Product Feature: STRATA_MAT™

Image Credit: CeramicTec

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.

Beautiful New Floors For Training Room

The training room at LATICRETE Australia HQ has had a makeover! LATICRETE QLD Technical Sales Reps, Mitchell Haw and Shane Anderson, installed the 600x600mm porcelain tiles which were installed over LATACOUSTIC 5mm Sound Control, using 254 Platinum, SPECTRALOCK® PRO Premium Grout* in Silver Shadow, and LATASIL™. What a beautiful result! 

• LATACOUSTIC Sound Control - a composite of recycled rubber particles and other selected sound attenuating granules to form a high density acoustical control mat is available in varying thickness to aid in sound transmission reduction in tiled and other types of internal floor installations.
• 254 Platinum - 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. 254 Platinum provides long open time with unsurpassed adhesion and workability. Suitable for immersed installations.  
• SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout - 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.
• LATASIL™ - high performance, one component, neutral cure, 100% silicone sealant designed for ceramic tile & stone applications.

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. 

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

Minooka Subaru SPARTACOTE™ Project

Minooka Subaru in Pennsylvania recently expanded its service bays to include a new 752.5m2 space. The area is designed to be the drive-through commercial garage where customers pull in their vehicles for inspection and drop-off. Like any car dealership, high up-time and fast return to service on construction work was of paramount importance to the Subaru dealer’s owner, and this new space was no exception.

LATICRETE SPARTACOTE™ coating system was selected as the go-to flooring product for the fast return to service, safe, nonslip characteristics, and its customisable colours and textures. 'Subaru Blue' with a 50% broadcast of 'Midnight Blue' chips was chosen for the walkways, and safety yellow for the line striping.

The next day applicators taped off the outside of the safety yellow line striping, and put down protective plastic to cover the walkway areas. For the remaining space, medium grey base with a broadcast of 'Midnight Blue' chips was applied.

Minooka Subaru now has a finished floor that offers employees and customers very high up-time, safety, and custom Subaru colours. With proper care and easy maintenance, this floor will last for years in the commercial space. Click here to read the full story. 

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.

Happy Aussie Day!

The team at LATICRETE Australia would like to wish all of our customers, colleagues, friends and family a wonderful and happy Australia Day!

Industry Profile: Don Macdonald - "The Installation – Part 2"

Wall 6 – Mind Games by Philomena Yeatman

Wall 7 – Wild Flowers by Valmai Pollard

Wall 8 – Muddy Tracks by Valmai Pollard

Previously we saw the delays that interrupted The Orchid Group^ team’s race against the clock to beat the heat to install the Shields Street Mosaic project. This week we feature the installation of each of the walls.

Apart from the general challenges that were common to all the walls posed by adapting two dimensional panels to the three dimensional installation, each of the images had their own separate idiosyncrasies. 

What became very evident from a creative perspective throughout the project was the role played by Creative Director Keith Murphy. Although called into the process by default he was crucial to managing the creative assets; adapting and modifying the imagery to help resolve the technical challenges all the while ensuring the expansion of the artwork looked unique (not a mirror repeat) and preserved the essence of the original works. In a more ideal world he would have been engaged from the outset guiding the imagery in close consultation with the installation team to achieve the balance of artistic integrity and technical excellence. 

The Shields Street Heart project was a significant undertaking with all of its complexities and challenges, however the one undeniable constant throughout the whole process was the installation system. LATICRETE Systems provided reliability, dependability and superior performance. 

“It was the one thing I didn’t have to think about. All the products; 254 Platinum, 3701 Fortified Mortar Bed, HYDRO BAN®, LATAPOXY® SP-100 and SPECTRALOCK® PRO Grout*, performed exceptionally well individually and as a complete system. Equally as important to using the right products is the technical support. The LATICRETE team provided me with all of the essential background and technical understanding for each of the products which allowed me to execute the installation with confidence knowing I was using the very best products and industry best practice with our methodology.” said Don. 

Click here to read the full story.

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

Upcoming Technical Seminars

LATICRETE Australia Technical Seminars are intensive training programs specifically developed for professionals of the ceramic tile and stone industry, as well as concrete floor restoration and resin coasting industry, who want to increase their productivity as they become familiar with LATICRETE products. Experienced personnel utilise both classroom instruction and hands-on product demonstrations during these seminars. 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  Upcoming seminars near you • Sydney 5th Feb, 2018  • Melbourne 7-8th Feb, 2018  • Brisbane 7-8th March, 2018 • Sydney 4-5th April, 2018 Click here to view/download our training schedule. Call 1800 331 012 or email seminars@laticrete.com.au for more info and to book your seat.

Make-Over for R&D Lab!

Base Coat Applied

Broadcasting Chip Flakes

Complete Coverage with Flakes

Applying Top Coat

Finished Result

Recently the R&D lab at LATICRETE Australia Head Office got a make-over and received a beautiful new LATICRETE SPARTACOTE™ BLENDED CHIP floor. We think it looks fantastic!

Not only does SPARTACOTE BLENDED CHIP provide a capable, seamless flooring finish suitable for numerous commercial and residential applications, it is also available in a wide assortment of blends and finishes to suit your designer needs.

With a contoured finish to allow for optimal traction, this minimal maintenance coating system offers 1-day installation and next day return to service!

Key Features:

• Wide assortment of blends and finishes
• May be used as a floor & wall coating
• Minimal maintenance
• Contoured finish allows for optimal traction
• 1-day installation with next-day return to service

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.

Head In To Ceramica Senio

Are you in the Noosa, QLD, area and in need of a LATICRETE stockist? 

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

Address - Shop 1, 1 Gibson Road, Noosaville QLD 4567
Tel - (07) 5449 7377

Operating Hours

Monday to Friday: 8:00am-5:00pm

Saturday: 9:00am-1:00pm 

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.

NSW Waterproof & Epoxy Grout Training

This seminar is a short, concise, intensive training program specifically developed for installation contractors, distributors, dealers and other industry professionals who want to improve their knowledge and increase their productivity as they become familiar with SPECTRALOCK® PRO Premium Grout* and HYDRO BAN® Waterproofing & Crack Suppression Membrane. 

Training Details
When: Monday 5th January, 2018
Time: 8am
Where: LATICRETE NSW Technical Training Centre 
Address: 3/20 Waler Crescent, Smeaton Grange NSW

RSVP
Technical Services: 1800 331 012
Email: seminars@laticrete.com.au

We hope to see you there! 

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

Brisbane Bathroom Installation Complete

This Coorparoo, QLD, private residence recently received a new main bathroom, en-suite and powder room. The project was completed by skilled tiler, Kurt from K Tiling + Stone, for Ollington Group, and LATICRETE materials were used for the installation.

Products used:

• 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. 

View/download the LATICRETE Residential Tile & Stone Installation Systems brochure.

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

Residential Pool in Wombarra

This beautiful residential pool was recently installed in Wombarra, NSW. HYDRO BAN® waterproofing was applied by Seal Direct Waterproofing and Epoxy, and tiling was completed by Sam Reslan and the team from Maestro Group. A range of LATICRETE materials for the installation which included:

• 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. 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.
• 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 and bonds directly to a wide variety of substrates.
• 254 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. 254 Platinum provides long open time with unsurpassed adhesion and workability.
• PERMACOLOR® Grout offers the maximum performance available in a cement-based grout, providing consistent colour and antimicrobial protection to resist stain-causing mould and mildew. PERMACOLOR Grout is easy to install and is ideal for floors & walls in both interior and exterior installations.

Click here to view/download the LATICRETE Pools, Spas and Fountains System Brochure.

Are you getting ready to start a pool project? Contact us to discuss your next project or arrange a demo. Call 1800 331 012 or email us here.

Makeover for Studio

This 80m2 studio for The Orchid Group on the Sunshine Coast, QLD, recently had LATICRETE SPARTACOTE™ BLENDED CHIP flooring system installed. Neil Warden, LATICRETE Australia National Sales Manager, conducted hands-on training to install the flooring system. 

SPARTACOTE BLENDED CHIP provides a capable, seamless flooring finish suitable for numerous commercial and residential applications, it is also available in a wide assortment of blends and finishes to suit your designer needs. With a contoured finish to allow for optimal traction, this minimal maintenance coating system offers 1-day installation and next day return to service.

Key Features:

• Wide assortment of blends and finishes
• May be used as a floor & wall coating
• Minimal maintenance
• Contoured finish allows for optimal traction
• 1-day installation with next-day return to service

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.

Increase The Performance Of Your Cement Mix

Are you wanting to ensure your adhesives and mortars are of a higher standard for your projects? LATABOND™ is the solution! 

Use internally or externally to increase the flexibility, tensile strength and shock resistance of your mortar. LATABOND can be used diluted or undiluted to determine the level of performance of your adhesives, grout, slurry bond coats, renders, and screeds. 

Key Features

• Reduces water absorption of adhesives
• Interior and exterior installations
• Fortifies thin-set adhesives
• Increased bond and compressive strength
• Superior flexibility
• Shock, vibration, chemical and frost resistant

Click here 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.

Industry Profile: Don Macdonald - "The Installation - Part 1"

Over the last few weeks we have seen the lead up for the Shields Street Heart Mosaic project as the team prepared for the installation, which included exploring the translation of the imagery into the mosaic medium. This week The Orchid Group^ team experiences delays as the installation begins.

The project comprised of eight low walls divided into two sections.  Walls 1-6 were done in Stage I and walls 7-8 in Stage II.  The rendering of the walls in Stage I was completed in January but Stage II rendering, was not completed until mid-June as a colony of bats nursing their young, was residing in the trees above the site.  A Federal Conservation Act, restricted Council to continue with any works until the colony had moved away. 

In the weeks after leaving the site in January, Don prepared detailed drawings capturing the three dimensional shape of the walls for the manufacturer.  To be commercially viable the majority of the installation was to be created in a controlled environment off-site however, the three dimensional nature of the project was proving a considerable challenge for the mosaic supplier.  Production delays forced Council to cancel their contract and seek the supply of the mosaics from another manufacturer. 

The new supplier was similarly challenged with the three dimensional elements of the project  which resulted in large two dimensional panels being produced which greatly increased the amount of on-site stitching (the processing of cutting and laying one tile at a time to join two sheets) required to complete the project. Read the full story here.  

Next time, we see the additional challenges posed by each of the walls as the team completes the installation.

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

Another Bathroom Complete

This residential bathroom project in Brisbane, QLD, was recently completed by Sam Gardener Tiling. Sam chose to use 335 Premium Flexible Adhesive to install the 200x600mm porcelain tiles, which features a mitred two wall niche. 

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 AS ISO13007.1&2 classification C2TES1. Excellent for exterior and underwater applications, superior bond to masonry.  

Key Features

• Interior and exterior use
• High performance flexible cement based adhesive
• High tack, non sag
• Extended open time
• Easy to use – Plastic and workable

Are you planing a residential project in the near future? LATICRETE has the perfect Residential Tile & Stone Installation Systems brochure for you - which includes a LATICRETE System Warranty. View/download the LATICRETE Residential Tile & Stone Installation Systems 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.