The natural stone is a specific material used in construction, and therefore it requires a slightly different approach of assembly in comparison to ceramic materials. Improper assembly technique can completely spoil the end result. The following tips can help you prevent yourself from the most common mistakes.

  • When purchasing, predict the amount of the required material with waste occurring during assembly, the material purchased from the next batch can differ slightly in terms of shade, colour and veins.
  • Move and store the stone plates in an upright position.
  • Avoid hitting the edges of the plates with each other to prevent from crumbling. The plates damaged in this way can still be used for cladding elements requiring cutting.
  • Before assembly, remove from the container and arrange as much as possible plates “dry” in order to select them in terms of colours, nature of occurring inclusions or veins, and then select their place of assembly. The best effect is when you precisely mix the plates, so that the similar plates are not next to each other.
  • Use flexible adhesives according to manufacturers' recommendations (in the case of white marble or other natural stone with crystal clear construction and therefore more or less light-permeability, the adhesive must be white).
  • If there is expansion joint, remember about taking it into account when planning arrangement of the plates on the surface.
  • It is recommended to arrange the plates with grouting joint with a width of at least 1 mm.

  • Use flexible grouting joint.
  • Grouting joint colour should be as close to the colour of the stone.

  • Apply grouting joint after impregnation of the stone (if in doubt, seek for professional advice).
  • The stone should be impregnated only with the agents intended to its type, in compliance with the manufacturer's guidelines.
  • Before impregnation, make an attempt on a small sample from the cut plate, so as to check the operation of the agent for the stone.
  • Impregnation must be done before applying grouting joint, when the stone and the ground have completely dried.
  • It is recommended to additionally protect grouting joint from absorbing.

  • Due to the fact that no manufacturer of the impregnate provides 100% protection of the stone from absorbing, therefore in the event of a spillage of coloured liquid, do not wait to wipe it.

 

NOTE!

  • The purchased plates should be checked before arranging. After assembly, the plates complaints will not be considered.
  • The impregnating agents protect the stone from absorbing, by penetrating inside, but they do not form any additional mechanical protection on its surface.

  • In the case of travertine, filling of the natural holes (characteristic for this group of the natural stones) with polyester resins or cement putties does not mean that filing materials create any layers on the surface of the plates, and like any other natural stone products require additional impregnation.

  • Damages caused by improper assembly, application of improper grouting joint, impregnates and adhesive materials do not constitute grounds for the complaint.