Tal x-calibur introduces a new, rapid-setting, decorative screed

TAL X-Calibur is introducing a newly developed industrial grade, rapid-setting and self-smoothing decorative screed called X-Tech StoneFlow. 

Polished, decorative and seamless concrete floor solutions are in high demand, however Terrazzo floors can take up to 28 days to cure before grinding and polishing can commence. 

TAL X-Calibur joined forces with Rock Solid Flooring and HTC polishers to develop and introduce a revolutionary new flooring system throughout South Africa. HTC polishers are marketed through Superb Flooring Systems, which is part of the PMSA Group.“We’ve identified a need in the market for a rapid-setting decorative screed, suitable for fast-track installation, which can create a polished and seamless concrete look without the long curing time associated with Terrazzo floors,” says Andrew Dekker, National Sales Manager Construction Products at TAL.X-Tech StoneFlow is a cement based rapid-setting, self-smoothing, shrinkage compensated and heavy duty decorative industrial screeding compound available in varying combinations of base colours and aggregate finishes. The product allows specifiers and designers to create a custom floor as they can select the specific background colour they prefer and several aggregates, including marble and granite chips. “The design possibilities are endless as the product provides an aesthetically pleasing finish that can be delivered in various colours made to order,” he says.

The screed is designed for use in industrial environments on both new construction and renovation projects. It is suitable for applications exposed to heavy traffic and abrasion, such as factories, warehouses and production areas. It’s also seamless and therefore low in noise, which is especially suitable in environments subjected to trolleys and roller casters. Due to its decorative qualities, X-Tech StoneFlow is also suitable for commercial applications such as the hospitality industry as it works well in restaurants as well as domestic applications.

Tests conducted by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) show that X-Tech StoneFlow has a compressive strength in excess of 30MPa at 24h. SABS is conducting a wide range of performance tests on the product to give customers confidence that they are getting a state of the art product. The surface can be subjected to light foot traffic after three hours. The floor can be subjected to surface conditions, such as grinding and the first stages of polishing within five hours of placement, depending on application thickness and ambient conditions.

Application of X-Tech StoneFlow requires fully trained specialist contractors as it involves grinding and polishing. The final finish is only achieved by using specialised equipment such as the HTC super floor polisher range, designed to polish concrete Terrazzo and similar types of floors. 

The HTC Sealer is applied before final stage polishing to prevent moisture penetration and staining. The sealer penetrates the concrete and therefore does not create a synthetic look but rather leaves the concrete with a natural finish. The floor also requires maintenance polishing to uphold its high-gloss shine. No chemicals are required during the maintenance polishing process, only water in conjunction with the HTC Twister range of polishing pads; therefore the floor saves on maintenance costs.  X-Tech StoneFlow was recently supplied and installed by Rock Solid Flooring for the refurbishment of the Vigour and Verve coffee bar at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani hotel complex in Durban where it created a decorative brick red and granite-looking floor finish. 

TAL provides quality construction solutions from concept to completion and its screed and cement range produces smooth, high strength and hard wearing floor surfaces.

The company has the ability to develop bespoke construction products to suit its customers’ requirements whether they’re specifiers, architects or contractors. TAL’s products are manufactured locally, are compatible with South Africa’s climate conditions and are in line with the latest technology. X-Calibur Construction Chemistry forms part of the TAL building solutions range and consists of construction product solutions with an emphasis on flooring and surface treatments, concrete repair and protection as well as anchor groutings and fixings, sealers and coatings, floor hardening compounds and waterproofing systems. X-Tech StoneFlow forms part of the X-Calibur range locally manufactured by TAL X-Calibur under license from X-Calibur Construction Chemistry Incorporated. TAL is ISO 9001:2008 quality management system certified and its products are designed, manufactured and tested to TAL standards, assuring customers that products will perform to specification. 

Contact the TAL Technical Advisory Service on 0860 000 (TAL) 825 for details and specialist contractors who can apply X-Tech StoneFlow. For more information visit www.x-calibur.co.za and www.tal.co.za.

Contact the TAL Technical Advisory Service on 0860 000 (TAL) 825 for details and specialist contractors who can apply TAL X-Calibur X-Tech SuperFlow. For more information visit www.x-calibur.co.za and www.tal.co.za

Also ensure that the spacer size you use is correct for the type of tile you have selected; the joint width between glazed ceramic floor tiles should be a minimum of 5mm wide, and a minimum of 3mm wide between porcelain tiles, including rectified porcelain tiles. To achieve the natural look, opt for grout colour that is darker than the tile itself. Click here to find out more about how to select the perfect grout colour.  

MOVEMENT JOINTS

Allowance for movement (building, thermal and moisture) must be made in all tile installations. Perimeter joints must be installed around the perimeter of all floors and around any fixtures protruding through the tile installation, such as walls, columns and stairs. Intermediate tile panel movement joints should also be installed at maximum 5 metre centres in both directions for interior surface bed applications, and maximum 3 metre centres for suspended slabs and exterior applications. These  joints must be a minimum of 5mm wide, must extend through the tile and tile adhesive layers to the substrate, and must be filled with a good quality resilient joint sealant and suitable backing cord.

When  using  large  format  tiles (a  tile  with  the  length of at least  one  edge equal to/greater  than  600mm, or a facial area greater than  3500cm²) there will be a smaller number of grout joints, compared with the same area of normal format tiling. As a result, less stress (movement) can be accommodated at tile joints.

Considering a wood-look tile installation? Give us a call or send usan email and we’ll give the right advice, no matter how big or small your tile installation: 0860000 TAL (825) or [email protected]. If this TAL Talk blog post interested you, you may want to take a look at this TAL Talk blog post: The 101 on wood-look tiles.

Complete the waterproofing system by replacing the water in the grout mix with TAL Bond, a latex additive, as this further increases the water resistance and flexibility of the installation.

Get the job right the first time and avoid future headaches from water seeping through and damaging the walls and floors of your home. The additional cost and effort of properly waterproofing your shower is an investment in your property and will ensure a beautiful and functional bathroom for years to come.

For more information on multi-level waterproofing systems, contact a TAL Expert on 0860 000 TAL (825), email us or watch our how-to video on YouTube for step-by-step advice on how to waterproof a shower.

STEP 8

Roll the area using a TAL Spiked Roller to facilitate the release of any trapped air to produce a smooth surface, and to allow it to dry.

Allow the screed installation to dry for 24 hours before subjecting to foot traffic (or other trades) or installing floor coverings.

TAL MOSAICFIX is available in 20 kg and 5 kg bags from leading retail outlets. 

Designed to be 100% compatible, using the TAL range of products ensures fully guaranteed multi-level tiling systems from a single source. TAL products are manufactured in South Africa to suit local climatic conditions.

If you are in any doubt, contact the TAL Technical Advisory Service on 0860 000 TAL (825), email [email protected]. Alternatively, employ the services of an experienced and skilled mosaic tiling contractor.

When replacing tiles, it is not always possible to apply the TALFIX directly to the floor, in which case apply the adhesive in a solid bed onto the back of the tile, ensuring complete coverage. Gently trace the notched side of a floor trowel through the adhesive to create ‘ridges’.

Adhesive system

When tiling onto existing tiles, it is important to only use a quick- or rapid-setting adhesive, as the existing tiles will present a dense, impervious surface, and standard-setting adhesives will take longer to dry. Too early trafficking of newly-installed tiles before the adhesive has set sufficiently can result in hollow-sounding or loose tiles.

Use TAL Tile-To-Tile quick-setting adhesive for tiling onto interior surface beds. When tiling onto suspended slabs and for external installations mix the TAL Tile-To-Tile with TAL Bond, replacing the water in the mix. Alternatively, TAL Bond Powder can be added to the adhesive mixing water.

Ensure that there is a solid bed of adhesive at least 6 mm thick beneath each tile.

Back buttering with a thin coat of adhesive may also be required when using large-format tiles to ensure full contact with the adhesive bed.

Grouting

Grouting should not be carried out until the adhesive has set sufficiently to prevent the tile installation from being disturbed during the grouting operation (always refer to the adhesive packaging for setting times). When using TAL TAL Tile-To-Tile, allow a minimum of six hours before grouting.

For interior surface beds, use TAL Wall & Floor Grout for filling tile joints up to 8 mm wide. TAL Quarry Grout can be used in wider joints up to 25 mm wide. On suspended slabs and for external installations, replace the water in the grout mix with TAL Bond, or add TAL Bond Powder to the grout mixing water.

Particular care must be taken to clean the grout off the tile face before it hardens completely. This is especially important when an additive such as TAL Bond or TAL Bond Powder has been used. A tile sample should be tested beforehand to ensure that no grout is absorbed through the glaze or into the tile body, thereby staining the tiles permanently.

Movement joints

The lack of movement joints in tile installations is a major cause of tile failure. When tiling over existing tiles, the existing structural and movement joints must be maintained in the new tile installation. The movement joints should be at least 5 mm wide and extend through the adhesive and both tile layers.