Fixa Launches Two New Self-Leveling Gypsum-Based Screeds

Fixa Yapı Kimyasalları has launched two new gypsum-based products, Maxifloor and Topfloor, to the market. These two new products offer significant price advantages compared to cement-based floor mortars and levelling compounds, while their fast-drying properties will save time for applicators. When purchasing new residential or commercial real estate, buyers focus on the aesthetic appearance, paint finish or final floor covering rather than the load-bearing elements, durability and insulation of the structure, and use this as their decision criterion. The correct and technically proper application of floor covering materials is of great importance in creating comfortable, healthy and functional residential and commercial spaces and other structures. The method of application of floor covering material affects its aesthetic appearance and quality either positively or negatively. For this reason, Fixa Yapı Kimyasalları added two new products to its portfolio to prepare smooth and economical subfloors for interior final-layer coatings. Combining its R&D work with next-generation architectural thinking and transforming time, costs and labour into the most efficient creativity, Fixa Yapı Kimyasalları introduced gypsum-based levelling compounds named Maxifloor & Topfloor, adding another innovative product to the construction materials sector.

Maxifloor & Topfloor are intended to be used only in interior spaces as levelling compounds prior to final-layer covering materials to eliminate and correct floor defects.

• As is known, levelling compound, also known by other names in the market such as smart compound, mercury compound or self-levelling mortar, is a cement or gypsum-based correction material with self-spreading properties. • Particularly in flexible floor coverings such as PVC, rubber, carpet and parquet, a very smooth surface is required. Levelling compound must be used on these surfaces. Maxifloor & Topfloor gypsum-based levelling compounds are used only in interior spaces and dry environments to eliminate floor defects before the application of flooring elements such as epoxy coatings, ceramic, marble, PVC covering, tiles and roll carpet, laminate/laminated parquet, rubber; and They are used in hospitals, shops, educational and administrative buildings, offices, shopping centres, residential buildings for floor repairs that must be completed on weekends, and for levelling and correction of prefabricated reinforced concrete floor panels. If self-spreading levelling compounds are not used, all roughness and defects on the floor are reflected on the surface of the covering material. This both causes the final-layer covering material to look poor and shortens the lifespan of the material. No matter how high quality the final-layer material used on the floor is, it cannot function if the floor is not levelled.

Topfloor® is a self-spreading gypsum-based floor levelling compound that eliminates defects and undesired roughness on surfaces, spreads by itself (self-levelling) and can be applied at 2 - 10 mm thickness.

Topfloor® is also applied over concrete flooring or surfaces coated with Maxifloor®. With Topfloor® self-spreading levelling mortar, the consumption for creating 1 mm thickness is 1.5 - 1.6 kg/m2. Topfloor® has high flexural and compressive strength. Maxifloor® Ready-Mixed Floor Mortar is a gypsum-based, fast-drying floor mortar used over concrete flooring, allowing thick application and can be applied at a minimum thickness of 20 mm. With Maxifloor® ready-mixed floor mortar, the consumption for creating 1 cm thickness is 15-16 kg/m2.

Topfloor® and Maxifloor® gypsum-based self-spreading mortars offer advantages to users.

• They are applied faster and more easily compared to cement mortars. No shrinkage cracks form on the surface. • Can be walked on 2 hours after application is complete. • Can be applied with machinery. • Self-spreads to level, eliminating roughness from the base floor. • After curing, the surface hardness and abrasion resistance are high. • Suitable for underfloor heating systems. • Economical. • Produces much less carbon emissions compared to cement-based compounds and requires no watering after application. In Topfloor® and Maxifloor® gypsum-based self-spreading mortar applications, subfloor preparation is also very important for correct and long-term use of the product.

Care must be taken that the application surface has fully cured and is cleaned of materials that prevent adhesion such as dust, oil, tar, bitumen, paint, silicone, curing material, detergent and mould oils.

• The surface must be solid, dry, crack-free, free of loose and damaged layers. On heavily worn concrete surfaces, adhesion should be increased before proceeding with application. • The height difference on the floor where application will be done should be determined using equipment such as a level hose or spirit level. • For applications over concrete, Fixa Monoprimer Floor Primer will reduce surface porosity and ensure spreading under optimum conditions. • In Topfloor® and Maxifloor® gypsum-based self-spreading mortar applications, application rules recommended by the manufacturer should be followed for long-term use. • After priming the surface, depending on weather conditions, the material should be applied at least 30 minutes later. • For easier spreading of the fluid-consistency mortars prepared, spot adjustments and thickness adjustments should be made with a steel screed. During application, spiked rollers and spiked shoes are recommended to prevent air bubbles from remaining in the product.

• In applications over large areas, continuous application must be done to prevent cold joints. For this reason, multiple buckets of material should be prepared to ensure continuity of pouring, and application should be completed by pouring one after another onto the floor.

• When applying with machinery, water level should be kept under control. Excessive water use causes a decrease in strength. • As with all manufacturing, expansion joints in the structure should be observed. • Application is not performed at temperatures below +5°C and above +35°C, on frozen surfaces, surfaces at risk of freezing within 24 hours, or in areas directly exposed to sun and wind. • Material past its usage period should not be used with later water addition, as with all powdered construction chemicals. • Rapid drying of the material should be prevented; 2 hours should be waited after application to be able to walk on it, and full curing should be ensured before applying the covering and the covering should not be applied before full curing is achieved. After application, watering or moistening is not necessary. • It is a product developed for interior use and should not be applied in exterior spaces, industrial areas, loose grounds, or in damp and wet ground exposed to moisture. • In underfloor heating systems, the heating system should be turned off 24 hours before application and turned on 72 hours after application. • Should not be used as a final-layer material. It must be covered with a covering material. Fixa Yapı Kimyasalları, bringing all these conveniences and economical solutions to its users, closely follows sector developments. With R&D investments and a philosophy of providing high-quality products at the most appropriate prices to its customers, Fixa, by starting production of Topfloor® and Maxifloor®, the most economical and fastest solution to levelling work, presented them to the appreciation of applicators.

Semagül Köprülü / Architect / Technical Product Manager, Fixa Yapı Kimyasalları / Deputy Chairman, SUDER