Installation

Thin Slate Stone veneer can be glued to surfaces using most standard laminate adhesives having a thick body or foaming quality. Prior to application of the glue clean, brush and de-grease the receiving surface of dust, oils or any other contaminants. In some installations, and depending upon the adhesive used, it may be necessary to prepare the back of the thin Slate Stone veneer with solvent or recommended primer by the adhesive manufacturer. We recommend making a test area with an adhesive prior to final application

Note: - Knowledge of the special adhesives, and the respective surface for which they are recommended, is critical in obtaining superior installation when using Thin Slate Stone veneer. We recommend testing the selected adhesive prior to proceeding with installation. Humidity and temperature of the environment should be evaluated first. If the application is outdoors, take thermal expansion into account. The adhesive will expand and contract thus preventing the stone from being affected by changes in temperature. The bond must be tested by the installer prior to final installation.

FLEXIBILITY

Flexible Slate Stone Veneer can be bent or flexed to a radius of 360mm along the length. The width is not recommended for bending. Due to the nature of the different thickness of the individual items, the degree of radius varies per item. Fabric backing sheets are more suitable for such kind of installations including edge-bending operations in wood working industry. It is easily installed on round Pillars. The Fiberglass & glue used gives the top stone layer enough strength that while bending also there is no crack on the stone layer.

TOOLS FOR CUTTING

Natural flexible slate stone veneer is very easy to cut with any normal scissors for domestic applications. Where large volume of sheets is to be cut there wet diamond marble cutting blades can be used with electric hand tools or machines. This material can also be cut with tungsten carbide wood cutting blades also. Wood panel saw blades of Diamond & tungsten carbide mixture are the most suitable cutting tools for dry cutting. Any kind of thick sharp blade can also be used for small cutting operations.

TILING

Thin Slate Stone veneer can be used to create a tiled effect by leaving a grout joint between cut pieces of material. Test results have shown the use of a water-based epoxy grouts work well to fill between the cut veneers. By removing the material just under the grout joint, a deeper grout can be achieved if desired. Epoxy grouts are available in many colors to match or co- ordinate with the different colors of Ultra Thin Slate Stone. On final clean up of the epoxy with a sponge, the epoxy can also be used to seal and fill the Ultra Thin Slate Stone surface. It is recommended in this installation that the entire surface of the Ultra Thin Slate Stone be sealed with epoxy as a final step to ensure complete satisfaction.

EXTERIOR APPLICATION SEALER COMPANY

http://www.lantania.it : TWINSTW (Name of Sealer)

BATH & SHOWER APPLICATION OR SUCH APPLICATION

Flexible Slate Stone Veneer can be used to create a tiled effect by leaving a grout joint between cut pieces of material. Test results have shown the use of water-based epoxy grouts work well to fill between the cut veneers. By removing the material just under the grout joint, a deeper grout can be achieved if desired. Epoxy grouts are available in many colors to match or co-ordinate with the different colors of Slate Stone Veneer. On final clean up of the epoxy with a sponge, the epoxy can also be used to seal and fill the Flexible Thin Slate Stone surface. It is recommended in this installation that the entire surface of the Flexible Thin Slate Stone be sealed with epoxy as a final step to ensure complete satisfaction.

STONE VENEER ON MDF & HDF

Stone veneer on MDF/HDF must be heat pressed for 2-5 minutes under 10 Tons pressure and 120 degree centigrade heat to activate the glue and achieve good industrial results. Glues recommended are PU hot melt glue, and white water based Polymer Emulsion called Ethylene Vinyl acetate copolymer Glue. The glue can be found in the local market.

FLOORING

Stone Veneer with more quartz contents is suitable for flooring on MDF & HDF and is being produced at present in Europe and Asia. If samples are required, they can be forwarded on buyer’s courier number.

STONE VENEER ON CONCRETE OR MORTAR CEMENT PLASTERED WALL OR GYPSUM BOARD, EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR

Epoxy based grouts available in the market with flexibility component are recommended. Contact local dealer / engineer of the area visiting website www.mapei.com & www.laticrete.com or local suppliers of the similar products.

SEALER & IMPREGNATORS

Thin Slate Stone veneer can be sealed in the similar manner as most slate and stone tiles. Please follow manufacturer's instructions for best results. As sealants are offered in varying degrees of luster or sheen, we recommended that you confirm the reflectance prior to complete installation to get the desired effect.
All the stone veneers need sealer & impregnators for stain & scratch protection. The sealers & impregnators available in the market are polyurethane matt & glossy, water based sealers & impregnators, solvent based sealers & impregnators & silicone based sealers & impregnators. All these sealers are similar to the ones used in sandstone & slate industries.
Please visit: www.miraclesealants.com, www.laticrete.com, www.wacker.com, www.akemi.com to find your local dealer. A Stone sealer/impregnator is a penetrating sealant that protects against both water and oil borne stains. These properties are chemically referred to as hydrophobic and oleophobic effects. The sealing properties normally last for several years. This property is particularly important in confined or occupied areas and in large-scale projects where clean air standards are strictly enforced.

THE SELF ADHESIVE STONE VENEER

It is coated with pressure sensitive glues made in India. The pressure sensitive glue paper is available from Europe and can be made available on request.

SEALER & IMPREGNATORS

SEALERS
Thin Slate Stone veneer can be sealed in the similar manner as most slate and stone tiles. Please follow manufacturer's instructions for best results. As sealants are offered in varying degrees of luster or sheen, we recommended that you confirm the reflectance prior to complete installation to get the desired effect.
All the stone veneer needs sealer & impregnators for stain & scratch protection. The sealers & impregnators available in the market are polyurethane matt & glossy, water based sealers & impregnators, solvent based sealers & impregnators & silicone based sealers & impregnators. All these sealers are similar to the ones used in sandstone & slate industries.
Please visit : www.miraclesealants.com, www.laticrete.com, www.wacker.com, www.akemi.com to find your local dealer. A Stone sealer/impregnator is a penetrating sealant that protects against both water and oil borne stains. These properties are chemically referred to as hydrophobic and oleophobic effects. The sealing properties normally last for several years. This property is particularly important in confined or occupied areas and in large-scale projects where clean air standards are strictly enforced.

ADHESIVES

A separate recommendation with related websites for glues has been given in another file. The selection glue can be done with the help of the local engineer of these companies whose websites have been given in the separate page.
Adhesives Recommended:
• Dual component Epoxy Resins
• Polyurethane anywhere to any where adhesives
• Polyurethane wood (foaming & Non foaming adhesives)
• Epoxy based cementitious construction grade adhesives
• Silicone adhesive

Note: Wet applications for shower and bathroom applications, the use of epoxy resin adhesive are the best option.

Note: Pressure sensitive adhesives are also recommended due to the even backing of the Flexible Slate Stone Veneer. Now Pressure sensitive glues are applied on the back of thin slate veneer and are supplied with the paper cover to use it as peel and stick material ready to use.

Recommended websites for Glues & Sealers

1. www.laticrete.com
2. www.wacker.com
3. www.miraclesealants.com
4. www.henkel.com
5. www.akemi.com
6. www.lantania.it
7. www.kleiberit.com
8. www.mapei.com
Companies mentioned above are multi national and the local dealer can be contacted in yourarea. Websites can be visited to find recommended glues for fiberglass polyester resin sheet application on MDF & HDF. Companies may recommend white emulsion polymer glue or polyurethane foaming glue or polyurethane double component non-foaming glue depending on the hot press machine available with the user.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

MSDS sheet & test reports can be made available on request.