with special **BATH** specifications in Recommended Use, Installation, and Maintenance DESCRIPTION Scagliola has been used since the time of the Egyptian pharaohs. Early examples have been found in Egyptian tombs, Greek statuary, Pompeiin ruins, and Indian and Asian architecture. The popularity of scagliola rose in the late 17th century and continued to rise in eighteenth century England. Like marble, scagliola has colors and veins which vary and go deep into the material. Unlike its natural counterpart, scagliola can be easily colored and formed into three-dimensional designs that would be difficult to produce in stone or clay. Wells Vissar, Inc. has designed a number of scagliola mouldings and tiles to enhance residential and commercial interiors. Scagliola is composed of Keenes cement which is a very hard gypsum based product. This is not a fired material. It has a permeable surface like that of raw terra cotta, therefore, scagliola must be sealed. Wells Vissar, Inc. offers products that are sealed with Aqua Mix's "Sealers Choice" which is a penetrating oil-resist sealer. We also offer products that are sealed with Aqua Mix's "Stone Enhancer". We recommend that all scagliola products sold by Wells Vissar be given a top-coat polish for areas other than bath of Aqua Mix's "Floor Shine and Hardener" or any other compatible top coat product that has been tested by the installer. RECOMMENDED USE Scagliola's distinctive appearance adds a great range of choice for interior design. We recommend it for vertical applications and interior use only. Scagliola can be used alone, or with glazed ceramic tile, tumbled marble and terra cotta. It may be used in kitchen back splashes, bathrooms (not in shower areas under the shower head) powder rooms, entry-ways, ceiling mouldings, residential base mouldings and door jams. Wells Vissar does not recommend scagliola tile and mouldings for indoor or outdoor swimming pool applications. Scagliola has been used successfully as an option for the fireplace surround since the seventeenth century and Wells Vissar, Inc. has been selling the material for it since 1993. Based on our experience we make the following recommendations: Wells Vissar does not recommend its tiles or mouldings for the application inside the firebox of a fireplace because scagliola is purely a decorative material. Due to the fact that it is a gypsum based product, it can be discolored or break down when hit by direct flame or intense heat from an aggressive fire that is not contained within the firebox. Wood burning fireplaces have the potential to reach extreme heat and caution should be used in specifying scagliola tiles or moldings installed to the edge of the firebox. In the situation of wood burning fireplaces we recommend the scagliola to be installed with a product such as marble next to the firebox. This caution should also be applied to a hearth area in which burning cinders can escape the firebox. *FOR BATH* Scagliola's distinctive appearance adds a great range of choice for interior bathroom design. We strongly recommend it for vertical applications and common areas in the bathroom. SCAGLIOLA TILES, MOULDINGS, OR OTHER ACCESSORIES CANNOT BE USED IN WET AREAS SUCH AS SHOWER STALLS BELOW THE SHOWER HEAD, JACUZZI INSTALLATIONS, STEAM BATHS, OR ANY OTHER AREAS OFTEN EXPOSED TO WATER. AVAILABILITY Wells Vissar, Inc. makes all items to order, and all sales of our scagliola products are subject to the terms and conditions of sale as contained in Wells Vissar's purchase order. In addition, all sales of Wells Vissar's scagliola will be according to Wells Vissar's then-current price list. Production time ranges from 8 to 12 weeks, and depends on the volume of the order and other commitments on the part of Wells Vissar, Inc. Because scagliola is cement-based, it must be cured in the studio for approximately four weeks before finishing. Please note that for custom colors and forms there will be a price increase and there will be a longer production time due to sampling and client approval. STORAGE AND HANDLING It is strongly recommended that scagliola be stored in a dry area before the installation. Even though scagliola is pre-sealed, care should be taken during handling and installation to keep the surfaces free from unnecessary water, grease fingerprints and stains. INSTALLATION Scagliola should be installed using procedures appropriate for ceramic tile, as described in ANSI A136.1 (standard for organic adhesives), ANSI A118.1 and A118.4 (for dry set portland cement), or ANSI A118.3 and A108.4 (for epoxy adhesives). Results from any other installation method are the responsibility of the installer. All cuts can be made easily with a dry hand saw, or material can be trimmed with a sureform blade. Wet sawing can be used but can increase efflorescence. After the installation is completely dry and any efflorescence is removed, a fine, non-abrasive wall grout should be applied. In the case of our distressed material we recommend a sanded grout. The grout may be applied to scagliola as it is to ceramic tile. Darkly colored grout can stain scagliola's surface. It is recommended to use white or off-white grout or a color that blends with the color of the scagliola. AFTER EXCESS GROUT IS CAREFULLY REMOVED AND REMAINING GROUT AND ADHESIVE MATERIAL IS COMPLETELY DRY, IF YOU HAVE A SEALED PRODUCT WE RECOMMEND A COAT OF AQUA MIX'S "SEALER'S CHOICE" BE APPLIED TO THE WHOLE SURFACE, INCLUDING GROUT LINES AND ACCORDING TO AQUA MIX'S INSTRUCTIONS. IF YOU HAVE AN ENHANCED PRODUCT YOU MAY REAPPLY A COAT OF AQUA MIX'S "STONE ENHANCER" TO THE TILE OR MOULDINGS USING CARE NOT TO HAVE IT CONTACT THE GROUT. THE COLOR OF THE GROUT WILL GET CONSIDERABLY DARKER WITH THE APPLICATION OF THE STONE ENHANCER. ON AREAS OTHER THAN BATH A TOP-COAT POLISH CAN BE APPLIED TO THE SCAGLIOLA TO FURTHER PROTECT ITS SURFACE. WE RECOMMEND A COMPATIBLE TOP-COAT POLISH SUCH AS AQUA MIX'S "FLOOR SHINE AND HARDENER" WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT A MINIMUM OF TWO COATS OF AQUA MIX'S "FLOOR SHINE AND HARDENER" BE APPLIED AFTER SEALER HAS DRIED AND CURED. PLEAS NOTE THAT AQUA MIX DOES NOT RECOMMEND THAT YOU USE 'SEALER'S COICE" ON TOP OF THE "STONE ENHANCER". Aqua Mix's "Sealer's Choice", "Stone Enhancer", and "Floor Shine and Hardener" can be purchased by calling the manufacturer at (800) 366-6877. Please be aware that the more coats applied of "Floor Shine and Hardener" the glossier the surface. If the tile installer decides to use another top-coat polish, Wells-Vissar strongly recommends that the installer tests the polish and supplies samples to the client before applying the polish to the installation. *FOR BATH* DO NOT APPLY ANY TYPE OF TOP-COAT OR WAX TO INSTALLATIONS OF SCAGLIOLA IN BATH AREAS. If wax or top-coat is used, the moisture present in a humid bathroom can create a white film or efflorescence which will become trapped between the surface of the scagliola and the wax or top-coat. MAINTENANCE Maintenance should comply with instructions of the top-coat polish used. The user may find that, based on wear, regular applications of a top-coat product are necessary. Abrasive and bleaching cleansers, such as Comet and Clorox, are not recommended for use on scagliola surfaces. We recommend non-abrasive, non-alkaline cleaning agents such as Ivory Liquid, Dawn, or Joy liquid soaps. No cleansers that contain muriatic, hydrochloric or other acids should be used. *FOR BATH* A white film or efflorescence may appear on the surface due to excessive exposure to moisture. One may use a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar in conjunction with 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper to remove the efflorescence. After sanding, all residue must be removed with a clean, damp sponge. The scagliola must then be left to dry thoroughly and a reapplication of the penetrating sealer or enhancer must be applied to the entire surface. Any penetrating sealer other than Aqua Mix's "Sealer's Choice" must be a "breathable" sealer. This will allow moisture to escape through the scagliola surface. BACK TO PRODUCTS/MOLDINGS/TILES/DECORATIVE TILES/BACK TO INSTALLATIONS |