Table of Contents 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 Product Warnings Safety Guidelines Kit Contents Required Tools Preparation Tips Cleaning & Maintenance Surface Repair Installation Procedure • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Work Area & Preparation…………………………………………………6 Templating & Measuring………………………………………………….9 Cutting Panels………………………………………………………………..12 Making Curved Cuts for Panels…………………………………………14 Installing Panels……………………………………………………………..15 Valve & Shower Head Holes-Coring…………………………………..
IMPORTANT NOTICE IMPORTANT NOTICE: Indicates that equipment or property damage can result if instructions are not followed. Read and Understand the Directions It is the responsibility of any individual who installs or maintains this product to fully understand and follow proper installation and maintenance procedures. Be aware of the inherent dangers in the use of power tools when installing this product. Read and understand all Warnings, Cautions, and Important Notices in this manual.
lungs from fiberglass dust. When cutting Slate Veneer properly filter equipment exhausts when cutting with saws, grinders, or sanders. AVOID BREATHING SILICA DUST. This product when cut, drilled, or abraded produces dust Room Temperature containing Free Silica which may cause cancer or delayed Allow the SoterraSlate panels and sealants to adjust to room temperature for at least six hours before installation. The panels lung injury (Silicosis) if inhaled.
Tool List General Information Required Tools Ryobi CSB123 12 Amp 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw - Tool Department 7 in. Diamond-Edge Tile Circular Saw Blade - Tile Department Johnson 98 in. Aluminum Cutting Level -Tool Department BRUTUS 1-3/8 in. Tile Hole Saw - Tile Department Johnson Rafter Angle Square - Tool Department Arrow Fastener Mini Glue Gun - Tool Department Arrow Fastener 0.25 oz. All-Purpose Clear Mini Glue Sticks (24Pack) - Tool Department Gundlach Laminate “J” Roller - Flooring Department (2) 2 in.
Caulking Tips Follow the instructions on the caulking tube. When job is complete, inspect all caulked areas for gaps and fill as needed. Clean up any excess silicone caulk that was missed using denatured alcohol and a clean cloth. Be very careful not to disturb caulk joints. General Information 770-360-5628 SPI – SoterraSlate SoterraSlate panels can be installed over a variety of products. If you intend to apply the panels to any surface other than those described, consult with a professional contractor.
Do-It-Yourself Setup—Work Area & Preparation Work Area: 1 For best results, use a piece of plywood that is 4' x 8' (3' x 5' minimum) placed on top of two saw horses to serve as a cutting table and work station (see picture 1), or you can use (3) 2" x 12" x 84" pieces of wood as you can leave a cutting slot so you are not cutting into the wood (see pictures). Make sure table is secure and flat, that you have access to outlets and know where you will be clamping materials and/or straigtht edge.
Do-It-Yourself Setup—Work Area & Preparation ! Important Considerations Before You Begin your Soterra Do-It-Yourself Project: 1 When cladding over an existing surface, determine the thickness of existing materials on the walls. Please note that in some cases you will need to remove the outside tile if thicker than inner walls so the Soterra Trim pieces can cover the panel and existing surface.
Do-It-Yourself Setup—Work Area & Preparation Please do your measurements on the chart below to alert yourself to any discrepancies: = 3" x 3" = 12" x 12" 120" 108" 96" 84" 72" 60" 48" 36" 24" www.soterradiy.
Do-It-Yourself Setup—Templating & Measuring The Soterra Template: 1 2 Each SoterraSlate panel includes template material. This template material is also the edge protectors that surround the panels in your kit/configuration and the strip located in the middle of box (see picture 1). Once you identify the exact dimensions of your new SoterraSlate shower, make your template. Cut the 6” template pieces in half lengthwise so you will create enough 3”x72”or 3”x 60” strips to template all shower walls.
Do-It-Yourself Setup—Templating & Measuring How to Template & Measure (continued): 4 Example: Model 3060-76DS (see Diagram 6-B) – the panel removed illustrates the difference in one panel not being square. Please note, use the factory edge as the level line and always cut where the panel aligns with the base or upper trim. ting. Diagram 6-B 35½" 35½" 35½" 36" 35½" 36" Diagram 6-C F 5 H In Diagram 6-C, the upper panels are similar to Diagram 6-A.
Do-It-Yourself Setup—Templating & Measuring How to Template & Measure (continued): 30" 29¾" 29¾" Diagram 6-E Tile Grouting Marking Top Graining 48" Shower Head 30" It is important to note measurements, arrows and any other important information on the template (cardboard strips) you may need to transfer to the panel prior to cutting. This will include vein direction and matching up material at seams. If possible, use the factory edge on the outside and note this on your template.
Panel Lessons—Cutting Thin Panels How to Cut Soterra Slate Panels: 1 Once you have finalized your template, place the slate side facing up on a flat surface. For best results, use a piece of plywood that is at least 3' x 5' placed between two saw horses to serve as a cutting table or (3) 2” x 12” pieces of wood. Position the panel so the edge you want to cut is closest to you and mark your measurements from the template; use only a #2 pencil on the slate surface.
Panel Lessons—Cutting Thin Panels How to Cut Soterra Slate Panels: 5 6 When using the recommended straight edge, fasten the straight edge down to the table with the provided C clamps to secure the slate panel so that it does not shift during your cut. The recommended straight edge can be used as a 49” guide or 98” guide. Please note, the recommended 4” hand held wet saw can be used while cutting the panels (see picture #5), but 4”blade will NOT pass thru the thicker Ogee & Bullnose trims.
Panel Lessons—Making Curved Cuts For Panels How to Make Curved Cuts for Soterra Panels: 1 In some cases, rounded or design cuts will be required to complete your project. When a tight curve or other design cuts are necessary, use the Husky scissors or a razor knife. (see picture 1 & 1a) Some acrylic shower bases and bathtubs will have a rounded edge. If it is too large to fill the radius with silicone you will need to template the profile.
Do-It-Yourself Panel Lessons—Installing Setup—Work Panels Area & Preparation How to Install Soterra Slate Panels: 1 As previously mentioned, if going over existing tile you may need to remove some tiles due to size constraints. If your shower walls have water damage, the existing surface must be removed and replaced with new cement backer prior to installing SoterraSlate panels. When going over existing tile, please account for the tile thickness; this will dictate the Trim needed to cover the edges.
Panel Lessons—Installing Panels How to Install Soterra Slate Panels (continued): 3 Once the panel is clean and cut exactly to your specified dimensions, lay the panel face down on the plastic provided. Run a bead of Loctite 5570 around the outside perimeter of the panel about ½” inside the outside edges (see picture 3). One tube of 5570 will do four panels. Next take the Loctite 3370 (big tube), cut 2” off the nozzle with a razor knife.
Panel Lessons—Installing Panels How to Install a Seamed Back Wall: 6 When making a vertical seam (see picture 6) make sure to use the factory cut edges; this will create a straight, tight seam. First, identify the center line where the seam will be and draw a line with the straight edge. A standard tub surround back wall usually measures 60”, so the center line will be at 30”. When installing panel #1, start at the bottom and place the panel lightly on the wall.
Valve & Shower Head Holes Lessons—Coring How to Template & Core Valve/Shower Head Holes: 1 After the back wall is installed and you’ve completed your template for the wall where the shower valve is located, do a series of measurements from the floor and back wall to determine the center line of the shower valve. Identify all the holes that need to be cut in the panel, draw the center line for each hole on the template and transcribe the information onto the back of the panel.
Design Strip Lessons—Cutting Design Strips How to Cut SoterraSlate Design Strips: 1 Each SoterraSlate Design Strips is 4" H x 18" L, and has a peel & stick strip applied to the back for easy installation (see picture 1). 1 2 If desired, you can use template material that is supplied with the SoterraSlate panels. Cut the cardboard to 4” x 18” strips or 4 1/4” x 18” if you opt for a grout joint between the strips and panels (see picture 2).
Design Strip Lessons—Installing Design Strips How To Install SoterraSlate Design Strips: 1 Once the Design Strip is cut to size, dry fit the piece to make sure it is the exact size you needed prior to applying to the wall. 2 Once you’re satisfied with the length, mark each with a number to identify the order when dry fitting the Design Strips. Make sure all strips match up prior to peeling off backing and applying to wall.
Design Strip Lessons—Installing Design Strips How to Install SoterraSlate Design Strips (continued): 5 Dry fit the Design Strip prior to peeling the backing on the adhesive and then align the bottom of the Design Strip to the spacer bar or panel and roll on lightly. Once satisfied with position you can use the roller to secure in place. 6 Be sure that all of the adhesive from panel below is removed prior to installing the Design Strip.
Trim Lessons—Cutting Trim How to Cut SoterraSlate Bullnose & Ogee Trim: 1 The SoterraSlate system offers two trims options, Bullnose (see picture) and Ogee Trim (see picture). Handle the trim with care, they are fragile. Bullnose Trim Bullnose Trim is 1” thick x 1” tall x 18” long. Ogee Trim is 2” thick x 1 1/4” tall x 18” long. The Ogee trim can be installed in two different design options. The flat edge can be installed inward or outward, depending on which angle best fits your wall design.
Trim Lessons—Cutting Trim How to Cut Soterra Trim (continued): 4 For cutting straight or angle cuts using a 7” hand saw, place the extra trim in front of the angle square for support. Place the trim piece you plan to cut in the back so the blade will cut completely through the trim. (see picture 3). 5 If using a tile table saw (see picture 4), make sure to add water for a smoother cut. For examples on how to cut, see pictures 4(a) & 4(b). 3 4 4a www.soterradiy.
Trim Lessons—Installing Trim How to Install SoterraSlate Bullnose & Ogee Trim: 1 Make sure the surface is clean, especially if tile has been removed (see picture 1). If only removing the outer edge of tile, cement backer board may be needed to create a smooth surface for the trim to be adhered to. The Ogee Trim can be used with either the flat edge inward or outward. 2 Dry fit your trim to make sure each piece is level and the seam is tight with the adjoining trim (picture 2).
Trim Lessons—Installing Trim How to Install SoterraSlate Bullnose & Ogee Trim (continued): 5 Where the trim butts together, apply a small amount of color coordinating silicone caulk to help hide the seam. Use just enough to cover the surface and fill the seam (see picture 5). 6 Use a strip of masking tape to hold the trim in place as the 5570 cures. When stacking the trims on top of each other or on top of the panel, the masking tape may not be needed.
Extras—Installing Knee Wall How to Cut & Install a Soterra Knee Wall cap: 1 Follow the previous steps with regards to cutting and installing the SoterraSlate panels for the lower inside and outside walls. 2 After installing the side wall, measure the front outside wall and the top to provide the proper measurements for the Soterra 6" x 60" x 1” thick Knee Wall Cap piece(s). (see picture 1) The Soterra 6" x 60" Knee Wall Cap comes with (3) finished edges and (1) additional 1” x 60” piece.
Extras—Installing A Soap Dish How to Install a Soterra Soap Dish: 1 Determine the height of where you want to place the lower SoterraSlate Soap Dish from the floor. Once you have identified where you want the lower dish, mark the bottom line with a pencil. 2 Clean area thoroughly with denatured alcohol where you will place (2) 10" strips of velcro for 10” dish and (2) 6” strips for 6” dish on the wall. Place the top of the triangle supports (included) where the bottom of the soap dish will be placed.
Extras—Installing A Soap Dish How to Install a Soterra Soap Dish (continued): 5 Mix the adhesive together in the small pod for the 6” dish and the large pod for 10” dish. Place a bead down the middle of each flat unpolished edge. Using too much glue may cause the excess to run down the wall; do not cover the entire edge. 6 Apply Soap Dish to the wall, pressing firmly for 60 to 120 seconds.
Finishing Lessons—Silicone & Clean Up How to Finish Your Soterra Do-It-Yourself Project: 1 Make sure there is plenty of silicone between the wall and panel around the valve and shower head prior to applying the escutcheon plates. Use the color coordinating silicone caulk to fill all the joints between panels, trim pieces, design strips and soap dishes not only for hiding the seams & joints but for locking out the water as well.
WARRANTY SoterraSlate products are warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship. Any such defects must be reported within fifteen (7) days of date of delivery. During this warranty period we will repair, or at our option, replace free of charge, such merchandise as shall prove to be defective. THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO DAMAGE RESULTING FROM ACCIDENT, ALTERATION, MISUSE, TAMPERING, NEGLIGENCE, OR ABUSE. INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMED.
defect. Although CBP or SPI may have suggested the material or developed the material at the request of the owner or applicator, it is the responsibility of the owner to test and determine the suitability of the material for the intended use and purpose, and the owner assumes all risk and liability whatsoever regarding such suitability. Warranty Requirements To contact SPI, please call (770) 360‐5627 or visit www.soterrastone.com.For CBP Technical Services call 800‐272‐8786 or visit www.
