• Please use only experienced Contractor / Tile Mason for laying Keramos Tiles.
• The Tiling must be supervised by the Architect / Project Manager / Contractor
• Follow Instructions of Adhesive / Grout/Sealant /Floor Cleaner Manufacturer and use their material on Small Areas for testing.
• If in Doubt, Contact your nearest Keramos Showroom.

There are two basic methods for laying tiles i.e.

(a) THIN SET

The Thin Set method is used when the surface is rigid, sound and smooth. Also it should be used for all pre-sealed tiles.

• Thoroughly dust tile surface by rubbing with clean cloth or brush. Wetting of tiles is not
  necessary.
• Use only thin set tile adhesive (i.e. LATICRETE/UNITILE/ROFFE/BAL JOHNSON) for its installation. Read manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
• Prepare area on which tile is to be set by thoroughly cleaning to allow bonding of thin set adhesive to the floor.
• Remove tiles from several boxes and mix them together to have a good mixture of colors for each grid.
• Begin installation making sure each tile has at least 90 percent coverage of the thin set adhesive.
• Thin set tile adhesive should be trawled (using a “notched trowel”) on a small area of floor at a time.
• Place tile on the trawled section with a twisting motion while pressing down with hand and spacing to desired joint (1 mm to 10 mm)
• With the wooden handle of tool tap over the tile surface. If a hollow sound is heard pick up the tile and butter with more thin set tile adhesive to the area where coverage was not initially attained.
• After tiles are installed allow a 24-hour period before grouting.

(b) THICK BED

The thick bed method is used when the surface to be tiled is uneven and also when the tiles are heavy in nature.

• Thoroughly dust the tile surface by rubbing with a clean cloth or brush.
• The tiles are to be soaked in water before starting fixing.
• For thick bed installation of tiles cement mortar is recommended in ratio of 1 part cement 2 parts sand.
• Level the area on which tile is to be fixed and start laying tiles. If any pattern has to be worked out, make drawing on the floor before starting laying of the tiles.
• It is suggested to mix tiles from various boxes to get a good mixture of color variation, if any.
• Cement mortar should be trawled on the back portion of tile and firmly pressed down and space to desired joint (1 mm to 10 mm). Beat on top of tiles surface with the wooden handle of the tool to assure 100% bond coverage and contact.
• Allow the tile on the floor to cure for 48 hours prior to grouting. DO NOT WALK on the tiles during curing.

After laying the tiles, grouting, sealing and cleaning is done as follows.

GROUT

• Before grouting all the tiles must be firmly set and all spacers, strings and ropes should be removed.
• Fine sand + cement + fine marble powder grout (1:1:1) is recommended for wider grouts. Dry blending should be done prior to mixing the material with water.
• Otherwise there are also readymade colored grouts available (Laticrete/Roffe/ Bal Johnson) for floor as well as wall grouting. For there please follow manufacturers instructions.
• Grout in a diagonally motion with a hard sponge and let set for about 10 to 15 minutes before washing the excess away. DO NOT LET GROUT SET ON TILE. DO NOT USE ACID ON TILES. Grouting level should be slightly below the tile level.
• Use a damp sponge and water in a circular motion to wash excess grout away. Clean up the grout completely, otherwise it will set on the tiles surface.
• After clean up allow grout to cure for above 72 hours before use.

SEALING

Sealers are recommended for use on unglazed surfaces such as the clay pavers, terracotta, antique stones, stone mosaics and rough porcelain tiles. Application and maintenance should be as per the manufacturer’s directions. Under normal conditions, sealants will normally last for three to four years.

The tile surface should be cleaned properly with a cotton cloth. Before applying sealant make sure that the surface is also bone dry. Sealer can be applied by sponge or cotton cloth. The second or third coating can be applied after a gap of 3-4 hours of each coat. DO NOT WALK ON THE TILE UNTIL THE SEALER IS DRY.

Following sealers are available at all KERAMOS Showrooms.

• ROVAL U.S.A 1088 – Wet look sealer.
• ROVAL U.S.A HYDROBLOCK – Penetrating sealer for natural look.

CLEANING

• All tiles should be periodically cleaned with water and commercially available ‘floor cleaners’ like ‘MOCLEAN’ OR ‘BRISK’.
• Please follow manufacturers instruction carefully.
• Soap and detergents like SURF or VIM should NOT be used. NEVER USE ACID TO CLEAN TILES.
• For maintenance of tiles and glass mosaics installed in swimming pools, a water Softening plant is recommended to avoid any hard water deposits on the tile surface.

Please note the following additional information on the various KERAMOS products.

ANTIQUE STONES SERIES

Antique stones can be installed using the thick method.
Antique stones are recommended for interior and exterior applications for both walls
And floors.
Cement tile adhesive or grout should not be allowed to dry on the surface of the tile.
All excess cement / adhesive should be cleaned immediately.
For Interiors, if a wet look is required, sealing with ROVAL 1088 is recommended, after
The cement grout is completely dry.
For exteriors, ROVAL HYDRO-BLOCK can be used for a natural finish.

MOSAICS & PEBBLE STONE

KERAMOS Mosaics and pebble stones are pre-assembled on fibre-mesh and supplied ready-to-lay. There is no need to remove the mesh before fixing. They can be used for both floors and walls and can be used along with all types of tiles. Care should be taken that no tile adhesive or grout is allowed to  dry on the mosaic.
Stone mosaics should be sealed by a “wet look sealer” if a color enhancement is required or by “penetrating sealer’ for a natural finish.
Stainless steel mosaic require extra care during installation to avoid scratches on the surface.

ARAGON

Aragon clay paver can be installed using either the thin set or thick set method.
Cement or adhesive should not be allowed to set on the tile.
All excess cement / adhesive should be cleaned immediately. A 6-8 mm joint is recommended between the tiles. A penetrating sealer is recommended, to protect the surface and reduce maintenance, while leaving the surface looking natural and unchanged in appearance.
Aragon clay paver can be used both for floor & walls.

JERUSALEM SERIES

This glazed porcelain tile can be installed using either the thin set or thick set method. A 2mm grout is recommended. These tiles can be used both for the floor & walls. A penetrating sealer is recommended, though optional to protect the surface and reduce maintenance, while leaving the surface looking natural and unchanged in appearance.

TUSCANY SERIES

This glazed porcelain tile can be installed using either the thin set or thick set method. A 5-10 mm grout is recommended. These tiles can be used both for the floors & walls. A penetrating sealer is recommended, though optional to protect the surface and reduce maintenance, while leaving the surface looking natural and unchanged in appearance.

TITANIUM SERIES

This is a through body porcelain tile. This porcelain tile can be installed using either the thin set or thick set method. A 2-3 mm grout is recommended. These tiles can be used both for the floors & walls. A penetrating sealer is recommended, though optional to protect the surface and reduce maintenance,
while leaving the surface looking natural and unchanged in appearance.

TERRA ROSSA

Terra Rossa clay paver, can be installed using the thick set method.
Do not soak the tiles in water before installation.
Cement tile adhesive or grout should not be allowed to dry on the surface of the tile.
For interiors, if a wet look is required, sealing with ROVAL 1088 is recommended, after the cement grout is completely dry.
For exteriors, ROVAL Hydro-Block can be used, for a natural finish.
2-3 coats of sealer are normally needed.

FROST GLASS

The following products are recommended for the installation of frost glass tiles.
Application and Maintenance should be as per the Manufacturer’s directions.

LATICRETE 290

Premium floor and wall Thin-set Adhesive.

LATAPOXY SP-100

Stainless Epoxy grout for floors and walls.

LATICRETE CONTACT NUMBERS :-

Delhi : 26265533 /34
Bangalore : 23134495 /96
Chennai : 28202400 / 2406
Ahemdabad : 9825398349
Pune : 31061601