Tile Today Issue 104 | February 2020 by Elite Publishing Co Pty Ltd

104

FULLY ENDORSED BY THE AUSTRALIAN TILE COUNCIL

ADHESIVES GUIDE 2020

TILE STYLES THAT SELL BATHROOMWARE FROM BEAUMONT TILES TRENDS

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For over three decades, DesignBUILD has supported Australia’s architecture, building, construction and design communities, and this year it is getting an update; refocusing to celebrate the best of Australian and European products, sustainable solutions, tech innovation and the latest industry thinking.

his year’s theme ‘reimagined’ signifies a new direction for the show, with a reinvigorated show floor, new co-location with Total Facilities, a Digital Building Zone, plus the return of the well renowned speaker series. With over 120 brands represented attendees can expect to discover quality products and sustainable solutions from leaders like, Kingspan, Hickory, Buildlogic and Bluebeam all showcasing products across building materials, interior fixtures and finishes and software and technology. Running alongside the reinvigorated show floor will be a new look, free to attend Speaker Series program. Held across three days, visitors

will explore the future direction of the industry by exploring digital technology, sustainability measures and design techniques.

educate on choices the industry can make today, in technology, process and products, that better align with tomorrow’s needs.

Headline speakers at this year’s event include Bronwyn Weir, coauthor of the Shergold Weir report, Scott West, Design Director at Frasers Property, Professor Andrew Harris from Laing O’Rourke and Nick Travers, Director at Techne Architecture + Interior Design. Topics from the passive house movement, commercial design and construction, the move to low-carbon products, to adopting building reform will be covered.

“The education component at DesignBUILD 2020 this year is in line with reimagining the future direction of the built environment. It is geared toward implementing new technology and environmentally conscious initiatives that align with the best building standards.”

Conference director Pia Argiratos says, “The education component of the event seeks to debate and

“The speakers and topics we have assembled will hopefully help members of the building and design industry achieve the best outcomes today through innovation, expertise and collaboration,” adds Argiratos.

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Covering the entire built environment In taking a more inclusive view of the Australian built environment, DesignBUILD will for the first time be co-located with Total Facilities. The co-location gives visitors access to complete strategies and solutions across the building lifecycle from planning to operation, all on one show floor. Visitors have the freedom to explore both shows and discover trusted suppliers who represent the breadth of the building lifecycle including the latest facilities products and providers across Workspace Fitout & Design, Energy Efficiency, Access Control, Building Maintenance, Health & Safety and more. This will make DesignBUILD 2020 the largest destination for the entire built environment in Australia.

The future of construction tech Recognising that innovation and technology are changing the face of the construction industry and Australia is on the threshold

of widespread implementation; DesignBUILD will launch the Digital Building Zone, set to present up-tothe-minute solutions in construction technology and smart buildings. Offering visitors an industryexclusive opportunity to connect with enterprise companies and start-ups in the construction tech market to realise the potential of digitisation to deliver increased value across their built asset lifecycle. DesignBUILD is working closely with UK sister brand Digital Construction Week, to deliver the latest thinking and discussion revolutionising the construction industry, from the digitisation of paper-based processes and cloud-based design collaboration, through to cuttingedge software, AI and sensor technology. Local and international exhibitors in the Digital Building Zone include Bluebeam, Buildlogic, Ruby Sketch, 2n Telekomunikace and Construction Software. The zone plays host to the newly curated Digital Building Theatre,

discussing the latest in digital solutions and technological advancements across planning, design and building. From BIM software, updates on digital strategy, to insights from digital innovators, Ronny Matzat, CEO, DSGNK, Belinda Hodkinson, Founder & Director, Magnae Solutions and Nathan Hildebrandt, Director, Skewed. DesignBUILD brings together over 120 brands and 4,000 plus industry professionals under one roof to advance excellence and innovation in the built environment. DesignBUILD will return to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 27-29 October 2020.

For information on showcasing your brand at DesignBUILD or to register for free visit designbuildexpo.com.au

contents

104 BATHROOMWARE

10 Beaumont Tiles said it remains committed to Australian

bathroom design, and recently announced six major bathroom trends for 2020.

ADHESIVES GUIDE 12 International correspondent Joe Simpson provides an

overview of the adhesive category. Products from ACT Australia, Australasian Tiling Adhesives, Bostik, Kerakoll and Mapei are showcased.

MARKET 28 Bryan Vadas from Tile Agencies Group discusses turnover

and highlights some of the major tile trends for this year.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT 32 Ceramiche Caesar was the main supplier of Italian-made

porcelain stoneware for a private villa in Austin, Texas.

WATERPROOFING 33 New contributor, Byron Landeryou from XTecGen Training

& Consulting services writes about the importance of water stops.

INDUSTRY ROUNDUP 36 SURFACES China 2019 has completed its first event;

Measure & Quote AR is an augmented reality-driven estimating tool that can measure, calculate supplies and provide a quote in one app; and splashbacks from Stegbar.

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FOREWO R D

TILE TODAY

Bathroomware, a growth category that Beaumont Tiles has capitalised on for many years, has come to the fore. Australia’s largest tile retailer presents some of the significant trends in bathroom tile design that we can expect to see in the next 12 months. Our international correspondent, Joe Simpson provides an overview of adhesives and introduces the UK brand MUDD. This year’s guide features Parex Group, Mapei, Kerakoll, ACT Australia, Bostik and Australian Tiling Adhesives. Regular contributor, Bryan Vadas discusses stock turnover for tile business and explores the type of tiles that actually sell. Consultant Bryan Landeryou writes for the first time in the Waterproofing section. In this issue, he focuses on water stops and the crucial role they play in installations. An app that is designed to change how tilers measure and quote has been launched by Michael Reid from Australian Independent Lining Distributors. He believes it will have a positive impact on the local tiling industry. Read the story on page 37. In overseas developments, SURFACES China held its first event in December 2019 to a positive response from attendees and exhibitors; and Italian tile company Ceramiche Caesar was a major supplier to the construction of a Texan villa. We hope you enjoy this issue and invite anyone to contact me on betty.tanddo@elitepublishing.com.au for feedback, story suggestions or tips we can follow up.

Proudly produced and printed in Australia ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD ABN: 27 006 876 419 PO BOX 800, Templestowe, Victoria, Australia 3106 Ph: + 61 3 9890 0815 Fax: + 61 3 9890 0087 Email: info@elitepublishing.com.au Website: www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au www.elitepublishing.com.au PUBLISHER Vicky Cammiade vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au EDITOR Betty Tanddo betty.tanddo@elitepublishing.com.au INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT Joe Simpson joe.simpson@elitepublishing.com.au MACHINERY EDITOR Philip Ashley philipneilashley@yahoo.com.au SALES & MARKETING MANAGER Trudi Woodward trudi.woodward@elitepublishing.com.au CIRCULATION For circulation enquiries please email: info@elitepublishing.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGN Plum Publishing Pty Ltd dave@plumpublishing.com.au PRODUCTION For artwork and production enquiries please email: dave@plumpublishing.com.au PRE-PRESS Prominent Digital

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FRONT COVER IMAGE

Leading the Industry

Aura from Spanish company, Gayafores takes its inspiration from light marbles. According to the company, avant-garde and traditional styles converge in an ideal balance around the concept of “off-white” where whites are mixed with faint nuances of grey or beige. Digital material plays a major role in this versatile collection which offers three formats (32x62.5, 45x90 and 60x120) and three bases (Calacatta, Onyx and Crema).

104

FULLY ENDORSED BY THE AUSTRALIAN TILE COUNCIL

ADHESIVES GUIDE 2020

Endorsed by Australian Tile Council www.australiantilecouncil.com.au ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD. All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced, transmitted or copied in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without the express prior written consent of Elite Publishing Co Pty Ltd. Viewpoints, opinions, claims, etc expressed in articles appearing in this publication are those of the authors. The Publishers accept no responsibility for the information supplied or for claims made by companies or their representatives regarding product performance, etc or for any errors, omissions, misplacement, alterations, or any subsequent changes, or for any consequences of reliance on this information or this publication.

Please note: Shade variation is an inherent feature of tile production. The Publisher is not liable for any discrepancy between images published in Tile Today and actual products. TILE STYLES THAT SELL BATHROOMWARE FROM BEAUMONT TILES TRENDS

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BAT HR OOM WARE

Bathroom trends to watch As part Beaumont Tiles’ 60-year anniversary and its ongoing commitment to Australian bathroom design, the tile retailer announced six major bathroom trends for 2020

ounded in 1960, Beaumont Tiles’ success story arguably helped to established the evolution of tiles in Australia from a purely functional floor and wall lining for wet areas to a contemporary and powerful design statement throughout the house that offers an array of benefits above other flooring solutions.

The Serie Grafton tile represents the Foraged Life style

Beaumont Tiles design specialist Christie Wood said that when R J Beaumont founded Beaumont Tiles with a single store in Adelaide, unglazed mosaic floor tiles were the Aussie go to for all bathroom design. “Fast forward six decades and tile selections have notably shifted to embrace colour, texture, size and pattern and we take credit for this. “The styles and technologies that Beaumont’s has introduced to Australia has meant that everyone from mum and dad DIYers right through to commercial builders have had easy access to the latest advancements in products that make their dream projects simple to achieve. “Recent examples of this are our exclusive slab tiles sized up to 3-meter tiles, in-store Exclusive Visualiser, InstaLay underlay and MicroTec tile technologies. And it is this continued push innovation that you can see reflected in Beaumonts to watch styles of 2020. “Recent events on the local and global stage, have created a social

consciousness that is at the forefront of many peoples’ minds. In turn this has further influenced design here Australia,” she said. After careful analysis of all 2020 style forecasts from industry trend leaders such as SCOUT, in conjunction with local customer intelligence, Beaumonts has identified the six to-watch life-trends that are sure to set your next bathroom reno apart for years to come. Ms Wood’s six to-watch styles include: Unearthed Life – Worn and treasured, this reflects people’s desire to go back to basics and explore the purity of objects in raw, almost primitive design that is tactile and resonant. Think unfinished materials and rustic textures, misshapen ceramics and open celebration of imperfection and uncomplicated beauty. Referenced Life – Lovers of luxury from every era will be in their element with this style. It does just as the name implies and references motifs from art deco, Bauhaus, 40s, 70s and soul are all blurred to create a soft medley of iconic design notes that is warm, inviting and progressive in appearance. Foraged Life – Eclectic and creative, this takes elements from both Scandinavian and Russian design, blending them into an organic wood-like setting. Earthy tones, with a casual and relaxed aura that is eclectic and creative, are the best way to achieve this look. Life Kind – Mass consumption is ebbing, and in its place is a paring back of our need to acquire unnecessary items and taking a more

Left: Life Kind reflects a style towards “responsible” living

The mosaic Babylon Fan tile in teal crackle mix gloss represents the Referenced Life trend

mindful approach to our impacts on the environment. From this the term ‘slow-sumption’ has been coined, and Life Kind reflects this broader social consciousness towards responsible living. Hybrid Life – Online and offline, urban and coastal – as Australians our lives have blurred, worlds colliding to dramatically change the way we engage with spaces and each other. These experiences, observations and interactions are creating forwardthinking spaces that reflect the shift in our social paradigm, and Hybrid Life is the design interpretation of this. Life Agenda – Life Agenda is an incredible hierarchy of elements

The Grain Harbour Grey range is reflective of the Life Agenda style

spanning handwoven cloth textures, romantic timber patinas, rich colour pallets of deep blues, burgundy and bronze; then contrasted with pops of grey and green. Beaumont Tiles is Australia’s biggest retailer of tiles and

bathroomware with 116 outlets around the country. Its buyers travel the globe to bring back the best in tile designs. The retailer has company owned and franchised stores servicing trade, home builders and renovators, and the commercial sector. n

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ADHESIVES

FEATURE

The business case for tile adhesives The tile adhesive market is a complex, diverse and highly competitive product category. It is driven, and skewed, by a multitude of often-conflicting market forces, writes international correspondent Joe Simpson. At its heart the adhesive category has global chemical corporations with massive multi-national manufacturing operations armed with impressive research and development (R&D) labs, as well as vast marketing resources. For these companies, tile adhesives are just one of many categories in which they compete, and brand recognition is a key objective. Then there are the specialist construction chemical companies, many of whom cut their teeth in the tile sector. Locked in an ongoing battle for marketshare, companies such as Mapei and Custom also invest heavily in R&D. But is it also possible to manufacture tile adhesive on a far smaller scale? There is a long history of tilers turning their hand to small-scale adhesive manufacture. Most of the basic raw ingredients are readily available, and a semi-skilled chemist in a fairly basic lab can formulate a cement-based product that will perform the task.

A Mapei large format installation

12 | TILE TODAY #104 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

These small businesses may not be able to compete with the latest advanced formulations, but many tilers would argue that, except in special circumstances, a lot of these valued added features just increase the cost of adhesive, rather than delivering significant benefit on site. The tile adhesive market is largely influenced by the different requirements of its core customers. DIY multi-channel stores want minimal SKUs, strong branding, and volume sales at a good margin. Specialist tile retailers require a product that will draw in both the trade customer, and appeal to homeowners. That is one reason why dust-free packaging, with recognisable branding, and task-specific names, is now so prevalent. For example, Chemical Co’s Universal Wall Tile Adhesive rather than XYZ 432 Modified Thixotropic by Chemical Co. But in major commercial contracts, it is a different story. Over the past decade, labour, as a percentage of tiling contract costs, has risen while the materials – tiles, trims, backerboards, adhesives, and grouts – has fallen. Most commercial developers will place speed above all other considerations. If you are laying a new airport or supermarket floor, the main imperative is minimising commercial downtime, not the adhesive cost. In other sectors, such as house building, where the tiler is often one of the last trades on site and budgets are already stretched, cost can be more of an issue. But in most commercial contracts, reliability, performance, and avoidance of call backs will outweigh costs of the adhesive.

White versus colour This market is also affected by other factors. The tile industry has to take the blame for one of these. When white bodied floor tiles first came on the market, tile manufacturers needed a way to promote these products, and justify the premium price. The answer, they told everybody, was that they were superior to red bodied tiles. This is only a half-truth, of course. Yes, there were some poor quality red bodied tiles on the market, but a decent red bodied wall tile is every bit as good as a white bodied alternative. After all it is the glazed surface and the grout joint that provides the water-resistant surface, not the tile’s body. However, the impression has stuck, and so homeowners and DIY customers have a marked preference for white bodied tiles … and pure white adhesive. White, they have been led to believe, is a sign of quality. And so adhesive manufacturers have had to compete in the whiter than white stakes, despite the fact that grey flooring adhesives have been established for years.

Environmentally sound When it comes to advanced formulations, the past 20 years have seen a steadily escalating adhesive-technology arms race. This has taken in many different factors: setting times, pot life, trowelability, movement tolerance, initial grab, etc. Other developments have included dust-free compositions, gel-based formulations, and fibrereinforcement. The current hot topic is sustainability, linked to ecologically 14

ADHESIVES

FEATURE

sensitive manufacturing and greener formulations designed to limit the adverse impact on the planet. Kerakoll for instance, now brands itself as “The GreenBuilding Company” and has underlined its credentials by building an exemplar Green Building Lab at its Italian HQ. Of course, it is theoretically possible to combine all these attributes in one formulation: a super adhesive that is pure white, manufactured to ISO 9000 standards, that is fast setting, has an extended pot life, can accommodate significant substrate movement, sets quickly, can be safely used over underfloor heating, offers high initial grab for XXL porcelain, is easy to mix and trowel, and is dust-free to preserve the lung health of tilers. There is one problem – it is just too expensive. There are formulations out there that have gone a long way down this road; but there are also very successful, pretty basic, cement-based alternatives that do the job. One reason for this is that tilers, on the whole, are a rather conservative bunch. Most are understandably wary of these new-fangled adhesives. They have always used the Blue bucket or the Red bag; and can’t see a good reason to change. Online forums are rife with rumours that the formulations of favourite adhesives have been changed and now don’t mix

At Mapei, 5% of global turnover is reinvested in R&D each year

as well, trowel as easily, have a shorter pot life, etc. These loyal users take some convincing to abandon their tried and trusted brand, which they use on site every day and have done so for the past ten years, in favour of a fancy gel-based product that might help save the planet. For tile adhesive manufacturers, this is a problem. On one hand their R&D department is busy inventing new formulations that are faster, smoother, stronger, and greener but on the other hand, the market is asking: Is it worth the money? That is why companies have launched basic brands to sit alongside their premium products. This, hopefully, will allow them to compete on price in one segment, without undermining their premium brand that has taken years to develop and required vast investment.

MUDD in the UK A clear recent example of this is the MUDD brand from the UK’s leading manufacturer, Building Adhesives Ltd. For years BAL has been locked in an arm wrestle with Mapei, Kerakoll, Laticrete and others at the top and middle sectors of the market. It is a competition that has seen a constant stream of new formulations launched that provide a short window of commercial advantage. At the same time, it is also having to compete with Tilemaster, Bostik, Larsen, Palace, Norcros, Botament, and the other brands on price. BAL’s solution is MUDD. The idea behind MUDD – our name is MUDD; your reputation is safe – is simple. It offers basic tiling products that get the job done with no fancy names, no gimmicky extras, and no hassle. It is billed as

Kerakoll brands itself as “The GreenBuilding Company” and has underlined its credentials by building a Green Building Lab at its Italian HQ

14 | TILE TODAY #104 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

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a range of hard-working products to see tilers right through the installation, from prepping and waterproofing, to fixing, grouting and sealing. The MUDD (www.mudd-tiling. com) name itself is a knowing nod to the slang term for the tile industry’s heritage of fixing techniques, but this brand is firmly aimed at the current market. Alex Underwood, head of marketing at BAL, said: “MUDD is something completely different. A new name, a new range of products, a brand that zigs while other zag.”

House brands Another way that manufacturers can address this market sector without damaging their own brands is, of course, through third-party manufacture of ownbrand adhesives for the builder’s merchant, DIY multiple, and tile distribution sectors. For the savvy tiler, this can be a great way to source premium products at bargain prices: but it is also possible to purchase a pretty basic formulation at an inflated cost. So, trial first, buy in bulk later is sound advice. But for professional tilers, the best advice is to match the products to the application. If you are installing a small format, glazed wall tile on a firm, flat, stable substrate in an area such as a kitchen, then a basic cement-based adhesive will get the job done. Take care over the grout choice and installation, and failure-free results and a satisfied customer are virtually guaranteed. However, if you are installing porcelain tiles in a wet room, or cement-effect tiles in a heavily trafficked area, or the installation is likely to be subject to substrate movement, thermal stress, or chemical attack, then higher specification adhesives are readily available to suit these requirements. The plethora of companies now offering specific installation advice for the latest generation of gauged porcelain panels – extralarge format tiles – flag this as an area where tilers really need to pay attention when selecting adhesive. It must also be mixed correctly on site to get the right flow characteristics. 16 | TILE TODAY #104 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

UK adhesive brand MUDD offers basic tiling products that get the job done

As well as high initial grab, these adhesives have to cope with the problem of drying behind massive impervious slabs up to 1,800 by 3,600mm to achieve full adhesion. Tilers can’t just press down the adhesive ribs when installing these mega sheets, it requires a slide-and-set motion. No wonder there are now robotic machines available that can accurately place these back-buttered panels. This is not a task for the unskilled or faint hearted.

In conclusion, where reading about the latest “all singing and dancing” tile adhesives, take time to consider the market forces that lie behind this new formulation. It just may be that making the tiler’s life easier was some way down the priority list so they just pick up another Blue bucket or Red bag. If it worked well last month, there’s no reason why it won’t work next month. n

Parex Davco products Established in 1972, Davco refers to itself as the market leader in the development and manufacture of tile installation products in Australia. Since May 2019 Parex Davco has been part of Sika, a specialty chemicals company with an established reputation in the construction sector. Davco has manufacturing facilities in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth: Its quality label – Tiled & Tested – is used to confirm the proven performance of the brand. The Davco range includes primers, waterproofing membranes, adhesives, grouts, and sealants. Key products include Ceramaflex, a flexible, thick or thin bed, off white, rubbermodified cement-based adhesive. Designed for use on flexible and rigid substrates, it is suitable for interior and exterior applications for commercial and domestic wall and floor installations. Grey One Pot is a grey, acrylic-based, flexible, premixed, interior, thin bed, wall

and floor tile adhesive ideal for porous tiles. SE-7 is an off white, dust free, premium grade tile adhesive. Formulated with non-slump properties, it is ideal for large format wall and floor tiles, inside and out. Finally, SMP Evo is a flexible cement-based tile adhesive specifically designed for premium stone, marble, and porcelain tiles. It also features Davco’s Dust Less Technology. As well as 20kg, SMP Evo is now available in a 5kg size, for smaller tiling projects. n

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BioGel Extreme

Granite/Marble

Vitrified products (Porcelain)

8800

13652

BioGel Extreme

Biofix

14852

BioGel Revolution

Shower Floors

13648

BioGel No Limits

14852

13639

14831

14852

BioGel Revolution

Bioflex S1

BioGel Revolution

13648

BioGel No Limits

Biofast

13639

Bioflex S1

Floor tiling to receive floor traffic on same day of tiling

Slim thickness tile or panel 3-5+mm

Swimming Pools & Other Total Immersion Locations

MISCELLANEOUS

13485

Universal Eco

C2FS1

Granirapid

Keraflex Maxi S1

Keraquick S1

Granirapid

Kerapoxy Adhesive

Keralastic T

Granirapid

Ultralite S2

Ultralite S1

Keraquick S1

Keraflex Maxi S1

Kerabond Plus & Isolastic

Granirapid

Ultralite S2

Ultralite S1

Keraquick S1

Keraflex Maxi S1

C2TES1

C2FTS1

C2FS1

R2T

C2FS1

C2ES2

C2TES1

C2FTS1

C2TES1

C2TS2

C2FS1

C2ES2

C2TES1

C2FTS1

C2TES1

C2TS2

C2F

Adesilex P4

Kerabond Plus & Isolastic

C2FTS1

C2FS2

C2ES2

C2TES1

C2FS1

C2TES1

C2TS2

C1S1

D1TE

C2ES2

Keraquick S1

Keraquick S1 & Latex Plus

Ultralite S2

Ultralite S1

Granirapid

Keraflex Maxi S1

Kerabond Plus & Isolastic

Adeflex Trade

Mapemastic Easy

Ultralite S2

501223

605833

Prohesive Promaxset Plus (Non moisture sensitive stone only) Eco Systems Opti-Cure

529240

529241

501287

501283

605833

529240

529241

501283

605833

529240

529241

501223

605833

501223

529241

605833

529241

501287

501288

501283

Prohesive Lite (Non moisture sensitive stone only)

Prohesive MegaLite (Non moisture sensitive stone only)

Prohesive Proflex

Prohesive Promaxset

Prohesive Promaxset Plus

Prohesive Lite

Prohesive MegaLite

Prohesive Promaxset

Prohesive Promaxset Plus

Prohesive Lite

Prohesive MegaLite

Eco Systems Opti-Cure

Promaxset Plus

Eco System Opti-Cure

Prohesive MegaLite

Prohesive Promaxset Plus

Prohesive MegaLite

Prohesive Proflex

Prohesive Megapro (Internal Only)

Prohesive Promaxset (To be used in conjunction with Eco Systems Prep n Prime)

ADHESIVES

FEATURE

ACT adhesive range ACT Australia offers a range of adhesives featuring ADH-55, a C2ETS2 polymer modified tile adhesive that is commercial grade. This cementbased tile adhesive is suitable for tiling heavy traffic applications, and used for driveways, external cladding, over concrete including early age concrete (seven days), green screed, cement render, fibrous cement sheeting and plasterboard. It can also be used for tiling over existing tiles. ADH-55 is ideal for heavy large format stone and tiles for existing floors and cladding. ADH-55 has been engineered for use in swimming pools as both an adhesive and grout in one application, saving tilers time and money. It can be used with WP-1 “The Pink One” waterproofing membrane. ADH-55 tile adhesive is mixed with approximately 5litres of clean drinking water per 20kg bag. A 20kg bag of ADH-55 will cover approximately 8.5sqm with a 10mm notch trowel. It has crack bridging capability <1.2mm. ADH-44 is a C2ETS1 non-slip/non slump, powder mastic style tile adhesive. Suitable for tiling over concrete, sand cement screeds, cement render, fibrous cement sheeting, plasterboards as well as tiling over existing tiles. ADH-44 is ideal for large format tiles including rectified edge tiles. ADH-44 is also suitable for shower recesses, and for use over ACT WP-1 (class III) under tile waterproofing membrane. ADH-44 has crack bridging capability <1mm.

ADH-44 tile adhesive is usually mixed with approximately 6litres of clean drinking water per 20kg bag. Each bag will cover approximately 7sqm with a 10mm notch trowel. ADH-33 is a C2ETS1 rubber and polymer modified tile adhesive used for tiling over concrete, including early age concrete (seven days), green screed, cement render, fibrous cement sheeting, plasterboard and over existing tiles. It is suitable for shower recesses and ideal for use over ACT WP-1 (class III) under tile waterproofing membrane. ADH-33 has superior non-slip/nonslump properties for laying large format tiles. ADH-33 tile adhesive is mixed with approximately 8.4litres of clean drinking water per 20kg bag, and each bag will cover approximately 11sqm with a 10mm notch trowel. ADH33 has crack bridging capability <1mm. All three tile adhesives available from ACT are marketed as premium quality, high strength and highly flexible products. They can be used for both wall and floor applications, and internal and external commercial and domestic applications including bathrooms, laundries, kitchens, decks and verandahs. They can also be used over green screeds after 24 hours and in conjunction with other ACT Australia approved under tile waterproofing membranes. All products are proudly 100% Australian made and owned, and come with a 15-year product warranty. n

Innovative green products Kerakoll’s products are available across Australia and New Zealand with over 4000 apartments using its green advanced technology developed by its GreenLab initiative. Products include levellers, concrete restoration, waterproofing, adhesives (tiles and resilient flooring) as well as grouts. Kerakoll provides the Australian and New Zealand market with a genuine “green advantage” providing tangible benefits to applicators, builders and home owners. The company invests 5.4%

of its turnover in R&D through Kerakoll GreenLab which has over 100 scientists in its 100% carbon neutral environment creating its highly differentiated products that have the following attributes.

- Zero silica in its white tile adhesives makes them safe to use for the trade. These adhesives are made from minerals (white Carrara marble) instead of chemicals. This also comes at a time when Silicosis is a major issue for the industry. Kerakoll said it is the first to implement a towards zero tolerance to respirable crystallite silicate (RCS). - Zero efflorescence in its latest generation of resin based Fugabella coloured grouts (as seen in Tile Today #103) which are available in 50 colours. These products do not 24

22 | TILE TODAY #104 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

Australia New Zealand & Neighbouring Pacific Islands

Better Service Better Quality â&#x20AC;˘ Better Price ata.com.au

ADHESIVES

FEATURE

ATA adds to Burberry stores Australasian Tiling Adhesives Pty Ltd (ATA) have products that are manufactured to comply with Australian and international standards, and made for tile and stone installers in Australia and New Zealand. ATA products are colour coded for easy identification and the Aus-Crete range of adhesives is available in three colour options: white, light grey and grey. The company prides itself on being competitive on performance,

ATA was involved in a Burberry store project. Managing director, Graeme Wall said it has since supplied materials to other Burberry stores.

price and service against other manufacturers and imported products. Its range of specialty mortars include renders and engineered cements for substrate preparation, and custom design mortars such as light weight screeds and highperformance patching mortars for major projects. ATA’s waterproofing line of products has evolved to include UV stable membranes for external use in swimming pools, sheet membranes that bond directly to Scyon sheeting for lightweight decks, crack isolation membranes, conventional liquid applied membranes and 2-component cement/latex membranes for projects in the tiling industry and the broader construction industry. Its Aqua-Proof WPM C3 product has BRANZ Appraisal for both Australia and New Zealand. One of the projects it was involved in centred on fashion brand Burberry and one of its stores. Managing director Graeme Wall said it was a very demanding project as there was a construction joint running diagonally across

the floor and the architects did not want to see any construction/ expansion control joints in the floor. “Aqua-Stick 1000 Crack Isolation Mat was used to transfer any movement in the floor to the perimeter expansion/control joints rather than having an ugly expansion joint brought up through the tile work. We have since supplied materials to many of the Burberry stores,” he said. Other ATA products used in this project include Aus-Screed (lightweight) and Aus-Crete Premium Industrial Adhesive. ATA was founded in 2011 on the back of experience that dates back to the early 1960s in the tiling industry, both in Australia and overseas. Its focus is on providing value to the industry by manufacturing products that are user friendly, compliant to the relevant standards and giving honest answers to technical questions based on its extensive history and knowledge in the industry. ATA is wholly Australian owned and operated. n

Innovative green products • Continued from page 22 contain Portland cement or silica, the main cause of efflorescence. - Single component products so there are no additional mixtures, potentially saving costly mistakes. - Low VOCs across the range allowing its products to breathe and not leach harmful odours or smells. - Geo-binded gel-based adhesives called the BioGel Range (please see Tile Today #100). Stone and tiles can be adhered to any surface with minimal effort. This is considered another breakthrough for the industry in terms of full tile wet-ability that is especially important for large porcelain panels and stone slabs. Italy-based Kerakoll formed in 1968 and has been a significant innovator in the industry. The company has made its products 24 | TILE TODAY #104 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

ecologically safe and green in the truest sense of the word by removing harmful petrochemicals and substituting them with mineral based materials and natural plant matter. Kerakoll is the only company that has eco-tested and certified each one of its over 1700 products

through the SGS Institute, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company in Switzerland. The company has been a technical supplier for outstanding architectural works such as the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa; Colosseum and the MAXXI Museum in Rome, Italy; Innova Design Center in Houston, Texas (USA); World Trade Center in Manama, Bahrain; Allianz Arena in Munich, New Delhi International Airport in India; and the Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing, China. In Australia, Kerakoll has contributed to the Aurora, Melbourne's second-tallest building and the third tallest building in the country. n

40%

Lighter with GREATER COVERAGE THAN A 20KG BAG of traditional cement based adhesive

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ADHESIVES

FEATURE

Bostik’s tiling adhesives guide The company said it aims to provide tiling systems that allow the tiler to achieve consistent high-quality results. According to Bostik, “Our products are backed up with world class innovation and a fundamental understanding of the science behind the performance. We have a firm commitment to technical integrity

and our products are formulated to exceed the requirements for the classification on the packaging.” Its comprehensive range allows selection of the most appropriate solution for each project: • Well-designed formulations that are simple to mix and easy to trowel

• Integrated systems of products designed to work together • Products developed for use in Australian conditions • Long working times without compromised setting times or pot life Bostik’s local R&D teams continuously test new technologies to be on the innovation frontline. This knowledge is used to develop new ranges of technologically advanced products as well as keeping the existing high-quality products performing as best in class. The company said its investment in Australian R&D has led to its team having the best knowledge of tile adhesive chemistry in the Australian market as well as in-depth understanding of local building codes and performance standards. “In conjunction with our field team, our technical department provides a source of valuable assistance to designers, specifiers, distributors, stockists and end users,” it said.

Adhesives for large format tiles Launched in 2017, Mapei Ultralite is a premium large-format adhesive. The Ultralite range features singlecomponent, high performance, and flexible, lightweight, cementitious adhesives with a long open time, and up to 80% higher yield than traditional adhesives. Some of the range’s adhesives also boast Mapei’s Low Dust technology. The products are said to be easy to apply by trowel with excellent wetting properties, and have the eco-benefit of very low VOC emissions. Some thin porcelain tiles currently being produced have a surface area larger than 3sqm. This large size throws out the standard single person installation method. It requires at least two people to install these large slimline porcelain tiles. Transporting and cutting tiles this size also requires special handling and cutting equipment. When selecting a

26 | TILE TODAY #104 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

suitable tile adhesive for fixing thin porcelain tiles, care must be taken to ensure bond strength and of durability. When the tiles are mesh backed, Mapei recommended Mapei Ultralite S2. If no mesh backing is present, and the tile size is smaller than 1,000 by 1,000mm, Mapei Ultralite S1 can be used. In either case, the adhesive must be applied with a notched trowel to both the back of the tile and the substrate to guarantee 100% coverage. This method prevents voids below the tile surface. Also from Mapei, Keraflex Maxi S1 is a high-performance deformable cementitious adhesive with no vertical slip, and an extended open time for ceramic tiles. It is particularly recommended for laying large porcelain and natural stone tiles. n From international correspondent Joe Simpson

Bostik also provides guidelines in terms of adhesives classification so that its end-users and resellers can avoid confusion. There are three classes of adhesives: C = Cement based (usually a powder) D = Dispersion (or paste) R = Reaction (e.g. epoxy or polyurethane) They are then given other codes depending on performance, for example a “C” class adhesive can be classified as follows: Strength: 1 = Normal Adhesive with at least 0.5 MPa pull off strength under all test conditions and 20 minutes open time. 2 = Improved Adhesive with at least 1.0 MPa pull off strength under all test conditions and 20 minutes open time (high bond strength). As a general rule C1 adhesives are suitable for domestic or light commercial tiling but you will need a C2 for high traffic, high stress or commercial installations. Flexibility: S1 = Flexible S2 = Highly flexible In general, an S class adhesive is suitable for bonding to flexible substrates (such as fibre cement) or approved waterproofing membranes. Its notable products include

Megafix, a brilliant white adhesive perfect for use in bathrooms with mosaics or when a very white adhesive is needed. Ultra Mastik is a white tile adhesive with superior anti-slip, able to hold a 600 x 600mm tile. It has a smooth feel for easy trowelling and suitable for commercial and high traffic installations. Superfixall White is a tile adhesive designed for use on rigid surfaces. Suitable for domestic tiling, Megalastic can be used to upgrade flexibility and bond strength but maintain long open time. Designed for submersed situations and commercial applications. Conflex is positioned as a premium rubber modified tile adhesive designed for demanding or high traffic applications. Excellent all round adhesive suitable for commercial, high traffic and tile-ontile installations. Evoflex is a high polymer modified tile adhesive with in-built “Evo-Lastic Technology” and ideal for laying heavy large format tiles on floors. Its main features include non-lipping, has a smooth trowel feel with strong grab and excellent bond. This adhesive delivers long adjustment time and early grouting (6-8 hours). It is an all-rounder product and no additive required. Evoflex is a single component but offers two-pack performance. n

MARKETS

Progress in 2020: Where to from here? Returning from the holidays, the warehouse is full of stock (ie. cash) that continues to present a challenge for tile businesses to keep turning over, writes Bryan Vadas

tock is like fine fillet steak. A tasty morsel when we first see it on the menu, but not getting any better as it sits and waits. If not consumed, it will go bad, so the clock is ticking to deal with it. And then there is the next question: “What do we reorder?” Stock control and having the right products on display are at the very essence of good marketing. Trying to pick where the market is going, attempting to understand the future needs of customers, and having the right products to cater for the demand ensures that your investment in inventory will deliver a profitable return, as well as mitigating the risk of tying up cash on the racking in a warehouse. As part of a world market, Australia and New Zealand often ride on the edge of global trends and take the learnings and direction from other countries to help us to plan for the coming new year. Being aware of the different aspects of global ceramic fashions, coupled with local knowledge that affects and alters the impact of these trends, helps tile businesses to “take stock” and plan for the year ahead.

Textured products Many of us keep several textures of the same line in stock. With various options for internal finishes, we choose whether we keep matte, honed, lapato, or polished in stock. But then we need to clone the stock with a matching external offering. This almost doubles the inventory we hold. Fortunately, this is starting to change with leading manufacturers from Spain, China and India recently having introduced a texture which feels like a standard internal matte 28 | TILE TODAY #104 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

Covina Gold tile from the President brand

finish when dry, but incorporates glaze technology that achieves a highly slip resistant result when tested wet. These products allow us to be able to stock one finish (and one batch of inventory) to cater for customers who increasingly want tiles that flow from the indoors to the outdoors. If we rewind a few years, there was a real market push in the eastern states of Australia for P3 / R10 matte finish tiles that have a safe level of slip resistance to internal floors for multi residential construction. The tradeoff for this increased slip resistance is a reduction in cleanability. Over time, the consumer push-back from their struggles to clean less-slippery floors have led the market back towards a more silky or smoother internal floor finish. Lapato, which was perhaps the most popular finish for tiles going

back a couple of years, has shown decline in the last 12 months, with a demand for matte, honed and polished all picking up the ground that lapato has lost. The honed option, now on offer from many manufacturers, is growing with the greatest momentum, especially those that offer a stain free finish. If the stain free honed finishes succeed in being chosen over the less stain resistant ones, honed finish will continue to enjoy the current increased demand.

Popular sizes Those who have attended the industry fairs in Europe recently will attest to the big push on large format tiles. Slabs and massive formats have been all the rage, and this has also played into the hands of Asian tile manufacturers for whom the large format tiles fall nicely into their production sweet spot.

Our construction, whilst having areas that would very much suit larger format tiles, has resisted the push to large format tiles, primarily due to the installers opposition to working with the more cumbersome larger format. With an undersupply of trades, installers have largely kept the market focussed on the quickerto-install 600x600mm and smaller formats. Given the sharp decline in new housing starts and the overall volume of installation work available, there has been less resistance in the last twelve months to laying of large format tiles. As a result, the local market has been able to start to embrace bigger tiles in greater volumes. Whilst 450x900 had been looming as the next step up in size, the market seems to have leap frogged this size and gone straight to 600x1200, and we are starting to see more of this size appearing in showrooms and on site in our market.

Colours that sell Light colours such as the whites and the cool greys still tend to dominate

the majority of sales, but there has been a noticeable growth in requests for some warmer hues. Ivories with a hint of warmth are being sought after in increasing numbers, but care needs to be taken to ensure the warmer ivory does not move towards the yellows or pinks which can mean an instant death (in sales) to tiles containing those hues. While taking up a smaller segment of the market, there has been a rise in the number of darker tiles we are seeing. With China, our largest source of tiles, having considerable issues with darker colours, other options from Europe and India have been delivering options with true blacks, without the green or brown tones. And with their production processes being slower than the Chinese manufacturers, these alternative sources are able to better overcome the printing lines which have plagued darker tiles to date. Blue, along with yellow, pink, and green has always been regarded as a colour that can kill a tile range. However, with colour company

The Pebble White tile is made by Krem in China from Italian design

Pantone announcing blue as its “Colour of The Year” for 2020, it seems blue could possibly be the new black for the coming year. Blue is said to bring a sense of “peace, tranquillity and refuge”, addressing what Pantone has identified as the current world need for “trust and faith”. At Cersaie 2019, there were more blues than in previous years, and this trend could start to appear in our offerings in 2020. Some of the more 30

adventurous among us have already ventured into the deep blue, and time will tell how well received it is in our market. Early signs are that blue will make inroads, and only later in the year will we know if Classic or Cobalt Blue (the particular shades of blue named by Pantone in its forecast) will have the expected impact. Pantone, after their mis-forecast for 2019 which had them choosing Living Coral as their colour of the year, are more determined than ever that blue is where we are headed.

Patterns in 2020 OK, so we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a warehouse full of just variations of Carrara, despite that being the dominant flavour of the market. This is one trend that should endure for the coming year, as Carrara has always had a presence, although perhaps not the extent of the current overwhelming demand. On the back of the trend for Carrara, stone-looks should feature strongly in 2020. Soft marble looks, gentle movement, and moderate patterns will feature predominantly in this area. However some stronger looks will edge their way in there, albeit in lower volumes than the more universally accepted options. Flowing on from this will be terrazzo which has tried to force its

Thasos satuario tile from Morbi, India-based Keramica is primarily focused on vitrified floor, wall and step tile

Grey Obsidian Moss tile from President

way into the offering but has not delivered to the expectation and fanfare that announced its arrival. There was initially a massive push on terrazzo but many of those who leapt in early found they were clearing their stocks of terrazzo and licking their wounds. But the second wave of terrazzo is starting to make its way back onto the table. Particle size, intensity of stones, and the correct mix of colour palettes in the terrazzo will see some of these options enjoying a greater success in the coming year. However, it will be very particular, so it is best to dip the toe in before leaping into filling the warehouse with terrazzo. Concrete looks â&#x20AC;Ś yes, concrete looks (again)! They will maintain their enduring popularity the coming year. The colours might soften a little, a warmer ivory could become more prevalent, and we may see concrete looks morph with other textures, but concrete looks are not going away any time soon. Wood, like terrazzo, appeared with massive promise and then faded before their second iteration delivered more success. Woods that look like woods in terms of tone and pattern, rather than grey and white variants (although there is still some

A second wave of terrazzo is starting to make this become popular, according to Bryan Vadas

30 | TILE TODAY #104 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

appeal for these) will see the best rate of success and there will be a noticeable demand for this in the coming year. Whilst forecasting market trends and getting it one hundred percent correct is nigh on impossible without an accurate crystal ball, constant dialogue with retailers, importers and wholesalers around the country as well as in countries with a similar product compilation, helps to assemble a market overview. Added to this, discussions and workshops with manufacturers in Europe, Asia, South America and locally help to create a profile of the market direction. Include into this input from peek industry bodies representing local builders, and we can start to develop a clearer picture of what is to come by way of product. Finally, working closely with marketing companies with experience in the building industry complements a forecast that has a deeper understanding of consumer sentiment. This can create an educated guess as to the general direction for product in a market made up of a diverse economic and demographic mix. n n Bryan Vadas is from the Tile Agencies Group

P ROJ E C T SP OTLIGH T

A villa gets the Ceramiche treatment In Austin, Texas, a US city famous for its live music, a private villa has been constructed where the American soul cohabits with Italian tiling tradition

eramiche Caesar was the chosen supplier for a portfolio of Italian-made porcelain stoneware that clad areas of the villa. Various naturally-inspired textured effects, selected from the Tale, Trace, Absolute, Roxstones, and Aquae ranges, have enabled the indoor and outdoor wall tiling and flooring to play a pivotal role in a design that seamlessly pairs luxury with functionality. The elegance of stone, and the strength and wear-resistance of porcelain stoneware, are combined in the Tale collection. This design was installed in the silver colour. Two formats – 600 by 600mm and 1,200 by 2,400mm – delivered the desired blend of blend of tradition with modernity. It was teamed with Trace. This range’s bold Alumina and Mint hues were picked in the 300 by 300mm Composition A décor. It proved the ideal cladding solution the floors and walls, achieving an urban elegance that is both light and pure. Offering the texture and versatility of stone, which helps soften a cuttingedge interior vision, the Absolute series – in a soft Beola Bianca colour – was used to define not only the indoor surfaces, but also the outdoor areas, of the home: the character and

originality of this ceramic tile range also offers the wear-resistance and robustness required to withstand the stresses that the weather and sustained foot traffic. The same added value of outdoor porcelain stoneware can be found in the Roxwall2 decoration from the Roxstones series. Here, Caesar’s technological innovation has created a design that delivers the authentic beauty of quartzite in a ceramic tile suitable for external wall tiling. Caesar’s approach to this material – viewed as a technical solution for all architectural areas – meant that it was also possible to provide a way for the swimming pool tiling

using the same range. The designers found that Caesar’s Aquae project, which is dedicated to the design requirements of wet environments such as swimming pools, showers, and spas, offered the ideal solution. Here again, the designs were selected from the Absolute collection. The models chosen included special pieces in the seductive Beola Bianca colour, including Flexi, a 250 by 250mm grating, Pool Edge and 300 by 600mm Step Edge. The outcome is an organic and co-ordinated installation that create a feeling of pure harmony while also being eminently practical. n From international correspondent, Joe Simpson

32 | TILE TODAY #104 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

WAT E RPRO OF ING

Water stops are designed to stop water The importance of water stops is commonly undervalued to many tilers and builders when installing waterproof membranes to internal wet areas, according to Byron Landeryou There are complexities that can come from having to install the water stops at the time of the initial waterproofing installation. A few of the main issues include the water stop being installed out of square to the tile layout; the water stop getting kicked or tripped over and becoming buckled; or the client not wanting the water stop to be visible in the tile layout. Waterproofing Standard AS3740 mentions several locations where water stops should be installed to prevent the passage of moisture to unprotected surfaces or adjacent rooms. This article will focus specifically on two: the first one being the shower perimeter water stop, and the second at the door perimeter to the internal wet area. Many internal wet area failures happen as a result of these

water stops being installed incorrectly and/or not being installed at all. One common misunderstanding about the purpose of the shower perimeter water stop, is that the water stop is there to stop the water that travels beneath the tiles. That’s right, “beneath the tiles”. Moisture grows silently out of view to what the eye can normally see — beneath the tiles — and ends up damaging unprotected surfaces such as plaster, carpet and timber skirtings; as seen in the picture below (See Photo 1). How does this happen? As grouts and some tiles are porous, they allow easy transfer of moisture through to the tile adhesive below the tiles. With continual saturation of the tile bed within the shower enclosure, a water table forms under the tiles. This water table swells and subsides continually

Photo 1: Non-compliant bathroom design and no shower or perimeter water stop have allowed moisture to damage timber and carpet outside the shower

with each shower use and in a lot of cases may never actually dry out at all for the entire life of the shower. If no shower perimeter water stop has been installed, this water table can result in a mini gutter being formed between the floor tile and skirting tile, then water travels outside of the shower along the perimeter of the room until arriving at the timber architrave. Unfortunately, the only compliant way to fix this damage is to start the process again. Water stops need to work as part of the complete waterproofing system — no matter how effective the waterproofing application It is alarming how many internal wet areas with a hob less or walk-in showers do not have a water stop installed at the shower perimeter. As many builders and tiling/ waterproofing subcontractors have had little, and in some cases, no formal training on the Australian standards for waterproofing, they would not know this is a crucial compliance and protective provision. Frequently attending new job sites, remedial projects, staying at various types of accommodation and following builders/ tilers and waterproofers on social media, l see daily posts and situations of walkin showers that have been tiled with no water stop being installed. This is a disaster waiting to happen that inevitably becomes another statistic adding to the thousands of wet areas around the country each year being affected by dampness. Under Waterproofing AS3740 for an enclosed hob less shower, the shower should have water stop sitting underneath the shower screen and protrude 5mm above the top of the height of the tile. 34 www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au | TILE TODAY #104 | 33

Damaged timber skirting and vanity kickboard in a bathroom

The following images are of a property that was less than seven years old and we can see how easy it is to get it wrong. The ensuite and bathroom were designed with a hob less enclosed shower that ultimately had failed. In the images, we see the bathroom floor has multiple spots of efflorescence, leaching and water damage to the vanity kick boards, timber doorjamb and skirting, and the timber floor outside the bathroom was damp which led to mould development under the carpet. The carpet and timber deterioration in the previously mentioned images were a result from incorrectly installed perimeter water stops. The tile trim that is used by tilers needs to be installed or sealed as a continuation of the membrane system to ensure moisture does not exit the designated wet area and damage adjacent rooms. In many situations, the perimeter water stop is installed at the same time as the bathroom floor tiles 34 | TILE TODAY #104 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

Damaged timber doorjamb to the right and leaching through grout joints

Enclosed hob less/walk-in shower

Carpet pulled back at the doorway to uncover extensive dampness and mould growth

Sliding the scraper under the screen with little to no resistance is an indication of no water stop 5mm above FFH (ie. top of tile)

This image displays rotting timber floor which was found to be coming from the shower that had no shower perimeter water stop and an incorrectly installed perimeter water stop

are being laid and generally only with tile adhesive. For situations where the entire bathroom requires a screed, the water stop should be installed beneath the screed bed with waterproofing protection concealing the screed. Under AS3740, the standard makes reference to this as a Type 5 perimeter flashing and that the flashing shall be continuously sealed across doorways, with a 50 mm horizontal leg. As tile adhesive is not waterproof and if the tile trim has only been installed with tile adhesive, this would not achieve a continuous seal. Secondly, tile trims are approximately 20mm on the horizontal surface and would also fail to meet compliance under AS3740 Type 5 perimeter flashing. So in this case, both bathrooms failed to meet compliance and the home owner was able to get their bathrooms fixed under warranty. The builder repaired both bathrooms with the estimated cost of repairs somewhere “between” $20,000 to $35,000. This isn’t always the case

for many home owners who in sometimes fix the issue themselves. We have now arrived at a time where dampness related defects are reportedly the biggest portion of building defect costs to the industry with damages resulting in millions of dollars to repair. This is also happening when reputations of building and trade professionals are being severely tarnished. When one considers a $30 tile trim installed as part of the waterproofing system would not only ensure damp free bathrooms, but also restore some faith into builders, tilers and waterproofers, a degree of urgency is needed to correctly use a water stop to put a stop to leaking bathrooms. n

About the author: Byron Landeryou is general manager at XTecGen Training & Consulting services. He has 20 years’ experience in the tiling and waterproofing industries.

IF ONLY THEY KNEW... Meet Ed and Sarah. They love their home and recently retiled their balcony. The job was perfect and they were thrilled. But 1 month later, they started to get leaching so they had their tiles professionally cleaned. The efflorescence returned so they cleaned it again. And again, and again.

IF ONLY THEIR TILE RETAILER OR TILER HAD RECOMMENDED EFFLOCK

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Efflock is an advanced additive that prevents migration of calcium hydroxide and other salts that cause efflorescence.

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It works by impregnating mortar to provide a hydrophobic function that is unaffected by building movement or traffic wear.

www.efflock.com.au

When added to screed, render, tile adhesive and grout, Efflock provides a primary water barrier and is proven to be a reliable solution for preventing efflorescence.

Ben Burdett – 0414 730 736

(National sales and technical enquiries)

Denis Suess – 0418 422 858

(Agent for Southern & Central regions NSW, South Coast, Riverina & ACT)

Chris Garling – 0408 275 369

(Agent for Central & North Coast NSW, Hunter & New England)

I N DU ST R Y R OUN DUP

SURFACES China, first edition The Surface + Design Event China 2019 (SURFACES China 2019), organised by Informa Markets and the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters (CCCMC), was successfully held on December 11-13, 2019 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. In partnership with the Las Vegas event, SURFACES China presented a threeday exhibition and conference with over 11,000sqm exhibition space, and more than 30 free-to-attend conference and seminar sessions. The event brought together in excess of 110 leading manufacturers and suppliers from stone, tiles, floor and wall covering industries showcasing their latest designs, technologies and services. According to the organisers, there were over 11,000 trade visitors from 34 countries. MONALISA, Hongyu, Huida, Gani, PORSCHELAIN, Belite, White Rabbit Ceramics, LIVI and other tile manufacturers displayed their latest products. Some key stone suppliers like Guangdong Zhisheng, Guangdong Shengshi, Guangdong Chuanqi, Xiamen Tongho and Wayon exhibited along with pavilions from Guangdong Yunfu and Guizhou Anshun.

Displays at SURFACES China 2019

Tile products on display at at SURFACES China 2019

36 | TILE TODAY #104 | www.tiletodaymagazine.com.au

SURFACES China 2019 was held in Shanghai in December 2019

For the floor and wall covering sector, companies such as Yekalon, Foshan Tianli Jianlong, Taizhou Huali, Beijing Hengtong Tech, BBL, Lodgi Woods, Jiangsu High Hope Arser, and SUMINOE&YOSHIDA, FL TOKUYAMA exhibited their wares. With a focus on new products, technologies and innovative materials, SURFACES China aims to promote China's tile, stone, floor and wall covering industries in terms of industry transformation and improvement, along with the development of green materials. During the three days, the event also delivered a comprehensive education program in collaboration with the CCCMC, Shanghai Stone Trade Association, American Institute of Architects International Region (AIA IR), INTERNI and WGSN. Attendees discussed industry trends and reform, architectural design, and current and future business models. The event gathered reputable and award-winning architects and designers to present and share their ideas and projects, At the seminar called “Emerging Trends in Commercial Interior Architecture”, presenters interacted with attendees on topics such as “Chinese Heritage In Contemporary Design”, “The Future Of Workplace In China” and “Surface Informs”. SURFACES China and INTERNI hosted local and international architects and designers to discuss their own interpretation of “Variations of Chinese Design:

Space, Time and Architecture” and “Variations of Chinese Design: New Trends in Public Space Design”. Other topics included “The Urban Structure and Their Attitude in The Time”, “Continuity”, “The Beauty in between Past and Future”, “Matching is More”, “Practice in Functional Diversity of Space Design”, “The Ambiguity of Public Space” and “The Application of Cultural Elements in Modern Public Space Design”. WGSN, the authoritative trends analysis organization, provided experts to deliver presentations on the topics of “Tap into The Future”, to look at consumer behaviour of future generations, colours and interior design trends. Two themed exhibitions sponsored by AIA IR and INTERNI highlighted projects from around the world. The Trends Hub exhibit provided an opportunity for visitors to access a number of creative products, materials and design. SURFACES China 2019 has released detailed bidding and tendering information on several new projects. These exhibits and seminars were based on government resources, in cooperation with many building companies that were bidding. Data and analysis were conducted based on bidding and purchasing trends from recent years to indicate the general direction of future procurement trends in building materials. SURFACES China 2020 will be held in the same venue in Shanghai between December 9-11, 2020. n

Measure and quote app for tilers Australian Independent Lining Distributors (AILD) managing director Michael Reid has launched Measure & Quote AR, the only augmented reality-driven construction estimating tool that can measure, calculate supplies and come up with a quote, all in one app. The app could mean ‘no more awkward tape measures’ for tradies. Michael believes the app can help the tiling industry in a big way. The app not only measures floors, ceilings and walls, but can calculate the bill of quantities for materials, and can even detect cornice measurements and skirting. Users can subtract windows, doors and other openings, thanks to the app’s innovative “cut” feature. Once measuring is complete, the app calculates the materials needed for the job and sends them directly to

the supplier. Plaster, paint, cornices, skirting or insulation can all be ordered directly through the app. Measure & Quote AR uses a smart phone’s camera to measure walls, floors and ceilings. Measurements can be taken in either metric or imperial, and are accurate up to 99% of the time. Michael, who developed the app to meet a need for speedier quoting, said: “Measuring using the traditional method takes an average of 45 minutes on-site, plus all the time spent back at the office calculating and generating the quote. “Measure and Quote AR shaves that time down to just a few minutes. No more awkward tape measures, fiddling with pencil and paper or getting your calculations wrong.” Along with his work in app development Michael has

The Measure & Quote AR is an augmented reality tool that is designed to change how trades measure and quote

two-and-a-half decades’ experience in the construction industry. Measure and Quote AR works on any Apple or Android device with a dual-camera augmented reality capability, and is available now in app stores. n

High performance, high quality and exclusive range. Contact CDK Stone for your nearest stockist.

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Stegbar, in collaboration with interior designer and trend forecaster Marylou Cafaro, has launched the Stegbar Create Splashbacks Series, including the Mirror, Metallic and Colour Collections. “The aim was to create understated refined spaces that speak to quality and longevity,” said Marylou.“A decade ago splashbacks stood out, but now they need to blend in with the whole home design and be an integral part of the joinery and space.” Fitted by Stegbar’s experts and consisting of a single pane of made-to measure glass per surface, the Create Splashback Series offers a seamless look, free from grout lines. With the addition of Nanoclean Protective Coating, they also repel oil and water more effectively, removing the need for harsh chemicals and reducing cleaning time by 90%. Nature has set the tone for the Create Colour Collection of 20 contemporary hues starting at the lighter end of the spectrum with soft white, grey and beige shades. The collection progresses through to darker luxe stone, charcoal and black tones, all of which will breath timeless style into any space. For a grand statement that transcends modern and vintage design, the Create Metallic Collection features four pearlescent looks – pearl gold, pearl copper, pearl beige and pearl dark grey. These mesmerising tones are especially effective when

used to complement tapware and cabinetry door handles. The Create Mirror Collection’s understated surfaces are a hallmark of contemporary design and will subtly mirror the outdoors in your home while helping to reflect light, lifting dark spaces. The range offers a number of glass options from the reflective Clarity Gloss and Lustre Gloss Glass, through to never seen before matte looks. Understanding the challenges of designing and visualising the perfect kitchen space, Stegbar has teamed with Polytec and Caesarstone to bring consumers the ultimate kitchen colour guide. Stegbar’s top 20 colours are expertly matched with Polytec surfaces and Caesarstone benchtops, creating an array of go-to kitchen colour palettes. n

Widely circulated to key specifiers and all sectors of the industry Proudly supported and endorsed by:

FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT: Sandie Velkovska National Sales Manager Email: sandie@elitepublishing.com.au Phone +61 3 9890 0815

Easy-Move

MkIV

4th Generation Easy-Move frame for Large Format Tiles.

• Lightweight Aluminium frame with cross bars that can be easily adjusted for carrying complicated slab layouts. • Includes 8x RV175 die cast aluminium pump action suction cups for sturdy and even vacuum holding across the entire slab. • The RV175 vacuum suction cup holds a massive 130kg each! • Each RV175 vacuum suction cup can tilt by up to 1.25 degrees to allow for slab flexibility. • Ergonomic designed handles that can slide for easy wall installation. • Max. slab length 320cm, Min. slab length 100cm.

RV175

Easy adjustment for all slab layouts.

www.battrims.com

@b.a.t.trims

@Battrims

1800 22 88 74