Flooring Magazine Dec 2022/Jan 2023

Editor’s Note

Happy New Year! Welcome to the December / January 2023 issue of Flooring Magazine. Inside this issue you will find our annual Carpet Feature where the CIAL explain that carpet offers decor versatility, warmth, insulation, energy savings, comfort, excellent noise dampening properties, a safe, nonslip surface, ease of maintenance and value for money. And as a result, is one of the most popular and versatile floor covering solutions on the market today.

Our Company Profile this issue is Polyflor Australia a fourth generation family owned business and now a major manufacturer of resilient flooring products for commercial and domestic customers, operating successfully throughout the world. Philip Ashley explains that Polyflor started developing new and innovative products to cater for the demands of the changing flooring industry around the world, and how this development continues to this day.

Please feel free to contact me directly regarding any company events, industry news and or new product information by email at –michelle@elitepublishing.com.au

Don’t forget to check out our new website, join our growing online community and visit us on Facebook and Instagram.

Until next time, enjoy your read.

Michelle Cammiade Editor

FCIA – 2023

Article by Fiona Wischnewski

Welcome to 2023. As we reflect on the year that was, it is fair to say that 2022 was a busy year for everyone in the flooring industry.

For most in this industry, the two biggest issues raised were:

• the lack of installers

• the lack of new people coming into this industry.

In response to this, FCIA will be working with retailers, manufacturers, commercial contractors and suppliers to try and resolve these issues.

VISA Program

FCIA is working with retails groups and immigration agents to encourage qualified installers to come to Australia to try and fill the installation gap we have.

Skills and Training Promotion

• Continue visiting schools and career days to encourage students to enter the flooring trade.

• Continue encouraging existing nonqualified installers to have the skills

recognised through RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning).

• Work with our members and partnering with industry experts in running short training courses for installers.

Qualified Trainers and Assessors

Like many other trades, the flooring industry lacks qualified trainers. As part of FCIA’s commitment to source new trainers and assessors, we have developed a mentoring program for installers who are working through their Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE). If you are interested or know of anyone who may be interested in becoming a flooring trainer and assessor, please contact me.

Inaugural FCIA Gala

The FCIA will be hosting the Gala for the flooring industry in Melbourne on the 4th of March 2023. This will be held at the Plaza Ballroom and will celebrate the achievements of the flooring industry. The evening will include the achievements and goals of the FCIA, presentations and awards.

Group Training Organisation (GTO)

The GTO will support the industry by making hiring, management, and training of apprentices easier for all employers. It removes the administration and wage frustrations that many employers face. The GTO will advertise, screen, recruit, employ and host flooring apprentices. Detailed information will be provided over the next few months.

It appears like the previous few years 2023 is shaping up to be another very busy year for the FCIA and the flooring industry as a whole and I am really looking forward to working with you and your business.

I encourage you to contact me at any time to discuss industry issues or suggestions on how we can find solutions to some of our industry concerns.

Happy 2023.

Fiona Wischnewski, CEO FCIA Group, fwischnewski@fcia.org.au

Transforming spaces, with Forbo flooring design options

Our Forbo design team create an annual global colour card, based on the latest trends and projections for the future. All collections are designed to work as one, and across di erent product functionalities. Whether it be step® safety oor, sphera® homogeneous or flotex®, numerous connected design combinations are available.

The bespoke digital option takes design possibilities even further and once again across multiple formats. Digital print safety oor or digital print acoustic, or both. The sky is not the limit.

Discover what’s available and what’s coming across our ooring ranges at www.forbo- ooring.com.au

creating better environments

iD Naturals 70 LVT – Inspired by nature

Harnessing the power of nature

The new iD Naturals 70 LVT sets an unprecedented milestone in the design of modular vinyl collections. Tarkett’s advanced digital printing technology enables them to reveal the most subtle details of wood and stone to make each plank or tile unique in grain, texture and colour. Most importantly, it enables specifiers to choose the best of natural designs embedded in the highestperforming vinyl materials.

In a rapidly changing world, we collectively have an opportunity to rethink and reinvent the way we live and transform our indoor spaces to promote healthier living. Designing spaces has moved definitively towards connecting interiors with the outside world, echoing the beauty of nature to improve the quality of life in urban spaces by selecting the best natural tones of wood and expressive stones. In this way, we aim to create positive emotions to help enhance the learning or working environment. iD Naturals 70 decors were selected to foster a feel-good atmosphere, whilst bringing interior designs to life by utilising Tarkett’s exclusive digital printing technology. The result is a palette of designs, echoing authentic building materials, enabling specifiers to create spaces with people and the environment in mind.

Capturing the beauty of wood and stone

Nature guides every aspect of the design journey. Tarkett have made selections based on character, detail and natural diversity of expression. Every design in the Naturals collection is scanned directly from a chosen specimen of wood or stone, from oak to marble. By paying attention to the origins of these natural materials, they share with you the wonder of natural imperfections and nuances.

High-definition printing with ultramatte finish

Using a unique patent-protected digital printing technology, utilising the only single-pass two metres wide printer for jetting water-based inks on vinyl in the world, Tarkett have reflected the best of nature's diverse features. The TEKTANIUM PU coating featured on their iD Naturals 70 range delivers unequalled resistance to scratches, abrasions, wear and stains as well as offering a pure ultra-matte finish, which is consistently visible from all angles.

Industry’s leading no pattern repeat

Typical LVT provide a 3m2 overall print design, resulting in a visible repeat across the flooring. Tarkett's iD Naturals 70 digital technology has the potential to expand the pattern repeat up to 12m2 while enabling much higher definition designs. In nature, pattern is often random. A rustic wood plank features pronounced knots, splits and grain marks, all unique. While a rotogravure-printed version of the plank would look similar, every eleventh plank would be identical to the first. Tarkett’s digital technology enables around 50 unique planks.

Human-conscious design

Tarkett Human-Conscious Design is their pledge to stand with present and future generations to create flooring that is good for people and the planet. Developing a circular economy, innovating with good materials and exceeding indoor air quality standards are essential parts of their commitment. The iD Naturals 70 collection is ReStart ready, Phthalate-free, and contains up to 44.3% recycled content.

Product Update

One of Australia’s largest tile and bathroom ware retailers, Beaumont Tiles, has added the luxurious Pompeii range of travertine look colour-bodied porcelain tiles and pavers to its collection, enabling Aussies to bring the opulence of a fivestar European hotel to their home.

The range, available in Crema or Grigio, oozes the classical elegance that translates over numerous styles and cultures, and is perfect for a wide range of applications.

Whether it is for bathrooms, verandas, living spaces and even around pool areas, Pompeii Travertine Crema Microtec Textured and Pompeii Travertine Grigio Microtec Textured - available in 600mm x 600mm or 298.0mm x 600.0mm - are the perfect choice thanks to their innovative Microtec finish.

Rachel Gilding, Beaumonts Design Specialist, said the Pompeii range was perfect for installing in Aussie renos thanks to its fantastic flexibility.

“Using the Pompeii Microtec range can create a seamless flow from your living area into your back garden, giving a spacious and luxurious feel that the Mediterranean style is all about,” Rachel said.

“This style oozes outdoor oasis and warmly welcomes people to your garden. For some welcome additions, try adding organic and tactile elements such as timber and natural materials to your space.

“The pavers are another fantastic addition to the Pompei range and have so many fabulous outdoor uses,” said Rachel.

Exclusive to Beaumonts, Microtec is an advanced glazing technology that is durable, has a high slip rating and resists exposure to chemicals and the changing weather.

The Pompeii Travertine Grigio Structured Textured 20mm Paver and Pompeii Travertine Grigio Structured Textured 20mm Paver are another beautiful addition to the range with very flexible outdoor applications such as driveways, steppingstones, or a wonderful courtyard dry lay.

You can install this sophisticated paver with ease on driveways, around pools, a garden path or even on balconies thanks to their UV stability and all-round durability.

Pompeii: A new tile range that can be used both indoors and out

Waterproofing

Every Component’s at Risk - Excessive Moisture and PH Level

by Oxtek Solutions

Excessive moisture within concrete is the most common reason of flooring failures in modern day buildings. Almost all components of a floor covering installation would be deemed sensitive to excessive moisture in some shape or form.

It’s not just the finished floor covering itself that will fail, moisture can impact the adhesives, primers, levelling compounds, vapour barriers, the integrity of the subfloor itself, and also the erosion of the subgrade soil to.

When components of the floor covering installation are subjected to a high level of moisture, they may expand, and when they dry, they will contract, which can lead to dimensional problems of the installed systems.

Other problems occurring from unwanted moisture:

• Discolouration of the installed floor coverings and applied coatings

• Debonding and break down of floor coverings, adhesives, primers, and patch/leveling compounds

• Mould, fungi and microbial growth

• Degradation of adjacent walls and wall coverings

• Safety Hazards resulting from an accumulation of moisture residing on working surfaces.

Combined with the threat of exposure to excess moisture, is the problem that arises from the high alkalinity of a recently placed and finished concrete subfloor surface.

Whilst this alkalinity, which naturally occurs within concrete, is required for the corrosion protection of the embedded steel reinforcement, when alkalinity is too high (greater than pH10), it can lead to the destruction of the bond between the subfloor and the applied adhesive, and its adhered floor covering.

Therefore, creating a two-pronged attack on the longevity of the floor covering installation that requires to be adequately combatted by the installers.

Recently placed concrete is extremely alkaline and caustic in its nature, with a pH level of 12-13 to be expected. Fortunately following the finishing phase of concrete placement, this highly alkaline condition

Article

Waterproofing

Oxtek Solutions – Proactively Combat Subfloor Moisture and pH Levels

Oxtek Solutions have a range of penetrative colloidal silicate products that will not only address moisture concerns within the concrete, but also to stabilise the surface pH value of concrete to assist in the preparation of the subfloor for a long-term problem free flooring installation.

The pore-filling ability of the Oxtek Solutions colloidal silicate technology improves the hardened mechanical properties of concrete. By contributing to a denser, less permeable, and less porous structure. Concrete containing colloidal silicate demonstrates an increased compressive strength, decreased chloride diffusion, decreased drying shrinkage, and an increased ability to withstand chemical attack.

Options are available for treatments to be applied to both new and existing substrates and provide permanent protection of the concrete subfloor throughout its intended service life.

changes and will reduce over time. As the concrete cures and reacts with the carbon dioxide in the air, the surface pH of concrete subsequently declines.

As per AS 1884:2021 Appendix C, concrete should have a measured pH of 10 or below before the installation of a resilient floor covering or as governed by the adhesive manufacturer’s guidelines. AS1884:2021 Appendix C also states that a pH test should be performed at the same location as every RH moisture test. As a result, it is it is commonplace for floor covering product manufacturers to stipulate in their

specification that pH testing is required before commencement of the installation.

Best practice for a successful floor covering installation is certainly not to leave things to chance, but to undertake the required testing referred to above, and to proactively take the approach of applying an appropriate product that that can address the genuine threat from moisture and high surface pH Level on the installed system. This way ensuring that the risk of floor covering installation failure is significantly reduced prior to commencing with the application of associated adhesives, primers, coatings, and floor coverings.

New Substrates - X200 Densi-Proof

X200 Densi-Proof is a single pack one application spray on system that deeply penetrates new or existing concrete, provides curing, permanent waterproofing, and protection.

The application of X200 Densi-Proof at time of the concrete pour will cure concrete to provide the hardened properties equivalent to that of water pond curing, permanently waterproofing the concrete from any direction, making the concrete impermeable

Above: Adhesive Failure, Screed Delamination, Levelling Compound Degradation

Waterproofing

and increasing its longevity, whilst providing a penetrative moisture barrier system suitable for impervious coatings and coverings.

Adopting the use of X200 Densi-Proof at time of the concrete pour as an effective curing regime, will significantly reduce the incidence of plastic shrinkage cracking, providing a hardened, denser and dust proof concrete, compatible with subsequent flooring or coating applications. Typically, a flooring covering installation can commence 14 days post application, if X200 Densi-Proof is applied at the time of the concrete pour.

Existing Substrate – X220 Moisture Fix

X220 Moisture Fix is designed for existing concrete and has been formulated to provide the flooring installer with a costeffective method to eliminate the risks and problems associated with subfloor moisture problems. A single pack one application, spray or pour and spread, system that deeply penetrates new or existing concrete, provides permanent waterproofing, curing and protection. It provides an effective moisture barrier for impervious floor coverings and coatings.

An application of X220 Moisture Fix allows early site access (foot traffic in 3 hour post application) and in most cases is ready to accept floor preparation and floor covering products in 24 hours.

Although topically applied, as X200 DensiProof and X220 Moisture Fix penetrate into the deep matrix of the concrete, they leave behind no film or residue on surface of the concrete. Therefore, having no adverse effect on the subsequent floor covering installation, whilst providing improved flexibility and efficiencies to the project concerned.

For over 24 years Oxtek Solutions products have been used to effectively prevent moisture ingress and egress, and stabilise the surface pH level of concrete subfloors, resulting in almost a quarter of a century, of problem free flooring installations for our customers and their clients.

To find out more details on Oxtek Solutions range of products and our strategies to assist in achieving problem free floor covering installations, please contact reception@ oxtek.com.au or call 03 9798 7534. web www.oxtek.com.au

Company Profile

Article by Philip Ashley

Polyflor – Covering the World

Flooring within the home or commercial environment is an opportunity to inject individuality and style into interior spaces. As a leading supplier of functional flooring solutions, Polyflor are committed to supplying the latest in contemporary flooring design and technology with an assurance of product superiority, customer service and value for money.

Polyflor create beautiful and functional flooring solutions for the home or commercial environment. The range of products caters to those looking for superior quality but also to those looking for unique solutions like sustainable slip resistance, acoustic noise reduction, rubber and sports flooring. Polyflor is proficient in aged care; education and childcare; healthcare; hospitality; office; public; retail; sports and gym, and transport sectors. As a world-wide

provider of flooring products, Polyflor can deliver a quality outcome in any situation imaginable. Whatever your needs, chances are that Polyflor has delivered a similar solution before.

The Polyflor Story

Polyflor is a subsidiary of the James Halstead Corporation. The family started the company back in 1915 in Manchester in the United Kingdom and are still majority partners in the business. Polyflor is a fourth generation family business; the family still lives on-site and are still heavily involved in running the business.

In 1954 the company began to expand both in the United Kingdom and overseas, starting a subsidiary here in Australia and New Zealand in 1963. Over almost fifty years since that time, Polyflor have developed an extensive network of agents, distributors and wholly-owned subsidiaries throughout all markets, to ensure excellent product and sample availability.

In 1983 Polyflor started developing new and innovative products to cater for the demands of the changing flooring industry around the world, and this continuous development continues to this day and into the future. They constantly improve processes and products to reflect the changing demands of the marketplace, enhancing and expanding

Company Profile

both domestic clients and more recently, commercial spaces where a warmer aesthetic is needed. Polyflor offer their customers a wide variety of flooring solutions to suit any demand. Polyflor is a quality driven company, their manufacturing processes and systems are ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accredited.

their product portfolio to provide added value for their customers. To achieve these goals, the company have invested sixty one million Australian dollars in plant and equipment at their UK production facility over the last ten years.

Polyflor is now a major manufacturer of resilient flooring products for commercial and domestic customers, operating successfully throughout the world. In addition to commercial sheet produced in their UK facility, Polyflor also distribute resilient LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tiles) for

Mark Van Leerdam is Polyflor’s Australian General Manager. Like many of Polyflor’s people, Mark has been in the industry 20odd years. He said, “Resilient flooring covers both the high and low ends of the market, with a lot of the lower end originating in Asia. It’s important from a quality viewpoint that the product being laid is of an appropriate standard for the intended use. Polyflor resilient sheets are produced with high durability, are hard wearing and fit for purpose, especially in high traffic areas such as hospitals.” He adds, “Ultimately, we want to make business easy for our

Company Profile

product, or enough material to cover 270 football pitches, have gone back into product and not landfill.”

customers. We are easy to deal with, we have warehouses nationally, and just having good conversations that lead to good outcomes for everyone.”

Polyflor and the Environment

Polyflor Australia is a signatory to The Vinyl Council of Australia Product Stewardship Program. This program has a number of voluntary commitments that ensure that the entire process from raw materials through to end of life of vinyl products is reviewed and addressed to minimise environmental and safety issues within the vinyl industry, on a local and global scale. As a manufacturer, Polyflor take their contribution seriously.

Polyflor believe that the products we choose can help us design for a better environment, both inside and out. Their collection of vinyl flooring, suitable for a variety of commercial and residential applications, makes a big impact on the look of a space, but a small impact on the earth. Quality flooring products must be environmental and sustainable. Specifiers can achieve maximum Green Star building performance assessment points by using Polyflor products certified by Ecospecifier’s GreenTag scheme.

The Ecospecifier Global GreenTagCertTM scheme operated by Global GreenTag P/L

is a third party ecolabel program that rates sustainable products for the built environment. Polyflor produces many products certified under the scheme in Australia and New Zealand, with Polyflor homogeneous PUR ranges typically in the top 50% of resilient finishes based on their GreenTag Ecopoints. Polyflor is flooring design for a better environment with no compromise in the choice or performance of the product.

Through Recofloor, Polyflor can recycle smooth and safety installation off-cuts, smooth uplifted flooring and old stock roll-end and samples which would normally end up in landfill. Many of Polyflor’s floor coverings contain up to 40% recovered and recycled content and this can be recycled many times over without losing its functionality as a quality flooring ingredient. If the material cannot be used in a Polyflor product, this material is recycled into other useful products such as traffic cones and outdoor play equipment.

Customer Focus

The foundation of Polyflor’s success is their customer focus. Polyflor work closely with contractors, specifiers and end users to understand their requirements and provide the ideal flooring solution for any installation. Polyflor have dedicated personnel within its salesforce, a technical department, and a qualified design team to provide comprehensive customer support. A ‘colour committee’ with delegates from each state and territory meet monthly to ensure Polyflor product remains on-trend. With sales offices and warehouses throughout Australia and New Zealand, they are never more than a phone call away.

Recycling

Polyflor is a cofounding and funding member of Recofloor, the industry’s leading vinyl take-back scheme for recycling end of life post-consumer vinyl flooring. Most of Polyflor’s product is 100% recyclable and Mark tells us that, “Since 2009 when Recofloor was introduced, 5,391 tonnes of

Polyflor’s commercial flooring collections are created by world class designers to ensure that it is as beautiful as it is functional. Polyflor’s unique PUR coating means their floors are easy to maintain and require no further sealing or chemicals after installation. Polyflor offer their customers the benefits of versatility, international quality and choice. From their early origins to today’s position as a leading manufacturer of commercial floorcoverings, the success story continues ……

Carpet is the choice for Australian homes – and here’s why

Compared to other types of flooring, carpet offers a huge range of colours and styles, thermal insulation and energy saving as wwell as acoustic benefits for the family. There are virtually unlimited possibilities for creating a distinctive environment that is both cosy and beautiful.

Selecting the right carpet colour and pattern for your home is an important decision. The first rule of thumb is don’t limit your choice by looking for neutrality or a match with wall toning’s. Let your floor be an integral part of the décor.

Make a fashion statement with colour, texture, and pattern design

When you choose deep and rich colours, you will generate a feeling of warmth in a room while cool crisp colours give a feeling of freshness and space. Clients choose subdued colours or earth tones to create a quiet mood, while light colour carpets will open up a dark room.

Families make an energy saving statement with thermal insulation

Carpet is an exceptionally good thermal insulator. The insulation value of carpet is like fibreglass insulation and can be substantially higher than other floor types. Further increases in thermal insulation are obtained when carpet is installed over underlay.

Carpet can help to significantly reduce energy costs in heating and cooling and make a positive contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Carpeted floor feels warmer underfoot and does not require the heating that a room with a smooth surface would. Adding further energy savings.

Enjoy the acoustic benefits of carpet

Australian families find that carpet softens harsh sounds and creates a quieter, more peaceful indoor environment.

The installation of carpet with underlay is the only method available for eliminating excessive noise generated by floor impacts such as noise produced from footfalls, chairs scraped across the floor and objects dropped on the floor. This is particularly important in homes where children running and jumping can produce heavy floor impacts, contributing greatly to ambient noise levels.

Carpet and underlay also help to control sound reverberation (the term used to

describe the degree to which sound lives on within a room). Collectively, the installation of carpet and underlay will contribute towards a reduction in noise levels along with acoustic ceiling tiles and panels.

Safety for the family

Most falls occur in the home with flooring and stairs being a risk factor. Carpet is slip resistant because of the product’s piled surface which can eliminate or reduce the severity of injuries.

Choosing carpet means prioritising fashion and design to set a home apart, thermal insulation benefits to reduce energy costs

and contribute positively to the reduction in greenhouse gases, acoustic benefits to reduce noise around the home and finally, to improve the safety of the home for all members by greatly reducing slip injuries.

Introducing the CIAL

The Carpet Institute of Australia (CIAL) is the lead industry organisation for Australia’s carpet and flooring industry.

The CIAL represents carpet and flooring manufacturers accounting for 95% of Australian carpet production and over 400 retail stores nationwide. Included are suppliers of other related goods and services including carpet and flooring providers of technical services.

are classified according to suitability for use in residential and contract installations and in different pedestrian trafficking conditions described as light, medium, heavy, and extra heavy. Governments in Australia require ACCS certified carpets in their procurement process.

Their ECS program is the environmental certification scheme used in the industry. The scheme has multiple certification levels with incrementally more demanding performance criteria. ECS Levels are recognised by the Green Building Council of Australia.

Further Information: Contact Carpet Institute of Australia Limited on 03 9804 5559 or email: info@carpetoz.com.au.

web www.carpetinstitute.com.au

Their many services to members include:

The CIAL has produced training programs entitled Carpet Manufacturing, Carpet Standards and Test Methods, Environmental Issues in Carpet Manufacturing, Carpet Product Knowledge Guide and Carpet Laying Apprenticeship modules. They have also been successful in attracting, and training and retention of apprentice flooring technicians.

The CIAL is also involved in the development of Australian and New Zealand carpet industry standards as a member of the Standards Australia committee on textile floor coverings.

The CIAL is responsible for the administration of the Australian Carpet Classification Scheme (ACCS) and is one of the most comprehensive ‘all fibre’ carpet grading schemes in the world. Carpets

Carpeting for your commercial office space

Commercial office spaces are high in foot traffic, susceptible to mess and are required to stay in place for a long period of time. Choosing commercial carpet comes with a long list of considerations and should not be taken lightly. Whatever flooring you decide on, it needs to be suitable for the space, durable, easy to clean, cost-efficient, have a classified fire rating and is preferably timeless in aesthetic. The location and use of your commercial space play a big role in the type of commercial carpeting required. Office and educational spaces such as classrooms and libraries usually require carpeting, which is not always practical for other commercial spaces. Consider the following tips when looking into your new commercial carpet.

Carpet Colour

Colour plays an important role in two ways. Firstly, and most importantly, a good colour choice means everyday dirt, stains and scuff marks can remain relatively hidden. This means your commercial space remains looking clean, without the need for constant, over the top upkeep. Washing carpets cost time and money and is something that can be minimised with a good colour choice. Carpets in grey’s, navy’s, browns and beiges hide dirt the best, particularly when they are done in a mild pattern. The overall colour choice also plays a huge role in the style and feel of the space. Consider your clientele base, work description and company branding when choosing the colour of your commercial flooring.

Carpet Texture

Once again, the texture of your carpet plays a role in hiding traces of everyday wear and tear. Not only does it minimise the appearance of dirt, it also works to reduce the visibility of matting and wear down. Carpet texture is about the pile, the three major categories are cut pile, loop pile and combination pile. With cut pile carpeting, the carpet is made from strands of yarn that are cut at the end, resulting in a very soft, squishy feel. There are five styles of cut pile carpeting, however for commercial spaces Cable is best. This style has a lot of twist and height in the carpet which is better for high traffic areas. Loop pile carpet is where the yarn is looped together instead of being cut, resulting in a strong carpet with a good ability to hide dirt. If you want a more durable loop carpet, then go for level-loop where the strands are the same height. Multi-loop have strands at differing heights which create patterns in the carpet but are at higher risk of showing worn down areas. The final texture is combination carpet, where the carpet includes both cut and loop pile carpeting. Depending on the space, this style could be perfect for your area as you can combine the textures to your needs.

Carpet Thickness

Carpet thickness is referred to as low pile,

medium pile and high pile. The height of the pile reflects the thickness of the carpet. When choosing commercial flooring, low or medium pile thickness is preferable. These textiles are woven together more tightly. This means dust and dirt are easier to clean as they don’t dig into the carpet. Furthermore, matting and wear down from foot traffic is less visible.

The team at Andersens, understand that creating the perfect flooring space in your office can be overwhelming – it can be difficult to know where to start and who to trust. Founded on the principles of honesty, integrity and respect, Andersens wealth of knowledge and experience provides commercial customers with the product knowledge and problem-solving attitude to optimise the results they desire. If it’s a small office space spruce-up or a full-scale renovation, the team at Andersens can help determine what styles and products will work best to suit your space and your needs.

Need more help with picking the perfect commercial floor? See products in person at your nearest Andersens store or book a free design consultation, measure and quote and we will come to you.

web www.andersens.com.au

Better Australian carpet gripper – Designed and made locally

BBS will soon launch a new style carpet gripper - with greater holding power through an improved diagonal nail pattern. This new design greatly increases the carpet holding strength without adding extra cost.

Like all good ideas, changing our carpet gripper to a diagonal layout is remarkably simple.

Older style gripper – the sort made in China or America - lays the small ‘pin’ nails out (the ones that hold the carpet) in a hexagonal pattern. Typically, this is ten nails in three rows, followed by a wood or concrete anchoring nail that goes into the subfloor.

Older hexagonal nail pattern – only 7 nails hold the carpet

Looking closely at the old style nail pattern you see that the three back nails hide behind three forward nails. When the carpet is stretched these lazy nails don’t do any work to hold the carpet. They are little more than ornamental and serve no function while the forward nails hold all the stretch.

So, in Chinese carpet gripper only seven of ten pin nails hold the carpet stretch - the other three are there for show.

BBS decided to stagger all ten nails in diagonally so that every single nail holds

the carpet independently. Their diagonal pattern is shown below along with the lines of stretch for all ten nails holding the carpet.

New diagonal style pin pattern – all 10 nails hold the carpet

With Australian diagonal carpet gripper when the carpet is stretched all ten nails hold the carpet.

This innovation increases the holding power of BBS carpet gripper by a staggering 43% because they have 3 more active nails at work.

web www.bbscarpetgripper.com.au

Godfrey Hirst – Believe in Better

Sustainability isn’t just another buzz word at Godfrey Hirst, it's an objective they take extremely seriously. As a proud Australian and New Zealand manufacturer, Godfrey Hirst seek to source and develop local solutions to this global issue wherever they can.

While still in the early stages of their sustainability journey, they are proud of their achievements so far, actively working towards reducing their environmental footprint across local manufacturing facilities and striving to improve processes under their broad-based sustainability vision, Believe in Better.

Under this ideological framework, their Resource Stewardship pillar supports a commitment to the health of the planet and begins with the implementation of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

for approximately 700,000 metres of carpet. The system will offset 60% of daytime electricity required by the Auckland Carpet plant (32% of total electricity consumption)

The facility’s roof design was ideal for an initial installation of 216 solar panels. The 99.36kw system is capable of powering over half the warehouse, generating clean, green energy, and reducing our reliance on non-renewable sources is a win-win, while measurably reducing our overall operating costs.

Electric forklifts

In line with their mission to reduce their energy footprint, Godfrey Hirst has invested in a fleet of electric forklifts for their factories and warehouses. Decommissioning the old LPG forklifts to make way for newer, more energy-efficient electric versions have not only provided obvious environmental benefits (contributing to a 91% decrease in our overall LPG usage), but offers a reduction in noise pollution on site, providing a safer environment for employees and features lower operating costs. Featuring lower operating costs and an easier maintenance schedule, the new forklifts have less downtime and provide better output on the factory floor.

control system changes, particularly for items used to aid manufacturing processes, like large compressors. They recently moved to a more efficient system designed to reduce energy consumption, whilst offering high reliability and easy maintenance.

Solar Initiative

Their commitment to creating positive energy began with the installation of solar panels at the Shiny Drive warehouse in Truganina.

They are delighted to extend this solar investment to their warehouse at Laverton and the Wiri Plant in Auckland. This centralised storage and distribution facility measure a whopping 24,522 square metres of internal floor space, and includes upper and lower level offices, plus storage capacity

Energy efficient compressors, lighting and boilers

Huge energy savings can be realised though simple changes to factory equipment and

Large factory and warehouse facilities generally require a sizeable system for lighting. These systems can be a real energy drain, so with that in mind, they upgraded their lighting systems to T5 energy efficient LED lights.

Using steam is a vital part of the carpet manufacturing process, particularly during the dying or colouring phase. To create the steam used in these processes, the team recently decommissioned some old generation boilers and invested in upgraded versions that offer better efficiencies and environmental benefits.

This investment in reducing Co2 emissions supports Godfrey Hirst’s broader Climate

Active Carbon Neutral certification, one of the most rigorously applied sustainability recognition programs in the world.

As industry leaders with genuine concern for the future, Godfrey Hirst recognises that actions speak louder than words. They have a moral responsibility to spearhead change by supporting climate action wherever they can. web www.godfreyhirst.com

Interface’s newest carpet tile collection, ‘Upon Common Ground’ is biophilicinspired: drawing inspiration from Australia’s natural elements, entirely centred around the exploration of Country and the deep connection First Nations Australians have to it.

The incredible story behind how this collection came to be, is complex and multifaceted. Interface sees it as a journey. One of knowledge-sharing and understanding. They call it The Home Project.

For Interface, the story started back in 2017, when they convened an industry event called ‘The Future of Learning Spaces Workshop’, endeavouring to understand emerging perspectives and innovations in designing for educational environments. Interface was able to connect with and learn from their peers about both the practical and design requirements flooring might have in the space.

At the same time, they were beginning to undertake their first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), launching in 2019, with a strong focus on Education and Aspiration. At the time of this RAP publication, Interface happened to be discussing the findings of the ‘Learning Spaces’ design forums. It was then that a convergence between the two undertakings was observed. This common desire for a positive change linking the two together marked the beginning of The Home Project.

Led by the Interface Design Studio Manager, in consultation with Danielle Mate, Murrawari & Euahlayi, Contemporary Aboriginal Artist, and in partnership with a handful of schools across Australia, the project began with a clear vision. It was a

Upon Common Ground

vision of learning and creative collaboration with First Nations students from the partnering schools. Art workshops were held on Country, exploring the experiences of the students, their teachers, and communities. Interface was able to learn about Connection to Country through the medium of art, in four different regions across the country: Freshwater, Saltwater, Rainforest and Desert, with the fifth region of Spinifex explored virtually due to covid restrictions.

1. Did they successfully represent the Connection to Country for the region they were depicting?

2. Did they meet the functional performance criteria as outlined through the education Design Forums?

Once each product proved to definitively meet the criteria, production was able to commence.

The learnings from these enriching workshop experiences gradually presented themselves as product inspiration for Interface. The Interface Design team reflect how this experience allowed them to “create a flooring collection with visual and textural cues that tap into a sense of connectedness to Country, and that children can use within their daily learning spaces.”

The style of each carpet tile product is biophilic in that it mimics a range of natural elements found in each explored region, both in texture and colour. For example, the three hero transitional products in the collection: Sandbank, Shallows and Undulating Water, mirror different stages and features of waterways. These components can exist both alone and in coherence with one another, just as their respective carpet tile products are designed to demonstrate.

In 2021, the team were able to bring the Upon Common Ground collection to life. Consistently referring to their key learnings over the previous few years, applying two strict criteria during the product testing process:

The complete collection offers five products with forty colour variations in total, reflecting the diversity of the regions Interface explored during their journey.

Upon Common Ground is available to order from Interface Australia today.

web www.interface.com

Introducing

our new carpet tile collection, Upon Common Ground

Avoiding customer carpet complaints before they happen

Looking after the long-term interests of customers and the products they have bought can reap huge ongoing benefits, not only by reducing the number of call-backs and complaints but by building customer satisfaction and gaining repeat sales. In the case of carpets providing advice on carpet care is an important part of the sales process and should include guidance on which vacuum cleaner features best suit the carpet purchased.

SEBO powerhead for 100% wool loop carpet

SEBO’s vacuum design and correct carpet cleaning knowledge is behind the technology capable of maintaining 100% wool loop pile carpets in accordance with a Carpet Manufacturer’s recommendations.

Made in Germany, SEBO is the market leader in commercial upright vacuum cleaners and their domestic range benefits from this expertise. With large wheels, glide plates, efficient air flow, height adjustable brush rollers and high performance filtration, SEBO premium vacuum cleaners are the gold standard in debris removal and can remove up to 92% of soil from carpets.

First impressions last

SEBO is no ordinary vacuum cleaner supplier their niche is the ability to identify and provide vacuum cleaners with specific features best suited to particular carpet styles and fibres, it is referred to as ‘Pairing’.

Your Team can do it too. Let SEBO guide them with these top Pairing tips backed by your industry professionals.

100% Wool Loop Care

Suction only… it is not that simple Not all suction vacuums are suitable for 100% wool loop carpets. Kristine Collins, Product Manager for SEBO Australia explains: “Some suction only vacuum cleaners available in the market can damage the loop and cause fuzziness across the carpet surface due to the poor design of the combination head and coarse retracted bristles”.

Carpet Manufacturers recommend the SEBO E3 Premium Barrel (91646AU) and SEBO Felix Premium Upright (9809AU) vacuum cleaners with specially designed SEBO ET1 powerheads (pictured). Allowing the user to switch the brush roller off for straight suction cleaning and 4-level brush height adjustment with uniquely crafted optional delicate brush roller (5010GE) for gentle and effective removal of loose fibres and fuzz from the looped surface.

Flooring appearance is vital for first impressions in a hotel or healthcare setting, according to SEBO, who say there is nothing worse than walking into a hotel or healthcare foyer and seeing that the soft floor furnishing is worn, dirty and covered in debris. “This is usually due to using the wrong cleaning equipment,” said Collins.

“Regular vacuuming is recommended by most carpet manufacturers as the best way to care for carpets correctly, yet the majority of consumers purchase the wrong kind of vacuum for the maintenance of their flooring product.”

Heavyweight cut pile twist / plush SEBO X7 boosts your cleaning where others fail. Not all vacuums can handle heavyweight cut pile twist or cut pile plush carpets. Collins explains “Vacuums with concentrated or very sealed suction can prove difficult to operate on cut pile twist or cut pile plush carpets”.

SEBO domestic and commercial –Gold standard carpet care

Recommend SEBO vacuum cleaners to your customers for the correct care and maintenance of their flooring investment, your Flooring Manufacturer does. Better yet, save your customers’ time and money from purchasing the wrong vacuum cleaner, it is easy to supply the correct SEBO vacuum cleaner with their carpet package.

SEBO – Sensitive Choice Partner

Not only do SEBO vacuums clean the floor, they also enhance the air by removing maximum debris and filtering allergens from the air expelled.

web www.sebo.com.au

Carpet Matters

Choosing the right carpet: Cut Pile vs Loop Pile Carpet

Brought to you by Bremworth

Carpets come in either loop pile or cut pile. Both styles offer different advantages and work well in certain household situations.

Cut Pile Carpet

Cut pile carpets generally feel soft underfoot and range from resilient hard twist such as our Charmeuse carpet (which has the equivalent of a perm to hold the twist in) to a softer plush pile like our Velluto carpet (where the fibres stand up straight and lend a velvet like texture).

A plush cut pile generally has a more formal and luxurious feel, while a hard twist cut pile where you can see the tips and sides of the yarn is more casual.

Cut pile carpets show footprints more readily, which you can vacuum out. All cut pile carpets will develop lighter or daker patches overtime known as tracking or shading - please note this is not a manufacturing fault and will not affect the durability of your carpet.

Loop Pile Carpet

Loop pile carpets combine beautiful design with exceptional durability and performance.

The yarn in loop pile carpet is left intact, not cut and sewn to create the loop. This results in an especially durable carpet that can stand up to heavy foot traffic and makes it an ideal choice for hallways and stairs. Opt for a low and tight loop pile like Bremworth’s newly released Kensho or Wainamu wool carpet, which both received a Residential Extra Heavy Duty + Stairs 6 Star rating, the highest performance grading from the ACCS meaning it’s made to last.

Loop piles are a great way to add stylish texture and designs to an interior. Special effect yarns such as Heathers and Berbers;

a heather is created by blending together different shades or tones to achieve a unique yarn colour. A Berber is a yarn with additional flecks of colour. Both these speciality yarns create a marled effect that is great in disguising dirt or stains.

The options are endless with loop piles, ranging from a minimalist appearance to bold, unique patterns. Some have a formal, linear look, such as our Overtones carpet, others are very textured and chunky, like our Galet carpet.

Loop pile carpets are easy-care, do not show footprints or vacuum tracks, and are particularly suited to busy homes or people with young children. If you have pets that tend to scratch at carpet, opt for a loop pile carpet.

web www.bremworth.com.au

NURTURE NATURE & YOUR HOME

Design & Trends

Each season has a different meaning to every one of us depending on where we are in the world and our culture and traditions. With Forbo’s Moods of the Season, they hope to translate those feelings into design in a way that will both complement and question, suggesting products and scenarios that they hope will inspire you throughout the year.

Wherever we are, our seasons are influenced by nature, and as such, each of the Moods of the Season will in some way reflect that, highlighting not only Forbo’s commitment to sustainability but also the importance they place on nature as the key to wellbeing in interior environments.

Every three months through 2023 Forbo will bring you a seasonal taster selection from their comprehensive portfolio, showcasing items that bring together their thoughts and feelings at the different times of the year. Each of these will aim to capture the essence of each season and communicate its mood. Each Mood of the Season is carefully compiled by the Forbo team of international

Moods of the Seasons

design professionals and consists of a selection of items chosen to complement each other and convey the essence of each season. Their inspiration comes from a wide range of sources, including interiors, fashion, home furnishings, industrial design, art, graphics, and media.

Trend direction

Their local design and trend research has revealed the ongoing blurring of lines between exterior and interior: architecture and nature, or often referred to as biophilic design, bringing the outside in.

As technology evolves and creates a more efficient and advanced society, we continue to drift away from nature in big cities. Reversing this trend is the focus of today’s design teams and built environment.

Companies and individuals worldwide are consciously going eco-friendly to contribute to lowering our embodied carbon and limit climate change. There is a large focus on products that can be recycled and close the material loop.

These efforts are reflected in the building industry and building material choices and the latest introduction of Green Star’s new Buildings rating tool. Commitments are outlined in their Responsible Products Framework that aims to reward products for being transparent, made with low environmental impacts, non-toxic, respecting human rights and preparing for a low-carbon future.

The top two trends for 2023 and beyond

1. Biophilic Design - Bringing the outside in

Biophilic design is based on what is known as the biophilia hypothesis: “[the] idea that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.” (Encyclopedia Britannica, ‘Biophilia Hypothesis’). This holistic approach focuses on health and wellness, creating an indoor environment that promotes relaxation and healthy well-being.

As well as the addition of indoor plants and greenery to a space, architectonic features and even flooring, fittings and design accessories can all play on this biophilic notion. The use of natural materials such

Design & Trends

as wood, access to ample natural light and views onto gardens all help create a sense of being at one with nature and the wider world.

Greenery leading the pack

The use of green especially earthy sage tones has been a popular hue, paired with wooden structures and subtle blended tone-on-tone warm neutrals to calm greys. A timeless combination inspired by nature. Overall, we are seeing a mimic beauty of our natural landscape, Mother Nature’s colour palette.

Marmoleum, Forbo’s linoleum flooring brand made from plant-based ingredients and world-leading for sustainability fits the biophilic feel in look and makeup. It is carbon-neutral from cradle to gate without the need for offsetting and is ready for the low-carbon future. Marmoleum is also biodegradable with end-of-life recycling/ reuse options making it the ultimate achiever in the Green star framework. The design options include sheet, modular and acoustic backed.

2. Multi-purpose and adaptable indoor spaces

As technology constantly evolves and businesses adapt at a rapid rate. There is an increased demand for transitional environments; spaces need to be able to evolve and adapt to new functions to suit the changing needs of a business. These

constantly changing spaces require walls and floors that can perform as a chameleon, with timeless colours and organic materials.

Thankfully the Forbo Flooring design team use a global colour card and their collections are designed to work in harmony with one another based on current trends. Boundaries

Design & Trends

are also pushed with their bespoke digitally printed options for ultimate design freedom enabling them to offer a complete product portfolio that connects seamlessly.

To support the circular economy whilst providing an easy solution for adaptable indoor spaces, Forbo predict a rise in demand for adhesive-free options, easy-to-install and removal that is not only circular ready but offers the opportunity to change flooring designs with minimal disruptions. Moods of the season can be mirrored in flooring and finishes.

Forbo offers numerous products that are adhesive-free and made with a high percentage of internally reused materials. Their commercial vinyl products pay attention to low carbon emissions and are declared using third-party verified environmental Product Declaration (EPDs).

Circular-ready flooring - Adhesivefree sheet

Modul'up adhesive-free sheet vinyl is a truly innovative loose-lay sheet vinyl offering 94 attractive colourways including striking digitally printed designs. The 19 dB version has been designed to save time and reduce costs, with easy installation, excellent dimensional stability and simple removal for replacement and re-use opportunities.

The sheet material uses a unique tape system with a non-slip coating that holds the floor in place. A lay flat stay flat floor that can handle heavy traffic.

Subfloor and substrates are less of an issue for Modul’up and can be laid over existing ¬ flooring if required. Allowing installation times to be reduced by over 50% and the floor can be walked on immediately.¬

Forbo will also be releasing their most popular colours in their Surestep safety flooring collection in an innovative looselay sheet vinyl format in 2023.

Adhesive-free tile and plank

• Allura Puzzle – Forbo’s puzzle-shaped tiles are ideal for large-scale quick installations, as each tile is 96 x 96cm and is simple to install by simply putting the tiles together with a mallet.

• Colorex Plus - a loose-lay tile with a unique dovetail system that remains hidden under the surface. Available in conductive and textured 10 slip resistance options.

To learn more about the Forbo Design trends or view their product portfolio, visit www.forbo-flooring.com.au

Design & Trends

New Bohemian

Get ready for the return of free-spirited style, minimalistic clashing patterns, vintage finds and laid-back styling – the carefree spirit of the ‘60s and ‘70s is breezing back into interiors, say Carpet Court trend forecasters

As a nation, we have always had a soft spot for the boho look. It is easy to see why; with its focus on colour and nostalgia, and norules approach to styling, it’s a natural fit for our relaxed lifestyle and provides the perfect framework to create homes with heart. According to Carpet Court trend forecasters, the ‘modern boho’ look is set to make waves

in 2022 and 2023. With a little more polish and a greater emphasis on quality and craftsmanship than classic boho, it’s just the thing to bring cosy luxury to our homes.

“We call this look ‘Local Boho’, and it’s a soulful celebration of creativity, nostalgia and unpretentious home style – the very antithesis of harsh minimalism,” says Heather Nette King, interior stylist and Carpet Court Style Ambassador. “With roots in the slow movement and natural living philosophies, it is about decorating your home to reflect your personal journey rather than following any prescriptive rules or decorating dos and don’ts. 34

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Design & Trends

“For the entrance, kitchen and hallway, we used a warm, oak-look hybrid flooring – Capitol Rigid Core Hybrid in Royal Hickory – which is hard-wearing, waterresistant, pet-friendly and easy to clean. It’s also warmer and softer underfoot than traditional hybrid floors - especially when combined with the use of the Evoke rugmaking it a delight to walk on barefoot.

“There’s colour, movement, and a celebration of handmade and vintage style. The focus is on authentic living, with farmhouse vibes in the kitchen and quality family time in the lounge. The bedroom is a dreamscape of relaxed colour, pattern and artful layering, and the home office feels like a creative studio,” she says.

“Classic boho is often a riot of colour and pattern, whereas this new iteration is more considered. Warm, earthy hues on the floors and walls form a cosy, neutral backdrop. This palette welcomes furniture in natural materials, such as timber and rattan, and fabrics and art in shades of green, blue and coral. Styling is simple – pieces are given room to breathe to showcase their shape and texture.

“The beauty of this look is that it suits just about any architectural style, from coastal and period homes to contemporary apartments. All you need to do is unleash your creative self and let the decorating vibes flow,” she says.

To show you how to channel a modernboho vibe in your own interior, Nette King decorated the main rooms in a family home.

“We started by selecting the flooring and window furnishings – when you are designing a room, these form the foundation upon which the rest of your scheme is built. We opted for flooring and window treatments in neutral tones that convey a relaxed, organic feel, but are durable enough to cope in a busy, family home with pets. We then decorated the rooms with furniture, fabrics and artwork in muted greens, soft coral and plenty of pattern.

“To set a casual, free-spirited tone from the moment you walk into the kitchen, we added soft S-Wave linen-look sheer curtains on the windows.

“The living room is a haven of relaxed seating options, all of which sit beautifully upon the comfortable and eco-friendly Beyond carpet in Forrest. This carpet is highly textural and incredibly soft, bringing that organic feel into the space and inviting you to slip off your shoes, sit on cushions on the floor and relax together as a family.

“The main bedroom is where the Local Boho look really comes to life. A luxuriously soft, eco-friendly nylon twist pile carpet in a deep greige made from ECONYL regenerated nylon – Latitude in the Endless colourway – provides a gorgeous base for vibrant artworks and a medley of contrasting

Design & Trends

patterns in tones of coral and mustard on the bed. Meanwhile, plump European pillows, embroidered cushions, patterned bedlinen, and a vintage-style quilt transform the bed into an inviting spot to read, daydream and snuggle the kids or pets for hours on end.

“We turned a plain home office into a creative studio by adding a mix of contemporary and rustic rattan and timber furniture and created a casual gallery wall with family photographs. To control the light, we added a simple Contemporary Lyric blind in White. To complement the pale grey-green of the blind, we selected a chunky loop pile wool carpet in a gentle sage tone for the floor – it brings a wonderful texture into the space, plus it’s resilient and stainresistant, making it a great option for a busy workspace.

“The end result is a warm and characterful home that invites you to weave in tales of your adventures and experiences as your story unfolds,” says Nette King.

Heather nette king’s style tips

• Forget the rules: With this look, just about anything goes – it’s all about unleashing your inner creative spirit.

• Choose four or five key colours: Loosely limiting your colour palette will give your room a sense of cohesion (but don’t worry if a couple more shades sneak in – anomalies will only add to the magic with this look!)

• Mix vintage and contemporary pieces: Combining pieces from different eras adds personality and an eclectic feel.

• Play with opposing textures: Think linen and velvet, rattan, and touches of metallics.

• Add interest to walls: Photographs from your travels, woven wall hangings and colourful art are perfect for adding character and depth to your modern boho scheme.

FCIA Skilled Visa program for the Flooring Industry

Article by Fiona Wischnewski, FCIA

Prior to the COVID pandemic, the flooring industry has suffered critical skills shortages, particularly with respect to qualified installers, despite extensive work done by FCIA to attract workers to the industry and create hundreds of apprenticeships. Post-COVID the situation has become worse with every trade in competition with each other to attract skilled workers to meet massive backlogs. Add the floods on the eastern seaboard, and the fact that flooring is not as well known as some of the building trades, and we have a flooring industry which is desperate for skilled workers.

Over 2022 FCIA has been working with Members, the Department of Home Affairs, and Immigration Agents to develop a Skilled Visa Program designed specifically for the flooring industry.

Skilled Visa Webinars

During the year FCIA conducted two webinars which were attended by over seventy-five employers from the industry, the vast majority of whom were keen to attract overseas qualified installers to Australia. The webinars were hosted by FCIA, Department of Home Affairs and a representative from Cargill Migration Consulting Ltd. Cargill have offices in Australia, Southeast Asia and the UK and are working closely with the FCIA to facilitate Visa applications for Members.

During the webinars we highlighted the key steps and eligibility criteria for an employer to sponsor an overseas installer. These prerequisites include:

• Applicants must be willing to work outside the Melbourne, Sydney and

Brisbane Metropolitan regions (this is a condition of the Visa for flooring)

• Employers must conduct local Labour market testing in their region within the last 4 months

• Employers must demonstrate that there is a lack of suitably qualified Installers locally.

• Prospective sponsors must receive formal approval by the Department of Home Affairs, which is valid for 5 years.

• The applicant must be eligible for a 482, 491, or 494 category Visa

• Proof that the applicant has more than 3 years’ experience in flooring installation.

• Evidence that the applicant can speak read and write English to the specified language and literacy levels.

FCIA will be conducting further Skilled Visa webinars early in the New Year.

Participating in the FCIA Skilled Visa Program

Since the election of the Albanese Government, skilled visas for the flooring industry have been viewed more favourably and throughout this year FCIA has been advertising domestically and internationally for prospective skilled workers. We are working with agents in the UK and Southeast Asia to advertise flooring opportunities Australia-wide.

Once a member selects an applicant FCIA introduces them to a partner migration agent who can explain the costs associated with sponsoring the applicant as well as dealing with all the Visa compliance requirements to enable the applicant to obtain a skills visa to work for the Member.

Further information

Becoming a sponsor of a Skilled worker requires commitment and out of pocket expenses. It is essential that interested employers obtain professional and specialist advice prior to applying to sponsor a Visa Applicant.

FCIA can help. Members can contact FCIA on info@fcia.org.au to obtain advice and tools to assist in understanding and pursuing the recruitment, selection and sponsoring of Skilled Visa applicants. Below are some of the resources available to Members.

• Online seminar slides detailing the Visa process, eligibility criteria and costs involved

• Online job advertisement which captures the level of skills and experience of applicants

• Skills self-assessment proforma to assist in confirming eligibility

• Links to Seek, Indeed and Workforce Australia job boards to conduct mandatory labour market testing

• Referral to professional, registered Immigration agents to assist in applying for sponsorship of skilled workers

• General advice on the process and costs involved in sponsoring a Skilled Worker

Help solve the flooring industry’s skills shortage, contact FCIA now for more information Fiona Wischnewski, CEO FCIA Group, fwischnewski@fcia.org.au.

Airstep Feature

As we reach the end of 2022, the team at Imagine Floors by Airstep have been reflecting on how to best inspire end users and empower them to create the homes of their dreams. As a result of this reflection, they’ve completed a refresh of their Oatlands Luxury Vinyl Plank range of flooring and are pleased to share the updated collection – The Oatlands Edit - with the world.

For those who are unfamiliar with the range, the original Oatlands collection featured eight Australian native inspired decors ranging from a soft, light grey shade, Scottsdale, through to a deep brown, almost black shade named Pebble Beach. Both of these decors have been kept during the edit, with the creamy brown tones of Turnbury and the rich warm shades of Spotted Gum also being continued.

The collection will unfortunately be saying goodbye to Blackbutt, Stringybark, Grey Ironbark and Mountain Ash, but the good news is that these four decors will be replaced by six brand new designs.

Meet the Oatlands

Edit

particularly well in luxurious spaces as they carry the vibe of resort style living, but they will feel just as at home in a country chic aesthetic.

Riverbank

Cool brown tones combine with streaks of bluish grey and creamy highlights to create the Riverbank décor. This makes it perfect for promoting a relaxing vibe within a space, and its rich tones are bold enough to make a statement, while still being soft enough to blend with any colour palette.

Sandy Blackbutt

If you’re creating a Hamptons style home, or simply want a coastal twist on traditional Blackbutt styling, we suggest giving Sandy Blackbutt a go. With soft creamy tones that are similar in shade to sand, you can create your own beachy paradise in next to no time.

new decors joining the Oatlands Edit

Discover

Cheshire

Those looking to create rustic or whimsical interiors will find this gentle tan shade particularly appealing. Ideal for creating light and airy spaces, Cheshire is a playful shade with plenty of potential.

Native Blackbutt

If you’re after that perfect indoor/outdoor flow, Native Blackbutt is the ideal choice. Featuring earthy brown tones mixed with near orange highlights, these floorboards work to create a naturally inviting base for the design of your space.

Natural

The chameleon of the collection, Natural presents with a blend of soft, medium brown shades which can be used as the base for any design style. These floorboards work

Storm

Featuring dark and moody tones, Storm is the ideal décor for those looking to add an air of mystery to their space. Gentle browns and greys blend to create these floorboards and the end result is a luxurious finish that’s sure to impress.

Imagine Floors by Airstep is currently in the process of rolling out The Oatlands Edit, so if any of the flooring in the images for this piece catch your attention, contact your rep to discuss getting the updated range of Luxury Vinyl Planks in your store today.

the

On the 16th of November, Airstep and Imagine Floors held their inaugural Unite For Hope Walk at their headquarters in Dandenong South, Victoria. The Fun Walk is part of their efforts to support Pancare Foundation and saw staff attend from both the office and manufacturing divisions on site, meaning that the team united in more ways than one. It is also part of a wider initiative by Pancare Foundation designed to bring people together to raise awareness and increase support of the foundation.

Walking for a cause

Upper gastrointestinal cancers often go undetected until it is too late - a terrible reality that Pancare aims to change - and those dealing with these aggressive cancers require support that needs to be targeted, swift and effective. Pancare provides this, and both Airstep and Imagine Floors are proud to partner with the foundation to support their valuable work.

They were also honoured by the attendance of some members from the Pancare team, which made the day extra special. Both Doug Hawkins (Pancare Foundation CEO) and Mira Patel (PanSupport Counsellor) took the stage to help educate the team and provide information about more ways to get involved with Pancare Foundation and it was amazing to see how deeply they care about the work that they do. KPJ Group Australia’s CEO – Jeff Nicol – also took to the stage to rally the Airstep and Imagine Floors troops and share information about how the parent company would be participating in the partnership with Pancare with the whole team.

Everyone completed three laps of their headquarters - with a couple of fun challenges along the way - and it was great

to see everyone getting involved. With a sea of purple shirts wandering the grounds, spirits were high, and everyone was pleased to be supporting such a good cause. They even enjoyed the squats and planks (or at least tolerated them) as well as the impromptu dance parties to the Nutbush and Macarena.

All up, it was a truly enjoyable experience for all involved, and the organisers couldn’t have been happier with how everything turned out. The team look forward to similar events in the future and are pleased to be supporting such a great cause.

Those who would like to learn more about the work that Pancare Foundation does, or get involved with the cause, can visit pancare.org. au to access resources and/or donate.

The date was particularly symbolic, as November is both stomach cancer and pancreatic cancer awareness month, with the 16th also marking the midway point of Floorworld’s campaign to support the foundation. The campaign saw funds from sales of participating partner suppliers’ products go directly to support Pancare. Both Imagine Floors and Airstep were pleased to participate in this campaign for the third year running and adding their Unite For Hope Walk to the company schedule was a fantastic way to help raise extra awareness and support.

Improve your business – Convert data into information

Article by Chris Ogden

After over a decade in the software business, I fall into the trap of talking about data. If offered the choice between data and information, most of us would choose information. What is the difference, and why is it important to us as business owners?

In short, data is a collection of facts, while information puts those facts into context. A good example is our financial reports. Each item in our Profit and Loss and on our Balance Sheet is a point of data, but it only makes sense to us, it’s only helpful in the context of these reports. The report format changes data into useful information.

So, why is this important?

Most flooring businesses sit on a mountain of data; every day, more data is added to that mountain, but in most businesses, very little is available as useful information. How much better might our business be if all that data was available as information?

The longer it takes to access information about our business, the less valuable it is. Worse, you could draw wrong conclusions if the information is based on incorrect or incomplete data. We need timely, accurate data converted into information to help us improve our business. Let's have a look at some examples.

You very likely know the value of sales made last week. This is good to know because you are conscious of where your sales need to be to make the difference between a good month and a bad month. However, sitting under that sales number is data that would help you manage and grow your business, but it’s likely either inaccessible or at least hard to access quickly:

Most flooring businesses sit on a mountain of data; every day, more data is added to that mountain, but in most businesses, very little is available as helpful information.

• Average GP% and total GP$ for those sales

• Actionable information about the performance of your salespeople

• The number and value of projects not yet confirmed as sales

• The number and value of jobs that have been lost

• Your overall conversion rate and the conversion rate for each of your salespeople

Similarly, with product, out of all the products you have on display, you can probably identify those that sell well and those that sell very little. But if you want to get the best out of your retail space, this only scratches the surface. What about:

• Products we quote often but only rarely convert to sales

• Margins achieved for each product

• Products that don’t sell

• Colours within ranges that sell well and those that don’t

• Top sellers by volume and by profit

These are just two examples of how converting data into information can help the flooring retailer maximise their opportunities and profitability.

RFMS is an integrated business management system for the flooring industry. RFMS is one of the few products on the market that gives owners unlimited information about their flooring business.

There is another aspect to this subject. Quickly accessing information about your business is one thing; using that ability to

As difficult as it might be, we want to find time in our week to look at information about our business and then use that information to understand and improve our business.

improve your business is another. It takes discipline to maximise the benefit of having this information at our fingertips.

Whether we use RFMS or not, we want to know the drivers in our business, and we need to know the reports that give us timely information about those drivers. And then, we need to find the time to use those reports to improve our business. This last one is maybe the hardest for some of us. As difficult as it might be, we want to find time in our week to look at information about our business and then use that information to understand and improve our business.

We have all heard about “working on the business instead of in it”. It means carving time out of our week to work on our business

using timely and accurate information. Maybe this is hard because it doesn’t feel like real work; we’re not selling or organising an installation. While it might not look like work, as business owners, we must recognise that thinking about our business is one of

our most important activities. So long as we have good information. Sadly, many business owners can’t spend quality time working on their business because they don’t have access to the information that would make that time worthwhile.

The principle of accessing information to improve our business applies regardless of the business management system we use. But if you want to see how RFMS might help you, we will be happy to arrange a demo and discussion.

Chris Ogden is a consultant and Managing Director of RFMS Australasia (rfmsANZ.com), a supplier of IT solutions specific to the flooring industry. Chris has an extensive background in all aspects of the flooring industry, and he can be contacted at cogden@rfms.com.

Sadly, many business owners can’t spend quality time working on their business because they don’t have access to the information that would make that time worthwhile.

The important role building design plays for the vision impaired

According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), there are 1.1 billion people globally living with vision loss, and a further 2 to 3 billion needing ongoing access to eye care services. In Australasia alone, there are an estimated 1.6 million people with vision loss and of these, 69,000 are blind. By getting regular sight tests, 90% of vision loss can be prevented or treated with early detection, something that the IAPB advocate for.

Beyond impacting their health and well-being, vision impairments also impact individuals’ ability to navigate their surroundings safely and confidently, particularly in built and busy environments.

How does the loss of sight affect one’s quality of life and public safety?

According to the World Health Organisation, vision impairment can severely impact

one’s quality of life, regardless of age. In the adult population, those with vision impairment often have lower rates of workforce participation and productivity, as well as higher rates of depression and anxiety. On the other hand, older adults with vision impairment can contribute to social isolation, difficulty walking, a higher risk of falls and fractures, and a greater likelihood of early entry into nursing or care homes.

When it comes to public safety and accessibility, the visually impaired often experience difficulties when accessing buildings and services. This can include a lack of orientation, difficulty finding their bearings, and a heightened risk of falling or bumping into obstacles.

Whether it’s vision impairments or other forms of disability, we all deserve equal access to public spaces, and the right to navigate our environments safely.

How to create a safe environment and reduce the risk of falls for the visually impaired

Across both indoor and outdoor settings, simple considerations to minimise risk and prevent falls can include:

• Making outdoor walking paths detectable and safe

• Ensuring easily recognisable and accessible entrances

• Making indoor navigation easy and safe

• Installing floor and stair safety features such as tactiles and stair nosings

• Regular facility maintenance such as replacing worn out entrance matting or floor trims

• Providing visible safety signage and equipment

While these are just some examples that can help with creating a safe environment, building professionals should do their due diligence to comply with all anti-discrimination standards and safety regulations.

Australian Standards in building design to support the visually impaired Emphasising the need for good design and planning of public spaces, the Australian Standards highlights the importance of tactile indicators and stair nosings for floor and stair safety.

Australian Standards for tactile indicators

Tactile ground surface indicators (TGSI) play an important role in providing hazard warnings and directional information for the vision impaired, also supported by the Building Code of Australia (BCA) Section D Clause 3.8, as well as the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Tactiles are often installed on stairs, rail platforms, ramps, kerb ramps, pedestrian walkways and vehicle carriageways.

TGSIs must meet the following AS/NZS 1428.4 requirements:

• Installed across the full width of the path of travel, enabling them to be felt underfoot or with the tip of a cane.

• The surface must be slip-resistant.

• Integrated (tile) type tactiles must meet a minimum luminance contrast standard of 30%

o An individual tactile of one colour needs to achieve 45%

o 60% is required for two colours

• The top of the tactile indicators must sit no more than 4 -5mm above the base surface.

Public access areas that must have tactiles installed to ensure safe access for visually impaired pedestrians include:

• Stairways

• Escalators

• Passenger conveyor/moving walk

• Ramps

• Areas which lack suitable barriers

• Pedestrian crossings

Above: Classic Tredfx Warning Tactile Indicators

Above: Classic Tredfx Directional Tactiles

Australian Standards for stair nosings

In accordance with AS1428.1, stair nosings are a general requirement for all new building work and must be installed across the entire width of the accessible path of travel.

Clause 11 of the Standard specifically addresses requirements for stairways and stair nosings, focusing on promoting luminance contrast at the leading edge of step treads together with the avoidance of overhang at the front of stair treads.

Stair nosings must meet the following AS1428.1 Luminance Contrast requirements:

• Each tread is to have a minimum strip of 50mm and not more than 75mm deep across the width of the path of travel.

• The nosing strip is to have a minimum contrast of 30% to the floor finish.

• The nosing strip may be set back a maximum of 15mm from the front of the nosing.

• When located at the front of a stair nosing, the luminance contrast strip cannot extend down the riser more than 10mm.

• Stair nosing profiles may have a sharp intersection or a radius up to 5mm, or up to a 5mm x 5mm chamfer at the tread/riser intersection.

LRV and Luminance Contrast Testing

to ensure compliance with building standards and code of practice

It is crucial that building professionals factor in the safety and accessibility of public spaces for the visually impaired in the early stages of any project. This not only helps the visually impaired to navigate public spaces but also minimises costly ramifications down the track. While the above Australian Standards for tactile indicators and stair nosings outline basic requirements, LRV and luminance contrast testing will ensure your complete compliance.

Comparing the luminance reflectance of two different surfaces, Luminance Contrast Testing ensures that the vision impaired have sufficient visual cues to distinguish between various elements of a building. On the other hand, Light Reflective Value (LRV) is a measure of visible and usable light that

Above: Classic Tredfx Stair Nosings and Tactile Indicators

Above: Classic Architectural Group conducting onsite Luminance Contrast Testing

Style is reflected from a coloured surface when illuminated by a light source. Both LRV and Luminance Contrast Testing are mandatory as per Australian Standards (AS 1428.1:2009 and AS1428.4.1:2009), The National Construction Code/Building Code of Australia and The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

You can use an online calculator to find out if your Luminance Contrast is compliant The team at Classic Architectural Group offers both LRV and luminance contrast testing to maximise the efficacy of your stair nosings and tactile indicators. Working closely with your team, they can produce reports from information collected on-site to document your level of compliance with building standards. This ensures your project is 100% compliant with the Australian Safety Standards.

Classic Architectural Group also have a free online calculator for assessing the luminance contrast value of a floor substrate with a product, for both dry and wet readings. This is a quick and easy way to check if you meet Australian Standards compliance requirements. Visit the resource hub at www.classic-arch.com to use their free luminance contrast calculator and to access other helpful resources to ensure your future projects are compliant.

Fashion in flooring Value

Resin Flooring

The five Rs of successful Resin Flooring

After more than 20 years in the resin flooring industry, the team at Resin Flooring International can safely say that successful resin flooring projects are more than just good preparation or the right product. To guarantee the best outcome, you need a formula that takes care of the project at every stage and from every angle.

You need the five Rs

1. The Right Specification 2. The Right Flooring System 3. The Right Preparation 4. The Right Installation 5. The Right Process Management

Together these five elements form the blueprint to resin flooring success, and this article aims to quickly introduce the basis for each.

The Right Specification

The aim of a resin flooring specification is to paint a bigger picture for everyone involved –the main function of the floor, the conditions it will face, and a range of expectations surrounding performance, lifespan etc. Therefore, the focus should be on defining the project’s needs at this point rather than trying to select the perfect product.

The Right Flooring System

With the specification defining the project destination, so to speak, the right system basically boils down to whatever resin flooring system is best equipped to take you there.

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Resin Flooring

Once the generic type of system is defined from the framework, e.g., broadcast, the manufacturer should be consulted because they can help with the product selection, installation process, maintenance program and warranty statement. Also, there may be specific criteria noted in the specification that requires more technical input.

The Right Preparation

Preparation is often assumed as standard for the various types of flooring systems, however, with the unpredictability of field work and the fact that more than one type of preparation is possible, it needs to be officially ticked off at some point.

The right preparation, therefore, boils down to checking the proposed preparation actually lines up with the products and site conditions during the all-important site inspection. It also involves making sure everything else that can come into play with floor preparation has been properly addressed.

The Right Installation

A big part of a successful resin flooring project is having a suitably sized installer with training in both the resin flooring system and specific products being used. They should also be using the right consumables and application hardware to complete the flooring finish.

The following elements should be considered for contractor suitability:

• Contractor Size

• System-specific Training

• Product-specific Training

• Equipment

Right Process Management

At a nuts-and-bolts level, the right process management is following a clear process from initial approvals through to final handover and having an effective way of recording it. If so much time and effort is spent putting plans in place for a successful project, it only makes sense to prove it was executed correctly.

The following elements should be considered for effective process management:

• Quotation and proposal

• Pre-commencement specification check

• Work method statement

• Bill of quantities

• Risk assessment, e.g., JSEA

• Daily toolbox meetings

• Inspection and test plan (ITP)

• Daily record keeping, including photos, sketches

• Variations to contract process

• Warranty and maintenance.

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®

At Godfrey Hirst, our commitment to our planet extends beyond just products and processes: it’s how we challenge ourselves to do and be better every day, how we make decisions, how we reinvest in our people and our planet, and how we define what matters most as we work to deliver value for generations to come.