Installation
The back of STONESVENEER™ stone veneers may require a filler type adhesive for certain applications. Epoxies, polyester resin, and water-resistant adhesives are excellent choices for wet environments. Contact adhesives are not recommended because of the irregular backing of STONESVENEER™. Where the substrate is a moisture barrier, do not use non-catalyzing (water vapour type) cure adhesives. When adhesive is used between non-porous materials, it is unable to bind properly.
§ TOOLS REQUIRED DURING PREPARATION:
• Saw with abrasive blades • Bucket • Straight trowel and V 3/16 • Dryer • Sponge
• Measuring tape • Level • Chalk Line • Protective mask • Security glasses
• Rags or carpet roll
§ LAYOUT PATTERNS: As with natural stone or tile, the same steps apply to preparing the area to be covered and laying out the STONESVENEER™ sheets. Preparing the work area ahead of time will be extremely beneficial. A preliminary dry fit of STONESVENEER™ allows for the arrangement and orientation of individual sheets, patterns, textures, and colors prior to final placement. Dry fit each sheet exactly where it will be used on horizontal or vertical surfaces. Before cutting and trimming, number the sheets to keep track of where they’ve been moved. This will reduce the amount of time.
§ CUTTING: Tin snips with long noses are ideal for cutting straight lines and curves. STONESVENEER™ can also be cut with metal shears, wet saws, and table saws fitted with carbide blades..
§ SEALERS: It is recommended that STONESVENEER™ stone veneer sheets be pre-sealed before installation. This protects and seals the face from adhesives and grout during installation and handling. STONESVENEER™ can be sealed with the same sealers that are used on slate, stone tiles, and wood. There are numerous sealers available on the market, each with its own set of applications. Check that the sealer has the desired lustre and penetration before applying it.
§ ADHESIVES: Know your adhesives; understanding the specifics of the adhesive will save you a lot of time and money. All adhesives should be tested prior to installation, taking into account moisture and temperature in the intended setting. If the application will be used outside, thermal expansion must be considered. Because STONESVENEER™ is a veneer, it must expand and contract with the substrate to avoid delamination. When using adhesive primers, the installer should test the bond before continuing with the final installation.
§ RECOMMENDED ADHESIVES:
§ Heavy duty construction adhesive.
§ SOLVENT FREE FRP adhesive.
§ Premixed grout and tile adhesive.
§ Acrylic copolymer based tile adhesive.
§ Thick latex or acrylic latex type tile adhesive. Use only where air drying can take place. Not recommended for exterior applications.
§ Epoxy or Silicone (with primer only).
§ Double-sided foam adhesive (peel & stick).
§ Construction grade multi-purpose adhesive or Polyester resin with filler.
§ SOME EXAMPLES: 1) DuraPro AC0055glue (Expect 2 tubes of AC0055 300ml for one sheet of 24×48. Expect 3 tubes of AC0055 300ml for one sheet of 40×80.)
§ HAND ROLLERS: A hand roller can be used to extract air between the STONESVENEER™ and the substrate. The best way to release trapped air is to begin in the centre of a sheet and roll securely to the edge. Applying too much pressure when rolling can cause back-filled areas to force adhesive out and create an air gap. Using proper pre-back-filling and rolling techniques, a solid, hard surface can be achieved.
§ TROWELS: For the best adhesive-to-substrate effects, use a 3/16″ notched trowel. A straight trowel can be used to backfill voids. Any bumps in the back surface should be sanded flat before back-filling. Filling voids in the natural stone on the back of Classic STONESVENEER™ may necessitate the use of a filler type adhesive. It is often a good idea to back-fill or back-butter voids or depressions in the material before applying it to a substrate.
§ TILING ,GROUTING & JOINING: STONESVENEER™ can be used to create a tiled effect by leaving a grout joint between cut bits. Sheets can also be butt-jointed for a more streamlined seam appearance. Because STONESVENEER™ is small, a grout joint of 1/8″ to 14″ can produce better results. According to tests, water-based epoxy and acrylic premixed grout work well to fill the gaps between the cut veneers. During the sponge-off procedure, the epoxy will also seal the STONESVENEER™ surface. These grouts are available in a variety of colours to match your existing decor. Remove material just beneath the grout joint area with a scrapper tool if a deeper grout joint is required. Modified grout and caulking grout are other options.
§ SUBSTRATE: In some indoor and most outdoor applications, expansion and contraction must be equal to avoid delimitation. In this case, a flexible adhesive may be a good choice. Concrete and masonry substrates must be at least 28 days old. Hydrostatic pressure and vapour transfer cannot exceed 3 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. (1.36 kg per 92.9 m2) per 24 hours when measured with calcium chloride, and retained moisture must be less than 2.5 percent.
§ COMPOSITION & VARIATIONS: STONESVENEER™ is made by laminating natural stone veneer to a fibreglass and polyester resin base. Color and texture variations are not flaws in STONESVENEER™ because it is a natural stone veneer; they are inherent to it and part of the quarried materials’ natural charm. Because STONESVENEER™ cannot guarantee that dye lots will match, orders should be placed with the possibility of repair or re-fit in mind.
§ TUV & TEMPERATURE: The stone surface of STONESVENEER™, like most stone components, acts as a UV inhibitor and can last for years in direct sunlight. When adhered to a substrate, STONESVENEER™ can withstand the thermal contraction and or expansion of most common building materials. STONESVENEER™ can withstand extreme heat and cold without cracking.
§ MDF & HDF: To activate the glue and achieve good industrial results, stone veneer on MDF/HDF must be heat pressed for 2-5 minutes at 10 Tons pressure and 120 degrees centigrade heat. PU hot melt glue and Ethylene Vinyl acetate copolymer Glue, a white water-based Polymer Emulsion, are both recommended. The glue is available at the local market.
§ VENEER IN BATH & SHOWER: Water-based epoxy grouts work well to fill between the cut veneers, according to test results. If desired, a deeper grout can be achieved by removing the material just beneath the grout joint. Epoxy grouts come in a variety of colours to match or coordinate with the various colours of STONESVENEER™.
After cleaning the epoxy with a sponge, it can be used to seal and fill the Flexible Thin STONESVENEER™ surface. To ensure complete satisfaction, it is recommended that the entire surface of the STONESVENEER™ be sealed with epoxy as a final step in this installation.
§ CLEANING: Any impurities that have been splashed or spilled on the STONESVENEER™ should be cleaned up as soon as possible. Warm water and a lightly moistened lint-free cloth are frequently sufficient. If the impurity or stain is difficult to remove, we recommend washing the surface with a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with a mild dish soap and warm water solution. Alternatively, Mapei Cleaner L should be used, and a test area should be performed first.
Futhermore, if you do use additional cleaners, test them on an inconspicuous area first to ensure they will not harm or stain the Stone-surface. Veneer’s STONESVENEER™ must be sealed if it is used in wet areas such as kitchen backsplashes, near a food preparation area, or near a sink. Bacteria, stains, and dirt from everyday life can accumulate in the pores of slate, making cleaning difficult. Natural minerals in your water can also accumulate in the pores of the stone. This is most noticeable in bathroom and shower/bath applications.