Technical Resource Guide_WEB_BEL25-D-516650 - Page 25 of 84

25 | belgard ® product installation guide | belgard.com | 877-235-4273 Porcelain Pavers Belgard Porcelain Pavers are formed by pressing, followed by vitrification. This process involves the total fusion into a single material made from natural raw materials (sand, quartz, feldspars, kaolin, clays and inorganic pigments) which, when fired at temperatures above 1227º C (2240º F), are transformed into a product with exceptional hardness, ultra- low absorption rate and unmatched mechanical characteristics. Belgard porcelain pavers are eco-compatible and ecolabel-certified. Each unit is 20 mm (0.79”) standard thickness or ¾” nominal thickness and is durable enough to withstand use in exterior applications. PORCELAIN PAVERS ADVANTAGES: • Freeze thaw resistant — They are 100% frost-free and their properties remain unaltered at temperatures ranging from -51.1º to + 60º C (-60° F to +140°F). • Color durability — Color is fused by vitrification, becoming an integral part of the porcelain surface and is not affected by elements. • Easy installation—Perfect fit and for fast installs. • Low absorption rate—Spills, salt and other materials will not seep into pours. • Easy to clean — Household cleaners can be used to wipe down spills and dirt; can even be pressure washed with a low-pressure washing device* (see pressure washing warning below).* • Stylish—Matches what homeowners are currently doing inside the home. • Durable — High breakage loads of up to 3,500 lbs (1587 kg) per foot based on ASTM-C648. • Resistant — High compressive strength and ultra-low absorption rate creates a dense surface that resists mold, moss, dirt and other staining. • Skid-resistant — Structured paver top textures create slip-resistant surfaces for safety; perfect for around pools/spas or in wet climates. • Modular Design — With superior accuracy in dimensional sizing and linear sides, the slabs allow for perfectly executed installations with tight and accurate lines. • Light weight — 16.8 kg (37 lbs) for the 24”x24” paver permit for easy installation, removal and serviceability and even reusability (Excluding adhered installations). • Available in colors that have a Solar Reflectance (SR) values that qualify for potential LEED points. Light colored pavers that can qualify for heat island mitigation credit must have initial SR values greater than or equal to 0.33. • Impermeable — Deicing salt and other deicing materials can be used without concern of damage. * It is important that all pressure washing of your porcelain pavers be done with a low pressure washer with a maximum of 1600 psi and nothing more powerful. When pressure washing your installation, care should be taken to prevent damage to the grout (adhesive and grout installations) and some re-sanding will be necessary when power washing an installation with sand or polymeric sand joints. SPECIALTY TOOLS FOR PORCELAIN PAVER CONSTRUCTION: • Wet cut tile saw equipped with a diamond blade manufactured for wet cutting porcelain, or dry saw with vacuum. The saw should be designed to safely cut a 24 inch length porcelain paver. • A paver clamp for easy handling, which can be used to both install and remove pavers. • The use of gloves is highly recommended while handling and installing porcelain slabs. • Appropriate notched trowels and grout float tools for cementitious adhesive and grout installation. The appropriate tool selection would be based on the adhesive and grout manufacturer’s recommendation. • Pallets of porcelain pavers are manufactured and shipped with a heavy-duty plastic protective pallet cover, and the individual porcelain pavers are packaged in protective cardboard boxes. To prevent damage to your pavers, do not remove the protective cardboard boxes until you are ready to install them. • Caution: Removing pavers from their protective packaging and handling multiple loose stones together creates the possibility for chipping. Once the heavy-duty plastic pallet covers have been removed from the pallet, the unused boxed pavers should be protected from the elements to insure the integrity of the protective cardboard boxes.