Product category:
Floors
News Release from: Schluter-Systems | Subject: Sealants, or pre-fabricated?
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 November 2005
Sealants, or pre-fabricated?
Ian Knifton, Technical Manager at Schluter-Systems, looks at the capabilities of the two main types of movement joint.
Over the last couple of months we've looked at Why and Where we need to incorporate movement joints to protect tiled installations from damage caused by movement stresses The next step is to install the correct type for the application - because what is right for one application may not be suitable for another
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 11 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Ian Knifton, Technical Manager at Schluter-Systems, looks at the capabilities of the two main types of movement joint.
Question: What type of movement joints are available?.
Answer: The normal installation methods are either field-applied sealant, or a pre-fabricated movement joint profile.
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Question: Which is better? Answer: It depends very much on the application.
While sealant-type methods are suitable for most applications - and indeed, is the only method in some - a straight analysis of the two methods does identify a weakness in the sealant-type joints.
Silicone Expansion Joint:.
No edge protection.
Retains memory.
Requires maintenance.
Two-step installation.
Pre-fabricated expansion:.
Edge protection.
High elasticity.
Maintenance-free.
One-step installation.
Straight uniform joint.
Prevents sound transmission.
Long-lasting professional.
Question: Can you demonstrate how a sealant joint would perform in a given situation? Answer: You will very often find that differential movement between the floor and wall results in a torn sealant joint.
This is what is meant by "retained memory," where the sealant used has stuck to the surface with which it has the better bond - either the wall or the floor.
This type of damage is particularly common where a floating floor has been used, such as a heated screed, or timber.
That sort of damage needs expensive remedial action, with the removal and cleaning of the damaged areas followed by the re-application of the sealant, which may fail again.
The problem is more acute in areas with high hygiene requirements, such as hospitals, food preparation areas, and leisure facilities.
And, of course, if waterproofing was reliant on the sealant joint, that, too would have failed.
Question: And how would a pre-fabricated expansion joint profile perform in the same situation? Answer: A two-part, engineered, pre-fabricated corner profile provides a permanent flexible connection at the floor-to-wall transition.
This type of profile features a tongue-and-groove connection of approximately 8mm, which absorbs large degrees of movement - whereas, if a sealant-type joint were used in the same application, the width of the joint would need to be between 20-25mm to absorb the same movement.
In addition, the tile pocket integrated on the floor anchoring leg allows cut edges of tile to be tucked into the pocket to give a better aesthetic appearance to the finished installation.
* Next month - how the correct movement joint prevents the all-too-common problem of fungus growth and soiling of the floor-to-wall connection. Request a free brochure from Schluter-Systems ...
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