Technical

Technical Characteristics

Resistance to Household products

Polished and Grain finishes: Standard household cleaners, Detergents, Red Wine, Pure Acetone, Ammonia ( < 10% solution), Coffee, Oil, Coke, Tea, Beer have no visible effect. Permanent markers, Ink and Mustard need aggressive cleaning.

Jaipur finish: Tea, Coffee, Red Wine, Markers, Ink and Mustard need aggressive cleaning.

Installation Guide

Surface Preparation:

The condition of the surface and the preparation of the surface are fundamental for the correct installation of our tiles and slabs. The supporting surfaces or foundations must be absolutely dry (residual humidity maximum 2.5%), level and free of dust, grease, wax, paint, dismantling agents and anything else which could prevent adhesion. Any pre-existing foundations must be solid, free of cracks, well attached to the base, resistant to the loads foreseen and complete with adequate structural joints.

Recommended Adhesives:

The use of traditional sand and cement for the laying of our tiles and slabs is to be avoided. We recommend adhesives, which are specific for the general bonding of engineered stone materials. We recommend the use of a serrated trowel to apply the adhesive, so that the quantity extended onto the foundation ensures coverage of 100% of the stone. We also recommend back buttering each tile.

For quartz-engineered stone we recommend the use of two-component pre-packed products (synthetic latex with special cement powders and siliceous sands of a fast setting nature).

For areas subjected to direct sunlight exposure, we recommend the use of epoxy based adhesives.

Installation:

Butt joints are to be avoided. Proper laying and the correct alignment of the tiles require the use of open and uniform grout lines. The width of the grout line depends on the size of the tile with minimum 2-5mm width. The thermal conditions of the site must also be considered. Pre-existing and expansion joints, as well as the placement of joints must be respected by inserting silicone mastic along these joints. Interior expansion and control joints shall be installed in all directions at intervals of 16-18’.Under no circumstances shall control joints be cut in after the tiles have been installed. If required, cut the tile and resume setting from the opposite side of the joint. Before continuing, rake the joint clean.

Set aside for our inspection, prior to installation, any material deemed out of tolerance.

Care after Installation:

Any excess adhesive which should subsequently surface during installation should be removed immediately with a damp sponge to avoid possible damage to the surface of the stone.

Note:

Our stone should not be left outside, as damage to packaging may result in acid rainwater with calcareous deposits eating into the finished surface. Our engineered stone is not recommended for exterior applications.

Maintenance and Cleaning Instructions:

Quartz: Quartz based engineered stone offers the advantage of less demanding maintenance procedures. Engineered stone has the inert components of either siliceous sands or quartz and is resistant to acids and to intense wear and tear. This type of product can be cleaned either with detergents that have a pH level no higher than 11 (avoid caustic soda) or with acidic detergents for persistent grime (no lower than pH 3).

Fabrication Manual

(requested from diamastone®)

Serveries

diamastone® Quartz is designed and manufactured to withstand moderate heat but the product is not heat proof. The Thermal shock resistance is increased with the increase of the thickness of diamastone® Quartz. A slab with the thickness of 30 mm (1 ¼”) is far more resistant than a 10 mm (3/8”) slab. Like any other composite material, diamastone® Quartz may be damaged by a sudden or lasting exposure to high temperatures, mainly at the edges and cut-outs of the product, resulting in cracks. To prevent thermal shock, discoloration or other damages, it is necessary to use insulating pads when putting hot objects on top and not to expose the surface to open flames and prolonged contact with very hot pots. We always recommend using a hot pad or trivet, especially when using cooking units such as electric frying pans, crock pots, or roaster ovens.

Hot Pads

diamastone® Quartz is resistant to dry heat up to 140°C (284°F). Since the different types of pots and pans available on the market may have double or triple bottoms in order to maintain normal cooking heat (developing temperatures much higher than 140°C – 284°F), it is important to put hot pots, crock pots, electrical skillets, hot food trays, or pans (including coffee pots) on a trivet or hot pad, never directly on the counter top. Always place hot food trays on a hot pad, not on the diamastone® Quartz surface, prior to positioning into food wells. Dry heat at higher temperatures than 140°C (284°F) can irreparably damage the countertop leaving permanent marks. The thermal shock that will occur could also break the surface of the countertop.

Cut outs should be more than 2” apart. Space must be included for insulation and additional equipment support.

Heat Lamps

Do not use heat lamps to heat diamastone® Quartz solely. Heat lamps can generate extremely high surface temperatures. Minimize the heat spot on diamastone® Quartz. The distance between heat lamps and diamastone® Quartz surface should be determined by lamp characteristics and food temperature requirements.