Industry Profile: Don Macdonald - "The Tender"

Original retaining walls in Cairns CBD

In the previous weeks we have seen how Don’s team from The Orchid Group^ gained the necessary experience from other mosaic art projects, and in particular artworks in the Indigenous genre to prepare them for the Cairns project.  Last time we looked at "More Artworks Follow", this week we look at the tendering process.

The Shields Street Mosaic project consists of eight low retaining walls with 20 round knobs on the end of the walls that snaked around existing landscaping in the main mall of Shields Street in the Cairns CBD.  The imagery was supplied by artists from the nearby Yarrabah Indigenous community and the medium was 10x10mm artistic (hand-cut) glass mosaics totaling 164/m².  The work was to be completed in two stages in line with the other major construction works.

The original retaining walls were core filled masonry block walls clad in a 100x100mm vitrified tile finishing with a square edge at the junction of the vertical and horizontal faces. During the life of the original work the external square edges had been badly damaged and looked unsightly.

At Don’s first meeting with Cairns Regional Council he emphasised for the work to survive and for Council to receive longevity on their investment, the external edges needed to be removed and 100mm radii shaped to both the front and back edges.  From experience he knew that this was the best radius for the laying of small mosaics to achieve a smooth transition from one plane to the other. Don’s rationale was the mosaics would be much stronger if surrounded by other mosaics on a similar plane whereas meeting at a hard external corner they would be exposed and subjected to accidental or malicious damage far more easily. Continue reading here. 

Next time, "The Preparation of the Walls".

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

Our Holiday Schedule is now available to be viewed here.

^The Orchid Group is also known as Symmetry Mosaics.

Knowledge Is The Key To Success

Craig Hunter, LATICRETE Technical Sales Rep in NSW, recently caught up with the team from Show Tile Pty Ltd in Bankstown, NSW. Craig conducted training and discussions on LATICRETE Adhesives and hands-on demos for SPECTRALOCK® PRO Premium Grout*. 

SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout* is a patented high performance epoxy grout which offers all the great features of SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout - colour uniformity, durability and ease of installation - with enhanced performance. SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout is designed for use on tile, glass tile and stone applications, both residential and commercial. Click here for more information.

LATICRETE is committed to educating and providing technical support. For more info on our upcoming Events happening around your area, 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 a trade event, a demo or for technical support, call 1800 331 012 or email sales@laticrete.com.au.

Our Holiday Schedule is now available to be viewed here.

*United States Invention Patent No.: 6881768 (and other Patents)

LATICRETE SPARTACOTE™ For Residential Garages

LATICRETE offers a full line of SPARTACOTE™ industrial-grade polyaspartic garage floor concrete coating systems for residential garages. These systems are designed to transform your garage into a comfortable and clean living space.

LATICRETE SPARTACOTE concrete coating systems for residential garage floors offer owners high end, custom, and personalised flooring solutions. Further, these resinous systems give your garage floor superior protection, excellent abrasion and chemical resistance, and fast return to service, typically applied in one day. 

SPARTACOTE concrete coatings give residential garage owners:

• Fast return to service, typically installed in one day
• professional grade coating systems built to last 
• multiple colours and textures to choose from 
• Excellent abrasion, impact and chemical resistance
• No hot tire pick-up
• Exceptional, long term durability 
• Safe, non-slip properties 
• Easy maintenance 

Click here to read more about LATICRETE SPARTACOTE flooring systems.

Contact us to discuss your next flooring project or to arrange a mock-up - Call 1800 331 012 or email us here.

On-Site With Tiling Dynamix

Recently LATICRETE Technical Sales Rep from NSW, Craig Hunter, caught up on-site with the team from Tiling Dynamix! 

LATICRETE is committed to educating and providing technical support. We provide on-site demos & in-house structured and tailored, product specific courses that cover commercial, residential, industrial tile & stone installation practices and industry standards. Our training programs are specifically developed for industry professionals who want to improve their profitability and increase their productivity. 

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

Contact us to discuss your next project, visiting your job site, or to arrange free samples. Call 1800 331 012 or email us here.

Head In To Tilers Trade Centre Today!

Tilers Trade Centre in Kuluin, QLD, is a preferred stockist for all your LATICRETE installation materials. Head in and chat with the friendly team about the wide range of LATICRETE products they stock, including HYDRO BAN® waterproofing membrane.

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. HYDRO BAN is a single component, self curing liquid rubber polymer that forms a flexible, seamless waterproofing membrane. HYDRO BAN bonds directly to a wide variety of substrates. 

Drop in and visit the friendly team at Tilers Trade Centre:

Address: 13/15 Fishermans Rd, Kuluin QLD 4558

Tel: (07) 5443 9191

Trading Hours:

Monday to Friday - 5:30am - 4:00pm

For more information on using LATICRETE in your projects, product demos, samples or technical support please contact LATICRETE on 1800 331 012, email sales@laticrete.com.au or visit www.laticrete.com.au.

Happy Thanksgiving

The team from LATICRETE Australia send warm Thanksgiving wishes to all our customers, friends and colleagues who celebrate in this day. 

May your day be filled with blessings and joy!

Streetscape Underway!

Jason and Mick of Affective Bricklaying are busy installing 600m2 of 100x100mm black granite cobble from Sareen Stone for a streetscape for Wollongong council, NSW.  The team are using 211 Crete Filler Power with 4237 Latex Admix for installation, grouting with 3701 Fortified Mortar Bed, and sealing with STONETECH Heavy Duty External Sealer.

• 211 Crete Filler Power - 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 Admix - 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.
• 3701 Fortified Mortar Bed - A polymer fortified blend of carefully selected polymers, Portland cement and graded aggregates.
• STONETECH® Heavy Duty Exterior Sealer - A solvent based, natural look sealer which offers heavy duty protection, water repellency and weather resistance to natural stone and masonry surfaces. 

View/download the LATICRETE "Extra Heavy Duty" Streetscape Installation System brochure.

For more information on using LATICRETE in your projects, product demos, samples or technical support please contact LATICRETE on 1800 331 012, email sales@laticrete.com.au or visit www.laticrete.com.au.

LATICRETE Australia Holiday Schedule

The end of the year is quickly approaching, and LATICRETE Australia will be taking a break over the holidays - Please refer to important dates with regards to No Shipping or Receiving, Last Shipping and Business Day for 2017 and when LATICRETE Australia will Re-open for business in 2018. 

Click here to view/download the 2017 LATICRETE Australia Holiday Schedule

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us - Call 1800 331 012, email: sales@laticrete.com.au or chat with your LATICRETE Sales Rep.

Residential Projects Made Easy

This residential bathroom project in Brisbane, QLD, was recently completed by K Tiling + Stone for Ollington Group. Kurt and his team from K Tiling + Stone chose to use LATICRETE materials to install the 600x300mm rectified porcelain floor tiles, and 100x200mm subway floor-to-ceiling wall tiles. 

Do you need help in selecting the appropriate adhesives, mortars, and grouts for your specific residential applications? The LATICRETE Residential Tile & Stone Installation Systems brochure provides information on products that are engineered for residential tile and stone installations. An overview of each recommended LATICRETE product is also provided to facilitate the selection of appropriate materials. Click here to view/download the Residential Tile & Stone Installation Systems 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.

Chat with your local LATICRETE Technical Sales Rep or Architectural Specialist about your next project. Call 1800 331 012 or email us here.

Industry Profile: Don Macdonald - "More Artworks Follow"

The Garden Scene

Water Feature Urn

The Optic Pool

St Thomas More Icon

The Shields Street Heart Mosaic Project is a three dimensional Australian Indigenous public artwork commissioned by Cairns Regional Council and installed by Don Macdonald and The Orchid Group^ team.   

To secure such a project required not only a high level of mosaic competency but also a depth of experience in completing mosaic artworks and especially three dimensional works.

Last time we saw how a project disaster was the catalyst for Don to meet art dealer Keith Murphy and to produce a series of Indigenous mosaic artworks. This week we see how previous experiences gained by the team were ultimately required to complete the Cairns project.

Two major artworks, the St Thomas More Icon and the Garden Scene artwork provided the team with the fundamental experience in developing techniques to deal with the very tiny hand-cut slivers that are inherent in a hand-cut mosaic artwork.  Additionally, these two artworks provided valuable experience in using LATAPOXY® SP-100 and SPECTRALOCK® both of which would be essential elements of the Cairns project. As well as artistic experience the team gained valuable technical experience from two other complex three dimensional projects, the Optic Pool and Water Feature Urn. Click here to read the full story. 

Next time, "The Tender " - The skills required to bid for the Cairns Project.

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

^The Orchid Group is also known as Symmetry Mosaics.

LATICRETE Digital Marketing Guidebook

Created by LATICRETE exclusively for our customers and partners! Whether just starting out or experienced in digital marketing, our free 35-page guidebook, “How to Supercharge Your Digital Marketing Strategy” will provide you with practical, industry-relevant knowledge to help educate you and grow your business.

It will walk you through:

• SEO Best Practices
• Website Strategies
• Content Creation
• Social Media
• Content Promotion (free and paid)
• Measurement and Analysis

View/Download the guidebook here.

For more information on using LATICRETE in your projects, product demos, samples or technical support please contact LATICRETE on 1800 331 012, email sales@laticrete.com.au or visit www.laticrete.com.au.

Windella Pool & Spa Renovation

Adept Pools recently completed this beautiful modern pool and spa renovation project in Windella, NSW. Adept Pools installed the pool surrounds, feature & waterline tiles, using the LATICRETE Pool, Spa and Fountain tiling system. 

Are you planing a pool project in the near future? Check out the LATICRETE Pool, Spa and Fountain Tiling systems brochure which includes a LATICRETE System Warranty. Click here to view/download the LATICRETE Pool, Spa and Fountain Tiling System Brochure.

Visit our website for comprehensive product application videos, architectural specifications and technical support.

  

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

Flooring Mag Features LATICRETE SPARTACOTE™

LATICRETE is featured in the Oct/Nov Issue of Flooring Magazine with LATICRETE SPARTACOTE™ flooring systems! Check out the digital version of the magazine here.

LATICRETE SPARTACOTE concrete coatings offer fast curing, very low odour installation equipped with antimicrobial technology, making them the perfect coating system for a wide variety of environments including: Commercial kitchens, industrial manufacturing facilities, retail, educational flooring, shop floors, garage floor coatings and more. 

Features & Benefits

• Fast installation time
• Reduced floor maintenance
• Durability & adhesion to concrete
• Chemical resistant
• Attractive
• Improved safety

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.

LATICRETE® Pro Tips: What is Slaking?

Ever wondered why you should allow cement and chemically fortified adhesives and grout to slake? The act of slaking materials will allow all the ingredients to be hydrated by the mixing liquid - this video explains what slake is and why it is required.

LATICRETE is committed to educating and providing technical support. We provide on-site & in-house structured and tailored, product specific courses that cover commercial, residential, industrial tile and stone installation practices and industry standards. Our training programs are specifically developed for industry professionals who want to improve their profitability and increase their productivity. Seminars include both classroom instruction and hands-on product demonstrations.

For more information on using LATICRETE in your projects, product demos, samples or technical support please contact LATICRETE on 1800 331 012, email sales@laticrete.com.au or visit www.laticrete.com.au.

Rentile Pool Project

Recently LATICRETE Technical Sales Rep from NSW, Craig Hunter, visited a pool project in West Ryde led by the team from Rentile. The pool project has been grouted using SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout. 

SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout is a patented high performance epoxy grout which offers all the great features of SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout - colour uniformity, durability and ease of installation - with enhanced performance.

SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout is designed for use on 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 Premium Grout is perfect for swimming pools, fountains and other wet area applications.

Click here to view/download the LATICRETE Pool, Spa and Fountain Tiling Systems Brochure. 

Are you getting ready to start a project? Contact us for technical support or to arrange free samples. Call 1800 331 012 or email us here. 

Tuggerah Tiles Stock LATICRETE

Are you in the Tuggerah NSW area and in need of a LATICRETE stockist? 

Head down to Tuggerah Tiles and chat with the team about the range of LATICRETE products that they stock!

Tuggerah Tiles Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday - 6:30am to 5:00pm
Saturday - 9:00am to 2:00pm

Tel: (02) 4335 1388

Email: sales@tuggerahtiles.com.au

Address: Shop 3, 9 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah, NSW 2251

LATICRETE materials are maintenance free and are guaranteed to perform in all conditions. The LATICRETE range includes ceramic tile adhesives, stone adhesives, waterproofing membranes, stainless grouts and tile cleaners.

From the arctic to the tropics, from Brisbane to Boston, from Sydney to Singapore, architects, engineers, builders and contractors have field and jobsite project-proven the performance of the LATICRETE System. This includes typical tile and stone projects as well as challenging installations in swimming pools, facades, industrial and commercial environments.

Require technical support or interested in free samples? Call LATICRETE on 1800 331 012 or email us here.

On-Site HYDRO BAN® Training

Mitchell Haw, LATICRETE Technical Sales Rep in QLD, recently caught up with the team from Living Style Landscapes, on a job site in Pelican Waters. Mitchell conducted HYDRO BAN® training and discussed substrate preparation. 

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. HYDRO BAN is a single component, self curing liquid rubber polymer that forms a flexible, seamless waterproofing membrane. HYDRO BAN bonds directly to a wide variety of substrates.

Key Features

• Meets and exceeds the requirements of AS4858 and AS4654.1 for a Class 3 Membrane
• Thin; only 0.5 mm – 0.8 mm thick when cured
• Anti-fracture protection of up to 3 mm over shrinkage and other non-structural cracks
• "Extra Heavy Service" rating per TCNA performance levels (RE: ASTM C627 Robinson Floor Test)
• IAPMO approved
• Contains antimicrobial product protection
• Safe—no solvents and non-flammable

Click here for more information and for an installation video.

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.

High Performance Uncoupling Mat

Product Feature: STRATA_MAT™

STRATA_MAT™ is a next generation high performance uncoupling mat for use under tile and stone installations for both residential and commercial applications. Designed to replace traditional underlayment materials, and engineered to allow safe, reliable installations of tile and stone. Designed for "problematic" surfaces such as wood, cracked concrete, post and pre-tensioned concrete. 

STRATA_MAT provides for an enhanced mechanical bond of the adhesive and provides for faster drying of the adhesive. This allows for faster installations and for shorter time to grout. 

Key Features Include: 

• Adhesive Hydration Vents - creates a mechanical bond between the mat and adhesive
• Allows for use of the appropriate adhesive per industry standards.
• Provides vapour management.
• Eliminates transmission of in plane substrate cracks of up to 3mm.
• Instant coverage verification - allows for installer to see adhesive coverage underneath the mat during installation without having to lift and verify.
• Lightweight, easy to carry and fast to install with standard tools.
• Can be used under moisture sensitive stone.

Click here for more product 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.

SPARTACOTE™ Metallic System - Part 2

In October we featured the first steps in the application process of the LATICRETE SPARTACOTE™ Metallic flooring system. The images above show the final steps of the application:

Once the Metallic coat is prepared, it is then applied to the black base by pouring ribbons and spreading it over the substrate in random patterns to create swirls. Dye free acetone can also be applied with a paint brush to create visual effects. Lastly, a clear top coat is applied which is made up of SPARTACOTE FLEX™ Clear Part A, mixed with SPARTACOTE FLEX Clear Part B.

SPARTACOTE Metallic Pigment is designed to provide one of a kind colour brilliance and depth to concrete flooring and can provide designers with the ability to significantly enhance the ambiance of any environment. SPARTACOTE Metallic offers single day application - giving you a next-day return to service time frame.

Features & Benefits:

• 12x vibrant colours
• Easy to install
• Single day application with next-day return to service
• Unique application techniques

For more information on SPARTACOTE flooring systems click here.

Contact us to discuss your next flooring project or to arrange a mock-up - Call 1800 331 012 or email us here.