Main features of SKIN Flexible Slate

What is flexible slate and how can we use it?

A metamorphic rock consisting of clay, with natural splitting feature. With a 6-7 hardness value on Mohs scale, SKIN Flexible Slate is used for interior and exterior decoration projects. Flexible slate is available as sheets, 1.5 mm average thickness. SKIN Slate sheet is attached to a base consisting of glass fibre reinforced PVC or cotton reinforced PVC.

SKIN Flexible Slate is available as sheets or mosaic with the following names:

Auburn, Autumn Rustic, Autumn White, Black Line, California Gold, Copper, Forest, Golden, Indian Autumn, Indian Autumn Translucent, Jeera Green, Multicolor, Ocean Green, Silver Shine, Star Black, Tan, Terra Red

Sheet sizes (in cm):

122 x 61 – standard  

250 x 61

120 x 60 – Nanostone Slate

240 x 120 – Nanostone Slate

210 x 105 – Translucent

244 x 122 – cut-to-size pieces

Mosaic 30 x 30 (2 x 2 cm elements)

Thicknesses:

0.1 – 0.2 cm

0.005 – 0.01 cm (50 – 100 microns) for Nanostone Slate

Benefits of using SKIN Flexible slate:

1. Hard natural stone  

2. Excellent behavior against water, acids, UV radiation

3. Fire retarding

4. Flexible sheet; ideal for cladding curved surfaces  

5. Can be installed on almost any type of surface (wood, MD, particleboard, concrete, ceramics, etc.)

6. Hard wearing and excellent behavior against freeze-thaw cycles

7. Available in a wide color range

8. Thin (max 5mm) and lightweight. Nano SKIN is very thin.

9. Easy to install and very flexible

10. Low delivery cost due to its minimum weight

11. Multiple uses – interior and exterior claddings, flooring, ceilings, curved surfaces, fireplaces (up to certain temperatures), home bases, fences, facades

12. Used in various areas – bathrooms, kitchens, livingrooms, terraces, gardens

13. Translucent

14. Nanostone is ideal for fashion industry

15. Add value to your decoration projects

Safety measures:

1. Slate is a scratch-sensitive natural stone

2. Recommended for medium and low traffic flooring

Accessories for installation:

Paint roller with sponge

Scissors or electric machine for cutting

Paper sheet, pencil or marker for outlining the surface

Fine sandpaper

Fiber cloth, sponge, brushes

Measuring tool (wooden folding ruler, measuring tape)

Adhesive for flexible slate (Soudal Fix ALL recommendation)

Adhesive tape, paper

Putty knife, notched trowel for applying adhesive

Professional cleaner for natural stone

Sealing solution (we recommend LTP range)

Recommended adhesives:

Slate Adhesive – Soudal Fix All (1 tube = 290 ml; usage: 1 ½ tile; 4 Kg is enough for 2-4 sqm)

Use additional adhesive for bathrooms; waterproofing and surface sealing are essential in wet spaces. Adhesives based on epoxy resins are recommended for wet spaces.

Recommended grouts:

Weber.color perfect

Installation:

With or without joints

Installation steps:

SKIN Flexible slate is available as standard size 122 x 61 cm. Translucent version is available as 210 x 105 cm, mosaic as 30 x 30 cm (2 x 2 cm parts) and special size (244 x 122 cm) is available upon request. NANO SKIN is available as 120 x 60 cm and 230 x 120 cm.

How to clad with SKIN Flexible Slate:

1. Clean and remove grease from your surface (remove dust, dirt, water). Make sure the underlay does not have stains. Check stains and do your best to remove them. Water stains will damage your cladding. Use LTP cleaners for cleaning stains. Wipe SKIN Flexible Slate with water and allow it to dry for 24 hours.

2. Handle SKIN Flexible slate with maximum care, for avoiding surface scratching. Select your sheets. For this, layout your sheets and select them based on your model. Perform a test installation first; in case of flooring, try to match colors according to your preference.  

3. Measure surface and estimate full sheets and those who need to be cut. Measure and outline the cutout (use paper for surface protection). 

4. Prepare your site: turn off underfloor heating, install backlighting (for translucent SKIN), level your surface, complete waterproofing with professional solutions, etc.

5. Outline the contour on your surface, 1:1 size. Use paper sheets for curved surfaces and outline over the surface by overlapping.  

6. Choose your adhesive, depending on your surface and installing conditions (interior or exterior, temperature, humidity). First test adhesive, before using it.

7. With the help of a putty knife, apply adhesive on the back of the sheet, then use a notched trowel to spread it all over the surface.

8. Overlap the sheet over the contour surface and glue it. It is recommended to start from center and advance to the sides. Pay extra care with curved surfaces, if you want your sheet overlapped exactly on the contour. Use a paint roller for removing air bubbles and move it up and down the sheet for cladding and from one side to another for flooring. Avoid pressing hard, because adhesive might come out. You can install with or without joints, but however keep in mind the 5 cm thickness, therefore joints should not exceed 4 mm.

9. Remove the excess adhesive with a damp cloth.

10. Prepare sheets for areas where there is no room for large sheets. You can cut dry or wet. For dry cutting (usually used for thin sheets and when cutting small pieces) you can use a plate shear (it's good and vivid) or a manual cutting tool with tungsten and diamond blade (e.g. a wooden cutting tool). Wet cutting (we use waterjet cutting machines) is recommended for large and thicker (5mm) sheets. Finish the edges with sandpaper.

11. Glue the cut pieces with the same technology.

12. Allow adhesive to dry, following user instructions. Make sure to avoid using the surface (if this is about flooring). 

13. Grout the joints, but first protect edges with adhesive tape. Use Weber.color perfect in your favorite color.

14. Allow it to dry for 24 hours.

15. Seal surface with LTP solutions before installation for each sheet invididually, or at the end for the entire surface. Small joints do not seal separately, however large joints do.