Euro Base
Innovation in outdoor stone & tile installations
Save Time. Save Labor. Save Money
For Porcelain Tiles
Euro Base
- Save 6 inches of needless excavation
- Save 6 inches of crushed stone
- Save the cost of truck and driver on the road
- Save on costly dumping fees
- Save wear and tear on machinery
- Save on labor costs
- Save overall installation time
- Increase profit
- For pedestrian use only
Features
- Built to Last
- Better Load Transfer
- Better Freeze and Thaw Protection
Coverage
Euro Base Unit
- Equivalent to 288 lbs (130 kg) of crushed stone
- Replaces 6 in (15 cm) of compacted crushed stone
- Evacuates water through the channel
- Manufactured using lightweight high-density polypropylene
- Environment-friendly and 100% recyclable
- Extremely durable, will not degrade in the ground
- Designed with a tongue and groove system
- Euro Base Insulation has an R-Value of 3.6 (per inch thickness)
- Will significantly reduce the number of freeze and thaw cycles
Final dimensions at installation:
23.5 in x 35.5 in = 5.79 sq ft, ¾ in thick, weight = 1.32 lbs each
59.7 cm x 90.2 cm = 0.54 sq m, 19 mm thick, weight = 0.6 kg each
Packaging
10 units per pack
12 packs per pallet
120 units per pallet
Engineering
Euro Base is environmentally friendly, engineered to return water to the native soil due to the evacuation channels incorporated in the Euro Base. It will never leach chemicals or degrade in the native soil for over 100 years.
Better load transfer
One Euro Base panel is equivalent to 6˝ of crushed stone. The inter-locking panels distribute all dynamic loads to a very wide area practically eliminating any pressure on the ground.
Better freeze and thaw protection
One Euro Base panel acts like 18˝ of crushed stone as a thermal blanket. It is 3 times more effective than crushed stone as an insulator thus significantly reducing freeze and thaw cycles.
1 person of 144lbs on a 12" x 12" porcelain tile produces 1 psi load
Euro base is engineered to support a dynamic load
up to 8 PSI or 1152 lbs on a 12" x 12" porcelain tile. *
1 Euro Base® Mechanical Resistance
Alliance Designer Products Inc. has introduced to the market a revolutionary technology that will save time, labor and money when installing porcelain tile and natural stones.
With the new Euro Base® panel, you can save 6 inches of extra excavation, long hours for installation and the transportation of tons of aggregate.
This technology exhibits the polypropylene memory characteristics and allows the material to retain its original shape. Alliance Designer Products Inc. is now using this technology in their Euro Base® panel for the tile industry.
An exhaustive and serious evaluation was made in collaboration with the Université du Québec’s engineering institute (ETS), in the laboratory of their Pavements and bituminous materials department, in order to characterize compare the Euro Base® panels to a traditional method of paving stone installation with aggregate.
2 Euro Base® Thermal Insulation
Since the Euro Base® panels have a high thermal resistance (it would take nearly 15.7 inches of 0-3/4” dry stone, compacted to a porosity of 20% to equal the insulation provided by a single layer of Euro Base® panels), it can be assumed that there would be better frost protection with the Euro Base® than with the usual additional 6-inch aggregate base. In this case, similar movement for both of these systems would be observed after freeze-thaw cycles. The system with the Euro Base® panels works best for patios and walking paths made with porcelain tile. The subgrade soil should be compacted to at least 95% of the modified Proctor density; a geotextile fabric is needed on top of the subgrade and bedding sand should be used to ensure a smooth and uniform surface.
3 Euro Base® Drainage Features
The results obtained during the “Bench test” study with a granular base (standard 6 inches of aggregate), versus the Euro Base® panel as a base are very interesting.
The main reason for using gravel aggregate (crushed gravel) in the traditional method is to allow for water drainage, which prevents frost from heaving For proper drainage, each Euro Base® panel is equipped with channels for water evacuation along a 1 degree slope as well as 5 drainage holes per 16 sq. in. Also, every Euro Base® panel (1.32 lbs) will replace 288 lbs of compacted aggregate. When using Euro Tile Polymeric Sand, water will run off the paved surface if a minimum of 1° slope is respected.
University Report
Conclusions Euro Base system versus traditional granular base system.
• Euro Base can replace a traditional granular base.
• Euro Base is equivalent to a traditional granular base under static and dynamic loads.
• There would be much better frost protection with Euro Base system.
*École de technologie supérieure (or ÉTS) is part of the Université de Québec.
Installation Instructions
Step 1 • Excavation of the new Euro Tile area
Excavate the new Euro Base area. The depth required is calculated by adding Porcelain Tile height, Euro Base, bedding sand, plus any soft organic material that has to be removed. Excavate the perimeter an extra 6" (15 cm) wider on all sides than the tile area required.
Step 2 • Levelling and compacting of the base
(A) Ensure a slope of at least 1 degree away from any structure, such as a house.
(B) • The native soil needs to be compacted using a plate compactor or hand tamper.
Step 3 • Addition of geo-fabric, levelling and compacted bedding sand
(A) • Lay down a non-woven geo-fabric and cover the entire excavated area.
(B) • Spread an even layer of sand to a depth of maximum 3/4 inch (19 mm) • The levelling and compacting the bedding sand will be the last step prior to installing the Euro Base.
(C) • Water the sand prior to using a hand compactor and/or plate compactor, compact the 3/4 inch (19 mm) of bedding sand until you obtain a final height of 1⁄2 inch (13 mm) of compacted bedding sand, that should reflect the final tiled surface.
Step 4 • Installation of the Euro Base
Make sure to install the Euro Base on the extended excavation area (total excavation should be 6 inches [15 cm] wider on each side than the final tiled area).
• Start laying the Euro Base units ensuring Euro Base interlocks with the tongue & groove system.
Step 5 • Installation of Porcelain tile and Euro Spacer
Euro Spacers should receive a generous amount of Euro XP glue on each quadrant. Install the Porcelain Tile on the Euro Spacer, apply pressure or tap the tiles with a rubber mallet at all corners. This will ensure that the tiles are adhering to the Euro Spacer. The Euro Spacer will be left in the tile installation permanently, ensuring proper alignment and stability of your project for years to come.
Step 6 • Installation of Euro Tile Edge and Euro Base Screws
Install Euro Tile Edge on the Euro Base using Euro Base Screws, make sure that Euro Tile Edge rests firmly against the tiles. Use Euro Base Screws at every second hole.
Step 7 • Sweeping, compacting and blowing of the Euro tile Sand
(A) • When emptying the bag of EURO TILE SAND, spread it onto the dry, tiled surface.• When sweeping the EURO TILE SAND, spread it over a small area before moving onto the next, while making sure to fill in the joints.
(B) • It is now time to compact the sand into the joints using a roller compactor or rubber mallet. Do not use a plate compactor. Repeat filling and compacting of the tile joints. Finally, sweep the surface with a fine bristle broom and remove all excess sand. • Ensure the sand is 1/8 inch (3 mm) lower than the tile chamfers
(C) • Finally, use a blower to blow off all sand residue laying on the tile surface.
Step 8 • Euro Tile Sand water activation steps
(A) • Shower water on a specific area of 100 sq.ft., wait no longer than 2 to 3 minutes.
(B) • Shower and rinse simultaneously on a section of approximately 100 sq. ft. so as to eliminate any EURO TILE SAND residue left on the tiles. Any EURO TILE SAND residue should go directly into the tiled joints. Wait no longer than 2 to 3 minutes.
(C) • Shower and rinse simultaneously, so as to eliminate any EURO TILE SAND residue. Any residue should go directly into the tiled joints. However, stop showering when you see water retention on the tiled joints. Wait no longer than 2 to 3 minutes. Note: Repeat the directions of STEPS 8a to 8c for all other areas that have not been showered with water.
(D) • Use a leaf blower to remove any excess water remaining on the tiled crevices. This blowing action is necessary to help remove any remaining EURO TILE SAND residue left on tiled surfaces from the previous steps.
WATER ACTIVATION (IMPORTANT NOTES)
- Work in manageable sections, ideally about 100 sq. ft. at a time, depending on temperature.
- Do not allow EURO TILE SAND to wash out of joint.
- Never allow tiled surface to dry out during the water activation phase.
- Watering must be started at the lowest point of the tiled surface.
- Use a watering gun connected to a hose. Setting should be set to shower.
IMPORTANT: The water used in steps 8a to 8c will activate a bonding action as well as condensing EURO TILE SAND in the joints. It is important to water the EURO TILE SAND a total of 3 times, as per steps 8a, 8b and 8c. To little water will not properly activate the EURO TILE SAND and will reduce the final performance.
MOSS: Euro Tile Sand will not cause nor prevent moss, mold or mildew. Moss, mold and mildew are caused by certain on site conditions including excess moisture, shade, absence of ventilation, inadequate cleaning or maintenance, presence of soil or other organic debris left on the product.
