Wednesday 31 August 2016

Is Your Waterproof Membrane Certified for External Use?



Tips from Technical Services on Waterproofing Membranes


An article by Fred Gray, LATICRETE Australia Technical Service Manager, provides educational insights to waterproofing membranes and how they may/may not, comply with industry standards.

"Bear with me for a bit with all these numbers. Both volumes of The National Construction Code (NCC), along with other waterproofing matters, for a while now have included External Waterproofing requirements to AS4654.1 & 2. Volume 2 of the NCC mandates in Clause 3.8.1.3 External above ground membranes - Waterproofing membranes for external above ground use must comply with AS 4654 Parts 1 and 2; and Volume 1 of the NCC mandates in Clause F1.4 External above ground membranes - Waterproofing membranes for external above ground use must comply with AS 4654 Parts 1 and 2.

So what does all this mean? 

For all above ground external installations, we all should have by now started using membranes that comply with the new requirements of AS4654.1 – Materials; and that we have adjusted our work practices to the new guidelines included in AS4654.2 – Design and installation.

We are all generally well versed in using membranes that conform to the material standard AS4858 for doing work governed by AS3740 – Waterproofing of domestic wet areas. We now need to become just as familiar with the new guidelines in the NCC regarding AS4654. We may even have to issue certificates to relevant authorities for a lot of this work, nominating the complying membrane and work practices as we do for Wet Area work.

Does the membrane you use now comply with the new materials standard? You may be surprised to find out, it does not." Don’t risk it, use LATICRETE HYDRO BAN®.

Can we interest you in FREE samples? 

Contact us to discuss your next project, arrange a demo or FREE samples by calling 1800 331 012 or contact us here.

Tuesday 30 August 2016

Tile Today Issue #90



Tile Today #90, has just been released! LATICRETE gets featured in a number of places in this issue:  

Page 52 – Project spotlight "Penn State Swimming Pool".
Page 53 – Full page advert 
Page 66 – FG article “Why are expansion joints needed in tile and stone applications”
Page 77 – Featured product: 345 Platinum
Page 78 – Laticrete turns 60
Page 79 – Training at Europe Imports
Page 80 – Randwick Tafe Awards

An extract from "Penn State Swimming Pool" Project Spotlight:
“The McCoy Natatorium, Penn State’s main swimming facility, features a 1960s-era Olympic-sized pool that began to show it’s age in early 2004. Tiles were loose and cracking in the pool and throughout the decking. The grout between the tiles was deteriorating, and water was reaching the underlying concrete.

When Penn State put the job out to bid, the package required a firm that could deliver the highest quality and warrany it’s work. JP Phillips, a Laticrete MVP firm, won the job in no small part due to its ability to deliver the coveted Laticrete 25-year warranty.”

Check the full Issue here.

Contact us about your next project or to arrange free samples. Call 1800 331 012 or email us here.

Monday 29 August 2016

Newcombe Street Upgrade Underway






Joe Tabone, LATICRETE Technical Sales Rep was recently at the job site on Newcombe Street in Paddington, NSW, providing technical advice for the upgrade to the streetscape. The space consists of 230x110mm pavers and a range of LATICRETE materials have been specified:
  • 226 Thick Bed Mortar - A factory prepared blend of carefully selected raw materials, Portland cement and graded aggregates. 226 Thick Bed Mortar was designed for use with 3701 Mortar Admix to produce a latex Portland cement mortar that has exceptional strength. 
  • 3701 Mortar Admix - Used in place of water, 3701 Mortar Admix improves the working and physical properties of any cement mix and provides an economical and easy way to make permanent, trouble-free installations of ceramic tile, brick and natural stone.
  • 4237 Latex Additive is a specially designed latex additive for use with 211 Crete Filler Powder to make a high strength latex thin bed and medium bed adhesive up to 15 mm. For installing all types of tile, stone and agglomerates. 
  • 211 Crete Filler Powder is a factory prepared blend of carefully selected raw materials, Portland cement and graded aggregates. Meets and exceeds the requirements of national and international standards. 
Click here to view/download the Tile, Brick & Stone Streetscape Brochure. 

Projects utilising LATICRETE materials and methods qualify for a comprehensive LATICRETE System Warranty
  
Contact us to discuss your next project, or to arrange free samples. Call 1800 331 012 or email us here.

Friday 26 August 2016

SPECTRALOCK® Gets Thumbs Up






What a Demo!


LATICRETE QLD Technical Sales Rep, Mitchell Haw got to demonstrate the designers choice in "Stain Proof" grout - SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout at Amber Tiles Maroochydore. Tradies had the opportunity to get their hands dirty and demonstrate with the product. 

SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout is a patented, high performance epoxy grout that offers colour uniformity, durability and stain resistance with extraordinary ease of use. SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout is designed for use on ceramic tile, glass tile and stone applications, both residential and commercial and it can be used both interior and exterior on floors and walls. Ideal for re-grouting applications, SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout is perfect for swimming pools, fountains and other wet area applications. 
Click here to view an installation video and for more information.

Are you getting ready to start a project? Contact us about your next project or to arrange free samples. Call 1800 331 012 or email us here.

Wednesday 24 August 2016

Jack Boyd Pools Do it Again!






A Wow Pool Project


A residential home in Castaways Beach, QLD recently had an incredible new pool installed by Jack Boyd PoolsThe curved fully tiled pool, featuring black Bisazza mosaic tiles, was installed using a range of LATICRETE materials: 

  • 3701 Mortar Admix is a specially designed latex admixture for use with thin-set adhesives, cement grouts, cement mortar beds and other cement mixes.
  • 211 Crete Filler Powder is a factory prepared blend of carefully selected raw materials, Portland cement and graded aggregates.
  • HYDRO BAN is a thin, load bearing waterproofing/crack isolation membrane that DOES NOT require the use of fabric in the field, coves or corners.
  • 345 Platinum is the ultimate one-step, polymer fortified, thin-set adhesive. For interior and exterior installation of ceramic and stone tile, reduced thickness porcelain, quarry tile, pavers and thin brick. 
  • LATAPOXY 300 Adhesive is a chemical resistant, epoxy adhesive that will bond to most sound, clean surfaces. The adhesive spreads easily and cleans with water while fresh. 
  • SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout is a patented, high performance epoxy grout that offers colour uniformity, durability and stain resistance with extraordinary ease of use.
Contact us to discuss your next project, arrange a demo or FREE samples by calling 1800 331 012 or contact us here.

Have you entered our Social Media Photo Competition? 
Make sure to enter, competition closes 31 August.

Tuesday 23 August 2016

Western Australia iPad® Competition Winner




And The Winner Is...


With the grand opening of Tilers Express WA and in continuing with the 60th celebrations of LATICRETE, LATICRETE Australia recently held a competition for installers in Western Australia to Win an Apple® iPad® AirOn August 22nd the entries were drawn and the lucky winner is Grant Osborne from Blue Stone Pools!

Thanks to all the entrants for your continued support and for taking part in our competition. Enjoy your new Apple® iPad® Air Grant!

Keep an eye on our social media pages for future competitions, promotions, trade events, training seminars and more! 

Interested in attending a FREE Seminar on Pool Tiling Systems and or Complete Tiling Systems in September? View the schedule here or email: seminars@laticrete.com.au for more info.

Contact us on 1800 331 012 to discuss your next project, arrange a demo, request FREE samples or for technical support or contact us here.

Monday 22 August 2016

Nepean Hospital Mosaic Mural





“Piecing it together”


Marian Shapiro of Darian Design is currently facilitating a community mosaic project for Nepean Hospital, NSW for the Mental Health Service Year of the Family initiative, Marian has been working with clients, family members and staff to produce five mosaic quilts to be permanently installed on a low wall outside the unit.  

Marian answered a call for artists and proposed a mosaic of quilts casually thrown over the wall.  Patchwork quilts embody ideas warmth, comfort and familiarity, much like a family.  Like families, they are made up of individual components coming together to form a whole.  Year of the Family has five main colours and each quilt takes one of these colours for its borders, tying it together visually.

Marian emailed us to share her story of how it all has come together: 
"The 10 sq metre project was fabricated over June and July 2016.  94 individual mosaic squares were put together by clients, family members and staff of the Mental Health Service, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, with each participant making one square in sessions held at the hospital.  Participants used templates and pre-cut tile prepared by Marian and her team of four assistants and could choose to use either existing patterns or contribute their own design.  Working from a master template, each participant was given a template for a numbered quilt square.  The squares were made on sticky plastic in the workshop sessions, and then brought back to Darian Design studio and put into its final position.  We then laid the background to the quilts.  As well as preparing the templates, the team pre-cut 60 sheets of vitreous glass tile for use in the workshops, resulting in some 50,000 1 cm squares.

Once the whole piece had been put together, the mosaic was cut into panels and face mounted on plastic.  Each section was flipped and given a backing of alkali resistant fibreglass mesh and Laticrete 345 Platinum White, resulting in panels which will be permanently installed on the wall in September again using Laticrete 345 Platinum and then grouted with Laticrete Permacolour Select grout. The official opening is at the beginning of October."

Thanks Marian for sharing your experience with LATICRETE products - we look forward to seeing the completed mural pieced together! 

Can we interest you in FREE samples? 


Contact us to discuss your next project, arrange a demo or FREE samples by calling 1800 331 012 or contact us here.

Friday 19 August 2016

Book the Date - Trade Brekky Morning at Amber Yallah



Want to learn about industry first products that save you time and money? 
Join LATICRETE for a trade event and brekky at Amber Yallah on 2 September 2016 at 7am.

Products of focus and demonstrated on the morning will be:


This is a great opportunity to chat with your local Technical Sales Rep, Craig Hunter. Find out how LATICRETE Systems and Warranties can turn your project into another globally proven tile and stone installation!

Where: Amber Yallah
Address: 34 Princess Highway, Yallah, NSW, 2530

RSVP:
Alex: 02 4256 3666 or email: yallah@ambertiles.com.au
Craig: 0418 761 428

See Craig on the day to claim your door prize!

Thursday 18 August 2016

DAZZLE Feature Wall




What a feature wall! 


Tiler, Scott Wieden, is grouting a bathroom feature wall in Caloundra using SPECTRALOCK® PRO Grout in Midnight black with DAZZLE™ additive in 'Pearl'.

SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout is designed for use on ceramic tile, glass tile and stone applications, both residential and commercial. It can be used both interior and exterior on floors and walls. Ideal for re-grouting applications, SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout is perfect for swimming pools, fountains and other wet area applications.  

SPECTRALOCK Grout DAZZLE adds metallic and Glow-In-The-Dark enhancements to SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout. These high-end design elements offer limitless imaginative applications. Use DAZZLE on walls and floors to accentuate metallic tiles, glass tiles, mosaics, stone and listellos. Suitable for use in interior and exterior applications.

Contact your local LATICRETE Technical Sales Rep for more info and to arrange a free sample. Call 1800 331 012 or email us here.

Don't forget to enter our Social Media Photo Competition - click here for all the details!

Wednesday 17 August 2016

Have You Got the LATICRETE App!?


LATICRETE at Your Fingertips!


The LATICRETE Australia Product Information App is an industry-first, full-service reference tool. Whether you are a professional contractor, tileshop, distributor, dealer or a do-it-yourselfer, you will find the application to be a welcome addition to your tool kit!

Want to know what products LATICRETE has to offer? The LATICRETE app gives you access to the Product Selection Catalogue, which has network-updateable product listings with descriptions and direct links to addition product information.

Need to know how much grout to use on your project? LATICRETE has a Grout & Adhesive Coverage Calculator! The calculator can give you quick coverage estimates for LATICRETE grouts and adhesives by simply selecting your desired grout and adhesive, tile size and grout joint width in English or Metric units.

Along with many more great features, you can also easily contact the Technical Services Department via the app if you are after a more personal experience or need in-depth technical advice.

Click here for more information on downloading the LATICRETE Mobile App.

Contact your local LATICRETE Technical Sales Rep for more information on our products by calling 1800 331 012 or email us here.

Tuesday 16 August 2016

Haymarket Streetscape Project





Check it out - what a great looking streetscape, located on the corner of Thomas and Harris Street, Haymarket NSW. The project consisted of laying down 60mm thick pavers over 640m2 using a range of LATICRETE materials:

211 Crete Filler Powder is a factory prepared blend of carefully selected raw materials, Portland cement and graded aggregates. Designed for use with 4237 Latex Additive to produce a high strength adhesive for ceramic tile and stone that meets and exceeds the requirements of national and international standards. 

4237 Latex Additive is a specially designed latex additive for use with 211 Crete Filler Powder to make a high strength latex thin bed and medium bed adhesive up to 15 mm. For installing all types of tile, stone and agglomerates. Also for use with Portland cement to make slurry bond coats for mortar beds.

226 Thick Bed Mortar is a factory prepared blend of carefully selected raw materials, Portland cement and graded aggregates. 226 Thick Bed Mortar was designed for use with 3701 Mortar Admix to produce a latex Portland cement mortar that has exceptional strength.

3701 Mortar Admix is a specially designed latex admixture for use with thin-set adhesives, cement grouts, cement mortar beds and other cement mixes.

Contact us to discuss your next project, arrange a demo or FREE samples by calling 1800 331 012 or contact us here.

Have you entered our Social Media Photo Competition? Make sure to enter, competition closes 31 August.

Monday 15 August 2016

Stunning Bathroom Reno





What a Bathroom


Check out this amazing residential bathroom in Mount Gravatt, QLD. Kurt from KTiling & Stone installed 600x300 porcelain tiles, from Beaumont Tiles, using 335 Premium Flexible Adhesive and Ultra X8 Polymer Fortified Flexible Adhesive.
335 Premium Flexible Adhesive is a high performance thin-bed adhesive for installing a wide range of tiles and stone including low absorption ceramic tile, porcelain tile, natural and manufactured stone using thin-set method of installation. Exceeds the requirements of AS4992.1 and AS4992.2 classification C2TES1. Excellent for exterior and underwater applications, supeior bond to masonry.  

Ultra X8 Polymer Fortified Flexible Adhesive is a creamy and smooth to trowel thin-set adhesive for installing all types of tile and stone over a wide range of surfaces. Mixed with either water or for additional strength and performance with LATICRETE latex admixtures for installing porcelain, vitrified, ceramic and stone tiles on floors and walls in both internal and external areas. Contains a unique fibre reinforcing which adds workability, flexibility and reduces slump and shrinkage of the adhesive. Up to 40% higher performance than standard thin-set tile adhesives.

Can we interest you in a FREE sample?

Contact us to discuss your next project, arrange a demo or your FREE samples by calling 1800 331 012 or contact us here.

If you haven't entered our Social Media Photo Competition - make sure to enter, competition closes 31 August.

Friday 12 August 2016

FREE Seminar in NSW - Pool Tiling and...




Topics: Pool Tiling Systems And Complete Tiling Systems

Seminar in NSW: 14-15 September 2016


The Australian Profit Through Knowledge Technical Seminar is an intensive training program. The seminar focus on the needs of construction professionals in the ceramic tile and stone industry for those who want to improve their profitability and increase productivity with becoming familiar with LATICRETE profitable, time saving products. This seminar includes both classroom instruction and hands-on product demonstrations.

Our seminars cover commercial, residential, industrial tile and stone installation practices and industry standards. 

Benefits:
  • Learn how to select and recommend the most suitable installation materials
  • Gain comprehensive knowledge of LATICRETE products and installations
  • Learn trade definitions, performance requirements and industry standards
  • Participate in hands-on product demonstrations

Seminar:  Pool Tiling Systems
Date: Wednesday, 14th September 
Time: 8am-5pm
Where: LATICRETE NSW Technical Training Centre

Seminar:  Complete Tiling Systems
Date: Thursday, 15th September 
Time: 8am-5pm
Where: LATICRETE NSW Technical Training Centre

RSVP by Friday 8/9/16. 
Confirm your booking and get confirmation on the venue, by contacting Technical Services on 1800 331 012 and chat to Cade Atkinson, or email seminars@laticrete.com.au

All those who attend will receive a LATICRETE 15% Rebate. Be quick to book your seat - spots are limited! 

Thursday 11 August 2016

What a Day at Reece Irrigation Newcastle





Our Commitment to Training & Support 


The LATICRETE NSW Technical Sales Reps, Craig Hunter, Joe Tabone and Neil Warden, LATICRETE National Sales Manager were at Reece Irrigation in Maryville, Newcastle for a trade event. Tradies got to demo with LATICRETE materials and gained a better understanding on LATICRETE systems and warranties and how the materials are designed to save in time and labour.

Reece Irrigation Maryville, are your local LATICRETE stockists! Contact Travis and the team on (02) 4961 1022 or email: newcastle.irrigation.nsw@reece.com.au for all your LATICRETE requirements.

LATICRETE is committed to educating and providing technical support and advice. We provide customised in-store and job-site training and demos for your team, as well as trade events, samples, and customised specifications for YOUR project! 

For more info on our upcoming LATICRETE Seminars, Trade Events and Demos happening around your area soon, check out the Seminars page on our website, or keep up to date with the Trade Events by following us Facebook.

Contact us to arrange training, a demonstration or for technical advice, call 1800 331 012 or email sales@laticrete.com.au.

Wednesday 10 August 2016

Luxury Pool Installation






Only the Best Will Do


Wow - What a pool! This stunning pool was installed by Jimmy Reed from Rock Solid Tile, Inc., using the LATICRETE Pool, Spa and Fountain Tiling System. This project will continue to look amazing for many years to come. 

Are planing a pool project in the near future? LATICRETE has the perfect Pool, Spa and Fountain Tiling Systems brochure for you - which includes a LATICRETE System Warranty. Click here to view/download the LATICRETE Pool, Spa and Fountain Tiling System Brochure.

Projects utilising LATICRETE materials and methods qualify for a comprehensive LATICRETE System Warranty
Visit our website for comprehensive product application videos, architectural specifications, details and in-depth technical support.
  
Contact us to discuss your next project, or to arrange free samples. Call 1800 331 012 or email us here.

Don't forget to enter our Social Media Photo Competition - click here for all the details!

Tuesday 9 August 2016

SPECTRALOCK® Demo at Sareen Stone





The StainProof Grout


LATICRETE NSW Technical Sales Representative, Joe Tabone, was at Sareen Stone, and grouted a new range of Trend Glass Mosaics demo boards using SPECTRALOCK® PRO Grout.

SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout is a patented, high performance epoxy grout that offers colour uniformity, durability and stain resistance with extraordinary ease of use. SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout is designed for use on ceramic tile, glass tile and stone applications, both residential and commercial. It can be used both interior and exterior on floors and walls. Ideal for re-grouting applications, SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout is perfect for swimming pools, fountains and other wet area applications. Click here for more info and to view an installation video.

Want to add the Wow factor to your project? Try SPECTRALOCK Grout DAZZLE™ -  A unique design component that adds metallic and "Glow-In-The-Dark" enhancements to SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout.

Can we interest you in a FREE sample?

Contact us to discuss your next project, arrange a demo or your FREE samples by calling 1800 331 012 or contact us here.