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Instructions for installing flexible stone wall panels correctly.
Flexible stone cladding panels are a modern wall cladding material for both interior and exterior spaces. Composed of 65% quartz sand, 10% mineral powder, 10% heavy calcium, 10% adhesive, and 5% additives, these panels are lightweight, ultra-thin, and can be flexibly curved in multiple directions without blistering or cracking.
This helps to speed up the construction process, reduce the load on the structure, and save costs while shortening the completion time.
| Product Line | Specification (mm) | Weight (kg/panel) | Color |
| DD001 – Travertine Marble | 600 x 2,5 x 1200 | 2,3-2,6 | White Off White (cream white), Beige (cream yellow) |
| DD002 – Slate vein | 600 x 3 x 1200 | 2,3-2,6 | White, Dark Grey |
| DD003 – Moonlight Marble | 600 x 6 x 1200 | 3,8-4 | White Off White (cream white), Beige (cream yellow) |
| DD004 – Rounded Wavy Stone | 600 x 8 x 1200 | 3,8-4 | White |
| DD005 – Flowing Vein Stone | 600 x 5 x 1200 | 3,8-4 | White, Dark Grey |
| DD006 – Deep groove stone pattern | 600 x 3 x 1200 | 2,3-2,6 | White Off White (cream white), Beige (cream yellow) |
| DD007 – Coral pattern | 600 x 6 x 1200 | 3,8-4 | White, Dark Grey |
| DD008 – Split Stone Pattern | 600 x 6 x 1200 | 3,8-4 | White, Dark Grey |
| DD009 – Hemp fiber pattern | 600 x 5 x 1200 | 3,5-3,8 | White |
In this article, Kosmos will introduce and provide detailed instructions on 6 steps for constructing walls using flexible stone cladding panels.
Step 1: Prepare materials and tools for installing flexible stone wall panels.
Supplies
Here are 3 types of materials you need to prepare when installing flexible stone panels on walls:
- Flexible stone panels
- Specialized grout or A100 grout
- Construction adhesive (for interior walls) or tile adhesive (for exterior walls).
Note regarding adhesive: It is advisable to choose a low-alkali or non-alkali adhesive to avoid "salt leaching" (discoloration/whitening).
Tool
To install flexible stone cladding panels on your walls, you will need the following 8 tools:
- Laser leveling machine
- Ink ribbon
- Handheld cutting machine
- Steel trowel
- Notched trowel (for use with tile adhesive)
- Rubber roller or rubber trowel
- utility knife or angle grinder
- Glue wiping sponge.
Step 2: Treatment of construction surface
Because flexible stone slabs are soft, lightweight, and only 2,5-8mm thick, the installation surface must be flat and stable. Regardless of the type of wall, the final surface must meet standard substrate requirements before applying the slabs.
- Standard background conditions (mandatory application)
The wall surface must meet the following requirements:
- The structure is stable, not hollow, and does not blister.
- Smooth, without bumps or cracks.
- The walls are completely dry and free of dust.
- No residual oil, grease, impurities, or weak cement paste on the surface.
This is a mandatory requirement, regardless of the type of wall.
- Additional treatment depending on the surface type.
Apply the steps below only if the surface does not meet the standard substrate conditions. After treatment, the surface must be re-inspected and meet all requirements in Section 1 before application.
- Case 1: New wall surface
Sufficient curing time must be ensured for the cement hydration process to be relatively complete (over 14 days in summer, over 21 days in winter). Before tiling, it is mandatory to apply an alkali-resistant primer to limit efflorescence and discoloration.
- Case 2: Old wall surface
The old paint that is chalky, peeling, or has lost its adhesion must be completely removed. Hollow, cracked, or loose old tiles must be chipped away and re-treated with specialized mortar to restore a stable surface.
- Case 3: High humidity areas (Kitchen, WC, etc.)...)
Areas frequently exposed to steam or direct water must be treated with a standard waterproofing solution before applying the cladding panels. Tile installation should only be carried out when the waterproofing layer is dry and has reached the adhesion strength recommended by the manufacturer.
Step 3: Measure and cut the flexible stone cladding panels.
This process consists of three main steps, and is especially important for long wall sections or those with many corners and intersections:
1. Use a laser level to establish the horizontal and vertical alignment of the surface. From there, determine the baseline as a reference point for tile installation, avoiding elevation discrepancies or misalignment of the tile layers.
2. After establishing the standard elevation, use a chalk line to accurately mark the positions of the circuit lines according to the layout drawing, ensuring uniformity and alignment.
3. Cut the flexible stone cladding panels to the measured dimensions. A handheld cutting machine with a fine blade or a sharp utility knife can be used to ensure clean, sharp cuts and minimize frayed edges.
*Kosmos recommends:
- It's advisable to test lay the tiles on the floor before laying them to check the stone patterns and grout lines, especially for patterned tiles like Flowing Stone or Rounded Wave Stone.
- The ideal working temperature is between 5 and 35°C. Avoid working in direct sunlight, rain, or strong winds.
Step 4: Apply specialized adhesive.
The process of applying adhesive before installing flexible stone panels on the wall is as follows:
- Case 1: Interior wall cladding
Topical application construction adhesive This adhesive is specifically designed for bonding flexible stone cladding panels to the wall surface during construction. The adhesive needs to be applied evenly to ensure a uniform bond, enhancing aesthetics and ensuring long-term durability for the project.
Additionally, a nail gun should be used to secure the panels.
- Case 2: Exterior wall cladding
1. Apply the coating. tile adhesive Apply a specialized product to the surface to be treated.
2. Next, use a notched trowel to spread the adhesive in the same direction to create even grooves. The grooves should be continuous and sharp to increase adhesion, ensuring a stronger bond between the material and the substrate.
Note regarding the application location:
- For small sizes (under 600x300mm): Apply adhesive to the wall surface or the back of the panel.
- For large sizes (over 600x300mm): Double-sided adhesive is mandatory, meaning adhesive must be applied simultaneously to both the wall surface and the back of the panel.
Step 5: Install the flexible stone panels onto the wall.
After the adhesive layer has been properly applied, proceed with installing the flexible stone panels following these steps:
1. Place the panel in the previously determined position. When placing the panel, gently press down on the entire surface with your hands to secure it in place and prevent it from shifting.
2. Then right away Use a rubber roller or rubber trowel to apply pressure.
3. Install the second panel similarly, leaving a gap of 1,5–3 mm between the panels to allow the material space to expand and contract due to temperature and humidity.
4. Continue tiling until the entire wall surface is finished.
Note regarding large-format flexible stone slabs:
- In addition to applying double-sided tape, after bonding, you can use a handheld vibrator to gently push out any air bubbles.
- When installing the tiles on the wall, use nails (or a nail gun) to temporarily secure them at the top edge to prevent them from sliding down while the adhesive is still wet. Once the adhesive is dry, proceed to cover the nail holes.
*Kosmos recommends:
- Always use a spirit level to check the sealant during the first 15-20 minutes (while it's still wet) to make any necessary adjustments.
- After at least 24 hours from application, once the adhesive has reached its initial bonding strength, the surface can be tested by tapping with a rubber mallet. If localized hollow sounds are detected, prompt action is necessary to prevent further damage.
Step 6: Apply grout to finish the surface of the cladding.
Grouting should only be carried out after the adhesive has reached its initial bonding strength, at least 24 hours after the panels are installed.
1. Use specialized grout or high-elasticity A100 grout to accommodate the thermal expansion of the material.
2. Immediately after completing each area, use a damp sponge to wipe away any excess adhesive from the surface of the panel before the adhesive begins to set.
*Kosmos recommends handling positive and negative corners:
- For the outer corners (positive corners), miter cutting (edge grinding) is used to ensure a tight fit. Alternatively, the edges can be covered with adhesive or finished with a trim strip.
- For interior corners (negative corners), the circuit line should not be placed directly at the corner of the wall or column. The starting point of the circuit line should be set back at least 2,5cm from the corner for better durability and aesthetics.
Note: Avoid stepping on, pouring water on, or vibrating the surface for the first 48 hours. Wait 3-7 days (until the adhesive is completely dry) before proceeding with further decorating steps.
The above instructions are for reference only. To determine the most suitable construction plan, a specific site survey is required to develop an optimal construction solution.
Office: 281 Tan Son, Tan Son Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
