Function
Ceramic and stone tiles are ideal surface products because they are durable, easy to maintain, and hygienic. Because of today's lightweight construction methods, installation of hard surface coverings can become particularly challenging. The solution is a multiple-functioning underlayment that protects the integrity of the tile assembly.
Dural Durabase-CI Plus is a polyethylene membrane solution containing a pattern of circular cavities with an anchoring fleece webbing laminated to its underside. Unlike other products, Durabase CI PLUS also features an open mesh bonded to the top of the structure for improved tile bonding. The bottom fleece webbing allows secure bonding of Durabase-CI Plus to the sub floor using thin-set mortar. A tile surface is installed over Dural Durabase-CI Plus with thin-set mortar. The mortar forms bonded pillars within the circular cavities and the open mesh of the Durabase-CI Plus matting.
Dural Durabase-CI Plus was designed specifically for ceramic tile and natural stone installations. The Durabase-CI Plus provides a comprehensive load support, an uncoupling layer, waterproofing membrane, and vapor management layer that accommodates moisture from beneath the tile covering. Durabase-CI Plus neutralizes stresses and isolates cracks.
a) Uncoupling
Tile has been successfully installed for thousands of years by incorporating a forgiving uncoupling shear-interface layer below the tile assembly. Dural Durabase-CI Plus provides this uncoupling to prevent stresses of any expanding, contracting or moving substrate from causing cracks or delamination of the top tile surface layer.
b) Waterproofing
The Dural Durabase-CI Plus material’s polyethylene composition helps prevent moisture from penetrating the substrate; many of today’s substrate materials are moisture sensitive.
c) Vapor management
The Dural Durabase-CI Plus construction provides air channels allowing moisture from the substrate to evaporate while neutralizing vapor pressure. Because of this feature, tiles may be installed onto foundations which are still wet (green,) usually eliminating the need for elaborate pretreatment and special adhesives.
d) Support/load distribution
Like cylindrical building columns that can support massive loads, the circular-column type mortar structures formed in the round cavities of the matting provide tremendous vertical strength. Loads on the tile surface are supported via these columns of mortar over the substrate. The Durabase-CI Plus material's flexibility combined with the formed cylindrical columns of mortar provide the needed load strength AND the decoupling capability to prevent cracking of the tile surface layer. Extensive lab and installation verifies the ability of Dural Durabase-CI Plus to support extreme loads while maintaining the integrity of the tile surface layer.
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