Frequently Asked Questions
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Can Alternative Surfaces products be installed seamlessly over my existing floor?
Yes, our surfaces are designed to be installed seamlessly over existing substrates. We don't have to put breaks in the surface, unless it’s required for structural reasons. When X-Bond is applied over concrete or sheeting, if there is a break or control joint in the existing floor, we must install an anti-fracture membrane coating to assist in minimising movement.
Where can X-Bond and Quartz Carpet be applied?
X-Bond and Quartz Carpet have endless uses; they can both be applied on floors, walls, ceilings and joinery. They’re suitable for internal and external areas, including wet areas such as bathrooms and pool surrounds. Speak to our team to find out which finish is better for your chosen application.
Once your products are applied, will I be able to see trowel marks?
Yes, when applying microcement the trowel marks will remain visible in the finished surface. On a Quartz Carpet surface, the trowel marks are much harder to see.
What products can be used in my shower base?
The X-Bond system can can be applied to shower bases over selected substrates. Please speak with our team for more information.
Can I buy the materials to lay the X-Bond or Quartz Carpet myself?
No, our products are not sold for DIY. Alternative Surfaces are certified applicators who’ve received training in the installation of our seamless overlay systems.
At what stage of my project should your products be applied?
We prefer to install towards the very end of a project.
How long is the warranty on your installation?
We have a standard 10-year installation warranty. To enquire about the product warranty, you can get in touch with our suppliers.
X-Bond
What is the price per square metre of X-Bond?
We price each job individually as the cost of X-Bond Microcement installation varies depending on factors such as: area of application, substrate and its condition, project location, total dimensions of the area, the finish chosen, and intricacy. Please email sales@altsurfaces.com.au with your project drawings and information so that we can provide you with a quote.
I would like to specify X-Bond, how do I know what to specify?
In your specification it’s important to mention the range, colour and sealer you have chosen. Please view the below Specification Guidelines for the X-Bond finishes.
What substrates can X-Bond be applied over?
X-Bond is applied Insitu over a range of substrates including:
Floors: Concrete, tiles, 12-18mm compressed sheeting
Walls: Plaster, Villa board, Blue board, FC Sheeting, Concrete, Brick, Foam, Ply & MDF
Joinery: MDF, Compressed Sheeting, Laminate & Marine Ply
Please view the below Specification Guidelines for more information on the existing substrates we apply X-Bond over and preparation requirements.
Where can X-Bond be applied?
X-Bond can be applied to floors, walls, ceilings and joinery both internally and externally (including bathrooms and pool surrounds). There are different sealers available for internal and external applications.
What sealers are used for X-Bond?
Satin Stone is a surface mounting sealer that forms a membrane over the X-Bond. This sealer is suitable for the following areas:
Internal & External floors, walls, ceilings & joinery (inc. benchtops)
Bathrooms including shower base & walls
The other sealer option is Natural Shield, which is a penetrating sealer. This sealer penetrates into the X-Bond leaving you with a raw concrete look and feel. This sealer is suitable for the following areas:
Internal & External walls
External joinery
In a wet area (shower) do I need a waterproofing membrane installed prior to X-Bond installation?
Yes, when we’re applying X-Bond to any wet areas, a waterproof membrane is required. Our team will do this as part of the preparation process in X-Bond’s installation system.
Can I apply X-Bond onto ceilings?
Yes. X-Bond Microcement can be applied onto ceilings.
Can X-Bond be applied to a splashback?
Sink splashbacks in bathrooms and kitchens, absolutely. We don’t recommend X-Bond to be applied on a splashback behind a stove or cooktop, as the hot oils could migrate and leach into the sealer causing a stain — if they aren’t cleaned immediately.
The project I'm working on requires a very high slip resistance. What X-Bond finish should I use?
X-Bond Mineral finish is a highly textured and slip resistant finish which can be used for external ramping/walkways. However, all X-Bond floor finishes can achieve a slip rating of P4 or above.
Is X-Bond always applied seamlessly?
X-Bond is designed to follow the existing substrate. We don't have to put breaks in your surface if it’s not structurally required. When X-Bond is applied over concrete or sheeting, if there is an existing break or control joint in the existing floor, we must repeat that by doing a saw cut.
Will I be able to see trowel marks?
Yes, X-Bond is a hand-trowelled product which means that trowel marks and tonal variation are a natural characteristic of the finish.
Does X-Bond delaminate and crack?
X-Bond is a durable finish that doesn’t delaminate. However, as it is an overlay system, X-Bond is as reliable as the existing substrate — we cannot guarantee that the existing substrate will not move significantly, causing our product to crack. This is a substrate failure where the movement is beyond our control. We will take preventative measures when preparing for the X-Bond installation to decrease the risk of substrate cracking, however Alternative Surfaces will not be held responsible for naturally occurring subfloor or substrate cracking.
Can I purchase X-Bond and install it myself?
No, we supply and install X-Bond to all of our projects.
How long does it take for you to install X-Bond?
This depends on the size of the project and the finish chosen, as well as environment factors that impact drying times. An example based on 100 square metres applied over concrete is approximately 5 days.
What is your lead time?
We recommend booking us in 4-6 weeks in advance to ensure we are available on your selected installation date.
What products do you recommend using to clean my X-Bond floor?
Quartz Carpet
I would like to specify Quartz Carpet, how do I know what to specify?
In your specification it’s important to mention the range, stone size, colour and finish. Please view the below Specification Guidelines for the Quartz Carpet finishes.
What is Quartz Carpet?
Quartz Carpet consists of natural quartz granules mixed with an epoxy resin and hand-trowelled onto an existing substrate. Quartz Carpet can be applied onto floors, walls and selected joinery items.
Can Quartz Carpet be applied externally?
Yes, the Quartz Carpet Open Pore finish is suitable for external applications. This is a water-permeable finish.
Can Quartz Carpet be applied in bathrooms or wet areas?
Yes, as long as a Pore Fill sealer is applied over the quartz for a non-porous finish. Quartz Carpet cannot be applied in a shower.
What stone sizes are available?
We have two stone size options depending on how visible you want the granules to be.
1mm - 2mm (Pore Filled Finish)
2mm - 3mm (Open Pore & Pore Filled Finish)
How long does it take to apply?
This depends on the size of the project and the finish. An example based on 100 square metre is 3 days for the permeable Open Pore finish, and 5 days for a Pore Filled surface.
Can I create divided areas or patterns?
Yes, the quartz stones can be trowelled in predetermined shapes. Using profiles, our installers can neatly apply different colours to different areas, or divide certain areas of the installation.
Can you see trowel marks in the finished floor?
Trowel marks are a natural feature of Quartz Carpet, although they aren’t as prominent as microcement. They’re more pronounced in the 1-2mm stones and the Pore Filled finishes. In addition, their visibility depends largely on lighting and angle of view.
How do I maintain my Quartz Carpet floor?
You can clean your floor with a broom, vacuum or mop. View our maintenance procedures for more information.