News
Right Cleaning Regime Is Key For Resin Flooring
Helen McGachie, ceo of FeRFA, explains the benefits of using resin flooring where hygiene is important:: THE ability of a floor to be cleaned and maintained to a very high level of hygiene must be the key priority for any food preparation area. Being seamless, resin flooring is the ideal choice for this type of environment by offering hygiene, slip resistance and cleanability. Resin floors are tough resilient systems, however, for the performance characteristics of the floor to be maintained, an appropriate cleaning regime should be...
read moreThe Correct Choice Of Wood Species Is Vital
Mark Leigh, of tremco illbruck, considers the correct approach to installing natural wood and laminate flooring: TIMBER flooring, from traditional parquet blocks through to modern laminated systems, can contribute to creating attractive and visually stimulating room interiors, thanks to the very wide choice of wood species available with their characteristic colours, grain patterns and irregularities. Specifiers and contractors should, however, always remain aware of the product or system’s vulnerability as an organic material:...
read moreAdhesive Can Help To Control Moisture Moves
Peter Kaczmar, flooring specialist at BM TRADA, explains its research project to develop an underfloor heating test rig for wood flooring: WHEN it comes to flooring, nothing quite matches the performance and beauty of a wooden floor. Whether it’s engineered, multi-layered or solid, a wood floor can lend a different dimension to a space, with an aesthetic that other flooring finds hard to match. This is why timber continues to grow in popularity as a flooring material in both the residential and commercial sectors. Timber has a natural...
read moreHerringbone Is Back & Rather Stylish
Alex Davidson, business development manager, Kährs (UK), discusses what and who drives the designs of the floors you sell: ONE of the biggest challenges faced by suppliers of hardwood flooring is convincing retailers and architects that their products are ‘on trend.’ Little is known about what actually drives the trends that we see within our industry and who actually decides what is and isn’t ‘in.’ But, to get a deeper understanding, we can look to the fashion industry for clues. In fashion, as in the majority of businesses...
read moreSanding Machines: No Need To Blow A Fuse
Alec Stacey, technical manager, Bona, explains what to look for when you need to buy a sanding machine: IT IS one of life’s inevitabilities that at some point in the future a wood floor will require full refurbishment and will need sanding back to bare wood. This could be due to many reasons: The finish is badly worn, perhaps a new look is needed, or perhaps the flooring has become water damaged and ‘cupped’. The solution will involve sanding. The type of machine needed will depend largely on the extent of the work. To sand a...
read moreWalking The Planks
Wood and laminate flooring come in an enormous range: Atkinson & Kirby says its Diamond Plus engineered wood range is gaining popularity with pubs and restaurants. The rustic look of Diamond Plus range boards is said to add a natural charm and character to large interiors. Widths are available up to 340mm. Diamond Plus Slate, a stained, cross cut and natural oiled board, was recently installed in the Newsroom Bar and Restaurant in Edinburgh, and the stained and natural oiled Vintage Oak Biscuit was recently specified by Concorde BGW for...
read moreCFA A Hit At ‘Meet The Buyer’ Event
IN the same way that tweeting was something that required a bird and face-time needed two people to be in the same room, the concept of a ‘meet the buyer’ event was something new to me until relatively recently. That is, until I attended the Facilities Management & Estates Platform 2014 which took place on April 7-8 in the heart of London. Platform Events UK run three of these events annually. One based around the catering industry and two relating to construction. If, like me, you haven’t come across the concept before, I’ll briefly...
read morePolymer Resins Technical Guidance Note Updated
FeRFA’s Guide to Flowable and Trowel Applied Polymer Screeds as Underlayments for Resin Floor Finishes (TGN08) has been updated. Based on the previously published Guide to Flowable Polymer Screeds, new sections have now been added to cover trowel applied screeds. This guide aims to identify the criteria for these types of screeds when they are used as an underlayment for a resin floor finish. The document covers the selection criteria in terms of the key factors which should be determined in order to establish the most suitable...
read moreFeRFA Apprentices Do Practical Session On Resin Coatings
THE 11th group of FeRFA in situ resin flooring apprentices have taken their latest module, this time in resin coatings. Training facilities were provided by FeRFA manufacturer member, Sika, at its Welwyn Garden City site. The company also supplied all the necessary materials for the two day practical sessions, where the candidates gained valuable guidance and hands-on experience. The apprentices now have to complete their modules on self smoothing, screeds and coving and finally, flowable screeds. They will then continue to work with...
read moreDon’t Assume That Long-Standing Products Like Flooring Are Safe
Sustainability consultant Alan Best reveals that a phthalate used in vinyl flooring has been rated a Substance of Very High Concern: THE first thing any product must be if it is to be sustainable is safe: Safe to manufacture; safe to install and use and safe to dispose of. Given that most flooring materials have been around for a very long time it would seem that their safety could be taken for granted. Unfortunately when it comes to the use of some chemicals present in everyday products we currently don’t know nearly enough to assume...
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