How to install resin-backed stone tiles

Published: General // Published 26.05.2023

"There is a David and a Goliath in each of us. David wins when he finds the courage to observe Goliath's weak spot. Goliath wins when he intimidates David, thus urging him to throw stones at people." The quote belongs to Romanian and French writer Ionut Caragea and refers to stone, the world’s oldest building material. This is justified, if we consider the impurities and minor imperfections developed in time by stone’s crystalline structure, that ultimately weaken it and make it brittle.

This is where the reinforcement of stone slabs comes in, which is essential for ensuring a durable solution. It happens with an equivalent effect: beyond the safe use of the slabs, handling, and transportation become carefree. Resins are used for applying the mesh to the back of the stone tiles, which in turn leads to less stress applied to the stone, therefore more durable tiles and less cracking risk.

Types of resins

Stone tiles reinforcement is achieved by applying a mesh to the back of the tiles in a resin mass. There are several types of resin: polyester (the cheapest), polyurethane (occasional use), or epoxy (the most efficient). Besides, the resin decides the selection of the right adhesive.

Epoxy adhesive is the standard when it comes to binding back-reinforced and is available as a mono or a bi-component adhesive. Either of these two will handle fine both the pressure and the extreme temperatures.

Benefits of epoxy adhesive:

excellent behavior in wet spaces, as well as outdoors (UV resistant). Plus is quite flexible
sticks to almost any substrate
turns to a slight yellow color/develops a surface chalking when subjected to acid rain, salinity, pollutants, or abrasion with suspended particles
shelf life of over 2 years, whereas polyester, acrylic, or polyurethane adhesives have a shelf life of 1-2 years
available in liquid or solid (paste) form. The former is recommended for small projects and the latter for large projects
Eco Prim Grip primers are also recommended for tiles binding

In the case of natural stone tiles reinforced with mesh on the back, the use of epoxy adhesives is a feasible solution, but also the only one able to provide durability to the tiles.