Product category:
Floors
News Release from: Schluter-Systems | Subject: Transition profiles
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 December 2003
Don't Come Unstuck
How to keep tiled floors looking as good as the day they were installed, by using transition profiles.
All too often, where floor tiles join other surfaces such as timber, carpet, vinyl or laminate, the edges of the tiles can crack and chip -- and even come unstuck IAN KNIFTON, Technical Manager for Schluter-Systems Ltd., world market-leader in complete tiling solutions, explains how to keep tiled floors looking as good as the day they were installed, by using transition profiles
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 11 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Q : Six months ago I tiled to the edge of a carpet, and already the tiles are chipped and cracked.
I now need to tile right up to the edge of a wooden floor.
Is the same thing likely to happen here? A: Problems will occur whenever the edge of the tile isn't protected.
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Stone floor cracking or debonding from substrate
Ian Knifton, Technical Manager at Schluter - Systems, says very often stone floors crack or debond because installers have not fitted an uncoupling membrane, or movement joints correctly
It's particularly common in commercial applications, such as shops, hotels and offices, where heavy loads, sometimes wheels, go over the tiles.
But even in domestic applications -- in houses -- the edges of the tiles can easily chip just with people walking over them.
Using a transition profile will protect the edge of the tile, as well as improving the appearance of the installation.
Q: So where exactly should I use a transition profile? A: In any commercial or residential setting where a tiled or stone floor meets another surface such as carpet, laminate, vinyl, timber or concrete.
There are many different profiles on the market, each designed for a particular type of application -- so not only is it essential to use a transition profile to keep the installation from failing, it's also essential that the right type is used.
Problems will still occur if the wrong one's used.
Q: What types of transition profile are there? A: There are specific profiles for specific types of installation.
Schluter, for instance, has seven different types, all available in brass and aluminium - but certain ones are also available in stainless steel, for heavy use.
Amongst the most popular -- the SCHIENE is best used when tiles meet a soft surface such as carpet, at the same height.
The RENO-T is a T-shaped profile normally installed between hard floor coverings of the same height, while the RENO-V has an adjustable arm for creating stepless transitions between floor coverings of different heights.
Q: How can I tell which is the right transition profile for the job I'm doing? A: The correct profile depends on the surface that's connecting to the tiles, what the area is used for, what type of tile is being used, and what sort of loads are going to be transported over the top of the finished surface.
Profile manufacturers will be able to give full technical advice on which one is absolutely right.
If the profile is not strong enough for the job it's being asked to do, the tiles will still become damaged -- if aluminium is used where heavy loads are going over the tiles, it'll soon become deformed and won't protect the tiles, whereas brass and stainless steel are more resilient to heavy loads and high impacts.
Q: Are they all fitted in the same way? A: No, because of the different types and heights of surface that the tiles connect to.
For example, there are three steps to installing the T-shaped profile between tiles and a hard surface such as parquet flooring, concrete pavers, timber and laminate.
* Ensure the joint cavity is at least 9mm deep and free from debris.
* Fill the cavity with elastomeric sealant, then insert the profile's vertical leg into the cavity so that the lateral crosspieces rest completely on the edges of the tile and the neighbouring surface.
* Remove any excess sealant with a suitable cleaner.
Very different from that, however, is the installation technique for profiles such as the SCHIENE, because of their completely different design.
* Trowel tile adhesive over the area that forms the perimeter of the tiles.
* Press the profile's perforated anchoring leg into the adhesive, and align.
* Trowel additional adhesive over the anchoring leg to ensure it is fully covered.
* Solidly embed the tiles so they are approximately 1mm higher than the profile.
The profile must not be higher than the tiles.
* There is a built-in grout spacer, ensuring a uniform grout line of 1.5mm.
Fill this cavity completely with grout.
Similar techniques apply to installing the transition profiles which have moveable arms.
All the popular heights come in one metre lengths as well as 2.5 metre lengths - so they are easy to cut to size and install. Request a free brochure from Schluter-Systems ...
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