30 Jul Installation of ceramic or natural stone on facades
Although cladding a façade with ceramic or stone material offers multiple and interesting aesthetic and technical possibilities, the installation thereof requires a series of special considerations.
Preliminary analysis
Different factors can affect façade cladding:
- The deformation of the substrates.
- Climate and atmospheric aggressions (rain, frost, thermal shock, etc.).
- The size of the tiles.
- Taking into account that an excessively large size has less possibility of absorbing movements by the joints destined for such end.
- The color of the coat, as very dark colors are susceptible of accumulating and absorbing a larger amount of solar radiation.
Technical considerations
The first consideration to be taken into account is the state of the substrate on which the cladding will be installed:
Cement mortar substrate:
Solid and clean (resistance to a minimum traction of 1 N/mm2) and having completed all the retractions inherent to mortar.
In the case of mechanical projection, wet down several times for two days to prevent the mortar from drying out.
It is also advisable to float the mortar in order to have a rough area that will facilitate the anchoring of the adhesive.
Concrete substrate:
Solid and clean (resistance to a minimum traction of 1 N/mm2) and having completed all the retractions inherent to concrete.
Avoid all surface grout and/or release agents by firstly cleaning mechanically or washing with GECOL Desincrustante diluted with water in the ratio 1:3 and subsequently rinse with clean water and let dry.
Ceramic brick substrate:
Solid, clean, stable and have all shrinkage inherent to the substrate completed.
The use of mechanical anchorages is obligatory in thick-bed adhesives, in cladding greater than 3 m in height and whenever tiles with dimensions greater than 60 x 40 cm or 40 kg / m2 are installed.
We must also take into account the design of the joints between tiles and the need to respect all the expansion joints of the façade.
All substrate movements are always reflected in the cladding.
- Joints between tiles will be determined by the size and type thereof:
- Conventional ceramic: from 5 to 8 mm.
- Extruded ceramic: from 5 to 10 mm.
- Stone material: from 5 to 10 mm.
- It is obligatory to leave movement joints on any structural joint of the building.
- Likewise, perimeter movement joints in corners and changes in plane, height or material, as well as the movement joints that constitute maximum surface areas of 25 m2.
In the case of dark-colored tiles (due to the greater absorption of solar radiation), surface areas no larger than 12 m2 shall be constituted.
- In all cases, movement joints will be filled with elastic sealants of the G#color Elastic-MS type and be 10 mm in width, reaching up to the substrate.
Jointing mortar must be applied in accordance with the times specified in the Technical Data Sheet of the product.
Commissioning will take place at least 48 hours after executing the joint.
Recommended products
Adhesives
Joint mortars
Flexible mastic
Additive
Warnings: The data provided by this Constructive Solution were prepared based on standard onsite installation processes. However, we recommend that you consult our Technical Department in the event of any specific circumstance info@gecol.com