Sponsored by the Tile Association

Palace Chemicals is now able to offer the new improved Rock-Tite 3-part system for fixing on-trend 20mm external porcelain and stone tiles.

Rock-Tite Exterior Porcelain & Stone System comprises a Primer, a Mortar and a choice of Brush-In or Flow Grout. The mortar is available either as a pre-blend or a concentrate that requires the addition of sand, as the user prefers.

Rock-Tite is designed for use by landscapers and garden designers, as well as tile fixers and keen DIY’ers, and capitalises on a key trend where internal tiled space is being extended to terrace or patio areas outside. It is part of a long-term lifestyle trend to enhance living areas by making better use of external space – bringing the inside out.

Traditionally, such external areas might be covered with outdated concrete pavers or timber decking, which can look tired quite quickly. However, the latest generation of 20mm porcelain and stone tiles brings a number of advantages. The key benefit is that they allow a seamless transition from internal to external space, which is totally in accordance with the leading fashion trend of the moment and helps create extra living space either in the home or in higher trafficked commercial spaces.

Many porcelain tiles are also moisture, rot, frost & UV resistant, are easier to clean and offer good slip resistance, provided they are kept clean.

The Rock-Tite system is designed to be simple to use by anyone who wants to create a seamless transition from internal to external living space, whether they are an experienced tiler, a builder, a landscaper or a DIY enthusiast.

The first component to the system is the Rock-Tite Porcelain Primer, which is supplied in three 5kg bags, complete with a 15kg mixing bucket. This is a fibre-reinforced, polymer-modified, cement-based primer, designed to improve adhesion when used with porcelain, stone and other low absorption types of paving.

Secondly there is high strength fibre-reinforced Rock-Tite Mortar. There are two mortars available. These come as either a pre-blend 20kg version, that very easily just mixes with water or a more traditional version, which is supplied in a 15kg bag that mixes in a 1:6 ratio with sharp sand to create the ideal bedding mortar for all external patio projects.

Finally, the system includes a choice of a 15kg cement-free Brush-In Grout/Jointing Compound or a Flow Grout, the latter being preferable for areas which will be subject to early and sustained traffic. The grouts come in three 5kg bags supplied in a 15kg bucket. Each are available in a choice of three different colours.

‘The Rock-Tite System has been made very straightforward to use – in fact it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3’, says Steve Ball, Commercial Director. ‘It allows home designers to come up with a durable and effective solution for working with the new generation of 20mm porcelain and stone tiles, so that they can complete projects which accord with current fashions and are entirely on trend.’

Rock-Tite from Palace Chemicals is supported by a range of promotional material, including a new brochure and a video, easily explaining all the benefits of the system and its ease of use – details of which can be found at www.palacechemicals.co.uk.