Love the strength and finish of Flowpoint? Porcelpoint features all the benefits of Flowpoint but in a formula specially made for porcelain, and in two new grout colours! Find out more about the newest porcelain paving grout in the UltraScape range.
Benefits of PorcelPoint porcelain grout
When installing porcelain paving you need a grout that contains extra-fine aggregate that’s suitable for porcelain’s narrow joint sizes and shallow joint depths.
So the team at Instarmac have done themselves proud – yet again – and launched a new fast-setting and extra-strong grout made specially for porcelain paving jobs.
Called Porcelpoint, this new porcelain paving grout contains a super-fine-grade aggregate than the standard Flowpoint formula, making it perfectly suited for use with the smaller joint sizes of porcelain and other thin paving tiles. It can be used with joint widths of 2–50mm, and joint depths of 20mm–200mm.
Applied as a wet, flowable slurry, Porcelpoint can be used to quickly point impermeable rigid joints on domestic patios, terraces, driveways, paths and paved areas, together with commercial projects for pedestrianised areas and carriageways.
Crucially, Porcelpoint still boasts all the benefits of the Flowpoint range – including early trafficking after installation, a high compressive strength (49.6N/mm2 after 38 days) and exceeding the strict demands of the British Standard BS 7533.
What’s more, your project can last up to 40 years when used with other approved products in UltraScape’s BS 7533 Mortar Paving System (read on for more details).
And, as an extra bonus, this rock-solid porcelain paving grout can even be installed on beds made of concrete bases. See how in the instructions below.
How does Porcelpoint differ from Flowpoint Fine?
Porcelpoint’s extremely fine texture and high fluid consistency is very similar to Flowpoint Fine, another wet slurry grout that can be used with slimmer paving tiles.
Although developed in the same manner, Porcelpoint is a premium porcelain grout that has been specially designed for use with porcelain.
Additionally, Porcelpoint differs from Flowpoint Fine as it comes in new colours of Limestone and Stone Grey, adding more options to the Flowpoint colour palette.
Choose your colour
Can Porcelpoint be used with other paving materials?
While Porcelpoint has been specially formulated for porcelain tiles, it can be used with all types of natural stone.
Always do a small trial first to ensure the formula is compatible with the tiles. The manufacturer is unable to test the grout with all types of paving or stone.
How to install Porcelpoint grout
Expert installers of Flowpoint will be pleased to hear that installing Porcelpoint is exactly the same as its sister brand.
Follow these installation and wash-off tips for a superior finish every time.
Step 1: Clear the paving joints
Ensure the paving joints are free from debris and all ponded water has been removed. A leaf blower is an easy way of removing debris and water.
Step 2: Dampen the area
Next, pre-mist the paving surfaces and joints with water.
Paving surfaces must be kept damp (never soaking wet) throughout the installation process. Use a hose-pipe with a spray nozzle.
Step 3: Add the formula to water
In a clean bucket, add 3.4 litres of water before adding in the 20kg bucket of Porcelpoint. Using a paddle mixer, combine for 3–5 minutes until you achieve a smooth, lump-free consistency.
Step 4: Apply Porcelpoint to the joints
Once mixed, and ensuring the paved area is still damp, apply Porcelpoint without delay (within 5–15 minutes, depending on outdoor temperature).
Use a Neoprene squeegee to carefully install the mixture into the joints.
The paving mortar should be constantly moved across the surfaces to repeatedly top-up joints. Remove as much mortar as you can from the surfaces using the squeegee.
Have a buddy on hard to ensure the area is kept constantly damp – but never wet.
Step 5: Remove excess grout
Once the grout has sufficiently hardened in the joints, or achieved its initial set, clean the paving surfaces with a brush and copious amounts of water.
You may want to use a washboy. Commercial paving installers can benefit from even speedier wash-off operations with a Berta Sponge Machine.
Be thorough with your cleaning. No mortar must be allowed to remain on the paving surfaces. An initial washdown is recommended to remove the bulk of the grout, followed by a final wash to remove any leftover residue.
Step 6: Clean tools during the curing process
Much like Flowpoint, there is hardly any time to wait until the area can accept foot traffic or vehicles.
Expect the grout to be initially cured and ready for light foot traffic after 1 hour. That’s just enough time to clean-up your tools!
The paving should be able to accept cars after 4 hours. Note, these curing times are all dependent on the outdoor temperature.
Extra care instructions
All tools should be washed frequently with clean water. Never remix or add extra water to the formula. Always read the full Porcelpoint instructions before application, including extra tips for working with the formula in warm or colder weather (see the all-weather guide to pointing a patio for general advice).
For a more detailed installation guide, see these expert Flowpoint instructions.
Which bedding mortar should I use?
As Porcelpoint is an impermeable paving grout for bound or rigid joints, it must be used with paving laid on top of an impermeable bedding layer.
Most porcelain tiles are 18mm in depth, so create a sub-base consisting of MOT Type 1 aggregate together with a bedding layer such as Eco-Bed bedding mortar or Prembed fibre-modified mortar.
The bedding layer must be in full-contact with the paving slabs above. Apply Pro-Prime Slurry Primer to the full underside of each paving tile before securing it firmly in place.
Importantly if you’re a commercial contractor, as Porcelpoint meets and exceeds the strict demands of British Standard BS 7533, using it alongside Eco-Bed and Pro-Prime will mean your project can last up to 40 years.
Each of these high-performance paving products have been independently verified, tested and approved by UKAS accredited labs to verify their performance qualities.
Read the guide to laying a patio for more details about creating an adequate sub-base and bedding layer.
Never use Porcelpoint – or any of the Flowpoint range, for that matter – on a permeable, free-draining bed.
How to install Porcelpoint on a concrete base
Unlike other formulas in the Flowpoint range, Porcelpoint can be used to install natural porcelain tiles – quickly and easily – on a flat concrete base.
Unlike reclaimed, pre-used vintage slabs, modern porcelain and natural stone pavers are thinner and lighter than their predecessors.
It’s due to this lightness that these modern slabs are more prone to de-bonding or ‘popping off’ a concrete base after installation – they just don’t have the weight to keep them in place.
But super-thin porcelain tiles can still be laid on concrete – you just need the right supplies for the job.
When laying porcelain or other lightweight tiles on a concrete base, use a flexible cladding adhesive – like Slipbond stone and brick adhesive – to secure the pavers in place.
Then grout with Porcelpoint to finish the job to perfection.
When applying Slipbond, use wet-to-wet contact:
Apply a decent amount – around 3mm in depth – to the full concrete base, then to the entire underside of each porcelain tile before installation. Ensure the tiles are applied to the base within 25 minutes.
Once dry, follow the Porcelpoint grouting instructions above.
Laying on a wet bed? Don’t forget to apply a paving primer to the back of your slabs and to the bed itself. This will help the bond and prevent any potential issues with staining or efflorescence.
Get in touch for more porcelain paving advice
Porcelain is one of the most popular materials used for patios up and down the country, and loved for its hard-wearing nature and sleek, sophisticated look.
If you want some extra advice on making the right choice for your porcelain paving job, get in touch with our family-run team. We can advise not only on the best grout for the job but also the tools to use and the best bedding mortars, primers and porcelain cleaners.
Call us 0330 122 1025 or send us an email.
Please note: we take great care in providing you with accurate and up-to-date advice on all our paving products and tools. However, product specifications and installation instructions can change from time to time. Always read the label and follow the manufacturer’s guidance before installation.
2 thoughts on “Introducing Porcelpoint: A Superior Porcelain Paving Grout”
Hello,
I would like to know if your Porcelpoint can be used in a mortar bag for application?
I have a porcelain patio of 40 square metres and needs repointing.
Hello Keith, no I wouldn’t, it should be used exactly as stated on the datasheet and tub. It should be mixed in the bucket and applied with a squeegee, then washed off. If you need any further help, we’ll be back in the office on Tuesday 27th after the bank holiday, you can call us on 0330 122 1025. Cleo.