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Extruded Tiles & Terracotta

Fixing of Terracotta Tiles

To ensure permanent fixing all extruded tiles of less than 6% water absorption to concrete slabs, ideally, the concrete slab should be allowed to age one (1) month for every 25mm thickness, but under no circumstances should tiles be laid on any slab less than twenty eight (28) days old. Use an adhesive system manufactured especially for these tiles, and precisely follow the adhesive manufacturer's instructions.

GNS Ceramics recommend that the tiles:

  1. Be laid by a professional tiler who holds a current licence in states where available

  2. Be laid with the extrusion lines found on the base of the tile running in the same direction

  3. Be randomly selected from different packs when laying to produce a pleasing overall effect

  4. Be laid with 8-10mm grout joint in the case of Group AIIa-Part 2 products

  5. Be fixed in accordance with AS/NZS 3958.1 'Guide to the installation of ceramic tiles'

  6. Provide movement joints as follows:

    • Over movement joints in the background

    • At junctions between different background materials

    • At fixtures interrupting the tile surface e.g., columns etc.

    • At internal vertical corners

    • At perimeter of floor

    • At maximum 4500mm intervals in a grid pattern

    • Joints shall go right through the tile and adhesive bed to the background and be kept free from dirt and adhesive droppings

    • Joints shall not be less than 6mm wide. Joints other than those protected by metal or plastic edging, subject to traffic heavier than light pedestrian, should not be wider than 10mm

    • Seal all movement joints with an appropriate flexible sealant

    • Saw cuts are not acceptable

  7. And that the adhesive used to fix the tiles is a minimum of 'super grade' and conforms to AS2358-1990/Amdt 1-1994 'Adhesives - For fixing ceramic tiles'

Size & Colour Variation of Terracotta Tiles

These tiles are manufactured in accordance with International Manufacturing Standard IS013006. Variations in colour, shade and size are inherent in all clay fired extruded products. All tiles and accessories for any one project should be ordered at the same time to avoid the possibility of batch to batch variations. When selecting Terracotta Tiles it is recommended that you view a square metre to experience the aesthetic colour, texture and originality of each tile range. No responsibility will be accepted for colour selection, matching, blending and any other physical or colour related defects once the tiles have been incorporated into any construction.

 

IS013006 allows that 95% of tiles packed as first quality to actually be firsts. (This requirement is less than 100% to allow for a small margin of human error). Defects which could render tiles second quality include minor chips, glaze faults, shading, specks and spots etc. and are all aesthetic rather than structural, and hence, a second quality tile will have the same physical performance characteristics of a first quality tiles, without the same appearance characteristics. It should be noted that with some blemishes such as spots and specks, the actual size of the spot or speck which is acceptable as either a first or second quality will vary from tile type to tile type, depending on colour, pattern, surface treatment and intended application.

 

These tiles are not required by ISO 13006 to be tested for resistance to phosphoric acids and therefore the use of phosphoric acids or cleaners containing phosphoric acids are not recommended during installation or maintenance.All tiles supplied as covered square metres. Sizes and weights are nominal and may be subject to change without notification.

Cleaning & Maintenance of Terracotta Tiles

As a natural product, Terracotta is designed to age gracefully, with weathering and the marks of life adding to the natural characteristics. Cleaning simply requires a sweep, or a mild PH neutral cleaning agent, with a thorough rinse afterwards.

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