Decoupling mats

Decoupling mats for crack bridging

What are decoupling mats?

Decoupling mats are used to install floor coverings on uneven or unstable substrates by absorbing and reducing the movement of the substrate. They are usually made of plastic or rubber and have a textured surface to ensure better adhesion of the floor covering. The main function of decoupling mats is to protect the floor covering from damage that can be caused by movements of the substrate. For example, if the substrate is uneven or unstable, this can lead to the floor covering warping, cracking, or breaking over time. Decoupling mats reduce these movements and thus protect the floor covering.

These high-quality mats protect tiles and slabs from cracking. Especially with large formats, decoupling mats should not be omitted. Since floors can expand and contract due to temperature changes, it is always advisable to place a decoupling mat between the old and new floor to compensate for the different expansion rates of the materials. Who wants to lay a new floor that is damaged after a short time?

Decoupling mats can be used for various types of floor coverings such as tiles, laminate, parquet or carpet. We offer them in various designs, so they can be optimally selected depending on the application and substrate conditions.

What advantages/applications does the decoupling mat offer?

The incredible reduction in construction time is achieved by laying the mat the day after the screed has been laid (once the screed is walkable). This allows the tiles to be laid 3-6 days after the screed has been laid. Without the CI++ decoupling mat, a residual moisture content of less than 2% must be achieved in the screed. This drying process (hardening of the screed) takes 5-10 weeks.

1. Shorter pre-financing period, for example for rental apartments.
2. Faster occupancy due to shorter construction time.
3. Craftsmen have no idle time (forced breaks due to drying times).

Tiling after the screed is walkable has another advantage. The decoupling mat completely blocks moisture, preventing the screed from changing shape during the drying period. There are also no shrinkage, substrate stresses, or creeping cracks. Without the CI++ professional decoupling mat, the floor dries unevenly under the tile in the first six months. First, the edge area dries and bulges upwards, then the effect reverses and the edge area sinks back down. After about a year, the screed is straight again. During these three phases, silicone joints crack and furniture is damaged.

1. No silicone joint cracks years later that need to be repaired at great expense.
2. Kitchen furniture is protected and does not need to be readjusted or hung again.
3. The kitchen, dining room, and other furniture don't creak because the screed doesn't move due to the mat.
4. A level screed throughout the entire construction period and afterwards.

With underfloor heating, whether water-based or electronic, the CI++ decoupling mat effortlessly absorbs any resulting deformations. The mat also ensures fast and even heat distribution with underfloor heating. A little tip: Underfloor heating is always installed below the decoupling mat.

Cracks in the substrate - When renovating old floors, cracks in the substrate may be present, making it impossible to lay a new tile covering securely. This mat can be laid on the substrate to decouple the floor covering from the substrate and prevent crack propagation.

Our range of decoupling mats

When it comes to decoupling systems, we have put together various decoupling mats for you. In addition to a pure decoupling mat, we also offer a combination of a reinforcing mat with a decoupling effect and a sealing mat, which also has a decoupling effect.

Sealing mat with decoupling effect

Our high-performance composite waterproofing and decoupling membrane for ceramic and natural stone floor coverings in indoor and outdoor areas. A tile or natural stone covering itself is not waterproof, and during the renovation of old surfaces, cracks in the substrate may also be present, making a secure and moisture-proof installation of a new tile covering impossible without appropriate measures. Our high-performance composite waterproofing and decoupling system helps to solve these challenges. The special 3-layer structure combines waterproofing in the composite with its high-performance and crack-bridging properties. Due to these properties, this waterproofing membrane is also approved for high moisture exposure in indoor areas.

Areas of application include directly and indirectly stressed areas in the public and private sectors, in rooms where utility and cleaning water is handled very frequently or for extended periods, such as around swimming pools and shower facilities. In outdoor applications, this sealing mat meets the requirements of stress class B0, as required for use on directly and indirectly stressed areas such as balconies and terraces (not above occupied rooms). The mat is tested as a sealing membrane in combination with tile and slab coverings for structural waterproofing against non-receding water under high stress, such as in wet rooms in the public and commercial sectors.

DURAL decoupling mat CI++ & decoupling mat

The DURABASE CI++ roll-out system is a versatile product with a three-layer structure that offers far more than just decoupling functionality. Its ability to bridge cracks and its optimized shear protection allow for the tiling of damaged but still load-bearing old coverings. When it comes to freshly laid screed, tiling is possible from the moment it is walkable. The quick and easy processing of the roll-out system ensures maximum installation safety. Due to these properties, the DURABASE CI++ roll-out system is particularly suitable for renovation work and installation on mineral substrates that are not yet sufficiently dry.

3-Mode Setup

1. Interwoven special polypropylene underlay = higher fleece stability for better adhesion to the subfloor.
2. Optimized nub geometry = less adhesive consumption
3. Coextruded mesh fabric = optimal tensile adhesion strength

DURABASE CI++ is a decoupling membrane used in conjunction with tiles, providing a stress-relieving interlayer, crack bridging, and moisture protection. This membrane allows for vapor pressure equalization in the presence of residual moisture and decouples the tile covering from the substrate. Furthermore, it bridges small cracks in the substrate without transferring them to the tile covering. Therefore, DURABASE CI++ is particularly suitable for renovation projects. With this decoupling membrane, screeds can be tiled as soon as they are sufficiently walkable (residual moisture approx. 4%). It also protects moisture-sensitive calcium sulfate screeds from further moisture penetration on the surface. When using large-format tiles, DURABASE CI++ offers additional protection against stress cracks. Further technical information can be found in the PDF data sheet included in the article.

For the DURAL decoupling mat, you can choose between lengths of 5 m, 10 m & 30 m. We only have the grey decoupling mat in 30 m.

DURAL Reinforcing Mesh FGT

During renovation work, one often encounters subfloors that are not stable enough for laying new floor coverings. Besides damage to the subfloor, a height that is too low is also often found, requiring the use of complex remediation methods.

The DURAL reinforcing mat FGT is suitable for many coverings, such as tiles, laminate, vinyl, carpet, wooden planks and floor coverings (PVC floor coverings, garage floors). Due to the material selection, the mat has extremely high strength and guarantees flexible compensation of occurring stresses. The technical values are impressive: With a material thickness of only 1.5 mm, loads of up to 1.58 tons are absorbed and crack-free transferred to the substrate.

The mat can be used without problems on the following surfaces:

1. Installation over old tile coverings
2. Installation on OSB boards
3. Laying on cracked screed
4. Installation on vinyl flooring
5. Installation on wooden floors
6. Laying tiles over old, cracked tiles.
7. Installation on plasterboard walls

Sketch of load test DURAL reinforcing mat FGT

With a high point load capacity, the reinforcing mat, with a flexural strength of 400,000 cycles at a deflection of 1.8 mm, is able to permanently compensate for vertical stresses between the substrate and the covering. The tensile adhesion strength of 1.1 N/mm² guarantees a permanent bond between the substrate and the covering. All values have been determined by tests of an independent German institute. Another advantage is the simple, fast and material-saving installation. This mat thus forms the basis for durable floor coverings of all kinds.

The mat can reinforce substrates that originally lack their own stability. Cracks caused by construction errors or material weakness are held together by the fiberglass reinforcing mat. Further expansion of the cracks is therefore no longer possible. This process is a complete stiffening of the substrate, which is referred to as "reinforcement". For substrates that are not sufficiently load-bearing, this mat offers a safe choice for all types of coverings. It is suitable for large-format tiles, as well as carpets, modern design coverings and natural stone coverings.

Installation instructions (short) for decoupling mats

1. The substrate must be dry, free of adhesion-inhibiting components, load-bearing and even. Any leveling measures must be carried out before laying the decoupling mat.
2. Thin-bed mortar is applied to the properly prepared substrate using a 4 x 4 mm notched trowel. For most substrates, a hydraulically setting flexible mortar or fast-setting flexible adhesive according to DIN EN 12004 / C2 can be used. Important: Do not use a larger notched trowel than that mentioned above, as this will impair the decoupling effect of the mat.
3. Embed the cut-to-size strips completely with the backing fabric into the adhesive. The decoupling mat must not be clamped tightly. The strip is worked in using a pressure roller or other suitable tool.
4. Seams between mats can be sealed with sealing tape. For interior and exterior corners, use the prefabricated shaped parts. Expansion joints must be made watertight with sealing tape in a loop shape.
5. In indoor areas, the tiles can be laid immediately after bonding the decoupling mat using the thin-bed method. For this purpose, it is advisable to fill the mat recesses with filler in one work step and then comb the thin-bed mortar with the notched trowel. For outdoor applications, tiling should only begin after the filler has hardened.