Constructed and aesthetically adjusted surfaces are exposed to high temperatures and steam, and most importantly, moisture, which often penetrates into building structures. Since the 90s, in fact, the struggle for the durability of structures and exclusive materials has been one of the main tasks of manufacturers of innovative materials.
The German concern Knauf today offers an innovative solution - a system of cladding and partitions for wet and wet areas based on AQUAPANEL cement boards® Internal.
Cement slabs are rectangular in shape and consist of a Portland cement core and lightweight mineral aggregate. On both sides, they are reinforced with a glass mesh, thanks to which they can bend directly in dry form with a radius of up to 1 m, creating seamless curved surfaces of any size and for every taste, which significantly expands the design possibilities.
This lightweight and durable sheet material is only 12.5 mm thick and provides an excellent alternative to traditional brick or block construction. It is used as a base for a wide variety of finishes, be it natural stone, tiles and porcelain stoneware, mosaics, decorative plaster and paint.
In addition, AQUAPANEL® Internal cement board has high strength and rigidity, one layer of sheathing can withstand up to 50 kg per 1 m2 walls. When using special traverses for securing loads from 70 kg to 150 kg per 1 running meter (for example, washbasins, wall-hung toilets, bidets, etc.), the maximum possible load increases to 1.5 kN / m2… Cement slabs are 100% moisture resistant, not susceptible to mold and mildew, since there is no organic matter in their composition. For the same reason, any possibility of the growth of bacteria and microbes on the facings is excluded. The material is used without additional waterproofing of the entire surface of the enclosing structures, since the time of exposure to water splashes on it is less than six hours a day.
Another important property - resistance to chemical reagents - allows the use of cement slabs for interior decoration in rooms with moderate humidity, where, according to sanitary and hygienic requirements, regular wet cleaning and disinfection with cleaning agents should be carried out. For example, in the area of Horeca (hotels, restaurants, cafes), in sports and health, medical institutions.
An additional area of application is premises with high traffic. Excellent characteristics for shock and fire resistance, as well as sound insulation, make the material indispensable for the construction of corridors and lobbies of schools, hospitals, sports facilities and other public buildings, where structures are constantly exposed to increased mechanical stress.
Knauf moisture resistant solutions with AQUAPANEL® Internal is a complete building system with specially selected components, including profiles, thermal insulation, screws, adhesives, putties and primers. Therefore, the installation of cladding structures is carried out quickly and easily without the use of special complex tools. Time-consuming surface treatments are also excluded - the boards are easy to cut and drill. Light weight of cement boards - about 15 kg per m22 - also makes work easier and reduces labor costs.
One of the projects for the use of this material was the Nautimo recreation and entertainment center in the German city of Wilhelmshaven.
The architects were looking for a 100% moisture resistant wall solution to provide moisture protection while eliminating all electrical risks, as well as impeccable sanitation and a tight construction schedule. A new indoor complex with a swimming pool, saunas and an entertainment area opened at the end of 2007 on the site of the old city pool. The construction site took a little less than a year.
After evaluating all the parameters of the building, the architects chose KNAUF building solutions for wet rooms with cement slabs.
AQUAPANEL® Indoor, as this system meets the stringent requirements for use in wet and humid areas of the building, while still creating an attractive design at an affordable price. A metal profile was used as a frame in the structures and partitions, and the surfaces are finished with washable paint, natural stone, tiles and mosaics.
Three rotundas are striking details of the project: a red one in the center of a large pool, a yellow one with a Finnish sauna inside, and a green one next to the "paddling pool".
“If not for AQUAPANEL® Cement slab Internal, we would have to deal with significantly more expensive and time-consuming solutions,”concluded Dieter Brookman, managing director of the complex.
