One of my worst nightmares ever was a few years ago where the architect was adament that this was to be to be laid down. I had a feeling of impending doom which returned to me two years later when the client called me back in as the stone was breaking up. It turned into a war zone, with the Stone Federation being called in to inspect the floor. It was resolved, everything had been installed correctly, but I lost the client at the end of it.

Today the past has come back to haunt me, another client 300m2 of 20mm stone and the architect has specified the same again!

Has anyone ever had a good exp with decoupling matting? I dont think I can face this scenario again.

Im not having a good day....

Pebbs

Never had an issue with it ????

I use it a lot and never had an issue..

What stone did you install and what substrate ..adhesive and floor size..?

This might give us a clue to why you had a failure last time.

Originally Posted by Dave

I use it a lot and never had an issue..

What stone did you install and what substrate ..adhesive and floor size..?

This might give us a clue to why you had a failure last time.

I've used Ditra and Durabase and so far never had any problems *touch wood.

Are the two problems on the same substrate?

Originally Posted by Dave

I use it a lot and never had an issue..

What stone did you install and what substrate ..adhesive and floor size..?

This might give us a clue to why you had a failure last time.

And also, what stone and substrate is the new job ?

And no, never had a problem.

No Iv never had a problem with it. Was it a large area? Did it need movement joints? Im confused to be honest. Who did the stone fed lay the blame on?

Guys we're not talking about ditra matting here....I wish every contract had ditra matting on it. Decoupling is almost like a fabric membrane that floats on top of the substrate, you are not suppose to fix it to the substrate, you literally lay on top of it. A lot of architects want it because it lets the substrate breathe, to my mind it would be better to install a screed with a k additive in it to cut down on the curing time.
Pebbs

Originally Posted by Pebbs

Guys we're not talking about ditra matting here....I wish every contract had ditra matting on it. Decoupling is almost like a fabric membrane that floats on top of the substrate, you are not suppose to fix it to the substrate, you literally lay on top of it. A lot of architects want it because it lets the substrate breathe, to my mind it would be better to install a screed with a k additive in it to cut down on the curing time.
Pebbs

which fixing method did you use when tiling on the membrane ? and what benefits you in having a catlyst modified screed ?

Is that not the same as the kirdi matting? That's a thin polyester membrane, used for decoupling and waterproofing, but it still gets bonded to the substrate.

There has been a mention of a membrane that you just lay on the substrate then tile.

i use a lot of it on large wooden areas never had a problem yet up to 800 mtrs at a time always been bonded to the substrate : Pete

i am unfamilar with the decoupling you describe pebbs but would like some more info on it if you have any thing it would be much appreciated

Originally Posted by whitebeam

There has been a mention of a membrane that you just lay on the substrate then tile.

thats more of a matting than a membrane mark

the only thing i have seen that is like that, is the matting that goes down without any fixing. its used on leased showrooms etc, so that the next occupant can take up the tiled floor with minimum disruption....its simply laid in place and tiles fixed on top of ..