SITUATION:
The Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort is the home of a championship golf course, an award winning restaurant, and a convention center. When Noosa Springs Resort decided to upgrade to a luxury five-star resort, only top performing materials would ensure the prevention of flooring failures in their state-of-the-art facilities.
The fitness center includes heavy exercise equipment and free weights. Therefore, the floor needed to be durable and withstand the weight of the equipment.
Onsite spa amenities include infrared saunas, steam rooms, blitz showers, a HydroMassage pool and large floating pools. Each of these features created demanding challenges for the builders, as flexible and strong products were necessary to ensure a quality and long-lasting installation.
CHALLENGES:
- High quality materials and finishes needed to match the expectations for the $400 million five-star resort (1,030,000 m2 / 11,087,190ft2)
- Areas with large temperature fluctuations caused by infrared heating systems
- Fear of erosion to specialized flooring materials from underwater jets
- Use of high concentration chemicals and minerals with a history of destroying Portland cement structures
- Areas with heavy gym equipment
SOLUTION:
To prepare the new concrete for tile and stone applications, installers used ARDEX WPM 265 Sheltercoat Water Based Primer. ARDEX WPM 265 is an acrylic primer system that creates a positive bond between substrates and water based coatings.
ARDEX WPM 300 Water Based Epoxy Membrane was used because it has superior water resistance and prevents efflorescence while withstanding hydrostatic pressure. It provides excellent adhesion to most substrates, including damp surfaces and freshly laid concrete, and it can be used as a one coat primer for other applied finishes like Ardex waterproofing membranes and tiling adhesives. ARDEX WPM 300 is also safe for potable drinking water, removing risk of water contamination from materials in the many resort pool areas.
Next, ARDEX WPM 002 Superflex Bathroom and Balcony Two Component Undertile Waterproofing Membrane was applied. Recognized as one of the fastest drying acrylic membranes on the market, it can be tiled over within 16 to 24 hours at ambient temperatures of 23˚C. Its advanced acrylic polymer technology makes it completely resistant to re-emulsification.
ARDEX STS 8 Superior Tensile Strength Tile Adhesive was chosen because of its improved adhesion of heavy, large-format wall tiles otherwise prone to lipping and slumping. In a five-star resort, it is crucial that floor tile and wall treatments were not only functional but visually appealing. When necessary, ARDEX E 90 Mortar Admix was used to guarantee the adhesive was water repellent for resort showers and pools.
To finish the job, ARDEX ABAPOXY High Performance Epoxy Adhesive and Grout was selected for its strong resistance to harsh chemicals. This product was developed by ARDEX for applications requiring strict hygiene standards. It is completely solvent-free and suitable for walls and floors.
Starco Developments Pty Ltd selected ARDEX Australia to supply numerous products for the project that would perform well, provide longevity and expedite the installation process.
ARDEX products contributed to the completion of a world class standard in the Noose Springs Golf & Spa Resort.
PARTICIPANTS:
Installer/Applicator:
- Thorburn Tiling Pty Ltd
Moffat Beach, Queensland, Australia - M&M Waterproofing Contractors & Sales
Noosaville, Queensland, Australia
General Contractor:
- Starco Developments Pty Ltd
Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia
Architect:
- Alan Starkey & Associates
Noosaville, Queensland, Australia
