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| TECHNICAL FEATURES | CARATTERISTICHE TECNICHE
FORNACE
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET AND GUIDE TO
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE
1) VERIFICATION OF THE VARIETY OF GOODS
• Fornace is an artisanal product made from handmade Sicilian
terracotta and may therefore present a structural variation, a
slight difference in tone. Some cracks in the glaze are to be
considered part of the nature of the product.
• ATTENTION: In consideration of the variations above
mentioned, it is very important that prior to installation the
material is mixed by choosing pieces from all the boxes in the
batch and placing them in their installation area, ensuring that
the desired layout is achieved before installation. Do not lay the
tiles without properly mixing from all the boxes.
• The industry standard suggests that at least 15% of waste and
scrap should be taken into account.
• Dust and surface residues must be cleaned before installation.
2) INSTALLATION
• The International Tile Standard considers installation to be the
full acceptance of materials. Do not lay the material if it presents
problems. If you have any doubts, our quality department can
be contacted at info@terratintagroup.com and is available for
all necessary explanations. The tiles of the FORNACE collection
are subject to variations in colour, consistency, size and finish.
Any misuse by the contractor or end user including and not
limited to negligence and abuse are not covered by Terratinta
Group’s warranty.
• This installation and maintenance guide is intended to provide
general information for correct installation. However, each
project is unique and therefore requires a professional who can
provide the exact specifications for proper execution.
• Always refer to the current edition of the relevant international
standards (e.g. UNI ISO and ANSI).
• ATTENTION: Tiles cut with a water jet cutter can affect the
special surface of the tiles. This happens because tile dust
mixed with water is deposited in the fissures on the surface of
the glaze. It is recommended to well dry after cutting the tile.
• To guarantee correct laying and adhesion to the substrate, it is
advisable to lightly clean the back of each tile if it is excessively
covered with dust.
• DO NOT USE TAPE when installing the product.
• To adjust for variations in tile size, use wedge spacers when
necessary to keep tile lines straight.
• To increase slip resistance in applications in wet areas
(especially shower floors), it is recommended to increase the
size of the joints, use a vertical offset of the tile arrangement or
“herringbone” installation.
3) SEALANT
• Terratinta Group recommends the use of an invisible sealant
to ensure easier cleaning.
• Always test the sealant in a small area to ensure that it
provides the finish you prefer.
• ATTENTION: If FORNACE is grouted with a joint colour
that contrasts with the colour of the tile, it is advisable to seal
before grouting because many tiles may have “cracks” that are
not visible to the eye, which would only become evident with
grouting as the imperceptible crack absorbs the colour of the
joint.
• FORNACE tiles must be sealed for all applications (dry and
wet) in order to maintain their appearance and prevent staining.
Both the surface of the tiles and the grouted areas must be
sealed as a final stage of installation.
• PLEASE
FOLLOW
ALL
USE
INSTRUCTIONS
RECOMMENDED BY THE SEALANT MANUFACTURER FOR
BEST INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE RESULTS.
• SUGGESTION: If water and/or oil do not accumulate on the
surface of the tiles, the sealant has not been applied correctly.
• Informazioni Generali Collezione SPLIT
4) GROUT
• We recommend Mapei Flexcolor CQ grout. Always follow the
manufacturer’s instructions. Letting the grout settle even for a
short period of time can be problematic.
• We recommend a minimum joint of 3 to 5 mm.
• The choice of grout colour is always up to the client and/or his
design professional. We would like to remind you that Mapei
Flexcolor CQ grout has 40 colours to choose from. Visit the
Mapei website for more information.
• Please carefully follow the application and cleaning
instructions of Mapei Flexcolor CQ to avoid the risk of grout
stains and to allow easy application and cleaning. Read all
installation instructions thoroughly before use.
• When applying grout, immediately remove excess grout from
the surface of the tile with a clean, damp cloth/sponge.
• Use the so-called “Clean as you go” approach to applying and
cleaning the grout: this ensures that cleaning starts before the
grout dries on the tile surface.
• Grout small areas (3 - 4 sqm) at a time, so that cleaning can
begin before the grout dries on the tile surface.
• Change the water bucket often to prevent dirty water from
penetrating the surface of the tiles.
5) INSTALLATION IN WET AREAS
• FORNACE can be installed on splashbacks and in showers
after application of a waterproofing, penetrating sealant.
• During installation, ensure that these specific waterproofing
precautions are taken:
• A waterproof membrane MUST be used under the tile and a
water-resistant, penetrating sealant used to seal the tile surface
and joints.
• In order to increase slip resistance in wet area applications
• (especially shower floors), it is recommended to increase the
size of the joints or a suitable laying pattern. (e.g. “Fishbone”)
• Re-application of the penetrating sealant in a single coat
to all joints within the shower is required once a year. This
reapplication is due to continuous exposure to water.
• N.B. * FORNACE CANNOT be used in swimming pools or
fountains and is not recommended for use in very humid
environments (e.g. Turkish bath, sauna).
6) INSTALLATION IN OUTDOOR AREAS
ATTENTION: Due to their nature, the tiles of the FORNACE
collection are not classified as “frost-resistant”. Therefore, we
do not recommend and cannot guarantee installation of the
product in outdoor areas that regularly experience temperatures
up to freezing.
7) MAINTENANCE
• Over time the tile, due to its organic nature, will develop a
“cracked” coating. This is an intrinsic characteristic of the
FORNACE product and is to be considered perfectly compliant.
• The floor installation of FORNACE is only suitable for light
residential traffic.
• Re-application of the penetrating sealant in a single coat is
required once a year on all joints within the shower.
8) CLEANING
• The glazed Sicilian terracotta tiles of which the FORNACE
collection is a part require minimal maintenance. Mild soaps
with a neutral pH should be sufficient for most cleaning needs.
• N.B. Run a test on a small part of the surface before overall use.
• Clean using soft materials, such as a cloth, do not use rough
or abrasive ‘pads’.
• Always avoid aggressive chemicals and acid or alkaline
cleaning products.
• Immediately clean up any leaks: do not allow liquids to settle
on the surface of the tile. Excess liquid and moisture can stain
the tiles.
• Regularly vacuum or sweep: dirt and abrasive materials can
scratch the surface.
• Anti-slip mats or rugs should be placed inside and outside
entrance ways to remove abrasive materials that may scratch
and soil the surface of the tile.
• Wash floors when necessary with clean, warm water and a
pH-neutral detergent.
• Interior wall installations can be cleaned with warm water
and a damp microfibre cloth.
• Shower fittings must be dried after each use to avoid limescale,
soap or mould stains.
• Joints can be cleaned with warm water and a soft-bristled
brush.
COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS
FORNACE is a collection made from traditional Italian rustic
clay available in eight shades.
The traditional ‘listello’ shape was typically used in Italy as a
border. Its linear shape lends itself to a variety of laying patterns
and can be used on walls subject to moisture, spaces and floors
with light traffic.
The tile can develop a cracked coating over time that is typical of
Italian tile worn out by time.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
COLOUR VARIATION: V1 (Light variation)
PEI: 1 (Light traffic)
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: “Sicilian” handmade matt glazed
terracotta
COMPONENTS: Clay, Glaze, Pigments
WATER ABSORPTION: > 15%
ACID RESISTANCE: Tiles from the Fornace collection are not
resistant to acids or alkalis and must be treated with pH-neutral
detergents.
RECYCLED CONTENT: 0%
% PRE AND POST CONSUMER MATERIAL: 0%
For other technical characteristics please refer to the specific
table.
LEED CREDITS
The product is an inherently non-emitting source of VOCs
(stone, ceramic, metal, powder-coated, plated or anodised
metal, glass, concrete, brick and untreated or untreated solid
wood) and does not contain integral organic elements, surface
coatings, binders or sealants.
Tiles from the FORNACE collection are considered “inherently
non-emitting sources” within the meaning of the LEEDv4/v4.1
low emission materials credit.
This is currently the only credit the FORNACE collection can
use towards LEED.
The use of these tiles as wall or floor materials must be entered
into the LEED v4.1 Low-Emitting Materials Calculator and
identified as “inherently non-emitting” in the Products tab
(column L).
Data for MR credit material ingredient disclosures under
LEEDv4/v4.1 are not currently available. No timeframe for
integration is set at present.
Disclosures for MR Credit’s environmental product declarations
according to LEEDv4/4.1 are currently not available.
MR Credit’s material procurement contribution under LEEDv4/
v4.1 does not apply as there is no recycled content, no bio-based
material, no wood, no reused products included in our tile at
this time.
