| TECHNICAL FEATURES | CARATTERISTICHE TECNICHE

FORNACE

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET AND GUIDE TO

INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

1) VERIFICATION OF THE VARIETY OF GOODS

• Fornace is an artisanal product made from handmade Sicilian

terracotta and may therefore present a structural variation, a

slight difference in tone. Some cracks in the glaze are to be

considered part of the nature of the product.

• ATTENTION: In consideration of the variations above

mentioned, it is very important that prior to installation the

material is mixed by choosing pieces from all the boxes in the

batch and placing them in their installation area, ensuring that

the desired layout is achieved before installation. Do not lay the

tiles without properly mixing from all the boxes.

• The industry standard suggests that at least 15% of waste and

scrap should be taken into account.

• Dust and surface residues must be cleaned before installation.

2) INSTALLATION

• The International Tile Standard considers installation to be the

full acceptance of materials. Do not lay the material if it presents

problems. If you have any doubts, our quality department can

be contacted at info@terratintagroup.com and is available for

all necessary explanations. The tiles of the FORNACE collection

are subject to variations in colour, consistency, size and finish.

Any misuse by the contractor or end user including and not

limited to negligence and abuse are not covered by Terratinta

Group’s warranty.

• This installation and maintenance guide is intended to provide

general information for correct installation. However, each

project is unique and therefore requires a professional who can

provide the exact specifications for proper execution.

• Always refer to the current edition of the relevant international

standards (e.g. UNI ISO and ANSI).

• ATTENTION: Tiles cut with a water jet cutter can affect the

special surface of the tiles. This happens because tile dust

mixed with water is deposited in the fissures on the surface of

the glaze. It is recommended to well dry after cutting the tile.

• To guarantee correct laying and adhesion to the substrate, it is

advisable to lightly clean the back of each tile if it is excessively

covered with dust.

• DO NOT USE TAPE when installing the product.

• To adjust for variations in tile size, use wedge spacers when

necessary to keep tile lines straight.

• To increase slip resistance in applications in wet areas

(especially shower floors), it is recommended to increase the

size of the joints, use a vertical offset of the tile arrangement or

“herringbone” installation.

3) SEALANT

• Terratinta Group recommends the use of an invisible sealant

to ensure easier cleaning.

• Always test the sealant in a small area to ensure that it

provides the finish you prefer.

• ATTENTION: If FORNACE is grouted with a joint colour

that contrasts with the colour of the tile, it is advisable to seal

before grouting because many tiles may have “cracks” that are

not visible to the eye, which would only become evident with

grouting as the imperceptible crack absorbs the colour of the

joint.

• FORNACE tiles must be sealed for all applications (dry and

wet) in order to maintain their appearance and prevent staining.

Both the surface of the tiles and the grouted areas must be

sealed as a final stage of installation.

• PLEASE

FOLLOW

ALL

USE

INSTRUCTIONS

RECOMMENDED BY THE SEALANT MANUFACTURER FOR

BEST INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE RESULTS.

• SUGGESTION: If water and/or oil do not accumulate on the

surface of the tiles, the sealant has not been applied correctly.

• Informazioni Generali Collezione SPLIT

4) GROUT

• We recommend Mapei Flexcolor CQ grout. Always follow the

manufacturer’s instructions. Letting the grout settle even for a

short period of time can be problematic.

• We recommend a minimum joint of 3 to 5 mm.

• The choice of grout colour is always up to the client and/or his

design professional. We would like to remind you that Mapei

Flexcolor CQ grout has 40 colours to choose from. Visit the

Mapei website for more information.

• Please carefully follow the application and cleaning

instructions of Mapei Flexcolor CQ to avoid the risk of grout

stains and to allow easy application and cleaning. Read all

installation instructions thoroughly before use.

• When applying grout, immediately remove excess grout from

the surface of the tile with a clean, damp cloth/sponge.

• Use the so-called “Clean as you go” approach to applying and

cleaning the grout: this ensures that cleaning starts before the

grout dries on the tile surface.

• Grout small areas (3 - 4 sqm) at a time, so that cleaning can

begin before the grout dries on the tile surface.

• Change the water bucket often to prevent dirty water from

penetrating the surface of the tiles.

5) INSTALLATION IN WET AREAS

• FORNACE can be installed on splashbacks and in showers

after application of a waterproofing, penetrating sealant.

• During installation, ensure that these specific waterproofing

precautions are taken:

• A waterproof membrane MUST be used under the tile and a

water-resistant, penetrating sealant used to seal the tile surface

and joints.

• In order to increase slip resistance in wet area applications

• (especially shower floors), it is recommended to increase the

size of the joints or a suitable laying pattern. (e.g. “Fishbone”)

• Re-application of the penetrating sealant in a single coat

to all joints within the shower is required once a year. This

reapplication is due to continuous exposure to water.

• N.B. * FORNACE CANNOT be used in swimming pools or

fountains and is not recommended for use in very humid

environments (e.g. Turkish bath, sauna).

6) INSTALLATION IN OUTDOOR AREAS

ATTENTION: Due to their nature, the tiles of the FORNACE

collection are not classified as “frost-resistant”. Therefore, we

do not recommend and cannot guarantee installation of the

product in outdoor areas that regularly experience temperatures

up to freezing.

7) MAINTENANCE

• Over time the tile, due to its organic nature, will develop a

“cracked” coating. This is an intrinsic characteristic of the

FORNACE product and is to be considered perfectly compliant.

• The floor installation of FORNACE is only suitable for light

residential traffic.

• Re-application of the penetrating sealant in a single coat is

required once a year on all joints within the shower.

8) CLEANING

• The glazed Sicilian terracotta tiles of which the FORNACE

collection is a part require minimal maintenance. Mild soaps

with a neutral pH should be sufficient for most cleaning needs.

• N.B. Run a test on a small part of the surface before overall use.

• Clean using soft materials, such as a cloth, do not use rough

or abrasive ‘pads’.

• Always avoid aggressive chemicals and acid or alkaline

cleaning products.

• Immediately clean up any leaks: do not allow liquids to settle

on the surface of the tile. Excess liquid and moisture can stain

the tiles.

• Regularly vacuum or sweep: dirt and abrasive materials can

scratch the surface.

• Anti-slip mats or rugs should be placed inside and outside

entrance ways to remove abrasive materials that may scratch

and soil the surface of the tile.

• Wash floors when necessary with clean, warm water and a

pH-neutral detergent.

• Interior wall installations can be cleaned with warm water

and a damp microfibre cloth.

• Shower fittings must be dried after each use to avoid limescale,

soap or mould stains.

• Joints can be cleaned with warm water and a soft-bristled

brush.

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS

FORNACE is a collection made from traditional Italian rustic

clay available in eight shades.

The traditional ‘listello’ shape was typically used in Italy as a

border. Its linear shape lends itself to a variety of laying patterns

and can be used on walls subject to moisture, spaces and floors

with light traffic.

The tile can develop a cracked coating over time that is typical of

Italian tile worn out by time.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

COLOUR VARIATION: V1 (Light variation)

PEI: 1 (Light traffic)

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: “Sicilian” handmade matt glazed

terracotta

COMPONENTS: Clay, Glaze, Pigments

WATER ABSORPTION: > 15%

ACID RESISTANCE: Tiles from the Fornace collection are not

resistant to acids or alkalis and must be treated with pH-neutral

detergents.

RECYCLED CONTENT: 0%

% PRE AND POST CONSUMER MATERIAL: 0%

For other technical characteristics please refer to the specific

table.

LEED CREDITS

The product is an inherently non-emitting source of VOCs

(stone, ceramic, metal, powder-coated, plated or anodised

metal, glass, concrete, brick and untreated or untreated solid

wood) and does not contain integral organic elements, surface

coatings, binders or sealants.

Tiles from the FORNACE collection are considered “inherently

non-emitting sources” within the meaning of the LEEDv4/v4.1

low emission materials credit.

This is currently the only credit the FORNACE collection can

use towards LEED.

The use of these tiles as wall or floor materials must be entered

into the LEED v4.1 Low-Emitting Materials Calculator and

identified as “inherently non-emitting” in the Products tab

(column L).

Data for MR credit material ingredient disclosures under

LEEDv4/v4.1 are not currently available. No timeframe for

integration is set at present.

Disclosures for MR Credit’s environmental product declarations

according to LEEDv4/4.1 are currently not available.

MR Credit’s material procurement contribution under LEEDv4/

v4.1 does not apply as there is no recycled content, no bio-based

material, no wood, no reused products included in our tile at

this time.

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