Knauf Aquapanel support for heavy marble tiles

Knauf Aquapanel tile backer from Knauf Drywall used to support heavy marble tiles for around 200 bathrooms in five star accommodation.

Beck Interiors, main contractor for the refurbishment, agreed to use the 12.5mm fibre cement board after consultation with Knauf Drywall and the design team.

Renowned for its immense strength, even when wet, market leading Knauf Aquapanel was developed as a drywall solution for wet areas, and is the best safeguard against tile adhesion failures in drywall constructions.

The London hotel's current two year redevelopment, due for completion in late 2010, will 'completely reinvent' the hotel.

All eight floors of guest rooms and suites, and the ground floor restaurants and bars, have been reconfigured and redesigned, and a spa and fitness suite added in an entirely new rooftop extension.

Beck Interiors is an internationally acclaimed specialist in hotel renovation.

Contracts Director Andre Roberts says 15mm marble tiles have been specified for the hotel's bathrooms, and Knauf Drywall is confident that Aquapanel's 50kg/m2 carrying capacity will support them.

"We have used it in the past and have grown confident with its capabilities," he says.

"It is relatively easy to install, Knauf Drywall assures us that it has good longevity, and it appears to do exactly what it says.

Drywall subcontractor DT Interiors is installing more than 8,000m2 of Aquapanel for the bathrooms - 53 of which are designed as large wetrooms, rather than traditional bathrooms with tub.

DT Director Paul Tear says Aquapanel is installed for floor-to-ceiling tiling - and it shapes some intricate detailing including tiled alcoves and stub walls, as well as bath panels.

"I've worked with Aquapanel on other jobs and it is a good, stable board which is easy to cut and simplifying the installation," he says.

DT Interiors sourced the Aquapanel through Essex-based Penlaw and Co, one of the largest independent drywall suppliers in the south, with five branches.

Both Knauf Drywall and Penlaw and Co were closely involved throughout discussions on the specification providing the required technical advice.

Aquapanel Wall Liner is designed for full or part-tiled situations, and provides an exceptionally tough, durable and solid substrate for tiles in wet indoor areas such as swimming pools, leisure centres, changing rooms, toilets, laundries, kitchens - and bathrooms.

Knauf Aquapanel is ready keyed for tiling, saving time on site and reducing the risk of costly, inconvenient tile failures.

It can also be curved, or finished with Aquapanel Q4 Finish Plaster - giving complete design freedom.

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