Installation & Assembly

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
(14-JULY-2013) Page 3 / 4
We recommend installing the material in rooms which have been kept at a constant temperature between 50
and 80 degrees F for at least 12 hours. The adhesive must also be kept at the temperature recommended by the
manufacturer for at least a few days prior to use.
VERY IMPORTANT - Back Butter - Full Bond Mortar Coverage
All the tiles have to be back-buttered and the adhesive spread on the sub-floor using two different methods.
This type of installation system is called “FULLY SUPPORTED" and assures better adhesion and support of each
tile.
FLOOR (SUBSTRATE) 1/2" x 1/2" Trowel - First, Key the mortar into the substrate with the flat side of a 1/2" x
1/2" trowel. Comb with the notched side of the trowel in One direction only.
TILE (BACKBUTTER) Key the mortar into the backside of each tile with the flat side of the trowel and remove the
excess, leave a skim coat the thickness of the sand in the thinset.
Mortar Coverage Bond Mortar coverage must be sufficient to prevent cracks in the tile resulting from voids in
the thinset bond coat. In dry and wet areas, coverage of 100% is the goal with no voids exceeding 2 square
inches and no voids within 2" of tile corners. All corners and edges of the tiles must be fully supported, and
back-buttering or back coating, is recommended in all areas. Coating the back of the tile, however, does not
constitute proper bond coat coverage, which is the area where the mortar makes contact with the tile and the
substrate. It is required to periodically remove and check a tile to assure proper coverage per the images below.
Directional Troweling: Apply mortar using flat side of trowel to promote better substrate contact, then
comb in one direction with the notched side of the trowel. Spread only an area that can be tiled while surface is
still tacky (typically 10 minutes). Press tiles into setting bed, then push in a direction perpendicular to the
notched trowel ridges to achieve optimum coverage. Apply mortar in a heavy enough layer so that complete
contact (no voids) between mortar and tile is accomplished when tile is positioned. It may be necessary to
“back-butter” large tiles to achieve complete coverage and firm support. It is required to periodically remove
and check a tile to assure proper coverage per the images below. Keep a minimum of 2⁄3 of the joint depth
between tiles for grouting.