News
Techniques To Achieved The Desired Finish
Martin Cummins on ‘smoothing compound’ or ‘screed’? - part 2 LAST month I discussed certain flooring terminology and clients’ confusion over screeds, levelling compounds or smoothing compounds. I concluded referring to levelling and smoothing compounds as materials used to give a finished surface ready to receive decorative floorcoverings. This month I will explain different products and applications on the finished surface. Levelling compounds vary widely in make up. Different properties include rapid drying, flexural and...
read moreFailures Are Often Down To Poor Preparation
Howard Golder - good riddance to bad welds - part 1 THIS month I am beginning a new series with advice from the Altro technical team on how to avoid bad welds. I will start by featuring the most common reasons why welds fail. I see many installations of safety and smooth vinyl. Most are good, but there are plenty that don’t make the grade. A lot of the ‘bad ones’ could have been avoided if more attention had been paid to preparation and detail. This is especially true with welding the joints in floors. Many welds fail...
read moreProblems Are More Than Meets The Eye
John Alcock on why flooring contractors so often get the blame THE trouble with flooring is that it’s visible! I am often called out to inspect a site only to find the main contractor pointing to some lifting tile or warped wooden floor panel and telling me that the problem is with the flooring . I am then expected to accept this conclusion simply because the problem is visible. The thing is, the problem you see isn’t always the cause. It might be due to another issue not even be the fault of the floor or its installation. Yet,...
read moreWhy Linoleum Is Proving Such A Healthy Choice
Naomi Cole, of Tarkett, explores the benefits of linoleum in healthcare: ORIGINALLY introduced as domestic flooring in the mid-1800’s, linoleum remained a popular choice throughout the Victorian era and well into the 1960’s. But around this time, new vinyl flooring started to emerge offering superior resistance to indentation and wear, and better able to cope with the fashionable stiletto heel. Although linoleum’s popularity declined significantly as a result, there has been a resurgence of interest following the demand for...
read moreIt’s Nearly 150 Years Old & Still Going Strong
Janet Lowe, marketing manager at Forbo Flooring Systems, looks at why a product with a heritage as long as linoleum is still best placed to meet today’s environmental, performance and aesthetic demands: RARELY do you find a material that has been around for as long as linoleum that hasn’t been superseded by a ‘modern equivalent’. Yet almost 150 years after it was first commercially produced, this flooring marvel still can’t be beaten for true sustainability. As the pressure for sustainability continues to grow, many...
read moreMany Colours & It’s Green
Linoleum has sound environmental credentials plus many other benefits: Gerflor says the benefits of its DLW Linoleum collection include ease of maintenance, excellent sustainability credentials, uncompromising design, an extensive colour palette and outstanding durability, making it suited to the healthcare and education sectors, public buildings, offices, industrial buildings and warehouse areas as well as the retail trade, hotels, restaurants and residential properties. The DLW Linoleum collection embraces styles from Art Nouveau to...
read moreTry Floating Solid Wood And You’ll Be Sunk
Consultant Sid Bourne repeats his caution against floating wood floors: I have written previously about the risks of trying to float solid wood flooring and I still say – regardless of what the manufacturer tells you – that I advise against doing it: MY opinions may be a bit controversial, but after many years working in the industry I think I have the required knowledge and expertise to contradict manufacturers who say differently. I have conducted numerous site inspections and written many reports on failed floors, and I am...
read moreFinishes Can Bring Out The Beauty Of Wood
Craig Pawson, Osmo UK’s flooring and finishes specialist, outlines what different wood finishes can achieve: : WOODEN flooring is a beautiful feature, but it is important to understand that as an organic material, it will continue to need nourishment to ensure it stays in the best possible condition, both aesthetically and structurally. My advice is to use a high-quality finish, full of natural ingredients to complement the wood’s properties. This will ensure the wood continues to breathe and respond well to environmental...
read moreWood Flooring Becomes More Touchy-Feely
Stina Andersson-Ulmefors, Designer, Kährs, explain why the growing interest in natural materials is such good news for the wood flooring sector:: PEOPLE want surfaces to be more tactile and for floors, in particular, to be more three dimensional. Materials and objects that tell a story are also popular; those with a history, that are natural and unspoilt. All these elements are having an impact on floor design throughout central Europe and this trend is gaining pace in northern Europe too. This hunger for a natural look hasn’t left...
read moreDon’t Compromise On Wood Floors
Fred Waller, technical sales representative, Bona, gives some tips on achieving the desired result with finishes: AS I travel around the North of England and Scotland representing Bona I spend much of my time inspecting and recommending treatments for hardwood floors. The standard of finishing I see varies enormously and it’s always pleasing to see a well sanded and finished floor. Today there is no excuse for poor workmanship, especially with the array of excellent wood flooring products available to contractors. However, good...
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