Mapei renovation and tiling systems have been used as part of an extensive redevelopment at Gatwick Airport Station.  The project, which was carried out by DMC Contracts for Costain, included construction of a new second concourse and airport entrance, doubling available space for passengers accessing the airport terminal.

Before the pandemic, more than 21 million journeys were made through Gatwick Airport Station every year, and those passenger figures are rapidly recovering.  Providing a ‘bigger, better and brighter’ space, the new concourse is the size of eight tennis courts and has created 500m2 of extra space in the existing station concourse. The upgraded station is fully accessible to all passengers and includes eight new escalators, five new lifts, new stairways and widened platforms, as well as new information areas, wide ticket gates and a dedicated passenger assistance point.

During DMC Contracts’ surface preparation, cracks in the existing concrete screed were first repaired with Mapei Eporip solvent-free epoxy adhesive. Mapeproof One Coat surface damp proof membrane was then applied, to suppress residual and construction moisture, followed by Mapei ECO Prim T Plus – a very low VOC universal acrylic primer. The surface was levelled with fibre-reinforced levelling and smooth compound, Mapei Ultraplan Renovation Screed 3240 

Prior to tiling, Mapetex system anti-fracture membrane was bonded to the substrate with Mapei Ultralite Rapid Flex S1 adhesive – a rapid-setting, low dust flexible, lightweight one-component adhesive.  

During the final fix, Mapei adhesives were used to install the 600 x 600mm porcelain tiles: Mapei Keraquick S1 quick-setting and Mapei Keraflex Maxi S1 deformable cementitious adhesive.  The tiles were then grouted with Ultracolor Plus - Mapei’s anti-efflorescence and mould-resistant quick-setting and drying polymer-modified grout and all perimeters, intermediate and construction joints were filled with Mapesil AC mould-resistant pure silicone sealant.