"dividing strips for in situ flooring"

REQUIREMENT: A robust step system with handrails to aid a visually impaired tenant in accessing their garden.The council owns the property; therefore, the specifier required a product that can easily be removed in the future and leave little to no impact on the building.Our system was ideal because safety features, including yellow tread strips, could be fixed along each step nosing, and a rubber crumb cover could be laid over the surfaces to prevent the tenant from slipping.The product is also easily removable and only requires minimal bolting.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: CAD and technical drawings were designed by our specialist designer in-house.END RESULT: A step system with three risers and a platform was installed in less than a day. The steps fully comply with Part M and K of Building Regulations for dwellings. All council properties must adhere to these guidelines. FEATURES INCLUDED:Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends to prevent clothes catching.Mesh Platform - the self-draining mesh allows water to pass through rather than collect on the surface.Standard Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have support to hold onto.Standard Colour Black – Systems are powder coated black to create a durable finish that is tougher than conventional paint.Telescopic Legs - Legs can be adjusted to accommodate different threshold heights.EXTRA FEATURES INCLUDED:Yellow Tread - this is a safety feature designed to help those with impaired vision identify the nose of the ramp. Additionally, it helps users distinguish any level changes.Safetread Rubber Surface - This is a soft, slip-resistant surface that reduces the impact of falls. The product is made from the same materials used in soft play areas and is ideal for nurseries, schools, and public facilities. It is available in a range of colours and will continue to perform in all weather conditions.

Gripsure decking has been used on an office roof terrace in the heart of the City of London’s financial district. Workers in the tall building in Fenchurch Street, home to many corporate offices and company headquarters, can now take time out on a stylish, non-slip decking area.Gripsure supplied 586 of the MOSO® Bamboo X-treme with black Gripsure non-slip inserts and a smooth finish for the project, completed last year. The private roof terrace serves as a ‘breakout area’ for office staff to relax, meet and entertain in an outdoor setting, which has fantastic views over the Thames.The existing timber deck had come to the end of its service life and risks of slips and falls had meant that the terrace area had to be closed. Contractors MJ Ferguson stripped away the old boards and installed 150m sq of MOSO® Bamboo X-treme with Gripsure decking. These sustainable, durable boards are Euroclass B fire rated, providing further peace of mind.Company staff have already been making the most of their new safe, contemporary-looking rooftop terrace, which can be used in all weather conditions.Gripsure have been supplying bamboo decking to the UK market for the past four years as a sustainable alternative to composite and tropical hardwood products. There are thousands of species of bamboo and our decking is made from a giant species, called Moso. This bamboo is a woody perennial, so has more characteristics in common with a timber, rather than a grass. Like grass, however, Moso grows rapidly – up to a metre a day in the height of the season. There has also been a carbon study, which shows that the product is a net carbon sink over its lifespan, even taking into consideration transportation and manufacturing.

The Proteus Waterproofing roof survey carried out found the existing flat roof system to be saturated. The existing roof build-up needed to be stripped back to the roof deck, with the main challenge of the roof refurbishment being the low up-stand heights available to the penthouses.The project required a flat roof system manufacturer involved at the initial roof survey and specification design stage, followed by the manufacturers technical back-up to assist with unforeseen and unexpected situations to ensure a successful installation of the new roof systems.High Performance WaterproofingThe terrace roofs above hated spaces demanded a waterproofing system with BBA certification. The fully bonded and seamless Pro- System® Plus was selected for its high performance and low odour, in conjunction with Proteus Pro-Therm Insulation to improve the roofs thermal performance and reduce the existing condensation risk.The flat roofs that were not above heated spaces required Proteus Pro-System® Plus low odour, seamless waterproofing overlay. Proteus Waterproofing worked closely with the Client and the Proteus Approved Contractor, which also acted as the Main Contractor, to ensure the installation complied with the specification design.Health & SafetySafety on construction sites is always of the utmost importance, as well as keeping disruptions to other trades to a minimum. Proteus Pro-System® Plus was selected for its high performance, low odour, phased cold installation and seamless waterproofing.Long Term Performance​Proteus Pro-System® Plus creates an elastomeric, seamless, cold applied waterproofing membrane. The Proteus Pro-System® Plus system can include warm roof insulation. The membrane does not become brittle with age, is BBA Certified with a durability statement of at least 30 years.

PROJECTSecondary school in Grüze 5, Dübendorf [CH]COMPLETIONOctober 2023ARCHITECTStutz Bolt Partner Architekten AGPRODUCTSTANGENTA Y100 luminaireLight distribution: 2 x 60°; light colour: 4000 K; DALI dimmable; CRI > 80; LED: 3 x 34.5 W; dimensions [L x W x H]: 1,550 x 100 x 100 mm [72 units].S7 RHOMBOS TAIFUN expanded metal ceiling system1.5 mm thickness of black sheet; mesh size: 44 x 12 x 3 x 1.5 mm; dimensions: 980 x 790 mm and 1,650 x 680 mm; powder-coated in RAL 9016 matt [576 units] The new extension to the school building at Dübendorf-Schwerzenbach blends seamlessly into the existing complex and, with a lightness of design touch and its versatile range of usage options, it takes a big step towards modern school infrastructure. This building has been designed to enable it to be adapted to suit changing requirements in future. The school building is constructed on a double gym facility, two thirds of which are recessed below ground level, receiving natural daylight through a strip of windows at the top of its walls. When needed, the TANGENTA-Y100 luminaires supplied by durlum can be switched on. These deliver high lighting intensity combined with superlative lighting efficiency. These luminaires are discretely integrated in the S7 RHOMBOS TAIFUN expanded metal ceiling system with tested ball impact resistance to fulfil the special requirements of sports hall. Combined with its small mesh size, the white, powder-coated ceiling imbues an aesthetic appeal to this hall, which is also used by the general public. All entirely in sympathy with the architectural vision.

The sound effectAt the same time, it provides effective sound dampening with an impressive acoustic class of ‘A’ to create a harmonious environment wherever it is specified. Feltfon Linear’s appearance is akin to wool, it has a strong textural appeal and represents a further exploration of material innovation.Based on a linear design and so in keeping with Gustafs well-known design language, this iteration of Feltfon can be specified with strips of wood in between the felt ribs, creating an appealing nature-inspired surface solution.Although this solution can be customised for each project, it is a uniquely designed ready-to-use system. Unlike most felt installations, Feltfon Linear uses the standard Capax Quick-Up installation system for walls and ceilings. Fully demountableThis system is sturdy for use in high traffic environments, it has the benefit of being able to grip multiple rib widths and it is also fully demountable during or at the end of its useful life. The range has a thickness of 9mm: comparable products do not usually have such generous proportions. This means it is suitable for high-traffic commercial application, for example, in school environments and other public spaces. Gustafs Acoustex material has a fire rating of B-s1,d0, in line with Gustafs continuing commitment to the fire safety of its products.Sustainable and flexible choiceFlexible in its design, the Feltfon Linear ribs can be chosen from a mix of three wool shades of grey, with many widths and depths to choose from as well. It is a sustainable choice too, with this next generation textile composed from a minimum of 50% post-consumer recycled material.Feltfon Linear pushes the boundaries of what is expected of a felt product system creating an attractive practical solution with infinite possibilities.Feltfon LinearFeltfon Wall installationFeltfon Ceiling installation

Dual finish wooden windows and doors were used in the renovation of this delightful 1900’s Arts and Crafts style property. The family chose from the Lomax + Wood made-to-order range of timber flush casements and doors.42 Double glazed fully weather-stripped flush casement windows, French doors and entrance doors.Dual colour factory finished paint colour. White internally and Squirrel grey externally.Engineered timber for stability and durability.Espagnolette locking for security.Faceted bay windows.Polished chrome ironmongery.Creating your dream home is not always easy and finding the right plot and location is half the battle. So when the proud owners of this beautifully renovated 1900’s Arts and Crafts style property found it, they recognised the potential. They have taken a period property and renovated it to exacting standards to create a stunning family home with luxury features to maximise their use of it all year round.Lomax + wood timber window and doors were in keeping with the required Arts and Crafts style, while also providing thermal, acoustic and security performance. This country residence is an excellent example of the highest quality craftsmanship. The materials used on the property such as the green oak, clay tiles and bricks reflect the local traditions and are in keeping with the local architecture.This stunning property boasts a feast of traditionally styled timber windows and doors. An excellent use of projecting bays helps to add space and light to the rooms. Dormer Windows with traditional patterned tile hung gables adding arts and crafts character. Juliet balconies help maximise the green views from the master bedroom. The perfect choice of colour allows these windows to blend in with the external traditional materials on this property, while the white interior prevents the rooms from appearing too dark.

Container City is an outstanding example of upcycling architecture in the London Docklands. The buildings are constructed from old shipping containers that have been refurbished and then fixed and welded together, creating an innovative modular building solution that houses offices.The roofs had been waterproofed with an EPDM membrane as part of an inverted roof design, however due to failings within the roof coverings leaks were occurring.It was also felt that the inverted roof insulation was unable to provide satisfactory thermal performance, leading to excessive fuel bills during winter. The architect responsible for finding a solution used Polyroof’s Solution Finder Tool to quickly find a recommendation for improving the thermal properties whilst providing long-term waterproof protection. Equipped with the key information needed, the architect specified the Protec Warm Roof System for the roof refurbishment works.Polyroof Technical Services carried out a full technical survey of the existing roof to identify all existing issues and provide a full set of recommendations. One of the key drivers for the refurbishment was the ability to easily access the roof membrane to carry out regular cleaning and maintenance works, so the specification included for converting the roofs from an inverted roof to a warm roof design.Polyroof Approved Contractor A R Roofing Ltd began by stripping away the old inverted roof components and the failed EPDM membrane to expose the metal roofs of the containers below. A self-adhesive vapour barrier was then laid onto the metal decks and Polyroof RES Insulation (T&G) was bonded on top using PU adhesive. Lastly, the Protec system was laid direct to the insulation boads to create a seamless, smooth and long-lasting finish that came with a 20 year insurance backed guarantee. This striking piece of upcycled architecture now has a roofing solution to match the innovation behind its creation.

By their very nature of being large, open spaces with many hard surfaces, ambient noise levels in bars and restaurants tends to be high. This inevitably leads to customers talking louder to be heard and so begins a perpetual cycle of increased noise levels as everyone starts to have increasingly louder conversations. This, coupled with noise from music, kitchen machinery and HVAC services, can easily ruin the experience.To help combat the problems of reverberating sound, designers frequently specify acoustic ceilings to help to strike a balance between a lively and welcoming environment and an experience where the space is uncomfortably loud. This is important because customers’ comfort and a willingness to spend time and money is decreased in a noisy environment.A good example of this is the Chamberlain Hotel in London where sustainable and ethical designers Sibley Grove have used Troldtekt acoustic panels to counterpoint the reverberating noise reflecting from the stripped-back architecture with its exposed structural columns, ductwork and concrete surfaces. Troldtekt acoustic panels are a perfect solution for this type of venue either as part of a suspended ceiling or individual ‘acoustic clouds’. They are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and combine sound absorption with a tactile surface. With an expected life cycle of at least 50 years and resistance to humidity and impact, they are available in various sizes and four grades, from extreme fine to coarse. The panels can be left untreated or painted in almost any RAL colour. Depending on the panel specified, reaction to fire is classed in accordance with EN 13501 as B-s1,d0 or A2-s1,d0 respectively.Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept and having attained Gold certification, Troldtekt wood wool acoustic panels are manufactured using wood from certified forests (PEFC™ and FSC®C115450) and can contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB or LEED points.

The Sonixx Soundsure 400 high performance acoustic underlay was selected for use below a 1/2" engineered wood floor, as part of a flooring refurbishment project in an office building.The installers had nothing but positive feedback on how quick and easy the underlay was to work with. The underlay facilitated a simple, clean and cost-effective installation.Comments in praise of the installation include: 'With the SS400 under, it feels way nicer than most wood floors I walk on' and the owner of the building said, 'We are loving the floor.... everyone comments on the floor when they walk in.'In addition, the underlay provides high quality comfort, stability and performance.The SS400 was loose laid to the subfloor with the 1/2" engineered wood flooring floated above. The tongue and groove joints were bonded using a PVA adhesive.Features of Soundsure 400:Environmentally Friendly - manufactured using recycled rubber crumb.Durable - provides long-lasting performance and will not deteriorate or collapse over time.High Performing - ideally suited for use with wood flooring and laminates, providing excellent impact performance in excess of the UK building regulations.Hygenic - naturally anti-microbial, anti-allergy and resistant to decay with low VOCs.Benefits of Soundsure 400:Exceeds the performance standards required in the Building Regulations for sound insulation.Suitable for use with underfloor heating systems.Manufactured using recycled rubber materials and fully recyclable.Recycled rubber crumb ensure long-lasting acoustic performance.Cushioned underlay to provide underfoot comfort.Will not deteriorate or collapse over time.Reduces subfloor preparation times as screed and smoothing compounds are not required.Green Label Plus accredited for indoor air quality and low VOC emissions.

Project detailsAfter 30 years of manufacturing, a tumbler room floor at Alinabal Inc.’s facility had begun to seriously deteriorate. The company uses a heavy duty soap to wash and deburr steel parts in their industrial tumblers, then pours the liquid out onto the flooring beneath and rinses it into a trough.Over time, harsh chemicals in the soap began to eat away at the floor. Even to the point that they had begun to expose the aggregate in the concrete! Worried about continued water leakage as well as further contamination to the floor, Alinabal Inc. began to look for a solution.Alinabal Inc. knew that this project would require a unique product, as they were looking for something that would achieve minimal downtime during the repair. They were also in need of a product that would be able to withstand wet conditions regularly, since this area was still to be used for washing and deburring steel parts in the future.In addition to these qualities, Alinabal Inc. wished to use a self-levelling product with minimal floor prep. Having used our products in the past, Alinabal Inc. again turned to our expert sales team for suggestions.Our solutionAlinabal Inc. asked our technical advisors what the best product for the job was. They were recommended and used Flowtop®.Flowtop® is ready for foot traffic in 6 hours. In this case, it drastically cut the downtime during repairs with its quick curing properties, and because it is 3 times stronger than standard concrete, it is also able to withstand the rinsing process that the floor would be subject to post repair.The self-levelling characteristics of Flowtop® were just what Alinabal Inc. was looking for, and as a bonus, it created a slip resistant finish for enhanced employee safety!Through the use of Flowtop®, Alinabal, Inc. was able to obtain a newly finished floor, and return to daily operations in a timely fashion. Employees could again efficiently squeegee water into the disposal trough, and the floor itself was no longer in danger of contamination from

CRT Flooring Specialists Ltd have used UltraFloor’s latest product innovation, Level IT Hydra Bond, to install 800sqm of vinyl flooring at Warrington’s £4.3 million Emergency Department extension.BackgroundLeading infrastructure and building specialists, Tilbury Douglas, have been appointed by Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to complete the £4.3 million Warrington Emergency Department extension.The much-needed investment will increase capacity, improve patient care and modernise facilities.The ChallengeHigh performance products that would work quickly and withstand the constant and heavy trafficking of hospital staff, patients and medical equipment were critical to the success of this project.The SolutionFollowing a bespoke site specification completed by UltraFloor’s Technical Training and Site Support Manager, Martin Pouncey, CFA members and expert flooring contractors, CRT Flooring Specialists Ltd, used DPM IT, Prime IT Multi-surface Primer and Level IT Hydra Bond to complete the 800sqm installation.DPM IT is a two component, solvent free epoxy resin system for use as a surface damp proof membrane. Designed to provide protection against subfloor moisture, DPM IT has a pot life of 45 – 75 minutes, a cure time of 5 hours and boasts a 98% RH floor moisture tolerance.Formulated to promote adhesion to all UltraFloor smoothing underlayments, Prime IT Multi-surface Primer reduces pinholing, minimising the risk of costly failures. With a coverage rate of 200m² at 3:1 dilution, Prime IT multi-surface Primer is a must-have product for all flooring installation projects.Once fully dried, UltraFloor Level IT Hydra Bond was applied across the 800sqm area. Level IT Hydra Bond is a ground-breaking, water based floor leveller that can be applied to bitumen and adhesive residues without the need to prime.Level IT Hydra Bond is a super polymer modified smoothing compound which utilises UltraFloor’s unique technology – a process which enhances application and boasts unrivalled flow properties. What’s more, each bag of Level IT Hydra Bond also contains 20% recycled material.In addition, Level IT Hydra Bond can receive bonded floor coverings after 4 hours, has an extended working time of 45 minutes for optimal usability, and is moisture tolerant and protein free.ResultsOn the performance of UltraFloor Level IT Hydra Bond, Richard Martin, Office Manager at CRT Flooring Specialists Ltd, commented: “It’s fantastic. Flows really well.”The vinyl flooring installation was completed on time and the remaining extension work is continuing as scheduled.

Winchester Council has opened a new multi-functional sport and leisure centre to cater to activity needs of the local population. Designed as a highly sustainable building, Winchester Sport and Leisure Park is one the UK’s greenest leisure centres, achieving a BREEAM rating of excellent. The new sport and leisure park by LA Architects provides state-of-the-art facilities for the community, including a 50m eight-lane swimming pool, a 20x10m teaching pool, a large fitness suite, two exercise studios, a spin studio, an eight-court multi-use sports hall, four squash courts, a café, and a climbing area. The large sports hall and squash courts have been fitted with Junckers solid wood sports flooring systems, offering a safe, high-performing, and long-lasting floor which fully complies with EN 14904 class A4. Junckers’ approved flooring contractor Courtcraft Ltd installed Junckers 22x129mm solid Maple flooring in the sports hall over the New Era UnoBAT undercarriage system; as well as SylvaSquash Beech Champion in the four squash courts. Junckers flooring is a product with a long-standing history of caring for the environment, an important consideration for the architect in the specification process. Said Mike Lawless of LA Architects: ‘When designing to change the face of sports and leisure facilities in the UK and create a place of quality everything matters. Every detail, material, and every specification matters. It is enormously important to consider quality in every part of the building; to seek out manufacturers who can work with us to deliv- er the quality and creativity that the UK sports and leisure industry must strive for.” Junckers’ floors hold independently verified sustainability accreditations to verify its environmental credentials, including EPDs, FSC®, PEFCTM, the Danish Indoor Climate Label, and an A+ BREEAM rating. Junckers’ sports floors are made in solid hardwood, one of the most durable surfaces available and virtually unbeatable in terms of life cycle costs. The floor has a very long lifespan and can be sanded and re-finished eight to ten times during its life. With 12-year intervals between sandings, a typical lifespan of 60 years will comfortably be exceeded. And, at the end of its long life, a Junckers floor can often be re-used or re-purposed or it will degrade naturally without adding to landfill sites. All Junckers sports floors meet the design guidance provided by Sport England and SportScotland. 

Sustainability is key for this company. So when an area within their prestigious London office needed to be refurbished, both the architect and client specified adhesive-free flooring.IOBAC MagTabs were used to install ShawContract carpet tiles onto raised metal access flooring.

UltraFloor are delighted to have supplied subfloor preparation materials to Specialist Screed (Flooring) Solutions Ltd. to complete a 180sqm project at leading family attraction, Hobbledown Farm.BackgroundHobbledown Farm is home to a huge variety of family attractions including animal experiences, indoor play area, Raptor Centre as well as a world of adventure in the Imaginarium. Part reptile house, part water play and part interactive jungle, the Imaginarium is an extremely popular attraction at Hobbledown which welcomes thousands a visitors a year.The ChallengeHobbledown Farm is open 7 days a week and therefore the 180sqm refurbishment project needed to be completed on time and without delay. What’s more, the interactive floor needed to have a perfectly flat finish so not to pose any trip hazards for the children playing in the barn.The SolutionWith a long and established relationship working with UltraFloor, the team at Specialist Screed (Flooring) Solutions Ltd knew that UltraFloor’s subfloor preparation materials would be perfect this exciting project.To begin, Specialist Screed (Flooring) Solutions Ltd applied UltraFloor DPM IT damp proof membrane to the clean, contaminant free subfloor and left it to dry for 2 days. Once dry, the team returned to apply a neat coat of UltraFloor Prime IT Multi-surface Primer before applying Level IT Renovate at a depth of 5mm.Level IT Renovate dried within 3.5 hours giving a solid, strong subfloor to lay the finished floor covering – Altro Operetta low glare for the interactive areas and Forbo Sure Step Laguna for the remaining areas.Formulated to promote adhesion to all UltraFloor smoothing underlayments, Prime IT Multi-surface Primer reduces pinholing, minimising the risk of costly failures. With a coverage rate of 200sqm at 3:1 dilution, Prime IT Multi-surface Primer is a must-have product for all flooring installation projects.Developed for the renovation of existing floors, Level IT Renovate is fibre reinforced for added strength and to minimise the risk of hairline cracks – reducing a common cause of failure.Suitable for deep applications from 3-40mm, Level IT Renovate is multi-purpose for extensive use and boasts excellent flow properties, making this flexible and versatile floor leveller ideal for a wide range of flooring substrates.What’s more, Level IT Renovate can also be used externally, as a light wearing surface, can be walked on in as little as 2 – 2.5 hours and can receive floor coverings in just 4 hours.Results“The materials used were all perfect for the job needed. Delivery was met by our chosen distributor and all fitted within the time frame required. UltraFloor is always my first choice of subfloor prep materials. I always get the best advice and guidance from the team at Instarmac.” Steve Fincham, Head of Specialist Projects at Specialist Screed (Flooring) Solutions Ltd.

Contract flooring specialists, C & C Flooring (Midlands) Ltd, have used UltraFloor’s expert subfloor preparation materials to install LVT flooring at Alver Valley Garden Centre in Portsmouth.BackgroundYour Local Garden Centre have recently opened a new store in Alver Valley, Hampshire. With a reputation of supporting local suppliers, fantastic products and delicious food, it was imperative that the brand new Alver Valley Garden Centre lived up to the high design expectations these centres are known for.The ChallengeThe power floated concrete substrate was installed in December with a view for the garden centre to open in April 2022 – an extremely short time frame for the 4,500sqm job. The project also took place during the winter months and therefore the cold temperatures also needed to be considered if the project was to be completed on time.The SolutionWith over 15 years experience in the flooring sector, C & C Flooring (Midlands) Ltd knew that UltraFloor’s expert subfloor preparation materials would be up to the challenge.After waiting 28 days for the new cement substrate to fully cure, the team at C & C Flooring (Midlands) Ltd diamond ground the floor to expose the aggregate. UltraFloor Area Sales Manager, Mark Berry, tested each area prior to applying DPM IT to ensure the moisture content was less than 98% RH.Once achieved, DPM IT was applied and allowed to cure for 12 hours. DPM IT is a two component, solvent free epoxy resin system for use as a surface damp proof membrane. Designed to provide protection against subfloor moisture, DPM IT has a pot life of 45 – 75 minutes, a cure time of 5 hours and boasts a 98% RH floor moisture tolerance.Once cured, UltraFloor Prime IT Multi-surface Primer was applied in preparation for the application of Level IT Smooth.Formulated to promote adhesion to all UltraFloor smoothing underlayments, Prime IT Multi-surface Primer reduces pinholing, minimising the risk of costly failures. With a coverage rate of 200m² at 3:1 dilution, Prime IT multi-surface Primer is a must-have product for all flooring installation projects.Pump or trowel applied from 2mm to 30mm, Level IT Smooth has an extremely smooth finish, essential for installing LVT, and boasts a superior flow – perfect for larger flooring projects.With a coverage rate of approximately 5.5sqm at 3mm, Level IT Smooth is suitable for underfloor heating systems, has a working time of 20-30 minutes and can receive foot traffic after just 2-3 hours – allowing you to move on to the next part of your project quickly.The superior performance of Level IT Smooth is just one reason why this much-loved smoothing underlayment is being used on a daily basis up and down the country.Once dry, Karndean LVT was then installed across the garden centre.ResultsDue to the enormity of the project, the flooring was completed in three sections, 1,500sqm at a time. The project began in January and was completed by the end of February 2022 in plenty of time for the opening of the fantastic new garden centre.“DPM IT performed as expected and dried in very good time and was easy to work with. Level IT Smooth flowed exceptionally well and was perfect for such a large job.” Andrew Williams, Director at C & C Flooring (Midlands) Ltd.

A new sports and leisure complex designed by FaluknerBrowns Architects has set a new environmental standard in ultra-low energy consumption. With an operational energy consumption of less than 100 kWh/m2/y, Ravelin Sports Centre uses only one- tenth of the energy demand of an equivalent sports centre. This is a landmark project which Junckers is proud to have participated in, a unique collaboration between architects, manufacturers, the client and BREEAM. The new building is fossil fuel-free, rated BREEAM Outstanding with extensive use of natural and sustainable materials, natural lighting and ventilation, air source heat pumps and heat recovery, including a bio-solar roof which reduces demand from the national grid by over 20%. The centre includes a swimming pool, a fitness suite, multi-activity studios, an eight-court sports hall, squash courts, climbing and bouldering facilities, a ski simulator and teaching facilities. The large sports hall has been fitted with 1600m2 Junckers SylvaSport Premium solid beech flooring installed by Junckers’ Approved Contractor Hutchison Flooring. Well-known for its high quality, performance and user safety, Junckers’ sports flooring also meet the strict criteria for sustainability and longevity required for a building of this standard. Wood is naturally low in embodied carbon, a consideration which comes more into focus when operational carbon is reduced. Junckers’ solid wood floors are sourced from managed forests with chain of custody certification through FSC® and PEFCTM and the company holds product-specific EPDs for its flooring. “When the operational carbon in a building is lowered, selecting materials with low embodied carbon becomes increasingly important. Specifying Junckers sports flooring fulfilled many criteria – durability, longevity, recyclability, and flexibility of use, which had a positive impact on the BREEAM assessment.” Irina Korneychuk, Senior Associate at FaulknerBrowns Architects With a proven long lifespan, a solid wood floor also scores highly when comparing maintenance, refurbishment, and replacement cycles. A Junckers 22mm solid beech floor can be sanded and refinished eight to ten times without loss of performance, and with typical 12-year intervals between refurbishments, a design life of 60+ years is easily achieved. An important part of future-proofing new buildings is recognising how a large percentage of embodied carbon is emitted post-completion when finishes need to be refreshed and replaced. At the same interval when a Junckers floor can be sanded and refinished, other sports flooring surfaces normally have to be replaced. This can lead to excessive use of raw materials and energy, unnecessary carbon emissions and pressure on landfill sites, especially in relation to surfaces made from fossil fuel derived materials such as vinyl and PU floors. Flexibility is another key consideration when building for a long design life. Leisure trends come and go but a multi-use sports hall is a timeless component of any leisure centre. The ability to use the flooring surface with its sprung undercarriage system for a multitude of sports, dance, performances, and competitions is crucial. Junckers sports flooring is widely used globally for all ball and racquet sports, dance, ballet, yoga, and other exercise studio-based activities. It is even hard-wearing enough to accommodate wheelchair rugby and retractable seating systems. 

Long-standing UltraFloor customers, Specialist Flooring Group have used Level IT Two to install 800sqm of vinyl sheet flooring throughout Kingston Hospital.BackgroundIn August 2023, work began on a much-needed extension to Kingston Hospital in Surrey. The project included installing brand-new screeds, as well as working with the existing substrates in some areas.The ChallengeKingston Hospital is an extremely busy building, operating 24 hours a day. With that in mind, it was crucial that disruption was kept to a minimum and patients were kept as comfortable as possible during the renovations.Healthcare environments are in constant use and so choosing subfloor preparation materials that would provide a super smooth and hard-wearing finish was equally as important. With hospital staff moving beds, wheelchairs and equipment along the corridors, it was crucial that the floors were completely level and devoid of any lumps, bumps and trip hazards.The SolutionUltraFloor have a long and successful history of providing subfloor preparation products to the healthcare sector. They were delighted to once again partner with flooring experts, Specialist Flooring Group, to complete a 800sqm project at this very busy Surrey hospital.To begin, the screeding division of Specialist Flooring Group installed a 75mm K Screed to the new areas of the hospital. Once complete, they handed over to the flooring arm of the business who primed the entire area with UltraFloor Prime IT Multi-surface Primer.Formulated to promote the adhesion to all UltraFloor smoothing underlayments, Prime IT Multi-surface Primer reduces pinholing, minimising the risk of costly failures. With a coverage rate of 200sqm at 3:1 dilution, Prime IT Multi-surface Primer is a must-have product for all flooring installation projects.After Prime IT Multi-surface Primer had cured, Level IT Two was trowel applied to a depth of 3-5mm.There are many reasons why Level IT Two has become UltraFloor’s most popular floor leveller. Its exceptional flow characteristics make it a very easy material to apply to a variety of subfloors in both commercial and domestic flooring projects.Level IT Two is protein free, reducing the risk and spread of disease as the types of dangerous and contagious bacteria that thrive in protein are eliminated, and is low odour, providing a pleasant environment for both staff, contractors and recovering patients.With a set time of 2.5 hours, Level IT Two can receive bonded floor coverings after just 8 hours, making it an ideal choice for projects with a tight deadline. What’s more, because Level IT Two is available as a two component system, it takes the guesswork out of mixing, reducing site errors and guaranteeing a perfect application every time.Level IT Two created a beautifully smooth subfloor – the perfect preparation for the installation of the Polyflor Verona, Polyflor Palletone and Burmatex Osaka carpet tiles.ResultsOn working with UltraFloor, Riley Goatham, Project Coordinator at Specialist Flooring Group Ltd, commented: “We have a great continuing relationship with Instarmac. We use UltraFloor materials as they are of a great standard, and we receive amazing technical support from the UltraFloor team. This ranges from site visits to having specifications provided to us for certain projects.As always, the materials were great for this project. Level IT Two allowed us to use one levelling compound throughout, regardless of the substrate type, and provided us with a nice level floor to work with.”The project began in August 2023 and finished in October 2023.For further information about UltraFloor and how you can benefit from their expertise, please contact their team of flooring experts by emailing ultrafloor@instarmac.co.uk or calling 01827 254400.

Lanner Primary School is dedicated to promoting a caring ethos. The school is always looking for ways to make cost effective improvements for the safety and comfort of pupils and to enhance their learning and playing experiences. The school hall floor needed replacing, and had issues with sound reverberation and was an uncomfortable surface for students to sit on. Eden Flooring & Interiors suggested Altro Orchestra to increase comfort and improve acoustics . Specifying a comfort flooring option can improve the performance of space for children and those with hearing difficulties, and aid concentration, creating a more effective learning environment.

In a secluded corner of the Northern Highlands lies Skibo Castle, home to the Carnegie Club, an exclusive members club offering the best of Scottish hospitality & grandeur. Gratte Brothers designed and installed the new kitchen with Gavin McDonald Flooring. As part of the design, Gratte Brothers selected a range of Altro floors and walls to meet the exacting standards of the brief. Altro floors and walls are Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) approved meet all current European Union (EU) Directives on health and hygiene, making them particularly suitable for use in commercial kitchens.

In a secluded corner of the Northern Highlands lies Skibo Castle, home to the Carnegie Club, an exclusive members club offering the best of Scottish hospitality & grandeur. Gratte Brothers designed and installed the new kitchen with Gavin McDonald Flooring. As part of the design, Gratte Brothers selected a range of Altro floors and walls to meet the exacting standards of the brief. Altro floors and walls are Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) approved meet all current European Union (EU) Directives on health and hygiene, making them particularly suitable for use in commercial kitchens.

Bicester Village is a designer outlet centre situated on the outskirts of Bicester, a town in Oxfordshire. It opened in 1995 and has become hugely popular. Hugo Boss, the luxury fashion brand, selling clothing, accessories and footwear needed advice for their textured tiled floor in their new store opening at the designer outlet. The beautiful high texture tiled floor was calculated to be approximately 300m2. When considering such a large expanse of tile it is important to use movement joints. Hard flooring expands and contracts, a movement joint prevents the tiles and grout from cracking and deboning. 

When the Gatwick consortium began renovation on the South terminal of Gatwick Airport they needed to ensure that the new floors were protected against movement of the daily traffic that they endure. Genesis provided a solution; working with the architects and installation contractors a cost effective Stainless Steel Movement Joint was selected from the Genesis range. Renovations been part of an £850million investment to see the replacement of floors and ceilings and enhance the experience travellers receive; Genesis movement Joint meets and exceeds all standards of Movement Joints and will save the floors from cracking long into the future.

The UK’s first Palm Restaurant opened in Belgravia, London. Specialists in interior refurbishment, Fileturn Contractors fitted 5 of Howe Green’s 5000 Series floor access covers and one of its Visedge covers. The covers were selected to provide easy access to essential building services including plumbing and electrics. The 5000 Series covers were used in the restaurant’s signature hardwood floor of the lower level private dining area while the Visedge was perfect for the flexible flooring in the basement. Excelling in cleanliness, hygiene and durability, the covers are perfect for commercial applications.

The Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford underwent a £61 million renovation scheme to meet the needs of modern institutions. BAM Construction specified a number of Howe Green’s 7500 Series Medium Floor Access Covers to provide high performance and discrete access to data cabling concealed beneath flooring in the museum. Installed in internal areas, the covers are capable of tolerating heavy pedestrian traffic and were designed to be infilled with a floor finish to match the surrounding area. The covers were manufactured in stainless steel to resist rust and corrosion and double sealed for optimal hygiene.

Refurbishment of a historic building to form an office complex for Derby City Council. The existing floor was in poor repair and degraded and the architects had restrictions on floor build up. With time being of the essence the main contractor needed a material which could be installed quickly and safely. Gyvlon XTR was chosen for its increased strength, due to the commercial applications (C35/F7). XTR can be laid at 40mm reducing the floor section compared to sand cement screed. 40mm XTR Gyvlon screed resolved all the issues and 11,000m2 was successfully installed to the delight of the main contractor.

Hamilton Gallery’s international reputation, required Lazenby’s master craftsmanship, to maintain exacting standards. Over 150m² was installed quickly and efficiently, so that the Gallery remained closed for the shortest period possible.The deceptively simple interior design, features a 100mm Lazenby polished concrete floor throughout. The C35 mix was pumped into the period building, in one day, with concrete lorries arriving at pre-arranged times. Logistics are carefully managed, to avoid delays in the pour and avoid multiple lorries having to park in busy London streets.The floor was installed over 20 years ago and is still there today. However, it now features a lightly exposed aggregate finish, as it was accidentally painted and Lazenby were asked to bring the floor back to its albeit, slightly altered former glory.The floor now features a 'Salt & Pepper' finish with a slight fleck of aggregate showing.

The Old Sorting Office is a development comprising of 83 one and two bedroom studio apartments located in the heart of Bournemouth. Spanning over six floors, with two retail units on the ground floor, this scheme fills the gap between the surrounding buildings and repairs the grain of development on Albert Road. Design using a Traditional, Contemporary style, this development is in close proximity to an array of various local restaurants, pubs and shops.Cellecta’s ScreedBoard 28 was specified by ARC Architecture due to the high sound reduction performance and low floor levels. As it’s suitable for all floor types, it is frequently viewed as the solution of choice for new build and refurbishment developments. Its interlocking edges for installation convenience, high density, and unique resilient layer provides unrivalled acoustic performance.Herbert H Drew was supplied 2,800m² of Cellecta products for this development in Bournemouth.

Sandy Park is a four-star Courtyard by Marriott Hotel. At nine-storeys, the L-shaped hotel will feature leisure facilities on the ground floor and a restaurant on the top floor. The development comprised of the demolition of a bungalow to construct a 250 bedroom hotel, which has access to the existing Sandy Park rugby club stadium complex via a footbridge. The new hotel site is situated alongside the M5 to the south of the main stadium car park adjacent to Old Rydon Lane.Cellecta’s HiDECK Overlay 18 was specified by Sigmat in this project as the overlay flooring solution. It’s ideal for flooring applications incorporating an underflooring heating system due to its high thermal conductivity which provides rapid reaction times, saving on running costs. In addition, its high density makes it perfect for a variety of acoustic applications.DNA Integrated Construction was awarded this 24,000m² contract to construct this development in Exeter.

The Lennox Building is a new office space located in the heart of the business district that features a premium and high-quality Whiteriver Floor called Oak Giovanni, from the Renaissance XL collection. This flooring solution has transformed the Lennox Building into an iconic office space, reflecting the latest trends in contemporary design while offering unparalleled durability, versatility, and style.Oak Giovanni flooring from the Renaissance XL collection boasts a rich, natural look that exudes warmth and sophistication. The Lennox Building's designers were drawn to Oak Giovanni's exceptional quality and aesthetic appeal, recognizing it as the perfect fit for their vision of a stylish, yet functional office space. The Whiteriver Floor's Oak Giovanni has become a hallmark of the Lennox Building's signature style, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking to enhance their brand image and create a lasting impression.

Appointed Simple Simon Design and Bath Contract Flooring Ltd to undertake its latest refit project in the heart of Bristol’s bustling Harbourside. With the floor design being an integral part of the concept, it’s no surprise it’s being talked about as much as Aqua’s modern Anglo-Italian cuisine.

The Bvlgari Hotel, in the heart of Knightsbridge provides six floors of deluxe hotel suites and four floors of private apartments.Albion Stone were approached by sub-contractor Grants, in order to supply the stone for the project, as specified by concept and design architects Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel and Partners.

These railings were used on a roof terrace and lower floor balcony area. On the roof section the standard root fixed version was used, and a bespoke side mounted version manufactured for the lower floor balcony. These posts were cast in ductile SG iron to that they met and surpassed all loading requirements.

Canterbury Archaeological Trust chose a Hand Loaded MezzLight to safely and efficiently move archive boxes between floors in their new premises. The lift was designed and installed by Penny Hydraulics to avoid the need to manually move items the boxes between floors, speeding up the process and reducing the risk of injury.

Job: New Lidl Store, BlythSmet Supported Partner: Plunkett Tiling ContractorsSMET Product Used: Sopro RS 648 Vibration SlurryRelated DownloadsTDS Sopro RS 648 Vibration SlurrySmet Professional Tiling Systems BrochureDescriptionSopro RS 648 Vibration Slurry was selected for the LIDL tiling system method of vibro-compaction fixing of porcelain floor tiles, in the Blyth LIDL. Smet Supported Partner, Plunkett Tiling Contractors, selected the superior quality German-made, RS 648 Vibration Slurry, for its flexibility as a bonding slurry for the installation of stone and ceramic coverings, making it ideal for use in vibrated floor systems (or indeed conventional methods).In preparing the floor to LIDL spec, the floor screed is placed, struck off to required levels, and pre-compacted using a straight edge. The bonding layer, namely Sopro RS 648 vibration slurry is applied to prepared and pre-compacted floor screed and ceramic tiles are immediately placed with tightly butted joints to LIDL spec.After installation of a vibratable area (10 – 20 m², depending on situation/ambient conditions and resultant setting behaviour of floor screed), a surface vibrator is passed over floor covering and tiles vibrated into adhesive bed. When sufficiently set, hardened and bonded joints are grouted*.Sopro RS 648 Vibration Slurry is a one-component, fibre-reinforced, polymer-modified, trass-bearing, cementitious bonding and contact slurry. Applied as flexible bonding slurry for installation of stone and ceramic coverings using vibrated floor system or conventional methods. It’s ideal for slurry application technique. Sopro RS 648 is particularly suitable for laying tiles with low water absorption (fully vitrified stoneware). For laying large-format units (30 cm × 60 cm) using vibrated floor system. Also, it can be used as slurry-applied bonding layer on substrates and on bedding adhesive.The product's special properties and SMETs superior technical backup, are key factors in choosing Sopro RS 648 Vibration Slurry. Smet Building Products Ltd is committed to delivering high-quality products to the construction of LIDL stores.For more info on our range of SMET Professional Tiling Products.*We always recommend grouting with Sopro FL 526 Flexible Tile grout in the required colour.

Restoration was carried out on office building The Garment Factory combining the original building’s key features with contemporary finishes. Because this is a big office building with many tenants, foot traffic was likely to be a common occurrence in the main entrance. To support interior floor surfaces, CS provided the stylish and efficient Pedimat Ultra entrance matting, along with Platinum Exterior Grade Carpet Inserts and Pedimat Ultra Rails (Black Anodised). Pedimat® Ultra has an 11mm slim depth profile and can be fitted in customary matwells as well as alongside floor tiles and carpets to create a flush floor finish.

Helmsman two compartment heavy-duty lockers were supplied, delivered and installed by Helmsman professionals in Trowse Primary School corridors. Bespoke specification of 1600mm height and a range of different door colours were chosen to brighten up this primary school. Each compartment door was fitted with an oval laminated number plate, from 1 to 60 twice. Blue and grey themed lockers were fitted on the first floor, while green and grey themed lockers were fitted on the second floor to split the floors. Diamond swivel locks were fitted on the lockers for an easy use and the pleasing aesthetics.