b'ASK THE EXPERTSASK THE EXPERTSinstallingJerusalemLimestonein is sponsored by a shower wall (stone over tile). The stoneis3/4thick,andapproxi-mately4x5.Idontknowthe weightperfoot.Canthisbe directbondedorwoulditneed mechanical fasteners? Im looking LATICRETEhaslaunchedthefor a document that would support LATICRETE170.5Sound&Crackone or the other.IsolationMat,ahigh-performance acousticalunderlaymentsystemthatANSWER 1mufes impact noises through ceramicWhen it comes to a large stone tiles,stoneandotherhardsurfacingslab like this I need to direct you materials.Itisa5-millimeterthickto the Natural Stone Institute (NSI) rubberizedmembranecomprised(naturalstoneinstitute.org).When of88.5%post-consumerrecycled3/4 stone exceeds 24 on a side, materials,thathelpspreventtheitbecomesoutsidetherealmof transmission of substrate cracks of uptypical tile installation and the NSI to 1/8" (3 mm) from transferring to the nished oor. arethepersonsthatbestknow Designed to eliminate cracks in tilehow to handle this material. Their work and reduce noise transmission, theDimensionStoneDesignManual 170.5 Sound & Crack Mat providesmay address installing a slab over both IIC & STC ratings that meet theexisting tile in a wet area, but I am thresholds tied to international buildingnot certain.requirements, thus allowing for them toAddingmechanicalfasteners beusedincommercialsettings.Themaylikelypenetratethewater-GREENGUARD certied underlaymentproofingmembrane,whichcan/mat is eco-friendly, easy to install andwill create problems with the sys-contains antimicrobial technology.Formoreinformation,visittems water management integrity. www.laticrete.com. Ifthestoneisnotdirectbonded with 95% coverage over the exist-ingtilelayerormembrane,any voidsbehindthestonemaytrap moisture, bleed through, and stain thestone(possiblypermanently). NSIcanspeaktoyouaboutthe suitabilityoflimestoneinawet area. I am guessing this is a proj-ectyouareinvolvedwithasthe setting material manufacturer. You might want to advise the client that 20TileLetter | September 2020'