The flooring products that work hard


Flooring often has to stand up to tough conditions. We look at projects that could have been problematic.


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Flooring specifiers often have to overcome practical issues from time constraints to hygiene requirements. Manufacturers Interface and Karndean both take advantage of magnetic flooring technology to create quickly laid floors for retail environments.

With both Karndean Designflooring and InterfaceFlor ranges, a metalised resin developed by 3M is applied to the subfloor and then luxury vinyl tiles and magnetic carpet tiles are dry laid on top, avoiding the use of traditional adhesives and volatile organic compounds. This means that whole sections can be changed quickly to accommodate a concession or in-store promotion, for example, or when they are damaged.

An alternative approach to adhesive-free tiling was carried out when Tile Giant, owned by the Travis Perkins Group, opened a new 'implant store' at a branch of Wickes in Hertfordshire. 'We chose Gerflor's GTI Max Decor because we wanted a product that would make us stand out in the Wickes store, in a sense creating a "shop within a shop" that would really define the Tile Giant brand,' says Tile Giant's Ian Moss.

Embedding artwork was just one challenge in the project that required two different floors being merged, all withing a two-week deadline.
Embedding artwork was just one challenge in the project that required two different floors being merged, all withing a two-week deadline.

The tiles had to withstand traffic from pallet trucks and a multilayered construction that includes fiberglass grids designed to withstand dynamic land-static loads. They also have interlocking edges so that they can be laid on poor-quality or existing surfaces without adhesive. Very rough floor surfaces may call for a solution such as a self-levelling screed.

When Pinewood Studios recently converted two studios from film to TV use, industrial flooring contractor Aedean laid almost 1,000 sq m of Ronacrete's RonaFloor SL self-smoothing epoxy resin screed to replace timber flooring over a concrete floor. Unlike movie cameras, which usually run on tracks, TV cameras run on the floor. In addition, the flooring has to withstand the constant application and removal of water-soluble paint.

Microscreeds and poured-resin flooring offer seamless, hypoallergenic and waterproof alternatives to surfaces, such as polished concrete, that can crack or discolour. Design practice Eximius Projects specified a water-based polyurethane screed system for the 100 sq m kitchens at Le Gavroche, the London restaurant run by Michel Roux Jnr. The firm says it chose Resin Surfaces Limited (RSL)'s Resuthane TG69 food-grade flooring system because of its seamless, textured, non-slip and non-taint properties.

Need for screed

With just a fortnight to install a level floor with etched artwork in Wimbledon, the ball was in Ardex's court.

If flooring were a competition, the judges might have to score installers on the speed and level of difficulty of projects. A fast-curing screed helped Ardex installer Lasercroft beat a tight deadline this summer despite the floor having to include bespoke artwork.

Lasercroft used the Pandomo surfacing system from Ardex to build a seamless floor containing the artwork at a new store in Wimbledon, London, for at retail clothing chain Monsoon, although the store was created by merging two premises.

Embedding artwork was just one challenge in the project that required two different floors being merged, all withing a two-week deadline.
Embedding artwork was just one challenge in the project that required two different floors being merged, all withing a two-week deadline.

As well as installing the artwork of an intricate Persian rug design etched into the floor, Lasercroft had just two weeks to carry out the substrate preparation, lay the finished floor and complete the final maintenance and cleaning in time for the start of the 2014 Wimbledon tennis tournament. But 'the pre-levelling works to merge the two existing shops was an unforeseen task,' says Ardex Pandomo business development manager Adrian Ashby. 'The two floors were different types, age and levels, and fundamental work had to be carried out to create an equal starting point before work could begin on the design of the floor.' Lasercroft used a fast-curing screed to avoid missing the deadline. 'These additional works added to the client's schedule which could have affected the store opening, but with the tennis championships about to begin this wasn't an option,' says Lasercroft applicator James Carmichael.

Embedding artwork was just one challenge in the project that required two different floors being merged, all withing a two-week deadline.
Embedding artwork was just one challenge in the project that required two different floors being merged, all withing a two-week deadline.

'Workers were walking over the levelled floor just three hours after applying the Ardex A 38, ensuring work could continue at a pace necessary to meet the two-week deadline, and the Pandomo floor was laid in just three days.

'The seamless finish created a spacious feel throughout the store, fast installation significantly cut down working time, and its increased resistance to wear and scratching made it the ideal flooring for a highly trafficked Monsoon store,' he adds. 'The technique for installing the artwork was developed specifically for this project, demonstrating the level of difficulty associated with this job. The premium quality and fast-drying characteristics of the Ardex products were therefore fundamental in ensuring the store opened on time.' ardex.co.uk

Sea floor

Office balconies look on to ocean-inspired flooring.

Both the colour and texture of carpet tiles affect the success of flooring design, as Standard Life demonstrated at its offices at Dundas House, Edinburgh where Interface's Net Effect product has been used to refurbish the atrium. Visual impact and practicality were key to the redesign of the large central space, open to all four sides of the building and visible from all floors.

Shades of grey in three different textures from Interface’s Net Effect collection created an ocean-inspired flooring for the building’s atrium.
Shades of grey in three different textures from Interface's Net Effect collection created an ocean-inspired flooring for the building's atrium.

The carpet tiles from the ocean-inspired Net Effect One collection were specified in complementary grey tones with three different textures to reflect the moment the sea foams into the shore, creating a visually impressive, wavelike effect.

'The atrium is used and seen by everyone in the organisation, so we wanted to make the most of the space,' says Alison Morrison, workplace designer at Standard Life.

Shades of grey in three different textures from Interface’s Net Effect collection created an ocean-inspired flooring for the building’s atrium.
Shades of grey in three different textures from Interface's Net Effect collection created an ocean-inspired flooring for the building's atrium.

'We were supported by the design team at Interface to formulate a creative scheme, and also received help when briefing the contractors on how to install the product.'

The design was 'well received and certainly a talking point among employees and visitors alike', she adds. 'You can really see the ocean pattern, particularly from the higher balconies.' interfaceflor.co.uk

One for the record

Seamless flooring works in listed library building.

Floorers often have to work around other contractors, particularly on large, prestige projects, as specialist resin systems supplier Resin Surfaces Limited found when it worked on the multimillion-pound refurbishment of Manchester Central Library.

RSL's brief was to provide a flooring solution that complemented the Grade II-listed library's neo-classical style. First opened in 1934, the building is Britain's second-largest public library and an important tourist attraction in the city.

The reopening of Central Library follows the unveiling of the refurbished town hall extension in July of last year. Public entrances have been restored to their Thirties' appearance and new staircases and lift shafts were inserted to improve access throughout the library.

Flooring systems supplied by RSL were specified to create a seamless floor surface, in a colour palette to complement the neo-classical features of the building.
Flooring systems supplied by RSL were specified to create a seamless floor surface, in a colour palette to complement the neo-classical features of the building.

Stockport-based company RSL supplied flooring systems of RS Terrazzo and RS Terrain with RS Beadgrip for the floor, stairs and ramped areas of the building. It included a bespoke design of RS Terrazzo in a special colour palette to complement the neo-classical design features. The system was chosen to create a seamless, flat floor surface, as well as being used as a pre-cast terrazzo system on some stair areas. RS Terrain was applied on the ramped areas with RS Beadgrip for improved slip resistance.

'You don't have the opportunity to be involved in one of Manchester's most iconic buildings every day,' says RSL commercial director Martin Wroe. 'We needed to find products that would capture the beauty of the environment and complement its ornate design. The end result needed to be functional as well as beautiful, given the amount of traffic expected through the building. We also faced the challenge of working alongside a number of other contractors, due to the sheer scale of the project, but the installation ran really smoothly.' resinsurfaces.co.uk

Passing the test

Good Housekeeping calls for clean, quiet floors.

Designing flooring for a multipurpose venue is a challenge. At the Good Housekeeping Institute in London, the brief included hard surfaces that were easily cleaned but also sound absorbent. Good Housekeeping worked with Karndean Designflooring to create a scheme that would complement the new look of its GHI testing facility in Soho. Designing and installing both the ground and lower-ground levels, Karndean provided a floor design based on its newly updated Art Select Stones and Woods, LooseLay Series Two and popular Van Gogh collection.

The scheme includes a curved parquet floor in a herringbone design against matching full-length planks in the entrance area, distressed oak in the GHI dining room and new travertine stone designs in the GHI cookery school. LooseLay vinyl tiles in a linear design were specified in the lower-ground floor testing facilities to help absorb sound and reduce noise levels for the GHI research team working in the hot-desking office space.

Good Housekeeping calls for clean, quiet floors

'It was important for us to rise to the challenge and create a floor design to reflect the contemporary theme of the new building,' says Karndean Designflooring managing director Paul Barratt. 'We were able to zone out key areas and use our wood and stone designs to offer the wow factor to grab the attention of future visitors.'

'With more than 1,000 visitors expected each week, we needed our floor surface to be durable, practical and maintain its beauty when put under pressure from high traffic,' says GHI venue manager Elizabeth Walker. karndean.com

Intelligent choice

A software company opts for carpet in corporate colours and zones defined by texture.

Colours, texture, simplicity in design as well as a seamless functionality all had a part to play in a recent interior design scheme for a leading data solutions company at London's Tower 42 building.

'The client wanted an interior that was different, yet professionally welcoming to their clients, so we came up with several bright and zany designs,' says design director Mark Crick of Crisp Design. 'The project had a strict budget and project deadlines for delivery, so it was important to use a reliable and efficient flooring manufacturer. Having worked a lot with Forbo Flooring Systems we knew this was a project that would suit its comprehensive portfolio.

In particular, using Forbo allowed us to integrate the requested corporate branding and specify bespoke colour options.'

The scheme includes Tessera Alignment textured cut-and-loop carpet tile. The multi-height loops give the distinctive floor covering a bold directional theme, tempered by the introduction of intersecting random blocks of rich cut pile. The nucleus colour is accented with a Alignment Highlight carpet tiles in a vivid green.

Fusion-bonded Westbond carpet tiles are designed into the boardroom, telephone booths and cafe breakout area. The individual yarn pile is bonded on to the backing material giving it density, while the plush nature of the tiles also helps to maintain excellent acoustic levels.

Organic curves and fluid wavy lines were cut into the floor space in bright lime green, jet black and anthracite to mirror the curvilinear furniture designed to contrast with the angular building.

Further texture was added by including Allura Spring Forest stripe luxury vinyl tiles, used in the two tea stations, as they replicated the client's brand colours and provide a durable resilient, easily cleaned surface.

'This was a challenging brief in terms of balancing the vibrant and dynamic vision with the budget, but Forbo's options allowed us to excel,' comments Crick.








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