There is a common misconception that grouting between tiling in wet indoor areas prevents any water ingress to the substrate below, when in fact the substrate must meet performance requirements. Surfaces which may be exposed to water ingress should exhibit resistance to water, chemicals and mould, as well as being structurally sound with dimensional stability and durability.
If the correct materials are not chosen, the substrate could fail, potentially resulting in unsafe conditions including danger from falling tiles and damp related illness. Inadequate performance can also lead to damage elsewhere in the room or other furniture, as well as increased costs and reputational damage.
The National House Building Council (NHBC) published Technical Guidance 9.2/06 in 2024. This clarifies the appropriate tiling substrates in domestic bath and shower enclosures, wet rooms and bathroom pods.
The guidance requires a tanking system to be used anywhere a power shower is installed and in all wet rooms. Tanking systems are a waterproof barrier between the substrate and the tile where there is a high risk of water ingress.
Plasterboards cannot be used in areas where a power shower is installed, while even areas around traditional showers require a moisture-resistant plasterboard. Products manufactured to BS: EN 12467 are appropriate for use in all scenarios in wet indoor areas outlined by the NHBC, including power showers, wet rooms and bath/showers.
KNAUF AQUAPANEL® Cement Board Indoor is suitable for all wet indoor areas and meets NHBC Guidance in all scenarios including tanking. Manufactured in accordance with BS: EN 12467, the high-performance board is unaffected by water and highly resistant to mould. This ensures exceptional structural stability and a longstanding solution, even in the most challenging conditions.
The board is extremely strong and will not warp, degrade, twist or expand when in contact with moisture, helping avoid dangerous consequences of water ingress including falling tiles and damp-related illness.
Its strength extends to tile support, holding up to 50kg/m2 of tiles using the standard installation method, and able to support up to 120kg/m2 with an enhanced buildup. Despite the impressive strength, the board weighs just 11kg/m2 so installation is fast and easy. Knauf AQUAPANEL® Cement Board Indoor also has a bending radius of up to 1 metre, offering design flexibility which is ideal for creative architectural designs in modern wet rooms.
Knauf AQUAPANEL® Cement Board Indoor should ideally be used as part of a full system, comprising of Knauf AQUAPANEL® screws, primer and tape and jointing. For non-tiled areas, Knauf offers a range of finishing options. Knauf Interior Skim is a ready-mixed skim that can be hand or spray applied. For those that prefer a powdered option you can choose Knauf AQUAPANEL® Joint Filler and Skim Coating - White with Knauf AQUAPANEL® Reinforcing Mesh embedded into the first coat.
When installed as a full system, Knauf AQUAPANEL® Indoor is covered by the 100% Knauf Full System Guarantee, offering an assurance that the solution will perform as advertised. Tested as a full system, the 100% Full System Guarantee provides contractors with total peace of mind.
The full Knauf AQUAPANEL® Indoor system is available from Encon & Nevill Long’s nationwide branch network, including all ancillary products. Customers can also benefit from Encon’s longstanding relationship with Knauf through reassurance of materials supply and access to installation support from the expert Knauf technical team.
To find out how Encon & Nevill Long can support your next project, contact your local branch.
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