General Questions

Can Alternative Surfaces products be installed seamlessly over my existing floor?
Our surfaces are designed to be installed seamlessly. We don't have to put breaks in if structurally it doesn't require it. When X-Bond is applied over concrete or sheeting, if there is an existing break or control joint in the existing floor we must install an anti-fracture membrane coating to assist in minimizing movement.

Where can X-Bond and Quartz Carpet be applied?
X-Bond and Quartz Carpet have endless uses; it can be applied on floors, walls and joinery. Speak to our team to find out which finish is better for your chosen application.

Do your products delaminate and crack?
We cannot guarantee that the existing substrate will not move causing our product to delaminate and crack. This is a substrate failure and the movement is beyond our control. Alternative Surfaces will not be held responsible for naturally occurring subfloor or substrate cracking. 

Once your products have been applied will I be able to see trowel marks?
Yes, as our products are hand troweled, trowel marks will be visible.

What products can be used in my shower base?
The X-Bond system can can be applied to shower bases over selected substrates. Please speak with our team for more information.

Can I buy the materials to lay the X-Bond or Quartz Carpet myself?
No. We have certified applicators trained by Alternative Surfaces to install our seamless overlay systems.

At what stage of my project should your products be applied?
We prefer to install towards the very end of a project.

How long is the warranty on your installation?
We have a standard 7-year installation warranty.

X-Bond Questions

I would like to specify X-Bond, how do I know what to specify?
In your specification it’s important to mention the range, colour and sealer you have chosen. Please view the below Specification Guidelines for the X-Bond finishes.


What substrates can X-Bond be applied over?
X-Bond is applied Insitu over a range of substrates including:

Floors: Concrete, tiles, 12-18mm compressed sheeting
Walls: Plaster, Villa board, Blue board, FC Sheeting, Concrete, Brick, Foam, Ply & MDF
Joinery: MDF, Compressed Sheeting, Laminate & Marine Ply

View this PDF for more information on the existing substrates we apply X-Bond over and preparation requirements.

Where can X-Bond be applied?
X-Bond can be applied to floors, walls and joinery both internally and externally. There are different sealers available for internal and external applications.

What sealers are used for X-Bond?

Satin Stone is a surface mounting sealer that forms a membrane over the X-Bond. This sealer is suitable for the following areas:

  • Internal & External floors, walls, ceilings & joinery (inc. benchtops)

  • Bathrooms including shower base & walls

The other sealer option is Natural Shield, which is a penetrating sealer. This sealer penetrates into the X-Bond leaving you with a raw concrete look and feel. This sealer is suitable for the following areas:

  • Internal & External walls

  • External joinery

View this PDF to find out which X-Bond finish and sealer is suited to your project.



In a wet area (shower) do I need a waterproofing membrane installed prior to X-Bond installation?
Yes, when we’re applying X-Bond to any wet areas, tanking (waterproof membrane) is required.

Can I apply X-Bond onto ceilings? 
Yes. X-Bond Seamless Stone can be applied onto ceilings.

Can X-Bond be applied to a splashback?
We don’t recommend X-Bond to be installed on a splashback behind a stove / cooktop as the hot oils could migrate and leach into the sealer causing a stain.

The project I'm working on requires a very high slip resistance. What X-Bond finish should I use? 
X-Bond Mineral finish is a highly textured and slip resistant finish which is typically used for external uses and ramping / walkways.

Is X-Bond always applied seamlessly?
X-Bond is designed to follow the existing substrate. We don't have to put breaks in if structurally it doesn't require it. When X-Bond is applied over concrete or sheeting, if there is an existing break or control joint in the existing floor we must repeat that by doing a saw cut.

Are saw cuts required on my X-Bond floor? 
Saw cuts are required in areas where there are existing control/expansion joints or floor junctions. If installing over compressed sheeting we need to follow all breaks in the sub-floor to avoid any possible movement that may cause our X-Bond to crack.

Will I be able to see trowel marks?
Yes, X-Bond is a hand trowelled finish which means that trowel marks, colour and tonal variation are a natural characteristic of the finish.  

Does X-Bond delaminate and crack?
X-Bond is a durable finish that doesn’t delaminate. However, as it is an overlay system X-Bond is as good as the existing substrate and we cannot guarantee that the existing substrate will not move causing our product to crack. This is a substrate failure and the movement is beyond our control. We will take preventative measures when preparing for the X-Bond installation to decrease the risk of substrate cracking however Alternative Surfaces will not be held responsible for naturally occurring subfloor or substrate cracking. 

What is the price per square meter of X-Bond?
We look at each job individually and price each job off plans as the price to install X-Bond varies depending on project location, total square meters, area of application, intricacy, height (for walls) etc. Please email sales@altsurfaces.com.au with drawings so that we can provide you with a quote.

Can I purchase X-Bond and install it myself?
No, we supply and install X-Bond to all of our projects.

How long does it take for you to install X-Bond? 
This depends on the size of the project and the finish. An example based on 100 square meters is approximately 5 days. 

What is your lead time?
We recommend booking us in 4-6 weeks in advance to ensure we are available on your selected installation date.

What products do you recommend using to maintain my X-Bond floor?
View our maintenance procedures.

Quartz Carpet Questions

I would like to specify Quartz Carpet, how do I know what to specify?
In your specification it’s important to mention the range, stone size, colour and finish. Please view the below Specification Guidelines for the Quartz Carpet finishes.

What is Quartz Carpet?
Quartz Carpet consists of natural quartz granules mixed with an epoxy resin that is hand trowelled on to an existing substrate. Quartz Carpet can be applied onto floors, walls and selected joinery items. 

Can Quartz Carpet be applied externally?
Yes, Quartz Carpet Open Pore finish is suitable for external applications. 

Can Quartz Carpet be applied in bathrooms or wet areas?
Yes, as long as a Pore Fill sealer is applied over the quartz. Quartz Carpet cannot be applied in a shower.

What stone sizes are available?

  • 1mm - 2mm (Pore Filled Finish)

  • 2mm - 3mm (Open Pore & Pore Filled Finish)

How long does it take to apply? 
This depends on the size of the project and the finish. Here is an example based on 100 square meters:
Open Pore - 3 days, Closed Pore - 5 days.

Can I create patterns using various colours?
Yes, profiles can be installed in predetermined shapes prior to the application of Quartz Carpet. This allows the installers to neatly apply different colours to different areas.

Can I divide areas?
Areas can be divided installing profiles prior to the application of Quartz Carpet.

Can you see trowel marks in the finished floor?
Trowel marks are a natural feature of Quartz Carpet. They are more prominent in the 1-2mm and porefilled finishes. In addition, their visibility depends largely on lighting and angle of view.

How do I maintain my Quartz Carpet floor?
You can clean your floor with a broom, vacuum or mop. View our maintenance procedures for more information.