LOXCREEN • PROVA-LAY
The ultimate uncoupling underlayment for
residential and commercial projects.
What is PROVA-LAY?
What is PROVA-LAY?
 Superior alternative
to backerboard type
underlayments
y
 Superior alternative
to rolled uncoupling
p g
products
 Ideal for wood
substrates where
deflection may be a
problem
What is PROVA-LAY? (2)
 The only underlayment
that can reinforce wood
substrates
 Ideal for stone and large
format tile installations
 Ideal for high/heavy traffic
commercial installations
PROVA-LAY
Physical Properties
PROVA-LAY – Physical
Properties
 1 Panel – 6.5 sq. ft.
((2’ x 3.2’)) – weighs
g
approx. 1 lb
 Two layers mesh –
top layer of extruded
fiberglass has
overhang for
connecting panels
 Only 1/8” thick
1/8”
PROVA--LAY – Physical Properties (2)
PROVA
 30 panels / carton – 195
q ft. / carton – weighs
g
sq.
only 32 lbs
 Install with premium
modified thinset mortar
 Suitable for Residential
& Commercial; wood &
cement substrates;
interiors only.
How is PROVA-LAY
similar to rolled
uncoupling products?
PROTEGGA/PROVA-FLEX
How is PROVA-LAY similar
to rolled uncoupling products?

Light weight, labor savings,
easy to install compared
to backerboard/cement board
1.
Easy to carry – 30 lbs vs. 362 lbs
2.
Cut with utility knife — no dust
3.
No screws or nails — installs
with thinset
4.
No taping of seams
How is PROVA-LAY similar
to rolled uncoupling products?

Provides crack isolation
(uncoupling) protection unlike
backerboard type products
1.
Fabric on underside releases with
lateral substrate movement
2.
Span controls joints in cement
substrates (but not expansion joints)
3.
Compare to restrictions on other crack
isolation products
How is PROVA-LAY
superior to rolled
uncoupling products?
Schluter DITRA
How is PROVA-LAY superior
to rolled uncoupling products?
Without PROVA-LAY
PROVA LAY
With PROVA-LAY

Increases substrate support
and reduces deflection

Superior point load support

Higher compressive strength

Higher shear strength

Easier to install
How is PROVA-LAY superior
to rolled uncoupling
products?
The Details
How is PROVA-LAY superior
to rolled uncoupling products?
(Details)

IIncreases substrate
b t t
support/reduces deflection
1.
Tile — approved over 1 layer of
3/4” EGP on 24
3/4
24” o.c.
o c joist spacing
•
TCA recommends two layers of
plywood over 24” o.c. joists
•
PROVA-LAY replaces second layer
of plywood
•
Robinson Floor Test
rated Heavy Industrial
How is PROVA-LAY superior to rolled uncoupling products?
((Details))
PERMAT
3/4” plywood
or OSB

Increases substrate
support/reduces
deflection
2.
Stone — approved over 1
layer 3/4” EGP on 19’2” o.c.
joist spacing
•
Stiffens substrate to meet
more rigid L/720 deflection
(vs L/360 for standard tile)
•
Schluter Ditra requires 2
layers of plywood under stone
Maximum
deflection L/720
19.2” o.c.
How is PROVA-LAY superior
to rolled uncoupling products?
(Details)

IIncreases substrate
b t t
support/reduces deflection
3.
Large format tile
•
Provides flatter plane for setting tile
•
Stiffens substrate
•
Fewer grout joints in the tiled surface
allow for less movement/deflection
Why is PROVA-LAY superior
to rolled uncoupling products?
(Details)

Superior point load
support
•
95% higher
g
than standard roll
uncoupling products
•
No voids — no hollow spots to
collapse under point loads
•
Ideal for commercial applications
•
Suitable for tiles smaller than
2” x 2”
•
Stone installations — supports
100% of tile
Why is PROVA-LAY superior
to rolled uncoupling products?
(Details)

Higher compressive
strength
•
50% higher
g
than standard roll
uncoupling products
•
Ideal for commercial applications
(auto showrooms, retail, hospitality,
grocery stores)
How is PROVA-LAY superior
to rolled uncoupling products?
(Details)

Higher shear strength
•
7X higher than standard roll
uncoupling products
How is PROVA-LAY superior
to rolled uncoupling products?
(Details)

Easier to install
•
More tolerant of unwelcome
traffic prior to tile installation
•
More flexibility in timing mat
and tile installation
•
Less sensitive to thinset cure
times when working on mat
How is PROVA-LAY superior
to rolled uncoupling products?
(Details)

Modified thinset
(A118.4) recommended
with porcelain tile
•
Complies with industry
standards
•
Schluter requires non-modified
thinset when installing
porcelain on DITRA
•
Eliminates conflicts between
thinset and underlayment
warranties
Applications:
Residential and Commercial
Applications
Residential

New home construction
•
24” o.c. joist spacing with 1 layer
3/4” plywood/OSB
•
Eliminates second layer of plywood

Stone installations
•
Stiffens floor to meet more rigid
L/720 requirement
q
•
Provides higher point load and
support under 100% of installation
Applications
Residential (2)
( )

Tiles smaller than 2” x 2”

Anywhere where substrate
support is questionable
Applications
Commercial

Commercial applications
pp
•
Anywhere crack isolation is
required on cement substrates
•
Can alternative crack isolation
products span control joints?
•
Anywhere exposed to high
point loads and heavy traffic
Audi Showroom, Piepenstock, Germany
Applications
Commercial (2)

Commercial applications
•
Commercial stone installations
•
Anywhere DITRA is specified
•
Upsale benefits of heavyduty/premium uncoupling system
Installation
Installation
•
Normal floor prep
•
Align panels so top mesh overhang covers edge of adjacent panel side without
overhang. Seams in adjoining rows must be offset a minimum of 3” from seam in
prior row
•
As with the tile covering, a ¼” gap must be maintained where PROVA-LAY abuts
vertical surfaces,, thresholds and other flooring
g surfaces(( i.e.,, wood))
•
Apply more a liquid than normal mix to substrate w/ 1/4” x 1/4” U-notched trowel
•
Press PROVA-LAY in to thinset with flat side of trowel (fabric on underside of
PROVA-LAY needs to be saturated with thinset))
Installation (2)
•
Key normal mix of thinset
into cavities on top of
PROVA-LAY
•
Trowel thinset and set tile
as normal to top surface of
PROVA LAY
PROVA-LAY
•
Allow normal cure time as
recommended by grout
manufacturer before
grouting
A Word about Movement Joints

Movement joints are required in tile and stone surfaces
•
Importance of movement joints: Per the NTCA and TCA, most claims for
failures are for installations with insufficient or no movement jjoints. Here
are the minimum guidelines per 2007 TCA Handbook for installation of
ceramic tile:
9
Interior: 20-25’ both directions
9
Interior exposed to sunlight: 8-12’ both directions
9
Exterior: 8
8’-12’
12 both directions
9
Perimeter and where tile abuts verical surfaces
•
These requirements apply regardless of type of underlayment
used in the installation
Summary
Summary
Residential
•
Reduces deflection in wood
substrates (I.e. 24 o.c. joist spacing)
•
Stone installations — increases
substrates support
•
Large format tile — provides flatter
plane and stiffer substrates
•
Only 1/8” thick
•
Suitable for tiles 2” x 2” and smaller
•
Weighs only 1.06 lbs. Per panel (6.5
sq. ft.)
•
Latex modified thinset
recommended for porcelain tile
installation
Summary
Commercial
•
Crack isolation/uncoupling
protection
•
Superior point load support
•
Higher shear strength
•
Higher compression strength
•
Suitable for tiles under 2” x 2”
•
Easier to install
•
Ideal for floors exposed to heavy
traffic (auto showrooms, airports,
retail, nursing homes, hospitality)
Loxcreen • PROVA-LAY
The industry’s superior underlayment.
Thank –you!