Demed IT Installation Guide

Demed IT Natural Thin and Flexible Stone Installation Guide

Pre-installation requirements

Surface preparation

• Make sure the surface is smooth, firm and free of dust and debris.
• All loose particles or irregularities must be removed before installation.

Temperature conditions

• The recommended installation temperature is above 10 °C (50 °F).
• If the stone slabs arrive rolled, lay them horizontally for up to 48 hours to allow them to regain their natural shape.
• In cold weather, a heat gun can be used to speed up smoothing.

Tools and materials required

• Cutting: Use a circular or hacksaw with a 60-tooth carbide tip or a diamond blade with a water-cooled surface.
• Glue: Use qualified glue for standard use, and waterproof glue for humid or outdoor environments.
• Other tools: Measuring tape, pencil, pressure roller, masking tape and metal trim pieces (if needed).

Installation steps

1 Unpacking and preparation

• Remove the stone slabs from the packaging.
• If they are twisted, let them lie horizontally.
• Minor flaking of the stone surface during unpacking and installation is normal.

2) Measuring and cutting

Mark the required dimensions on a natural thin, flexible stone.
• Cut accurately with a circular or hacksaw blade with a carbide-tipped blade, placing the board face down. If you are using a diamond-tipped blade, it is not necessary to turn the board over.

3 Surface cleaning and masking

• Clean the mounting surface to remove any dust or debris.
• Cover the edges of the panels with masking tape to prevent glue from leaking.

4 Using glue

• Apply the adhesive evenly to the back of the stone and/or directly onto the surface, following the adhesive manufacturer's instructions in each specific case.
• For translucent Natural Thin Flexible Stone, use a compatible adhesive that allows light transmission.

5. Insertion and gluing

• Place the stone slabs and press them firmly against the surface.
• Use a pressure roller to ensure maximum adhesion and eliminate air pockets.

6. Mortar and finish (optional)

• If using putty, leave a 1/16-1/8 inch gap to allow for clean application.
• Silicone caulk is recommended for flexibility and durability.
• Once the putty has been applied and hardened, remove the masking tape.

7 Drying and curing

• Allow the adhesive to cure for 24-48 hours, depending on temperature and humidity levels.

8. Completion

• Check that the assembly is done correctly and that everything is in order.
• Clean the surface to remove any remaining dust or adhesive residue.

9 Surface impregnation with a protective hydrophobic sealant.

• Apply a protective impregnation to the stone sample (there are treatments that enhance the color and change the appearance of the stone, and some that do not, depending on the task). Let it dry and make sure the result meets your expectations.

• Apply the impregnation with a short-pile roller, spreading it evenly over the entire surface in one direction.

• Allow the impregnation to dry for 12-24 hours until it is completely dry.

• Apply stone sealer every 18 months to maintain durability and warranty.

Metal finish options (optional)

Metal finishes increase durability and aesthetics. Available finish types:

• U-shaped finish
• T-shaped finish
• L-shaped finish
• Finishing of internal and external corners

Recommended adhesives for stone floors, thin stones
Surface type Recommended adhesives

Interior walls
Loctite Power Grab All-Purpose Construction Adhesive, Gorilla High-Strength Construction Adhesive, BOSS 125 Multi-Layer Sealants, Liquid Nails High-Strength Construction Adhesive

Wet rooms and exteriors
Mapei Ultralite S2, Mapei Kerapoxy, K100 Hyperflex Litokol, X90 EpoxyLitokol, Laticrete 254 Platinum, Laticrete Latapoxy 300, FlexBond custom-made crack prevention mortar, EBM-Lite custom-made epoxy bonding mortar, Ardex X 77, Ardex WA epoxy adhesive

Installation of transparent surfaces
Mapeflex MS Crystal.