< PreviousFEATURE By Ezi Motartech & Wattile Marble & Parquet problem. Substrate that are not true or flat will also cause tile installation hollowness. While contamination such as dust, mould release oil or laitance will impact the adhesion strength and result in hollowness in tile installation. Low-quality or inappropriate adhesives can result in weak adhesion, and rushed installation work, where tiles are not adequately tamped into place, frequently leads to the development of hollow sections. How to Minimise Hollowness in Tile Installation To reduce the risk of hollowness, it is essential to use the correct type of adhesive mortar and ensure that it is spread evenly either on the substrate or on the back of the tile before setting it in place. The trowelling method is recommended, involving the application of an adhesive layer on the substrate of between 3 to 12mm, depending on the tile size. In addition, skim a thin coat of adhesive at 2 - 3mm thick to the tile back when fixing large format tiles or Hollowness in Tile Finishes & the Safety Concern It Poses What is Tile Installation Hollowness? Tile installation hollowness is a form of defect, where a hollow sound is generated when the tiles are tapped with a metal rod. This indicates that the tile is not fully bonded to the substrate— meaning certain parts of the tile are not in contact with the substrate through the bonding mortar—resulting in the formation of hollow sections or voids beneath the tiles. What Causes Tile Hollowness? Hollowness in tile installation is often caused by poor adhesive application, where the mortar is not applied evenly and fails to achieve full contact between the tile and substrate. The use of incorrect installation methods, such as spot bonding or buttering techniques, also contributes to the Ref: Malaysia Standards MS1294: Part 1 Clause 7.2.1.5.1 Science of Achieving 0 Hollowness in Tiling Notch Troweling System Notch troweling is the method of applying Tile Adhesive using a notched trowel in order to create controlled ridges and channels of adhesive on a surface before placing tiles. Slide Front & Back Air escape out from the channels Porcelain TileNotch TrowelTile Adhesive BedChannelRidge How to achieve 0 hollowness in tiling? The ridges formed by the notches allow air to escape from the channels when the tile is pressed down, preventing hollow spots. When the tile is embedded and pressed, the adhesive ridges collapse, spreading adhesive evenly under the tile. Channel Ridge Porcelain Tile Slide Front & Back 78tiles with deep back key profile. Tiles must be tamped promptly into the adhesive bed while the mortar is still within its open time, followed by a slight sliding movement to promote strong adhesion. The thickness of the adhesive bed should be sufficient to support the tiles, and installers should choose the correct notched trowel size accordingly. Before installation, the substrate should be checked with a 2-metre straight edge to confirm that gaps are less than 3 mm, ensuring surface trueness. Potential Risks of Tile Installation with Hollowness—and Why we Should be Concerned When tile installations have a severe degree of hollowness, the risk of FEATURE tile cracking increases significantly. Hollow sections represent structural weak points that are vulnerable to impact and background stress. Such installations are also more likely to experience debonding when there is movement in the substrate, such as from hydraulic shrinkage or structural movement. This is because the reduced contact between the adhesive and substrate compromises the tensile bond strength of the mortar. In conditions where thermal or moisture levels fluctuate—also known as reversible movement—tiles with hollowness remain especially prone to failure. Another concern is that tiles may buckle or vault if there is movement in the substrate, again due to inadequate bonding. The presence of voids can also create vacuums, resulting in stress accumulation that undermines long-term stability. In wet environments or submerged areas, water can collect within the voids, accelerating the deterioration of the installation over time. From an aesthetic and workmanship perspective, tiles with hollowness may produce audible tapping sounds when struck with a rod. Discerning property owners may interpret this as poor workmanship, potentially demanding costly remedial work. In the worst-case scenario, hollow tiles that eventually debond can detach and fall, posing serious safety hazards to building occupants. How to Check for Hollowness in Tile Installation Detecting hollowness in tiles is relatively straightforward. A light tap on the tile surface using a metal rod or coin can reveal the presence of voids. A hollow sound confirms poor bonding between the tile and the substrate, while a solid, muted sound indicates that the tile is well bedded and properly adhered. Care must be taken to tap lightly to avoid damaging the tile surface. Note: Please refer to Australian Standards AS3958-1 and Malaysian Standards MS1294: Part 1: 2012 for guidance on satisfactory and unsatisfactory contact areas (transfer). This article is prepared in collaboration between Ezi Motartech Sdn Bhd & Wattile Marble & Parquet Sdn Bhd, a well-established tile fixing contractor that emphasises quality installation and achieving zero hollowness. Malaysia Standards MS1294: Part 1 2012 Australian Standards AS3958-1 79 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #13580 MASTER BUILDERS JOURNAL #135 MATRADE’S INSIGHT BUSINESS & TRADE INFORMATION FEATURE New Zealand Standard Insulation Amendment USD2.39 million in 2023. Glass fibre remains one of the most widely used insulation materials in the New Zealand market. Malaysian companies have a clear opportunity to supply glass fibre insulation to New Zealand, offering competitive pricing while meeting the required standards. The New Zealand government anticipates that lower building costs will stimulate industry activity and consequently increase demand for building materials. This article is based on an update to a Market Alert (MA) prepared by MATRADE Melbourne, and the information is correct at the time of the writing (May 2025). MAs are available in MyExport, which can be accessed at www.matrade.gov.my For further information and enquiries, please contact MATRADE Melbourne at melbourne@matrade.gov.my. New Zealand’s proposed amendment to its insulation standards aims to lower building material costs and encourage urban development, potentially impacting Malaysian building material exports. Observation New Zealand’s Minister for Building and Construction, Hon Chris Penk, has announced a proposed amendment to the country’s insulation standards. The proposal aims to reduce initial building costs while still ensuring energy efficiency. Recent reports indicate that newly implemented standards have significantly increased costs in some situations. Previously, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) was directed to review the new H1 energy efficiency standards to ensure reasonable compliance costs. Following a positive result from the review, the H1 energy efficiency requirements will apply to all new building projects and specify performance criteria for wall, floor and roof insulation. MBIE’s consultation with the building sector reveals that overheating in homes is primarily caused by design factors such as solar gain, shading, building materials, ventilation and building orientation rather than insulation alone. The review recommends removing mandatory insulation schedules for new buildings and adjusting minimum R-values for roofs, walls and floors. Climate data and assumptions are also being updated. A proposed shift in regulations aims to streamline how new buildings meet current insulation standards by eliminating the “schedule method” and focusing on two more adaptable approaches. The New Zealand government anticipates this could lead to savings ranging from USD2,300 to USD15,000 per new home. The current approach of combining the minimum insulation requirements for individual components such as windows, walls and roofs often leads to inflated costs. The government believes that lowering insulation standards for new construction has the potential to increase housing affordability and the overall number of homes built. The Way Forward The New Zealand government is actively seeking to increase housing supply to address high material and building costs. This is shown by the 2024 reduction of barriers for foreign building materials. Malaysia has become the leading supplier of insulation materials to New Zealand, overtaking China and Australia. In 2024, Malaysia’s glass fibre insulation exports to New Zealand totalled USD1.91 million, down from DISCLAIMER: WHILE EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE ARTICLE (MATRADE’S INSIGHT) ARE ACCURATE AND CURRENT, MATRADE CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INCLUSION, OMISSION OR ERROR AND IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DISPUTE ARISING FROM THE USE OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED. NEW ZEALANDTHE NATIONAL MARK OF MALAYSIAN BRAND Contact us today at: WOODLANDOR WOOD PRODUCTS SDN BHD Co.Reg. No. : 198301013141 (108535-A) No.9 Jalan Kuchai Maju 4, Kuchai Entrepreneurs’ Park, Off Jalan Kuchai Lama, 58200, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 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