Installation Guide

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. Use the following sections when
installing this product over:
 SHEETROCK/GREENBOARD/CEMENTBOARD/
 WOOD
 CEMENT/CONCRETE
 OLD TILE
 WALLPAPER
 MASONITE
Sheetrock, Greenboard, Cementboard, or
Wood
 Surface must be dry, smooth, and free of any dust,
soap scum, or any other contaminants.
 To ensure proper adhesion of the SoterraSlate product,
the wall surface must be sealed with a water or
oil-based primer/sealer.
 After the primer/sealer is completely dry, complete the
installation following the instructions in this manual.
Cement/Concrete
Depending on the condition (flatness) of the existing wall
surface, additional silicone may be required to ensure
contact between the substrate and the wall panel.
 To ensure proper adhesion of the SoterraSlate product,
the complete area must be sealed with two coats of
water or oil-based primer/sealer.
 After the primer/sealer is completely dry, complete the
installation following the instructions in this manual.
Old Tile
Depending on the condition of the existing wall surface,
additional adhesive may be required to ensure contact
between the substrate and the wall panel.
Old ceramic tiles, if solidly adhered, do not need to be
removed. All plastic tiles must be removed.
 Remove or reattach any loose ceramic tiles. Old tiles
and front edge ceramic tiles should be reset for
appearance only.
 Remove any tile accessories attached to the walls.
 Remove the bottom row of tile and cut a ventilation
gap in the substrate.
 Surface must be dry, smooth, and free of any dust,
soap scum, or any other contaminants.
 Complete the installation following the instructions in
this manual.
Note: If using a trim kit, old tiles may need to be
removed to allow a proper fit.
Wallpaper
 All wallpaper must be removed from the area being
covered. Clean the wall surface to remove any dust,
soap scum, or any other contaminants. The wall
surface must be dry and smooth.
 To ensure proper adhesion of the SoterraSlate product,
the complete wall surface must be sealed with two
coats of water or oil-based primer/sealer.
 After the primer/sealer is completely dry, complete the
installation following the instructions in this manual.
Masonite
 Clean the wall surface to remove any dust, soap
scum, or any other contaminants. The wall surface
must be dry and smooth.
 To ensure proper adhesion of the SoterraSlate product,
the wall surface must be sealed with a water or
oil-based primer/sealer.
 After the primer/sealer is completely dry, complete the
installation following the instructions in this manual.
Installation Procedure
Followed carefully, these installation instructions will
result in an easy, trouble-free installation of your
SoterraSlate product. Any deviations, additions, and/or
deletions from the prescribed installation, without prior
written approval, will void the warranty covering this
product. Not following the directions could also result in
personal injuries, water damage, and other damage to
floors, pipes, walls, and other portions of your building or
home.
Disclaimer
 The information contained in this Installation Manual
is given free of charge. It is based upon technical
data which we believe to be reliable and is intended
for use, by persons having knowledge of this
technical area, at their own discretion and risk.
SoterraSlate assumes no responsibility for results
obtained or damage incurred from the use of this
material either in whole or in part by the buyer.
 This manual will give you basic instructions for the
installation of the product in a step-by-step sequence
that will work in most types of installations. If you
have an installation application that is not covered in
this manual, please call your local SoterraSlate
distributor or contact SPI directly
for additional information about your application.
 Follow all installation instructions. Failure to follow
these instructions could result in personal injuries,
water damage, or other damage to floors, pipes,
walls, or other portions of your building or home.
Filler Boards
If an existing wall covering (i.e. tile) does not extend to a
height equal to the height of the panel, it will be
necessary to install a filler board to that height. The filler
board must equal the thickness of the existing wall
covering (tile). Usually, 1/4” masonite or similar material
is adequate. If desired, the filler board can extend from
the top edge of the tile to the ceiling.
Failure to use a filler board to properly install the panels
could result in water damage or other damage to floors,
walls, or other portions of your building or home.