In this flooring special, everything from swanky City refurbishments to antibacterial finishes for hospital linos – all the latest products to park your feet on. Plus, an update on the news from the industry

Sika in the City
Construction chemicals specialist Sika’s products were used in the refurbishment of the Plaisterers Hall in the City of London, work that included the renovation of the floor of the Great Hall. Sikatop 77 was added to the screed to waterproof the floor and improve its mechanical properties. The screed was primed with Sikafloor 155 W and a flat surface was created with self-levelling compound Sikafloor Level 25. A specially designed carpet completed the scheme.
Sika
www.sika.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 301

Safe and stylish vinyl
Altro has added a collection called Maxis Suprema to its range of safety vinyl floor coverings. The company says that its transparent finish gives an impression of depth to the product and eliminates the sparkle normally associated with safety floor coverings. It is available in a choice of 12 colours and is said to be hard-wearing and easy to maintain.
Altro
www.altro.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 302

Preparations for a range of subfloors
Laybond Products has added three subfloor preparation products to its ScreedMaster range. ScreedMaster Ultra is a cement-based levelling compound with a high polymer content that is said to eliminate the need for a primer when applied to clean, non-absorbent subfloors. It can be applied in any thickness from 1 mm to 15 mm. Carpet, vinyl and rubber floor coverings can be laid three hours after application and other coverings can be laid after 12 hours. ScreedMaster Gypsum is a gypsum-based product said to be compatible with calcium sulphate screeds, it can be applied by trowel, rake or pump from 1 mm up to 20 mm thick. ScreedMaster Woodsmooth is for use over old wooden subfloors, such as plywood or tongue and groove. Woodsmooth can also be used over other difficult substrates, including ceramic tiles and terrazzo, without the need for a primer.
Laybond Products
www.laybond.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 303

High-reflectivity terrazzo
CG Flooring Systems has introduced a light-reflecting version of its Fastraz terrazzo screed. It has small fragments of light-coloured aggregate said to produce a surface reflectivity of more than 60%. The product is pump applied and the company says 1000 m2 can be laid in a day. Once it is polished and sealed it provides a hard-wearing, easy-to-clean surface.
CG Flooring Systems
www.cg-flooring.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 304

Recycled-plastic carpet backing
Carpet manufacturer Tandus has developed a carpet backing made from recycling the plastic interlayers from laminated car windscreens. Until now, the glass has been recycled but the plastic PVB interlayer has been sent to landfill. The company claims to have developed a process that uses 96% of the plastic in the secondary backing and a total of between 40% and 60% for the entire product. The backing, called ethos, is used in Tandus’ C&A Floor Coverings branded carpets. The firm says it has the same performance levels and appearance as other C&A products.
Tandus
www.tandusgroup.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 305

Noise-reducing underlay
Acoustic products specialist Hodgson & Hodgson Group has introduced a sound-insulating underlay called SoundMat. It consists of a high-density plastic layer welded to acoustic felt and is intended to be fitted under carpets, laminated wooden flooring or ceramic tiles. It can also be cut to fit stairs. The company says the level of noise reduction depends on the floor construction but its engineers can discuss potential acoustic performance improvements with customers.
Hodgson & Hodgson Group
www.acoustic.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 306

Solid oak flooring
International Timber has launched a range of solid oak flooring called Floor-IT. The flooring is 20 mm thick white or European oak that is available in a choice of grades, sizes and specifications. It can be supplied pre-finished or unfinished, enabling specifiers to finish the floor to their requirements. A range of matching skirtings, architraves and other moulding profiles is also available.
International Timber
www.internationaltimber.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 307

Narrow strip floors
Wood flooring specialist Kährs has introduced a range of narrow strip flooring called Provence. The strips measure 1320 mm long × 125 mm wide × 14 mm deep and are available in oak, beech, European maple, jatoba and merbau. A choice of natural or stained finishes is available. All the products have a bevelled edge and a matt lacquer protective layer. All oak floors are brushed to emphasise the grain structure.
Kährs
www.kahrs.se
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 308

Wood-effect transition strips
Gradus Accessories has launched a range of wood-effect transition strips to bridge wooden floors with other floor coverings such as carpet or tiles. Called MTS Wood Effect Finish, the strips have a PVCu base and a clip in aluminium top and can accommodate floor covering depths ranging from 8 mm to 16 mm. The product is available in finishes including beech, light or dark oak, maple, cherry and mahogany.
Gradus Accessories
www.gradusworld.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 309

Hygienic lino
Linoleum manufacturer Forbo is set to launch a product called Marmoleum global 2, said to be ideal for healthcare environments. The company says that a coating combined with linoleum’s natural antibacterial properties makes it ideal for hospitals and clinics. The coating is a water-based two-layer finish and its hard-wearing smooth surface is claimed to considerably reduce the need for cleaning and maintenance. Marmoleum global 2 is available in six different decorative effects in a total of 114 shades. The tile variant, called Dual, is available in two sizes, 333 × 333 mm and 500 × 500 mm.
Forbo
www.forbo-flooring.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 310

Online reader enquiry service
For further information on any of these products, log on to www.building.co.uk or fill in the first-class postage reader enquiry card inside the back cover.

Movers and makers

  • Warm water underfloor heating specialist Nu-Heat is to open a 1860 m2 distribution warehouse at its base in Honiton, Devon. It will also convert its existing warehouse into offices to accommodate its growing sales and design team. The company said this was the first part of its strategy to meet its expansion plans.

  • Carpet manufacturer Burmatex has commissioned a plant capable of recycling carpet waste. It said it had spent three years researching various recycling technologies and had devised a four-stage recycling process called Ethos.

  • International flooring company Tarkett has purchased UK-based Marley Floors. The new company will be called Tarkett-Marley Floors and will manufacture and operate from Marley’s current premises in Kent. Tarkett said the move provided it with a much-needed UK sales and distribution base and a platform for its future growth strategy. Both companies make commercial vinyl flooring and will continue to market under existing brand names.

  • The Precast Flooring Federation has published a data sheet offering guidance on meeting the new requirements of Part A of the Building Regulations, which came into force in December 2004. The requirement, to ensure a building does not suffer collapse disproportionate to its cause, has been extended to include buildings of five storeys or fewer. The guidance splits structures into categories according to risk and the consequences of an accidental failure. Specific guidance on meeting the requirement using horizontal and vertical ties, as well as other measures, is offered for each category. The publication includes typical details for both hollow-core and beam-and-block flooring.

  • Boise Building Products has announced that sound tests have demonstrated its BCI Joists offer full compliance with Part E of the Building Regulations.

The company said that this meant insulating quilts were not needed for compliance. The test was done using Boise’s 241 mm deep joists at 400 mm centres covered with 22 mm thick chipboard flooring and 15 mm thick plasterboard with a 1 mm skim finish. This represents typical intermediate domestic floor construction. A sound-resistance rating of 40 dB was achieved.

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