Floor tile underlay is unaffected by water

Knauf Drywall has launched Aquapanel Floor Tile Underlay, specially developed as a thin substrate for tiles on floors.

The company said the lightweight 6mm reinforced cement board is an ideal complement to ceramic, mosaic or natural stone tiles.

Available in 900 x 1,200mm panels from Knauf Drywall stockists, Aquapanel Floor Tile Underlay is easy to handle and install, and virtually eliminates problems associated with traditional underlays.

Tile failures occur when moisture seeps behind the tiles, damaging the bonds between tiles, adhesive and substrate.

Aquapanel tile-backing products facilitate bonding - even when heavy tiles are used - and strength is maintained even when fully immersed in water, according to Knauf Drywall.

Tile failures can be costly - and if traditional materials have been used, the remedy is often to replace the substrate as well as the tiles.

If a tile failure occurs with Aquapanel Floor Tile Underlay, or if a tile is damaged, it requires just a simple localised repair.

Aquapanel Floor Tile Underlay is a tough aggregated Portland cement board with coated glass-fibre mesh on each side.

It is unaffected by water - virtually eliminating the problems associated with traditional plywood or chipboard underlays, which warp when wet.

Components are non-organic, so there is no chance of mould or fungus growth.

Aquapanel Floor Tile Underlay is laid on a complete bed of flexible tile adhesive (applied in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines) and is screwed to the subfloor with 25mm Aquapanel Maxi Screws.

A gap of 3-5mm between panels ensures proper jointing with flexible tile adhesive, embedded with Aquapanel Joint Tape.

Panels weigh 9kg each and can be cut to size with the score-and-snap technique, using standard tools.

Aquapanel Floor Tile Underlay gives high stability on a floor that is appropriately framed for the static requirement of the construction.

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