Fixing of the Normal Stone Veneer Sheets
Samples of the Stone Veneer have been tested by Mapei for FIXING and a product called ULTRABOND S997 1K has been recommended. The Ultrabond S997 1K is actually part of their wood flooring range but has proved to be the best product Mapei produce for securely fixing the Stone Veneer sheets.
The Ultrabond S997 1K is a one-component, solvent free, ready to use flexible thixotropic sililated based adhesive. For applicaton, it is recommended to fully cover the substrate using a 4mm knotched trowel. The Stone Veneer sheets will instantly grab to the surface but still allow a little movement for the sheets to be adjusted into place. The sheets can either be butted up against each other or a small grouting joint (recommended) can be left leaving a tile effect (grouted using Mapei Ultracolour Plus), either option is down to personal choice.
Application is a full covering of the substrate using an 4mm knotched trowel. The Ultrabond S997 1K is only available in 600cc sausage tubes and the coverage is approx 1.5 square meters per tube. A special applicator gun is advised for extracting the adhesive from the tube. It is always recommended that a professional trades person fits these products and a full understanding of the technical report is clear (available on request or via the Mapei website).
Grouting of the Stone Veneer Sheets
Samples of the Natural Stone Creation have been tested by Mapei for the GROUT JOINTS and a product called ULTRACOLOR PLUS cementitious mortar has been recommended.
The Ultracolor Plus is a fast setting and drying, high performance, polymer modified, anti-efflorescence, water repellent grout for joints from 2mm to 20mm that is available in 26 colours. It also is combined with Drop Effect and anti-mould with BioBlock technology.
If a gap between the sheets is preferred then this is the product to use. Firstly pick which colour grout best suits the Stone Veneer sheet. It is recommended to grout the joints after the sheets have been fixed in place and left to set for at least 24 hours. Prior to grouting, tape the Stone Veneer sheet edges to avoid the Ultracolor Plus grout getting onto the surface of the stone veneer sheet, mix the required amount and then fill the joints following the Mapei mixing and grouting guidelines. Drying / curing time is approx 12 hours based on the below coverage rate.
Based on a standard sheet size of 1220mm x 610mm….. and a 10mm wide x 5mm deep joint, the coverage works out at approx .2 of a kg per square meter.