76Tile International 3/2017

Cristin

Large-format panels

First of all, let’s clarify an im-portant point: what’s the dif-ference between large-for-mat tiles and large-format panels?• There are no specific stand-

ards that define the differ-ence between “tiles” and “panels”, but tile-setters use the term “large-format tile”

ASSOPOSA’s “XXL installation guidelines”

to describe a ceramic cov-ering unit with one side measuring more than 60 cm, and “large-format pan-el” to describe a ceramic covering unit with one side measuring more than 100 cm;

• Another important point: the instructions given in the

manual entitled “Installa-tion instructions for low-thickness large formats”, published by ASSOPOSA, re-fer specifically to large-for-mat tiles and panels with a low thickness, in other words less than or equal to 7 mm.

Having established all this,

the first thing that needs to be said is that large formats are full of qualities that are much appreciated by the market: they’re in fashion, and there’s no doubt that a covering pro-duced with just one enor-mous panel has a special style and character all of its own. If, however, the area to

Tile International 3/2017

Large-format panels

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Assoposa's technical partners

M E M B E R O F

XXLinstallation

guidelines

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78Tile International 3/2017

Large-format panels

be covered requires the in-stallation of various panels, the smaller number of joints still gives the finished surface a continuity that was once the exclusive domain of natu-ral stone. Modern digital printing tech-nology, furthermore, has re-moved all limits on the type of surface decoration that can be applied to panels, so they can now faithfully replicate natural materials or express an entirely original artistic concept.

There’s a more complex side to the creation of coverings with large formats, however, and a lot of doubt and uncer-tainty surrounds their installa-tion, both among designers, who struggle to take full ac-count of the peculiarities of their installation, and tile-set-ters – even experts – who have to keep their profession-al skills up to date in order to

work effectively with particu-larly large formats.In order to meet this demand for technical knowledge, AS-SOPOSA joined forces with the EUF (the federation of Eu-ropean tile-setters’ associa-tions) to produce a manual of “Installation instructions for low-thickness large formats”.The manual is the result of di-rect collaboration between Paolo Colombo, Chairman of ASSOPOSA, and Peter Goege-beur, Chairman of the EUF Technical committee, and is based on the experience of master tilers from all over Eu-rope, who worked together to collect the tips and tricks of the trade and put them down in writing.

So “XXL installation guide-lines” is the first technical guide produced in Italy and Europe, and is therefore avail-able in both Italian and Eng-lish.

Large-format panels

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Although it doesn’t meet any specific standards (because none exist), it’s an extremely useful work tool aimed at tile-setters who are already skilled, but who need to gain further experience in the installation of large-for-mat tiles and panels.

The instructions given in the various chapters of the guide cover every topic you need to un-derstand in order to be-come an expert “panel setter”. The guide explains the requirements of the substrate on which large-format panels are to be applied, and the systems that can be used to achieve a de-coupling effect. It de-scribes the equipment you need for handling large-formats panels

and the methods for round and rectangular cutting and drilling. It then goes into detail about adhesives and the correct technique for spreading them, so as to obtain a 100% full bed and completely eliminate the air bub-bles that tend to get trapped between the panel and the substrate, to ensure the long-term stability and durability of the flooring. Later chapters discuss the use of levelling spacers, the grouting of joints and the final cleaning of the entire tiled surface.

Having published “XXL installation guidelines”, ASSOPOSA is now also developing a series of specific training mod-ules on the installation of Large-Format Panels.

Aimed at tile dealers and tiling contractors, the modules last three days and involve groups of a maximum of 12 tile-setters. These training modules adhere to a new concept and are far more than just tiling demonstrations. They in-volve extensive practical exercises in the best techniques for handling, cutting and installing large formats: three days of REAL professional training turn trainees into accomplished “large-format panel set-ters”.

“XXL installation guide-lines” will be presented at CERSAIE 2017 in the Tiling Town area, and made available to the whole community of til-ers and designers.

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