Encaustic and Geometric Tiles - Post Fixing Surface Treatment
General
Having invested in an Encaustic and Geometric floor it is only right that the floor be treated in such a way that it looks at it’s best.
Maw & Co., Encaustic & Geometric tiles are unglazed and therefore may be subject to staining by long term contact with grease, oil, wine etc.
In Victorian times the tiles would have been largely untreated and over time would have taken on a sheen or ‘patina’ brought about by the polishing action of wear. Some Victorian floors were treated with Linseed oil, a practice that should be discouraged.
Prior to the final cleaning of the floor it is important to establish what kind of floor finish is required. Some floors may look at their best when they are coated with a sealcoat or impregnator.
Such products can enhance the normally matt appearance of the tiles. When it is thought necessary to apply a surface impregnator or polish the following factors should be considered
· Preference for a semi-gloss sheen
· Likelihood of greasy or staining commodities coming into contact with the floor
· High proportion of white or light coloured tiles in the design
If it is decided at the design stage that some form of sealcoat or polish is required this fact should be discussed and contracted out to either the fixer or an experienced cleaning contractor. Whatever the products used, the manufacturers instructions should be followed
Impregnators
The purpose of these products is to penetrate the fine surface pores of the tile and seal them.
Such products reduce the water absorption of the vitrified tile surface and help protect against staining and marking from every-day household commodities. Impregnators also have the additional property of enhancing the tile colours without forming a layer on the surface of the tiles e.g. HG Impregnator.
Polishes
Should a glossy finish be preferred, a proprietary ‘polish’ may be applied on top of an impregnator to give a more instant sheen e.g. HG Golvpolish
Watch-points
Prior to application of any of the above products the floor surface must be completely clean and dry or any residue dirt etc. will become trapped under the applied product.
Please note that some products are for internal use only
Please note that some products may affect the slip resistance figures quoted
All products should be used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
When considering the use of a ‘Polish’ for a ‘commercial’ installation, the likely volume of foot traffic must be taken into consideration, as there will be an element of increased maintenance.
This is due to the requirement for re-polishing due to ‘Tracking’ (Or wearing away of the surface polish on the areas trafficked and not in others).
Encaustic and Geometric Floor Tiles Fixing Specification
Tiles Maw & Co Encaustic & Geometric tiles
Base New cement/sand screed or correctly fixed Plywood
Preparation See clause 3
Bedding Thin bed, Solid bed See clause 3
Adhesive BAL- Cem Gold Star or equivalent
Grout BAL- Grout flooring or equivalent
Joint Width Nominal 1.5mm to max. 2.0mm (May be ‘butt’ on some old floors)
Movement Joints See clause 311
Sealers HG Impregnator
1. General Requirements
Installation is to be carried out by trained operatives using safe working methods and protective clothing, where applicable.
101. Ground Bases
In normal circumstances the tiles are to be laid onto either a laser levelled concrete or screeded concrete base. The concrete must be at least 6 weeks old before screeding and the screed must be at least 3 weeks old and thoroughly dry before tiling as stated in the relevant British Standard. Recommendations concerning minimum thickness of screed should be observed (see BS 5385: part 3, Appendix C, clause C 1,2,3.). Where required a suitable damp course must be incorporated.
Encaustic and geometric tiles can also be laid onto timber floors. Prior to receiving the tiles, the floor should be strengthened by applying an overlay of exterior grade plywood, screw fixed at 300mm centres to maximise the stability. Alternatively, a proprietary overlay system can be used, e.g. BAL Flexicoat. Detailed information on either of these methods is available upon request.
Whichever base is to be tiled the surface should be level, free from irregularities, surface dust and any other contamination. Any irregularities in the base will make the tile laying a much more difficult operation, which may result in the finished floor following the contours of the original base.
The base should be sufficiently flat to permit specified flatness of finished tiling, bearing in mind the tile has a nominal thickness of 12mm and that BS 5385 states the requirement for any floor tiling to be + 3mm under a 2m straight edge.
Base to be sufficiently strong and rigid to support the tile finish.
102. Falls in the Base
Before starting work check that, where required, falls have been provided in the base. Do not attempt to provide falls by increasing or decreasing the specified thickness of the bedding material.
2. Tiles
201. Ensure that tiles comply with customer order and delivery notes. Where there is a discrepancy, Inform the client. Do not start to fix where there is an apparent problem with tiles supplied. Contact the supplier for remedial action if necessary.
202. Geometric tiles
Conform to BS6431: part 6. Tiles are either manufactured or cut with SQUARE edges and are designed to work with grout joints of 1.5mm unless otherwise specified.
All sizes are nominal and each floor is manufactured at one time, with each tile being selected and cut to work within a specific module.
203. Geometric tiles –‘Butt Jointing’.
When specified by the client, tiles can be manufactured for butt jointing. Special care must be taken when fixing this style of floor to ensure all jointing is precise within size module.
204. Encaustic Tiles
All encaustic tiles are hand made and cut to size to customer specification or to work within a size module. All tiles must be checked to ensure that the shade of tiles supplied meets customer specification and any problems reported to the manufacturer prior to any fixing.
205. Shading
Whilst every effort is made to ensure tiles are selected from a batch of equal shade, in any one colour, all tiles must be checked to ensure that the shade of tiles supplied meets customer specification and any problems reported to the manufacturer prior to any fixing.
3. APPLICATION
301. Method
Bedding in cement based adhesives direct to a concrete or screeded concrete base may be adopted for interior locations, provided that the concrete/screed has been allowed to reach a well aired and dimensionally stable condition. The fixer must satisfy himself that the surface is dry, clean and free from loose or friable areas.
302. Dry Laying
It is recommended that all special encaustic floors are dry laid prior to fixing to ensure that the floor pattern is reproduced faithfully, and that the fixer is familiar with the pattern and any special features. In most circumstances floor laying should start from the centre of the floor so that any “creep” is even in all directions. Certain patterns e.g. those having encaustic borders require accurate measurements and setting out in order to fit the central scheme into the border.
As a general rule the pattern of encaustic floors is more important than the evenness of joint lines whereas in geometric floors straightness of the pattern in all directions is of paramount importance. Normally the outer border of a floor is separated from the external wall by a variable tile, which is cut to suit any variability in the walls or other dimensions, particularly where the main floor has been subject to ‘’creeps’’. No attempt must be made to adjust within the main floor for any variation, but cutting the variable external tile can accommodate all size variables.
303. Marking Out
It is recommended that all marking out be completed prior to any fixing. Special care should be taken to ensure that any special features are recognised. The position of all borders and the directional run of the tiles, pattern repeats and all diagonal, horizontal and vertical lines are recorded.
Set out the datum on the floor to determine the centre of the floor and centre lines of the room features.
304. Fixing
Tiles must not be soaked – they are fixed dry. The adhesive may be applied direct to the floor as a thin layer, it is a floated coat, which should be combed with a special solid bed trowel to provide a series of fine ribs onto which dry tiles may be laid. The thickness and profile of the adhesive ribs should be such that when the tiles are pressed into position the ribs are compressed to form a solid bed.
The tiles must be laid in position before surface drying occurs. The working time will vary according to atmospheric conditions, but is approximately 20 minutes. This is particularly important where encaustic and geometric fixing of special floors may be particularly slow. It is important not to spread more adhesive at a time than can be covered with tiles in the period available. The use of rapid setting adhesive is therefore not recommended.
Each tile must be firmly pressed into position and no voids must be left behind. Joints of specified width must be left around each tile, unless butt joining has been specified. Tiles must be evenly laid so that there are no protruding or raised edges. Particular care must be taken with pattern floors to ensure that the correct orientation is maintained.
305. Activity
Where a recommended adhesive has been used, floors can be walked on within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the atmospheric conditions. Where encaustic tiles have been used it is recommended that floors be left for 4 days before the installation is put into service.
306. Grouting
Grouting must not be carried out until sufficient bond has developed between the bedding mix and the tile. It is recommended that all encaustic and geometric floors fixed with recommended adhesive be left for 24 hours before grouting.
The use of coloured or pigmented grouts is not recommended. There is a potential risk that fine pigments within the grout may stain both the encaustic and geometric tiles.
The grout should be used with reference to the manufacturer’s instructions. The grout should be worked well into the joints, finishing flush with the surface of the tiles, with any surplus being removed before it is allowed to dry. Particular points to note with encaustic and geometric floors are to ensure that the joints are completely filled, that an area of ‘multi-tile’ floor to be grouted may require more grout than anticipated and that it is recommended to work in small areas.
307. Cleaning.
After fixing all surplus adhesive must be cleaned off prior to curing, particularly from the faces of all the encaustic tiles and between the joints. After grouting any surplus can be cleaned off with a damp cloth or sponge, rinsing frequently in clean water.
All floors must be thoroughly cleaned prior to sealing or polishing.
308. Movement joints
It is not recommended that the movement joints be incorporated into the pattern area of any encaustic or geometric floor. Where there is risk of excessive movement specialist advice must be sought prior to fixing. It is possible to incorporate movement joints at the perimeters of any floor, particularly around pillars, at walls and between floor panels. Care must be taken in making allowance for any joint when cutting the variable tile to suit the size of the joint.
4. SPECIAL SITUATIONS
401. Special situations arise where either a propriety fixing specification or extreme conditions may be anticipated for the floor on site. It is imperative that the manufacturer be advised so that a customised specification is compiled to suit the particular project prior to any fixing.
402. Changes
If during fixing any alteration is made to the specification as supplied by the manufacturer, then the supply of additional tiles will be entirely at the client’s expense.
403. Existing Tiles
If matching to existing tiles we will always require samples from site for size, design and colour matching.
404. Key Plans
Key plans are supplied only if requested. Where a floor has been produced from a CAD drawing, generated by the manufacturer, no responsibility can be accepted by the manufacturer to any errors arising from measurements supplied by the client or their agents.
References
1. British Ceramic Tile Council Floor Tile Laying Specifications
nos.; 1a, 1b, 2 and 4.
2. British Standard BS 5385: part 3 1989 Code of Practice for the Design and Installation of Ceramic Floor Tiles and Mosaics.
3. British Standard BS8000: Workmanship on Building Sites part 11: 1989 Code of Practice for Wall & Floor tiling.
4. Building Adhesives (BAL) Longton Road, Trentham, Stoke-on Trent ST4 8JB
