Innovation & Change

Innovation and Change

Laticrete is known across the United States and around the world for innovation and changing the way tile and stone are installed. 
We focus on engineering materials and methods for the permanent, problem-free installation of tile and stone. We focus on the fact that construction techniques and methods are evolving and changing. The way we "build buildings" today is not the same as a generation ago. We build taller, thinner, lighter and faster. We build with a new emphasis on energy efficiency and "Green."
Laticrete is your "Technical Partner" to address these critical issues. Our technologies, materials, methods and technical support help ensure that YOUR tile and stone installations on your construction projects are built with the technologies of today rather than yesterday.

Click on image to enlarge

Al Hamra Tower - Kuwait City

The Al Hamra Tower is a skyscraper in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Designed by architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the tower is the tallest building in Kuwait at 412.6 m - 1,354 ft.
It is the tallest sculpted tower in the world. 
The stone clad facade acts a protective skin from the desert sun where temperatures top 55 degrees Celcius - 130 degrees F. The stone cladding is installed with Laticrete ! 
Click here if you would like a copy of an interesting article regarding the stone cladding on this project.
Information from Wikipedia.  Fair Use.  And annotated !
Read more - click here.
 

PermaColor Grout and Hot Weather

Technical Service Advisory - LATICRETE PermaColor Grout and Hot Weather

This technical service advisory deals with the topic of grouting with LATICRETE® PermaColor Grout in hot weather. Note that the recommended substrate temperature range for LATICRETE PermaColor is between 40° F (4° C) and 90° F (32°C). 
LATICRETE PermaColor Grout is a fast setting grout and has been designed to set up more quickly that traditional portland cement based grouts. 
This trait lends to better color accuracy. As with all fast setting products used in hot weather, care needs to be taken to ensure satisfactory grouting results. 

Note the following recommendations:
 
·         Store grouting materials out of direct sunlight (preferably indoors) at 40° - 90°F (4° - 32° C) to extend the shelf life, pot life and working time. Do not store products in direct sunlight. If the grouting materials are too warm, they should be cooled to the specified temperature range for 24 hours prior to the start of grouting.
·         Work during cooler periods of the day (e.g. early morning).
·         Always clean the mixing pail before mixing a fresh batch of grout. Left over grout in the pail (on bottom and sides) can accelerate the setting of freshly mixed grout.
·         Keep mixing pails, cleaning water pails, and drill paddles cool and out of direct sunlight. If interior storage is not possible, shade tools and pails and / or rinse with cool water just prior to use.
·         Keep water hoses used mix and fill grout cleaning buckets out of direct sunlight and run water until cool.
·         Shade exterior areas and interior areas exposed to direct sunlight to allow surfaces to be grouted a chance to cool prior to grouting
·         Dampen surfaces to be grouted with clean, cool water just prior to grouting and allow standing water to evaporate
·         Mix LATICRETE PermaColor Grout with clean cool water. This step will extend the pot life and open time of cement grouts. Mix with a slow speed drill mixer (~300 rpm) for 1 minute. Allow the grout to slake for 5 minutes and remix with drill mixer for 1 minute.
·         Do not over-mix LATICRETE PermaColor Grout. This may generate excess heat in the pail and cause the grout to set up more quickly than desired. Mix strictly according to LATICRETE instructions on product packaging.
·         If the grout begins to stiffen and re-mixing is necessary; remix with drill mixer for 10-15 seconds to an even consistency to prolong pot life. Do not add more water. Take care not to draw in hardened (dried) grout, from the sides of the pail into the mix. This may result in lumps appearing in the joints after grouting. When hardened lumps are visible in pail, discard them prior to re-mixing the grout in the pail. Remember to always clean the mixing pail before mixing a fresh batch of grout. Left over grout in the pail (on bottom and sides) can accelerate the setting of freshly mixed grout.
 
Refer to Technical Data Sheet 176 – Hot Weather and LATICRETE for more information on using LATICRETE Systems Materials in hot weather. 

Please let me know if you have questions.
 
Arthur Mintie
Technical Services Director
LATICRETE International, Inc.
Tel. +1.203.393.0010 ext. 326
amintie@laticrete.com

Hot Weather ... and Tilework

In many parts of North America hot weather is upon us!

This can create a range of tile & stone installation issues, problems & challenges.

For information on installing tile & stone in hot weather conditions click here to read Laticrete Tech Data Sheet 176 – “Hot Weather and Laticrete”. This document provides helpful tips on installing tile and stone in hot weather conditions with Laticrete ... and other brands of installation materials - grouts, thinsets, etc ...

Click here to access a library of Laticrete Technical Data Sheets.

Contact Laticrete Technical Services with specific questions or concerns that you may have when tiling in high heat conditions:

+1 203 393-0010 ext 235
+1 800 243-4788 ext 235

technicalservices@laticrete.com

With the right products you CAN install tile right down to ...

The issue of cold weather arriving …and installing tile & stone.

Every year around this time we send out a COLD Weather Advisory.

Click here for a copy.

An interesting and RATHER important section of the Laticrete Technical Data Sheet about installing tile & stone in cold weather points out that:

“The use of Laticrete 4237 Latex Additive in thin-sets and LATICRETE 3701 Mortar Admix in thin-sets, grouts, plasters, stuccos and other portland cement mortars allows work to continue in cold weather without costly delays or damage. Frost, ice and thermal shock do not damage Laticrete Latex Fortified Mortars after placement. Installations can be made at temperatures as low as 35°F (2°C).”

So, the moral of the story ....?

You CAN install tile and stone in cold weather at far lower temperatures that most people believe.

Yes, I know that some "Standards" call for warmer temperatures than we advocate ... but "Standards" are written by committees who often COMPROMISE in order to meet the lowest performance product produced by committee members ...

Some of us can "do better ...!" Some of us produce products that are stronger, higher performance or more versatile. (Am I bragging here ..?, Am I being obnoxious ..?)

Am I advocating ignoring standards ...?

NO.

Just pointing out that with the right products some of us can do "more" than what the "Standards" call for.

What is the lowest temperature we can set tiles over a very thick slab floor ...?

Reminder ...

It is NOT just air temperature that is important ...

Remember that the SLAB or surface temperature is often the key issue.

Go purchase a $30 infrared hand held thermometer. take it to jobsites.

I buy these and give 'em to Laticrete reps & technical support people. And tile & stone contractor friends as Christmas gifts !

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=IR-THERMOMTR&cpc=SCH

In cold weather ... and in hot weather it is often very helpful to measure Slab / Surface temperatures before beginning work applying SLU, waterproof membranes, thinsets, grouts, etc ...!

Hot Weather & Tile / Stone Installations

Conventional Portland cement mortar beds, thin-set mortars, cement plasters and stuccos are often permanently damaged when subject to hot, dry temperatures or desert climates immediately after installation. High temperatures remove the water content of the mortar required for Portland cement hydration, curing and strength development. In addition, rapid drying often causes mortar to crack, crumble or lose bond.

Waterproofing membranes, anti-fracture membranes, epoxy adhesives, epoxy grouts, waterproofing membranes and many other tile & stone installation products will also be affected by hot working temperatures. Flash setting and reduced working time can result. It is important to note that surface temperature is more important than air temperature. Therefore, monitor the surface temperature of the installation. Click here to see a GREAT tool to do this.

There is a simple rule to follow when an installation is subjected to high temperatures:

The 18º Rule – for every 18ºF above 70ºF (10ºC above 21ºC), Portland cement and epoxy based materials take half as long to cure.

To read more, click here.