News
Damp Subfloor
Peter Daulby on moisture in subfloors MOISTURE in a subfloor can cause problems and call for costly replacement of resilient flooring. Here I explain some of the damage caused by damp subfloors and how the flooring on top is affected. Problems caused by moisture in subfloors can be avoided by taking steps to ensure that the subfloor is dry and free from defects. Although the issues associated with damp subfloors are varied, the solutions tend to be similar. The growth of mould is common when a subfloor is damp. This manifests itself as a...
read moreWood You Believe That It’s Not Really Wood?
Jim Coulson on how to spot ‘fake’ wood I WAS looking at a wood floor in a private house the other day: not professionally, but purely out of curiosity (I’m sad like that!). And it struck me that I could not immediately tell – without getting on my hands and knees – whether it was genuinely wood or not. It certainly had a ‘wood-like’ pattern on its surface (which is what us wood scientists refer to as ‘figure’ rather than that over-used and oft-misquoted word ‘grain’); and it had a nice, high-gloss finish: but as to...
read moreUFH – There’s More To It Than Meets The Eye
Martin Cummins on underfloor heating GIVING recommendations or specifications for flooring installations over underfloor heating (UFH) used to be quite a straight forwards process. The understanding was that UFH was a system that involved a series of pipes encased within a screed, typically 50 to 75mm (depending on the nature of the screed) through which warm water passed. A knowledge and understanding was built up and a series of questions could be asked to ascertain whether the floor was ready to overlay with a particular floorcovering...
read moreApprenticeships
Sid Bourne on training I HAVE said it before and I will say it again: Apprenticeships are the only way to guarantee the future of the flooring trade. Their importance for both employers and apprentices can never be restated often enough. And for the best training for flooring apprenticeships the place to go is FloorSkills. There many great reasons to do an apprenticeship, but the big ones are: Qualifications, Money and Training. And don’t worry about the cost because financial help is available and you probably won’t have to pay...
read moreSome Red Lines When Buying Green Tiles
Janet Lowe, marketing manager at Forbo Flooring Systems, looks at some environmental questions when specifying carpet tiles: THE look, feel and performance of the traditional carpet tile has reached new heights in the last few years. Research and development from manufacturers along with expert knowledge has injected a new level of sophistication into every aspect. From the initial design concept and material sourcing to construction, performance and end of life, contractors now have a vast array of choice. As with all design, care...
read moreFlexible Options
Carpet tiles are exceptionally flexible in terms of design: Burmatex has extended its collection through four high performance nylon carpet tile ranges with seven new designs for schemes across offices, education and the public sector. BREEAM A+ rated balance stripe offers a pinstripe design with a sophisticated palette. This loop pile tile is said to present a classic timeless quality for offices, with a refined, contemporary appearance. Organically inspired, tandem is described as embracing its gently detailed design, with a textured...
read moreBest In Class
A variety of flooring is used in education: Altro Wood Safety flooring was used in a £70k refurbishment project at St Christopher’s School, Letchworth, Hertfordshire. The school has different Altro products already installed throughout the premises, including vinyl and resin floors and wall cladding. St Christopher’s estates manager, Lee Varley, said: ‘The dining hall floor was timber, but as part of the new build we needed an alternative that met several key criteria. There is a lot of timber in the building, so wanted to retain...
read morePack Away Your Broomsticks
Barry Hodges, technical manager, Mapei, says that when smoothing compounds fail it is usually down to contamination (often dust) on the subfloor: ‘YOUR levelling compound is rubbish! I put it down yesterday and it’s lifting off the floor.’ If only I had a pound for every time we’ve heard that story! Levelling compounds are widely used within the flooring industry, to prepare all different types of subfloors, so that the chosen floorcovering can be installed. These products aren’t just designed to smooth and level the subfloor;...
read moreGoing With The Flow
Floorlayers must to be sure to choose the right smoothing compound from the many available: BAL offers a choice of levelling compounds, including Solidbase, Thickbase, Rapidbase, Fibrebase and Acrybase, all designed to flow quickly and smoothly, delivering a consistent flow rate for 15 minutes after mixing. A 20kg sack reportedly gives a typical 5sq m to 6sq m coverage at 2mm depth. BAL levelling compounds are described as polymer-rich for strong bonding, offering minimal shrinkage, excellent self-healing properties and protein-free...
read morePlywood Is Better Substrate To Glue Vinyl
Jim Coulson on adhesives - Part 2 I WROTE about using Diamond Marked plywood and the desirability of making sure that your wood-based substrate is of good quality and is therefore suitable for sticking floorcoverings onto. (CFJ November 2013) Last month I explored the potential problems which may arise, if your chosen adhesive is not compatible with the wood-based substrate that you may have decided to use (‘cheap’ plywood, for example). But what if you are not in control of the specification for the substrate, but you are...
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