Flexible Wall Tiles Construction Process

Flexible tiles are revolutionizing eco-friendly design with state-backed support and numerous patents. Crafted from natural modified mineral powders, green plant fibers, and other natural polymers, these high-tech tiles are formed through light enzyme irradiation. This process ensures zero emissions and no pollution. As a truly sustainable material, flexible tiles can be used in a variety of architectural settings, promoting energy savings and recyclability, while seamlessly blending with nature.

Discover the Five Steps of Flexible Wall Tile Construction

I. Type Setting

1. Following the technical design guidelines and construction module, establish the joint width and perform a grid trial arrangement using whole blocks.

2. Ensure that the spacing between flexible wall tiles is even and aligns with design requirements. Prioritize placing whole bricks on prominent areas such as large walls, columns, and stacks. If necessary, place cut bricks in less noticeable areas like between windows or internal corners, maintaining harmony and symmetry.

3. For walls with protrusions, precisely cut and align the flexible wall tiles around the protrusion, ensuring clean edges. Avoid using cut bricks for random assembly and pasting.

4. Using the flexible wall tiles' specifications as a reference, mark vertical and horizontal lines as control lines for pasting, based on the trial arrangement and the multiples of the whole block.

II. Pasting

1. Adhesive Preparation: Use a professional adhesive specifically designed for flexible wall tiles. Ensure thorough mixing with electric tools for a consistent blend.

2. Application Method:

• For flexible wall tiles sized 300 mm x 300 mm or smaller, apply adhesive to the back of the tiles using a full scraping method, ensuring a thickness of about 4 mm.
• For tiles larger than 600 mm x 600 mm, apply adhesive to both the back of the tiles and the wall, maintaining a thickness of about 3 mm. Use a notched trowel with a tooth depth of 5-6 mm for an even application.

3. Pasting Sequence: Start from the top and work your way down when pasting the flexible wall tiles.

4. Tile Placement: When placing the flexible wall tiles, use both hands to move the tiles back and forth, kneading and aligning the lines. Tamp the tiles with a rubber plate to evenly distribute the adhesive to the edges. Do not use a mallet or other hard objects to knock and tamp the flexible tiles as you would with traditional hard tiles.

5. Adhesive Cleanup: During the pasting process, clean any adhesive that is extruded to the edge of the tiles promptly to avoid affecting the pointing effect.

6. Adjustments: Before the bonding layer initially sets, you can adjust the position of the tiles and the width of the mortar joints. It is crucial to avoid disturbing the pasted flexible wall tiles from the initial setting stage to complete solidification.

III. Cleaning, Caulking, and Pointing Joints

For non-dense joints, use a specialized single-component joint agent designed for flexible wall tiles. This sealant, which prevents efflorescence, comes in black or cement gray, as specified by the design. Mix it similarly to the adhesive.

1. Joint Cleaning: When employing the splicing method, joint cleaning is crucial due to the thin 2-3mm flexible wall tiles. Proper cleaning allows for effective sealant paste application. If not cleaned, joint filling and pointing can't proceed after the adhesive dries. This cleaning should occur immediately after pasting and before the adhesive initially sets. Use a spatula or small flat blade for efficient cleaning.

2. Caulking: Once the joint filler is prepared, transfer it into a plastic triangle bag, securely tying the back end. Cut a small opening with scissors, appropriate to the seam width, and carefully squeeze the filler into the joints. Ensure the filler is neither too dry nor too thin to maintain flow and ease of extrusion.

3. Jointing: After lightly misting the sealant and before it dries (adjust based on weather conditions), use a smooth steel round bar for pointing. Start from the top and work downwards, addressing short joints before long ones. The round bar’s diameter should be 2-4mm larger than the joint width to achieve a smooth finish.

Ⅳ. Cleaning

1. During both bonding and pointing, avoid getting adhesive or sealant on the board surface. If contamination occurs, do not wipe it with a wet cloth while the slurry is still wet, as this can spread the contamination and leave difficult-to-remove scratch marks.

2. The proper method is to wait until the slurry has initially set, then gently scrape it off with a tool like a putty knife. Follow up by wiping the affected area with a dry towel or sponge.

3. If the entire scaffold is removed post-construction and there is extensive dirt, clean the area using vehicle foam cleanser and a weak dilute oxalic acid solution, similar to cleaning tiles. Avoid using abrasive materials like steel wool to prevent scratching the flexible wall tiles. Always conduct a small patch test before large-scale cleaning to ensure effectiveness.

V. Finished Product Protection

1. After applying flexible wall tiles, implement temporary protective measures for areas prone to pollution from subsequent works like painting and waterproofing.

2. Protect entrances, pathways, external corners, and other parts that may be damaged during construction with temporary protection measures.

3. Coordinate the installation of water, electricity, and equipment reasonably, and avoid drilling holes after applying flexible wall tiles. If necessary, only cut holes after the adhesive is completely set.

Following these steps ensures the proper construction of flexible wall tiles. The process is consistent, but construction strength and technical materials play a crucial role. Flexible wall tiles specialize in both interior and exterior wall decoration.