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Moodboard made with details of stoneware tiles from the G_STONE collection

Installation and Maintenance

of Porcelain Stoneware Floors and Wall Coverings

The quality of a porcelain stoneware floor or wall covering depends not only on thematerial itself, but also on proper installation and suitable maintenance over time.
To achieve the best aesthetic and functional result, Gambini Group recommends carefully following the instructions below.

A professional tile installer in a dark overalls checks the color variation and the graphic effect of tiles placed side by side, inside an orderly construction site illuminated by natural light.

Before Installation

Before proceeding with installation, it is recommended to open several boxes and lay out a number of tiles on the floor in order to check the overall aesthetic effect of the material.
This operation is particularly important for collections featuring high colour or graphic variation.
Before installation, it is also necessary to check shade, calibre, any visible defects, general conformity of the material.
Once the product has been installed, claims regarding defects that were detectable prior to installation will not be accepted.
Gambini Group recommends the use of adhesives and grouts suitable for the intended surface application.
The following joint widths are recommended:

  • minimum 2 mm joint for rectified tiles
  • minimum 3 mm joint for non-rectified tiles.
A professional installer kneels down to check the flatness of a smoothed cement screed using a long aluminum level, in a tidy and bright construction site. The rough surface of the subfloor is ready for the subsequent installation of porcelain stoneware floors, with natural light enhancing the technical details and texture of the concrete.

Substrate Preparation

The substrate must be properly cured, perfectly levelled, clean and dry.

Frozen, excessively hot or uneven surfaces must be avoided, as they may compromise proper adhesion of the material.

For rectified products and large formats, substrate flatness is essential to achieve the best aesthetic result and avoid lippage between surfaces.

In the case of installation over existing flooring, it is necessary to verify the stability and compactness of the substrate and carefully remove dust, wax, grease and residues that could compromise adhesion of the new covering.

Posatore professionista in tuta da lavoro scura applica la colla con spatola dentata su un massetto cementizio rasato, utilizzando la tecnica della doppia spalmatura per la posa di grandi lastre in gres porcellanato effetto cemento. In primo piano sono visibili le righe del collante e il retro della piastrella già preparato, all'interno di un cantiere ordinato illuminato da luce naturale.

Installation

To ensure perfect adhesion, Gambini Group recommends the double-spreading technique, applying adhesive both on the substrate and on the back of the tile or slab.

In large areas, suitable expansion joints should be provided, while in smaller spaces it is sufficient to maintain a proper perimeter gap between the floor and walls.

To achieve the best possible aesthetic result, it is also recommended to follow the installation direction indicated on the back of the tiles.

A professional tile installer kneels down using a professional manual tile cutter to cut a large concrete-look porcelain tile slab. His hands precisely guide the material along the cutting guide, in a tidy, naturally lit workspace, with attention to detail and quality workmanship.

During cutting and handling operations, suitable equipment should be used and the material should be handled carefully to avoid breakage, chipping or edge damage. 

Cutting porcelain stoneware and double-fired ceramic tiles, requires the use of professional equipment or water-cutting machines suitable for the material type is recommended.

Marking directly on the tile surface with pencils or markers is not recommended, especially on lappato and polished finishes.

image of spacers

Levelling System

To obtain a uniform surface and avoid lippage between tiles, Gambini Group recommends the use of professional levelling systems during installation.

The use of these systems helps improve the final flatness of the floor and the overall aesthetic result.

A professional tiler kneels on a freshly installed porcelain tile floor, removing grout residue with a damp microfiber sponge. The wet surface, the reflections of the water, and the perfectly clean grout lines are visible in the foreground, within a bright and tidy space bathed in natural light.

Cleaning After Installation

After grouting, it is essential to carry out proper post-installation cleaning in order to remove grout residues, dust and construction dirt.

For this operation, the use of specific detergents for porcelain stoneware is recommended, always following the instructions provided by the manufacturers of the cleaning products used.

Thorough cleaning helps preserve the original appearance of the surface and prevents the formation of stains or permanent residues.

A person inside a contemporary designer home routinely cleans a stone-effect porcelain tile floor using a microfiber mop. The foreground shows the perfectly clean surface, the reflections of natural light, and the realistic textures of the tile, while in the blurred background, modern furnishings and large windows enhance the living space.

Routine Cleaning and Maintenance

For daily maintenance, neutral detergents commonly available on the market may be used, while avoiding particularly aggressive products or those containing hydrofluoric acid (HF) and its derivatives.

To preserve the aesthetic characteristics of porcelain stoneware over time, it is recommended:

  • to use neutral detergents;
  • to avoid abrasive sponges or polishing waxes;
  • to carry out regular cleaning with clean water or suitable floor-cleaning machines.

Recommendations for Lappato and Polished Surfaces

Lappato and polished surfaces require specific care both during installation and maintenance.
These finishes are particularly suitable for:

  • residential environments;
  • bathrooms;
  • commercial areas with moderate foot traffic.

In areas subject to heavy traffic, such as main entrances or high-passage zones, the use of protective mats is recommended.

Installation should be carried out by qualified professionals with specific experience in handling Lappato or polished surfaces.

The use of cement-based grouts is recommended, with particular attention to the immediate removal of residues during the grouting phase.

After the grout has fully cured, it is important to perform a thorough post-installation cleaning using specific detergents and plenty of clean water until all residues and stains have been completely removed.

For the routine cleaning of Lappato and polished surfaces, the following is recommended:

  • the use of neutral detergents;
  • avoiding products that are excessively acidic or alkaline;
  • waxes, abrasive pads or aggressive polishing machines should not be used.
Graphic content: "Where surfaces become space"

Warnings

Gambini Group products are manufactured in compliance with UNI EN 14411 standards and subjected to rigorous quality controls according to the specifications set out in UNI EN ISO 10545.

For the selection of materials, design, installation, use and maintenance of surfaces, compliance with standard UNI 11493 is recommended.

Any waste resulting from processing and installation operations must be disposed of in accordance with the regulations in force in the relevant country.

Gambini Group declines all responsibility arising from failure to comply with the correct installation, cleaning and maintenance procedures described above.