Viroc panels, renowned for their resistance and versatility, are an excellent choice for building and covering floors. This feature article discusses the best practices for applying Viroc to floors, based on the technical application dossier and complemented by an explanatory technical video.
General characteristics of Viroc panels
Viroc panels are made from a mixture of wood particles and cement, which makes them very resistant and durable. The standard panel sizes are 2600 x1250 mm and 3000 x1250 mm. The thickness ranges from 19 mm to 32 mm for beam-supported applications and 12 mm for continuous support.
Application on beams
When supported on beams, it is crucial to ensure that the maximum distance between the beams does not exceed 600 mm. The beams can be made of wood or metal and must be properly aligned and leveled. The panels can be fixed with screws, nails, rivets or adhesives.
Fixing with screws
- Screws for wooden structures: They must have a minimum anchoring depth of 30 mm.
- Screws for metal structures: They must have a drill tip suitable for drilling through the thickness of the metal.
- Distance between screws: It must not exceed 600 mm.
Fixing with mastic adhesive
Fixing with mastic adhesive involves:
- Adhesion primer for the structure and the Viroc panel.
- Double-sided adhesive tape to ensure the correct thickness of the adhesive bead (3 mm thick).
Nail fixing
Galvanised or stainless steel nails can be used in wooden structures. The distance between nails must not exceed 600 mm between supports and 400 mm in the perpendicular direction.
Application on continuous support
When applied to a continuous, new or existing substrate, the 12 mm thick Viroc panels are fixed with an elastic polyurethane mortar, and with a notched trowel to ensure uniform adhesion.
Surface finishing and treatment
Viroc panels should be protected with paint or varnish to increase durability and facilitate cleaning. The products must be suitable for concrete and wood surfaces, preferably based on acrylic resins or aliphatic polyurethanes. Application must be continuous to ensure an even finish.
Joints and edges
- Joints between panels: They should have an opening of 2 to 3 mm, filled with silicone or mastic.
- Panel edges: They should be beveled by 2 to 3 mm to avoid breakage.
Safety check
The safety of Viroc panels is checked in accordance with the requirements of the Eurocode 1 and 5, with special attention to the limit states of strength and deformation. It is essential to ensure that the maximum deformation does not exceed the limit of L/250 of the span between fixings.
Conclusion
Viroc panels offer a robust and versatile flooring solution, combining strength and aesthetics. Correct application, following the technical specifications and good practices described, guarantees excellent, long-lasting performance.
For a better understanding, we recommend to peruse the technical dossier available in the documents area and to watch the explanatory technical video (English version), which demonstrates the installation and finishing process of the Viroc panels step by step.
Investing in high-quality materials such as Viroc, combined with precise application and attention to detail, results in floors that are not only functional, but also visually pleasing and long-lasting.
