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Outdoor Tiles
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Prepare & clean an outdoor area for tiling Natural stone is generally thicker and heavier than porcelain or ceramic tiles, so there are a couple of important points to note about the surface that the stone will be laid on:
Sub Base We highly recommend that Beaumont Outdoor stone be installed with a base of at least 75mm of concrete of compacted crushed rock. For driveways, the base must be concrete at least 100mm thick. Ensure that there are significant expansion joints cut into the base to assist with any movement. Any stone laid against a pool edge or house should always have an expansion joint at this point.
Drainage: We recommend installing drainage points in the concrete base.
Cleaning: For any tiling job, starting with a clean, sound and level surface is essential. This is just as important outdoors. Remove any weeds and other unwanted organic matter from the area and sweep to remove and extra dirt, dust or debris. Choosing a dry day with little or no wind will help.
DIY made easy Laying natural stone We recommend using professional installers for our stone products; but the careful and thorough do-it-yourselfer can also achieve a professional-looking finish. Our staff are always available with helpful advice and tips, and we can recommend a professional installer if you choose to use one. Our preferred method is to fix with a cement-based or flexible adhesive onto a concrete slab. Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines when using adhesives and sealers. The key to a successful installation is to back-butter each piece of stone as it is being laid, in addition to the adhesive applied to the substrate.
Adhesive This is our preferred laying method. We use and recommend Ardex and CTA adhesives and our staff can help find the right adhesive for your job. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Mortar The mortar bed should be 20mm thick with no voids and evenly spread. Remove all loose material from the back of the paver before laying. Always wet the pavers down prior to laying to wash any dust that has accumulated in the warehouse or during shipping. The back of the paving stone should have the slurry mix applied in an even coating 1–2mm thick using a thick paint brush. Place the paving stone into position gently tapping down to the desired level with a white rubber mallet. Remove all excess material from the surface of the paving stone using a clean sponge with clean water.
Grouting: Use a high grade pre-bagged grout suitable for outdoor application and joints of between 3-7mm.
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Sealing natural stone We insist that all natural stone must be sealed to protect and extend the life of the stone. Sealing your stone gives it the absolute best protection against stains and dirts, and makes cleaning so much easier. Beaumont Outdoor use and recommend Aqua Mix. Sealers are generally applied using a roller or spray pack depending on the size of the job. The surface must be clean and dry. Never seal outdoors if rain is predicted within 12 hours. Never seal in extreme heat. Do not seal in windy conditions. Always test the sealer in a corner before applying to large areas. There are two sealers we recommend, depending on the finish you want for your natural stone.
Natural Look Sealer: Sealer’s Choice Gold – Rapid Cure A premium, no sheen, natural look, water based, penetrating sealer formulated to provide maximum stain protection. May be used as a pre-grouting sealer. Allows moisture vapour transmission. Protects in less than 4 hours. Safe to use, low odour, low VOCs. Designed to achieve optimal penetration into dense, low-porosity surfaces. Lasts up to 15 years. For interior and exterior use with Beaumont Stone and Beaumont Engineered Stone Pavers.
Enhanced Look Sealer: Enrich ‘N’ Seal A premium, no sheen, enhanced-look, penetrating sealer formulated to darken, enrich, and highlight the character of unsealed natural stone. Rejuvenates the colour and improves the appearance of worn and weathered stone. May also be used as a pregrouting sealer. Allows moisture-vapour transmission. Effectively seals and darkens the colour of grout joints. Lasts up to 15 years. For interior and exterior use with Beaumont Stone. Not suitable for Beaumont Engineered Stone.
DIY made easy Keeping natural stone clean Once sealed, natural stone is extremely easy to keep clean. If you haven’t sealed your stone yet, see our guide on Sealing Natural Stone – it will save you a lot of time cleaning in the future!
Internal floors For internal floor surfaces, mop frequently using a clean, non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone. Do not use old, worn vacuum cleaners as they may scratch the surface.
Wall surfaces For wall surfaces, clean with a few drops of a pH neutral cleaner, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Clean with a soft cloth for the best results. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with a soft cloth. Never use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other strong acids. Do not use scouring powders or creams – these products contain abrasives that may scratch the stone. For outdoor pool, patio or barbecue areas, clean with a high pressure cleaner with a gentle spray nozzle as often as required. Aqua Mix have a great range of cleaners that can be used on natural stone. We recommend Heavy Duty Cleaner as a general all-purpose non-abrasive cleaner for regular cleaning.
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Laying natural stone: What you’ll need Adhesives 89974 Ardex X77 15kg
553068 MCB A100 Adhesive 13.5kg
Sealers 508060 Sealers Choice Gold 4L
508195 Enrish N Seal 3.8L
Tools 115706 DTA Professional 3 Vial Level 600mm
110780 Deluxe Adhesive Trowel Bright Steel 10mm
110782 Deluxe Adhesive Trowel Bright Steel 10mm
90542 Ardex Adhesixe Mixer Paddle
111700 Diamond Blade Econ Wet/Dry Super Turbo
90530 Ardex Rubber Grout Float
110750 Quarry Cross Spacers 5mm (500)
90578 ABA Mixing Bucket
90536 Ardex Micro Sponge