Epoxy floors are durable, easy to clean and maintain. Moreover, it looks great with the seamless appearance and ability to customize in various colours. However, issues such as chipping or cracking may occur. The extent of repair will depend on…

Similar to adhesives, tile grouts have specific requirements as defined by EN 13888 and ISO 13007-3 standards. Types of tile grout for tile and stone works Tile grout products are classified into two types: CG – Cementitious grouts RG –…

When choosing the most appropriate installation system, a good knowledge of the materials to be installed is essential.  Installing tiles with adhesives by the thin-bed method shall meet specific requirements defined by European Standards EN 12004…

In cities, we are seeing more roofs being transformed into multi-functional spaces to accommodate roof gardens and urban farming. This could possibly be attributed to the increasingly widespread attention given to eco-sustainable buildings, along…

What is Efflorescence? Have you ever noticed white deposits on the wall and floor surfaces of your tile or stone installations?  This white residue is the result of efflorescence.  Efflorescence is a natural occurrence in Portland cement…

Stones (marble and granite), being natural products, can be porous and moisture sensitive.  To identify how porous a tile or stone is, drop a small amount of water on the surface and you can see that water slowly gets absorbed by the surface.  The…

Most concrete structures have joints as part of their design. Joints are necessary to accommodate movements in the concrete units caused by thermal contractions and expansions as well as exposure to loading conditions.

There are various scenarios of improper installation that could result in the debonding of tiles. Below are some factors that can affect adhesion during tile and stone installation.

The use of resin-based flooring systems have become a consolidated practice in construction. Not only are they adopted in the industrial (e.g. factory, warehouse) sectors, they are also used in commercial and residential settings (e.g. offices,…

Tile flooring is common and can be found in many residential and commercial settings due to its aesthetic appeal, easy maintenance and wide range of attractive designs and tile types available in the market. Every tile finish would require proper…