AS a well-known company in the tiling sector, Palace Chemicals says it has every aspect of any tiling project covered – from start to finish. The company offers an unrivalled product range, delivered with commitment to customer service from a dedicated technical sales team, backed up by a comprehensive website, which includes a library of technical datasheets, product videos and a wealth of other information, says the company.
It adds: ‘Surface preparation is the most important stage of any project, providing a solid and level substrate for tiling on to, and Palace offers everything needed, including waterproofing kits, levelling, decoupling and primers,’ says the company.
Palace has two different waterproofing kits in its range. AQUA-BAN is a combined waterproof membrane system designed to protect tiled areas in locations such as wet-rooms, showers, bathrooms, and kitchen utility areas, while SHOWER-TIGHT is a tanking system for showers and wetrooms. Both products are said to conform to the new EAD standards.
Levellers form a key part of the surface preparation range, and the company offers more than 10 different water mix and 2-part latex products, including fast track levellers, such as FAST-TRACK, thick bed levelling compounds, smoothing compounds, surface preparation aids and DPMs.
The newest addition to the preparation range is PRO GYP-BASE FAST TRACK SEALER, which is described to greatly reduce the minimum drying times required for anhydrite screeds. It allows for fast-track installation of floorcoverings, without detracting from the overall screed strength, acting as a barrier within the overall build-up between the screed and the tiles, says Palace Chemicals.
Priming is an important part of surface preparation to secure a successful tiling installation. Palace says it offers MULTI-PRIME – a waterproof primer, sealer and bonding agent, designed to improve adhesion strength and long-term durability of the joint between the adhesive and any surface substrate, and GRIT-PRIME – a high-performance acrylic-based, fine textured bonding agent.
Another important surface preparation area is decoupling, and Palace’s EASI-MAT is a 3-ply lightweight uncoupling mat designed for internal floors. It’s said to provide an isolating layer when tiling on to floors, where there’s a risk of shrinkage or lateral movement.
When it comes to fixing the tiles themselves, Palace has a wide range of S1 and S2 adhesives. The company describes itself as a pioneer in the tile adhesives sector, and recently-launched highlights include the new GEL-FLEX, which contains up to 33% recycled material, making it ideal for the increasing number of projects where sustainability is a major concern. It provides a high bond strength and instant grab, essential for fixing ceramic, marble, natural stone, mosaic, porcelain and large format tiles to walls and floors either internally or externally.
Says the company: ‘This type of adhesive meets the demands of today’s tiling market, offering tile fixers an easy application thanks to its smooth, creamy texture. With non-slip performance and instant grab, it provides the confidence to fix all types of tile for both wall and floor installations. Its excellent coverage further enhances efficiency.’
Lightweight tile adhesives are in demand from the market currently. The EXTRA-LITE range from Palace is an ultra-lightweight, thin and thick-bed, flexible tile adhesive available as either a white or grey cement-based powder which contains more than 40% recycled materials and doubled coverage capability, meaning users require smaller volumes on each job. This means faster, easier installation with a reduced carbon impact across the supply chain, from manufacturing to transportation, says Palace Chemicals.
Elsewhere the company’s range includes C1 adhesives such as RAPID-SET, C2 adhesive in the TRADE-FLEX, S1 adhesives including EASI-FLEX and MULTI-FLEX, as well as S2 adhesives such as SUPER-FLEX for situations where higher levels of movement or vibration are expected. There is also a range of ready-mixed products.
Palace offers a selection of grouts, including standard grouts and wide joint grouts. Headline products are ANTI-MOULD GROUT which contains a fungicide to inhibit the formation of black mould and COLOUR-LOCK, which is an efflorescence-free grout and is also mould-resistant and comes in a range of 12 colours to allow for creative tiling designs.
Tile aftercare represents the final stage of any tiling project, and within the last year Palace has relaunched its aftercare range. This comprises seven products, which are now all available in stylish new packaging, covering all the key requirements. The range features haze and stain removers, sealers and cleaners for all types of tiles, including porcelain, marble and natural stone, says the company.
‘At Palace Chemicals we’re proud to offer the market a massive choice of tiling solutions, from priming and levelling through tile fixing and grouting to sealing and cleaning,’ says Steve Ball, commercial director. ‘Today’s product range is the result of our 48 years of accumulated experience in this market, and our aim is to help every tile fixer achieve a successful result on each tiling project that they are working on.’
www.palacechemicals.co.uk
