The explosive increase in popularity of adhered stone cladding has created a need for higher performance, factory-produced materials to assure a consistently high quality installation.

Up to now, stone cladding fixed using an adhesive has required the use of a site-mixed Type S or Type N mortar – materials that are subject to significant variations in consistency, quality and performance. They also limit how the stone cladding is fixed.

Projects that have been plagued by delaminating stone, water intrusion and other performance issues have left specifiers frustrated. This traditional method of adhesion is not engineered as part of a complete wall system and therefore does not offer warranties from a reliable source willing to stand behind the installation.

Now there is an alternative. Realising the problem, Laticrete has built on its proven technology to develop an installation system that provides a permanent, high-strength solution that is freeze / thaw stable and protected from water intrusion.

Backed by the Laticrete's 25-year System Warranty, the Laticrete system also offers increased productivity, whether you are using traditional masonry veneer fixing methods or the ‘tile fitters’ method.

Help and support are available from Laticrete to help understand the range of possible applications and appropriate products and methods to assure long-term performance on projects of all types. 

The Laticrete system is engineered to provide a permanent, high-strength installation that uses a new waterproofing membrane to protect against weather and water intrusion and provide freeze / thaw stability.

The system is designed for natural stone, thin-brick, and manufactured stone cladding for interior and exterior applications. 

Laticrete provides complete system solutions from the substrate up to the grout for virtually any type of tile or stone installation in commercial, industrial and residential applications. Product categories include surface preparation, waterproofing, adhesives and grouts, all designed to work together, providing a comprehensive installation. 

Stone Cladding Installation – Masonry Veneer Installation System (MVIS) 

For external stone cladding installations the Laticrete system begins with a two coat application of MVIS Air & Water Barrier. This is a single component, load-bearing, vapour-permeable, liquid waterproofing and crack isolation membrane. It produces a seamless, monolithic elastomeric coating and bonds directly to substrates.

Note: if a levelling render is required prior to the application of MVIS Air & Water Barrier, Laticrete 3701 Fortified Mortar should be applied first and allowed to dry. 

The background substrate is now suitably prepared to receive the adhered stone cladding, for this the appropriate Laticrete MVIS adhesive is chosen. 

Laticrete MVIS adhesives are polymer-fortified adhesives for interior and exterior use with masonry veneer, stone, ceramic tile, pavers or thin brick. The MVIS adhesives mix easily with water and are formulated to achieve superior workability and adhesion.

Laticrete MVIS adhesives are available in rapid or standard set to suit site conditions and the needs of the installer.

If a pointing mortar (grout) is required, there is Laticrete Permacolour. Formulated from a blend of high-strength Portland cement, graded aggregates, and colour-fast pigments, it is mixed with water only and produces a joint that is dense, hard and durable.

For internal stone cladding installations, Laticrete adhesives have been tested and approved for use with all the major building boards. Hardie is one of them. Steve Twin,
European Technical Director of James Hardie Building Products Ltd, says: "Regarding Laticrete, I have tested the adhesive product in conjunction with our fibre cement tile backing products and found its bond to be considerably stronger than that of regular high quality tile adhesives. It is the only adhesive that we are comfortable with at this time for bonding Norstone to our boards."

In the UK, Laticrete offers technical and site support to architects, designers and contractors on all aspects of stone cladding installations.

It has been working closely with a number of stone cladding suppliers, including Norstone UK, whose cladding systems are used worldwide. Jack Jago, Director, Norstone UK, says: "Laticrete has proved to be an invaluable partner to Norstone UK by providing unique warranties for our premium natural stone products.

"As we deal mainly with architects, often on very substantial and prestigious projects, it is essential for all parties to have complete peace of mind and we have every confidence in Laticrete’s superb adhesives and unrivalled technical expertise. We strongly recommend Laticrete to all our clients. 

"Our partnership with Laticrete has allowed us not only to produce bespoke systems for numerous challenging installations but also to provide dual warranties. We now provide a 25-year system warranty for Norstone on brick, block or concrete using MVIS Air & Water Barrier in conjunction with the appropriate MVIS adhesive or a standard 10-year warranty when only the MVIS adhesive is used. We also provide a 10-year dual warranty with James Hardie and Laticrete on internal installations for Norstone fixed with Laticrete on Hardie Backerboard.  

"As Norstone is a 100% natural stone product weighing approximately 65kg/m², we were delighted when rigorous testing by Laticrete allowed us to specify and warranty aerated blockwork, giving another cost-saving option to developers. It also meets stringent U-value requirements.

"It seems no challenge is beyond Laticrete and we are delighted to work so closely with them – it gives us and, more importantly, our clients complete confidence, peace of mind and, above all, a perfect installation."

For more than 60 years, Laticrete has been developing high-performance building materials that are used worldwide. It remains fully committed to innovation, growth and a complete system component approach.