Advantages of the terrace and balcony system
It is a pleasure to make use of a terrace or a balcony. There is no lack of opportunities, whether it is just for relaxing or enjoying the space for dinners and gatherings with friends, with the added bonus of the scenery. Moreover, due to the pandemic, in recent months we have rediscovered these small “islands” and have exploited them as never before.
They are clearly one of the areas in the home most affected by temperature changes: heat and frost, damp, rain and sometimes hail can undermine the integrity of the flooring system. Water seepage and, above all, temperature changes can quickly damage tiled surfaces, and cracks and detachment are the first signs of disintegration. Flooring applied over a screed that has not yet settled will lead to cracks, also in tiles.
We can find even greater pleasure in making use of a terrace or a balcony when we can do it without any worries, confident in the beauty and safety of all its parts. Therefore when building terraces and balconies, some products are used to perform the most important functions. These are:
- No-Crack, the anti-crack disconnecting system that neutralises underlying tensions and prevents them from reaching tiles;
- T-K-NW and T-K-Net, which drain rainwater and protect the waterproof layer;
- T-Bandel, which seals joints between panels, making them waterproof.
TeMa Interior Solutions has devised a high-performance system to guarantee the durability of intervention work and the aesthetic qualities envisaged during the design stage, all in the shortest possible time.
Let’s analyse the benefits.
System advantages
First and foremost, the system is easy to apply using lightweight materials that are easy to cut. The time frame is very quick: when renovating, it is often an advantage to have materials and solutions available that do not involve downtime in intervention works.
TeMa Interior Solutions has designed ultra-fast under-tile applications so you do not need to wait for about a month for the cement to harden and you can lay the flooring after a couple of days.
The ceramic tile or stone cladding (synthetic or natural) can be directly applied to the membrane using standard cementitious adhesive.
• All the products used have reduced thicknesses that do not occupy space on terraces and balconies.
• After treatment, the surface is entirely renewed.
• The underlying substrate always remains protected and dry.
• As the system is not affected by temperature changes, but can tolerate them well, it is also a feasible solution during the winter season.
• It is important to avoid prolonged exposure to UV rays.
TeMa places great importance on the environment, therefore no hazardous substances are released into groundwater or the subsoil during installation.
Furthermore, the materials are odourless and do not develop gases that are toxic for indoor or outdoor air, or volatile organic compounds (VOC).
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- Published in Balconies and terraces, INTERIOR, news
No-Crack, disconnecting and much more
The main function of the No-Crack membrane, consisting of an HDPE studded layer with a roughened surface and a spunbonded polypropylene fabric, is to act as a bridge between the screed and the tiles.
The disconnecting function
Temperature fluctuations in open spaces and the constant presence of moisture in closed environments such as bathrooms put a strain on the stability of the screed, which “lives”, even after many years, and risks revealing tensions and cracks. As a result, over time fissures may appear in the tiles.
The studded structure of the membrane neutralises tensions below and prevents any cracks from reaching the tiles, thereby keeping them intact.
In other words, No-Crack ensures that the tiles are not in direct contact with the screed and do not move with it.
But that’s not all
This membrane also offers other advantages: when used in conjunction with the T-Bandel accessory, it provides a waterproofing function This application is highly recommended in outdoor environments subject to moisture seepage, significant temperature fluctuations and heavy loads (e.g. tables or cupboards on terraces) in order to protect the underlying substrate by keeping it dry and protected at all times.
Easy and speedy intervention works
If the screed has to be redone (in new buildings) or rebuilt following deterioration, intervention works can take a long time. No-Crack reduces the time required, as it can be tiled over after just 48 hours (compared to 28 days for intervention works without using this product), therefore allowing occupants to remain in their homes.
This is because the membrane layer separates the screed from the tiles, giving it plenty of time to stabilise without interrupting intervention works.
- Published in Balconies and terraces, INTERIOR, news
Let’s take care of the space we love
In recent months, the terrace has been the favourite place for families to spend a little time outdoors. This is why designers, seeing it gain in popularity, have started to acknowledge it as increasingly important and charming.
Any self-respecting project cannot fail to consider the many activities that these outdoor areas can accommodate, starting from the simplest, such as a popular dinner with friends and family, to the most demanding, such as growing floral plants or creating green areas. If, on the one hand, technology accompanied by the enhancement of the aesthetic aspect of a project have helped to develop these comfort zones, on the other hand, it has become essential to protect them from weather conditions and atmospheric events.
No-Crack: the ideal solution for balconies and terraces
Rain and temperature changes are the number one enemies of terraces. The former causes unsightly stains and mould, whereas the latter create tension between the under-tile screed and tiles that reveal cracks in the floor.
Dual function: disconnecting and waterproofing
This gave rise the idea of developing a membrane such as No-Crack, which combines a disconnecting function with a waterproofing one. Its rough HDPE studded fabric, coupled with a spunbonded polypropylene fabric, neutralises the transmission of tensions under the floor, avoiding the spread and rising of cracks in tiles. But this is not all! If the membrane is sealed with the T-Bandel tape accessory, it performs a waterproofing function by eliminating the risk of water seepage, allowing your terrace to remain unaltered over time.
Quick application, combined with minimal use of building materials, can give you extra space that you can peacefully enjoy, thanks to unique TeMa products.
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- Published in Balconies and terraces, INTERIOR
Dry Renovation: a Quick and Clean Method
At an historic moment in time when everything is coming to a halt, we must not forget that we still have ways to increase our knowledge and get ready for the time when everything gets back to normal. The home, for obvious reasons, is now the focus of our thoughts. The more days go by, the more we notice some jobs that have been left aside for too long: a basement to be fixed, a wall to be better insulated or a terrace floor to be changed because it is excessively damaged. So let’s discover something more about one of the ways to renovate those parts of the home that require our attention.
Dry renovation: a valid solution
The dry renovation system is a processing method that does not involve the use of water, adhesives or sealants that need to remain in place to dry. Although Italy has always opted for the so-called wet clay-cement system, this does not mean that new methods have not recently been explored. This traditional work method was cast aside during the years of crisis in Italy in the building industry, since it focused on protecting the existing heritage and, therefore, on renovating rather than building from scratch.
Renovating, synonymous with saving
After all, renovating becomes synonymous with energy efficiency. You save on your bills and gain in terms of wellbeing and living comfort, primarily by enhancing the value of your property. The dry installation system, which can be applied to the outside of a building, to its structure or to its internal system, offers many advantages.
We talk about the eco-sustainability of new materials, because they can be recycled, replaced if damage or deterioration occurs, and even re-used. Moreover, dry renovation allows much quicker intervention times and more sustainable situations because tenants do not need to leave their homes during intervention works.
The materials and method used by TeMa
In the specific context of TeMa Interior, the division dedicated to floors, balconies and terraces, soundproofing and waterproofing membranes are used that are easily shaped and transported because of their minimal weight.
Combined with dry installation, these materials allow short intervention times and greatly reduced costs. But remember that this does not entail any reduction in the performance of the intervention work. The final cost of any intervention will be lower because the thickness of the membranes is reduced and, consequently, the quantity of the materials used.
It is precisely the materials, with their physical properties and excellent performance, that ensure the efficiency of intervention work, first and foremost by facilitating the procedures involved.
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A new wellbeing range
As humans, one of our basic needs is to create a nest that is warm and dry, and protected from bad weather conditions, hoping that a woodpecker will not come along and live above this nest. Unfortunately, we do not always realise that what affects people’s wellbeing is not only the pleasure of the warmth that an isolated environment brings, but also the silence.
Silence has only recently been re-evaluated as a category
Silence has only recently been re-evaluated as a category of wellbeing. Modern culture has allowed it to be acknowledged as a pre-requisite for a peaceful life. The concept of health has extended its boundaries to include other areas such as noise, which, together with other factors such as light and temperature, influences people’s good living. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines the concept of health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Enjoying good sound insulation in the home is therefore not an extra but a necessity. This is why TeMa Interior decided to create T-Silence to reduce footfall noise.
T-Silence, a universally valid option
To make T-Silence a universally valid option, Tema decided to use materials with narrow thicknesses, minimally invasive intervention methods and reduced on-site installation times. In this way, those who are building from scratch or renovating and those who already live in a building and cannot leave it temporarily can make use of the system. Dry applications are used that do not require new screeds and therefore a drying cycle is not necessary. A further advantage not to be overlooked is the option of applying T-Silence without demolishing the existing floor and/or the screed below. This avoids any inconvenience for tenants and ensures quick installation.
So, what is the advantage of soundproofing your home? You can achieve your own wellbeing.
Silence will accompany your daily routine, aiding concentration and avoiding any change in your mindset that normally leads to anxiety, depression and discontent. In the evenings, you will have no problem falling asleep, you will not be woken up in the middle of the night by noisy neighbours and you will allow your brain to re-work the stimuli collected during the day and peacefully fix your memories. Sleep considerably affects everyone’s ability to concentrate and promotes growth processes, which is why it should not be underestimated.
This is why a system like T-Silence becomes essential: because it preserves, protects and enhances your wellbeing. Spread the word and tell the neighbours above you and think about those below you.
If you want to learn more and discover the T-Silence application methods, browse the CATALOGUE.
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