Crossville’s panels are 1M x 3M and relatively simple to work with for experienced installers who have received training with the material. The bonding of the tile panels to the HyCOMB USA core offers dis- tinct efficiencies unparalleled by other surfacing options. Slain said, “To direct bond, it would require more time because each row would have to set for a day. Our panels are independent of each other and held in place by mechanical fasteners. They do not rest on the layer below. On nor- mal-size stone panels we would need a five-man crew. With the Crossville porcelain tile panels, we use three people and produce twice the square footage each day.” Lightweight, heavy duty Another major advantage of using the Crossville tile panels is the weight compared to other cladding options. These panels are lightweight enough to be handled by fewer workers. This is important to note for the Bhojwani project because of its location on a busy street corner in the heart of the tourist district. If the architects had specified natural stone, the project team would have faced more time- consuming challenges and safety issues. With the porcelain panels, the three-man crew was able to lift the tiles through the scaffold- ing and put them in place using HyCOMB’s fastening system – reducing both time and risk factors The combination of Crossville’s gauged porcelain tile panels and the HyCOMB system achieved the aesthetic and techni- cal performance requirements of this high- profile project Robert Sutnick, Crossville, Inc. A&D rep- resentative, and Dan Slain of HyCOMB at HyCOMB offices in Hallandale Beach. LARGE-FORMAT TILE –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 112 TileLetter | October 2018