With the recent explosive growth in popularity of manufactured and thin stone masonry veneer facades in building and construction, Laticrete has once again risen to the challenge and filled a void in the industry.
Laticrete has developed and introduced a comprehensive system with the latest technology in construction materials to deliver a superior, problem-free method for masonry exterior veneer applications.
The Laticrete® Masonry Veneer Installation System (MVIS™) utilizes proven materials and methods to provide the solution with a factory-prepared system for manufactured stone veneers that's freeze/thaw stable and unmatched in its ability to protect against water intrusion. Engineered as a complete system, the Laticrete MVIS products include a revolutionary waterproofing membrane, polymer-fortified adhesive mortars with non-sag performance, a scratch and brown coat mortar, masonry pointing mortar and 100 percent silicone sealant to ensure high quality installations.
The benefits of utilizing the Laticrete MVIS specification are in line with the concepts behind all Laticrete materials and methods. The system provides higher performance and is far easier to install than conventional methods, offering dramatic time and labor savings. And for this particular category to have an established manufacturer stand behind the installation like Laticrete does with a comprehensive warranty provides the type of peace of mind needed to continue its rapid growth. The Laticrete MVIS improves the industry by offering an easy to use system that dramatically increases productivity. In addition, the finished installation when completed with Laticrete MVIS results in a far more durable and secure building envelope when tile or stone has been specified for the veneer.
The confidence of Laticrete to back the Laticrete MVIS specification was one of the most important details to highlight for Brent Cannedy of Specified Products in Dallas, Texas, when convincing Dethlefs Sink Combs Architects to change the original lath and plaster specification for the stone veneer project at the new Cedar Park Center in Cedar Park, Texas.
"It was an easy sell for us to present the Laticrete MVIS," said Cannedy. "We were able to convince the owners and the architect to switch over in half a day. Not only was this method superior from a technical standpoint, it was 20 percent faster which saved them 20 percent of the labor costs. That's where the money is. We eliminated two or three steps and replaced a system prone to delamination and water intrusion. Instead, we used the Laticrete assembly with complete faith in the performance and got a warranty from a reliable source."
Located just 20 miles from downtown Austin, Texas, the Cedar Park Center was built at a cost of $55 million and primarily plays host to the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League. The 6,800-seat event center features a gorgeous natural thin stone veneer installed with the Laticrete MVIS method by Trinity Drywall & Plastering Systems out of Forth Worth, Texas.
Trinity Drywall & Plastering Systems came on board after Cannedy had spearheaded the change of the original specification to the Laticrete MVIS method, and spent six months on the job-site installing 60,000 square feet (5,574 m2) of locally quarried limestone from Cooper Stone and Sedona Red Flagstone as the exterior facade of the Cedar Park Center. Two-thirds of the exterior thin stone masonry veneer features the flagstone in 20 x 20 x 1 (50 x 50 x 2.5cm) tiles, with the lighter limestone used in the design to accent the support columns and architectural elements of the main entrance to the arena.
Todd Hunt, the project manager and vice president for Trinity Drywall, recommends the direct adhered method for manufactured stone masonry veneer construction with Laticrete MVIS and has compelling arguments of his own. The warranty offered from Laticrete for one, but on the installation side Hunt points to the protection from water intrusion as another crucial factor in support of the Laticrete MVIS.
"It avoids putting thousands of screw holes in the structure and moisture resistant barrier when attaching the lath to the studs," said Hunt. "Anytime you can eliminate ways for water to penetrate through to the frame it's a good thing. We probably would have had to put around 120,000 holes through the moisture resistant barrier to install 60,000 square feet of stone. Eliminating that is a huge deal. It's a big advantage. I think when you put the two options side by side the way to go is pretty self-explanatory. We shifted from a finished product with thousands of holes and no warranty, to a building with no holes in the wall system barrier and the manufacturer standing behind it with a full warranty."
The Cedar Park Center has a structural steel frame with cement backerboard serving as the base wall for the installation of the stone tiles with the Laticrete MVIS. The option of replacing field-formed lath and plaster substrates with cement backerboard is another factor that increases the quality and durability of the system. The time and field proven cement backerboard substrate option provides far greater consistency while decreasing the materials costs of the system and increasing the performance.
The first step in utilizing the Laticrete MVIS involves the easy application of a revolutionary waterproof and weatherproof membrane. Instead of screwing over 100,000 holes through the moisture resistant barrier every six or seven inches on-center vertically up the stud walls. Trinity Drywall & Plastering Systems simply roller applied two coats of Laticrete® Hydro Ban™ for waterproofing and anti-fracture protection. Laticrete Hydro Ban is a revolutionary liquid applied, breathable waterproofing membrane that prevents moisture intrusion in wall constructs. Adding to the Laticrete MVIS ability to prevent premature corrosion of the structural reinforcing, Laticrete Hydro Ban is applied outside of the structural components of the wall for maximum protection and longevity benefits to the entire assembly.
Installation over Laticrete Hydro Ban can start as soon as it's dry to the touch. The membrane will let you know when this has occurred since it will gradually cure from a light sage green to a darker more olive green.
The 60,000 square feet (5,574 m2) of thin natural stone was all installed in the same method with Laticrete® products supplied by Cannedy and Specified Products. The Laticrete MVIS assembly includes a polymer-fortified adhesive mortar with unmatched strength, nonsag properties and performance. The usage of Laticrete Masonry Veneer Mortar is one of the more key components and reasons the specification contributes to the success of the system. Laticrete Masonry Veneer Mortar replaces the inconsistency and large variations of quality and performance of site-mixed Type S mortars. The quality of the Laticrete factory-prepared masonry veneer mortar provides increased productivity for installers using traditional masonry installation techniques or the tile-setters method.
Trinity Drywall & Plastering Systems back-buttered each tile and set them firmly in place with Laticrete Masonry Veneer Mortar and benefited from the flexibility and extended adjustability of this specially prepared adhesive. Unlike the inconsistent Type S mortars used in more traditional methods, Laticrete Masonry Veneer Mortar features factory controlled quality and a tenacious bond between the cement backerboard and thin stone tiles for the Cedar Park Center masonry veneer.
Trinity Drywall & Plastering Systems' crew completed the beautiful, natural thin stone masonry veneer installation by grouting the entire facade, before taking a few welldeserved moments to stand back and admire what Hunt describes as a "fantastic looking building."
Laticrete International, Inc. is a familyowned business dedicated to innovative, high quality tile and stone installation systems.
Based in the USA, the 50-plus year old company is one of the world's leading manufacturers in its field. Its well-known brands
Laticrete®, Latapoxy® and SpectraLOCK® are manufactured and sold worldwide. In the USA or Canada call 1-800-243-4788, outside
USA +1203-393-0010,
www.laticrete.com
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