Technical advice
Wood flooring: getting it right
The development in wood as a choice for both commercial and domestic flooring has grown significantly over my time in the industry. Many years ago, the options for a wood floor were pretty much either a wood block herringbone or basketweave design, or a finger parquet pattern. Both these systems are still available today and,...
Read moreHow heat and humidity impact you and your products
I’m writing this fully confident summer is on its way, so I’d like to briefly discuss what the impact of hot and sometimes humid conditions can mean to flooring contractors and also to flooring products themselves. The first thing I’d like to point out is that product storage can make a massive impact on performance....
Read moreUnderstanding your commitment when installing timber flooring
One of the massive personal benefits I gain from working with the Contract Flooring Association (CFA) is the sharing of knowledge and understanding. However much I may think I know in the world of flooring, there is always more to learn and understand.
Read moreChanging the climate
Product manufacturers such as Bostik stand or fall by the quality and performance of the products they supply. Flooring contractors meanwhile stand by the quality and to some degree the longevity of their installation. This is what professional flooring is all about. It’s what stands us apart from the ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ companies looking...
Read moreNot all vinyl is the same
If a successful, long lasting installation of new vinyl flooring is going to be achieved it is important that you have accurate product information, have considered the area in which it is being applied and, finally, it’s crucial that you ensure the correct adhesive selection is made. A key component of vinyl products (or PVC...
Read moreHigh temperatures and their impact on flooring
Although the flooring industry is a very well established one, it does move with the times. For example, over the last decade we have seen an upsurge in the use of underfloor heating (UFH) systems with all the inherent benefits they bring. UFH in itself is not particularly problematic for flooring installations, but there are...
Read moreYou’ve got to roll with it
The bonding of cap and coving and skirting profiles has traditionally been achieved using contact adhesives. Indeed, most experienced contractors will reference the unmistakeable smell from solvented contact adhesives as one of their abiding memories when coming up through the ranks. This remained the case for many years because, the truth is, contact adhesives worked...
Read moreOn the tiles
When it comes to installing flooring and tiles, there are some very specific and often significant differences to be aware of. To me the most obvious difference is that tiles themselves are strong, solid materials so anything they are bonded to must also be very strong and well braced, or must have a high degree...
Read moreUnderstanding drying times for levelling compounds
When considering flooring installations, levelling compounds play a pivotal role in preparing the surface ready for floorcoverings. Understanding the factors that influence drying and curing times can therefore help to reduce downtime on site, maximise productivity and ensure projects are completed to a high standard within the required timescales. Here I’ll discuss some of the...
Read moreWhy it’s essential to prepare floors properly when a surface DPM is specified
It is regularly quoted, accurately, that moisture is the main cause of floor failures, and as a consequence, specifications offered by manufacturers will often incorporate the use of a surface damp-proof membrane (DPM). These have been designed over the decades to combat the rapid release of moisture from a subfloor and therefore protect adhesives, smoothing...
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