Following these guidelines will ensure maximum effect, from looks to durability. These guidelines serve as a basis to enhance the aesthetics of your tiles, whether in the home, office or wherever the application. The use of Strata Products to lay and seal your tiles will ensure that you achieve the best finish available.

Fixing Guidelines for Natural Stone

GENERAL SPECIFICATION FOR FIXING MARBLE TILES ONTO INTERIOR RENDERED WALLS AND INTERIOR SURFACE BEDS AND SUSPENDED SLABS IN A RESIDENCE (Word Doc)

GENERAL SPECIFICATION FOR FIXING SANDSTONE TILES ONTO INTERIOR RENDERED WALLS AND INTERIOR SURFACE BEDS AND SUSPENDED SLABS IN A RESIDENCE (Word Doc)

Fixing Guideline for unsealed and sealed Terracotta

STRATA Wall and floor is a cement based Tile Adhesive, specifically formulated as an interior and exterior wall and floor tile adhesive. Suitable for both thick and thin bed applications, it is recommended for fixing terracotta because of its low lime and salt contents, which greatly reduces the chances of efflorescence and marking.
SURFACE PREPARATION
All surfaces must be clean, free of dust, contaminants, grease, organic growth, wax and oil. All loose and flaking paints must be removed. Previously painted surfaces must be stripped clean and at least 80% of the surface must be chipped in order to supply a good key for secure adhesion. Steel trowelled surfaces or powdered floated surfaces should be acid washed first to remove laitance, then rinsed well with clean water. Suspect surfaces must be primed with a base coat of STRATA KEY-COTE.
APPLICATION
Mix STRATA Wall and floor according to instructions. Apply the tile adhesive spreading smoothly with a notched trowel. A minimum thickness of 3mm for walls and 6mm on floors is advised. Bed tiles firmly using a rubber mallet. Excess tile adhesive must be removed from the joints before dry. When tiling unsealed or sealed terracotta, special care should be taken to ensure that NO tile adhesive is messed on the surface of the tile as this may cause staining and could prove difficult to remove once dry. Should any tile adhesive be messed on the surface of the tile, this should be removed immediately.
GROUTING
Allow 24 hours before grouting, ensuring that all loose particles and excess tile adhesive has been removed from the joints first. Grout the joints with STRATA Natural Stone products, applying the grout in the joints of the floor or wall tiles with a rubber spatula. In all cases, it is recommended that a clean-as-you-go approach be used when grouting. This is the ideal finishing touch to the laying procedure.
SEALING
In the case of natural stone or natural clay tiles, we highly recommend sealing. Tiles should be thoroughly washed and or scrubbed to remove any dirt, oil or tile adhesive from the surface. After cleaning, ensure that the tiles are allowed to dry thoroughly before sealing. Newly laid tiles should not be sealed for a period of 14 – 30 days thus allowing the tile adhesive and grout to dry and cure.