FFI 55 September 2012

INTERNATIONAL trade journal for import, export, distribution and laying of parquet, laminate, cork flooring and related products

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

N° 55, Sept. 2012 - Price: €8 - Published 7 times a year - (Feb, March, May, July, Sept, Nov, Dec) Office of delivery 9099 Ghent X, P911092, BC 31359 — Responsible Publisher: Filip De Ridder

Overview on the Parquet Industry in Germany Visit us at

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PREVIEW

Preview

Special Decking finishes & maintenance

Special Laminate floors

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Special Sanding machines Special Producers of silane based adhesives

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N° 55, Sept. 2012 - Price: €8 - Published 7 times a year - (Feb, March, May, July, Sept, Nov, Dec) Office of delivery 9099 Ghent X, P911092, BC 31359 — Responsible Publisher: Filip De Ridder

Visit us at

DOMOTEX G E R M A N Y

PREVIEW

Preview

Special Decking finishes & maintenance

Special Laminate floors

Picture: Balterio

Special Sanding machines Special Producers of silane based adhesives

Floor Forum International, N° 55, Sept. ’12 Photo Adesiv

5 Inside news 8 Preview Made Expo Milan (I) 10 Special Sports Floors : types of wood & systems 12 Preview Domotex Russia 14 Preview Global Woodmart Malaysia

15 Special Nanotechnology–based lacquers : situation and report European Commission 17 Project Rubio Monocoat (B) 18 Preview Domotex Middle East Istanbul (TR) 21 Special UV lacquers on the yard 25 Special Outdoor floors : finishes & maintenance 32 Project Ciranova/DeBal Coatings (B) 33 Project Mardegan Legno (H) 34 Special Laminate floors (part 1) 38 Project Timberline International (NL) 41 Special Skirting Boards 44 Special Subfloors (part 2)

51 Special Silane based adhesives 57 Industry News 58 Advertorial DeckWise (NL) 59 Special Germany 66 Product News

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47 Special Sanding machines and their dust removal (part 1)

Editorial “Satisfying market demand … in 53 different countries” Benoit Muylle (Rubio Monocoat)

For this edition we spoke to Benoit Muylle from Muylle-Facon, the parent company behind the successful Rubio Monocoat range of oils, which have gained international renown in recent years. Benoit Muylle looks back at the launch of Rubio Monocoat six years ago and gives his views on today’s market and future developments in the industry.

“When we launched Rubio Monocoat in 2006, we had to explain our revolutionary technology on several occasions whereby the oil in the wood enters into a molecular bind with the wood fibres.

Nowadays, Rubio Monocoat is an international brand and new launches in the range are well received at once. We’re also fully committed to global expansion and the variety of the products means we’re enjoying lots of success. Today, worldwide, we have 18 Rubio Monocoat offices and the products are used in 53 countries. Our success in the United States also makes good reading.”

Diverse and trendy colours are dominating the competition in this market.

“That’s right. Rubio Monocoat products are used by parquet makers, industrial finishers, and floor fitters in over fifty countries. It would be impossible for us to meet all the various needs and preferences with only a limited range of colours. Oil makers must be flexible enough to capitalise on specific market demands. Moreover, if you operate on several continents, it’s essential to be flexible and vigilant. We have a standard basic range of 42 colours, which can all be mixed with each other. However, that’s not always enough, so you also need a customised approach. You listen to what the client wants and develop a palette of colours specifically for that client or market.”

How important are the ecological performances and VOC content of your products on the market?

“Ever since the launch in 2006, our

products have never contained any VOC, or, in other words, 0% VOC. That’s something which can still count today.

There are several products on the market, which do comply with the standards, but they nevertheless contain small quantities of VOC. I advise professionals to read the safety data sheet. Some producers give ambiguous information about the VOC content, but a safety data sheet doesn’t lie.”

“What I’m also pleased to hear is that more and more people consider health to be a decisive factor in their choice.

Floor fitters realise that the new products are better for their own health.”

What can the industry expect from Rubio Monocoat in the near future?

“As a maker, you can never stand still.

You need to continue to be innovative and endeavour to be ready to meet market needs proactively. For example, we’ve noticed that the economic crisis has led to a strong demand for the renovation of wooden floors at the expense of fitting new ones. This means that floor fitters have more work on site, namely sandpapering and finishing instead of fitting parquet. And so, we feel it’s important to be active in all fields and offer the right products. This means that as an oil maker you can’t just work in one market segment to the neglect of others. For the rest, we have some new projects in the pipeline. I can’t tell you everything about that just yet, but what I can say is that we’re working on a new Rubio Monocoat fire-retardant system without salt, even for outdoor wood. The unique feature of this system will be its longlasting fire-retardant performance. The fact is that, at present, in line with the legal standard, researchers only measure the fire-retardant performance once the wood has been finished. Yet the wood gradually loses its fire-retardant effect in the course of time. Our new solution ensures that the wood’s fire-retardant performance stays intact for several years after the fitting. That will mean a huge leap forward for this product category.”

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Jean Paul Talbot Ludwig Janssens Filip De Ridder Jacques Legros

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Michael Robinson Floor Forum International is a publication of FFi bvba

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The copyright of Floor Forum International and the articles appearing herein are retained by the publisher. By agreeing to publication of an article in this journal, the author assigns to the publisher the irrevocable and exclusive right under Copyright law to collect charges due from third parties for copying said article and to undertake legal or other action for this purpose.

Editorial and advertising copy in this issue have been carefully checked and Floor Forum International bvba cannot accept any responsibility for any errors.

Contents, Colophon & Editorial

I N T E R N AT I O N A L Overview on the Parquet Industry in Germany

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INTERNATIONAL trade journal for import, export, distribution and laying of parquet, laminate, cork flooring and related products

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TÜRKİYE VE ORTADOĞU ZEMİN FUARI

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FLOORING TRADE FAIR FOR TURKEY AND MIDDLE EAST

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Rubio Academy extended

As of August, the Rubio Academy, the Rubio Monocoat training centre, has been housed in new and spacious premises adjoining the current offices. In the general reception area, which is equipped with the latest presentation technology, trainers will give further details about the theoretical aspects of the products and explain the possibilities of combining products with each other. In the adjoining demonstration room trainees can apply their newly acquired theoretical knowledge in practice on demonstration panels and specific practical situations are simulated.

The company believes strongly in giving its clients practice-based support and is convinced that the Rubio Academy can play a big part in this.

Küberit Safety Stair Nosings with TÜV certificate The safety of products is often an important factor of choice for brand preferences by architects, retailers and craftsmen.

Due to this reason the German flooring profile developer and manufacturer Küberit adds to their internal quality management a further external control including certificates from a renowned institution. The TÜV Nord has recently certified many stair nosing profiles from Küberit.

After the certification by the TÜV of the profiles 706 A, 706 C, 707 A and 707 C in the past, it was now for the safety stair nosing profile type 708 N to receive the TÜV certificate. Furthermore the KOMBI stair nosing profiles (type 701, 702, 703, 704, 705 and 709) as well as the RENO stair nosing profiles (type 711 and 712) were approved by the TÜV.

This high quality profiles were installed e.g. in retirement homes, rehab centers or other public places where safety aspects are a priority. The aluminium profiles are available in the standard lengths 5.0 and 2.5 m and in 6 metallic colours (silver, gold, bronze, sand, stainless steel and aluminium polished).

The KOMBI and the safety stair nosings are countersunk drilled and were designed for exchangeable PVC inserts or even for 2 PVC inserts. The PVC inserts can be purchased in 11 different colours including a photoluminescent variant and with a grooved or a plain surface.

For the RENO stair nosings Küberit offers 13 and 23 mm wide slip resistant inserts in 3 different variants with a maximum nonskid effect (R13), 3 different inserts with a normal non-skid effect and 6 PVC inserts.

The renowned stair nosings profile systems Euro-Step Champion, Euro Step, Step Clip Champion and Step Clip have been tested by the TÜV Nord and received the certificate a long time ago.

These profile systems are extremely common to specialized retailers and craftsmen. The internationally patented profile systems meet the Küberit requirements “professional quality for professional users” in every aspect.

Kalle Dieckmann changes to HKS Heinrich Krüger + Sohn & Co. KG welcomes 1st of August a new employee in his team.

In the branch he is no stranger – on the contrary: Kalle Dieckmann has more than nearly 20 years of experience in the flooring sector.

His professional career in this branch began in 1993 with Osterman & Scheiwe. After the insolvency in 2002 he became of the today’s Osmo & Co. KG assumed and responsable product manager for wooden floors there during the last tem years.

The change of the industrial company to the wooden wholesaler and importer means an exciting challenge for him. Above all the view irritates him to be integrated stronger than with Osmo into a team. Dieckmann will be responsable mainly for the international purchase and the product management.

In addition, he takes over parts from the areas of marketing and key account.

HKS promises an enlargement of his professionalism to itself from the cooperation with Kalle Dieckmann.

Short-term aim of HKS is to offer an even bigger product depth to the customers in future.

Osmo accompanies the 2012 Olympic games, the Aquatics centre in London is finished in a “Silver grey” effect A specially created, modern „Silver Grey“ finish from Osmo was chosen above other manufacturers in fierce competition for the exterior design of the Olympic swimming pool in London. The main goal of the design team was to create a beautiful natural silver/grey patina, normally caused by natural weathering, directly after installation. The custom made colour tone was used not only throughout the interior of the aquatics centre but also for the impressive and vast areas of exterior cladding.

Natural but modern: the „Silver Grey” Effect from Osmo After construction began in 2009 it was clear that to meet the expectations of the architects involved in this immense project, as well as 21st century product requirements, would be no easy task.

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Floor Forum International 55

Ciranova dealer in the UK: Ciranova finishes Ltd Ciranova is happy to announce that since 1 June, Ciranova has a distributor in the UK: Ciranova Finishes Ltd. Ciranova Finishes Ltd will be led by Tim Denholm.

Since arriving in the UK from South Africa in 2001, Tim Denholm has worked in and around the wood coatings and wood flooring industry and has worked in the UK and Europe for a number of manufacturers across various aspects of wood flooring related products and manufacture. Tim has now Teamed up with Ciranova in Belgium and decided to utilise his entrepreneurial and varied comprehensive experience to start Ciranova Finishes Ltd in the UK. Together with Ciranova, a brand of Debal Coatings in Belgium, Tim intends to take the comprehensive expertise and product range from Ciranova and combine it with the market knowledge accumulated over the years to bring a successful launch of the Ciranova brand into the UK Wood Flooring market.

Ciranova Finishes Ltd is stocking the Ciranova range of products in the UK for next day delivery and Tim is dedicated to providing a unique and efficient customer service experience. Contact Tim on 07900224429 for further info or email tim@ciranova-finishes.co.uk. More information about the Ciranova products can be found on our website: www.ciranova.co.uk

Inside news

> Inside news

5

An emotional journey...

Old Floor Italy s.r.l. - 31030 S. Vito di Altivole (TV) - Via Costanza 2/L - Tel. +39.0423.940093 - Fax +39.0423.940099 info@oldflooritaly.com - www.oldflooritaly.com

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> continued from page 5

Sadechaf: Renovation of parquet floors in sport accommodations Parquet floors in sport accommodations have a high traffic flow.

The floor is intensively used and need a qualified renovation if necessary. These places are open for public all the time so renovation of the floor in a short time frame is very important.

While using a UV curable coating you are able to repair the complete floor in only one day. After applying the coating in the usual way, the UV floor curing machine of Sadechaf is drying the floor instantly. That means that the building can be open for public the next day!

PEPI RER SIA: expanding market for ProVent underlay ProVent underlay with the ventilation feature consists of a 3mm thick LDPE foam which is laminated with a HDPE membrane. Due to the ribbed underside ProVent facilitatates air circulation between flooring and subfloor.

Wintersteiger Parquet specialist Jaso: Large-format floorboards thanks to DSB Singlehead 660 Jaso, the company from the German city of Kippenheim, seems to have been taken in by wood. Once established as a handle factory, the owner-managed company from Baden-Württemberg can look back at more than five decades of experience in making parquet. The wood is precisely smoothed off, the manufacturing is thought-out to the finest detail. From there, quality products are supplied to numerous professional parquet layers and wood specialty stores in Germany, Switzerland and French Alsace.

“When we heard about the Wintersteiger DSB Singlehead 660 and its minimal kerf of 1.1 mm, we were both curious and skeptical. After all, for other vendors the limit is 1.4 mm,” says CEO Michael Schmid Jaso.

The DSB Singlehead 660 lets us achieve the desired finished size of 300 mm while offering options for even wider floorboards”, says Operations Manager Dipl. Ing. (FH) Uwe Stange. Investing in Wintersteiger’s thin-cutting band saw DSB Singlehead 660 has also provided Jaso with an efficient operation. “We can join surface layers directly after cutting them, without having to recalibrate; this saves an extra step and avoids wastage. That was our main goal and matches our corporate philosophy: making use of every bit of wood,” says Schmid.

Inside news

The Progress Profiles Installation Films Progress Profiles have adapted their web site to include some installation films. From now on, the specific sections of several products now give web site visitors the opportunity to view videos to show them how to use the products.

As well as providing practical information, these films also give viewers ideas and, apparently, simplify the more complex products. This is certainly the case for the PROSKIRTING LED, the skirting board with built-in LED, which, thanks to the film, is now easy to fit and yields an aesthetically attractive result.

ProVent presents a new approach to the installation of floating floors on a concrete subfloor. The use of ProVent prevents the formation of mould in underfloor area. ProVent is manufactured by PEPI RER SIA, Latvia, www.provent.lv.

Since launching in Summer 2007 PEPI RER sold 6 million m2 of this product mainly in Europe but also in the USA. ProVent receives recognision from the major manufacturers of flooring. For example, since 2011 Kronospan Switzerland offer a customised Kronoswiss ProVent in 80 countries worldwide.

World’s biggest dredging company opts for Rubio Monocoat The Van Oord headquarters in Rotterdam is a spectacular project in which no fewer than 2,500m² of bamboo and wenge give the illusion that you are on a ship deck. The whole unit is finished with RMC Oil Plus 2C in the colour ‘Pure’ to bring out the full beauty of these precious wood sorts. More and more architects and parquet floor fitters are putting their faith in this RMC dual component oil because this product fully satisfies the strict requirements of the project market as regards durability and wear resistance. Naturally, the company is proud to record such projects as a reference!

info@chapelparket.nl | +31 (0)73-6110606

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Floor Forum International 55

The result was a decision to create an immediate and durable “silver Grey” optic on wooden elements, the finish needed to unify the beauty of naturally greyed wood with a modern touch fitting for such a stunning object. Osmo, the leading manufacturer and supplier of modern natural wood finishes and wooden products for home, garden and project work, produced thousands of litres of the specially created finish in its Muenster based facility in Germany. Starting in spring 2010, until completion, more than 20.000 m2 of wood in the aquatic centre has been finished with the specially developed colour tone. Both athletes and spectators enjoyed not only record breaking action beneath a naturally beautiful silver/grey canopy, but also the impressive “wave” formed exterior of the building.

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Preview Made Expo Milan (I)

MADE Expo: international building and architecture show in Milan From 17 to 20 October, Milan will host the fifth edition of MADE (‘Milano Architectura Design Edilizia’) Expo. This complete building and architecture show brings together in Milan players from both the Italian and international construction and architecture industries. The organisers have reserved 100,000m² of space for the show and are once again expecting over 250,000 visitors and about 2,000 exhibitors. Here is a preview of the event.

Partner International Wood Construction Conference MADE expo is developing more and more into a leading trade fair for the wood industry and has entered into a partnership with the International wood construction conference 2012. This is an important cycle of international conferences, which take place in various European cities and is rounded off with a conference in Garmisch: the International wood construction conference.

can download and consult all information. After their visit, visitors then have a complete summary of all products which interest them together with the accompanying documentation.

More halls set aside for floors and wood The show has set aside two full-size halls for floor finishes and one hall for wooden houses and structures. Furthermore, there is also a hall for exhibitors specialising in processing and finishing wood.

Here is a quick preview of companies in our industry!

The show takes place in New Milan Fairgrounds in Rho, near Milan. The show is open every day from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

You can find more information on the web site of MADE EXPO.

Bassano Parquet

Green Home Design One of the most important subjects is sustainable and ecological home design and construction. The Green Home Design exhibition includes five zones where a number of specialists and architects will present examples of ‘green’ houses. These are four green houses of the future and also one crèche for children.

Floor Forum International 55

Global environment The growing prestige of MADE Expo is also in evidence through the presence of official delegations from 23 countries: Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, China, Cyprus, Croatia, India, Israel, Lebanon, Lithuania, Morocco, Poland, Qatar, Czech Republic, Rumania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, United States, Turkey, and Ukraine.

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Top architects The MADE Expo organisers are also expecting several international firms of architects and design studios with offices in various cities worldwide: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Dubai, Doha, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, Toronto, Mumbai, and London. These firms include AECOM, Cannon design, Gensler, HLW international, HOK, KPF, Perkins + Will, Perkins Eastman, Richard Meier, Rockwell GROUP, SOM, Studios Architecture, and WATG. New: MADE i-Product info New at the show is the i-Product info system. Exhibitors can upload all information and documents relating to their products on a MADE Expo web site specially designed for this purpose. By scanning the QR code with the help of their smart phone, visitors

On such occasion the company intend to present intriguing new items. Consistent with their philosophy, based on both tradition and innovation, Bassano Parquet are constantly pursuing new varieties able to highlight the nature of wood and its different features. Made Expo will be an appealing opportunity for launching Bassano Parquet’s heritage quality wood. A greatly evocative selection, featuring new hues and finishes that will surprise you.

The presentation will include new solutions designed for American, European and African walnut.

Bassano Parquet will offer their new and established clientele original unique solutions from extensive ranges: the distinguished outcome of research to suit price, and above all, substance.

Lechner S.p.A. Lechner S.p.A. will confirm also for 2012 its presence at Made Expo, main national event for the building industry, and more specifically for the interior design and finishes, with great value recognised at an international level, as data relative to visitors of the previous years show. For the company it is an important appointment since its first edition. Being the market situation not happy, companies which still invest in their image are to be

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Par-Ky Thanks to the previous successful editions, Par-ky participates also this year in Made Expo. This trend-setting fair in Milan is for Par-ky the perfect occasion to present its new corporate identity. The new logo with baseline ‘friendly floors’ shows that Par-ky is a friendly floor, for nature, our health, the end consumer, our employees and the design of your interior.

Par-ky will also present its ‘Trendy Oak’ collection. Next to some new colors, Par-ky made

2 special designs out of heat treated oak. Heat treating gives the oak a brown, warm tone similar to the smoking technique but based on heat instead of ammoniac.

Visit Par-ky in Hall 7 – F01 – G10 Progress Profiles Made Expo is the trade fair for top class interior design. And so, the exhibited products and solutions are developed to top their field in aesthetic beauty. Profiles are no exception. They were created to provide a technical solution for fitting tiles, but over the years they have taken on increasing importance as decoration and are now a very relevant finishing item.

It goes without saying that Progress Profiles plays along with this trend and presents a vast range of products and solutions, which can be applied on any type of surface, including with large numbers of finishes and materials.

Progress Profiles hopes to go even further, if possible, with LED skirting boards, LED stair nosings, and new finishes and colours for profiles and stair nosings. Progress Profiles aims to be innovative and provide the world of decoration with new ideas. And so, make sure you attend Made Expo, where you can familiarise yourself with the products and solutions of Progress Profiles.

Preview Made Expo Milan (I)

admired, because faithful in the next restart of the sales. With this thought Lechner is going on in ist year lasting research for “certified” products, with low environmental impact.

Between the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012, many adhesives have acquired some of the most recognised International accreditations. It is an era of limited consumptions, but of growing interest of the installers and of the final user for quality products, with low content of solvents and other volatile compounds.

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Pedestals deck sytems for sloped roofs

Our glance always at the future

Lippage is a huge iSSue it’s our turn to heLP Timber decking systems Using the joist cradle attacment to locate timber or aluminium joists, timber decking can be simply and safely supported.

the only one with 2 elements

Architects

Specifiers

Contractors

Landscapers

Roofers

Builders

Buzon Pedestal International s.a./n.v.

Z.I. des Hauts Sarts, Zone 1, Prolongement rue de l’Abbaye, 134 – B-4040 Herstal, Belgium Tel : +32 (0)4 248 39 83 Fax : +32 (0)4 264 82 38 Email : info@buzon-world.com Flash it and visit www.buzon-world.com our web site

Proleveling System Proleveling System is a revolutionary and innovative system that facilitates and quicken the laying process with only two elements: (leveler and cap).

A complete range of levelers of 1, 2 and 3 mm for floorings and coverings from 2 to 40 mm thick. thanks to the pressure applied vertically and not transversally, the exclusive removal system allows to avoid the movement of the tiles and the widening of the joints.

Progress Profiles SpA

Lay

Azienda certificata UN EN ISO 9001:2008

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pate nt Multip pendin g le so lution s

Turn

Remove Kicking the clip in the direction of the joint.

Floor Forum International 55

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Special Sports Floors : types of wood & systems

Fitting sports floor systems Why not offer a ‘lifelong contract’?

In one of our previous articles about sports floors we made a rough estimate of the number of square metres that a country like Belgium has at its disposal. We came out at an average of about 4,000m² for each fully fledged local authority. That’s only an estimate, of course, and not a scientific calculation. Seeing that people in every age and part of the world have played sport, this reasoning can also be applied simply to all countries. Conclusion: a lucrative market! Moreover, that market becomes even more lucrative if we consider that fitting sports floors usually has a tail end. After all, sports floors also need to be maintained properly. co-efficient, all properties which affect the health of the participants. The things which are referred to in the norm as ‘technical properties’ relate directly to the sport in question. These are properties such as the bounce of a ball, response in the event of rolling pressure, flatness, and such like.

Elastic due to the construction Sports floor makers obtain the properties listed in the norm primarily by means of the construction of the floor (elasticity) and by means of the finish (slip resistance and sliding co-efficient). As regards the construction, we see various systems which are offered by specialist companies.

Haro

Much more than parquet A wooden sports floor can only be compared to a parquet floor if we consider the floor surface. The floor is designed in wood and finished with a varnish. What makes a sports floor so special, however, is something which is not visible. It lies under the surface.

Floor Forum International 55

Sorts of sports floors Sports floors are classified according to the nature of their elasticity. We make a distinction between shock absorbent floors or point elastic floors. Between those two ends of the spectrum there are some combined or mixed systems. A shock absorbent floor is a floor with elasticity which is spread over a large surface.

The circle which is affected by a certain pressure has a radius of about 500mm. With the point elastic floor the point of inversion is approximately the same as that where the pressure is exerted.

The radius here is a mere 100mm. The combined sports floor is a shock absorbent floor with a point elastic top layer. With these floors we can say that the indentation surface is wide in the support structure and narrow in the top layer. Mixed floors are resilient floors with a surface reinforcement component. The indentation is certainly limited, but nevertheless bigger than the place where the pressure is directly exerted.

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A European norm Since 1 January 2007, Europe has had one norm which sets out the requirements for sports floors. After all, international competitions are organised in various branches of sport and the floors everywhere are expected to react in the same manner. Amongst other things, EN 14904 sets out requirements for the floor’s sporting properties i.e. the requirements regarding the contact between the floor and the human body. This concerns things such as shock absorption, energy restitution, and the sliding

Sports floor systems A very common construction is that in which a birch multiplex subfloor is fitted on rubber support pillars. The top layer in hardwood strips is glued onto the subfloor. Another possibility consists of the installation of a solid wood floor on wooden support beams, which are supported by rubber feet or strips. A multi-layer parquet or veneer floor with tongue and groove can also be fitted directly onto the screed. Usually, there are some resilient strips on the underside of the floorboard. When a sports floor is fitted on top of a cement covering floor, either directly or with support, a moisture-repellent sheet is always fitted. The expansion and shrinking of the wood in the direction of the width has to be absorbed by providing the necessary expansion joints as required.

Finish It goes without saying that the selection of the wood for a sports floor is vitally important. After all, the floor has to form a uniform whole as regards colour and people usually opt to use light sorts of wood so that the lines or markings are clearly visible. As regards markings, there are various possibilities, including marking the lines with a dual component polyurethane varnish. In addition to its excellent mechanical properties, this system has the big advantage that it is available in just about all RAL colours. And so, the lines can be marked entirely in line with the wishes or requirements of the sports federation in question. We refer you to our previous edition for more information about the finish and the markings.

Durable sports floors Whichever domain of the construction industry we consider, the terms ‘sustainable building’ and ‘sustainable enterprise’ are never far away. This applies no less to the world of sports floors, and in fact even more so. It is quite clear that most sports floors are part of some or other government project.

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A ‘lifelong’ contract Sports floors are not only an attractive proposition for floor fitters because of the fitting, but also because of the maintenance at a later stage. As regards the fitting, we can be very brief: several square metres in one location and in a single large hall. If the floor fitters start their work at the right time (i.e. when all other professionals have finished), they can usually go about their work without hindrance. Moreover, the fact that clear instructions and fitting plans accompany the systems produced by specialist manufacturers makes the work relatively easy. Once the floor is fitted, the floor fitters’ assignment goes on. The client will usually ask to enter into a maintenance contract with the floor fitter for a longer period. Floor fitters should be encouraged to be ‘pro-active’ in this matter. For example, floor fitters could include maintenance and even renovation after some years in their original fitting quotations. Given the total outline of the costs, the building manager may feel that the price of the maintenance is relatively cheap and there is a good chance that he or she will accept the maintenance contract from the beginning. A maintenance contract can include various elements: • periodic control of the floor for minor damage or wear; • periodic supply of the required maintenance products; • periodic thorough cleaning; • work on the finish or markings; • re-marking the lines; • total renovation of the sports floor.

The base consists of plywood and can be finished with all sorts of pliable floor coverings such as PVC, linoleum, or PU resin. For rapid fitting in gymnasia or fitness halls, for example, there is Actiflex.

Haro Sports Flooring Haro Sports Flooring has a range of different sports floors, including synthetic floors (e.g.

Montreal, London, and Munich) and hardwood floors (Helsinki, Stockholm, and Berlin). Furthermore, the company enjoys worldwide renown for its hardwood portable sports floors (Rome). Earlier this year, a new combination of the portable sports floor (Rome 10) from Haro Sports Flooring, with an acrylic top layer of Rebound Ace Australia, made a tremendous impression at the Nike® Clash of the Champions event in Oregon (USA). The Rome 10 floor can be fitted in barely three hours and dismantled at the same speed. The Rebound Ace Australia finish provided an outstanding tennis floor. Top stars such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were there and tennis legend John Mac also came to have a look. Due to an agreement with Nike Grind®, a division of Nike, Haro can provide an elastic layer which, amongst other things, is made from recycled shoes.

Junckers All Junckers sports floors belong in classes A3 and A4, the highest classes in the EN 14904. These floors (sports parquet) are surface elastic floors. The range consists of various sports floor systems based on 22mm solid wood parquet. These are constructed on various subfloor constructions in order to satisfy all competition and price levels and in order to meet all possible technical conditions (such as mobile stands). In its sports range, Junckers offers both fixed systems and portable floors for multi-functional halls of the Arena type. For example, Bercy has a portable parquet floor from Junckers. Just about 95% of the floors are made from beech, whilst the rest are made from maple or oak.

Special Sports Floors : types of wood & systems

In three quarters of cases, these floors are fitted by order of a local or provincial authority. In cases where a private organisation (e.g. a sports club or an educational institution) is responsible for the fitting, they will usually apply to the aforementioned authorities for subsidies. In all cases the authority in question stipulates certain requirements in the field of sustainable enterprise. And so, it goes without saying that the specifications will state that the wood used to fit the floor must originate from sustainably managed forests and that this origin must be proved by the label of an independent agency (e.g. FSC or PEFC). Similarly, certain ecological requirements (waterborne, solvent-free, and free of formaldehyde) will be set for the adhesive used and the finish products (varnish and paint).

Boen Boen has a full range of sports floors with single or double support structures. Singleflex, for example, is a single support structure floor. Amongst other things, this floor has served as the basis for developing a special squash court floor. Like the Elastflex and the Arenaflex, it is a top quality sports floor. Doubleflex is a double support structure sports floor, which is finished with 15 or 21mm parquet.

However, the star of the show in the Boen range is Boflex, a sports floor with integrated elasticity. This floor can be used for both Olympic basketball and a philharmonic orchestra concert.

The Sondrio sports floor from Seicom is gradually acquiring legendary status. This floor was developed in the 1980s and has steadily conquered the whole of Italy and the rest of Europe. Even though this Sondrio floor is constructed on a double beam structure, its total height is a `mere` 55mm, an undisputed record. This minimal height makes the floor easy to renovate or replace. 22mm of rubber wood are used for the top layer.

The raw material is checked in different places and produced by Seicom itself. Rubber wood has very high resistance to moisture and is extremely flexible. Recently, Seicom has decided to give the Sondrio floor an upgrade, a decision which was also inspired by the new legislation. Sondrio is FIBA approved and complies with the standard EN 14904.

visit us at www.floor-forum.com

Floor Forum International 55

Seicom

Some reputable systems

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Preview Domotex Russia

Domotex sets foot on Russian soil Economic growth and huge investments in all sorts of building projects have made Russia an attractive proposition for the flooring industry. And so, a show like Domotex simply has to have an edition on Russian soil. 26 to 28 September will witness the first edition of Domotex Russia in Moscow. The typical Domotex profile with attention to all sorts of flooring also gives Domotex a unique position in Russia.

Floor Forum International 55

Winter Olympics and World Cup football Russia is investing huge sums in many building projects due to ongoing economic growth. Furthermore, prestigious events such as the Winter Olympics of 2014 in Sochi and the FIFA football World Cup in 2018 are injecting even more dynamism into the Russian building sector. The effect of all this is that in the next few years we can expect huge demand for various quality building materials and therefore also for all sorts of interior finishes and floor coverings. Moreover, as regards floors, Russia is seen mainly as an importer since there are few national manufacturers in Russia itself.

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It is certainly no coincidence that Domotex Russia is the latest spin-off in the global Domotex empire. Besides the European Domotex in Hanover, this is the fourth Domotex show after Domotex Asia/Chinafloor (Shanghai) and Domotex Middle-East (Istanbul). Domotex Russia capitalises on the features of the Russian flooring market and reaches both wholesale and retail flooring traders. Furthermore, it also provides an interesting range and complete overview for industry, architects, interior designers, and other professionals.

Promise Deutsche Messe, organiser of Domotex, has conducted strong media campaigns and spared no effort to inform the Russian flooring industry about this show and have won over the Russians for the Domotex show concept. This is also clear from the fact that the show was virtually sold out two months before its doors opened. Visitors will see representatives from over 100 businesses from 30 countries.

Moreover, some countries such as India, Germany, Portugal, and China are investing in major international pavilions to give their companies access to this lucrative market.

Extensive business programme At Domotex Russia, visitors and exhibitors will have the opportunity to attend an extensive programme of seminars, presentations, and master classes. It goes without saying that everything is related to producing and selling floors, as well as fitting and using them. Domotex Russia can also provide more information about the Russian market, habits and characteristic features, the major players, trends, and much more.

Ms Susanne Klaproth, manager of Domotex Hanover will give a global overview of the world’s flooring market. During the business programme, Ms Vera Nickolskaya of Abarus Market Research and Mr Vitaly Berdino of Balterio will go into more depth about the specific situation and opportunities on the Russian market.

Mr Serbin, general manager of the Staryck Hottabych DIY chain, will consider in more detail the sales channels in the huge country of Russia. Organisers advise visitors to consult the Domotex Russia web site for updates and more details about the business programme.

ECO Forum Organisers also hope to consider in more depth ecology and sustainability for the flooring industry. The British non-profit organisation NP NESRB (National Environmental Standards and Ratings Bureau) has developed an extensive programme about ecology and floors specially for this trade fair. A number of top specialists

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and internationally renowned authorities in this field are coming to Moscow to give an overview of the latest state of affairs in ecological construction. Show visitors can ask for advice on ecological materials and ecological building standards.

Practical The IEC Crocus Expo is the venue for Domotex Russia. This is one of the most attractive trade fair complexes in the Russian capital.

The event takes place in Hall 2.

Domotex Russia: from Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 September.

Opening times: every day from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Please visit the DOMOTEX RUSSIA website to register as an exhibitor.

Osmo Preview Domotex Russia

SOLIDOR Supports for terraces The trade fair Domotex takes place in Russia for the first time.

Osmo will participate this year with a 42m² stand to present mainly wooden deckings, different types of wood for flooring and the accordant products for the surface finish. Some live-demonstrations and eye-catcher will certainly gain the interest of the visitors. Osmo looks forward to many excellent discussions and new contacts. You will find them in pavilion 2, hall 10, stand B50.

they make the difference!

www.solidor.be - info@solidor.be

MTC Global Woodmart 2012 Preview Global Woodmart Malaysia

Twenty-two countries to exhibit timber in KL in October Following a highly successful debut in 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, the MTC Global WoodMart (MGW/ www.globalwoodmart.my) will return on 4-6 October 2012, providing a premier trading platform for tropical, temperate and boreal timbers. Products featured include logs, sawn timber, plywood and panel products, wooden flooring, wooden decking, doors and windows, mouldings and furniture components.

The American Hardwood Export Council and FrenchTimber are partner organizations for the show. AHEC has increased the size of their booth from 36 sq m in 2010 to 153 sq m for MGW 2012, while FrenchTimber, from 36 sq m to 63 sq m.

Visitors should look out for sizable pavilions (minimum 36 sq m)

by Malaysian entities like Ah Hai, APP Timber, Lionex, Malaysian Timber Industry Board and Professional Surfaces. MGW 2012 will also feature a strong presence from Sarawak with a 54 sq m pavilion, to be coordinated by the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation and Sarawak Timber Association.

So far, exhibitors from Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, UK and USA have confirmed their participation. About 70% of the exhibitors at MGW 2012 are repeat exhibitors.

With 110 exhibitors, MGW 2012 is highly focused on delivering results to its participants. There are sizable representations from China, France, Latin America and the USA. A strong buyers’ programme is aimed at driving high quality buyers, particularly from Asia and the Middle East, to MGW 2012.

Floor Forum International 55

There will also be a Timber Talk on Wood and Design, which is meant for architects and engineers, and aimed at providing an insight into understanding timber’s inherent qualities as a building material. The guest speakers are award-winning Malaysian architect Kenneth Yeh, of Marra and Yeh Architects based in Sydney, and Kevin Hill, of Venturer Pte Ltd, a British urban designer based in Singapore. They will share their extensive experiences on techniques and technology in building with timber.

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www.globalwoodmart.my council@mtc.co.uk

MALAYSIA: NATURAL BEAUTY, DURABILITY, RELIABILITY visit us at www.floor-forum.com

or over the diameter (geometrical, aerodynamic, mobility, projected surface, or any other diameter). At all events we are talking here about very small dimensions. On 20 October 2011, the European Commission issued a recommended definition of nanomaterial. This recommended definition must be used as a reference to determine whether or not a material has to be considered as a ‘nanomaterial’ pursuant to European Union legislation and policy.

Blanchon

Did you know?

A stealth fighter jet is virtually invisible to a radar due to its shape and the materials used. These vessels alone easily cost a few billion euros for each one. However, the Israeli company Nanoflight is currently developing paint to make it extremely difficult to detect an aeroplane with a radar. The company has tested the paint on dummy rockets. A radar had the utmost difficulty in seeing the rockets. Although the rockets were not completely invisible for the radar, the paint made it extremely difficult to identify the object as a rocket. The paint, which is based on nanotechnology, absorbs the radar waves and then releases them in the form of heat.

Normally, the waves would reflect back to the radar aerial so that the object appears on the radar screen. The company is working on a variant of this material, which has to do the same as infrared waves. This would make soldiers invisible for night glasses.

Nanoscience: definitions Nanoscience and nanotechnology involve the study and growth of nanomaterials or nanoparticles. Nanoscience and nanotechnology give rise to promising new developments in medicine, health care, agriculture, industry, food, and environmental science. Both disciplines are advancing rapidly in science and industry. Nanomaterials are materials composed of individual nanoparticles or nanocomponents. Various definitions are in circulation, which, however, share only one common denominator: nanoparticles are components which are smaller in size than 100nm (nm = 10-9m, one billionth of a metre; n = nano = nine = dwarf).

To give an idea of the scale, the density of a human heart varies from 20000 to 100000nm. The most popular definition is that the components must be smaller than 100nm in at least one dimension. Others talk of dimensions smaller than 100nm in at least two dimensions

Special properties What makes nanoparticles so special and why should they be in a position to change (improve) the properties of a material such as, for example, by making a varnish stronger and more scratch-resistant?

Since nanomaterials and nanocomponents are so small, they possess a relatively large contact surface in relation to their content.

This makes nanomaterials and nanocomponents extremely reactive. They possess special surface and chemical properties.

With nanomaterials the quantum phenomena dominate the material properties. This means that nanomaterials and nanocomponents do not follow the laws of traditional mechanics, but rather those of quantum mechanics. The term ‘quantum’ indicates that these materials and components can exchange energy only in certain quantities. This has a big influence on their optic, electrical, and magnetic properties, whereby these materials can differ to a big extent from materials with the same chemical composition, but with bigger dimensions. With technology developing all the time, we are now in a better position to control the shape and size of materials on the nanometric scale. This gives us the opportunity to study and exploit the special properties of nanomaterials.

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Nanotechnology–based lacquers : situation & report European Commission

Nanotechnology is now economic reality. In 2009, hundreds of products based on nanomaterials were sold and several billion euros were invested in research and development in this field. The diversity and complexity of nanomaterials which are designed tailor-made are growing constantly. Their unique properties, which are primarily related to their small dimensions, seem to offer unlimited possibilities.

Special

Super-property varnishes are here to stay.

Floor Forum International 55

Nanotechnology is fully unveiled

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Special

Nanotechnology–based lacquers : situation and report European Commission

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Research centres and industrial laboratories have developed a wide variety of nanomaterials, some of which are already on sale.

Cooking costs money Various governments all over the world are convinced that nanotechnology can improve welfare in various domains. Within various sectors, such as medicine, health care, agriculture, industry, food, and environmental science, promising developments in nanoscience are giving rise to high expectations.

Several nanomaterials have already been sold. For example, carbon black (synthetic soot) is being used as a material reinforcement and filler in rubber and nanocomponents of titanium dioxide (TiO2) are being processed as UV absorbers in sun creams.

In the parquet industry we are witnessing the emergence of nanotechnology in varnishes, which provide better surface protection or make the floor surface dirtproof or anti-static. In view of the vast interest worldwide, billions of euros are being invested in research and development. It is estimated that in 2004 over 3.3 billion euros were spent on research into nanotechnology.

In 2006, this figure rose to five billion euros. By 2010 and 2014 respectively, 110 billion and 1,900 billion euros will have been spent on nanotechnology.

Concern about the risks In previous editions we have drawn attention to some of the risks of using nanotechnology. Here we wish to put this issue in the right context.

GUARANTEED SINGLE COAT NO WATER, NO SOLVENTS

Concern about the risks of nanotechnology is a logical consequence of uncertainty or ignorance. Anything which is new and therefore to some extent unknown always causes concern. Are nanocomponents dangerous?

The traditional methods of dividing up substances on the basis of their dangerous properties does not currently allow us to answer this question with an unequivocal yes or no.

The code of conduct At present, there is no unequivocal method for testing the occupational risk and exposure to nanocomponents (in the air).

The available testing techniques do not provide complete certainty either for establishing a safe dose or concentration or for the level of exposure. However, the European Commission is of the opinion that nanoscience and nanotechnology have high potential for social development and job creation. It is therefore also important to develop knowledge and implications in these matters. Similarly, there is a pressing need to draw up and apply suitable safety measures which protect citizens and employees, in view of this important and rapidly growing branch on the shop floor. Therefore, the European Commission has developed a nanotechnology action plan, a special web portal site, and, in particular, a ‘code of conduct for nanotechnological research’.

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DOES NOT FORM A FILM, EASY MAINTENANCE: WITHOUT SANDING.

CONSUM

Mitered herringbone 45° ION PT

+ -

30M2 / L

Panel “Croix de St-André”

Floor Forum International 55

The specialisT of cusTom-made wood flooring

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Design Parquet has a special ability in making special parquets. Our widely recognised skills have enabled us to reply to many special requests by prestigious names. Thanks to our teams of cabinet-makers, Design parquet will make reproductions of antique wood flooring, rosettes,panels and will made-to-measure parquet for special purpose.

www.designparquet.fr www.rubiomonocoat.com

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“Naturally, the location near the Smaragdbahn station and the scores of activities which can be undertaken in the immediate vicinity are big plus points,” says Josef Schwaiger, as he describes the advantages of the resort for which he and his company, PIOS, supplied the wood in country style. “Yet the most noticeable feature is the design of the interior. For this purpose they used only natural materials such as wood, stone, cloth, cotton, and such like from the region. The composition of all these materials immediately generates a warm and homely atmosphere. However, a lot of wood was used mainly for floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, and windows.”

Consistent finish as regards look and feel for various wooden surfaces “The big challenge whilst finishing was to obtain a consistent finish and character for the resort without compromising on durability. This was not easy, given that various companies had supplied the wood, so several different professionals were working on the project together. Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C seemed the perfect solution to the various problems which could arise,” says Josef Schwaiger.

They chose European oak for the wood in the 11 luxury flats and 10 chalets. They finished the floors, ceilings, windows, and walls with Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C White to give the whole structure of 13,000m² a serene and uniform character. The specific features of Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C meant it was possible to treat the surfaces in phases without any risk of overlap or differences in colour. Furthermore, the rapid setting of the oil was also a plus point in this project because, naturally, the workers had to adhere to a strict timetable.

Natural oil with unique technology Consistent colouring and character in combination with high durability were the key features of this project. With traditional oils it is necessary to apply various coats of oil, so you end up deepening the intensity of the colour somewhat with each new coat. The unique molecular technology of Rubio Monocoat Oil, whereby the oil binds to the upper fibres of the wood in a single coat and even refuses to accept a second coat, ensures a uniform colour with no overlap.

Likewise, as regards durability, RMC Oil Plus 2C has plenty to offer.

Although you only need to apply one coat, the molecular binding immediately ensures durability. It follows logically that this oil enjoys a fine reputation amongst reputable professionals in the industry.

You can find more information on the Rubio Monocoat website www.rubiomonocoat.com or on the website of the construction manager, Pios Home./ Uitvoerder: PIOS. www.pioshome.at

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Floor Forum International 55

A perfect location in a tourist attraction, a large-scale development, and a construction which consists solely of natural materials. These are the attractions of the holiday homes and flats in the brand new Smaragd Resort in Bramberg, in the heart of the Hohe Tauern national park. To give the various wooden elements a uniform finish, they applied a single coat of Rubio Monocoat Oil 2C.

Project Rubio Monocoat (B)

Rubio Monocoat colours and protects 13,000m² of European oak in the Austrian Alps

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Preview Domotex Middle East Istanbul (TR)

Istanbul - the new host city of Domotex Middle East 8 to 11 November will witness the seventh edition of DOMOTEX Middle East. The strong economic surge of Turkey and the recession in Dubai have resulted in the relocation of the Domotex Middle-East to the eternal city on the Bosporus. As ever, it has become a leading event for both national and international exhibitors and professional visitors from the region. Here we preview the event. contractors, investors, and project developers who have been coming to the fair for years will also be there once again.

Region with many growing islands For many years, Dubai was the obvious and exclusive location for doing business in the Middle East. Nowadays, however, Dubai offers fewer opportunities, yet the flooring market in the entire region of the Middle East is still extremely dynamic and witnessing strong demand for carpets and floors. Furthermore, the Middle East is due to host a number of global events in the next ten years and the number of tourists and residents in the region is increasing. To give just two examples, Saudi Arabia rejoices each year at the rapidly growing number of pilgrims who need to be catered for in Mecca, whilst Qatar is busily preparing for the FIFA football World Cup in 2022. All this makes for a highly dynamic building industry and optimistic forecasts for all sectors for indoor finishing.

Floor Forum International 55

Turkey: rapidly growing economy Host city Istanbul and host country Turkey are both high-potential markets for floor makers. With average economic growth of 8% in recent years (3.3% is forecast for 2012), Turkey is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The wealth of this big country (74 million inhabitants) is growing rapidly and Turkey is now a major market for all laminate producers. Forecasts suggest a growing demand of about 25% for the flooring market in the next five years. Obviously, carpets are a very important segment in the Turkish flooring market, but figures also suggest that hard floors are clearly gaining ground.

Istanbul itself has developed in recent decades into a thriving international metropolis for Turkey and the Middle East and has been known for a few thousand years as a trading centre and bridge between Europe and the Near East.

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Leading platform Obviously, the organisers of Domotex Middle East are expecting large numbers of visitors from Turkey, but also from all other countries in the Middle East. As with other DOMOTEX trade fairs, they are promising a unique and leading event for all producers, floor specialists, and agents who are active in the Middle East or wish to expand their operations. All sorts of decision makers including purchasing managers and agents, wholesalers and retailers, architects, interior designers, planing machine makers,

Lots of interest among companies Several companies, including Balterio, Talis, Tisca, Flamingo Parket, and Küberit have already confirmed their participation.

Furthermore, EGGER from Austria, one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of top quality laminate flooring, has already signalled its intention to attend Domotex Middle East. Rene Löschnigg, marketing project manager at EGGER Retail Products GmbH, explains: “Turkey is an important market for us. In Domotex Middle East, we have opted for an event which we expect will give us excellent access to clients in Turkey and the Middle East.”

Other companies already registered include businesses from Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Iran, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Pakistan, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Domotex Middle East – practical info.

Domotex Middle East is taking place at the Istanbul Expo Centre, Yeşilköy. This trade fair complex is five minutes from Atatürk Airport by car. Domotex Middle East has reserved three trade fair halls in the Istanbul City Expo Centre for the floor segments carpet, textiles, soft floor covering, and parquet and laminate, as well as fitting and finishing technology.

Opening times: 8, 9, and 10 November 2012: 10.00 a.m. – 6.30 p.m.

11 November 2012: 10.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.

Here is a quick overview of companies in our industry participating at the fair CombiWood

Salesteam CombiWood From Left to Right -Francy van Laarhoven, Maarten Stessel, Annika Nieuwe Weme, Mark Joosten, Gerty Joosten

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Let’s dance with CombiWood!

CombiWood produces since 1996 Engineered Wood Flooring from her own production facililty in Oldenzaal, The Netherlands. Besides the production of the flooring, there is also a complete line for sanding, milling, brushing, distressing and oiling the floors in

Egger First participation in the Domotex Middle East For the first time, EGGER presents the latest developments in its range of premium laminate flooring and innovative flooring solutions under the motto ’Living Steps’ at the Domotex Middle East. By taking this step, the company underlines the importance of Turkey and the Middle East as a promising and important sales market. Apart from premium products such as the innovative cork+ technology which combines the advantages of laminate and cork flooring in one product, the service offer of EGGER is one main focus at the exhibition stand in Istanbul. The VDS Profi room visualisation software will be available to manufacturers in Turkish language just in time for the trade fair.

Flamingo Parket makes its debut in Istanbul After several appearances at the Domotex exhibition in Dubai, Flamingo Parket has decided to take part in the first Domotex

NEW

HKS MANUFAKTUR

MORDERN ART INDIVIDUAL FLOORINGS THE

OF

manufaktur Heinr. Krüger & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG An der Kleimannbrücke 52 • D-48157 Münster Fon 0049 (0)2 51/93 28 -0 • Fax 0049 (0)2 51/93 28-113 info@hks1835.com • www.hks1835.com

exhibition in Istanbul. In Turkey, and especially Istanbul, there is presently a hub of building activity, including several projects orchestrated by architects and designers. Flamingo Parket specialises in the ‘custom made’ production of parquet floors, a field which bears high expectations. There were also scores of visitors from Turkey at the last Domotex in Hanover. In short, Flamingo Parket will be heading for Istanbul with high expectations.

Karl Pedross skirting boards and flooring accessories The family owned Karl Pedross Spa enterprise was founded in South Tyrol/Italy in 1956. Decades of experience in producing skirting boards, an entrepreneurial vision, the right decisions, innovation and successful partnerships have helped the company to develop into an internationally renowned group. The Pedross group is specialized in the production of skirting boards and innovative flooring accessories. The main products are real wood veneered and solid skirting boards as well as MDF skirting boards and flooring profiles. Perfect digitally printed skirting boards on real wood veneer and foils provide a 100% match.

Pedross will be presenting some interesting novelties in November at Domotex Middle East in Istanbul. The innovative ALU**** flooring profiles and the new Creativa integrated skirting board system will be presented to an international audience at the 65m² exhibition stand. Further exciting novelties and an extended sales team will look forward to welcoming you to Istanbul at booth C105 hall 10.

Preview Domotex Middle East Istanbul (TR)

all varieties. From the start CombiWood has worked with a great craftsmanship and the flooring can be found all over the world. All flooring can be delivered either as planks or in heringbone.

The collection of totally 32 floors has been divided into 4 groups, the LATIN, URBAN, CLASSIC and PASSION. If you cannot find your flooring within this collection, you still have the liberty to create your own flooring within the FREESTYLE group. In the FREESTYLE you can select the thickness, the width and the finish. All the floors of CombiWood are Custom Made and can be delivered within 3 weeks after your order, independent of the m2 you need!

MS POLYMERTM Why KANEKA MS PolymerTM technology as polymer of choice for your parquet adhesives ?

Broad polymer portfolio for tailor-made performance Breites Polymer Portfolio Широкая номенклатура полимеров

Suitable for various kinds of wood & many different subfloors Für viele Holz- und Untergrundarten geeignet Универсальность: подходит для многих пород древесин и подложек

Isocyanate free & solvent free

Isocyanat- und lösungsmittelfrei не содержит, ни изоцианата, ни растворителей

Removable without leaving stains

Klebstoffreste können leicht entfernt werden und hinterlassen keine Flecken Остатки клея легко удаляются, не оставляя пятен

Excellent storage stability & multiple use without waste

Ausgezeichnete Lagerbeständigkeit und häufige Anwendung ohne Rückstände Отличная стабильность при хранении; при частом использовании нет остатков

No black fingers

Die Hände bleiben sauber Руки остаются чистыми KANEKA BELGIUM N.V. High Performance Polymers Division Nijverheidsstraat 16 - 2260 Westerlo-Oevel - BELGIUM Tel: +32(0)14 25 45 44 - Fax: +32(0)14 25 78 87 E-mail: info.lpd@kaneka.be Web: http://www.kaneka.be

UV technology on site UV drying or UV curing is a concept which, until recently, had been inseparably associated with industrial jargon. At all events, the discovery of UV drying has played a decisive part in the development and growth of pre-finished parquet. Rapid drying on a small surface area does have its benefits. For about two years, we have been confronted with a range of tools, which make it possible to dry UV varnish on site. Even if scores of specialists frown upon this development, there can be no denying that these tools do exist.

Each wavelength has its own quantity of energy. The shorter the wavelength, the greater the energy. UV light is the part of the spectrum with radiation between 40 and 400nm. UV light does not radiate any heat, but breaks down the binding between the building blocks of matter, called molecules. Ultra violet light can even cause the demise of certain substances.

UV drying in industry Drying with UV light certainly offers lots of benefits. Under production conditions, drying with UV light is beneficial due to the split second drying process. This means that the treated items are ready at once for the next stage, and that’s a big advantage.

Moreover, UV curing does not require high temperatures and the drying tunnel takes up less space than a traditional drying oven.

Naturally, an important ecological aspect is that the process hardly uses any solvents. One of the first sectors to introduce this technology was the graphic sector, especially printers.

Special UV lacquers on the yard

It sounds like fiction, but it’s true!

Arboritec

UV technology It was quite a long time ago that we first covered the subject of how UV light works. And so, it’s time to refresh your memories.

What is UV light?

All frequencies of electromagnetic radiation together constitute the so called light spectrum. Visible light falls approximately in the middle of the spectrum. The human eye sees light because the retina contains cells which are sensitive to one wave length area. This is therefore a subjective perception. This is why some animals react ‘differently’ to light: for example, bees react to UV light, whilst rattlesnakes respond to infrared. All sorts of electromagnetic radiation also contain energy. We human beings perceive the energy of infrared radiation as heat. However, the ultraviolet component contains much more energy than the infrared.

UV on site There is no doubt that UV drying in an industrial environment offers considerable advantages. The floorboards are finished much quicker with less use of space. The technology in question has given pre-finished parquet a huge ‘boost’. Now that it is possible to use UV light on site as well, we are forced to consider the pros and cons. Why should a parquet floor fitter deploy UV light? Of course, lack of space is not a consideration here.

Even more speed!

This technology means there are no longer any drying times to be respected. The applied UV varnish is dried mechanically by a drying machine specially developed for this purpose as soon as it is applied and can be walked on at once. It goes without saying that this feature is absolutely priceless in commercial premises such as shops or offices. It means that a parquet floor in a shop can be renewed, as it were, overnight. Moreover, the floor is 100% ready

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Floor Forum International 55

How exactly does it work?

UV curing is done by means of radiation treatment with UV light.

UV light is present in sunlight and in the light produced by fluorescent lamps. Of course, neither of these sources of light is powerful enough for this ‘rapid drying technique’, so special UV lamps are used. A ‘photo initiator’ is added to the varnish which is activated by the UV radiation treatment. The molecules in this organic compound fall apart under the influence of UV rays into reactive particles, which set off the curing process (polymerisation). The resin molecules also join together. It is important to understand that both the UV resins and the thinners are part of the reactive system.

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Arboritec

for use after the UV drying, and this means that all the shop furniture can be put back in place as soon as the floor is dry.

Top quality varnish Another advantage of using UV light on site lies in the quality of the applied varnish. Varnishes which have been developed for UV drying are high-tech varnishes, which are usually highly resistant to wear and scratches. In the past, floor fitters were advised to use pre-finished wooden floors if they wanted to use these lacquers. Now, however, they can even use these very high traffic varnishes (‘ultra varnish’) on site on any floor which the client chooses.

The working method The coating is applied (with or without a preceding UV-drying primer) using a traditional roller, just as with a waterborne single component varnish. Once it is applied, the varnish takes about 45 minutes to dry in the open air, and then a mobile UV lamp is driven over the entire floor. There is also a portable UV lamp for the sides and places which are difficult to reach. As we have already said, once the floor is finished, it is ready for immediate use. When using UV lamps, floor fitters must wear suitable eye goggles.

We visited 2 specialists: Arboritec Swedish manufacturers of high quality ceramic fortified waterborne wood floor finishes, are introducing a new site applied UV curable finish called UV Elite.

The innovative UV Elite is a breakthrough new class of waterborne PU and UV curable dispersions.

• Instant cure in only one coat • Drying time of about 2-3 hours • Zero VOC and NMP free Until now, UV drying has been limited to industrial application. By developing a technology for on-site UV application, both contractors and floor owners can benefit from instant cure. The floor is fully cured within seconds and ready to use, and the floor owner can enjoy better protection and durability from applying only one layer of UV Elite. Arboritec is working closely with 2 major producers of UV drying machines, so we can supply a complete system, together with expert training.

N

SUPER-FAST APPLICATION

EW

Special UV lacquers on the yard

Sadechaf Bonding Sadechaf does not produce any UV setting varnish or oil of its own, but works in close collaboration with a good number of leading European producers. The products which these partners launch on the market are designed for use with UV floor machines. Sadechaf trades in some of these products in its own name in order to offer floor fitters a full package: the varnish, the accompanying machine, the expertise, and technical assistance.

The company has a wide range of tools for curing UV coatings on site. The company HID UV from the USA makes the machines and Sadechaf sells them in Europe. The range extends from very small to fairly large. The smallest sprig is the Tiger12, which is 30cm wide and extremely light due to its electronic feed. The Bulldog is the most suitable for current projects in the parquet industry.

Even bigger projects can be finished using the Hammerhead, a machine which can easily cure 300m² an hour. The Bulldog UV floor machine dries the coating immediately. Once the primer has set, the intermediate coat can be applied and dried, followed by the top coat. A Bulldog machine is capable of completely finishing a surface area of about 200m² in a day. The Mako is a small hand lamp for corners and places which are difficult to reach. In the course of this summer, Sadechaf is launching the Tiger12. The Tiger is reasonably priced and thereby accessible for floor fitters who want to start with UV. The floor fitter saves time and money, whilst the client gets a superb floor. In partnership with HID, Sadechaf has developed a two-day training course. This training courseEAS takes place both in Turnhout (Belgium) and on15:00 location. advertentie EN 190x65,5.pdf 2 19-03-12

Easydek floor protection EASYDEK SPECIALIZES IN TEMPORARY FLOOR PROTECTION DURING CONSTRUCTION, REMODELING AND MAINTENANCE.

Laminates, Vinyl, Linoleum Multi Cover Premium is a double layered protective non-woven with a unique anti-slip undercoating. The strong top polyethylene film prevents spillage, scratches and other types of damages.

SAFEST CHOICE

Newly laid or treated wooden floors

LITTLE WASTE / DISPOSAL

Multi Cover Breathable is the solution for protecting newly laid floorings.

It is vapor transmitting and allows the floor to breath, whilst being waterproof from the top! Multi Cover Breathable is very strong and protects wooden floors against scratches, dents and discolorations. The anti-slip undercoating creates a safe and professional working environment.

MORE INFO: WWW.EASYDEK.COM/FLOORFORUM

UV FLOOR CURING EQUIPMENT for vinyl and wood +32 (0)14 41 11 19 www.sadechaf.eu

Finally I found the solution for my workload!

PETE JOHNSON Floorfitter

Milano Architettura Design Edilizia

8 specialist areas, 1950 exhibitors, 96,580 m2 net exhibition space, 253,533 professional visitors, 70 category associations, 240 conventions. Structures, envelopes, door and window frames, interior design, outdoors, software and building sites. MADE expo showcases innovative sustainable solutions building the future of architecture today.

Milan Fairgrounds, Rho, Italy, 17_20 October 2012 Organized by: MADE eventi srl

Specialist products are simply better Some makers of maintenance products may have christened this editor with the nickname ‘prophet of doom’. It is fair to say that sometimes we have been guilty of promoting traditional ‘aunty Kaat’ tricks for maintaining terrace floors, despite the fact that producers offer a full range of efficient and specialised solutions. The tricks to which we have alluded are efficient, but they always have a ‘snag’. In this article we demolish a few old myths and submit humbly to specialist advice and offers. This guarantees floor fitters a profit!

Ageing Terrace wood ageing is a chemical phenomenon. It is caused by the disintegration of a thin layer of the wood under the influence of UV rays. Exactly what happens depends strongly on the surrounds: if the air is badly polluted, the ageing section of wood takes on a somewhat dark character, something not appreciated by even the most fervent advocates of untreated wood. Rain can cause the wood to swell as the binding is broken down by the cellulose. And so, you can prevent ageing by protecting the wood from UV rays. Since you cannot apply a lacquer or varnish finish to an outdoor floor, applying an oil is the only remedy. It is usually necessary to apply a coloured oil to provide protection from UV light. Several producers make a spearhead of offering an oil which is just about colourless and still provides protection. Once the wood shows signs of ageing, it is, of course, possible to remove the evidence. Depending on several outdoor influences (air quality, fine dust, smog, damp, and so on), ageing wood can turn really dark and ugly. This article gives further explanation of how a terrace anti-ageing product can bring some consolation.

Demolishing myths Two current popular methods of maintaining wooden terraces need to be revised, whilst a third method, which everyone swears by, needs to be modified. The first method, which does have a considerable number of supporters, consists of doing ‘nothing’. Fervent enthusiasts of naturally aged terraces are, of course, correct from an aesthetic point of view: grey wood is beautiful.

From a protective point of view, however, this approach is not so attractive. This ageing process involves phenomena which demand active intervention. Moss formation and darkening wood affect the wood’s natural protection. And so, doing ‘nothing’ is not recommended. What about a bucket of water and a dash of bleach? Obviously, the present ecological ‘climate’ means that no one recommends this method any more, even if it is efficient.

Bleach is harmful to the environment and, once the terrace floor is cleaned, the water enters the atmosphere in one way or another. So far, so good.

Threats to terrace wood Terrace wood faces threats, or at least effects, which are inherent to the wood itself and external influences. The major change which wood undergoes naturally is the above-mentioned ageing.

External influences result from the fact that outdoor wood no longer enjoys the shelter of an indoor climate, but is exposed to climatic, physical, and biological effects.

Organisms in the atmosphere Ageing is a natural phenomenon, in this case the reaction of wood to sunlight. Yet there are scores of organisms, bacteria, or insects out in the wild which constitute a threat to wood. We think here, for example, of woodworm, which, as it were, constructs minute little passages in the wood to lay its eggs. Those eggs become larvae, which settle even deeper in the wood. Another enemy is wood rot, a mould which is fond of moist wood and which can cause the wood to degenerate completely. Various sorts of fungi and even ordinary moss formation also need to be tackled at once to prevent the wood from being severely affected. It is clear that the harder the wood is, the less the chance is of all these natural enemies forming a real threat. This partly accounts for the difference in the durability classes of outdoor wood.

The floor fitter-retailer When we realise that wooden terraces are now a booming business, we understand at once that there is a vast market for terrace maintenance products. Due to the ‘much better quality’ of the fitting nowadays, we also discover that the price which the end user now has to pay for the fitting has risen considerably.

Therefore, it goes without saying that those same end users want to enjoy their outdoor parquet for many years to come. And so, maintenance products are absolutely vital.

visit us at www.floor-forum.com

Floor Forum International 55

Ciranova

Special Outdoor floors : finishes & maintenance

Outdoor floors: finishes & maintenance

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Innovative quality products for flooring, walls and ceilings

Laminate flooring In ch창teau plank format

Laminate flooring | LD 400 | Natural oak 6210 | Wood effect

www.meister.com | +49 (0) 29 52 . 816 - 0

The products The ranges can be divided into three types of products, namely terrace oil, terrace anti-ageing, and terrace cleaners. Terrace oil is applied to new or existing wooden terrace floors. This must always be done on perfectly clean or even lightly sandpapered wood. Terrace oil provides effective protection against the penetration of moisture and dirt. The oil impregnates the wood to saturate the pores and give the wood a strong surface. You have to use coloured oil to protect the wood against UV light. Terrace anti-ageing is meant on the one hand to counter the ageing process and, on the other hand, remove the disintegrating layer of wood, which lies at the cause of the ageing. Anti-ageing products remove the veil and restore the wood to its original colour.

Terrace cleaners are an effective remedy to moss formation and dirt. They can be used on all sorts of tropical wood. Most cleaners are diluted with water and applied with a brush. The dosage can be adapted, depending on the severity of the dirt, and you can repeat the procedure if the dirt is not completely removed the first time. It is usually advisable to brush along the length of the wood using a nylon brush. Very often, people clean their terraces thoroughly with a terrace cleaner before applying terrace oil.

A selection from the range Adesiv “Our experience suggests us using a product that penetrates into the wood fiber which does not like a varnish that over time can detach from one hand to another. For normal cleaning, we have a soap detergent, can also be used for composite materials, the Deckwash is water based; for the protection treatment we have the product Pavidek a resin that impregnates at the bottom of the decking protecting against UV rays, salt and other atmospheric agents that which get older the surface, delaying greatly this process.

The mentioned products are used for all types of wood used for outdoor flooring including exotic woods such as Merbau and Teak.”

Blanchon Blanchon offers impregnation by means of saturation to protect outdoor floors.

This means that all the fibres (pores) of the wood are saturated and that merely a small amount of product remains on the surface. The wood must be purified thoroughly before saturation. Blanchon has a full range of products for the preparation, finish, and maintenance.

First of all there is the ‘Dégriseur Bois Blanchon’ (anti-ageing). This is a high quality gel, which is specially recom-

mended for cleaning outdoor wood which is exposed to the weather and the formation of mould and moss. The ‘Satureur Bois Blanchon’ is the saturation product and it is based on the traditional composition. For some years, Blanchon has also offered the ‘Saturateur Environnement’, which is part of the ‘Ligne Qualité Environnement’ and scores well in all aspects. It can also be applied to exotic sorts of wood immediately after the fitting.

For periodic cleaning there is the ‘Nettoyant Terrasses Blanchon’ (for cleaning) and specially for composite floors Blanchon has the ‘Renovateur Terrasses Composites’ (for renovation). A new product this year is the ‘Système Anti-UV Incolore’, a colourless protective system to counteract the effects of sunlight on the wood.

The system consists of a ‘Conditionneur’ (conditioner) and a ‘Protecteur Terrasses’ (protector). An important added value of this system is that it preserves the original colour of the wood.

Whilst protection from UV light is traditionally associated with the addition of dyes, this system is colourless.

Bona For the finish of outdoor floors, Bona presents Bona Deck Oil, whilst for maintaining oiled floors there is the Bona Soap. Bona Deck Oil is a penetrative oil based on pine and linseed oils for the protection of wooden outdoor floors.

The oil contains ingredients to reduce the effect of UV radiation on wood. This oil has been developed for use outdoors. Due to its improved penetration capacity, this oil provides deep protection for the wood.

Bona Deck Oil is available in various modern and stylish colours.

Bona Soap is a light alkaline cleansing agent, specially developed for wooden floors treated with Bona Oil. Bona Soap contains additives which nourish the floor and replace material which is removed during cleaning. Bona Soap is suitable for both homes and commercial premises.

Chimiver Panseri Spa Chimiver offers a wide range of products for treating protecting and maintaining all kind of outdoor wooden surfaces.

Lios Sundeck Wood Oil is an impregnating oil for outdoor wooden floors available in different colors and a certified anti-slip version. Lios Sundeck Soap is a nourishing soap for cleaning and maintaning outdoor wooden floors. Lios Grigioff is a special solvent-free product to restore wheathered outdoor wooden floor back to its original colour. Elastoxyl is an expansion joint for outdoor floors available in four different colours: black, teak, grey and white. Scudo invisibile is an invisible protection water-oil repellent for outdoor wood and stones materials. Kit maintenance and kit refitting are available sets for cleaning and maintaning your outdoor wooden floors.

Starting from this year Chimiver offers also a new water-based impregnating oil SUNDECK W OIL and SCUDO WPC which is a water-based water and oil repellent treament for WPC.

visit us at www.floor-forum.com

Floor Forum International 55

Floor fitters can take advantage of this in two ways. Not only can they increase their turnover through the sale of these products, but they can also enhance their reputations through the sale of these products, since the floors last longer. Various producers offer a range of products and have attractive displays, shelf packaging, and point of sale material for shop floors and showrooms.

Floor fitters only have to sell the products.

Special Outdoor floors : finishes & maintenance

> continued from page 25

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> continued from page 27

Special Outdoor floors : finishes & maintenance

Ciranova Ciranova has a whole range of maintenance products. Green scale remover removes green scale from all substrates and retains its strength long after it is applied.

The Anti-ageing removes dirt and ages outdoor wood. Fungus and moss scale are cleansed down to a great depth. Wood Protector is a natural oil suitable for all outdoor wood. It nourishes and protects the wood, is water-repellent, and prevents moss formation and ageing. Wood Protector is the ideal product for finishing wooden terraces, garden furniture, and duckboards.

Finally, Ciranova Ecoprotector is a product for protecting outdoor wood such as exotic wood, resin-based wood, and European deciduous trees. Ecoprotector does not form a film, but penetrates into the wood. Ecoprotector is available in six colours. New products include the UVP Colour + UVP Decking Oil 2K. UVP Colour is a waterborne, VOC-free primer based on nano-dyes for colouring wood. An extra UV absorber protects the wood from turning yellow. The high-tech composition ensures that the wood does not age by preventing natural disintegration. Once UVP colour is applied, it needs to be protected using UVP decking oil 2K. UVP Decking Oil 2K is a waterborne, VOC-free (0% VOC), and dual component oil with nano-dyes for protecting outdoor wood.

You should apply only one coat of UVP Decking oil. The 2K technology provides extra protection and the reaction with the contents of the wood ensures that the top coat is strengthened.

Clou Wooden floors age and lose their natural beauty and colour under the influence of rain, snow, heat, and frost. This means that protection and regular maintenance are essential.

Clou’s top quality wood oils penetrate deep down into the wood and protect it against weathering.

Furthermore, Clou’s garden oils restore the colour of the wood and revive the grains of the wood. Clou promotes the Clou Bangkirai Oil as the ideal protection for outdoor wood. Although Bangkirai naturally has a high level of resistance, ongoing maintenance is a must in order to keep the wood attractive. Clou Bangkirai Oil not only gives the wood its original beauty, but also protects it from water and sunlight. The latter is all the more important if terraces are only partially covered and are therefore exposed to various UV rays. Clou Bangkirai Oil is suitable for a range of tropical wood sorts and for larch. It is easy to apply, dries quickly, and is odourless.

www.prn-agenzia.it

ECOSTAR 2K For wood, the natural choice!

New!

Floorservice Hardwax-oil Classic and FloorService Hardwax-oil Pro give every parquet and hardwood floor a natural beauty.

Two-component polyurethane water-based glossy lacquer for wooden floors

After treatment the floor can be easilyy cleaned and maintained with Floorservice Parque Parquet Cleaner and Maintenance oil.

Floor Forum International 55

80 GLOSS

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CHIMIVER PANSERI S.p.A. PONTIDA (BG) www.chimiver.com info@chimiver.com

Overmat Industries b.v. Scharlo 11 | NL-5165 NG Waspik | The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0) 416 31 77 88 | Internet: www.overmat.nl

visit us at www.floor-forum.com

Lechner Spa Lechner SpA offers in its catalogue two lines of oils for the finishing and maintenance of parquet, both indoor and outdoor: Alto Solido (high solid) and Nature. Based on natural oils, they have a very reduced environmental impact and are not dangerous for the health of both installers and final users. They respect the following norms: UNI EN 71-3:2002, DIN 68861:2001 par.1, DIN V 53160:200 part 1-2, and give the treated parquet resistance 1A (Olio Alto Solido) or 1C (Nature Deck Oil).

For their own characteristics, Alto Solido and Nature lines are indicated also for exotic woods. Nature line has also successfully passed the biodegradability test according to method OECD 301.

The complete Nature line includes: Wood Protection, Nature Oil Finish, Nature Oil Wax, Nature Deck Oil, Nature Clean, Cleaner Deck Oil, Detergente Anti Grigio, Moss Remover, Manutentore Oil Finish, Manutentore Oil Wax, Manutentore Deck Oil. The Complete Alto Solido Line Includes: Olio Alto Solido, Detergente Alto Solido, Manutentore Alto Solido, Diluente Per Alto Solido.

Loba For protecting floors and furniture outdoors, Loba offers Lobasol Deck & Teak Oil Colour, an oil finish specially developed for outdoor use. As this oil is based on natural, vegetable oils, it seals wooden surfaces and brings out the wood’s natural colour. Loba now offers four new colours in this range, which are named after the wood for which they have been developed: garapa, douglas fir, dark bangkirai, and light bangkirai.

Loba chose these names to make it clear at once to the user what the oils are designed for. These new oils can also be used on other wood sorts with a similar colour.

Easy and effective. Naturally

WOCA

NEW OIL APPLICATOR Roller application for rapid, uniform coverage

Oil Applicator The new Oil Applicator from WOCA gives the user numerous advantages.

The main benefit is the applicator dispenses the correct volume of oil consistently giving a uniform finish. Perfect dosage leads to less wastage making the process more economical, in addition the applicator makes oiling larger areas far easier and faster. Because of these benefits, the oil application becomes much more effective and smooth, perfect quality, time saving and economical.

The applicator tool kit is easy to clean and maintain and includes everything required to apply the WOCA oils easily and successfully.

How to do: www.woca.dk/video

WoodCare Denmark A/S · Tværvej 6 · DK-6640 · Tel.: +45 99 58 56 00 · info@ttwoodcare.com · www.wocadenmark.com

Special Outdoor floors : finishes & maintenance

Irsa IRSA Exotic Wood Oil is an oil designed to protect and invigorate new and renovated wood. This oil protects exotic wood sorts (e.g. bangkirai, iroko, mahogany, meranti, nyatoh, roble, jarrah, and bilinga) and is also suitable for douglas fir, oak, larch, acacia, and cedar. IRSA Exotic Wood Oil contains resistant, weatherproofed oils and micro-fine pigments.

It blocks out UV rays effectively, makes the wood surface largely waterproof, and protects the wood effectively against damage (it largely prevents cracks forming as the wood swells and shrinks). It enhances the natural colour of the wood with hardly any change in tone. IRSA Exotic Wood Oil does not contain any toxic substances, is biodegradable, and is odourless once it has dried. IRSA Exotic Wood Oil does not form a film so that it gives wooden terraces, for example, a highly durable surface (no film means no wear and tear). The surface remains porous, respiration-active, and can also be re-painted without sandpapering.

Irsa recommends that you carry out a patch test first.

NATURAL

MAGIC PALLMANN MAGIC OIL 2K

Beautiful, fast, simply magic.

The solvent-free combinations of natural oils and waxes of the PALLMANN MGIC OIL 2K LINE.

Now available: MAGIC OIL 2K COLOR in five rich, vibrant colors.

White

Black

Grey

Red-Brown

Dark-Brown

www.good-for-wood.com

ecoprotector

 Waterborne protection for outdoor wood.  Provides a nurturing protection that not peels off.  Impregnating, non film forming.  Fast drying - paintable after 20 minutes.  Available in 8 trendy colours.

For more information and a complete overview of our range

www.ciranova.be

Produced by Debal Coatings nv Industrieweg 29 - 8800 Roeselare - T +32 (0)51 30 11 40 -ciranova@ciranova.be

Overmat Industries BV/Floorservice Overmat offers two effective maintenance products for wooden terraces.

Floor Service Terrace Oil has been developed to keep wood in the garden in perfect condition. This oil penetrates deep into the (hard) wood and provides outstanding protection against water and dirt. This oil has a soft aroma and does not leave a layer of film, but gives the wood an even surface. Terrace Oil can also be applied with the Overmat Terrace Renovator, a machine which renovates and cleans wooden terraces. The intensive cleaner Floor Service Anti-ageing for garden furniture, terraces, fences, and pergolas cleans thoroughly and removes ageing elements. The cleaner is suitable for both soft and hard sorts of wood. It restores the original tint to old and greying wood to restore to the wood the splendour which it ought to have!

Plastor Plastor offers a full range of products for cleaning and maintaining terraces. The ‘Nettoyant Concentré Terrasse’ (concentrated terrace cleaner) is designed for regular cleaning. It removes food residue, dirt, and grease and gives the wood a new gloss. This cleaner can be used on both wooden floors and composite wood. ‘Degriseur Terrasse’ (terrace anti-ageing) gives aged floors a new lease of life. This product cleans, restores, and revives wooden terraces. It gives the wood its original shade and removes grease and any patches of rust. The ‘Huile Terrasse’ (terrace oil) from Plastor makes the wood completely waterproof. This oil is perfectly suitable for all terraces and swimming pool boards, irrespective of the wood sort. The wood gets a natural appearance as a result of the matt effect. Long-term protection is provided by Satureur Pur-T® Deck.

This saturation product is based on oil, enriched with anti-UV and dyes which are weatherproof. A treatment with Satureur Pur-T® Deck is a guarantee of a long lifespan for all sorts of wood. Thanks to its water-repellent properties, water and damp are blocked on the surface.

Rubio Monocoat Rubio Monocoat offers a system for protecting and cleaning terraces. Apart from the choice of the correct finish product, Rubio Monocoat also considers the preparation to be absolutely essential.

In order to guarantee a good binding of the product with the wood, the wood first needs to be cleaned thoroughly. This is achieved by means of simple but extremely effective cleaning using RMC Exterior Wood Cleaner, which removes dirt and mosses (even for composite wood). There are the RMC Exterior products for the finish itself.

The RMC Decking Oil Duo System consists of a primer, which guarantees intense colouring and mould resistance thanks to nano-technology.

The RMC Decking Oil is used as a finish within this system.

In addition, there is also the recently launched RMC Hybrid Wood Protector. This is a Monocoat of the latest generation, which colours and protects in one single coat. Both products are extremely easy to apply, save time, and are durable. For cleaning and nourishing treated terraces Rubio Monocoat offers the RMC Exterior Soap, whilst for revitalising the colour and adding protection there is the RMC Exterior Maintenance Oil. Tover Impregnating oil for decking Tover offers an impregnating oil suitable for decking and wood treatment outside: OIL4SUN. Very easy to apply, water-proof, this natural oil is recommended for terraces, swimming pools boards, garden furniture etc. It gives a very homogeneous aspect to the surface. As it contains efficient fungicides and anti-UV rays additives, a long-term protection towards climatic elements and time damages is guaranteed. If necessary, the specific product GREY FREE can be applied before the oil in order to remove the grey patina which generally covers old woods. To complete the range, a natural soap, DETEROIL, combines efficient cleaning and feeding properties for an excellent and long lasting care of the floor.

OIL4SUN is now available in teak, wengé, chestnut and grey colors. Tover proposal has been even widened thanks to the introduction of two new kits: one for decking maintenance and the other for the renewal of external wood.

WOCA WOCA explicitly recommends an oil finish for all outdoor floors. They do not recommend any product which forms a film. The oil penetrates into the wood, but cleaning is easy, so it is perfectly possible to apply a fresh coat of oil from time to time. Before you apply oil, you must check the moisture percentage of the wood (maximum17%) and ensure that the wood is free of grease, clean, and stripped of any moss formation. WOCA has a whole range of cleaning products in which the WOCA Exterior Cleaner is ideal for exotic species, which inherently contain a lot of oil. WOCA Exterior Cleaner is also ideal for cleaning composites. Other products in the range include the Multi Cleaner (for garden furniture in wood, steel, PVC, and such like) and the two-stage product Deep Cleaner A & B (which cleans all sorts of wood in depth).

visit us at www.floor-forum.com

Floor Forum International 55

Osmo Easy refreshing for your terrace If necessary, first remove the greyed surface with the Wood Reviver Power Gel. Then use one of the wood oil or one of the Natural Oil Woodstain. As a top coat we recommend to use our Anti-Slip Decking Oil. Water-based products tend to crack, flake peel or blister as they are film-forming and do not bind with the wood itself. Once you go then for a micro porous finish make sure that the oil content is high enough because only this enables a long-lasting effect.

Exotic woods decking need weathering before application.

Discover our complete product range for outside deckings.

Special Outdoor floors : finishes & maintenance

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Ciranova – Debal Coatings Project Ciranova – Debal Coatings (B)

Ciranova scores on the international market with their high quality woodcare products!

Residiency Bondue, France - Reactive stain Baro + Hardwaxoil Full Solid Natural white

New dealers Thanks to highly successful exhibitions at Domotex in Hannover and ‘Vakdagen Parket en Woninginrichter’ in Gorinchem, Netherlands, Ciranova has acquired many new clients. The company’s quality products, extensive range, and professional character have won the hearts and minds of international agents and floor fitters. Since the exhibition in Gorinchem, Ciranova has taken on a fourth dealer in Netherlands and new dealers in Poland and England. At present, Ciranova is also occupied with starting up dealers in Italy, Spain, Israel, Turkey, Russia, and Lithuania.

Floor Forum International 55

Hard Wax Oil Full Solid conquers Netherlands Since Ciranova introduced the Hard Wax Oil Full Solid in Netherlands, it has been the

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Amsterdam – Ecofix Woodlook + Aquafix Magic 2K

company’s best seller. Hard Wax Oil Full Solid is easy to apply, provides excellent protection in one coat, does not contain any VOS, and conforms to the Amsterdam – Ecofix Woodlook health and safety + Aquafix Magic 2K at work regulations (‘ARBO’) for indoor use. Hard Wax Oil Full Solid can be applied on site or at the factory and is available in eight trendy colours.

Carrefour International du Bois France is one of the biggest export markets for Ciranova, but there is still a lot of potential for further growth. Ciranova took part in Carrefour International du Bois for the first time to support its existing dealers and contact extra dealers and users.

During the show, in addition to its various colours and finishing products, the company also presented its new range of outdoor products.

Demo sessions Apart from theory and practice training sessions for dealers, Ciranova is also starting a series of demonstrations for clients and floor fitters, who repeatedly apply a certain finish such as a natural finish, distressed finishes, trendy finishes, and so on. If you would like to receive news of the various demo sessions or require more information, you can contact Ciranova by telephone or e-mail: 0032-(0)51-30.11.40 or ciranova@ciranova.be

visit us at www.floor-forum.com

Mardegan Legno launches ‘Live In New York’

With the launch of ‘Live in New York,’ Mardegan Legno lives up to all the buzz of its reputation.

Live in New York is a collection of sublime hardwood floors that combine a classic atmosphere with contemporary touches. The white and grey tints for the finishes are signs of the times, perfectly aligned with contemporary trends. The collection owes its name to the cosmopolitan nature of ‘The Big Apple,’ a place where diverse styles - and diverse typology - come together. The most demanding client will find something that is to his or her liking. ‘Live in New York’ is ready to claim its position as... the king of the hill.

choose a custom-made floor which fully conforms to his or her personal tastes - and from an endless palette of colours and finishes. In other words, the customer chooses an exclusive floor, dependent upon his or her own taste preferences and the interior. It’s tailor-made!

Italian roots The Italian roots are unmistakable - and tangible. The floor is distinctly top quality. Mardegan Legno exports to several different countries, including England, Turkey, Slovenia, Germany and Russia. The biggest export market is still Italy, which consumes no less than 90% of the floors that are produced. Naturally, Mardegan Legno has a network of dealers in Italy.

Advertorial Mardegan Legno (H)

The ultimate combination of contemporary and classic

Pure workmanship 42 people are employed at Mardegan Legno, and one thing is for certain: each one of them is a professional. The company can lean on decades of traditional craftsmanship, experience and most of all... pleasure and taste when it comes to working with the wood and its beauty. Mardegan Legno follows the wood through every step of the production process: from sawing to the drying, acclimatisation, the production of parquet and finally, the finishing work. Each operation is performed under the watchful eye of specialised personnel so that the end customer can expect a high-quality product.

One of a kind Just as Mardegan Legno is a unique company itself, each one of its floors is one of a kind. The business is in fact always ready to fashion a personalized floor for everyone. The employees have the skill sets to indeed make each floor its own floor. Clients can

Live in New York The new collection, which has been available since last August, bears the Mardegan Legno mark - that is for sure. But the floors in this collection are named after the famous neighbourhoods and districts of New York, the capital of capitals. The reason why?

“We chose the name because for us, New York is the city of the future,” proclaims the company. New Jersey, Marble Hill, Park Avenue, Queens as well as the West Side, Harlem, Broadway… live in New York! The new collection, with its grey and white tints combined with a classic look, appeals to the imagination. It’s a sure thing that these floors will have significant appeal. “We expect positive reactions in Canada, New York itself, Florida and the rest of the world,” states Mardegan Legno. If it hangs on their unique appearance, these floors will be a definite success... worldwide!

visit us at www.floor-forum.com

Floor Forum International 55

A ‘familia’ tradition The story of Mardegan Legno is another charming “from father to son” story. The company was founded in 1970 in Italy by Bruno Mardegan, the father of the current director, Giuseppe Mardegan.

It wasn’t just the tradition that was passed on from father to son, but the passion for the wood. For decades, Mardegan Legno specialised in the production of top quality luxury furniture. In 2007, the company moved to Hungary due to the considerably lower production costs, and started production of wood flooring.

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Laminate has no bounds

Floor Forum International 55

Special Laminate floors (part 1)

Imitation parquet becomes durable building product

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It’s hard to imagine life without the concepts of sustainable building, sustainable enterprise, or ecological building. Everything revolves around mankind and the environment and, in fact, that’s how it should be. In its primitive form laminate displayed a number of worrying features which made it rather unsuitable for a sustainable building project. It was not very resistant to damp, acoustic comfort was under par, and it was not very durable, so a long lifespan was unlikely. However, tides do turn. The passion for innovation which makers have shown in recent years has now yielded a technological and durable floor solution. laminate for light, average, and intensive use. The allocated classification depends on criteria such as wear and impact resistance, scratch and stain resistance, colour fastness, and the effects of chair legs and stiletto heels. The classes are as follows: AC1 class 21: light use (e.g. the bedroom); AC2 class 22: normal use (e.g. the living room); AC3 class 23: intensive use (light commercial use); AC3 class 31: intensive use (normal commercial use); AC4 class 32: heavy use (normal commercial use); AC5 class 33: extremely heavy use (intensive commercial use).

Balterio

Results of legislation Time was when it was extremely difficult for consumers to discern the difference in quality between cheap and expensive laminate floors. About 20 years ago, laminate was available in all segments, from in-step to high end. Cowboys from ‘far and wide’ were producing dirt-cheap laminate floors with little regard for quality. These were imitations of imitation floors. Of course, this gave all laminate floors a bad reputation, even those floors made by serious manufacturers. Today, (European) legislation has effectively provided a form of ‘natural selection’. The lowest segment has become rather sporadic, whilst the highest segment sets the standards and is very high-tech.

Laminate classes The introduction of laminate classes in December 2000 was a major step towards providing end users with sound information.

These classes are now a European quality standard (EN 13329). A distinction is made between laminate for domestic use and that for commercial use. There are three separate categories, namely

CE marking In contrast to the division into classes in EN 13239, CE marking is not a quality label, but a label of conformity. CE marking is an offspring of the ‘Building Products Directive’. The building products directive, in particular Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988, covers the mutual adaptation of legal and administrative stipulations of the member states regarding products designed for the construction industry. And so, the building products directive stipulates the fundamental regulations which building work has to meet. This directive is now being replaced by the new Building Products Regulation. This means that the sections of this legislation are binding for all member states. This article will not cover the statutory details in depth, but what this legislation boils down to is that a product with CE marking meets the fundamental regulations and has been tested in line with the agreed testing methods. This has two effects: it stimulates the free trade of products within the European Union (manufacturers no longer need to have their products tested separately in each country) and it dissuades traders from launching non-certified products. Laminate comes under the scope of the Building Products Regulations.

An impressive course There is no doubt that laminate has steered an impressive course to emerge ‘from nowhere’. Generally, we can divide this course into three main phases: laminate as imitation parquet; laminate as a technologically reputable floor solution, and ‘customised’ laminate.

Laminate as a wood imitation Laminate came into being for the express purpose of imitating wooden floors. Moreover, manufacturers are still conducting research in that field. The demand for trueness to nature and authenticity is still high. The market welcomes any technological modernisation which can reinforce this demand. This authenticity expresses itself in two ways. It goes without saying that the ‘photograph’ is important. Makers can scan ‘wood sorts’ with

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Laminate as a floor solution This publication has often covered the transition from the pure imitation of wood to the imitation of other sorts of floors. Natural stone floors such as bluestone, marble, freestone, and ceramic tiles constitute the various ‘stone collections’ of several manufacturers. Yet there’s more! Those same manufacturers have discovered that a laminate floor does not necessarily have to imitate ‘anything’. This is what gives laminate technology ‘unlimited’ possibilities. Laminate can also be simply a design floor in white, grey, or black tints or in bright and fresh colours. Laminate can be rigid and neutral or radically decorative. Laminate is becoming a floor technology in itself.

Customised laminate Perhaps the most impressive step in the development of laminate has been one which is still in progress. Laminate is closely associated with photography and printed art. In this particular field let’s consider digitalisation. Strictly speaking, it is possible to photograph and print absolutely anything. The creation of digital print means this is now also possible in small runs. This is a step in the direction of fully personalised laminate. Whether this is a holiday photograph of the children or a company logo, anything is

possible. Recently, more and more makers have set off along this path and they intend to keep the minimum number of obligatory prints as low as possible. Watch this space!

Is laminate ecological?

As we have already said in the introduction, there was a time when laminate most certainly did not command the reputation as the most sustainable floor solution. Yet let’s give credit where it is due! We have to admit that manufacturers have done yeoman service in this area in recent years. Laminate is a sustainable building product, both in the level of consumption and at the level of product and production.

Sustainability in house Laminate can have a long lifespan when it is chosen in accordance with the needs i.e. the right class for the right application.

The possibilities as regards surface protection have developed to such an extent that laminate is now much more durable all round.

Researchers and designers have put paid to disadvantages such as poor acoustic comfort. Laminate is easy to maintain without using environmentally unfriendly products. Moreover, it is quite possible to combine laminate with floor heating to reduce energy consumption. The fact is that with laminate clients can opt for exclusive (i.e. expensive and often protected) species of wood. In other words, you can fit a floor in wenge or merbau without the need to chop down a tree. The fact that the floor can be dismantled without damaging it is another ecological plus point.

At product and production level Just about all producers have invested heavily in sustainability

Special Laminate floors (part 1)

ever greater accuracy and people are often looking for exclusive designs. A good example is African Pine from Balterio, which is based on a section of wooden floorboards which a diplomat brought back from Congo to Belgium many years ago. Apart from the ‘photograph’, the well known types of technology have also provided the right feel. The grains and any imperfections on the plank are printed in the HDF carrier.

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Special Laminate floors (part 1)

> continued from page 35

in recent years. This is true at the level of both the products and ‘enterprise’. Today, most laminate manufacturers only use wood which has come from sustainably managed forests (FSC or PEFC), something to which today’s consumers are becoming increasingly sensitive. European norms (e.g. formaldehyde) are observed strictly or even surpassed. By encouraging responsible energy management in production, makers want to reduce laminate’s ecological footprint. Moreover, laminate floors are made from recyclable materials. Web sites with so called room planners or room designers are having to reduce the number of ‘samples’. That’s ecology for you!

A selection from the range Balterio Balterio takes pride in its unique trendsetting collection of laminate with rich designs, structures, or finishes in five plank sizes. This combination ensures that it is almost impossible to tell the difference between Balterio laminate floors and real parquet. The production is integrated vertically i.e. everything is done under one roof, even the HDF core panel.

Balterio only uses good quality HDF core panels with an average pressure of 895kg/m³ to result in dimensionally stable planks.

They use several colours (up to six or seven) for the decor prints (oak, beech, and such like) to make laminate floors look like real parquet. The V-groove is fitted with a thermo-foil band which shows the same variation in colour and grain as the plank decor.

Moreover, a high level of wear resistance ensures a long lifespan for the laminate. Balterio gives a guarantee not only on floors for residential use, but also on those floors for commercial use.

Innovation is also the driving force at Balterio.

PXP® [Press Xpress] is the new and innovative fold-down installation system. The PXP® is the result of years of internal research and development at Balterio combined with daily experience, and client wishes. The clip in the planks guarantees the immediate fastening of the short sides to result in a strong and seamless joint. The only thing you still have to do is press the floorboards into place with the tips facing each other.

Floor Forum International 55

Egger

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Egger regards European legislation as vital, if only because minimum requirements make it possible to compare products objectively. As a member of the EPLF, Egger is obliged to meet those minimum requirements.

And so, this is why the company supplies top quality products, which stand out from those of many makers in countries such as China. However, minimum requirements are merely a starting point for Egger. The company aims to go much further than that. Egger has been a fully integrated producer of wood-related products for over 50 years and has developed into a one-stop-shop to cover all segments. It produces its laminate floors in Germany.

The high quality, innovative designs and decors, reliability, and excellent service explain why the prices are somewhat higher than those of imported floors. Egger has announced a new size of wide laminate floors. New decors and structures for Floorline and Laneo are planned for 2013. One of the major attainments in the field of technology is the Egger Grand Canyon Surface, the deepest surface structure in the world.

Hamberger/Haro At Hamberger they are well aware that the influx of laminate floors from China does affect the market and prices, but the company has not really suffered as a result. After all, this phenomenon mainly affects prices in the lower segment. Haro laminate floors stand out for their high quality, a range of styles, and innovative technology in the premium segment: made in Germany, authentic styles of wood, 11 different surfaces, quick and easy fitting thanks to the Top Connect click system, and various designs, not to mention the unique option Silent CT (the quietest floor in the world). With the Haro Tritty Silent TC, Haro has finally dispelled the myth that all laminate floors make a lot of noise. Indeed, this system makes it impossible to believe that all laminate floors are still noisy. This technology reduces sound in the room by over 60% as compared to laminate floors with standard insulation and creates exceptional footstep comfort. In 2010, this innovation helped Hamberger Flooring GmbH & Co. KG to win the Holzland Award for the ‘most innovative product for end users’.

Lamett Europe NV Lamett holds nature dear in its heart. For example, the company uses only sustainable raw materials of known origin. Moreover, most of the trunks used come from Europe. During the Lamett parquet and laminate production process, they pay special attention to ensure as few hazards as possible for the environment and human health. All floors are tested carefully, both internally and by external testing agencies.

Lamett parquet and laminate floors meet the CE label standards. The major innovation at Lamett has been the 12mm laminate with vintage look. The Sapphire and Classica collections have a unique surface structure with big bubbles, gnarls, and a sawn effect. This laminate is virtually identical to real parquet. The 12mm thickness makes the fitting easy and gives maximum footstep sound reduction.

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the other. And so, ecological factors play a crucial part in the choice of raw materials and production method. Together with the launch of this range, Parador also entered into a long-term partnership with the environmental organisation Plant-for thePlanet and is committed to playing a responsible part in ecological issues and worldwide reforestation.

Pergo At Pergo they realise perfectly well that European legislation is important for guaranteeing the highest quality standards. All Pergo floors bear the Eurofins Gold certificate. This shows that the company meets all the legal and voluntary standards with regard to VOC emissions. The company is also PEFC and ISO 14001 approved. The Pergo range combines top quality and an infinite choice of decors. This is largely the result of the company’s 30 years of experience in innovation and design. In recent years, the brand has taken out patents on a number of innovations, including in the area of sound reduction. The TitanX™ Surface multilayer protection exceeds all standards and ensures that the floor retains its beauty for several years. Pergo has been working on the continual improvement of its products for over 30 years. In 2012, the company is launching no fewer than 90 new products, including five new textures, 43 new designs, including Natural Variation™ (700 different planks with a naturally rustic appearance), and Endless Plank™ (planks which seem to be continuous). The new range also includes a number of artistic floors via a new creative design concept, namely Total Design. Pergo’s Total Design is surely unique.

Special Laminate floors (part 1)

Meisterwerke Schulte Meisterwerke continues to innovate both technically and decoratively. For all laminate floors in its MEISTER brand, the company now offers the patented Masterclic Plus. Masterclic Plus revolutionises the locking of the head sides and is ideal for use in intricate fitting situations. Thanks to the innovative Fold-Down technology, it is now possible to allow the planks on the head side simply to drop down. As you fit the next row, the locking is activated by a spring which clicks into place. The special profile geometry provides an ideal fixation of the height. The sturdy automatic fixation ensures a strong and permanent joint. Furthermore, it is also very easy to dismantle the planks by loosening them. In the decorative field Meister Werke presents the LD 400 collection.

The castle plank with dimensions of 2600 x 238 millimetres gives rooms a previously unknown royal look. In the length and width this castle plank size proves that elegance and length need not contradict each other. To prove the point further, neither on the separate strip nor on a fitted surface of about 15m² does a repetition in the decor occur. This is possible because of the large number of different natural patterns. A new development from Meister Werke is the ‘elegant’ pores structure. This is based on the principle of the ‘pores synchronous print’ and gives the floor an exceptionally ‘elegant’ character.

Parador

Parador, the premium laminate producer from Coesfeld, Germany, offers two important collections: Parador Identity and the Eco Balance range. At Parador they are well aware that all architecture has its own character. The Parador Identity is a collection, which makes it possible to choose a floor to fit one’s personality and building i.e. unique and exclusive. The decors can be chosen completely freely from the Identity library or even supplied via Identity Creation. This service makes it possible to produce any design as a laminate decor in 1200 DPI. This can be based on drawings, photographs, graphics, or other images. On 19 January 2012, Parador launched the Eco Balance product range. This range includes 16 sorts of laminate and 15 engineered wooden floors.

With this range Parador is concentrating on health in the home on the one hand and the economical use of natural raw materials on

Witex – a revolution in the world of laminate floors!

Witex has launched Euro Actual and Euro Nature, two new ranges which have a UPEC/U3P3E1C2 classification and a wide range of wood decors. Witex also has a UPEC classification for its PIAZZA collection (classification U3SP3E1C2). ‘Piazza’ is extremely resistant to wear and tear. This is confirmed by the exceptional U3SP3 classification, which has just been awarded to the collection and provides any required guarantee of high traffic use. Finally, with ‘RE-Y-STONE elements’, Witex has launched a new floor covering for floating fitting. The intermediate layer and the surface are composed almost entirely of materials other than non-renewable fossil raw materials.

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Floor Forum International 55

Witex

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Project Timberline International (NL) Floor Forum International 55 38

Distressed Hungarian point floor from Chapel Parket for prestigious interior designer foyer In Noordwijkerhout, at the heart of the Dutch bulb cultivation region, lies the brand new headquarters of Eichholtz, specialist in modern furniture and accessories. The spacious foyer with its dark-grey walls is sober and elegant and consciously diverts attention to the magnificent floor. It is a Hungarian point parquet floor in a weathered white colour from Chapel Parket, stylishly carved up into nine sections surrounded by natural stone boards.

Robin van Roy of Chapel Parket tells us, “We supplied the planks in custom-made sizes to fit in seamlessly with the natural stone.�

Eichholtz Furniture and accessories Eichholtz is a leading wholesaler in modern and classic ambience furniture, home accessories, and lights. The company operates all over the world and has a vast collection. It sells furniture and accessories, which it often also makes by means of outsourcing. Eichholtz gears its range towards the upper segment of the market and also supplies a lot of material for design in the more exclusive catering or shopping segments. In their quest for an exclusive floor to go in the foyer of their new company headquarters they turned to Chapel Parket.

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Hungarian point floor “Chapel Brute is a floor with a seasoned character. We create the weathered white colour using several intensive natural colour treatments. The natural grain structure of the floor is still clearly visible and the differences in structure also stand out. In combination with the distinguished grey of the foyer walls and the natural stone sections, you get a really handsome combination.” Robin van Roy did point out, however, that this is composite parquet. He continued: “Chapel Brute is only available as ‘in between’: these are composite distressed oak floorboards with or without micro-bevelling (20mm thick) on a top quality birch plywood base onto which we glue an oak top layer of 6mm.”

Protective coating The managing director of Timberline International continues: “As standard, we also give all our floors an extra treatment with a coating which we ourselves have developed to ensure maximum protection. It is partly for this reason that many Chapel Parket floors are fitted in restaurants, bars, hotels, and shops.”

Partner for prestigious projects Robin van Roy looks back on this project with great pleasure.

“Now that the foyer has been designed, including with a vintage Jaguar, the floor comes even better into its own. Eichholtz, Old Floor Shop, and we ourselves are all delighted with the result.

This project is a reference, which proves our quality as a partner for such prestigious projects. In the Netherlands and surrounding countries, we always work in direct consultation with the client and supervise the fitting from A to Z. For the fitting we work together with a competent parquet floor fitter to ensure an immaculate result. In countries further afield, we entrust projects to those who import our floors.” Robin van Roy concludes: “We know that they, too, will guarantee excellent results.”

Floor Forum International 55

Customised planks “We asked The Old Floor Shop from The Hague to fit the floor.

We knew that with their experience and reputation they would be perfectly capable of meeting the demands of this prestigious project,” says Robin van Roy. “This was important because the fitting was by no means straightforward. In fact, the choice of Hungarian point in surrounded board sections meant some changes. To ensure an attractive finish and a perfect relation to the natural stone boards, we decided to adapt the plank dimensions. Our standard planks are 180mm wide and 90cm long.

After our initial research, we produced custom-made’ planks with a width of 177mm and length of 83.6cm for this project. These dimensions finally guaranteed us the best aesthetic results.”

Glued onto plywood “With this project we also had to take account of the floor heating. We attached the floor to the existing plywood subfloor using a low emission Thomsit P685 1K adhesive. The separate units involved in this project also made it more time-consuming. We knew in advance that we would have to reckon on about 50% extra fitting time. Finally, The Old Floor Shop finished the job in two weeks.”

Project Timberline International (NL)

Reference Majestic floors provide comfort and enjoyment to owners and users of a building every day. However, they also supply attractive references for the floor fitter and the floor maker. Robin van Roy told us that this was also the case here: “One day, Mr Eichholtz visited the Hilton hotel in The Hague. He was enchanted by one of our parquet floors and asked who had made and fitted it. That led him in our direction. Apparently, Mr Eichholtz had been looking for an exclusive floor for the foyer of the new company premises in Noordwijkerhout. Our relationship clicked immediately and he eventually opted for the Chapel Brute weathered white, Hungarian point in a ‘custom-made’ fitting pattern.”

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Skirting boards still crown the work There is little doubt that our interiors are susceptible to fashion trends. Styles, colours, materials, and whatever is ‘in’ usually seep through quickly into the design of our habitats.

The fact that today there is a growing blend of ‘distinctive’ and ‘nostalgic’ is the result of our quest for peace and quiet. Our home is our harbour of rest where we moor after an eventful voyage. The hustle and bustle of work, traffic, and society compel us to ‘take a breather’. It’s quite logical that we want to relax and be ourselves at home. ‘Personality’ lurks behind the details and, therefore, in the skirting boards. an ostentatious personal ‘touch’ from the occupants. Being oneself in one’s own habitat is now a major quest. The exclusive stamp of one’s own personality can be introduced using details such as a unique piece of art, an image, or a painting. If these things are unique, there is only one of them. Floor fitters face this every day. Clients want ‘their own finish’, ‘their own colour’, or a special, unique look. A parquet finish and a laminate look are tied to the drive for personalisation and a good dose of fussiness.

That fussiness is also applied to the skirting boards, which finally crown the work.

A blend The terms ‘classic’ and ‘modern’, which, until recently, referred to stark contrasts and even conflicting interior styles, are now passé.

They are blended together to form what we now call ‘contemporary’ style. The reason for this is quite simple: advocates of classic interiors and modernists both strive for light, openness, and rigidity. In other words, both classic and modern have the same aim. The interior becomes a place to relax. Even with more classic designs people try to create space and air and reject any redundancy. Gone are the trimmings, which distract us from what interiors are meant to be. “Let me be myself,” is what people say.

Don’t we see these open spaces between different rooms in both classic and modern interiors? For example, living rooms often overflow into spacious kitchens. Door openings are higher than in the past, but with no doors or with glass doors in order to create partitions, if necessary. Once again, we can breeze through our homes and why not?

Natural materials The quest for peace and quiet in the interior involuntarily sets off a return to natural materials. Let’s be honest. Wood is still the most natural and warm material in interior design. It is once again appearing frequently in its original, natural form i.e. not painted.

This also tends to indicate that other trend, namely the input of

Crossroads of technique and style As well as fitting floors, floor fitters also have an advisory role.

That’s for sure. People expect them to give advice on both style and technique., but private clients sometimes dare to reject both!

This is apparent from a lively debate published on www.bouwinfo.be, a forum where mere mortals can share their thoughts online about subjects in which they are certainly not experts. The main subject of that debate was ‘Parquet: should you fit skirting boards or not?’ One participant said ‘friends of his’ had plastered their walls from top to bottom and fitted a parquet floor against the wall. He claimed it looked ‘stunning’. Someone else wisely pointed out that with ‘floating’ floors you need to leave space for an expansion joint. No way! The result of the debate was that it is best to fit skirting boards to protect the walls against knocks. The floor fitter’s task here is clear enough. At least, that’s what I think.

Protect the wall!

All in all, their conclusion was not far from the truth. Nowadays, most people regard a skirting board not as an extension of the floor, but rather as a protection for the wall. Times have changed!

Many people now regard antique 6 to 7cm skirting board as totally out of date. There has been a strong surge towards low skirting boards, which highlight the rigidity of the walls. Also very popular are block skirting boards of 2 x 2cm in the same sort of wood as the floor. This size has the visual effect that it doesn’t stand out. It does not hinder the rigidity of the wall and neither does it give the floor a bathtub effect. Another trend is the emergence of thin, extra high skirting boards, which are varnished in the colour of the wall. This working method approximates most closely to the effect which one of the participants in the above debate wanted to achieve: the effect as if the wooden floor is fitted up against the wall.

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Floor Forum International 55

Küberit

Special Skirting Boards

Classic and modern blend into ‘contemporary’ and ‘personal’

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> continued from page 41

The skirting board as a decorative objects The usual way to discover prevailing trends is to listen to as many ‘voices’ as possible. This always leads to the same conclusion: trends are not an exact science. They are by definition children of their time, and they also vary according to region and even locality.

Special Skirting Boards

A special touch In contrast to the neutral, protective skirting board, skirting boards also appear as decorative objects. They may be seen, and they give the interior a special touch. This takes us to the field of special materials such as aluminium, stainless steel, or other metal effects, such as bronze and copper. These materials are combined impudently with wood. No problem! Skirting boards as decorative objects fit in perfectly with the phenomenon of personalisation.

A personal touch Technology gives taste a helping hand! Elsewhere in this edition we cover the opportunities for digital printing in the laminate sector. It goes without saying that we can also apply that same technology to skirting boards. Digital printing makes it possible to apply smaller print runs of any image, colour, or shade to a skirting board. More and more providers are offering this solution on the parquet and laminate markets. The minimum purchase varies from producer to producer, but the trend is increasingly towards fewer and fewer runs. This development in customised work makes it possible to run off genuinely unique skirting boards!

What’s on the market?

FN Neuhofer At FN Neuhofer they have noticed, amongst other things, a trend towards white and higher, somewhat baroque skirting boards. This finds expression in the FN White Profiles collection.

As regards skirting boards, they attach great importance to digital printing. The FN Digiprint has been deployed primarily to complete assignments which were neither possible nor affordable using the traditional printing method. The FN Digiprint makes it possible to print company logos, scanned photographs, graphically created decors, and just about all sorts of floors without the need to create a printing plate or cylinder for each design.

Naturally, this saves time and expense. It is now possible to give the skirting board exactly the same decor as the floor.

Karl Pedross The high quality of the basic materials and special surface treatments ensure that Karl Pedross profiles and skirting boards are highly durable and colour-fast. The trend? Rigid and elegant skirting boards. Yet here, too, digital printing is gaining ground. For two years, Karl Pedross has been in possession of its own in-house printer and digital printing has now become indispensable. The company has created over 1500 decors in barely two years. Time was when it became possible to connect skirting boards as closely as possible to the floor. Nowadays, however, it is not even a problem to make the skirting board identical to the floor. The floor texture (any floor whatsoever) is scanned and transferred to the skirting boards in 3D. The quality of print is absolutely unrivalled. The latest innovation is digital printing on veneer, something which opens up unseen opportunities, for example, in the multi-layer parquet market.

Floor Forum International 55

Küberit

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At Küberit the most important trend is a skirting board system in which parts of the floor can be fitted. The newly patented skirting board 950 makes it possible to fit floorboards of 3 to 11mm (carpet, vinyl, linoleum, laminate, and parquet) into the aluminium skirting board. The company is constantly looking for innovative solutions. One of the very latest innovations has been the skirting boards with LED into which fire exit signs or logos can be engraved. In 2011, the company started with digital printing and continues to invest in it. At Küberit they are convinced that this technology will continue to gain ground in the future. Eventually, just about any decor will be available on request. ‘Customised’ digital printing is already possible from 100 metres. The very latest innovation consists of a two-part click system for LVT (luxury vinyl tile) floors, especially LVT floors with a click system which is 4mm thick.

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Profilpas creates scores of interior opportunities with its extensive range of aluminium skirting boards, which meet the highest demands from both an aesthetic and technical point of view. Today, Profilpas has also added the Metal Line Flex pliable skirting boards to its range. The company has an ongoing programme of research and development and has now introduced one of the fruits of its ongoing efforts, namely the PDS® Profilpas Digital System. PFD® even makes it possible to produce extremely small ‘customised’ quantities thanks to its digital printing system. Profilpas has already added 20 trendy colours to its already extremely wide range of coatings with which various sorts of wood can be reproduced. It is possible to obtain a customised profile from 20 pieces (54 metres).

The new colours are available for both profiles and skirting boards.

Progress Profiles Trends vary greatly at Progress Profiles. These include ‘polished’, ‘super polished’, mirror effect, stainless steel satin, and seven different designs of aluminium. This is another company with an ongoing programme of research and development and they work constantly on innovations based on new technology. The field of skirting boards includes the Proskirting line and the flat skirting board system for plaster walls. The company regards digital Printing as a worthy discovery, but does not believe that ‘customised’ or ‘tailor-made’ work will dominate the industrial market in the future. Nevertheless, the company does customised work from 100 metres, depending on the colour and the product.

floor installation. Among the most innovative products of the range-visible on the site of profilitec the Skirting Minimal Design BA 400, with its reduced height of 40 mm, in special and unique finishes: Brushed, Chromed and Powder Coated Corten or Grey Micaceous: are the last successful entries.

Corten: aesthetic effect similar to oxidized iron for a retro design like finish. Micaceous: refined minimal trendy finish “cast iron effect“ for modern environments.

Royal Plint Royal Plint is a young and modern company, which specialises in MDF skirting boards, architraves, skirting board brackets, and decorative frames and decor lists.

Royal Plint works together with architects, building companies, interior and odd-job companies, parquet traders, floor specialists, and joinery companies. This means that they don’t deliver directly to consumers, but exclusively to professionals. One important trend which the company has noticed is the demand for FSC approved products. Royal Plint has no need of digital printing. As far as the skirting boards are concerned, the company has transferred completely to water-repellent (green) MDF of exclusive E1 quality. These are also available in double solid design. At Royal Plint it is possible to order skirting boards according to one’s own design in amounts of04.09.12 at least 850m.

The price is no Proline_Anzeigen_ENG_92x136 16:03 Seite 2 higher than usual.

Special Skirting Boards

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Profilitec Spa With Profilitec the skirting becomes a special finishing element, technical and decorative at the same time, which follows the latest trends in interior architecture and adds a “plus” to the

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PROLINE – the green ground of crafts.

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Floor Forum International 55

This year, Poulet Moulures has invested in a new machine and, consequently, has not invested unduly heavily in skirting board research and development. Of course, there have been some technological innovations, but due to the economic crisis the company is well aware of the need for caution regarding the heavy financial commitments which these innovations require.

At the same time, the company is looking at the possibilities of customised work. The most recent innovation is the ‘Sperone’ terrace plank.

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Subfloors for traditional parquet Special Subfloors (part 2)

Under those floors lies a covering floor, but which one?

In this article we consider the subfloors which are suitable for the full surface glueing of parquet and wooden floors. Basically, we can identify three categories: solid wood subfloors or subfloors made from wood, subfloors made of other materials or material combinations, and, finally, subfloors which are equipped with an adhesive material. However, on this occasion, we’re going to have a look under that subfloor first. The common distinction between a cement bound and an anhydrite covering floor requires some clarification, if only because it affects the fitting of the subfloor.

Cement versus anhydrite When we write an article in this magazine about the importance of damp measurement, levelling agents, or glues, the distinction inevitably surfaces between a cement-bound covering floor and an anhydrite covering floor. The dry percentage is especially relevant. There’s no need for us to explain once again exactly what a cement-bound floor is. The average DIY enthusiast knows that the screed is a mixture of mill rind sand, cement, and water.

This is a simple and commonly known compound. Anhydrite has emerged as a strong alternative, certainly when it comes to major building projects with large floor surfaces, of course. Here is an introduction.

Floor Forum International 55

What is anhydrite?

With an anhydrite floor the cement is replaced by a synthetic binding agent, namely anhydrite. Anhydrite is calcium sulphate or CaSO4. We are usually familiar with it as gypsum. Gypsum which comes into contact with water soon hardens and crystallises. In the 1950s, researchers at Bayer discovered that it is possible to influence the crystallisation form. This means that in addition to the soft, so called ‘hospital plaster’ very hard substances can arise from the crystallisation.

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What are the advantages?

This screed can be pumped easily, is almost self-levelling, and has a high insertion yield. Anhydrite hardly shows any cracks, needs no reinforcement, and expands and shrinks only minimally. The crystal binding of an anhydrite screed also has a certain elasticity.

This means that the material, which is already hard in and of itself, is highly flexible and pressure resistant. You could compare it to a window – if the glass did not give with all sorts of vibrations, it would break. Cement binding does not have this flexibility. An anhydrite screed also has an ideal thermal conductibility with floor heating. The pipes are surrounded completely and compactly by the uniform mass.

Drying time The drying process does not bear comparison to that of a cement-bound screed. The sealing property of the anhydrite screed means that it will take longer to dry than a cement-bound screed.

Fitting tiles also requires a very dry screed.

Unifloor

It is possible to speed up this drying process by providing plenty of ventilation and using dehumidifiers. Our preference as fitters is always an anhydrite screed between 4 and 5cm. Since this covering floor has sufficient pressure resistance and flexible strength, this thickness will not affect the quality of the anhydrite screed.

The recommended drying percentages are 0.5% for parquet without floor heating and 0.3% for parquet with floor heating.

Sandpapered or not?

An important point for attention with anhydrite, and one which floor fitters must note, is the existence of the ‘binding agent film’. Depending on the composition of the anhydrite-bound covering floor, a thin layer of CaCO3 can sometimes form on the surface which has a lower cohesion and is incorporated less smoothly into the covering floor mass: this is called the binding agent film. If you fail to remove this layer before fitting the hard floor covering (according to the maker’s guidelines), the latter may come loose because of a lack of adhesion between the binding agent film and the mass of

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The importance for the floor fitter It is important that the contractor (or architect) tells the floor fitter which screed has been used. As we have already said, the distinction has a direct effect on the permitted residual moisture percentage. Yet there’s more. When you glue a wooden subfloor onto a cement-bound covering floor, it is possible to strengthen the glueing by nailing the subfloor securely in place. However, you must never nail an anhydrite covering floor down. On the other hand, it is useful to know that the anhydrite floor will usually lie perfectly evenly, something which is not always the case with a cement-bound screed.

Wooden subfloors The first and oldest category of subfloors for the full glueing of parquet consists of solid wood floors and alternatives based on (processed) wood. The floor is constructed by glueing the subfloor (with or without nailing) onto the screed in order to glue the floorboards in turn onto the subfloor (with or without nailing).

The most popular (and undoubtedly the most stable) subfloor is still obtained using oak mosaic subfloor parquet. Alternatives which people are using more and more include triplex or multiplex, OSB (oriented strand board) and chipboard. Subfloors which are not in solid wood owe their favourable properties to the fact that they are composed of various (smaller or thinner) entities. Multiplex and triplex are constructed from thinner layers of wood. OSB is composed of more large wood chips and chipboard from ground wood. Chipboard also appears in the form of chipboard without a moisture repellent surface. These are small tiles of, for example, 20 x 15cm (there are various sizes), which expand and shrink less due to their limited surface area and absorb the tension better than a large board.

Technical subfloors Obviously, no one is surprised to hear that building material producers conceive innovative products which can offer added value as compared to traditional wooden subfloors. And so, various manufacturers are churning out subfloors made from certain minerals, based on plaster, from butyl, from calcium silicate, and such like, which are suitable for direct glueing onto parquet. The added value lies in certain properties which are added by the composition of the product or which are typical of the raw material used. And so, these subfloors can contribute to even better

sound insulation (even though wooden subfloors already score well here), increased fire safety (fire resistance and reaction to fire), better thermal comfort, and so on. These technical subfloors usually appear as a ‘fitting system’.

Self-adhesive subfloors A third category of subfloors for glueing are subfloors which show a self-adhesive aspect. These subfloors, too, are actually sophisticated fitting systems which ensure speedy and simple fitting and at the same time help to improve acoustic comfort. This category includes all sorts of diverse systems, which, however, have the common feature that some form of ‘adhesive’ is integrated into the subfloor. These floor solutions are the result of extreme innovative creativity. There is a system with an adhesive strip fitted on one side or even on two sides (one for glueing onto the covering floor and the other for glueing onto the floorboards). Another system is fitted with self-adhesive tapes for fitting on the screed. Another system still is fitted with profile mouldings with an integrated adhesive strip. These subfloors increase the floor fitter’s comfort considerably, even if they require a certain ability to adapt from that same floor fitter.

Special Subfloors (part 2)

the anhydrite-bound covering floor. The result of this is that the binding agent film continues to stick to the underside of the adhesion agent in which the floor covering has been fitted.

Some examples Design Parquet

Design Parquet presents ISO DB, a two-in-one system which improves sound insulation considerably and at the same time fixes the floor securely. ISO DB is ready for use and can be fitted quickly. The subfloor consists of an insulation foam layer of polyethylene between two self-adhesive layers of butyl. It is possible to fit solid wood and multi-layer floors in all sorts of wood with this

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Floor Forum International 55

Unifloor BV | Munsterstraat 24 | 7418 EV Deventer | The Netherlands | Phone +31 (0)570 - 855533 | www.unifloor.nl

Floor Forum augustus 2012

Quality underlay products for all kinds of floor covering

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Special Subfloors (part 2)

subfloor. With multi-layer this is possible up to a width of 260mm, whilst for solid wood the maximum width is 140mm. This improves acoustic performances considerably in line with the ‘Acoustic Legislation’ of 1 January 2000 and the prevailing DTU. The subfloor reduces sound by 18dB. This subfloor is suitable for use on floor heating and on floor cooling, subject to the use of ‘Isojonction’. Another subfloor which has an integrated self-adhesive layer is the Iso Alu, a moisture-repellent subfloor for fitting parquet on covering floors with a moisture content of up to 10%.

Fermacell Fermacell plates are available in various sizes and designs and have specific qualities such as sound insulation, heat insulation, fire resistance, and such like. A number of parquet sorts can be glued directly onto the Fermacell plates, provided that you follow the adhesive maker’s specific instructions. Wood-engineered parquet can be fitted directly onto the FERMACELL floor elements by glueing. The wood-engineered parquet can be glued using and adhesive without water or emissions. A bonding primer may be necessary, but you must consult the glue maker’s processing instructions. If with traditional parquet the length/width ratio of the pattern is about 50/50%, the parquet can be fitted directly onto the FERMACELL floor elements such as, for example, herringbone or mosaic design. A strip pattern cannot be fitted directly. The traditional parquet strips can be glued using a water and emission-free adhesive. Here, too, a bonding primer may be necessary. It is also possible to fit solid wood mosaic parquet (in block or herringbone pattern) in line with DIN 280, part 2. The thickness must be kept down to 10mm. With solid wood parquet

it is better to use smaller cross-sections. This results in less expansion and shrinking in the wood.

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Floor Forum International 55

No need to probe,drill or mechanically damage the surface

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For evaluation of moisture condition of concrete, gypsum cement and other slabs and screeds

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Unifloor is a specialist in subfloors and it is therefore no surprise that this Dutch company also presents several technological solutions in this field. For levelling wooden support structures and improving the acoustics (sound reduction) Unifloor offers, for example, Redu-Panel, a sound reduction panel onto which 9mm Bourgogne or two-layer wood-engineered parquet can be glued directly. For glueing 6mm traditional parquet the company recommends a combination with a triplex panel (overlapping). Par Pax is recommended for the direct glueing of 6mm traditional parquet and 11mm two-layer pre-fab parquet. Par Pax consists of a top and bottom panel with a structural height of 17mm. The composite bottom panel consists of a coconut fibre layer, a top quality soft board, and a 4mm MDF panel which is fitted with interactive glue. The top panel is 4mm MDF, fitted with interactive glue. For glueing 9mm Bourgogne and 20mm two-layer strip planks there is the contact sound reduction subfloor Redupanel Parket Coco Floor, a combination of 4mm Coco Floor and 25mm Redupanel Parket. The 4mm Coco Floor consists of a PE foil as a moisture barrier and a levelling and sound reduction layer of coconut.

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Professionals use a heavy sanding machine with a rough grain to sandpaper a new parquet floor for the first time or to renovate an old (lacquered) floor. The favourite tool for this purpose is still the endless belt sander, a machine weighing about 80kg ( for professional use), which exerts considerable pressure on the floor merely due to its heavy weight. In recent years, manufacturers have refined the existing machines in various ways to make them even more efficient. Dust suction has become a point for special attention. phones can give up the ghost within a shorter space of time.

When we speak of endless belt sanders for floor fitters, it sounds as if this law of economics has not yet reached the wooden flooring industry. Belt sanders are ultra-sturdy, robust machines, which are virtually indestructible.

Kunzle & Tasin

The first sanding When I chose a solid wood parquet floor for the first time in my life, I had a brief, but severe attack of panic. That might sound odd, but that’s how it was. The floor fitter who did the job enjoyed an excellent reputation and was even renowned for some major restoration work abroad. Curious as we were, we wanted to follow the fitting procedure at close quarters. As soon as the man in question had fitted the parquet subfloor, an oak mosaic, I started to feel ill at ease. As far as I was concerned, the wooden boards were not even straight, but higgledy-piggledy, and at certain points here and there the glue had pressed through the joints of the mosaic blocks. I couldn’t watch it any longer. In those days, of course, I didn’t realise what magic a belt sander can weave.

One single sanding with that heavy appliance was enough to give the mosaic subfloor the appearance of real, stunning oak parquet. All the unevenness and glue residue were gone. The subfloor was perfectly level and ready for the direct glueing of the merbau strips, which already showed far less unevenness than the parquet subfloor.

Products for life There was a time when manufacturers made products ‘for life’.

For example, the first cars were even sturdy enough to outlive a human being and subsequently ‘serve’ the next generation for a while. And what about those old Miele washing machines?

Indestructible! However, in the course of time, manufacturers began to realise that making products with a long-lasting life cycle did not make economic sense. Indeed, by doing so, they were cutting down their own outlet market. Once you sell an appliance or product, you lose a potential buyer. Machines have to give up the ghost ‘sometime’, so owners can make fresh purchases.

That’s how the (economic) world keeps rolling. Today, professionals operating all over the world and in virtually all product categories have converted this economic assessment into deliberate strategies in which ‘mortal’ products take centre stage. The lifespan of an average car is about 10 years, if well maintained.

Beyond that age (and often much earlier), it begins to splutter.

Domestic electrical appliances last for a few years, whilst mobile

Various pressures and grains The weight of the belt sander and the power of the motor are important for good sanding results, but there’s more to it than that. Parquet is sandpapered in various phases using different sanding grains. It goes without saying that the pressure which the machine exerts on the wooden floor must not be the same for each grain. As a rule, there are three levels of pressure required from the roller against the floor: the highest pressure is for the roughest grain (initial sanding), medium pressure for the medium grain, and the lowest pressure for the thinnest grain (for surface sanding).

Sanding grains for new floors We use grains 36 and 40 to sand a new parquet or wooden floor for the first time. Grains 60 and 80 are the first sanding grain for soft sorts of wood. They are also used for further sanding of semi-rough sanded surfaces. For new hardwood floors they are used for the second sanding. We use grains 100-120 for the third and final sanding of new floors designed in hardwood to finish the floor.

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Special Sanding machines and their dust removal (part 1)

Belt sanders carry on with rough grain

Floor Forum International 55

The Rolls, the Bentley, or the belt!

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Special Sanding machines and their dust removal (part 1)

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Sanding grains for old floors Grain 20 is an extremely rough grain which is used to remove surface layers of old floors. The sanding material has an open structure in order to keep crusting to a minimum. Grain 20 is not used directly on the wood. Grain 24 is also an extra rough grain which is used for levelling or for removing old layers. We used grains 36-40 for extra sanding of rough sanded surfaces, often for the initial sanding after the removal of coats of paint or varnish. Grains 60 and 80 are often used for sanding as a finish for renovated old floors. In some cases, old floors may require extra sanding with a grain between 100 and 120.

Technical perfection We can observe two noticeable phenomena in the world of parquet sanding machines. First of all, the manufacturers of these machines are specialists, who often limit themselves exclusively to this work. Parquet is their field of work. A second noticeable point, and one which is certainly true of belt sanders, is the fact that the machines have changed very little over the years.

Innovations usually consist of extremely refined technical improvements, but the basic machine has literally been in existence for decades. The comparison with Rolls Royce and Bentley is perfectly apt here. ‘Solidity’ is still at the forefront of manufacturers’ endeavours. Adaptations which designers have made in recent years to improve the machines are related to technical performance and ergonomics. All together, those improvements mean that the machine itself delivers perfect results with only minimal input from the floor fitter. One point for attention over the years, which has become increasingly important, has been dust suction.

For several years, belt sanders have been fitted with a more than reliable dust suction and collection unit. In recent years, however, there has been a marked preference for dust suction through the incorporation of an external unit, a method of work which is considerably more efficient. Here, too, we seen an interplay of technical and ergonomic reasons.

What’s on the market?

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Bona

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The Bona Belt is a parquet sander which is designed for sanding newly fitted wooden floors, parquet and cork floors, untreated floors, and used floors which have previously been treated with varnish or oil. This machine has a powerful motor with the new Poly-V drive belt, which gives the sanding belt even more power. It is easy to operate and can be dismantled for transport in a few seconds. This machine has been designed in line with the very latest information on ergonomics, safety, and capacity and is checked rigorously and approved before it leaves the factory. Bona regards dust suction as extremely important, since in the final analysis it affects the health of your clients. Bona was the first to launch a belt sander with dust suction in the form of the Bona DCS, which is a new and revolutionary machine for dust-free sanding. In the Netherlands, where dust-free sanding is required by law, the Bona DCS was one of the first machines approved by the TNO. The Bona DCS 70 is more than a vacuum cleaner. It represents a revolution for the working surrounds.

Thanks to its two-step cyclone separation and its unique filter design, the Bona DCS 70 absorbs dust safely. The machine is

portable and can therefore be transported to any job to be connected to the sanding machine.

Devomat Industries NV/SA The Deva Belt 200/250 has been a big hit in the parquet world for some years now. Here, too, they have concentrated their attention on technical modernisation. To provide even greater stability and exclude vibration, Devomat has converted the already sturdy chassis from the 3-part existing frame (main frame, ventilator house, and dust reception chamber) into one chassis. The ventilator house is now included in the chassis.

Access to the ventilator house is now much more simple, since you only have to loosen four screws. This means that cleaning the ventilator house is no longer a tiresome chore. The Deva Belt 200/250 was the first sanding machine on the market to be fitted with Poly-V belts. The previous generation of Deva Belt machines were driven by two Poly-V belts, but nowadays Devomat uses a single Poly-V belt system. The belt fastener has been simplified and the whole unit is now even easier to maintain. The use of a single belt system means there is no need for the extra belt fastener for the dust ventilator. This modification also reduces vibrations and, furthermore, the machine now uses two amperes fewer than before. They have also improved the wheel base alignment system considerably. You can now adjust the wheels simply by turning one screw.

Klindex At Klindex they have the Timba. The Timba is a light sanding machine, which, unlike most belt sanders, requires little explanation, training, or experience. The operator can work quickly, easily, and economically. An improved suction system ensures that this machine hardly leaves any dust behind. The Timba can be deployed for all sanding jobs related to fitting parquet or other wooden floors. We can use the Timba for smoothing or levelling the floor, provided that we use grain 24. We then use grains 36 and 40 for sanding in that order. The Timba’s ‘scraping’ function soon seals any open holes and gaps. The floor can be polished between coats of varnish using a pad or grain 220. The Timba also has various accessories for preparing the substrate. For example, the ‘Carborundum’ is an excellent aid for levelling cement covering floors in preparation for fitting parquet.

Kunzle & Tasin The range of sanders offered by Kunzle & Tasin is just about the biggest on the market. The Taurus is one of the showpieces of the Italian sander maker. This endless belt sander has excellent dust suction, whilst the powerful 4 PK motor always ensures excellent sanding.

The sanding pressure can be adapted endlessly. The Aries is the lighter version (60 kg) of the Taurus (3 PK). As well as the Taurus and the Aries, Kunzle & Tasin also has the drum sander Sirius, a

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Lägler Hummel The Hummel is suitable for sanding wooden floors of all sizes. It always produces good results, even on difficult floor surfaces, and is also suitable for special applications such as ice rinks and certain synthetic project floors. The Hummel sanding machine operates with a contact sanding drum, covered in a specially profiled rubber. The belt tension mechanism with integrated automatically regulated belt rotation is located directly above the sanding drum.

The work zone is covered by the machine housing and the removable side cover. The electro-motor is fitted horizontally on the

machine housing in a motor suspension. The plug for the electrical connection is located in the motor switch box. The motor switch with three positions (start/operate/test) is fitted on the switch box.

On the left side behind the V-belt cover is the drive belt.

The machine is propelled by a castor at the rear and two running wheels on the sides. There are two handles fastened to the operating tube. The lever for the sanding drum is fitted to one of these handles, whilst the wire housing and dust bag are fastened to the other.

Lägler/ Superhummel Lägler now also presents the Super Hummel with a 300mm sanding cylinder and three-speed motor (400V and 4KW). This Super Hummel is specially designed for large surfaces such as in public areas, sports halls, and industrial premises. The machine offers highly efficient dust suction and a very high level of safety.

Overmat Industries Bv For heavy sanding work, Overmat Industries BV has various sanding machines in its range. Amongst other things, Overmat is the exclusive dealer in the Benelux for the HTC brand, which offers an extensive assortment ranging from machines for heavy sanding (both concrete and wooden floors) to machines for a fine finish.

We will consider these machines in a future edition.

Special Sanding machines and their dust removal (part 1)

tool weighing 80kg. The sanding pressure can be set in endless positions. The Orion is a heavier drum sander weighing 85kg.

This Orion is a powerful machine with a wide sanding drum of 250mm and is therefore ideal for completing bigger jobs quickly.

All Kunzle & Tasin sanders guarantee that the job will be done faster. With the Taurus, Aries, and Sirius, the sanding surface is a good 185mm, whilst that of the Orion is even 235mm.

Naturally, that makes a difference with big jobs. K&T, which launched the first sander (Arlequin) with a vacuum unit, is a strong is a strong advocate of external dust suction units, both for the quality of the work and the health of the fitter and end user.

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Floor Forum International 55

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Special Sanding machines and their dust removal (part 1)

Here we merely present the belt sanders. The Woodmaster LDS 2000/82 is a unique belt sander with extremely high sanding output and excellent results for expert and professional sanding of parquet and wooden floors. The Woodmaster LDS 2000/62 is a semi-professional belt sander for sanding parquet and wooden floors. The machine is very simple to operate so that it is also ideal for the hire sector.

Repex

Parquet

adhesives

Thanks to ongoing innovation, Repex has managed to develop increasingly better and more user-friendly machines for professional users. The latest innovation is the Tornade, an endless belt sander which has a powerful 3KW motor and is easy to transport. The machine has the facility to change the belt tension whilst it is in use and this provides maximum power transfer. The sanding pressure can be adapted depending on the substrate and the required result. Tornade has a mechanism to centralise the sanding

belt automatically to give the user more control. As far as dust suction is concerned, the Tornade has a turbine system which sucks up dust and discharges it via a dust channel. This dust channel can be connected to an external dust unit (the Dust 01) so that dust in the room is kept to a minimum (the norm for industry in France is less than 1mg/mÂł). Another option is to absorb dust by means of a dual dust bag connected to the sanding machine.

This dual dust bag consists of an internal dust bag inside an external dust bag.

Tover Tover RC1 sanding machine is extremely versatile. Its system of orbital magnetic discs combined with the speed variator enables an excellent level of finishing (fine sanding) but also a really efficient grinding and brushing. Thanks to its good stability, it is possible to drive it with only one hand, without effort and in total safety. The vacuum system has been improved with a powerful turbine which drastically reduces the quantity of dust during the working time; the site is thus healthier for the installer and the abrasives used remain clean; consequently their action is optimized.

Demonstrations on site can be organized by our staff to show the multiple qualities of the machine.

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Silane adhesives on the up It never ceases to amaze us that parquet floor fitters have embraced the new silane technology almost universally. They usually swear by the ‘tried and trusted’, yet this time they have yielded to the vast benefits which silane adhesives offer. The result? The growing use of these glues has prompted makers to adapt products gradually to the market needs.

And so, silane glues are ‘on the up’ as regards both quality and market share. Some major figures in the sector now predict that silane will soon dominate the parquet industry completely.

Tested in practice Some producers have acquired a licence from Kaneka and introduced their own brand of MS polymers. Other producers have opted to develop their own silane technology, so they don’t have to charge their end clients for the cost of the licence in their end products. At all events, all producers are working out their own formula, with or without the Kaneka raw material. Naturally, this provides a dynamic variety on the market. In the first phase, developers use the technology for the development of new kits to provide an alternative to polyurethane and silicone kits. These are ‘hybrid’ products since they combine the best of both forms of technology mentioned above and even refine the strong points.

Very soon, this leads to the development of adhesives for parquet. The fact that the normally so conservative floor fitters have been prepared to try out the new technology has been a blessing for producers. New products or new forms of technology, which have been tried out in practice, usually generate a flow of ‘reactions’. Those reactions constitute the desired information, which is necessary to refine, improve, or even perfect the products.

Very soon, second generation MS polymers appear on the market to eclipse their first generation counterparts.

Finding a balance Practical experience of use and the ensuing reactions from the market have led to refinement. Whilst adhesives once had ‘too much’ or ‘too little’ of a particular property, they are now well balanced. The main character in this story is the ‘elasticity’ of the glue. Not only does parquet glue have to be solid enough to stick a wooden floor firmly onto a subfloor, but it also has to cope with the natural movements of the wood due to fluctuations in air humidity. The glue has to absorb those movements, as it were. If a glue is too hard, the wood may exert its force on the screed with all the risks thereof. On the other hand, if a glue is too soft, you more or less get the effect of a ‘floating’ floor. Very often, the balance lies somewhere in the middle. The original elastic glues were generally too soft. They often had little adhesion, did not ensure a stable floor (certainly with solid wood floors, which were not engineered), and they had too many softeners. The latter caused more problems as they proved incompatible with the applied finish (e.g. parquet varnish). The producers responded little by little with the introduction of harder elastic glues. Nowadays, we speak of ‘balanced’ or ‘calibrated’ elastic.

Convincing benefits This balanced elasticity in silane adhesives was not actually the main reason for the breakthrough. The makers were more or less ‘obliged’ to progress towards suitable elasticity. After all, floor fitters were hardly clamouring for a form of technology with disadvantages, which their tried and trusted polyurethane adhesives did not have. As soon as MS polymer glues and other silane adhesives were ready from a technical point of view, their makers were able to take advantage of other, cast-iron benefits, which were certainly not inconsiderable.

Health The health of floor fitters and end users (who have to use the floor) is clearly a vital issue. These people will note that polyurethane glues contain isocyanates and can cause cancer. By contrast, silane glues are not harmful to human beings or the environment.

Excellent adhesive quality Silane adhesives ensure strong and durable adhesion, but they also remain elastic. These glues set quickly, so it is usually possible to sandpaper and finish the floor on the next

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Floor Forum International 55

A historic breakthrough The conquest of the parquet market by silane technology is a historic feat. Silane technology seemed to emerge from nowhere to provide an alternative to existing parquet adhesives (glue technology). It is now firmly established and looks set to stay. The development of silane-based glues provides another fine example of cross-fertilisation between different industries. The child was conceived far away in Japan, a country where earthquakes ranging from light tremors to ominous major disasters are part and parcel of the hazards of everyday life. If every earthquake results in widespread smashed glass, you have a problem. That was the context for the initial use of silane technology in the building industry. The Japanese chemical giant Kaneka developed an ‘ingredient’ capable of increasing the flexibility and impact strength of glue considerably. Over 15 years ago, the company took out a patent on the so called ‘MS Polymer’. Adhesive producers all over the world had the chance to purchase a licence and use this ingredient in the development of their glues. MS polymers and silane adhesives in general are also used in ship building where glues also have to meet special demands regarding their elasticity and moisture resistance.

Special Silane based adhesives

Adhesive quality and ease of use score highly

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Special Silane based adhesives

day. Silane adhesives eliminate pressure on the substrate.

According to producers, some silane adhesives can be used on covering floors with a residual moisture percentage of above 2.5%.

Clean When floor fitters lay traditional parquet, they have to sandpaper away glue residue. Nowadays, due to the unstoppable advance of pre-finished floors, this is no longer possible. The only option for floor fitters is to work cautiously, and, of course, that costs them time. Thankfully, silane adhesives provide a solution here because they can easily be removed from material and from hands. They are clean adhesives and, apart from other qualities, they owe their success to the fact that they are solving a problem in a growing market.

Silane-based ranges Floor fitters are confronted with silane technology on more than one front. Nowadays, various producers offer an extensive range of silane-based products, which can be used for fitting parquet.

For example, we have noticed that some renowned brands also offer primers or moisture barriers based on silane. Those moisture barriers provide an excellent alternative to moisture barriers based on epoxy. They can usually be deployed for a residual moisture percentage of up to 5%. It is also possible to use other products such as wood fillers and assembly kits, which ensure rapid adhesion, for fitting skirting boards and finishing edges.

A selection from the range

Bona

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Bostik Belux / Parcol Parcol MS Elastic was the first MS polymer adhesive from Bostik. This is an elastic single component glue which does not contain any solvents, water, or isocyanates. This glue is suitable for glueing critical or delicate parquet sorts, nervous sorts of wood, or on delicate substrates, but is also quite suitable for glueing all wooden floors, even laminate. Parcol MS Elastic is suitable for glueing cross-cut wood on covering floors with or without floor heating, but less suitable for small format strips of parquet. Parcol MS Progress is a new generation MS polymer glue. This glue sets even faster than Elastic so it saves a considerable amount of time (before sanding). This glue is not suitable for cross-cut wood. However, MS Progress is suitable for glueing on floor heating. The pack (SYSTEM PACK) includes two bags (7kg), which have a long shelf life. This makes it easier to put the correct dose of glue in the bucket and there is precious little waste. It is suitable for glueing cross-cut wood onto covering floors with or without floor heating. It is less suitable for small format strips of parquet.

Adesiv WB-MONO-MS adhesives for wooden floors are based on MS technology. WB-MONO-MS are solvent-free and isocyanate free. They received the classification EMICODE EC1 PLUS very low emissions.

These products are extremely user-friendly: the adhesive is ready to use. Curing process is due to a chemical reaction with ambient moisture, known as condensation, so no mixing with catalysts or hardeners is necessary.

WB-MONO-MS are specific for gluing wood floors on cement subfloors or on pre-existing non absorbing floors (marble, tiles, flagstones, wood surfaces). Easy to clean, they are particularly recommended on pre-finished floors.

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open time of 20 minutes. Apart from its parquet glues, Bona also has the Bona R880, an elastic 1-component silane assembly kit.

The strong initial adhesion and rapid operation make the Bona R880 ideal for repair work and glueing doorsteps, skirting boards, and stairs.

Bona R844 parquet glue is an elastic, 1-component silane parquet glue in line with EN14293 (soft) for dimensionally stable multi-layer parquet.

However, for floors such as multi-layer solid bamboo you should use the less elastic Bona R850. This reduces the pressure on the subfloor. A primer is not usually necessary. The adhesive works via a chemical reaction with ambient damp. Bona R850 parquet glue is also an elastic, 1-component silane parquet glue for parquet floors. Just like traditional adhesives, the set glue is capable of withstanding the pressure during swelling, whilst it has very low resistance to shrinking. This reduces the pressure on the subfloor. Here, too, it is not usually necessary to use a primer. The adhesive also works by means of a chemical reaction with ambient damp and has an

Collanti Concorde From Collanti Concorde we present two parquet adhesives, which are based on silane technology, namely Isobond Floor and Isobond Alfa 3. Isobond Floor is a silane-based parquet glue, which does not contain any solvents, water, or isocyanates and bears the riskfree label. This adhesive forms a strong and elastic coat of glue for all parquet sorts and sizes on just about all substrates. This glue can be used on existing tile floors. Isobond Floor is part of Eco-Line, a range of products with very high performance and low environmental impact. Isobond Alfa 3 is a 1-component silane-based polymer adhesive, which offers rapid adhesion for various materials (e.g. metal, stainless steel, aluminium concrete, wood, plastic, or glass). It is ideal for glueing items such as decorative panels, insulation, tiles, marble, and such like.

Chimiver Panseri Spa Chimiver offers Unisil, an adhesive based on MS technology. This flexible an elastic adhesive is a ready to use product. UNISIL is a prepolymer based, single-component adhesive with a silanic termination (MS technology), totally free of water, solvents, amines, tin, isocyanates and epoxy resins. It hardens with atmospheric humidity and becomes resistant to water, temperature and ageing in approx. 36-48 hours. Recommended for gluing prefinished parquet onto marble, grit, tiles, ceramic or marble-chip floor, etc.

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Furniture Technical Centre) for glueing solid oak floorboards (15 x 160mm), (20 x 180mm), and (20 x 200mm). Various tests in climate boxes have shown that there is wear and tear or loss of adhesion and have also shown that the floor retains its general flatness. These tests have also illustrated that the dimensional variation of the parquet comes to a mere 1cm (5mm at each end).

EMFI, the EmfiParquet PRO+ glue, is a flexible adhesive which meets the standard NF EN 14293.

Den Braven

Henkel/Thomsit

At Den Braven, with PARKETFIX MSPS they put the emphasis on hybrid polymer adhesives based on silane. These glues can be processed perfectly and they have a strong adhesion capacity. They do not contain any solvents or isocyanates, yet they still possess enough mechanical resistance to hold planks firmly in place. This is why Den Braven also calls these adhesives ‘Adapted Elastic Glues’.

Den Braven also has PARKETFIX MS Polymer adhesives in its range. They recommend these adhesives only for engineerd parquet. They do not advise you to use MS polymer adhesives for glueing solid wood planks and 10mm parquet. This is because in conditions which are always slightly damp they gradually lose their elasticity and ability to restore their shape. And so, until further notice, the hybrid polymer, silane-based adhesive Parketfix MSPS is still the ideal solution for glueing wooden floors and solid wood parquet.

Thomsit offers three MSP glues, namely P 675, P 685, and P 695.

Thomsit P 675 Elast is a low emission single component adhesive for glueing parquet which is ready-for-use. This elastic adhesive absorbs the movements of a parquet floor and thereby ensures that there is less tension in the substrate. P 685 Elast Universal is also a low emission single component adhesive, but it is suitable for glueing all sorts of parquet. Both glues protect the substrate against shearing stresses and ensure strong and durable adhesion and durable elastic glueing. P 695 Elast Universal Strong is a low emission special single component parquet adhesive for glueing all sorts of parquet and wooden RE/WE floorboards. This glue takes effect rapidly and is extremely strong and can be walked on within 12 hours. It is solidly elastic, durable, and has strong adhesion.

Emfiparquet Pro+ An Adhesive With No Solvents Or Isocyanate Ideal For Large-Size Parquet EMFI, one of the world’s leading producers of reactive polymers and mastics,is proud to present the outstanding EmfiParquet PRO+. This is a silanated polymer adhesive for parquet, which is recommended for the full tack of all sorts of parquet.

EmfiParquet PRO+ is an innovative glue and the result of highly intensive research and development. It meets the strictest environmental legislation. It does not contain any solvents, isocyanate, or silicone and meets the classification requirements EC1PLUS R and A+.

In addition to its improved mechanical properties, EmfiParquet PRO+ is also the first single component adhesive to make it possible to glue large-size solid oak parquet strips (20 x 200mm), according to the FCBA test during application.

This adhesive has many qualities: tack without a primer on most building substrates, rapid polymerisation, easy application, nonaggressive towards varnish, and it improves the acoustic comfort of the parquet considerably because it stays flexible after polymerisation. Thanks to its outstanding resistance to moisture and heat, EmfiParquet PRO+ provides the perfect solution for fitting parquet onto floor heating or in bathrooms.

EmfiParquet PRO+ is recognised by the CTBA (Wood and

Kerakoll Green Building Company presents SLC ECO L34 Flex (Ex L40 Flex). This is an Eco4 MS Technology ecological glue with exclusive Kerakoll technology. It has a long working time, rapid setting, superior final adhesion, and calibrated elasticity. This glue also has very strong initial adhesion. The L40 has the Green Building Rating ECO5, whilst the SLC ECO L34 Flex has rating ECO4. This is because the 63% natural minerals (according to REACH) are not regional, whilst in the Green Building Rating 2011 the product is only awarded the Eco rating if the natural minerals are also regional minerals. The L34 Flex can be applied on all absorbent and non-absorbent substrates and, in combination with SLC ECO EP21 (EC1 Plus), is also suitable for floors with excessive residual moisture. Moreover, this glue is also suitable for all sorts of wood and all sizes. It is available in light and dark, 16kg, 6kg, 600ml sausage shape, and 310ml designs.

Lecol Lecol offers MS250, MS290, and MS220. The Lecol Parquet Glue MS250 is a hard-elastic MS polymer adhesive, which has been developed specially for glueing chipboard or industrial mosaic subfloors, solid parquet up to 16cm wide, end grain blocks, mosaic parquet, distressed Burgundy parquet, and multi-layer ready-for-use parquet (wood-engineered parquet) on absorbent and non-absorbent subfloors. Lecol MS290 is the parquet adhesive which is ideal for fully glueing multi-layer

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Floor Forum International 55

Emfi

Kerakoll Green Building Company

Special Silane based adhesives

Also suitable for gluing parquet onto underfloor heating and cooling system.

Certificates: EC1R; Attestation CCAEnvironmentally Compatible Product (Certificate issued by Department BEST - Politecnico of Milan CCA Registration No. 201216); Sound Reduction (CSI Test Report No. 0056/ DC/ ACU/06); Heat conductivity (CSI Test Report No. 0020/DC/ TTS/06). Unisil is available in buckets, sausages and cartridges. In addition to Unisil, Chimiver has also Adesiver Elastic which, as Unisil, is EC1 very low emissions certified adhesive.

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Special Silane based adhesives

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parquet with a tongue and groove construction. Finally, the new Lecol MS 220 is a chip resistant parquet glue which is suitable for all sorts of regulated parquet, wooden subfloors, and cork floors, all sizes and wood sorts, and is therefore universal in its use. Furthermore, this glue also has all the well known advantages of an MS glue. You can use Lecol MS 220 parquet adhesive for glueing all sorts of parquet. Seeing that the glue is just as chip resistant as, for example, the dual component polyurethane adhesive Lecol PU 240, the wood has only limited scope for movement as it expands and shrinks so that seam formation and bending are kept to a minimum. The MS220 does not contain any softeners.

Lechner SpA Lechner SpA offers SMP Bond, an MS polymer one compound adhesive for wooden floors. This adhesive is unique and unites all forms of modern technology to guarantee users excellent quality and safeguard their health at the same time. SMP Bond has a number of exceptional features which make it a innovative product and will invariably ensure important change on the market.

It satisfies the quest of floor fitters for alternative forms of technology. The product is completely safe, has excellent adhesion qualities, is easy to apply, does not contain water or solvents, and is odourless. SMP Bond has the GEV EC1 certificate, it has passed the tests according to Leed EQ c4.1, SCAQMD rule 1168 (2005) and has obtained DIBt certification. Moreover, it is easy to remove from wood and hands. Lechner clients greatly appreciate its ease of application and low consumption, as well as its environmentally-friendly qualities.

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Mapei

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We present two adhesives from Mapei. The Ultrabond Eco S945 is a solvent-free, 1-component adhesive with no isocyanates, is based on silanated polymers, and has a very low emission of volatile organic compounds. This glue is ideal for veneer parquet (Emicode EC1). Ultrabond Eco S955 1K is also a single component silane adhesive which does not contain any isocyanates or solvents at all and has low VOC emissions. This glue is suitable for all sorts of parquet. Ultrabond Eco S955 1K can be used for glueing pre-finished and laminate, traditional parquet, floorboards on all cement-bound covering floors, and substrates made with Mapecem, Mapecem Pronto, Topcem, Topcem Pronto, or comparable products. It is also possible to use Ultrabond Eco S955 1K on old wooden floors, ceramics, marble, and such like (Emicode EC1).

For finishing items such as expansion and other joints on vertical and horizontal surfaces, Mapei presents Mapeflex MS45, a 1-component, thixotrophic, fast-setting, silane-polymer-based hybrid filler and glueing kit.

Overmat Industries B.V. Floor Service Parquet Adhesive Smp110 - New! Technological progress has ensured that the SMP110 Parquet Adhesive spreads better and is easier to use.

Moreover, this glue now has a darker shade to blend in better with wood. The new packet also yields less waste, which, in turn, means longer storage once the glue is open. All this makes it much easier to use and much more efficient! Floor Service SMP110 is a strong, ready-to-use parquet adhesive with no solvents or water. It is based on the latest polymer technology and does not contain any silicone. This adhesive is ideal for glueing just about all sorts of parquet, including solid wood floors, traditional and mosaic parquet, ready-for-use parquet, and wood engineered parquet. Floor Service SMP 110 can also be used for glueing the most popular subfloors onto various substrates such as concrete, sand-cement covering floors, anhydrite cast floors, stone, wood OSB, metal, epoxy membrane floors and substrates which are non-absorbent or low-absorbent. In short, this is a versatile adhesive which is pleasant to use. Do you want to know more about this product? Please contact Overmat Industries!

Pallmann Pallmann presents here its single component STP adhesive Pallmann P 5. Pallmann P5 is a hard elastic parquet glue, which does not contain any solvents or water and conforms to the standard DIN EN 14293. This adhesive combines the elasticity of a polyurethane glue with the benefits of the state-of-the-art STP technology. This glue is extremely easy to apply without any risk of swelling since it does not contain any water. Pallmann 5 is suitable for 19-22mm strip parquet, 1622mm end grain blocks, and for all sorts of wood, including exotic sorts. Pallmann P5 complies with the VOC legislation. It offers excellent filling strength and good adhesive grooves. There is no interaction between the glue and Pallmann varnishes. Glue residue can be removed easily.

Stauf Stauf presents various silane-based adhesives for just about every imaginable wooden floor fitting method. In contrast to many highly elastic adhesives on the market, Stauf SMP glues combine very high tack with handy elasticity.

This makes it possible to glue safely and easily and you achieve greater dimensional stability to guarantee durable wooden floors. Stauf SMP-930 is an extremely economical and safe glue. It is still possible to remove glue residue even days after the fitting. Stauf SMP-950 is the only 100% silane-based SMP glue. It does not contain any softeners whatsoever and therefore it can be used on all sorts of floors

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and subfloors without any shrinking. SMP-950 has an integrated moisture barrier of up to 4CM% on cement covering floors.

In 2010, with the SPU-460, Stauf launched a new line of glues to combine the safety of PU with the benefits of SMP. Stauf has now added two newcomers: the SPU-570, a user-friendly allrounder, and the SPU-545, the first dual component silane adhesive. This glue eliminates any unwanted interaction with other materials. Finally, Stauf has the Stauf S-Press, an elastic silane glue in a 1,800mm tube for mechanical spreading.

A strong Duo.

Sika Sika Bond AT-80 is a competitive, hard-elastic silane glue, which is easy to handle. It is used for glueing both multi-layer and solid wood parquet. Moreover, Sika Bond AT-80 is suitable together with floor heating and has an open time of 75 minutes. Sika Bond AT84 has many similarities with Sika Bond AT-80, but is even easier to spread and has higher elasticity.

Sika Bond AT-84 is also suitable for both multi-layer and solid wood parquet, including with floor heating, and has an open time of 60 minutes. Both glues can be used in all circumstances in combination with Sika Primer MR Fast. They are both low in solvents and possess the EC1 plus label (GEV Emicode ). This is the European classification for glues with the lowest emission values.

As with all silane glues, it is easy to remove glue residue from the parquet.

STAUF SPU-570 and SPU-545 1 and 2 component hard elastic SPU wood flooring adhesive according to DIN 281 and DIN EN 14293 ▪

no adverse interaction with parquet sealings varnishes flow asphalt or old substrates

▪

high shear strength

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adhesive residues easy to remove

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integrated vapor barrier

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fast setting

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no labeling required, EC1-R plus

Soudal Soudal offers five different references in the field of silane adhesives for glueing parquet. For cordon glueing there are the MS-25P and the SMX15P. The MS-25P is an MS polymer glue in sausage form, which is particularly suitable for glueing exotic sorts of wood. This glue does not contain any water or solvents. The MS-25P is one of the few bead adhesives on the market on a hybrid (MS polymer) base. It has been specially developed for groove glueing of solid wood and guarantees very high final strength. The SMX-15P is suitable for multi-layer parquet or solid wood in small sizes. For full surface glueing Soudal presents the MS-20P, the MS-30P, and the SMX30P. The MS-20P is a high-elastic 1-component MS polymer glue for multi-layer parquet and solid wood in smaller sizes. The glue is very easy to apply and makes a significant contribution towards sound absorption. The MS-30P, the classic amongst the hybrid parquet glues, is a 1-component glue which, like the MS-25P, does not contain any water or solvents and is suitable for all types of parquet, especially exotic wood sorts, on all substrates. The MS-30P (EC1) is particularly versatile and extremely easy to process. The glue for extremely critical sorts of parquet, which are susceptible to moisture absorption on delicate and non-absorbent substrates, is the SMX-30P, based on SMX polymers. This glue is somewhat tougher and provides even greater end strength.

The SMX-30P is easy to process and offers very fast curing: parquet can be sanded after only 12 hours. Soudal now offers an improved formula with longer open time (35-40 minutes) and extremely low emissions (EC1Plus).

www.stauf.info

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Tover Tover chose the MS polymer technology based on Kaneka resins for the production of its silan adhesives. These elastic adhesives have many advantages due to their extreme versatility: they are suitable for small size parquet as well as for big dimensions planks, on any sub-floor and they are particularly recommended on under-floor heating systems. Moreover, they do not swell, have a long working time, a good adhesion even on ceramics and metallic supports and excellent tear strength. Another positive point is that MS glues are very easy to clean from prefinished parquet.

Besides, they are perfectly eco-friendly, with no symbol of risk for a secure use both for the environment and final user.

Tover complete range is composed of three different products: MonoSil, solvent and phthalates free, packed into bags of 7,5 kg to reduce at minimum the waste, Tovcol MS, available in bags or buckets and Sigil MS in cartridges and sausages for a gun application of the sealant inside and outside. A kit made of 10 sausages + a gun for a 20 square meters bonding is now available.

Wakol Wakol MS 260 is hardelastic parquet adhesive. It is suitable for glueing mosaic parquet, end grain, 22mm parquet, multi-layer parquet, solid wood parquet (up to a maximum of 18cm wide, and oak up to a maximum width of 20cm), RE/WE cross-cut wood, and flat cork floor covering on absorbent and non-absorbent substrates.

WAKOL MS 260 complies with DIN EN 14 293. With WAKOL MS 290 parquet glue, Wakol has launched the first MS glue on the market, which, according to DIN EN 14293, belongs to the ‘chip resistant parquet adhesive’ group. This adhesive also complies fully with the impact strength requirements of the previous standard DIN 281. WAKOL MS 290 parquet adhesive combines the impact strength of a dual component PU adhesive with the excellent processing properties of a single component product.

The great internal strength gives the system the best possible safety against the formation of joints. It is possible to use WAKOL MS 290 parquet adhesive for parquet and wood sorts as well as flat cork floor coverings and ready-for-use cork with MS technology. This glue stands out not only for its extremely good adhesion power, but also for its long spreading time and the ease of removing varnished parquet surfaces. The rapid setting means you can sandpaper the parquet within 24 hours. Interaction with varnishes are excluded because the adhesive does not contain any softeners. This means that it is not possible for components from the adhesive to migrate elsewhere.

> Industry news

Machines and tools from a single source.

The X-Well saw blades can be used only with Wintersteiger thincutting band saws. Only perfect matched machines and tools from a single source can provide the high quality resultd.

Veneer of up to 660 mm width and as thin as 1.7 mm can be produced with the Wintersteiger combination. This is unique!

For more information please visit website Wintersteiger.

Information about the company: Wintersteiger thin cutting solutions for wood are used in the production of lamellas starting with 1.5 mm thickness. Among the customers are manufacturers of engineered flooring, doors and windows, multi-layer boards, pencils, musical instruments, etc.

The headquarters in Ried, Upper Austria, 17 subsidiaries and 60 representatives serve a total of 130 countries. This ensures Wintersteiger an export share of around 90%.

European Federation of Parquet importers The parquet importers welcome the Commission decision to refer Germany to the European Court of Justice for failing to respect EU rules governing the harmonisation of the marketing of construction products.

The importers are of the opinion that Germany’s decision to impose a national mark (Ü-Mark) has created additional and unnecessary testing requirements for construction products, despite the fact that these products already have a CE–mark. The Ü-Mark clearly constitute a barrier to entry and is against the principle of the free movement of goods which is key for the development of the Internal Market.

EFPI therefore urges the Court of Justice to take a clear decision on this case which will bring legal certainty in a market that has already been significantly affected from the current economic crisis and which needs to be re-built on stable and clear rules.

“In this difficult context, national protectionist measures should be strongly forbidden and the European Union should ensure that the free movement of goods is fully respect by all its Member States in the different sector”, said EFPI president Nigel Gibbs.

“The construction product sector suffered a lot in the recent years as a result of the on-going economic crisis. It is therefore essential that all means are deployed to allow this sector to recover and actively participate to the European growth”, he added.

PEPI RER Ventilated underlays for floating floors on a concrete subfloor The use of ventilated underlays like ProVent by PEPI RER SIA and Platon Stop by ISOLA is gaining more and more support from the industry. It has been well established that the present practice of using a vapour barrier to protect the flooring from humidity presents a dangerous side-effects. The vapour barrier seals moisture on the surface of concrete subfloor and doesn’t allow the concrete to dry. A high level of humidity stays there for years leading to the formation of mould and subsequently the health problems.

Recently a number of initiatives in EU reflect the changing attitude. An example is the development of new SisäRYL (the code of the building practice for internal finishes) in Finland. A number of industry players are suggesting to withdraw the demand for the use of vapour barrier in the application of floating floors on a concrete. Finland may become the first country in Europe where the ventilated underlays are recommended for the use on a concrete subfloor instead of a vapour barrier.

Domotex Asia/ Chinafloor 2013 If one told you that you could reach a considerable number of potential clients, meet the comprehensive Asian and global flooring industry chain, and witness the most innovative trends in one single stop, you would certainly assert that you would not miss the opportunity…and that is why you should not miss the 15th edition of DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR in Shanghai between 2628 March 2013.

Standing out from other leading shows for its ideal position at the core of the emerging and vibrant Asia Pacific region, DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR is coming back with a variety of new and optimized services to make companies participation at the show an absolutely worthwhile investment in their next year promotion plan. Mohawk, Lamett, Beulieu, Gerflor, Suminoe, and Invista are just few of the main industry players that already confirmed their booth at DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2013

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Industry news

Precision in every detail.

Both, the wavy cut and the rough cutting are accomplished with Wintersteiger’s high-quality thin-cutting technology – with highest precision and thinnest possible kerf. X-Well saw blades can be used in various processes. For the center-cut method, lamellas are first cut into double veneer thickness, and then cut again in the middle using the X-Well saw blade. The result is a smooth surface on one side and a nicely structure surface on the other.

When using the surface treatment method, the surface of the finished product is processed by a saw. And for the loose sandwich method, the structure is likewise added to the finished product by a separating cut.

Importers have commercially suffered from Germany’s burdensome national marker. Ever since Germany adopted the Ü-Mark, importers have faced difficulties to import their products in Germany. They clearly see this regulation as a protectionist measure which is not in line with the newly adopted Construction Product Regulation.

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Wintersteiger AG - Wavy flooring surfaces met with positive response Surface structures with the X-Well saw blades from the Upper Austrian manufacturer of special machines Wintersteiger AG are sending out ripples among designers and architects – because customers are increasingly calling for wavy surfaces. Producing such individual structures with high-quality thin-cutting – and creating visual masterpieces at that – is the next unique feature in Wintersteiger’s line of saws. Using X-Well saws blades, it is now possible to meet this new market trend. Individuality included! This tool’s specially designed tooth geometry allows creating both regular and irregular surfaces.

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Floor Forum International 55

Advertorial Deckwise (NL)

The history of deck board straightening leads to engineering breakthrough

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When we look at decking tools we see many innovations come and go. There’s always someone claiming to have a better version of this or a new and improved version of that. In most cases, the ‘better’ versions are nothing more than cheap imitations of what’s already available and the ‘new and improved’ versions are simply not very improved With that said, there is one tool in particular that has truly developed advantageously over time; the deck board straightener.

Dating back many decades ago, the only known method for straightening a bowed deck board was to get creative or simply junk the board. And, typically, any method found to actually work required two people to execute.

Now you can find a number of advanced deck board straighteners available online and at any home improvement store. They range in style from modified pry bars to complex gadgets created to make your workload easier. But many of them don’t backup their claims. In fact, one straightener available claims to be a “one-man hands-free” tool yet, when it comes to hardwoods, it will require a second set of hands. Another claim is durable construction. But, how durable is a tool that doesn’t last a lifetime? And although not

all deck board straighteners claim to have multiple uses and do the job without additional accessories, it is important to look for one that does.

One deck board straightener available that has proven itself is the Hardwood Wrench™ from DeckWise™, and yes, it is new and improved, but it’s not complex.

The new Hardwood Wrench is genuinely a better version of an already amazing tool. One would think that with its ability to bend even the toughest hardwoods with ease, there would be no room for improvement.

The Hardwood Wrench™ is capable of a pushing force of roughly 500 kg which offers eight times more bending power than other deck board straighteners. It was designed to make deck board installation a true one-man operation without the need for other tools or accessories.

The Hardwood Wrench™ has a self-locking cam attached to a high quality hard anodized aircraft grade aluminum dog and an ergonomic stainless steel and hardwood handle which is expandable and reversible. This tool is ideal for tight spaces and won’t impede with the boards or other tools. Additionally, it is compatible with both single and double joists, and capable of bending multiple boards at once.

You can use the Hardwood Wrench™ with all types of decking material including pregrooved or standard lumber, composites and PVC without the need for any other tools.

That’s how impressive the Hardwood Wrench™ was before the new and improved wrench hit the market. Now we are looking at a tool that does all that and more. Engineers at DeckWise™ discovered that if they enlarged the length of the cam, it would improve the function. The larger surface area allows for an increased range and more bending power, helping you create closer gaps with even the most extreme bowed boards.

In addition to an increased surface area on the cam, the pins on the Hardwood Wrench™ were modified and adjusted, creating a stronger grasp on the joist.

This alteration also turns the Hardwood Wrench™ into a dual-purpose tool, able to not only straighten deck boards, but now, cladding as well.

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Germany is still number one in parquet The German model ‘works’ – even in the wood trade

Geographically, Germany stretches from the Frisian island of Sylt in the north to Oberstdorf in Bayern in the south, and from Görlitz in the east on the Polish border to the extreme west of North-Rhine Westphalia. The furthest point from north to south is 876km and from east to west this figure is 640 kilometres. The borders of Germany have a joint length of 3,618 kilometres. Large islands include Rügen (930km²), Usedom (German part 373km²), Fehmarn (185km²), Sylt (99km²), Borkum, and Norderney.

Germany – political administration The constitution of 23 May 1949 stated that the Federal Republic was to be a ‘federative, democratic, parliamentary, and social constitutional state’. In Germany the three central government powers are divided up as follows: the Lower House and the Upper House (legislative authority), the Federal Government and the Federal Chancellor (executive power), and the Federal Constitutional Court (judicial power). The Lower House, the parliament, is the highest political organ. The Upper House consists of 69 members from the sixteen German federal state governments (three, four, five, or six, depending on the population of the federal state in question). The powers of the Upper House include a suspensive right of veto against most of the laws passed by the Lower House. The Federal Government consists of the federal chancellor (the leader of the government) and the federal ministers. The Lower House appoints the federal chancellor by order of the federal president; the federal ministers are appointed by the federal president by order of the federal chancellor.

The federal chancellor has great personal power because he or she outlines, for example, the guidelines for government policy, whereby he or she commands great respect within the cabinet.

The German economic miracle The German miracle or the German locomotive are just some of the congratulatory characterisations which had sounded around the world until recently. In particular, admirers point out how Germany has tackled its unemployment. Germany is just about the only country in the world with lower employment in 2010 as compared to 2007.

Modest salaries and benefits To account for this development, people usually refer to the policy of labour market reform, which was set in motion from 2003 onwards by former chancellor Gerhard Schröder and further refined thanks to employers and trade unions. The Hartz IV laws were the most conspicuous. These laws have limited unemployment benefit to just one year since 2005. After that, the unemployed receive a lower benefit which is close to the subsistence level. Furthermore, the government has also made some segments of the labour market more flexible. The Hartz II legislation liberalised the so called ‘mini-jobs’ with effect from 2003.

These are very flexible jobs with regard to organisation of working hours, wage control, and recruitment and dismissal, with a monthly wage of up to a maximum of €400. This sum is not taxable, but at the same time the employee does not enjoy the benefits of social security. With a view to maintaining and extending employment and making Germany even more competitive, the German trade unions also accepted a general wage restraint at macro-economic level. Increased competitiveness has helped to the lay the foundation for the strong export results of the German economy in recent years.

Export as the motor In recent years, Germany has had an outstanding record as an exporter of goods. It has recorded the highest export growth figures and is one of the few OECD countries, which have more or less managed to preserve their share in the world export of goods and services (in volume) over the past decade. Strong export figures also explain the striking regeneration of economic activity in Germany after the recession of 2009.

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Floor Forum International 55

Geography The Federal Republic of Germany (German: ‘Bundesrepublik Deutschland’ or ‘BRD’ for short) is a federal republic in Central Europe. Since reunification on 3 October 1990, Germany has had a total surface area of 356,970km². In terms of size this makes Germany the sixth biggest country in Europe after Russia, Ukraine, France, Spain, and Sweden. Germany lies at the heart of the continent of Europe and has a border with no fewer than nine countries: Denmark (68 kilometres) in the north, Netherlands (577km), Belgium (167km), Luxembourg (135km), and France (451km) in the west, Switzerland (334km) and Austria (784km) in the south, and Czech Republic (646km) and Poland (456km) in the east. The former German Democratic Republic (GDR) accounts for about one third of the current German territory.

Special Germany

Germany is the leading consumer of wooden floors in the FEP zone. As regards parquet production, the country lies in second place in Europe. Therefore, we are certainly justified in speaking of a leading position. This is true in some respects for the entire German economy, which is still the biggest in Europe and the third biggest in the world. Germany, like no other country, has come out of recession at high speed and is once again enjoying strong growth. The country’s ultra-solid export position plays an extremely important role here.

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However, economists also refer to the German policy of wage restraint as another major factor to explain these strong export figures. Since 2002, wages in Germany have risen considerably slower than labour productivity, and this has led to a falling wage share in the added value. We notice this trend in the global economy as well. In other countries, with the exception of the Netherlands, the wage share has stayed much more stable.

Germany has improved its competitiveness considerably as a result of this. The relative wage cost per unit of product in the joint currency has fallen. This fall has been especially noticeable since 2004 and has led to strong downward pressure on the relative price of German export products on the world market.

Growth in 2012 The German economy has continued to grow so far in 2012.

According to figures from the German national statistics office, German gross domestic product grew by 0.5% in the first three months of this year as compared to the previous quarter. As we have already said, Germany owes its economic growth mainly to its exports. In the first quarter of 2012, the country exported 1.7% more goods and services than in the final quarter of 2011.

With this result, Europe’s biggest economy has once again recorded growth figures after a dip of 0.2% in the final quarter of 2011. That was the first dip since the crisis of 2009.

Forestry The major German forestry states are Bayern, BadenWürttemberg, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Pomerania, Thuringia, and Saxon Bergland. Almost one third of Germany (10.3 million hectares) is woodland or forest and, apart from wood extraction, the forest is essential for recreation and conservation. In Germany those who cut trees are obliged by law to plant new trees. In the 1980s, the country discovered increasing damage as a result of acid rain. Germany has tried to reduce air pollution by means of national and international measures. The country has an impressive timber industry, which, in its entirety (including the paper industry), is bigger than the German automobile industry.

HARO TRITTY GRAN VIA – LAMINATE FLOOR IN XL FORMAT Amazingly authentic wood reproductions with bevels on all four sides and dimensions that make even most Plank 1-Strip parquet look small: The new laminate floors of the HARO TRITTY 100 Gran Via series look like real solid wood and create a spacious effect in any room.

A laminate floor that is as beautiful as real parquet – and quickly installed with the unique, ultra-easy Top Connect installation system. www.haro.com

Wood processing machines German wood processing machine manufacturers lead the world market in terms of both technology and turnover. People appreciate them mainly for the high quality and long lifespan of the machines and the comprehensive range of product-related services. In 2003, just about 19,700 employees in 240 companies produced wood processing machines to the value of 2.9 billion euros. In 2004, German manufacturers reinforced their market position and achieved an estimated production volume to the value of about 3.1 billion euros. The broad spectrum offered by German manufacturers includes standard and special machines for the traditional and industrial production of furniture, electrical tools, machine tools, and installations for the saw industry and also for the production of wood materials.

Parquet in Germany Several buzzing brand names in the parquet industry are German brands. The Germans are the number one parquet enthusiasts in the entire FEP region. As regards consumption, Germany is in first place and is consolidating that position, whilst as regards production the country maintains a secure second place behind Poland.

An introduction Boen Boen is a Norwegian family business and an international supplier of multi-layer parquet (two and three layers), and solid wood parquet sports floors. The company has production units in Norway, Germany, and Lithuania. The company traces its origins back to two sawmills in Norway in 1641. Over the centuries, this operation has developed into an internationally-oriented industry. The company started producing three-layer parquet over 60 years ago. In 1990, Boen designed the Boflex high-tech sports floor, whilst they have been producing two-layer parquet since 1998. In 2009, Boen launched Actiflex with the 5G click system, a gluefree sports floor which is fitted rapidly. Boen employs about 900 people and has an annual turnover of around 90 million euros. A good 60% of the turnover is achieved abroad, mainly in Western Europe, the United States, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East. However, the company is also interested in countries such as Maghrib, Russia, and Canada.

Clou Clou is an abbreviation for Alfred Clouth Lackfabrik GmbH & Co, KG and the company is based in Offenbach-am-Main, near Frankfurt, in Germany. Alfred Clouth started the company in a small workshop in Frankfurt in 1917. Initially, Clou produced only wood stains and varnishes for the furniture industry in Hesse.

Nowadays, Clou supplies an extensive variety of clients in wood processing. The company offers a vast range of products for looking after and maintaining wood.

Hamberger/Haro The floor covering brand Haro has helped Hamberger Flooring GmbH & Co. KG in Stephanskirchen, near Rosenheim, develop into the German market leader for parquet. The company can boast over 60 years of experience in the production of parquet.

Apart from the floor division, which sells parquet, cork, laminate, and linoleum, the group also has sports flooring, sanitary, woodcutting, and farming & forestry divisions. Hamberger is ISO 9001 and EN ISO 14001 approved.

Since 2002, Hamberger has also had the PEFC certificate.

The company is still a family enterprise and is now led by Peter Hamberger and Dr. Peter M. Hamberger, the fourth and fifth generations respectively. Turnover is around 260 million euros. A good 40% of the products are destined for export to over 90 countries. In 2011, Hamberger unveiled several innovations in various domains: maintenance (clean and green natural), laminate (with very natural decors), cork (with functional natural designs), parquet (naturally oiled), and much more. In the field of laminate the company’s most striking product is the Haro Tritty Silent CT, the quietest floor in the world.

Heinrich Krüger und Sohn For nearly 175 years, we have stood for exceptional expertise and specialised knowhow. This is especially true for the procuring of speciality woods from all over the world and the excellent subsequent treatment we provide through our partners. We have worked successfully together with our customers in this way for decades. The HKS product range, which today is under its 5th generation of family management, is unequalled. Finally we offer more than 2000 different kind of wood flooring products. Most of them in European Oak. Engineered from 10–25 mm thickness, 100–450 mm width.

Solid from 10–30 mm thickness, width up to 450 mm. Oiling, lacquering, smoking, burning, brushing, hand scrapping and a lot of more possibilities to make a perfect surface on all our products. Special dimensions and individual colours are our challenge for projects in private and public buildings. Most of our FSC Oak material is from European certified forests. We place great emphasis on sustainability and renewable resources.

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Special Germany

Parquet consumption In the area of consumption, Germany is Europe’s undisputed leader. In 2009, the country accounted for 18.42% of the total European parquet consumption and has since increased its share to 20.84%. In 2010, consumption of parquet in Europe rose by 6.81% to 92,945,000m² (from 86,005,000m²). This reflects a positive trend, which is expected to continue in 2012.

To express this in terms of surface area, this means that in 2010 the Germans fitted no fewer than 19,369,738m² of parquet as compared to 15,842,121m² the year before. In other words, of the increase in consumption of 6.9 million square metres all over Europe, Germany accounts for 3.5 million square metres. That’s more than 50% and it says a lot about the country’s economic situation.

The company certainly also operates in DIY, but also gives professionals products and advice. The range includes about 700 products, which are constantly being refined and improved. The company employs 220 people spread over Germany (including in Berlin). The company also has representatives both in Germany and abroad. About 20% of the production is destined for export, but the company strategy is geared towards raising that figure.

Customers are located all over the EU, but especially in Eastern Europe. Clou has its own office in Poland. The company is now also targeting a number of African countries (e.g. Nigeria and Namibia), but also Asia and China.

Floor Forum International 55

Parquet production Germany accounts for 15.64% of all European parquet production, a figure which puts the country in second place on the FEP list. Poland occupies first place with 17.71%, a figure which puts the country firmly in first place in parquet and wooden floor production. Sweden is in third place with 13.30%. Total production in Europe in 2010 was 70,300,000m² as compared to 67,523,000m² the year before. Germany accounts for almost 11 million square metres (10,994,920m²) of the total parquet production. In the previous year, Germany still produced 10,006,908m², almost one million square metres fewer. And so, we are talking here about an impressive share in the global increase of about 30%.

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Floor Forum International 55

Special Germany

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Jacob Jürgensen Wood Jacob Jürgensen Wood is a trading firm which has over 130 years of experience on the world market and an outstanding network of international partners. This all started back in 1882 with the import of Scandinavian softwood. Today, the company is a specialist in the sale of wood and wood related products, including wooden floors.

The headquarter is located in Hamburg, but the company has various branches in Europe to serve the European markets. A good 45 staff workers together achieve a turnover of 115 million euros. Jacob Jürgensen Wood directly represents various suppliers from North America, Scandinavia, and Russia. One of the company’s specialities is the customised supply of North American wood sorts such as black walnut, white oak, red oak, hard maple and such like. Jacob Jürgensen Wood has been serving the European parquet industry for over 30 years. The company is FSC and PEFC approved. The main export countries are Scandinavia, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, France, Greece, Belgium, and the U.K. Küberit Nowadays, Küberit is market leader in the field of aluminium profiles for textile and elastic floor coverings and profile systems for all hard floors such as laminate, ready-to-fit parquet, solid wood floors, and cork. Formed in 1863, Herm.

Friedr. Künne GmbH & Co. KG can look back on more than 140 years of corporate experience. In 1970, they started with the first metal profiles. In the years which followed, they started making synthetic profiles as well as metal profiles. At the end of the 1980s, Küberit began to specialise entirely in precious metal profiles. In 1996, they relocated their factory to Lüdenscheid, but erected a second factory at Drolshagen in 2002. In 2008, Küberit invested in a hyper-modern warehouse with a capacity of over 5.4 million running metres. Over the past seven years, they have increased their capacity by over 50%. The entire range is sold all over the world under the brand name Küberit. For textiles and pliable floor coverings the company has the Küberit Best catalogue. Today, the leading product is PPS (Parquet Profile System), a patented profile system for floating floors. In 2011, Küberit achieved an increase in turnover of 9%. They sold 12 million running metres of profiles. 35% of the production is destined for export to over 57 countries. Küberit employs 150 people.

Meister Werke Schulte GmbH Meister Werke Schulte GmbH is an innovative family enterprise formed in 1930. The most important products in the floor segment under the Meister brand are laminate, wooden floors and parquet, cork floors, nadura, linoleum, panels, and skirting boards. The company is renowned thanks to its two brands

Meister and Schulte Räume. Today, Meister-Leisten employs 601 people and the company achieves a turnover of about 139 million euros (2011). A good 38% of the production is destined for the export market.

Meister Werke Schulte GmbH sells its products in Germany via carefully selected dealers.

They export to over 30 countries. The major destinations include Switzerland, Austria, the Benelux, the UK, and Spain. Product innovation is the driving force behind the company: some new products in 2011 were based on wood powder technology and PVC-free vinyl floors.

Naturhaus Naturhaus has been developing and producing quality products for wooden floor surfaces since 1985. The products are based on natural materials and are very user-friendly.

The range is designed for protecting, cleaning, maintaining, and colouring natural surfaces on all types of wood. The company attaches great value to the environment and quality of life. Naturhaus deploys renewable and high-quality raw materials and ingredients. The compositions are developed and tested extensively in the company’s own research and development division. Seeing that the environment and mankind are so important, Naturhaus is a member of ‘Umweltpakt Bayern’, a major environmental initiative. The company employs 20 people. A good 25% of the production goes abroad, particularly to Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, USA, and Canada.

Osmo Osmo is one of the leading manufacturers and providers of modern, ready-foruse wood products for designing the entire home and garden. Osmo products are found all over Germany, as the company has over 2500 dealers, but also in several other European countries and further afield. And so, Osmo operates on the world market, from China to the United States, New Zealand, Russia, Norway, and Switzerland. With over 250 workers, Osmo produces and sells splendid floors, walls and ceiling profiles, work tops, skirting boards, wooden frontage furnishing, garden wood, and natural wood refinement products. The head office is located in Warendorf, whilst there are production units in Warendorf and Munster.

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Easy and effective. Naturally

WOCA

NEW

INDUSTRIAL OIL 2000 Basic treatment and finishing of wooden floors • • • •

Fast drying Very high chemical resistance Good penetration Available in a number of standard colours as well as bespoke toning options • Compatible with all the regular WOCA aftercare products • VOC compliant and DIBT registrered • Compatible with all the regular WOCA aftercare products The product is delivered in 20 litre metal containers. Art. no. 839030, Natural and art. no. 839030-218, White.

WoodCare Denmark A/S · Tværvej 6 · DK-6640 · Tel.: +45 99 58 56 00 · info@ttwoodcare.com · www.wocadenmark.com

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Special Germany

Pallmann

Pallman was formed by Georg Pallmann in Munich in 1900. In 1949, the company started to develop and produce the first wood varnishes. In 1982, the company launched the first waterborne wood varnish. In 2001, Pallmann was taken over by the Uzin UTZ Ag group. In 2004, JP Coatings GmbH was formed and Pallmann relocated to Würzburg in the HCH Jordan GmbH varnish factory. On 10 October, the group opened a new production plant for waterborne lacquers. Since 2010, Pallmann has been presenting all products necessary for the fitting and finishing of wooden floors.

The ‘Pallman Good for Wood’ programme is a complete system solution for fitters. And so, the range goes from subfloor preparations to cleaning products. In 2011, the company achieved a turnover of about 24 million euros. JP Coatings GmbH employs 90 people. Just about 55% of the production is destined for export.

PROLINE Systems GmbH, Boppard/Rhine Founded in 1994 by Mr. Karl-Heinz Fiedler, the German manufacturer PROLINE has established itself as a specialist for tiling and floor profiles across the globe in the past two decades.

Continuing technical innovations, a 100% commitment to quality as well as specific extensions of the assortment are the essential success factors, supported by fifty motivated PROLINE employees.

The export department accounted for 30% of the 15 million Euro sales in 2011. Under the direction of Mr. Stephan Kreidler, this percentage shall raise up to 50% in the near future.

The company is actually enforcing its activities especially in Eastern Europe, the Arabian countries as well as in India, South America and Australia.

Saicos Founded in Sassenberg/Germany SAICOS, manufacturer of wood coating products, celebrates this year its 10th anniversary. “It has always been our aim to produce wood coatings of highest quality combined with the best administrative and technical support.” says Michael Fischer, sales manager with SAICOS. This proved to be very successful with increasing again its turnover to approx. 6 million EUR in 2011.Today SAICOS employs more than 30 people, who develop, produce and sell SAICOS products to more than 40 countries worldwide. “The Netherlands was one of our first export markets and is therefore very important for us and due to structural changes we are currently looking for new partners there”, Michael Fischer, available on michael.fischer@saicos.de

products meet the very highest safety and sustainability standards. The combination of market awareness and thorough research and development makes Stauf an innovative and qualitative leading player on the market. Each product is tested extensively before it is launched. In addition to the glueing, which is still the core business, Stauf also offers an extensive range of products for substrate preparation and accessories. Since 2011, they have extended their range with professional finishes. Stauf is still a family business and attaches great importance to sustainable enterprise. The new infrastructure built in 2002 (production, stock, and offices) provides for the production of glues and primers in a computerised environment. There are hardly any emissions and the company works in an ecological manner in the areas of both production and logistics.

Stauf

Stauf is a full-service supplier of products for safe and healthy installation of parquet, textiles, and elastic floors, as well as sports floors. The ecological and user-friendly products are made in Winsdorf/North-Rhine Westphalia and are destined for the world market. Since 2011, Stauf has also been offering finish systems for the professional surface treatment of wooden floors. Stauf

Wakol is a family business which was formed in 1934 under the name Chemischen Fabrik Walter Kolodziej in Pirmasens, Germany. Originally, the company was geared to the shoe industry (rubber cement, impregnation agents, and cleaning products).

After various acquisitions between 1990 and 2010, the company has grown considerably and the group achieves a turnover of 55.40 million euros. 150 people work in Pirmasens, whilst the group as a whole employs 179. The company has invested heavily over the past 15 years. None of their production lines are more than 15 years old. The factory and production are highly computerised.

Wakol has subsidiaries in Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. Wakol has stakes in companies such as Maiburg Lijmen BV (the Netherlands), Lecol Chemie (the Netherlands), and Loba (Ditzingen).

Special Germany

Wakol

DIGITAL OR G DEC PRINTIN BERIT Ü K BY

1

2

scanning

printing

3

We can scan every flooring decor and print it in a brilliant resolution, so that we can

coating

wrap it on our profiles.

We would be pleased to advise you.

www.kueberit.com

D I G I TAL PR I N T I N G

Küberit Profile Systems GmbH & Co. KG · Römerweg 9 · D-58513 Lüdenscheid/Germany · Phone +492351/9507-127 · Fax +492351/9507-200 · export@kueberit.com

> Product news

OLD FLOOR ITALY — New range of boards ‘Settecento’ The new range of boards “Settecento” founds its strong point in its exclusiveness.

To have at home a “Settecento” parquet doesn’t only mean to walk on a wooden floor but walk on a piece of Venice and so, a piece of history. The thousands of “Bricole” (the antique boat anchor posts) that punctuate and characterized the most famous lagoon in the world, will be utilized, with a significant work of ecologic recovering, and converted into an antique pieces. The more of 300 years of immersion of the Bricole in the salty water, have transformed their Oak (but also Elm, Acacia and Beech) into an ossified and extremely steady material. From it, Old Floor is getting 3 layer boards, with a noble lamella 5 mm. thick, supplied in random widths up to mm. 240 and lengths up to cm. 250. The new line “Settecento” will be identify by hand made craftings and oiled-waxed finishes: antique liking, whitened or natural finishes, with unrepeatable shading thanks to the contrast with the surface they act on. To complete the range also Rialto and Cà Foscari patterns, along with the everlasting Hungarian Herringbone, available with the same craftings and finishes of boards or, if necessary, personalized. The exclusiveness of “Settecento” unique line will be certified and every single lot will be accompanied by a document stating the origin and dating of the utilized raw material.

Product news

Pepi Rer — Keep concrete subfloor dry with ProVent underlay ProVent represents a new type of ventilated underlays. When installed on a concrete subfloor it extracts the humidity and keeps the subfloor dry. This way ProVent prevents the formation of mould and the mould related health problems. ProVent is a ribbed sheet of polyethylene foam which is laminated to a HDPE film. The thickness of the underlay in working conditions is 3mm. ProVent facilitatates air circulation between flooring and subfloor due to the system of air channels. ProVent is suggested for the use with most brands of engineered flooring. ProVent is on the market since 2007 and it has proved a positive impact on the humidity level of concrete subfloor. Due to the ventilation feature the drying of concrete is faster. On the other hand this feature means an additional safety for the flooring. More information about ProVent underlay on the website of ProVent.

Pallmann — 1K-Parquet adhesive Pallmann P6 Bonding parquet safely and soundly – As parquet layers know, the professional installation of parquet floors requires a careful selection of the most suitable adhesive. The versatile, solvent-free, and water-free 1K-Parquet adhesive Pallmann P6 combines the strength of established and time-tested 2 component adhesives with the simplicity of a one component product. The newly developed, solvent- and water-free adhesive Pallmann P6 proves easily spreadable with outstanding trowel-pattern retention and a high draw-adhesion. The 1K-Parquet adhesive impresses through its ability to greatly expand and fill, to generate strong adhesive grooves and to show a high resistance against ‘floating’. The product is suitable for all prevalent parquet types. Pallmann P6 is readily combined with all other parquet varnishes and oils form the Pallmann family owing to the employment of new raw materials. A healthy living environment and highest possible safety against hazardous emissions is ensured through certification with the GISCODE EC1 Plus, the German Blue Angel and general approval by construction authorities.

RMC — Hybrid Wood Protector – a revelation!

Floor Forum International 55

RMC Hybrid Wood Protector was launched only recently in the spring of this year. However, this product already has a number of attractive references to its credit worldwide, from South Africa and America to Reunion Island. Due to its attractive features (a typical Monocoat, intense colours, and simple application and maintenance without sandpapering), the RMC Hybrid Wood Protector has enjoyed the full trust of professionals for finishing outdoor wood ever since it was launched. All those interested will find all the information on the Hybrid Wood Protector web site where they can also watch some instruction films.

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Progress Profiles — Proleveling System The PROLEVELING SYSTEM is a licensed product, which makes it easier to fit tiles. Thanks to no more than two elements (the leveller and the clip), the PROLEVELING SYSTEM ensures a perfectly horizontal surface, whilst the width of the joints is regulated via a choice for the various levellers.

This great innovation means that both professionals and private customers can now fit tiles (especially large-size tiles) quickly and easily. This system reduces the chance of a mistake considerably.

The leveller in the shape of a cross or semi-cross also ensures that you use fewer tiles. This reduces the price per square metre.

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