SITUATION:
The Lotte Castle is one of the most prefered apartment in South Korea. The award-winning designs are setting the standard for luxury living. The Lotte Castle brand Has won “the Best Apartment Brand Voted by Women Consumers” award for five consecutive years.
When Lotte Castle President Apartments were originally designed, Latapoxy by Laticrete was specified. However, in the past Lotte Engineering & Construction had issues with the performance of locally manufactured grouts when installing natural tile and stone installations. Lotte Engineering & Construction was very hesitant to use a product they had no experience with. This project demanded products with a solid reputation and performance capabilities for the elegant facades at the sophisticated and urban Lotte Castle President Apartments.
CHALLENGES:
- Grout for 15,000m2 (161,459 ft2) of natural stone
- Expedited installation time frame
- Laticrete products originally specified
SOLUTION:
By providing job references and support from the installers, the developer allowed ARDEX to test their materials for the project. ARDEX Korea offered a sensible, satisfactory and reliable solution for Lotte Engineering & Construction. After working with ARDEX Sales and Technical Support Teams to narrow the selection based on specific criteria for the installation, ARDEX FG 8 Flexible colored grout for tile was specified and ultimately selected by the developer for Lotte Castle President Apartments.
ARDEX FG 8 is a polymer fortified, flexible cement-based grout designed for floor and wall installations. It also reduces the likelihood of a cracking failure from building movement. ARDEX FG 8 is easy to maintain because it is water and mold resistant, and dries to a smooth finish that reduces the amounts of trapped pollutants. The grouts’ improved color integrity keeps the installation true to the original design, ensuring the quality of the color palette remains consistent throughout the entire installation.
Through their dedicated employees, superior sales and technical support team, and proven track record, ARDEX once again proves it has the products to get the job done right, the first time… every time!
PARTICIPANTS:
General Contractors: Lotte Engineering & Construction Co., LTD. – Seoul, South Korea
SITUATION:
The Prestige Shantiniketan consists of 603,869 m2 (6,500,000 f2) of residential, commercial and leisure areas contained in a community of 23 towers, parking garages and parks. This project took nearly five years to complete, and as time was running, the interior flooring needed to be completed quickly. ARDEX ENDURA was called in to offer fast-track solution.
CHALLENGES:
- 400,000 m2 (4,305,564.17 f2)
- Fast-track installation
- Limited time for underlayment curing
SOLUTION:
ARDEX ENDURA recommended ARDEX CL11 Commercial Leveling & Smoothing Compound be installed by Siddhi Coatings. Siddhi Coatings, a preferred ARDEX ENDURA installer, has attended ARDEX ENDURA product training and is trained on the ARDEX products installation. ARDEX CL11 can be pumped into place and receives most floor coverings in 24 hours. ARDEX CL11 also saved time as other trades could walk on the installation and continue their work in two to three hours.
To prepare the concrete slabs to receive ARDEX CL11, Siddhi Coatings made sure the slabs were clean of debris and any contaminates that could break the bond between the underlayment and the structural slab. Once the areas were clean and dry, ARDEX P 51 Concentrated Water-Based Primer and Bonding Agent was diluted with water and applied with a soft broom. ARDEX P 51 improves the bond between the substrate and leveling compound. ARDEX P 51 takes three to 24 hours to dry, minimizing the amount of down time on site. After the ARDEX P 51 was dry Siddhi Coatings pumped the ARDEX CL11 into place for a fast-track installation of the wood flooring.
ARDEX ENDURA and Siddhi Coatings were able to install all products within the required time- frame. ARDEX ENDURA Technical Service Department remained on site for the installation of ARDEX CL11 in 3000 residential flats to ensure a successful installation.
PARTICIPANTS:
Installer: Siddhi Coatings – Mumbai, India
General Contractor: IJM (India) Infrastructure Limited – Hyderabad, India
Architect: RSP Architects (Alexander Architects Pvt. Ltd.) – Bangalore, India
SITUATION:
Constructed in one of Mumbai’s upcoming neighborhoods, Raheja Legend, a luxury residential tower, houses a parking garage. ARDEX ENDURA recommended ARDEX CPS Car Park System for the parking garage but the system required installation of a proper foundation. With a minimum amount of time for the project and a maximum thickness requirement of 20mm, ARDEX recommended the use of ARDEX A37 ‘7 Day’ Screed Cement to fulfill foundation requirements.
CHALLENGES:
- Fast-track installation
- Minimum allowed thickness of 20mm
- High-quality installation
- Guaranteed wear and tear protection
SOLUTION:
After ARDEX Technical Service installed a test area to demonstrate how to properly install the system, Construction Specialties took the lead with ARDEX on site to address installation questions.
Contactors cleaned the slab to solid concrete to ensure no bond breakers would cause an installation failure. A brush coat of ARDEX P 51 Primer mixed 1:1 with clean water and ARDEX A37 mixed 1:1 with 0-4mm sand was applied. ARDEX A37 screed was installed as an underlayment because it can be used indoors and outdoors and prevents problems in areas exposed to the elements. ARDEX A37 also can be installed quickly using a standard forced action mixer or a screed pump. It cures fast enough to open to traffic in just eight hours and can handle loads after one day. In areas where the screed required installation thickness of 20mm, installers had one hour of working time to make sure the requirement was met. Once the ARDEX 37 cured for seven days, the contractors could move to the next phase of the installation.
The final stage was the installation of the ARDEX CPS Car Park System, a multi-layer flooring system. Each layer of ARDEX CPS chemically reacts to create a strong modified polyurethane topping that provides superior protection and wear resistance. The first two coats of ARDEX CPS are a primer followed by an anti-slip grain blinder. After drying for 16 hours, excess anti-slip grains are removed. Contractors installed ARDEX CPS Wear Coat using rubber squeegees and flat trowels. Finally, the ARDEX CPS Top Coat was added with a flat trowel. Other contractors could continue working after only 24 hours. Because of the speed and quality of ARDEX products, the garage was ready to accept vehicles after five days.
While this installation used grey concrete, ARDEX CPS Car Park System is available in many RAL shades and is able to maintain consistent color because of built-in UV protection. ARDEX CPS is also water tight to prevent leakage to areas below and resists many common chemicals found in a parking area. With all these benefits in mind and the assistance of ARDEX Technical Support, ARDEX CPS is the best choice for installation success for parking garages or parking garage refurbishments.
SITUATION:
As part of a redevelopment plan to turn Broadhead Beach into a high-end ‘live-work-play’ destination, an $850 million investment was provided to build two modern towers, the Oracle Broadbeach Apartments. Niecon Developments specified ARDEX products as the solution to this challenge. In doing so, they received complete peace of mind knowing ARDEX tile adhesives are high quality products compatible with marble, vitrified and ceramic tile.
The Oracle Beach Apartments were built in the high-profile area of Broadhead Beach. A 40 and a 50 level towers were new construction and tile has to be used throughout the majority of the spaces. The building consisted of residential, retail and office space.
CHALLENGES:
- Consisted of a 40 and a 50 level tower
- Mixed use development
- Multiple tile applications
- Reliable tile and water proofing systems were needed to prohibit any water leakage in the towers that would damage the spaces
SOLUTION:
BAT Tiling worked with ARDEX Australia to offer a SYSTEMARDEX solution. SYSTEMARDEX is a complete regiment of high quality, compatible tiling, flooring and waterproofing products matched with unparalleled technical and field support. Each SystemARDEX product is engineered through meticulous research and developed with feedback from contractors, specifiers, manufacturers and clients. Because of this thorough process, ARDEX customers have full confidence in the quality and end results of SYSTEMARDEX products.
Starting with one of the markets fastest drying acrylic membranes, installers applied ARDEX WPM 002 Superflex Bathroom and Balcony Two Part Waterproofing Membrane where needed. ARDEX WPM 002 specifically addresses internal moisture issues under tiles. Because ARDEX WPM 002 is microfiber reinforced, a reinforcing mat is not needed. In non-exposed permanent immersion areas, ARDEX WPM 155 Undertile PU Acrylic Hybrid Membrane was applied. This water-based, polyurethane-acrylic waterproofing membrane was developed for internal and external wet areas for high performance under tile waterproofing.
Once the waterproofing membrane was sufficiently dry, screeds were placed throughout the building. To ensure the screeds would have strong bonds, high shears and tensile strengths, ARDEX Abacrete Bonding Agent was added. ARDEX Abacrete is a non-toxic liquid polymer additive designed specifically for use with screeds and renders. This additive also improves water resistance in the flooring.To ensure the tile adhesives would bond appropriately to the substrates, ARDEX recommended ARDEX Multiprime Water-Based Primer. ARDEX Multiprime is easy to apply by using a sponge, brush or roller. This process saves time and creates a strong bond between the screed and adhesives.
Where necessary, ARDEX Abaflex Premium Polymer Modified Flexible Tile Adhesive was applied, and ARDEX DS 40 Impact Sound Reduction and Decoupling system was placed. ARDEX Abaflexs’ eight-hour cure time allows contractors to quickly move forward with the project. ARDEX Abaflex is a good choice because of its flexibility in accommodating cracks (up to .9mm) created by building movement. ARDEX DS 40 enhanced the luxury of the multipurpose building by reducing impact noise transfer from tenants above. ARDEX DS 40 acoustic mats are pre-cut for easy application and can be placed over various substrates. ARDEX DS 40 can also be directly tiled over using an ARDEX tile adhesive.
To accommodate the variety of tiles used in the building, ARDEX X 10 Flexible Non Slump Wall and Floor Tile Adhesive was recommended. ARDEX X 10 is a polymer modified, cement-based wall and floor tile adhesive created with mastic properties ideal for all tile types. The mastic properties prevent sagging and movement in flooring and wall tile installation, maintaining the level of quality required by general contractors. Once tiles were placed, ARDEX grouts were used as the final step. Where pigmented grout was required, ARDEX FG 8 Flexible Colored Grout for Tile Joints 1 to 8 mm wide was used. ARDEX FG 8 may be used on floors and walls and is easy to apply using a rubber trowel. Because it contains anti-mold agents and water repellants, the appearance and overall cleanliness of the rooms is easily maintained. ARDEX FG 8 also cures to a smooth finish reducing the amount of trapped dirt and airborne contaminates.
ARDEX Fine Textured Wall Tile Grout was placed in areas that required white grout with a joint size from 1 to 3 mm. This standard grade compressed grout was designed specifically for use on walls, and is an economical choice for ceramic and porcelain tiles. This helps reduce the cost of the project when a specialty grout was not necessary. Wherever a wider joint width occurred, ARDEX Wide Joint Sanded Cement-Based Grout was applied. This grout is shrink-resistant, and is especially suited for wider joints ranging from 5 to 15mm. It can be used for floor or wall applications, around swimming pools and showers, and is available in a range of colors. For all carpeted areas, ARDEX AF 266 Outdoor Carpet Adhesive was recommended. This water-based adhesive has a low odor, so it is ideal for indoor use additionally. ARDEX recommended this product, because it is resistant to the frequent, commercial grade cleaning expected in a luxury multi-purpose high rise.
Each of the products used for this project are part of the SYSTEMARDEX solution. With SYSTEMARDEX, not only are they receiving products that have been manufactured and tested to ARDEX procedures in accordance with Quality System Standard ISO 9001, but they are also warrantied for 10 years. With SYSTEMARDEX warranty and quality assurance, specifiers, contractors and building owners have complete peace of mind that installation was done right the first time, and will withstand heavy use.
PARTICIPANTS:
Installer/Applicator: BAT Tiling
General Contractor: Niecon Developments Pty Ltd – Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Architect: Niecon Developments Pty Ltd – Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
SITUATION:
Celeste Villa is a residential complex of 10 ultra luxury villas located on the Costa Blanca of Spain.
CHALLENGES:
The Mediterranean style of those luxury villas required a bright white finish wich stands abrasion (due to beach sand) weather and uv rays for long time. Also as vacation villas, soft anti-slip finish was needed which allows the customers to go around pools and gardens wihtout falling risk.
SOLUTION:
Seire has a wide range of resins from epoxy to polyurethane, polyurea and others that makes easy to find a solution in each case. The selected solution was based in aliphatic polyurethane resins in order to avoid yellowing due to UV rays. After priming with SIREPOX TOP PLUS (100% epoxy resin) the floor was leveled using the self-levelling polyurethane resin PROBITANO AUTONIVELANTE. Once the self-levelling polyurethane was cured, a coat of alyphatic ultra white polyurethane PROBITANO R20 was applied on top, this coat will give all the system the bright mediterranean look. The final step was to apply a thin coat of PROBITANO R ANTIRRAYADO mixed with very small glass beads to provide the anti-slip solution with a soft feel wich doesn’t disturb the villa’s users in their stays.
PARTICIPANTS:
Applicator: ASYMA, S.L.
SITUATION:
“The Line” is a newly built condo, near the East Coast and marine district in Singapore. The installation work has been done from July 2015 to October 2016.
CHALLENGES:
ARDEX has been chosen for the whole tiling work for the prestigious new residential development “The Line @ Tanjong Rhu”. The area is approx. 30,000m2, with 20 storeys and 130 units in total.
Environmentally-friendly, sustainable building products with Green Label certification were required. The competition with other suppliers was strong.
SOLUTION:
ARDEX managed to secure the project by introducing its unique tile adhesives:
- The Premium Microtec flexible Wall & Floor Tile Adhesive ARDEX X 77 for the external swimming pool area
- The Green Label certified tile adhesives, ARDEX X 29 for external tiling and ARDEX X 52 for internal tiling
PARTICIPANTS:
Installer/Applicator: SL Brilliant Construction Pte Ltd
General Contractor: SL Brilliant Construction Pte Ltd
Architect(s): Mode Architects
SITUATION:
Natural stone puts even the professionals to the test time. So it’s good to know ARDEX, the provider of choice for high-quality special products, also has prime solutions. Tastes may vary, but clients’ wishes are invariably the same: They always want the best results and the very best workmanship, irrespective of how demanding the conditions may be.
In this case, the contractor, Gasteiger from Kitzbühel, was confronted with the client’s request to achieve perfect integration of the most diverse natural stone variations in likewise diverse applications – reliably and using just one adhesive concept throughout for all the different types of stone. Whether living room, bathroom or swimming pool, abs
SOLUTION:
Consequently, the Gasteiger team placed its faith in a reliable all-rounder: the flexible ARDEX X 32 adhesive. This product is easy to work with and offers a high coverage – factors that are just as important as freedom from efflorescence and discolouration with any type of natural stone. Furthermore, ARDEX X 32 is a veritable universal genius: It is suitable for a range of bed thicknesses from 3 to 30 mm, dries quickly thanks to the crystalline binding of water, is ideal for underfloor heating and is ready for grouting and foot traffic after just three hours.
The following ARDEX products were also used:
ARDEX WA epoxide adhesive system for bedding and grouting the Bisazza mosaic tiles in the swimming pool as well as the mosaic tiles in bathrooms and showers. ARDEX 8+9 for waterproofing in bathrooms and showers. And on the terrace: natural stone tiles laid in a sand bed on AquaDrain T+ surface drainage from GUTJAHR, including 50 m of drain grates.
PARTICIPANTS:
Gasteiger from Kitzbühel
SITUATION:
The ravages of time are everywhere and unrelenting. The existing terrace had suffered badly due to the severe weather conditions below the Untersberg mountain near Salzburg.
SOLUTION:
As the old finishes had already become very loose in some places, they were completely removed and the substrate levelled perfectly with ARDEX S 21.
Once optimised in this way, GUTJAHR’s Watec 3E drainage and decoupling system could be laid ready to receive the 30 x 30 cm porcelain stoneware tiles without the need for any further repairs to the substrate. And once again, ARDEX system products proved to be extremely dependable assistants: ARDEX 8+9 waterproofing compound, ARDEX FB 9 L pourable thin set mortar and ARDEX FL rapid-setting flexible tile grout to finish the job.
The result: optimum protection with a harmonious overall appearance on all fronts. Matching edge beads, internal and external corners plus bent-up edge beads prevent a view of the terrace floor make-up.
But even more important is the fact that any water infiltrating can be drained away accurately via the drainage slits in the Watec 3E, thus preventing the water from seeping behind the construction.
SITUATION:
The Residences at Mandarin Oriental is considered one of the most prestigious and luxurious condominiums in Bangkok city. The installation work has been done from 2015 to 2016. Since the property was finished according to the highest specification standard, natural stones were used on walls and floors in lobby area, bathrooms, and room areas to enhance the charm of the condominium’s modern interior design. The tile adhesive ARDEX CT 5 was specified for this project.
CHALLENGES:
Installing large natural stones on walls and floors
In spite of being specified from a foreign branch of Mandarin Oriental Group, Thai developers of Mandarin Oriental Grroup had no experience of utilizing ARDEX products before. Thus, it was challenging to exhibit that ARDEX products are a reliable solution for this large-scale residential project.
SOLUTION:
ARDEX CT 5 was chosen to be the product used for the stone installation. To prove the quality of ARDEX CT 5, a product demonstration was held to test the materials and application properties. Due to ARDEX CT 5’s excellent properties and user-friendliness compared to other tile adhesives in the Thai domestic market, the installation progress went smoothly until the project was perfectly completed.
PARTICIPANTS:
Thai Her Chern Marble & Granite Co., Ltd
SITUATION:
The tile and grout installed at the Ritz Carlton was cracking with regular construction traffic, because the sound insulation system was moving. Tim Ellison, Regional Tile & Stone Specialist for ARDEX alerted the ARDEX Southern California Team that Jeffrey Nolen with Boyken International, Owners Representative for the Ritz Carlton, was concerned about the the performance of the Ecore QTrbm Sound Insulation System and ARDEX FB 9L™ setting material. A meeting was set for Ecore and ARDEX to review the installation.
John Inouye of ARDEX reviewed the areas that were compromised and determined the problem was being caused by an uneven concrete substrate. Jeff Mason, ARDEX Western Regional Manager suggested John visit the project with enough ARDEX TL 1000™ to perform a one room demo.
SOLUTION:
John Inouye visited the site with Doug Spenser of Quality Concrete, an ARDEX LevelMaster Elite Installer™ to assist with the ARDEX TL 1000 installation. Jeffrey Nolen was very impressed with the results, and inquired about an ARDEX warranty. ARDEX provided a 10 year warranty for the ARDEX TL1000 with the installation performed by Quality Concrete. Also extended to the Ritz Carlton, was an ARDEX Tile & Stone Installation 10 Year Extended Warranty for ARDEX FB 9L ShearFlex™ Thin Set used with ARDEX Flex Sanded™ Grouts and ARDEX Flex™ Caulk.
Nearly 3,500 bags of ARDEX TL 1000 Self-Leveling Underlayment were poured to ensure a smooth, flat, level surface to receive the sound insulation system and setting materials. The project was set with almost 3,100 bags of ARDEX FB 9L. More than 275 bags of ARDEX Flex Sanded Grout provided a smooth, beautiful finish with ARDEX Flex Caulk (color; Antique).
The tile installer had delayed the ordering of the ARDEX FB 9L and then wanted to switch the spec to substitute a Laticrete thin set which was available more immediately. Jeffrey Nolen would not allow the spec switch, citing swift customer service, strong warranties, and the quality and performance of ARDEX products.
In addition, Garvis Yearack, ARDEX Sales Professional worked with Mineger Contracting on the same project and obtained a contract for 135 units on the ground floor using 800 bags of ARDEX K-15™ Self-Leveling Underlayment. Strong customer service and technical expertise resulted in a successful installation with beautiful results.
PARTICIPANTS:
Installers: Quality Concrete, Minegar Contracting Architect: SB Architects
