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Wood & laminate flooring are a big sector of the market: Arboritec AB of Sweden is launching its wood floor finishes in the UK. The company says it creates the latest ‘technologically superior’ finishes to help flooring professionals get ‘phenomenal results’. The finishes are built around two principal elements: Nanotechnology and Ceramic Silica. Nanotechnology is designed to create materials at ultra-small nanoscale. This reportedly produces finishing systems that enhance penetration, adhesion, strength and scratch...
read moreKnowing How To Use This Instrument Is Key
John Roberts tests the latest Tramex CMexpert 11 I RATE the new Tramex CMexpert11 as an invaluable piece of equipment for checking moisture levels in solid screeds. It also has spikes for checking wood floors. You can also use it in conjunction with the latest Tramex iprobe, part of the kit to employ it as a hygrometer. Like the MRH111 which I reviewed in CFJ last year, this new kit comes in a protective carrying case, which will protect it during travel. It looks very professional, an important factor when carrying out checks...
read moreScreed – It Is Not Just A Long Article
Martin Cummins on ‘smoothing compound’ or ‘screed’? IN technical support roles I find that I deal with a vast array of customer types. This can include architects, quantity surveyors, counter staff, other manufacturers and joe public among the ranks. Then there is, of course, the flooring contractors themselves. This diversity is something which can make the day a lot more interesting and a lot more challenging. The understanding of flooring in general among the aforementioned group varies tremendously. This is most often...
read moreTimes When You Can Cut To The Chase
Jonathan Baxandall on rebate, anchor point, toe-in and chase REBATES, anchor points, toe-ins and chases. We are all probably familiar with these different terms, but when considering the floor preparation required prior to receiving a synthetic resin topping, my experience is that their importance can often be overlooked. Although the terms can mean slightly different things to different people, essentially they all refer to a cut or channel made in the substrate into which the resin is dressed. Many are familiar with the...
read morePrice Is King, But Long Live Sustainability
John Alcock on the future for being green READING a few Ecobuild reviews, I started thinking about sustainability and what this really means in terms of flooring? I mean, if you take an absolute 100% approach to sustainability or sustainable flooring then I guess we’re looking at a future with a lot more timber and wool carpets. Well, trees grow and we can always plant more and thanks to farmers and the Sunday roast, sheep are pretty abundant so sustainable too. On the flip-side we would see an end to nylon as this is a product of...
read moreWhy Wood Is A Good Choice With UFH
Craig Pawson on underfloor heating WITH a push towards more sustainable living, underfloor heating (UFH) has become a popular choice due to the reduced energy consumption. As this trend continues to increase, many questions have arisen around the suitability of different flooring materials. UFH provides many eco-benefits in comparison to radiators and heaters. However, unlike these systems which sit within the room, UFH relies on the floor surface to help radiate the temperature, and therefore presents challenges over the...
read moreFull Steam Ahead For Apprenticeships
Sid Bourne on the new wood industry scheme CONGRATULATIONS to the British Wood Flooring Association for having successfully started its apprenticeship programme at the end of April. It has been well received within the industry. This is a great step forward for the wood flooring industry – training young people to a standard that we think cannot be matched. Anyone involved with apprenticeships knows that it is a long and arduous road you have to travel to get to where we are at now. Everyone at the BWFA has worked hard to help...
read moreDon’t Let Moisture Bite You On The Bum
A great deal is regularly written in the CFJ on moisture, its measurement, all the implications and how to deal with it, so it doesn’t jump up and bite you on the bum. Most of this industry’s acknowledged experts have written pieces published in this respected flooring journal concerning many aspects of the subject, including myself, (a definition here: An expert is a drip under pressure – old schoolboy joke but you see the connection with water!) Seriously, do remember that moisture issues are the number one cause of all...
read moreTop Gear
Having the right kit is important for fitters: Birchwood Price To o ls (part of The BSS Group) now offers Drezna Jeans, the new heavy industrial strength denim work jeans from Scruffs. Made from thick 320g cotton, this tear-resistant material reportedly has exceptional anti-abrasion properties to provide tradesmen with the leg wear they need in tough working conditions. Balanced with a straight leg design, button fly and 3D creasing they are said to combine to offer a pair of jeans that deliver maximum comfort and...
read moreEnsuring A Clean Environment For Healthcare
Ricky Smith, UK field sales manager, Truvox International, explains how keeping floors clean can help reduce the spread of infections: CONTACT with healthcare professionals is something none of us can avoid. Whether it’s a trip to the dentist, a routine operation, or a visit to a residential home to see an elderly relative, everyone’s life is punctuated, at one level or another, with regular visits to healthcare settings. Controlling the spread of infections or viruses is vitally important for healthcare providers. People...
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