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Linoleum Has Winning Advantages For Sports
Flooring can be vital in the performance of any indoor sports arena, says Peter Drew, key account team manager from Forbo Flooring Systems: INSTALLING the correct type of flooring can have a huge impact on the safety and enjoyment of the sports people using a sports facility, as well as having long-term implications in terms of cleaning and maintenance. A key factor to consider is the flexibility of the flooring and its shock absorption potential. The recommended floor type is classed as ‘area- elastic’, meaning that the pressure...
read moreScore Floors
Sports flooring is highly specialised product: Flowcrete UK saysits FlowSport flooring system delivers a flexible composite surface, geared to the needs of sporting environments with exceptional sustainability credentials. Said to combine safety and performance with good looks, the product is designed for areas including gymnasiums and indoor sports venues – and 60% of the floor system is made from recycled vehicle tyres. When applied over a suitable base, the flooring reportedly gives a resilient, uniform, seamless and durable...
read moreThe Age Of Resin
Resin flooring is being used in more and more sectors: B A S F Construction Chemicals recently supplied its Ucrete fast flooring system at The Saucy Fish Co’s Grimsby fish-processing facilities. A food-grade anti-slip floor that would not contaminate the surrounding production environment with any odour was needed for an existing concrete slab, which was breaking up in parts. There was only a small window for application: Production ceased at 4pm on a Saturday, with cleaning down until 8pm. The area, to be back in production at...
read moreCradle To Cradle Design Helps Inspire Creativity
Stef Kranendijk, CEO of Desso explains the company’s Cradle to Cradle strategy: CIRCULAR economy is the latest sustainability buzzword. It is simply about moving away from a linear model of ‘take, make and waste’ to a sustainable and circular model of material flows leading to much less waste. In 2008, we changed our sourcing and manufacturing processes to create products made out of materials that can be safely recycled over and over again, as well as contribute to the health, wellness and wellbeing of those using them. This...
read moreProduct Innovation Can Help With Sustainability
Stewart Lacey of Bostik looks at the role of production innovation in sustainability: THERE is no question that sustainability must be central in the future of the flooring trade, not just the environmental aspect, but also the economic and social elements involved. In other words, we must consider how our work to improve sustainability directly benefits the business of fitting floors, and the impact it has on the day-to-day job. As a manufacturer, it’s important to be continually looking for innovations that help improve the...
read moreSustainability Means Root & Branch Changes
Tracy Perry, sustainability and environmental adviser at Altro, looks at ‘the big picture’ when it comes to sustainability: FOR a flooring material to be truly sustainable and achieve the highest BREEAM ratings, concern for the environment has to inform each aspect of the product. This includes development of the material, manufacturing principles, methods of installation and end-of-life disposal. The manufacturer also needs a clear strategy and a company culture that puts sustainability at the heart of the business. At a...
read moreMint Green
A variety of flooring is used in hospitality and leisure areas: CMS Danskin Accoustics providesa range of acoustic flooring products boasting green credentials. Regupol acoustic underlayments are made from recycled materials, are 100% recyclable and offer Zero GWP (Global Warming Potential) and Zero ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential). This, the company states, doesn’t compromise the quality and effectiveness of these products which provide soundproofing performance that not only meets but often exceeds the demands of Part E for both impact...
read moreListening To Voices From The Shop Floor
Craig Pawson on retail flooring FLOORING in retail environments has three main requirements – safety, minimum maintenance and appearance. Contractors should deliver on all three aspects to ensure the project is completed successfully. I Safety: The most important factor when specifying retail flooring is the user’s safety and welfare. The Health and Safety Executive reports that over 3,500 slips, trips and falls each year. So what is the best material to use? Carpets provide one of the safest surface areas as they will not...
read moreMoisture – Too Little Is Bad Like Too Much
Sid Bourne on ‘dry cupping’ I WAS recently commissioned to inspect an engineered floor which had cupped and split in several areas of installation. Most people would automatically think that moisture was the cause, mainly because the subfloor was wet causing the floor to dramatically cup. This time, however, the problem was ‘dry cupping’, a term many in the UK may not have heard of before maybe, because it is not common in this country. The cause is moisture-related, but the difference is that the cupping is caused by an...
read moreChecking Subfloor Flatness In Seconds
John Roberts tests the Bosch Professional GSL 2 WHEN Bosch rang me to ask if I thought the flooring trade needed a laser that could easily identify areas of a subfloor with dips or ridges I said I personally would use such an instrument. In fact I already use a laser to check floor levels. They said the new equipment could quickly and easily scan a whole floor in seconds visually showing areas of concern. They offered to send me the new instrument to check out. In a later call from them to check if it had been delivered, they...
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