Flooring can either make or break a space.With proper design, it can enhance a room’s design, make a good first impression and positively influence the user’s experience.However, since floors have to withstand adverse conditions such as exposure to moisture, heat, constant foot traffic, and heavy furniture movement, it naturally degrades over time.As a result, floor renovation is essential to keeping interiors in good condition, especially those that are frequently used.
While selecting a new material to replace an old roof, building owners, architects, and designers must consider several key factors, such as comfort, durability, and aesthetics.But when it comes to buildings where daily functions are carried out and therefore cannot be closed for long periods – such as supermarkets, offices and restaurants – speed of installation often becomes the top priority.In the end, as the old saying goes, “time is money”.
With this in mind, recent flooring innovations have focused on enabling quick, easy and efficient installation, but without compromising visual appearance and resistance.
For example, ceramic tile company AGROB BUCHTAL has developed DryTile, a new, high-quality flooring system that can be installed without adhesives and in record time – all while preserving the look, beauty and properties of raw ceramics.© Christian Daichi Components: ceramic, cork and system connection
Essentially, DryTile is a ceramic tile system, which means that it offers all the advantages that the material has when compared to other floors such as laminate or vinyl flooring.Besides being UV, water, and stain resistant, the tiles are odorless, non-flammable, fast-lightening, non-fading, recyclable, heat-resistant, and free from any stress marks from heavy furniture.But what makes the DryTile formula stand out is that it has a specially developed under-tile cork layer.Free of PVC, chlorine and plasticizers, the coating is thermally generated under constant pressure and then permanently placed on the back of the ceramic.This ensures that the tiles are sucked firmly into the floor without the need to use a layer of mortar and adhesives – a dry installation process, hence the product name.
© Christian Daichi
The principle is very simple: With a vacuum-like effect, the inherent weight of the tile presses the cork layer onto the substrate where it sticks, ensuring everything stays firmly in place.Reinforced by separation in the case of a floating installation, the cork also improves the installation of impact sound.And by protecting the tiles during transportation, it also reduces packaging needs.
In addition, the cork layer has a perfectly defined slight projection on all four sides.Therefore, the joint of the system is automatically formed by placing the edges tightly against each other.Courtesy of DryTile | Agrup Bostal
By combining the advantages of ceramic and cork, the result is an innovative system of oversized porcelain stoneware that can be laid loosely as a floating masonry on new or existing subfloors.Quick, easy and efficient installation
So how does dry tile installation actually work? Simply put, it all boils down to three simple steps.The only prerequisite for laying this type of flooring is a sufficiently smooth under surface, which means that it must be checked for evenness and surface quality prior to installation.
Thus, the first step is to check for evenness using the necessary measuring tools.Sometimes, to ensure this requirement is met, the floor has to be reworked accordingly.Next, the junction mesh is selected and the cork edges are laid tightly against each other.Finally, the last step is to grout the tiles with a special mortar for dispersion, which must take into account the correct mixing ratio with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Before signaling, the surface can be walked on immediately, allowing other tasks such as painting, drywall work or electrical installation to continue.After the signal, it can be walked on after 12 hours and is completely resistant after another 12 hours, and it is practically dust-free, reducing construction workers’ exposure to dust.
And if certain areas undergo a change of use, break or suffer any other type of damage, the entire tile can be reversed and replaced immediately without much mess and dirt – joints are easily cut, drying times are avoided and new tiles are simply regrouted.At the same time, once removed and reused, DryTile takes a step towards a circular economy.Reduce business impact by reducing closing times
Altogether, DryTile saves build time, provides flexibility and allows for optimal installation.Compared to traditional tiling, the process is up to 8 times faster, making it ideal for buildings that must reduce their closing times.For example, it is suitable for supermarkets, where floor renovation usually requires significant technical efforts and takes time that affects the work.
This has already been successfully tested: In a food market in Much, Germany, 2,000 square meters of DryTile floors were laid in just four working days, a fraction of the time required to reconvert traditional floors.Dornseifer’s Fresh Market, Lot, Germany.Photo © Klaus Stang
Apart from supermarkets, the versatility and durability of the product means that it can also be applied in many other projects.In a range of natural tones – from cream to clay brown and graphite – it can be used in all kinds of commercial interiors, showrooms, offices, museums, stores, schools, and restaurants, among others.Macrina Bakery, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Photo © R.Floisand (Floisand Studio) Changemaker store, Zurich, Switzerland.Photo © Adriano Faragulo Vinzenzmurr branch in DEZ Shopping Center, Regensburg, Germany.Photo © Herbert Burger Limbecker Platz Shopping Centre, Essen, Germany.Photo © Ulrik Eichentopf
In a fast-moving world where new design trends suggest increased flexibility, flooring innovations like this show great promise by allowing surfaces to quickly adapt to new necessities, providing a timeless and versatile aesthetic, improving working conditions and optimizing the entire construction process.
© Christian Daichi
To learn more, visit the DryTile website or social media channels (Facebook and Instagram).Share this: .
