Installation

NOTE WHEN INSTALLING NATURAL STONE PRODUCTS

• We recommend that Kiilto Oy’s products be always used for fastening natural stone products also in demanding applications e.g. outdoors and in saunas and wet premises.

Kiilto HighFlex S2 DF tile adhesive

A light coloured low-dust fastening mortar that can be dyed using e.g. black Kiilto Saumalaasti joint mortar where required (max. 5% of the mix). 

Kiilto Premium Voimaliima (power adhesive)

Excellent initial adhesion and temperature resistance. Cut open the tip of the cartridge and screw the application tip in place. The product should be applied using a manual or a battery-operated application gun.

Always use the same manufacturer’s solution and do not deviate from the provided mixing ratio.

• We recommend that Kivimestarin Kivi- ja Saumasuoja (Stone and Seam Protector) of the Aitokivi product family be used in wet premises such as saunas and bathrooms, and in outdoor applications.

• Natural stone is made of minerals that can change their appearance due to changes in the surrounding conditions or if installed using unsuitable products. Many stones contain iron that can become oxidised, which can be seen as rust on the surface of the stone. Please note! This usually only happens in wet premises and is a characteristic of natural stone, not a defect. Changes in the appearance of the stone can be minimised by following the importer’s instructions. 

INSTALLER’S CHECKLIST

When using mortar you will need: mortar selected based on the application, a V notch trowel (8-10 mm) and a standard trowel, a bucket for the mortar, a mixer, an angle grinder or a table diamond saw, protective goggles, a bucket of water, clean water and a sponge (for removing any mortar residue and stone dust), a measuring tape, and a pen.

When using adhesive you will need: adhesive selected based on the application, a cartridge gun (manual or electric), an angle grinder or a table diamond saw, protective goggles, a bucket of water, clean water and a sponge (for removing any mortar residue and stone dust), a measuring tape, and a pen.

Although natural stone is durable and stone cladding panels are easy to install, certain practices must be followed in their installation. Correct installation ensures a durable and beautiful result!

1. INITIAL DATA NEEDED BEFORE INSTALLING STONE CLADDING

• Where is the cladding to be installed (indoors/outdoors, on wet or dry premises)?
• Select the correct fastening agent based on the application (installation adhesive /mortar)
• When cladding is to be installed in a sauna, please ensure that the fastening agent is heat resistant.

2. SUBSTRATE

• Can the cladding be installed directly on the substrate or does the substrate need to be pre-treated?
• A stabile substrate: Stone surfaces, masonry walls, hardboards, and other mineral walls.
• A heavy duty gypsum board can be sufficient when cladding only a small area indoors (requires case by case assessment). A standard gypsum board is not recommended.

3. PRE-TREATMENT OF THE SUBSTRATE

• The substrates must be treated with a primer where required. Please note that a primer must not be used in a sauna because it is not heat resistant.

4. ENSURE GOOD ADHESION

• Wash or, at the minimum, brush the stone cladding panels carefully before installation to remove any stone dust.

5. ALWAYS START FROM A CORNER / BOTTOM EDGE

• Where required, leave the bottommost row empty, put a support in place (a corner moulding or a board), and start installation from the second row. The first row will be added last.

6. SPREADING OF THE FASTENING AGENT

• Mortar: Spread the mortar both on the stone and on the substrate (one row at a time to ensure that the mortar does not dry too much, as this reduces adhesion).
  OR
• Installation adhesive: Spread three horizontal lines of adhesive on each stone cladding panel.

7. MOUNT THE STONE CLADDING ELEMENT ON THE WALL AND ENSURE ADHESION

8. INSTALLATION METHOD

• Stone cladding panels are normally installed adjacent to each other without joints.
• Start with either a whole or a cut tile on alternate rows to form a brickwork pattern. Ensure that the vertical joints are not aligned on adjacent rows. This ensures a uniform result where the joints between the cladding panels are not visible to naked eye.

9. CUTTING OF STONES

• The stones can be cut using an angle grinder or a table diamond saw.

10. FINISHING

• When using mortar for installation, each row should be finished by cleaning any mortar residue while fresh with a sponge moisturised with clean water.