Areas of use
Limra Limestone serves as a building material for manufacturing kitchen countertops, bathroom sinks, and memorials. Besides, Limra Limestone is essential for claddings, floorings, and interior & exterior decoration projects. Limra Limestone Tiles are also recommended for private or residential cladding projects with continuity.
Features
Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed by calcites or dolomites and fossils of marine organisms. Limestone is perfect for both interior and exterior projects but can also serve as an element of large-scale buildings. Also known as “calcite”, the limestone (particularly its Limra version) has a couple of interesting features:
- density: 2 310 – 2 450 kg/m³
- hardness (Mohs scale): 3
- water absorption (normal conditions): 4.11 %
- mechanical strength (compression): 39.62 – 44.6 MPa
- flexural strength (compression): 6.2 MPa
Available size
Limra Polished Limestone has 60 x 30 x 1.2 cm in size, plus a pale beige shade. Another recommended option, is Beige Polished Vratza Limestone, 60 x 30 x 1.2 cm size and for interior decoration projects, you can have Sunny Dream Polished Limestone, 61 x 30.5 x 1.2 cm in size.
How to install limestone tiles
Limra Limestone tiles are laid out with the back butter technique. The steps include:
- Surface cleaning for removing debris. Use an industrial vacuum cleaner. The surface must be clean, flat, dry, smooth, and load-bearing.
- First, measure the surface, then calculate how many tiles will fit it. Keep in mind to have a sketch of your project.
- First, simulate a dry assembly: layout a full/partial row of tiles and establish how to cut the edge tiles (those that will not fit). Number the tiles on the back.
- Check out the finish and colors, and decide the layout. If you want a pattern, simply lay out the tiles accordingly, in a dry assembly, and the preferred color layout.
- Keep in mind to comply with the installing conditions: dry tiles (kept away from humidity for at least 24 hours before installation), installation temperature: 5 - 25 °C (indoor and outdoor), standard humidity.
- Choose and prepare the adhesive according to the manufacturer's instructions. Weberset Marmo Plus, Weberset Porcelain Max², or Weberset Superflex Max² are recommended.
- Start the assembly. Spread the adhesive evenly with a notched trowel. Each adhesive has a specific cure time, therefore apply it on small surfaces, to avoid early curing. Apply the adhesive on both the back surface and the tile. For wet areas cladding projects, a minimum of 95% adhesive coverage is required. Large tiles may develop bumps or deformations during installation, that will be later repaired with more adhesive. Deep grooves will be practiced over the tile surface with a 10-20 mm notched trowel. The adhesive is applied by the back butter technique, to ensure perfect adhesion. The adhesive is applied in a straight direction; avoid curves formation when using the trowel. A line of small parallel grooves is first obtained, then the tiles are laid out. For rectangular tiles, you should apply the adhesive while making sure the grooves are transversal to the board width. All these procedures aim to increase adhesion.
- Start the tiling from a corner to make sure your tiles are properly aligned. Layout the tile over the surface and press gently, while moving it slightly back and forth without rotating it. The surface should be flat. A rubber mallet can be used to complete the installation.
- You can have a project with or without joints. If you decide on the second option, make sure you have expansion joints, depending on the surface area. Lay out full tiles, making sure you leave empty spaces at the edge of the tiling surface. After fitting the tiles, remove excess adhesive with a damp sponge. If you have underfloor heating, it is recommended to assembly it with joints. For interior tiling, standard joints must have 1-2 mm.
- Allow the tiled surface to air dry for at least 12 hours/according to the adhesive user’s instructions, without stepping on it during all this time.
- After installing the full-size tiles, you need to take care of all the uncladded areas near edges or around hard-to-reach areas. For this, the tiles should be cut to size. Measure the areas to be used and cut out the cut-outs on each tile while making sure you leave space for the edge gaps. It is recommended to use a tile-cutting machine equipped with suitable discs.
- Cut out the marked tiles, allow them to air dry, and then install them by applying the procedure.
- Allow the surface to air dry (for 24 hours) without stepping on it.
- Tiles with joints need to be grouted.
- In the end, remove the excess grout and allow the surface to air dry (24 hours).
- Wash the surface with clean water.
Maintenance
Quick and easy 3-step treatments are carried out after installation.
- Cleaning – is carried out with LTP Grimex, or any professional cleaner. Always use specific solutions for stain removal.
- Surface sealing – it protects the surfaces against dust, water, grease, and staining. LTP MPG, LTP External Stone Sealer, LTP Mattstone H2O, LTP Grout&Tile Protector are recommended for this job.
- Maintenance – use neutral cleaners such as LTP Waxwash and LTP Stonewash.
Buy now Limra Limestone only from PIATRAONLINE, for charming and durable cladding projects!
