A comprehensive Mapei system has been used to complete an extensive tiling project at Darlington station. Spanning an installation area of more than 3000 m2, the project included two brand new platforms which form part of a £140 million transformation. Mapei’s system-led solution included fully compliant products from its surface preparation and installation range, as well as the UltraCare tile maintenance series. The project was completed by The Tiling Company (Northern) Ltd for BAM UK & Ireland.

Serving nearly two and a half million passengers every year, Darlington station is located on the East Coast Main Line which runs between London and Edinburgh. Designed by Aecom, in collaboration with Napper Architects, the two new platforms - Platforms 5 and 6 - are situated on the eastern side of the station and are connected to the historic Victorian building via a new, covered 50-tonne footbridge. The tiling project included the link to both platforms, the entrance hall, station concourse, refurbishment of two existing platforms and toilet facilities.

During initial works, a series of robust Mapei products were used to create a sound, level and moisture-resistant surface prior to the installation of tiles. These included Mapeproof One Coat epoxy damp proof membrane and Eco Prim Grip Plus adhesion promoter primer. Fibre-reinforced self-levelling compound, Ultraplan Renovation Screed 3240 was used to create an even substrate.

Mapetex anti-fracture system was used to manage substrate stresses below tiled surfaces and four adhesives were used to install the wall and floor tiles throughout the project. They included Keralastic, Keraquick Easy S1, Keraquick XL Fibrelite and Keraflex Maxi S1. Tile joints were then grouted with Ultracolor Plus.

Following hand-over, Mapei’s UltraCare team visited the site to prepare a routine and deep cleaning regime specification - for the station’s cleaning contractors - to ensure the tiles’ appearance and performance characteristics, including R11 and R12 slip ratings, are retained through the correct removal of contamination and residue. The cleaning regime included Mapei UltraCare HD Cleaner for deep cleaning and pH-neutral UltraCare Multicleaner for daily use.

The Mapei specification included products with very low VOC EMICODE: EC1 Plus-certified formulations, helping to create a safe, low-odour working environment during installation, and CO2e offset in the entire life cycle.

All tiles were supplied by H&R Johnsons, with designs including Mineral Dolomite Brushed Hammered, Kerastar Chalk Speckle Natural, Verso Burnt Orange Natural, Verso Green Natural and Sloan Cloud / Charcoal Bush Hammered.

For more information, please contact: info@mapei.co.uk or visit www.mapei.co.uk