News
Harrogate Showcases Apprenticeship Skills
A FEATURE of the Flooring Show in Harrogate was the the Apprentice of the Year 2014 skills competition between Accrington & Rossendale (Accross) College and Coleg Cambria. The three day event, which attracted enormous attention during the show, was designed to showcase the standard of training that both colleges offered on their two year apprenticeships courses. In particular there were many new apprenticeship enquiries with support from existing manufacturers being strengthened. Both lads competing have just completed their two year...
read moreNew EU Vacuum Cleaner Rules ‘Will Mean Longer Cleaning Times’
Justin Binks, director of Sebo UK, questions whether the new EU law limiting the power of vacuum cleaners will result in any actual savings: REDUCING the energy consumption of vacuum cleaners is laudable in its own right, but there are considerable doubts as to whether the new EU labelling rules will actually result in savings. Instead, we are likely to see confusion in the market place, inefficient products, longer cleaning times and frustrated and disappointed customers. The EU energy label is designed to provide consumers with...
read moreGender Inequality Puts Women Off Construction
Julia Evans, chief executive of the BSRIA (Building Services Research and Information Association), says the lack of progress to gender equality in construction is ‘shameful’: THE UK construction industry is short of skilled labour and women currently make up just 11% of the workforce. Are male construction workers part of the problem? Politics is all about attempting to second-guess the mind of the electorate. Although cynics might cast a sceptical eye at the timing of the recent cabinet reshuffle, the fact that women are more...
read moreGreen Is The Only Way To Go In Flooring
Sustainability consultant Alan Best looks at current and recent developments in the global approach to sustainability and how they could impact on the flooring industry: THE world is a changing with regard to sustainability measures and the flooring industry will have to change with it. At the time of writing it was just announced that architects from across the world unanimously adopted the 2050 Imperative which commits them to 100% net-zero energy design and construction by that year. That is a commitment to design buildings which...
read moreDPM To Weather Storms
WITH high levels of rainfall in the UK in recent years, building professionals have to deal with damp substrates and their potential to jeopardise the long-term performance of floorcoverings. TREMCO ILLBRUCK has a water- based moisture vapour suppressant, ES600, said to be BREEAM-accredited and ECI-compliant, designed to produce low levels of VOCs. Suitable for suppressing residual moisture in cementitious subfloors, including power-floated concrete and sand/cement screeds, it’s said the product can be used where RH readings are up to...
read moreStairrods Offer Solution
MANY underfloor heating trims need to be screwed down, posing a risk to heating pipes. STAIRRODS UK claims to have solved this problem with the introduction of the Euro Cover, which is a stick-down product. When used in conjunction with the new Dim Strip it is said to convert into a lino edge, overcoming height differences of up to 6mm. The Euro Cover Dim Strip is suitable for stone, ceramics, LVT (stick-down), vinyl and lino flooring. The Dim Strip is available in five sizes – 2-6mm in 1mm increments and is designed to produce a...
read moreIntroducing An Array Of Colourful Carpet Colours From Heckmondwike
THE trend towards colourful carpet, and research showing how certain colours motivate and inspire the workforce, are said to have contributed to an increase in demand for the six new colours in the Array range from HECKMONDWIKE FB. These additions bring the number of options in the range to 12, the colourways being chosen to reflect current trends in furniture design and seating. Heckmondwike FB’s heavy contract Array carpet tiles feature a mid-width rib design, with a charcoal background and a subtle linear pattern. This design...
read moreSnickers Has Answer To Winter
SNICKERS work jackets are designed to cope with bad weather. Jackets in the Snickers’ range include XTR products, designed with an ‘active protection system’, Gore-Tex three-layer jackets, the Windstopper, Rip-Stop and Soft Shell Jackets, as well as specialist rainwear, winter jackets and hi-vis alternatives. With many styles and size options for men and women, Snickers also has a range of winter vests and bodywarmers, plus a Body Mapping Micro Fleece. A catalogue can be downloaded from the website. Part of the Hultafors Group,...
read moreFloorwise New Box Strikes Gold
A NEW gold box from FLOORWISE is described by the manufacturer as having magic inside, in the shape of F599 Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive. Holding 12 cans, the box is the latest packaging to come under a new identity. Floorwise md Richard Bailey says: ‘Our new packaging is designed so installers can instantly recognise the trusted Floorwise name and make the right choice when it comes to quality and value.’ Floorwise F599 Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive is suitable for bonding a range of floorcoverings and accessories onto a range of...
read morePolyflor Adds Interlocking Tiles
POLYFLOR has launched Camaro Loc range, featuring interlocking planks and tiles designed to eliminate the need for adhesion. The collection is suitable for internal spaces in the home, including kitchens and bathrooms. Each wood and stone design features surface embosses and a micro bevel effect on all four sides of the planks and tiles. With a 4.0mm gauge and a 0.3mm wear layer, Camaro Loc is suitable for use in heavy domestic and light commercial areas. Installed beneath Camaro Loc, Vinyl Loc Underlay is designed to prevent planks...
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