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A PR IL 2017 | 43 Hard Surface Flooring E Sound attenuation plays an increasing role in the latest hard surface flooring trends by LAURIE JONES Every year, manufacturers of hard surface f loor- ing products and substrates introduce domestic and internationally-designed styles that range from cut- ting edge to classic, and 2017 is no exception. Ames Tile & Stone introduced the Arte Pura collec- tion by Italian designer Daniela Dallavalle. "This collec- tion has two selections, the Trame and the Rilievi," says Curt Higham, designer liaison and product specialist. "Trame is a symbolic homage to the meaning of exis- tence where threads of linen are finely laced amongst themselves, creating a delicate fabric harmony of warp and weft. The result is a Porcelain Tile that looks like lace and comes in a variety of colours. With Rilievi, the surface embraces macramé braids and artisanal embroideries, creating an unexpected design." Another Italian-made series from Vallelunga & Co. has two products replicating Italian White Marble. "The first one is Statuario and the second is Carrara," says Higham. "These are porcelain tiles with an old world, satin finish and come in three sizes – 24-inches by 48-inches large format, a three-inch by 12-inch tile that can used in the herringbone style for small spaces or a kitchen backsplash, and the two-inch by two-inch traditional square. The three by 12 is ideal for flooring in small spaces, and walls in stacked or brick formats. This product gives the elegance of true marble feel, without staining concerns and special maintenance." He says the tiles feature two shades of white with slightly different veining. "The Statuario has slightly heavier grey and beige veining, while the Carrara has softer grey veins." He adds any porcelain floor tile can be installed on any wall application, particularly steam showers where natural stone is not recommended. Schluter Systems Canada has launched the Ditra- Heat Duo, a revamping of their previously successful Ditra-Heat TB (thermal break). "We had people asking us what kind of sound attenuation the Ditra-Heat TB had, but the manufacturer initially told us it didn't have much," says Dale Kempster, technical director. "When we did some testing here in North America, rather than rely on what our counterparts did in Germany, we found that it actually does have a fairly good sound attenuation contribution. So to acknowledge both functions, we relaunched it as Ditra-Heat Duo." He says Ditra-Heat Duo still has a thermal break so installers can quickly apply cables to the top of the membrane. "The Ditra-Heat TB was specifically made to create a faster reaction time so that when the sys- tem is turned on, especially for certain periods of the time like in the morning or in the evening for a couple of hours, the best efficiency can be obtained," Kempster explains. "A lot of times, when people are using Ditra- Heat TB, there are often situations of over occupied space. So the benefit of the sound attenuation can be used for both, or it can be used without the heating cable for just the sound dampening aspect." One product that Mapei is focusing on for 2017 is its thixotropic mortars. "The installation of large-format tiles presents a unique set of challenges for installers," says Brian Pistulka, product line manager for mortars. "Demands upon the setting mortar require a product that wets out the back of the porcelain tile or stone as well as the substrate. The mortar needs to produce superior bond strengths, while delivering the deform- ability to accommodate a higher degree of expansion and contraction resulting from larger tile sizes." Mapei's Thixo Technology LHT mortars exceed the large-and-heavy-tile installation requirements with products that perform multiple functions. "Thixotropic formulations allow Mapei's Kerabond T [mixed with water], Ultraflex LFT and Ultraflex LHT to be used as both standard thin-set mortars and large- and-heavy-tile mortars with non-slump performance," says Pistulka. "These mortars also meet ISO non-sag performance requirements for vertical applications. All three LHT mortars hold ridges when larger- sized trowels are used, providing maximum support and coverage." Maxxon Corporation's Acousti-Mat provides the superior sound control that's fast becoming a standard amenity in today's residential and commercial proper- ties. Ideal for new construction or renovation, Acousti- Mat is available in 10 levels of sound control. "With Acousti-Mat, design possibilities include the full spec- trum of floor goods options such as marble, ceramic tile or hardwoods, without sacrificing sound control," says Tara Crooker, marketing services. "Acousti-Mat can be installed in hard surface areas only, or through- out the entire floorplan to ensure peace and quiet from nearly all impact and airborne noises." Designed for today's project schedules, Acousti-Mat installation is fast and easy. After laying Acousti-Mat over the subfloor, Maxxon dealers pour a high-strength Maxxon underlayment over it. Acousti-Mat I, Acousti- Mat II, Acousti-Mat II HP, Enkasonic, Enkasonic HP, Acousti-Mat 3, Acousti-Mat 3 HP and Acousti-Mat SD have a core of fused entangled filaments attached to a non-woven fabric that creates a void and actually isolates sound waves between the subfloor and the high-strength Maxxon underlayment. The HP line of Acousti-Mats also features a layer of acoustical fab- ric adhered to the bottom side of the mat for added sound isolation. "Acousti-Mat LP is a proprietary blend of polymeric fibres designed to provide excel- lent reduction in sound transmission and reflection," Walk This Way Ditra-Heat Duo from Schluter Systems Canada. Trame porcelain tile from Ames Tile & Stone.

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