FFI 109 May 2020

INTERNATIONAL trade journal f or impor t , expor t , dis tr ibution and lay ing of par que t , laminate, cor k f loor ing and r elated pr oduc t s

N° 109 May 2020 - Price: €8 - Published 7 times a year - (Feb, March, May, July, Sept , Nov, Dec) Of fice of deliver y 9099 Ghent X , P911092, BC 31359 - Responsible Publisher: Filip De Ridder

Special: Rwanda

Special: Producers of wooden/composite wall cladding

© thermory.com

Advertorial: Q-Floor Parquet (B)

Special: Parquet oil

Advertorial: Dinachoc (F)

concept terrace to clip. invisible fixations. perfect finishes.

© a lf res c o

Special: Producers of style panels

WWW.GRADCONCEPT.COM

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Content

Editorial

INTERNATIONAL trade journal f or impor t , expor t , dis tr ibu tion and lay ing of par que t , laminate, cor k f loor ing and r elated pr oduc t s

N° 109 May 2020 - Price: €8 - Published 7 times a year - (Feb, March, May, July, Sept , Nov, Dec) Of fice of deliver y 9099 Ghent X , P911092, BC 31359 - Responsible Publisher: Filip De Ridder

Special: Rwanda

“There isn’t a specific standard for invisible fastening systems for terraces. And so, the key is to offer technical solutions yourself which surpass the standards of classic fitting.

That’s precisely what we do.”

Special: Producers of wooden/composite wall cladding

© thermory.com

Advertorial: Q-Floor Parquet (B)

Special: Parquet oil

Advertorial: Dinachoc (F)

concept terrace to clip.

The wooden decking and composite

invisible fixations. perfect finishes.

market is enjoying rapid growth and

Special: Producers of style panels © a l f resco

forecast to increase by 17% over

WWW.GRADCONCEPT.COM

the next five years. Moreover, the

Floor Forum International n° 109 May 2020 Photo Grad

market is moving on several fronts. For instance, there has been the successful emergence of composite boards, which enable companies such as Grad to offer an alternative to wood.

Paul Burger of Burger & Cie comments:

4 Inside news 8 Advertorial Q-Floor Parquet (B) 10 Special Producers of wooden/composite wall cladding

‘Our NEKKO composite is available in

Paul Burger Burger & Cie

chestnut brown and grey. Since it’s in the classic co-extrusion segment, the

price is comparable to that of a top quality wood specie.’ Yet there’s even more movement!

Whilst most terraces are still fitted using the classic method, Grad believes that there is a

15 Special Producers of profiles for LVT, vinyl, and PVC floors

growing interest in invisible fastening systems.

17 Special UV curing on site

Paul Burger continues, ‘Rapid fitting and an exceptionally long lifespan are just a few

20 Advertorial Dinachoc (F)

of the benefits.’ The longer lifespan comes partly from the fact that the floorboards no longer come into contact with the support beams. There are fewer points of contact

22 Special When to use and not to use (adhesive) primers

and therefore fewer points of wear and tear. He adds: ‘With a 30-year guarantee on the

and/or damp screens: the benefits and drawbacks

aluminium substructure and 10 to 50 years on the floorboards, our prices are still highly

24 Special Automation in the parquet industry 27 Special Pre-colouring: what’s on the market?

32 Special Producers of Hungarian Point and herringbone in

LVT, PVC, and vinyl

reasonable.’ The Grad concept that Burger offers makes it possible to take account of all configurations via the Grad 3D Software. There are five points for attention when planning and quantifying a project: the type of soil, the specie, the foot feeling, the total height of the decking, and the finishing touches. The simplicity of the concept means that all professionals (carpenters, parquet floor fitters, landscape specialist, swimming pool fitters, etc.) can cope with the fitting. Professionals who specialise solely in fitting terraces are quite rare because fitting a terrace is usually part of a wider project.

34 Special Adhesives for wooden solid floors and multilayer 38 Special Producers of style panels 41 Special Parquet oil

Paul Burger concludes, ‘At GRAD the “Research and Development Department” works daily to design new products, systems, and accessories to simplify and refine the fitting of terraces in order to raise customer satisfaction.’

46 Industry news 48 Special Rwanda 50 Product news Editing & advertisements FFI bvba PO BOX 29 9870 Olsene, Belgium Tel: +32 (0)9 385 80 40 Fax: +32 (0)9 385 88 85 sales@media-pact.com www.floor-forum.com Publisher Filip De Ridder

Subscriptions to Floor Forum International: Mail to info@media-pact.com

Lay-out: Be-able Communication www.be-able.be Production: Lowyck - Oostende

Advertising & subscriptions Adriana Dascalu info@media-pact.com Hilde De Ridder floorforum@telenet.be Filip De Ridder sales@media-pact.com Editors: Jean Paul Talbot, Ludwig Janssens, Filip De Ridder Jacques Legros

Translation: Michael Robinson www.glossa.be Floor Forum International is a publication of FFi bvba.

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.

∂ Inside news Blanchon Group

Futura Floors

ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCEMENT : GUILLAUME CLEMENT APPOINTED CEO BLANCHON GROUP

Louis Reynaud and Guillaume Clément

"I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Guillaume Clement as CEO of Blanchon Group with effect from May 12, 2020" Abenex Partner Jérôme Vandermarcq and president of supervisory board said.

Guillaume Clement, graduated from EM Lyon Business School, worked over a 10-year period for Tarkett, a market leader in flooring surface solutions. It included roles in financial controlling, international business development and sales & marketing in Europe and in the USA. He joined Arjowiggins in 2007, a global leader in specialty papers, to lead two global specialty business units. Seven years ago, he joined Flint Group, a specialty ink and varnish chemical company, and became president of a global division with a full P&L responsibility.

In his new role, Guillaume Clement will succeed Louis Reynaud who has decided to retire.

"Blanchon Group is well positioned to take advantage of the growth opportunities in the technical varnishes and specialty paints markets.

Guillaume’s international and leadership experiences will ensure that we further develop Blanchon Group market positions and implement the strategic agenda”, Louis Reynaud stated.

"I would like to thank Louis for his very strong contribution to Blanchon Group and his continuous personal engagement during his long career", Jérôme Vandermarcq added. "As CEO, he has developed a great product range, and very robust operations that are solid foundations for the future. Louis was instrumental in building state-ofthe-art innovation centers and accelerating the international business expansion. We do thank him for his contribution and wish him well for his well-deserved retirement as soon as the transition period with Guillaume will be completed".

"I am delighted to join Blanchon Group” Guillaume Clement commented. "This is a very attractive company with strong roots, experienced teams and solid business positions in France and in Europe. I look forward to transitioning with Louis and to working with the Blanchon Group team to continue the successful development of this business".

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Imagine personalising the dream floor for your home.

Whatever your dreams – Futura can provide the answers to create a magical home for you Futura Floors gives you the unique opportunity to express your own fantasies in creating a perfect home environemnt. As client you can choose your own colour and floor design from our wide variety of choices. In addition, Futura follows modern ideas by constantly studying and offering the most sought-after trends. From the different shades of dark, expresive colours to lighter and natural shades, customers find a wide range of colour palettes to create their own combinations. Our experts advise you on all your needs and introduce you to new possibilities.

Ideas for 2020/2021: ∫ Favourites which stand out include a modern combination of coldgrey and warm-beige tones providing a unique experience called „greige“ shades. To balance living space, use our greige colours which combine the comfort of beige with the freshness and modern-day feel of grey tones. ∫ To make spaces visually larger, check out our newest light colours of wood flooring to create this effect. These olis are ideal for smaller rooms and rooms with low lighting. ∫ Dark shades blend into large and well-lit spaces and give a real sense of security and warmth.

Whether you choose dynamic dark, elegant white or mild greige shades – Futura helps you find the exact combinations of flooring to design a home filled with cosiness and luxury.

Dennis Bordin, CEO Progress Profiles “Progress Profiles was among the first companies in the Veneto region to implement all the precautionary measures in order to carry on its activities, in total safety, as early as the end of February. New organizational and technological structures have been adopted to effectively deal with the new phases: for example, methods and timing of interaction with the distribution network and sales points have been

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∂ Inside news

rethought; but also, clients, architects, designers and suppliers had the chance to attend trainings and updating courses online. During a series of webinars, indeed, specific issues interesting for the attendees have bene explored, as the high-performance membranes, systems for a perfect and simply tiles’ laying or new patented solutions for outdoor floating floors. Further, the beginning of the crisis forced the company to considerably reduce travel, business trips and meetings on site and any visits by outsiders and we do hope to be able to travel again all over the world, starting next July. We are proud of the trust that our customers gave us by continuing to choose our products and we are confident that, together, we will make it through this moment by coming out stronger.”

customers. We would like to take this opportunity to wish the best to all the players of the market, hoping a soon restart of all activities and our normal lifestyle.

Soudal

ESTAPARKET ESTAPARKET factory is operating as usual. We have not stopped work during the time of pandemic because of COVID-19, but extra safety measurements were taken.

We now try to help our customers to recover after the many showrooms were forced to stop their work.

Special collection of stock items with immediate dispatch possibility has been announced. This will help our partners to boom their sales without need for investing into stock items.

We can see that many people are more likely to invest into comfort of their homes and change their floors after staying isolated for a while. We also focus on online marketing tools to help our brand representatives with additional selling inctruments. It will soon be possible to try out how ESTAPRKET will fit your home with a simple click.

NOVOWOOD: COVID UPDATE The actual global situation is affecting billions of people and all our families around the world. As a company and a big family, we are facing this critic period by supporting people around us and by setting us up in order to improve our internal procedures and client support.

Since the latest nationwide updates about the Covid-19 we are glad to inform that our team and company are taking all necessary measures to deal with this emergency and ensure continuity in our services. Our production, our logistic department and our technical support are working regularly and they are available, as always, to assist our

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Soudal's ecological parquet box - premium usability and sustainability.

Soudal launched its new ecological packaging of their hybrid parquet portfolio. You can rely on the same product quality and help to carry out a green mindset. The boxes are more easy to stack, take up less space, have a more ergonomic handling and are easy to recycle.

Osmo Polyx®-Oil: optimally suited for skate park surfaces Osmo products are versatile in use. For the Swedish Skateboarding Championships held in Halmstad in September 2019, this skate bowl in Sweden was built and newly renovated. The Birch wood is treated with Osmo Wood Wax Finish 3119 Silk and 3130 Dusty Grey RAL colour 7037. In an interview, John Magnusson of the Bryggeriet Skateboard Organization in Malmö, Sweden explains their choice for Osmo. “We have been using Osmo wax for a few years now and it makes the skateboard ramps last way longer. With all different colours available, you can make it look very nice and dirt does not stick to the plywood so it is easier to keep your skate park clean. It also gives the ramps good grip and speed.”

∂ Inside news Cover New Ground!

New Keynote Theme for DOMOTEX 2021

The team of DOMOTEX, the world's leading trade show for floor coverings, is optimistic in these challenging times, working full steam to provide the industry with a first-class, safe and secure platform to facilitate a significant upswing in business: DOMOTEX 2021 will take place from 15 – 18 January 2021.

Innovative techniques for the skilled trades, modern approaches to

retailing, new inspiration for commercial contracting, plus exciting new materials and forward-looking trends – all of this and, above all, a change of perspective will be in the spotlight at the next DOMOTEX, running from 15 to 18 January 2021 in Hannover, Germany.

New challenges, new orientation, the new normal: Now, more than ever, society and the economy are being called upon to rethink every facet of life. Every crisis brings forth its own opportunity – the opportunity to discover and travel down new paths. The makers of DOMOTEX have taken up this challenge. With the new Keynote theme of "Cover New Ground!", their aim is to motivate people to go beyond previous strategies, visions and experiences in flooring design and applications and look to the future. "We need new perspectives, and DOMOTEX 2021 is dedicated to providing incentives for our industry," reports Sonia Wedell-Castellano, Global Director of DOMOTEX. "The Global Flooring Alliance, i.e. the association of international flooring wholesalers, has reported a positive run in the first quarter of 2020, despite the corona crisis. Some exhibitors have even reported generating unexpected growth as a result of an acceleration of public projects. And so we, too, are optimistic in these challenging times and will ensure that in January 2021 we can offer the flooring industry a first-class platform and a clearly perceptible upswing for their businesses. Of course, we also guarantee the safety of our guests by implementing the hygiene and distance concepts specified by the Robert Koch Institute."

Read more on www.floor-forum.com/en/news

Custom-made

LOFT PRO

PARQUET COGNAC Chevron Oak Rustic/Campagne

www.q-floor.com • sales@q-floor.com • +32 16 90 45 15

O-Floor O-Profile O-Panel Multilayer Parquet

Grade : 16 x 130 x 800 mm Top-layer : 4,5 mm Matt varnish Tongue & Groove - 4 bevels Semi-solid wood flooring (Birch plywood base)

www.designparquet.com Floor Forum International 109

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Advertorial

Q-Floor Parquet (B)

Q-FLOOR PARQUET IS THE CROWNING JEWEL ENDLESS INSPIRATION FOR THE INTERIOR

The ‘ honeymoon period’ is clearly over for Proligna , which was formed a few years ago as a brand new company by the Roos family from Betekom (B). With over 25 years of experience in developing and producing parquet and other wood-related products, Proligna has managed in no time at all to put together a versatile assortment in floor, wall, and stair covering for the interior plus wooden wall cladding. For parquet professionals, Q-Floor certainly means a wonderful extension to the range.

Q-Floor is for anywhere in the home We see the first sign of versatility in how the Q-Floor range is used.

Indeed, you can find Q-Floor ‘anywhere’ in the home. Obviously, Q-Floor Parquet leads the way and we consider that in more depth below. The accompanying frame is provided by Q-Floor Profiles, a range of solid wood skirting boards, veneer skirting boards (with an oak base), and white-lacquered skirting boards (also with an oak

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base). With the Q-Wall indoor, the brand has taken full advantage of the current rave in 3D wall cladding in oak and thermo-oak. For outdoors there is Q-Wall outdoor with wall cladding in padauk and thermo-ayous. The four different models of customised stair nosing (Z, L, N, and U) under the brand name Q-Stair are the cherry on the cake.

Q-Floor Parquet leads the way Q-Floor Parquet offers clients a world of options for transforming their home or place of work into trendy and tasteful surrounds. We enter the path of two-layer floor covering (birch plywood with a 4mm thick layer of oak on top). Q-Floor Parquet is easy to fit and requires little maintenance.

Qualities Various combinations are on offer for quality selection. There is a nice mix of first choice and bis in Prime-Bis, which allows for small

healthy knots and refined differences in colour (sleek and stylish).

We get an even more natural look with Bis-Rustic A, whilst Rustic A looks timeless and elegant with healthy knots and natural differences. Authentic and full of character, that’s Rustic BC, with bigger knots, differences in colour, and sap.

more ecological by using surplus wood in the production to reduce wood waste to a minimum. Another interesting point is the fact that Q-Floor Parquet can be fitted perfectly well onto floor heating, another favourable point for the planet since it means a considerable saving in energy.

Endless finishes

You will find more information on www.q-floor.com

With their names they pass through the most eye-catching Belgian towns and cities. From the tiny and picturesque Durbuy, which indicates a finish with pure and neutral oil, to the cosmopolitan and robust look of a world class capital city like Brussels, there are smoked, brushed, and white oiled finishes. For instance, the finish options include a full pallet ranging from ‘untreated’ to all existing finishes or combinations of them (e.g. Louvain, Dinant, Namur, and Ostend).

Even a full choice of colours- Q-FLOOR 4 YOU All tailored to the clients! Clients themselves can design their parquet for width, quality, design, finish, and even colour. The Rubio Monocoat colour range supplies 40 colours to enrich the natural look of the wood. The Antiqua colour range offers options of aged floors with a weathered look.

Ecology on top!

Products in the Q-Floor range are PEFC certified. There is a growing market demand for products which are ecological and socially responsible. We are moving towards a society which accepts its responsibility and in the long term will insist on nothing but labelled wood and/or paper products. PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) is a worldwide certification scheme which guarantees sustainable forest management. To be precise, PEFC promotes forest management which is ecological, socially responsible, and economically feasible.

The PEFC label guarantees consumers that the products which they buy originate from sustainably managed forests. And so, it is no surprise that Proligna has drawn its inspiration for Q-Floor Prolaat from the PEFC rules and, amongst other things, accepts responsibility in this way.

Yet there’s more!

The PEFC quality label is an important signal, but the contribution made by Q-Floor goes even further. With Q-Profile and Q-Wall Indoor, for instance, Q-Floor helps you to make new products even

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Special

Producers of wooden/composite wall cladding

WALL CLADDING STILL CHARMS US ALTERNATIVES TO WOOD ARE POPULAR TOO Wooden wall cladding has been much coveted for many years, not only for its technical features, but also and especially for the natural look and warmth of wood. Wall cladding forms a nice compromise for anyone who loves wood, but strongly prefers the classic construction method due to structural considerations. It looks like a timber structure, but it isn’t. Wood from sustainably managed forests deserves recommendation and, moreover, certain composite alternatives have emerged as ecological alternatives. For professionals this means a market which is bursting open.

The renovation solution par excellence Wall cladding is a wall finish like any other which can be fitted just as well onto a new construction as onto a renovation. It offers exquisite assets for renovation from two distinct perspectives, namely a decorative perspective and a technical insulation perspective.

From a decorative perspective There are brick wall structures which were in fashion ‘in their day’, but nowadays generally command little appreciation. There are also walls which are just shabby. Take, for instance, plastered walls with bursts and cracks or with plaster loose in some places. In such cases the only renovation option is to strip the wall and replaster it. In this case wall cladding provides a solution which is comparable with renovation panelling. It ‘buries’, as it were, the damage to the existing wall under the wall cladding.

Insulation … a great opportunity Insulation requirements are becoming increasingly strict. It is easy to meet those requirements in a new building, but with renovation it isn’t always so easy. Wall cladding can be combined with insulation on the outside. Here wall cladding has the advantage of being relatively thin. This means there is still plenty of space left for various insulation materials. This opportunity is partly due to the so called ‘Building Line Decree’. This decree was accepted by the Flemish Parliament (B) on 30 April 2009, proclaimed by the Flemish Government on 8 May, and published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 3 July 2009. Prior to that decree, basically, a wall, window frame, or staircase to the front door could not go beyond the building line.

And so, it was not possible to insulate a house better on the outside to make it more energy-efficient since the insulation would have gone beyond the building line. Since that decree has been passed, there has been an exception to that rule for elements such as outdoor insulation, so it is now permissible to go up to 14cm beyond the building line.

What are the options?

Strictly speaking, consumers have four groups of options for wall cladding: wood, modified wood, wood composite, and synthetics.

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Wooden wall cladding Western red cedar is certainly still one of the most popular and most frequently used types of wood. However, just as bangkirai has faced stiffer competition in recent decades from dozens of (at least) equivalent types of wood for fitting terraces, so, too, cedar wood has seen its monopoly in wall cladding disappear. Strictly speaking, we can say that wood sorts in durability classes 1 to 3 are suitable for wall cladding without the need for additional protection.

Modified wood For outdoor use with no contact with the ground, preserved larch wood and oregon are suitable for wall cladding or even less durable wood sorts such as fir and pine, provided that they undergo some form of preservation (e.g. chemical modification or thermal treatment).

Nowadays, Accoya®hout (wood) is very popular as a result of acetylation. Its assets include greater dimensional stability, a harder surface, and no decline in other mechanical properties as a result of the treatment. Since 2007, there has been a commercial product on the market under the name ‘Accoya®hout’. This is made at Accsys Technologies at Arnhem in the Netherlands.

Wood composite Wood composite consists of wood fibres, high-density polyethylene, UV stabilisers, dyes, and various additives to optimise the mechanical qualities. Usually, this involves recycled wood fibres, surplus wood, and recycled polyethylene. Wood composite is in many respect an ecologically responsible alternative to tropical hardwood. Basically, there is no need to cut down a tree and the wood waste can just as easily bear the FSC label.

Other cladding Other producers have noticed the growth on this market. Sidings are appearing in diverse materials and not necessarily in a wood look.

For instance, we also find on the market wall strips made from fibre cement, an extremely durable and ecological material. Another product on offer for new or renovated walls are sidings made from hard-foam PVC with a co-extruded top layer above. Yet another producer offers sidings made from high-quality synthetics (ABS). ABS is not porous, so it cannot absorb damp. Moreover, it is resistant to UV and therefore ensures a durable solution.

The importance of ventilation Outdoor Wood Concepts® (B) has launched a unique rafter which is an excellent solution for the ventilation issue regarding sealed vertical wall cladding. What is the problem? With vertical cladding the supporting framework (the rafters) obviously runs horizontally. And so, with continuous rafters there is hardly any connecting cavity behind the planks, so there is little ventilation, if any at all. Strictly speaking, there are two solutions for providing a well ventilated cavity for sealed vertical planks in order to prevent mould, namely single slats with openings or double

pidiprogetto

Rhinowood™ is the sustainable and innovative solution to the future of wood and its application in our world.

Rhinowood™ is distributed in Europe by Ravaioli Legnami: wooden solutions for outdoor. A world of quality and natural design.

www.ravaiolilegnami.com

Special

Producers of wooden/composite wall cladding

slats (first vertically and then horizontally). Outdoor Wood Concepts® has added a third solution, which saves time: Ventiwood® simple and ingenious. The Ventiwood® rafters include a notch at regular intervals so that the rafter itself is ventilated. This not only yields excellent ventilation (> 100cm²/m), but also the system can be fitted rapidly.

The rafters are 33 x 60/41mm with a length of 3.60m.

What’s on the market ?

Grad Wood is a noble and durable material and people really love its aesthetic aspect. That applies to both private individuals and professionals, especially Hjortshoj - Aarhus - Grad©Rasmus Hjortshøj – COAST architects.

At Burger, they are sure that screws will disappear from walls. Their R & D department has developed the rails + clips system for fastening wall cladding. With this system, no longer is each individual plank screwed in place, but fastened with clips. They offer four types of profiles and three wood sorts with various profilings. This wood comes from sustainably managed forests, so it is suitable for all projects.

the italian Wpc

- Brushed thermally treated pine (2.70 to 4.80m) - Planed thermally treated ash (1.50 to 3.60m) - Planed Accoya® (3.00 to 4.80m) Their system has lots of advantages: - Quick and easy fitting - Perfect air and creeping distances and enclosures between the planks - Invisible fastening elements - Individually dismountable planks - A structure with a 30-year guarantee.

Their system complies with the standard NF DTU 51.4. Their wooden profiles make 128 combinations possible over one metre. Each home is unique.

Mocopinus Pinumont – three-dimensional creations The new Pinumont system from MOCOPINUS offers lots of options for creating walls with an innovative design. The base comprises two profiles in

IN LOVE WITH DECKING

manufacturer

® materia infinita®

Cédric Dasesson Ph. Orma Studio_Cagliari Private House in Cagliari, Italy

WWW.novoWood.it

WOODEN FLOORS FOR OUTDOORS

LA SAN MARCO PROFILI SRL Viale Europa 63 - 31010 Soligo, TV - Italy Tel. +39 0438 980106 r.a. - Fax +39 0438 980176 info@lasanmarcoprofili.com - www.lasanmarcoprofili.com

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Siberian larch, an open profile, and a semi-wooden plank. The system offers various saw-cuts in the open profiles to yield elements of various sizes. With vertical fitting, Pinumont divides into four separate versions. Depending on the fitting, Pinumont has a natural or an extravagant look, a robust look, or even a more eccentric look. This innovative system even fits horizontally. Pinumont profiles are available in Siberian larch without a finish, with a glaze for pre-ageing, or with a semi-transparent glaze in black onyx and can be used indoors. The parts can be fitted just as well against walls as against ceilings or can act as a partition.

Novowood Enhancement of the existing buildings and customization of the new ones: these are the reasons why wall cladding market is constantly growing.

Novowood aims to give a solution to this urgent claim, through its Italian wood plastic composite products, which are the result of both scientific research and high technology, in order to obtain a bio-based material that can embody the durability and low maintenance of plastics together with the aesthetic aspect of the natural wood. Its easy installation, its versatility and the possibility of integrating it together with the external insulating coating, thanks to the advanced understructure system, increase the energy efficiency performance of the building. These features of the Novowood wall cladding system make it suitable for large projects, such as the recent Giardini d’Inverno, a new residential complex in Milan, that counts more than 4000 square meters of Novowood wall covering with SKIN PRO profile.

Outdoor Wood Concepts® Woodface®, original façade solutions from Outdoor Wood Concepts® Outdoor Wood Concepts® launched its Woodface® façade cladding on the market in 2013. This unique solution, in which wood is alternated with aluminium, allows for infinite combinations. Woodface® owes its timeless appeal to designer Roel Vandebeek - #itsaroel. Woodface® was conferred a Henri Van De Velde label in 2014 and selected by Designregio Kortrijk as one of the region’s 50 most innovative products. Thanks to Woodface®, every façade is given a distinct #itsaroel stamp: - A pronounced vertical interplay of lines - A sense of rhythm and texture thanks to the pattern created by alternating differently shaped wooden profiles - A distinctive contrast between wood and aluminium The benefits of Woodface® in a nutshell: - A unique combination of 9 wooden and 2 aluminium profiles

- Infinite combinations in diverse types of wood - Available in all RAL colours, Qualicoat Seaside finish possible - Technical construction details available - Fire safety rating: Ds2d0 or Bs3d0 If you have a concrete project or technical questions, do not hesitate to send an email to info@outdoorwoodconcepts.be or give us a call on +32 (0)56 - 967140.

Q-Floor Parquet Modern architecture without wall cladding would be unthinkable nowadays. It not only helps to give a building a warm and natural look, but it also has a much lower ecological footprint than many other materials. Q-wall specialises in padauk wood and the popular thermo-ayous, which is well known in their Q-Wall range. These are not only durable (class I/II), but also they age evenly and naturally. They apply various models which are suitable for both horizontal and vertical fitting with an open joint and/or a sealed profile. Apart from being aesthetic, the domino beam profile is also practical as a sunblind or wall partition. Tip: These profiles can be used both in and outdoors. One big advantage is that these models are equipped with a head tongue and groove joint. This limits the sawing waste and yields a much higher output from the fitting. Other wood sorts/models are available on request.

Ravaioli Legnami Rhinowood™, Ravaioli Legnami’s new 2020 wall cladding & decking product, for which is Europe exclusive distributor, has an exceptional durability and dimensional stability, gained through the innovative and patented production process consisting in impregnation by means of a blend of waxes. Thanks to it, a material such as pine, which is slightly durable and stable in its natural state in the outdoors, acquires the typical characteristics of exotic woods. The special treatment changes its physical and mechanical properties without altering its aesthetics.

The maintenance of Rhinowood™ is fast and cheap, as wood turns grey over time, it is sufficient to clean the flooring or cladding with the pressure washer in order to restore its original aesthetics. Rhinowood™ does not contain toxins nor other volatile organic compounds, it is produced using pine originated from sustainably managed forests, and has some improved technical and mechanical characteristics compared to traditional exotic woods, keeping the aesthetics of resinous woods unaltered.

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Vetedy The Techniclic® system from Vetedy is a wooden cladding fixed in a 100% invisible way thanks to a clip inserted in a rail.

Made of a composite material, the fixing clip offers an extremely long durability over time. Our unique and patented technology is studied as a whole to guarantee you a complete system: boards and fixings. For almost 10 years, our product has proven itself: you can offer it to your customers with confidence. Among the advantages of Techniclic®, the system allows any configuration imaginable, you can make more than 250 different cladding! We offer the best species of wood adapted to our system and make sure to mold them in the rules of the art with a humidity % ideal for outdoor use to ensure stability and longevity of the siding. In addition, our louvered system provides ventilation for the system whether it is with a spacing of 5, 10, 20 or 30mm. Design at the service of sustainability.

La San Marco Profili

A FAMILY COMPANY FOUNDED IN 1883 120,000 M³ OF SAWN TIMBER IN STOCK NEW SPECIE ADDED TO OUR RANGE: CERTIFIED EUROPEAN OAK IMPORT AND EXPORT OF SCANDINAVIAN & RUSSIAN SOFTWOODS, AMERICAN SOFTWOODS & HARDWOODS, TROPICAL HARDWOODS COMPANY SPECIALTIES ROUGH SAWN – DECKING – FLOORING – CLADDING – UNDERCONSTRUCTION

BERGSTRAAT 25 | B-8511 AALBEKE | BELGIUM T. +32 (0)56 43 33 33 | F. +32 (0)56 43 33 34 GENEVIEVE@VANDECASTEELE.BE | DAVE@VANDECASTEELE.BE WWW.VANDECASTEELE.BE

Simple, practical, and attractive, wall claddings are back in demand once more. In recent years, in particular, interest in wooden wall cladding has increased a lot.

The fact that wood cladding has a natural look is of course the major reason behind this trend. Moreover, wood provides good insulation and keeps the heat inside the home. Of course, when you think about wall cladding, you will need to consider that the cladding option you choose will be exposed to the elements for extended periods. Therefore, it is vitally important that you choose your cladding wisely according to your needs and aesthetical preferences. If you like the appeal of real wood cladding, but do not want to have to deal with all the maintenance concerns and issues, then it is best to seek out alternatives.

Composite wall cladding is the ultimate solution as it looks just like real wood, but because of the materials used and the manufacturing process involved, this option offers long-term durability even when exposed to the elements. La San Marco offers both wood and composite wall cladding. Among woods, it has a wide range of excellent tropical hardwoods with enhanced durability and strength. The most demanded are Ipe, Teak, but also Garapa, Thermo Ash and others are much requested. Moreover, La San Marco supplies also a composite product, which is not WPC, but a new material mainly made up of pure PVC and rice husks. The result of this combination is a material with incredible mechanical properties, performance, workability and long lasting quality. The company offers different profiles for various installation’s solutions and different treatments to preserve the initial characteristics of wood, so the choice is very wide and therefore, it is strictly connected to the customer’s needs and taste.

Special

Producers of profiles for LVT, vinyl, and PVC floors

PROFILE MAKERS CONTINUE TO INNOVATE DEVELOPMENTS IN FLOORING REFLECT IN ACCESSORIES but in reality they comprise various types of floor technology. They combine parquet and laminate, LVT, PVC, and linoleum, all neatly in the same wood colour and with the same decor. Here, profiles not only serve to absorb expansion, but also they have to ensure a ‘smooth’ transition.

The main profiles A profile is necessary in many technical floor situations. Profiles ‘link’ situations, from product X to product Y, from ‘something’ to ‘something else’, from high to low, etc. Stop profiles (edge profiles) make a transition between floor and wall. Edge profiles can in some respects act as skirting boards.

An edge profile is needed when existing skirting boards which cannot be removed. Threshold profiles connect either two different floors on the same level (e.g. parquet and carpet) or two floors (the same or different) on a different level. These profiles have a protective function because they ensure that the edge of the top floor is not damaged and a safety function because they prevent occupants or visitors from stumbling over differences in height. Corner profiles or angle profiles are used to finish the edges of raised floorboards or platforms. In the renovation of old farmhouse buildings, for instance, it is a trend to incorporate the ‘upper room’ in the interior in the form of a platform. Stair nosing comprises corner or edge profiles specially for stairs. They are available in various materials and colours. Expansion profiles are also transition profiles. The more technical name indicates the aim of the profile. Expansion profiles ensure that with larger surfaces you can make the necessary expansion link up aesthetically, which has to absorb the swelling and shrinking of the floorboards.

Prevailing trends In recent years, both technical and decorative trends have remained fairly stable. Obviously, those trends do not relate specifically to profiles for design floors, but they do apply for all profiles.

Photo – Auer Metallprofile

A decorative perspective Parquet floors that cross living rooms, corridors, offices, and other rooms with no intermittent threshold are fitted with expansion joints to allow the floorboards to swell and shrink.

Expansion profiles ensure an aesthetic transition. Nowadays, continuous floors can appear as ‘continuous in terms of look’,

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Metal colours are still proving a hit. Profiles in stainless steel and aluminium continue to score. Apart from classic shades such as aluminium, bronze, silver, and a whole series of wood decors, ‘black’ has also established itself. As is clarified in detail below, digital print facilities make it possible to design profiles which

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Special

Producers of profiles for LVT, vinyl, and PVC floors

either match the look of the floor for the full 100% or deviate from it completely.

A technical perspective Bendable profiles (e.g. stair profiles) are still in fashion and profiles for vinyl are attracting remarkable attention. Simultaneously with the creation of a great variety of aesthetic and decorative options, manufacturers are also committed to improving the wear resistance of their profiles. The decorative and technical elements go together here.

Digital print Digital printing is the future in many sectors. That is also the case in the flooring industry and, therefore, in the world of accessories, including skirting boards and profiles. Digital printing makes it possible to apply smaller print runs to a profile on any image whatsoever and in any colour or shade of colour whatsoever. The minimum purchase differs from producer to producer, but it is getting smaller and smaller.

This is a development in customised work which allows for really unique profiles! Digital printing is possible on virtually any standard material and what has to be printed really doesn’t matter.

Two specialists Auer Metallprofile Profiles for design floorings The floor trend in 2020 will continue to be on individual floors and design options. There are various options for this implementation, but above all there is an enormous variety in the field of multilayer floor

www.progressprofiles.com

www.progressprofiles.com

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ANTI-NOISE AND ANTI-SLIP DISK FIX SIDE

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PRORAIL PROFILE

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PRORAIL RING

PRORAIL RUBBER BASE WITH FLAPS 2 mm

PRORAIL SPACER 02

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PRORAIL SPACER 04

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BASE WITH FLAPS 4 mm

coverings, also called design flooring, since they are extremely resilient, water and non-slip, and insensitive to abrasion and pressure. The focus of the manufacturers is the smooth transition between different types of floor and the perfect finish between floor and wall. Auer Metallprofile offers a wide product range out of aluminum, brass, stainless steel and PVC; for example, the Mini-APL system, Mini-APL-Klick and SKD system for screwing or for clicking, for the needed height. In addition, there are insert profiles made out of aluminum or satin stainless steel, as well as matching inside corners and side profiles. Furthermore, the product range for laying design floorings includes various ramp and fasson profiles, stair nosings with single and double dock possibilities made of aluminum and PVC in heights of up to 5 mm. A large selection of skirtings with accessories made of aluminum and stainless steel, also for inserting flooring, for the individual transition from floor to wall, round off the product range of Auer Metallprofile. In addition, Auer offers an above-average service with short delivery times, cut lengths, special colors made of anodized, RAL or enamel, as well as profile bends. In addition, the Auer team, as a problem solver, produces a variety of special profiles according to customer requirements, tailored to individual needs, dimensions and heights, so that no wish remains unfulfilled.

Progress Profiles Progress Profiles offers a wide and diversified range of profiles for every type of flooring, either laminate or LVT, vinyl and PVC floors. Mostly, profiles are required to cover the joint between two types of floor covering, granting a unique aesthetic effect that is ideal for indoor and outdoor finishes; moreover, they are used to create a threshold, transitions recess or to join floors at different levels. Multifunctional profiles are practical and useful, although many of them are less stylish and have less attention to details and design. Progress Profiles’ solutions, instead, match high technology and elegance, proof of the high quality of each product that is realized and tested according to the strictest standards that certify the excellence in every detail. Among the many offered solutions, SKIRTING 7016 and SKIRTING 7011 are suitable for floating floors in laminate wood, while SKIRTING COVECAP finishes the top of resilient floor covering where it has been coved up to the wall, supports floor covering at a weal point and protects the exposed edges.

Special

UV curing on site

DRYING LACQUER OR OIL ON SITE WE HAVE THE MACHINES AND PRODUCTS, SO WHY NOT?

Photo – Pallmann

The best arguments for using UV light as a ‘ drying agent’ usually refer to the speed of operations in industrial applications. However, it is not true to say that UV could only be used in industry. For instance, the use of UV light in dental surgery for hardening fillings is now well established.

In other words, UV light left the factory some time ago.

For a few years now, we have seen the emergence of UV equipment which floor fitters can use on site. The principle and working method are comparable to the industrial process.

No longer solely industrial In the early days, the use of UV light had strong industrial associations.

And so, it didn’t really look like an activity which floor fitters could do themselves unless they had a well equipped workshop. And so, UV drying either stayed within the factory walls of parquet and laminate producers or, fairly soon, fell into the hands of the now renowned coating contractors. Just five years ago, the idea of floor fitters doing the ‘hardening’ themselves on site still seemed like science fiction.

Nowadays, it is getting well established. The simplicity of application is one of the reasons for that.

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UV curing on site

Procedure on site A little training will certainly be helpful (necessary), but, strictly speaking, all the operations are fairly simple. UV coating is usually preceded by a UV drying primer, which is applied with a classic roller, as is the case with a mono-component waterborne lacquer. After the application, the lacquer is left to air-dry for about 45 minutes, and, after that, you ride a motorised mobile UV machine over the entire floor (about 200m² per hour). There is a portable UV lamp for edges and places which are difficult to reach. As we’ve said, the floor is ready for use immediately afterwards. When using UV lamps, floor fitters must wear a suitable outfit, which is generally supplied as standard with the equipment.

undoubtedly the weak link. The amount of lacquer used, the speed at which the appliance is driven across the floor, any breeze, and any dust are all conditions where things could go wrong.

An overview Chimiver

‘Chemistry’ is jumping on board More and more producers are making specific UV coatings and that says a lot. Indeed, the qualities of the coatings and the added value of on-site UV drying are gaining the approval of both professionals and project managers. Major clients such as airport managers, retail chains, and hospitals are opting firmly for UV coating on site and some of them are even buying their own equipment so that their employees can do this themselves. The fact that lacquer producers are jumping on board is certainly logical, but it’s no sinecure since various UV machine manufacturers use different lamps.

Looking critically It is quite possible that UV drying on site will become the new standard practice. An important condition for that to happen is proven quality work which stays up to scratch over time. Training will certainly be an essential element there. Parquet floor fitters should also develop their professional competence in this field over time. In some respects this method of drying is comparable with sandpapering a wooden floor; experience and training are essential for a good result.

Quality lacquer The lacquers used for UV applications are ‘outside their category’. They are high-tech lacquers which usually have very high wear and scratch resistance. In order to use these lacquers, parquet floor fitters were, until recently, advised to apply them to pre-finished floors. Now they can even apply these ‘very high-traffic’ lacquers (some people describe them as ‘ultra-varnish’) themselves on site on any floor which clients choose from the range.

Time-saving Basically, the floor is ready for use immediately after UV treatment.

That’s obviously a great advantage for major projects, offices, shops, or other commercial premises. In hotels they can announce that a hotel room can be renovated in one night. This advantage is less evident for assignments in private homes. Floor fitters with enough clients are usually at work for different people in the same period. If floor fitters are going to dry the floor with UV drying, they are carrying out a treatment which they really don’t need to do. Strictly speaking, that is a job which nature itself can do for them. And so, they can do a job elsewhere whilst they wait for a floor to air-dry naturally.

Human contribution One of the main benefits of application in the factory is that it happens under controlled conditions, so the result is always identical.

Temperature, ambient air humidity, and incidence of light are all parameters which can be controlled and directed. The lacquer application and the time and intensity of radiation with UV light are also always under control. If the application is done on site, the ‘human being’ is

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ECOFAST UV is a single-component polyurethane-acrylic waterbased UV curing lacquer in situ for wooden floors. ECOFAST UV has high abrasion and traffic resistances allowing its use for high traffic surfaces.

ECOFAST UV is UV curing with portable UV machines where a fast walkability is required. ECOFAST UV has been formulated in order to meet the highest anti slip standard requirements for sportive wooden floors.

ECOFAST UV is in conformity with European standards for sportive wooden floors meeting EN14904 standard's requirements.

Loba LOBACURE WS Rush A.T.: Extreme Durability – Ultra-fast and Environmentally Friendly LOBACURE WS Rush is the new generation onecomponent UV-curing finish for wooden floors.

Being cured with a UV machine on site, an exceptionally robust surface is achieved within seconds. Due to instant curing, WS Rush polyurethane finish prevents waiting times and sales downtimes.

The outstanding overall durability of WS Rush makes it superior to standard finishes, thanks to its exceptional scratch resistance, chemical resistance and great elasticity. Therefore, it is even suitable for extremely heavy wear. Moreover, the water-based time-saver by LOBA provides maximum environmental friendliness, due to very low emissions (GEV EMICODE EC1 Plus / VOC below 0.3%). It is available in semi-gloss and satin variants and can be applied ergonomically with a roller. All these properties make WS Rush the perfect partner for projects in hotels, restaurants, bars, shops – in all places with highest demands concerning curing time and robustness.

Pallmann

STAUF

For UV curing on site Pallmann offers a solvent-free and ozone-free system. The X-Light System consists of 1-component primer X-Light Aquabase, the 1-component lacquer X-Light Coat and the X-Light Mobile, a self-propelling machine with an integrated lamp illuminating the floor. The lamp radiates ultraviolet light. In combination with a specialized UV-primer or lacquer this lamp ensures the UV curing. In this way primer or lacquer dry immediately thanks to a change in their molecular structure. The UV treated surface is loadable immediately.

The Pallmann UV curing system has been specially developed and tested for wood floor lacquers only. Pallmann recommends the use of skin protection cream, to wear long-sleeved clothing as well as sunglasses with UV protection. Additionally, it is advisable to ventilate the room well and to protect the surface from direct sunlight by covering windows. The Pallmann X-Light Mobile can be used on cork or bamboo thanks to a moderate radiation.

TIME-SAVING AND EFFECTIVE A unique mix of oils, waxes, resins and additives makes AKZENT LEDHARDWAX OIL by STAUF a revolutionary special product in the wood surface treatment industry. The oil dries within seconds when exposed to LED light, allowing the work on site to be brought to a conclusion within a very short time. The wood surface is then immediately ready for use and is protected from dirt and moisture.

Another advantage is the significantly richer and more intensive colour of the floor that can be achieved with AKZENT LED-HARDWAX OIL. Furthermore, the product offers up to 20 different colours, to suit every taste. Heavily trafficked areas in particular benefit from the excellent properties, such as wear resistance, which also allows project-specific use. The special LED drying method avoids the emission of harmful substances such as ozone.

The easy care and natural appearance of AKZENT LED-HARDWAX OIL and the possibility of repairing local damage in the wood surface make this product a reliable partner in the field of surface treatment. www.AKZENT-woodcare.com

Photo – Blanchon

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Advertorial

Dinachoc (F)

DINACHOC IS STILL THE INSULATION SPECIALITS DINACHOC S801: THE ACOUSTIC SUBFLOOR WITH UNPRECEDENTED QUALITIES

Dinachoc S801

The acoustic ‘ behaviour’ of a wooden or laminate floor largely determines client satisfaction or dissatisfaction. In particular, the effects of poor acoustic behaviour have a big impact: If a parquet or laminate floor produces annoying sounds (impact and airborne sounds), that will inevitably render the client permanently dissatisfied. After all, the shortcoming cannot be rectified. And so, floor fitters should not take any risks in terms of sound. They have to persuade clients to invest in that area. The acoustic subfloor Dinachoc S801 means everyone can sleep easily.

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Indoor climate and health Indoor climate is a collective name for various factors which can affect health. In particular, the quality of the indoor environment is determined by air quality, temperature, brightness, and acoustics (i.e. the way in which people hear sound in a room).

Acoustic comfort Research has shown that poor acoustics adversely affect speech intelligibility, concentration, and the memory. That leads to poorer

work performances, fatigue, and headaches. Moreover, noise (i.e. unwanted sound) causes irritation, stress, and anxiety. Everyone starts to talk more loudly in order to make themselves heard. This is called the Lombard effect. For clients in care institutions, for example, peace and quiet is a primary requirement. And so, it is no coincidence that project managers are paying more and more attention to the role of acoustics within the health care sector.

Dinachoc brings peace and quiet For both airborne sound and impact sound Dinachoc offers comprehensive solutions to improve the acoustics in a building (home or room) considerably. With a number of certified systems/products, Dinachoc plays a part in the end user’s comfort. Amongst others, we identify Dinachoc D834 on concrete, Dinachoc D840 on support beams, Dinachoc D879 on a timber frame, Dinachoc D898 for theatres, cinemas, and discotheques, and, finally, Dinachoc D868 for sports floors.

Dinachoc S801 exceeds expectations

sags over time, Dinachoc S801 stays unchanged. Experts recommend Dinachoc S801 for floors and walls.

All sorts of sound The two sorts of sound are coming increasingly under consideration.

‘Airborne sound’ comprises vibrations which are reproduced by the source of sound in the air e.g. the human voice, the radio, music, a running engine, and such like. Airborne sound is transferred to adjoining rooms via floors and walls. Airborne sound goes from outdoors to indoors and vice versa. By contrast, ‘impact sound’ is created between materials. In buildings, typical impact sounds include, for instance, footsteps, chair movements, and the sound from hanging up a frame. Dinachoc S801 counteracts both sorts of sound. The subfloor absorbs both footstep sounds and airborne sound and prevents noise from sound boxes. Dinachoc S801 also suppresses sounds as they pass to another room so they become less audible.

Moreover, it works excellently on the low tones, which are generally the most irritating.

As a specialist in acoustic insulation, Dinachoc has put together a highly durable subfloor with exceptional performances. This is the acoustic subfloor DinachocS801 (ΔLw 18dB to ΔLw 22dB) with qualities to surprise anyone. It is easy to fit, pleasant to walk on, and suitable for all floor coverings and on top of floor heating with both high and low temperatures. It is highly resistant to pressure, ecological (100 % recycled product), and healthy (Class A+ and Class E1; VOC).

Glued and floating

Simply unique

Dinachoc S801 meets the standards in every way which people expect of ecological building products. This takes us to the territory of the circular economy. Recuperating and transforming old rubber tyres to use them to make an acoustic subfloor not only avoids waste, but also, moreover, it gives a new life to an existing (but discarded) material. That new material, in turn, can still be recycled for the full 100%. It’s a similar story with the OSB4 panels from Dinachoc. They are produced from sawdust waste from the saw mills. The adhesive Dinachoc 901 is also 100% free of VOC.

Dinachoc S801 is the sound insulation solution to counter irritating noise which comes from adjoining rooms (often from neighbours) and vice versa. In other words, it counteracts sound which comes in and sound which goes out by absorbing it and stopping it spreading.

The secret behind the unique comfort performances is the composition of 100% rubber originating from used and recycled car tyres.

That means that this insulation is also extremely durable in time.

Whilst cork crumbles and decays with age and cardboard or foam

The company strongly recommends fitting the Dinachoc S801 subfloor. For the best results it is advisable to glue the subfloor with the Dinachoc C901 with a double glueing system. When a floor covering is fitted floating, a subfloor is all the more necessary to avoid a sound box effect which can be created by footsteps. In those cases Dinachoc S801 can provide a solution both floating and glued.

And, of course, ecological through and through

Dinachoc X3D

Conclusion: The acoustic subfloor Dinachoc S801 is durable in more ways than one!

Dinachoc S880

Dinachoc: 0033 7 83 02 03 14 - www.dinachoc.com - contact@dinachoc.com

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When to use and not to use (adhesive) primers and/or damp screens: the benefits and drawbacks

ADHESIVE PRIMERS ARE OFTEN ESSENTIAL FOR GLUEING THE ‘PERFECT SUBSTRATE’ IS STILL SOMETHING OF AN ILLUSION

Photo – Stauf

Primers can solve various ‘problems’, but they are usually associated with renovation. That view is sometimes right, but certainly not always. For instance, an adhesive primer is designed to even out the absorption capacity of the screed over the entire surface. The need for this will arise more often with renovation, but certainly not exclusively with renovation. Let’s be honest here: You know how it is in the building sector? The sector where lots of things can be done, but not always ‘properly’.

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Adhesion primer and absorption capacity The absorption capacity or porosity of the covering floor is vital for glueing parquet. That porosity can cause problems for floor fitters in many ways. A floor can be too porous so the glue cannot stick. In this case, the floor is probably not strong enough for glueing. A floor can be inadequately porous. If a covering floor is pressed so that it is too smooth, that can impede the glueing or you might need an adapted adhesive. Finally, a floor can show uneven porosity resulting in uneven adhesive bonding. In all the above cases, it is necessary to use a

primer. It is possible to detect differences in porosity by wetting the screed with a damp cloth. If the floor dries unevenly, that is a sign of uneven porosity.

Other functions Apart from improving porosity with a view to glueing, primers also have a number of other functions. Let’s consider the various functions of primers.

Damp screen A damp screen can be fitted to combat residual building damp in a new building or if there is a risk of rising damp (but it’s best in that case not to fit parquet). There are various chemical compositions for this. PU primers can often be used for certain residual moisture percentages.

Everyone agrees that epoxy damp screens are the most effective damp screens. And so, there is no doubt that epoxy offers an excellent solution in this way. Major benefits (properties) are the uniform and sealing film, the good adhesion, and the excellent combination with dual-component adhesives.

As reinforcement The strength of a screed is also important for glueing quality. With a new building the composition of the screed (cement/sand) plays a part, whilst older screeds may show signs of old age in the form of local ‘weak spots’. A reinforcement primer can provide a solution for powdery substrates or screeds which lack strength. This fixes the covering layer as it were. Some producers draw a distinction between primers for porous or for non-porous substrates, whilst others offer universal primers.

Emfi The most common problems with the bearer are rising damp and brittleness. To improve cohesion they offer EMFIPRIM PU MONO, which is applied in a coat of about 150 g/m². To protect the surface from damp, they recommend EMFIPRIM EPOXY, which is applied in two crossed coats (the final one is sandblasted), with a total consumption of about 500 g/m² (300g + 200g). Their primers are compatible with the mastic adhesives in their range. For the use of an adhesive with a different brand of mastic they recommend a compatibility test in advance.

EMFIPRIM PU MONO accounts for about 1.5% and EMFIPRIM EPOXY for about 8% of the total end price of the fitted parquet. This is certainly acceptable when it includes a guarantee of durable work.

The most effective primer in their range is EMFIPRIM EPOXY because it reinforces the surface of the bearer and forms a barrier against rising damp.

STAUF

As an adhesion bridge for quartz sand If it is necessary to sprinkle in some quartz sand to improve the adhesion with a levelling agent or with the adhesive, the primer serves to fix the quartz sand. This can be necessary for applying a leveller after fitting an epoxy screen.

Activation of tiles Ceramic tiles and natural stone such as marble are hardly porous at all. Nevertheless, clients often request with renovation that the glueing be done directly onto those existing floor coverings. The primer then serves as the degreaser and activator of the ceramic tile.

Some specialists Chimiver PRYMER SF 1105 is a two-component water-based epoxy primer developed for dusty subfloor, with a multi-layer application, it works as a moisture barrier. It is resistant to the inverse hydrostatic pressure according to the law UNI 8298 part 8. PRYMER SF 1105 is suitable for consolidation of subfloors on radiant heating. It is also recommend as a promoter of adhesion for anhydrite subfloors.

The primer to save friable screeds: STAUF WEP 180 Adhesives specialist STAUF has developed a primer that is capable of safely re-consolidating even friable screeds. The multipurpose, solvent-free, dispersion-based, 2-component epoxy resin primer STAUF WEP 180 reinforces unstable substrates and significantly improves the strength of materials thanks to its extremely high level of penetration into mineral mortar systems. In addition, STAUF WEP 180 dries and films very quickly within approx. 2 hours.

STAUF WEP 180 can also be used as a dispersion-based, two-component epoxy resin primer on cement screeds with a higher residual moisture content of up to 4 CM%. It also features very low consumption (1:1 dilution with water depending on the application) and is suitable for direct bonding with almost all STAUF reactive adhesives.

After being sprinkled with silica sand or having an intermediate primer coat of STAUF VDP 160 applied, it can be filled or plastered over.

The container size allows direct mixing of the 2K product pure or with water without the need for an additional container.

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Automation in the parquet industry

CLEVER AUTOMATION TECHNIQUES IN THE INDUSTRY CSP ENGINEERING PRESENTS SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS FOR THE PARQUET BRANCH Automation is not new. But where previously automation was mainly focused on efficient and economical production, ergonomics and being able to reproduce a quality product again and again, have become at least as important in today's society. In order to achieve these goals with an automation, it is important that the machine builder and the customer understand each other well. With every investment, it is recommended that both consult in order to find the right balance between the customer's need, the degree of automation and the available / feasible budget. Elements that play a role in this include current and future production capacity, product variation, physical load on employees, available space and ecological aspects.

Meet a Belgian specialist ‌ CSP Engineering is thÊ specialist in development of technology, building machines and automation for production of wooden floor boards. The Belgian machine builder has understood the above well and therefore strongly focuses on that personal consultation. She is therefore known as a proactive partner in optimizing the processes.

CSP Engineering is active in 4 domains of parquet production: packaging lines, logistics systems, automatic filling machines and production machines for 2-layer floors.

Packaging solutions In the field of packaging solutions, CSP Engineering offers an extensive range of modular systems that are connected in line in various combinations.

Depending on the type of floorboards to be packed, CSP offers a customized solution.

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PAR-Scan®

PAR-Info®

CSP Engineering has the PAR-Scan® concept on the market for measuring, registering, labelling and packaging parquet on fixed and / or variable length.

This machine is an optional module for PAR-Scan®, PAR-Pack® and PAR-Colli® and offers the possibility to automatically place a folder / flyer on each package.

With PAR-Info®, the manufacturer directly informs the end customer about storage and maintenance instructions, installation instructions, warranty conditions, CE symbol, product specifications, a logo or brand name.

PAR-Scan® uniquely combines a measuring computer with a packing line controller. The system is modular and can be integrated according to customer needs with various packing machines and logistics systems such as PAR-Strap®, PAR-Cardboard®, PAR-Film®, PAR-Collect®, PAR-Return® or PAR-Stack®.

Par-Scan® measure pack after pack, the length of each floor board, the number of m² and the number of floor boards in the pack. These measurement data are supplemented with the width, thickness, wood type, quality, surface,… and then printed on a label. This label is printed in the desired language, English units are possible as well as the addition of a logo or barcode.

PAR-Colli-Fix® This PAR-Colli-Fix® is the latest addition to the CSP Engineering product range and was developed at the request of customers to compose automatic fixed length packs with different length boards.

PAR-Colli-Fix® combines different lengths of boards in 1 pack of a certain total length. A huge reduction of workload is achieved with this.

The PAR-Colli-Fix will soon also be available for obtaining packages with a specific surface area per package.

The information is stored in a database, a pallet list with details is printed and all data is made available digitally for your administration.

Filling technology for wood flooring PAR-Scan® measuring and packaging system

MACHINED FILLING OF KNOTS IN PARQUET before

Measure, labelling and packing

CSP Engineering bvba Stenehei 30/10 B-2480 Dessel (Belgium)

after

Tel: +32 14 37 77 52 info@csp-engineering.com www.csp-engineering.com

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Automation in the parquet industry

Packing machines PAR-Strap® The PAR-Strap® fits seamlessly with the above options and is an automatic parquet strapping machine. This machine is easy to use and realizes tight strapping of parquet boards, even for herringbone. The PAR-Strap® is equipped with a robust and compact strapping head that ensures fast and reliable strapping. The bobbin change is equipped with a handy automatic tape insertion function. The minimum of moving parts makes it a machine that works very reliably and requires only limited maintenance.

In combination with the energy-friendly double compartment shrink tunnel, PAR-Film® delivers the best packaging result in the market, even for long packs.

Logistic systems and automation

The PAR-Film® also fits seamlessly with the above machines. You can choose to line up PAR-Film® in combination with PAR-Strap® and / or PAR-Cardboard®, but you can also choose for a beautiful packaging without strapping or cardboard tape. PAR-Film® automatically packs parquet in shrink film at a nice speed of 20 m / minute. The machine cuts the shrink film according to the pack width and places the weld in the middle on the side. This creates a particularly beautiful presentation. Your parquet is completely protected from dirt, dust and moisture

CSP Engineering has various automation solutions in the range that can be used in production according to customer requirements, as a single module or built into complete production or packing lines.

- PAR-Feed® is a semi-automatic feeding system for fast and easy feeding of planks, e.g. to a planer, filling machine, ….

- PAR-Collect® for automatic collection of planks and parquet packs.

There are 2 versions of this machine: with pneumatic pushers or with driven cross belts.

- PAR-Return®: automatic return system (realize one-person operation on a machine) - PAR-Stack®: automatic stacking of wooden floorboards and parquet packs.

This system can lay floorboards or packs left, right or centered on a pallet. In addition, the machine is ideal for the heavier stacking jobs.

PAR-Stack® is built with an open structure so that pallets can be easily be removed with a pallet truck or fork lift.

- PAR-Robot®: Recent expansion of the range at CSP Engineering.

This universal application in robotics broadens the possibilities for automatic stacking and destacking.

- In addition to modular systems, CSP Engineering supplies complete customized installations.

Destacking and feedingfilli to sander

Packs/boards stacking on pallets

PAR-Cardboard® The PAR-Cardboard® machine automatically places a cardboard strip around the package. This gives extra protection to the tongue and groove profile on the floorboards. The cardboard strip is available on a roll (1 m diameter), whether or not printed (info, brand name, logo,…).

PAR-Cardboard® places a cardboard strip around the pack, cuts to length and glues the ends together, creating a closed ribbon around the floorboards. The pack must then be packed in foil.

PAR-Film®

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because the PAR-Film® welds the shrink film completely on both the long and transverse sides.

Floor Forum International 109

Special

Pre-colouring: what’s on the market?

PRE-COLOURING DOES NOT PROTECT CHEMICAL PROCESSES AND PAINT PRODUCTS

Photo – Pallmann

The term ‘pre-colouring’ clearly explains itself. It means applying a colour prior to the actual treatment of the wood.

That treatment comes in the shape of oil, lacquer, or a wax finish which should protect the wood from wear and tear and external influences. In the previous edition we made it clear that colour oil is the major exception. Colour oil colours and protects. And so, in this article we consider stains and some chemical operations which change the colour of the wood. What is noticeable is that, apart from traditional wood shades, a whole range of contemporary and often youthful colours are ‘seeing the light of day’.

Wood sorts and colour You certainly need a good dose of expertise to recognise wood sorts.

In the days when only pine, beech, and oak were available, the job was fairly easy, but that’s not so today. Worldwide there are associations

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whose core business is to identify wood sorts. Colour obviously plays a part in that.

Organisations The International Association of Wood Anatomists (IAWA) was set up soon after 1930. This is an association of people working on wood anatomy (in the broadest sense of the term) to foster wood knowledge at micro level. Four times a year, this scientific association issues its IAWA Journal with articles of discussions on wood anatomy themes. A database called Inside Wood has also been set up under the auspices of this association. This database can be used to determine the identity of a wood by means of micro-features. This does require a lot of preliminary knowledge. There is also the Dutch Association of Wood Collectors (NEHOSOC, formed in 1947). This association promotes the collection of wood samples and organises study days with talks and practical exercises on wood anatomy. The Association journal is

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Pre-colouring: what’s on the market?

called The Wood Collector (‘De Houtverzamelaar’). In Flanders there is the Wood Study Centre for Technical Education (HCTO, formed in 1958). This association is geared more towards wood professionals.

Its members are involved in identifying wood and they have issued several technical announcements (Technische mededelingen). In the USA there is the International Wood Collectors Society (IWCS, formed in 1947). The IWCS publishes the journal World of Wood.

What’s on the market ?

Blanchon

The colour says a lot The colour of wood is often largely related to colouring agents in particular cells. Moreover, those colouring agents are not there for show; they are usually moderately to highly poisonous and serve to limit bites from ‘beasts’. The density is linked to the thickness of the cell walls; the thicker the cell walls, the heavier the wood. A darker colour can be linked to a high density such as with pock wood (guaiacum sanctum, etc), ebony (diospyros sorts), basralocus (dicorynia guianensis), angelim vermelho (dinizia excelsa), grenadilla (dalbergia melanoxylon), and many sorts of acacia and eucalyptus. However, lightly coloured wood can also be heavy and hard, such as palm wood (buxus sempervirens), the many diospyros sorts which do not form a black heartwood, and satin wood (chloroxylon swietenia). Darker sorts possess more or different colouring agents than lightly coloured sorts. In practice, a lot of mistakes are made in identifying wood sorts, sometimes deliberately. Due to the sometimes great business interests, it can be lucrative to give a type of wood the wrong name.

Chemical and thermal colouring Smoking and thermal treatment are both designed to make the wood ‘darker’. That ‘darkening process’ was a technique to make cheaper wood look like an antique floor or a rare exotic wood sort.

Smoking wooden planks highlights the specific grain of the wood. It brings out the structure of each separate plank. Each plank is in fact different and has its own look. Sun, wind, rain, and soil have brought about this natural distinction and smoking makes these influences clearly visible. Smoking a plank makes it somewhat darker. Thermal treatments colour the wood to make it darker. They give the wood a dark brown shade which equates to the effect of a smoked floor. The major benefit is that floorboards treated in this way are coloured all over, so that they can still be sandpapered many times without losing their colour. The treatment also lends itself ideally to distressing floorboards.

Colouring with stain Staining parquet can turn the wood any colour as required; from black or blue-grey to white, anything is possible. The stain penetrates deeply into the wood, creates a nice contrast, and thereby highlights the specific wood structure. This can be combined afterwards with oil, beeswax, or varnish. Stain is often a traditional wood ennobling product based on natural line oil. This wood stain is ideal for colouring wood, parquet, and wooden floors and for both ordinary and noble wood sorts. Stains are available in a huge range of colours.

In the past, most stains were available in wood colours. And so, it was possible, for instance, to make a cheap pine floor look like oak using a dark oak colour. Nowadays, colouring agents are available in a range of trendy colours. Each wood sort can be given a completely different look by applying certain colours. You already have to be a connoisseur to tell the difference, for instance, between oak which is coloured (almost) black and wenge, or to distinguish extremely dark coloured oak from panga-panga. In that respect coloured (cheaper) wood sorts can act as a substitute for often countless tropical hardwood sorts.

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All woodworkers have looked for ways to alter the colour or shade of wood since time immemorial. Over the last thirty years, modern chemistry has developed some water-based colouring agents or pigments which are more resistant to the effects of light. Blanchon offers a full range for colouring, decorating, and distressing parquet and woodwork with two ranges of shades, with one range of distressing products and several reactive products. Aquateinte 2K is a water-based colouring agent specially for parquet. It has six wood colours and another six shades from pure white to deep black. For small surfaces there is Wood Stain (‘Teinte à Bois’), with 12 wood shades in black and white and five in grey. Wood Ageing (‘Veillisseur Bois’) has 10 nuances, including five shades of grey. Moreover, Blanchon also has various Reactives (‘Réactifs’) and Patinas (‘Patines’). Note: Only oil can offer both decoration and protection. And so, all colours still need a protective coat. A good example is the combination of Wood Ageing and Oil Wax Stain (‘Huile-Cire teintée’). The colours can be applied on site or in the factory. According to Blanchon, finishing colour oil with lacquer is a clear trend.

Ciranova Ciranova is the reference when it comes to color your wooden floor with water-based color stains for on-site use or industrial application.

Reactive Stains interact chemically with the natural tannins inside the wood and this interface creates very unique finishes. There are endless possibilities in combination with coloured oils. (reaction time +/- 6 hours).

Aquapad is a water-based colour stain based on micro pigments for staining all types of wood for indoor use.

Aquapad provides a uniform coloring that accentuates the woodgrain. (drying times +/- 3 to 4 hours).

Aquavintage 2C is a reactive water-based stain to easily and quickly give the wood a weathered look and to accentuate the wood grain.

(Reaction time +/- 12 hours).

After reaction time, the reactive stains should be finished with oil or waterborne finishes, such as our new PLUS RANGE products, with an invisible finish and ultra matt and natural appearance. It is also possible to finish the colour stains with our coloured Hardwaxoils, creating unique finishes and endless possibilities.

DevoNatural® For pre-colouring parquet and wooden floors, Devomat offers clients two lines of products: DevoNatural® Easy Colour (a vegetable colour stain) and DevoNatural® Reactive (a reactive distress product with smoked effect for ‘oak’ parquet and wooden floors). In addition, DevoNatural® Floor Paint is a covering universal water-dilutable adhesion primer based on vegetables. It can be applied to various substrates such as wood, stone, concrete, synthetics, etc. DevoNatural® Floor Paint serves as a covering primer and can be finished further with any DevoNatural® varnish. Since the launch of DevoNatural® Easy Colour, Devomat has noticed that, despite the convenience of the product, more floors are once again being coloured. There is a growing demand for unique colour combinations e.g. the floor is distressed with DevoNatural Reactive and then finished with a coloured DevoNatural® High Solid Oil. For DevoNatural® Easy Colour Devomat also offers the option of creating customised colours.

Both product lines can be applied on site, in the workshop, or in the factory. DevoNatural® Easy Colour gives a deeper colour to the entire floor, whilst a colour oil will highlight mainly the grain and only to a lesser extent the surface. DevoNatural® Reactive is a reactive product and cannot be compared to a colour oil or another colouring product.

The distressing effect depends on the tannic acid content and thereby differs from plank to plank. This gives a unique look to each parquet floor. Both products can be finished with any DevoNatural® finish product (lacquers, oils, or beeswax).

Floorservice FLOOR SERVICE PRIME SMOKE & FLOOR SERVICE PRIME OLD BROWN Two new products have been added to the Floorservice Prime Design Line range: Prime Smoke and Prime Old Brown.

With these two new pre-treatment products, various new and very surprising finishing effects of the wooden floor are possible.

Two new pre-treatment products have been developed within the

Floorservice Prime Design Line; Prime Smoke and Prime Old Brown.

These water based reactive stains are suitable for manual and industrial application by roller or spray-machine.

By adding these two unique products to the range, an endless range of new finishing possibilities can be created.

Prime Smoke Creates a smoked effect without the usage of ammonia.

Prime Old Brown Provides the characteristic "old brown" color.

The treated surface can be finished with one of our colors Hardwax-oil (2K) or with our solvent-free UV or LED Oil. The most beautiful effects are created with this series of finishes. The wood grain is accentuated in a special and natural way.

Hesse

Colour highlights for the huge variety of wood sorts now come in a range of unlimited options. Colours create emotions and Hesse Lignal has never lost sight of that in its 110 years on the market.

Recommended system developments provide ready-made solutions for all types of clients, both SMEs and bigger industrial companies. In the trend demands for creative and spacious feels, there is a choice of traditionally processed colour stains, mobile and polishable colour systems, and a carefully selected pallet of chemical reactive stains.

These systems are versatile, modular, and can be finished with varnish and oil. These combinable finish options help to provide exclusive trendy looks. Whether you want vintage or modern interior designs, natural looking colours, or bright exclusive shades, Hesse Lignal offers a solution to meet all demands from professionals.

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Pre-colouring: what’s on the market?

Loba

The final coat should always be carried out with a clear Polyx®-Oil. The products can also be used by professional craftsmen as well as by end consumers.

Pallmann

Infinite Color Options for Oils and Finishes: LOBASOL PreTone and LOBADUR HS 2K Intensive One of LOBA’s most popular coloring pre-treatments is LOBASOL PreTone. This water-based pigment stain is suitable for all types of wood. PreTone is available in five colors: black, brown, white, steel and mocha. The environmentally friendly and odor-neutral stain can be used in combination with LOBASOL HS 2K ImpactOil transparent or ImpactOil Color to intensify the color effect or to create a striking two-color design. To achieve a colored and finished surface, a layer of PreTone should be applied, followed by a layer of the oil-based primer LOBADUR HS 2K Intensive transparent or Color. The primer is finally top-coated with a LOBADUR finish. This system combines the beautiful look of an oiled floor with the easy maintenance of a coated surface.

HS 2K Intensive is cobalt- and butanonoxime-free and prevents side-bonding. Both PreTone and HS 2K Intensive can be applied either on site or in the floor fitter’s workshop before installation.

Osmo

Osmo offers different products for applying a coloured base coat to wooden flooring: Oil Stain, Polyx®-Oil Tints, Polyx®-Oil Effect as well as Wood Wax Finish. With Oil Stain, Polyx®-Oil Tints and Wood Wax Finish, different colour intensities can be achieved from transparent to intensive and even opaque; depending on the product and the application, different results are created. Shimmering gloss effects are made with Polyx®-Oil Effect Gold/Silver. Wooden floors treated with Polyx®-Oil Effect Natural look if they are almost completely untreated.

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With the Pallmann Color Collection Pallmann provides a wide range of coloured Oil primers. A spectrum of 24 colours encourages every opportunity for creativity and individual interior design. Each option in the Pallmann Color Collection consists of 3 components: The clear 2K oil primer Pall-X 333 A / B is given a color C concentrate as a third and final component: This combination is suitable for the priming and simultaneous colouring of many commercial European wood types, especially oak, ash, pine. The demand for individually coloured wood floors has been increasing over the last years and there is a huge creative energy and an eagerness to experiment. The coloured oil primer can be applied on site as well as in the floor fitter’s workshop.

The average drying time is 24 hours before coating with 2 component water-based wood floor coatings Pall-X 98 Gold, Pall-X Zero, Pall-X Pure as well as with the 2-component wood floor oil Magic Oil 2K Original.

RIGO Verffabriek The master oil makers of RIGO Verffabriek have been making ROYL floor oils from 100% vegetable oils for almost 40 years. ROYL oils are available in the 45 standard colours of our Greys and Woods ranges.

These colours can also be mixed.

By combining ROYL shades of grey and wood colours with a primer coat of ROYL REACTIVE STAIN, you can open up a world of limitless colours to create your very own, unique finish. ROYL Reactive Stain gives wood an aged look. Whereas colour oils will colour the wood grain more thoroughly than the rest of the wood, ROYL Reactive Stain will produce a beautiful, even finish. You can achieve stunning results by adding an enhancing or contrasting colour oil. Combining these oils with ROYL Reactive Stain will enable

you to create pitch black and snow-white oil-based finishes.

ROYL Reactive Stain is easy to process and non-marking.

Simply apply with long, straight strokes, using a roller, brush or sprayer. Next, moving from top to bottom and from left to right, buff the oil evenly with a buffer and white pad and remove any excess product with cotton cloths. The stain will colour your floor up to a certain point. After this point is reached, applying more stain to the floor will not change the colour. A single layer is plenty, and your floor will be ready for further finishing after drying overnight. The stain is available in four - mixable colours: White #4011, Grey #4012, Burned #4013 and Smoked #4014.

The stain must be finished with a ROYL oil product or SKYLT Overcoatable colour oil + SKYLT. Only the white stain can also be coated immediately with STEP or SKYLT.

Photo – Ciranova

®

The wood filler range for wood industry ■ Economical powder 1kg = 1.3kg of paste ■ Ready-to-use, fast drying ■ Depth of filling 20mm ■ Special formulas for planed and brushed wood ■ 8 standards colors or counter-typing on demand ■ Package from 5 to 310kg, in buckets or in barrels ■ Manual or automatic application

TE WA R

BA ED S

Call a specialist

+33 5 61 98 40 88 www.briancon-production.com

INDUSTRY

Floor Forum International 109

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Special

Producers of Hungarian Point and herringbone in LVT, PVC, and vinyl

DESIGN FLOORS GO CLASSIC OLD FITTING PATTERNS ARE ENJOYING YET ANOTHER RENAISSANCE

Apart from the ‘ design’ whereh manufacturers actually have no limitations, design floors (LVT, PVC, and linoleum) still retain the huge asset of limited thickness, so they are ideal for renovation projects. Whilst the initial wood imitation steps of these floors comprised mainly planks or strips, and mainly in an oak design, that soon extended to other sorts and colours. The look was there, and the feel soon followed with wood grains in relief. Today, the old fitting patterns are emerging here as well.

Popular classics The two most popular classics in the parquet industry are still herringbone and Hungarian point. It’s no surprise that these two sometimes get mixed up since the ‘first impression’ is certainly similar. The difference is subtle and refined, but it is there. Let’s just remind ourselves.

Herringbone The name itself describes the laying method for herringbone; the floor is made using roughly the same boards as for ordinary strip parquet, but they are laid in the shape of a herringbone. This means that the head side is fitted square to the length of the floorboard next to it at an angle of 90°. The herringbone comes completely into its own when it is framed with a border and some locking friezes (strips which are fitted square to the direction of the parquet). In the past, an exotic wood sort was often used for the border to give the floor an attractive

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frame. Quite commonly the border is designed in wenge due to the dark contrast.

Hungarian point With Hungarian point, the heads of the strips are sawn at an angle of 45 or 60°. After the fitting with the heads interconnected, two strips together form an angle of 90° (sawn at 45°) or a less sharp angle of 120° (sawn at 60°). Sometimes, an ‘interim frieze’ is fitted between the rows. In the 17th century, it was often necessary to put a double beam under the rows to support the joints. In those days, the parquet was nailed securely in place using wrought iron nails.

Design floors are jumping on board With the renaissance of vinyl, PVC, and linoleum and the emergence of LVT (luxury vinyl tiles) and LVP (luxury vinyl planks), parquet floor fitters see a golden opportunity to extend their ranges even more. The end goal is simply to put together an assortment to provide an answer to every imaginable request and combination of requests. There is no doubt that the extension towards flexible floors is a good thing. Let’s just summarise them briefly.

Vinyl A vinyl floor is an elastic synthetic floor (PVC) with several layers: the base or back, a protective fibre layer, the design, and the top layer. The durability of vinyl depends on the top layer thickness and the solidarity

of the support structure. An extra protective layer increases scratch and wear resistance.

A specialist

PVC

Aspecta contours presents 4 shades: Chantilly, Chambord, Versailles and Tarascon.

The ground breaking new collection by Aspecta!

Aspecta Contours is a 8 mm Multilayer Designflooring (LVT), which features a 0.55 mm wear layer coated with Aspecta’s proprietary Duraspect Extreme Surface Protectant™ for unrivaled abrasion resistance and stain repellency. A pre-attached HDPE underlayment provides sound mitigation and enhanced comfort underfoot. Aspecta Contours is suitable for application in both residential and commercial market segments.

The Chantilly – a bold, oversized interpretation of herringbone design, The Chambord – a bold, oversized interpretation of chevron design, furthermore Tarascon and Versailles represent a key strategic design for a floating floor, designed for the greater scale of residential and commercial projects. With exclusive Oak visuals trending towards more high-style designer looks, Aspecta contours are available in 8 wood grain colors for each collection (total 32 articles to choose from).

These planks allow designers and architects to go beyond traditional designs into quasi-custom looks, without the additional time and expense of specifying a custom product.

PVC is an excellent material for producing floors. It is waterproof and therefore suitable for damp rooms. 100% PVC floors are even suitable for use in showers. These floors are highly durable thanks to a reinforcement PU coating. PVC floors are now appearing in a wide variety of decors.

Linoleum Linoleum is a virtually 100% natural product. Raw materials include lin oil, wood dust, limestone, and jute. A linoleum floor can be fitted to virtually any subfloor which is flat enough and strong enough. Floors with a marble decor are called Marmoleum.

Tiles are there!

Vinyl, PVC, and linoleum were once extremely popular on the project market. With their appearance in the form of tiles (LVT) or planks (LVP) with a click system, they have all the ingredients for success on the private market.

The big asset In this article we have deliberately compared the technical description of real parquet classics and the composition of design floors. It is clear that fitting parquet in a classic pattern requires expertise from the floor fitter. Both patterns require a specific knowledge and a lot of concentration. With design floors, it’s all about print. Whether clients choose herringbone or Hungarian point doesn’t make any difference at all to the fitting or the cost price. That’s handy, isn’t it?

Aspecta

ASPECTA™ CONTOURS: CHOOSE YOUR SHAPE! ASPECTA™ CONTOURS collection: a conceptual, boutique-style collection of large-scaled patterned flooring with superb design quality built on the foundation of the LVT leader’s ISOCORE Technology™.

ASPECTA™ CONTOURS, 4 collections available in 8 colors. This collection consists of the following shapes: “Chantilly”, “Chambord”, “Versailles” and “Tarascon”.

T: E: W:

info@aspectaflooring.com www.aspectaflooring.com

ASPECTA™ CONTOURS - Chambord, Color: Naturel #6616739X

Floor Forum International 109

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Adhesives for wooden solid floors and multilayer

ADHESIVES FOR PARQUET: THE TREES AND THE WOODS? BBRI CHART SHEDS SOME LIGHT

Photo – Devo®

How often we speak about the speed of change in society, the economy, and science. We’re talking about meteoric and constant developments because humankind is learning new things all the time.

It’s hard to keep up with it all. Nevertheless, as long as ‘change’ means improvement, we should welcome it. The development in the range of adhesives for wooden flooring is a good illustration of this progress.

The range has grown, improved, and, actually, made things harder.

Then, the day came when a chart from the BBRI brought some order to the chaos.

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The need for an overview The need for some support and guidance was not only helpful, but also essential. In recent decades, parquet floor fitters have had to face unprecedented changes. We quote from a BBRI newsletter: ‘Wood is still a much coveted floor covering. Its popularity has led to huge growth and diversification of the market which endeavours at all times to meet the increasingly radical demands in terms of the look, plank sizes, and health. This diversification has touched virtually

all materials with which floor fitters can be confronted: substrates, wooden floors, adhesives, and finishes. All these innovations mean that floor fitters can now choose from some 1,900 possible product combinations. Moreover, this abundance of choice is linked to an important variable factor, namely the product trademark.’

It’s no surprise that all those changes have constantly forced the floor fitting profession to develop and made it increasingly specialised. All this has led to updates in technical reference documents. It has led the BBRI Parquet Work Group to commence with the revision of TV 218 'Wooden flooring: plank floors, parquet, and veneer wood floors’ from 2000. This TV (reference document) keeps the industry informed of the trade standards and provides accurate technical information about product families and fitting techniques without any commercial perspective.

How does the chart work?

The BBRI has concluded that it is not always easy for construction professionals to choose the right adhesive for each application. Moreover, apart from the choice of adhesive, it is also necessary to take account of several other factors such as, for instance, the presence of floor heating, damp risks in a particular room, and such like.

dual-component PU adhesives, polymer adhesives, and hybrid adhesives (e.g. SPUR, STP, and MS). Then, the deployability of the adhesives in co-relation to the type of parquet and the substrate has been indicated with a colour code.

- Green: The adhesive is compatible with the substrate and type of floor covering in question.

- Orange: This choice of adhesive is possible, subject to certain conditions (preparation of the substrate and, if necessary, a primer) and in consultation with the parquet manufacturer.

- Red: The adhesive is not compatible with the substrate and wooden flooring in question (e.g. due to a greater risk of distortion with a wide lamparquet – with a thickness of under 10mm – which you want to fit onto a covering floor or sealed substrate).

By means of 1, 2, or 3 asterisks, the chart refers to any external parameters also to be considered.

Illustration The chart shows us clearly what is and isn’t possible. Without reproducing all the possible combinations, we compare solid parquet to multilayer parquet on the basis of the chart.

Classification of adhesives

Solid wood

To make it easier to use the chart, the BBRI has divided adhesives into four major groups on the basis of their chemical composition as follows: dispersion adhesives, mono-component PU adhesives,

The chart provides for mosaic, industrial parquet, and strips. We will confine ourselves to strips. For narrow strips (9-11mm thick, width less than 75mm, and shorter than 400mm), apart from a prohibition

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Special

Adhesives for wooden solid floors and multilayer

on dispersion adhesive for subparquet, there are conditions for all the others, apart from the PU 2K which are given a green light. For wide strip parquet (thickness 6-10mm wide up to 180mm) everything is excluded except for PU 2K.

Multilayer Multilayer parquet cannot be glued with dispersion adhesive onto a sealed substrate, but that is the only restriction. For all the other adhesives the colour code is green under the conditions for 1K and 2K with sealed substrates.

Conclusion The merit of this chart, obviously, is that you can see the suitability of an adhesive for a particular application in an instant. However, we have to assume that this chart, too, will not survive the ravages of time and that an occasional revision will be necessary. That’s due to the speed of change!

component adhesives in its range. Devo® Glue PU 570 2C is a waterless, dual-component, polyurethane epoxy, and semi-elastic parquet glue which is specially for glueing wooden floors onto cement-bound substrates or existing floors (tiles, marble, wooden floors, etc.). Devo® Glue PU 650 2C is also a waterless, dual-component, epoxy-polyurethane parquet adhesive, but this product is hard-elastic.

Emfi

What’s on the market ?

Chimiver

ADESIVER HERCULES is an odorless two-component adhesive for wooden floors with a very low sensitization level, free of solvents, water and isocyanic resins. ADESIVER HERCULES is epoxy resins based with a MW > 700. It has outstanding traction resistance, workability and coverage. Also suitable for gluing wooden floor onto underfloor heating and cooling system. Suitable for laying pre-finished and pre-calibred wooden floor as well as any other type of timber flooring including boards without having to prepare a bed of wood laths.

Devo® Amongst other things, Devomat presents Devo® Glue MSP 150 1C, a mono-component and semi-elastic hybrid MS polymer adhesive which contains no silicones or isocyanates. It is designed for multilayer stabilised parquet, whilst Devo® Glue MSP 250 1C is the best-seller at Devomat Industries. This glue is suitable for glueing all types of wood (solid wood up to 20cm wide) and is particularly recommended for fitting pre-finished parquet. The glue contains no water or VOCs and spreads excellently. Devo® Glue MSP 250 is a hard-elastic glue (about 70 Shore) with great adhesive strength, it conforms to the standard CSN EN 14293, and it has the EC1-Plus (EC1-R) classification.

Devo® Glue MSP250 is packed in bags of 5kg. Devomat also has dual-

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For glueing wooden floors Emfi offers EMFIPARQUET PRO PLUS and EMFIPARQUET PRO ECO for full glueing and EMFIMASTIC PU or PS PARQUET for cordon glueing. Their adhesives are suitable for glueing solid wood or multilayer parquet floors, with the choice depending on the sort of parquet fitted. EMFIPARQUET PRO PLUS and EMFIPARQUET PRO ECO are both approved as suitable for use by the FCBA for solid oak of 20 x 200mm and 14 x 130mm. The elasticity of an adhesive is essential because it absorbs the dilatation movements of parquet and relieves the pressure on the base. Generally speaking, the wood sort used most in France and the Benelux is oak because it is an indigenous wood which represents the essence of what is fitted. Finally, their adhesives are designed specifically for glueing parquet, so they are not recommended for glueing other types of flooring.

Soudal

STAUF

Soudal has various adhesives which are suitable for wooden floors.

Most fittings are done with a hybrid adhesive which combines the best aspects of several forms of technology. The adhesives meet the EU standard for elastic parquet adhesives, they have an EC1+ classification, and they excel in performance and convenience. Multilayer parquet is resistant to fluctuations in temperature and humidity, a less high-performance adhesive is also chosen. Parquet adhesive should allow the wood to move, follow and absorb it, or be strong enough to prevent movement. A perfect combination of elasticity and end strength gives the characteristic properties of the adhesive. The wood sort largely determines which adhesive should be used. Some sorts are strongly affected by humidity, whilst others contain more resin and therefore impede the adhesion. Some need a waterless PU adhesive, whilst others require an elastic adhesive based on hybrid polymer.

For flexible types of flooring there is a special adhesive, namely LVT Premium Floor & Wall.

Adhesive specialist STAUF offers three top products for wooden floors: SPU 460, SMP 950 and SPU 570. The all-rounder among STAUF’s parquet adhesives is SPU 460. This adhesive features high shear strength and excellent ridges. It is suitable for use with floor heating systems and available in a coloured version for dark timber types.

Being water-, solvent- and isocyanate-free the adhesive is especially user-friendly. The hard-elastic adhesive STAUF SMP 950 adheres ecologically to parquet and at the same time protects against residual moisture. It convinces with excellent dimensional stability of solid floors and is low in consumption. Last but not least there is SPU 570.

With its exceptionally high shear strength properties it is STAUF’s prime parquet adhesive. SPU 570 is particularly suitable for larger wood boards, because it guarantees excellent dimensional stability. In addition, this hard adhesive regulates residual moisture. It is of course usable for almost any kind of parquet floors. All three parquet adhesives are patented according to ISO 17178 and are suitable for all common subfloors.

Photo – Soudal

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Floor Forum International 109

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Special

Producers of style panels

STYLE PANELS CHARM ALL PARQUET LOVERS TWO DISTINCT TYPES FOR TWO DISTINCT TARGET GROUPS?

Photo – Houtbedrijf Kerkhofs

Style panels are actually big wooden ‘tiles’ with an outer edge which, as it were, ‘ frames’ wooden floorboards in a certain fitting pattern. Floorboards are usually glued to each other sideways (solid wood 6 or 10mm), but for some years now these panels have also been emerging in multilayer where a solid wood pattern is glued to a subfloor (multiplex).

As for preferred patterns, lots of producers have noticed the same trends, namely distressed panels and mainly ‘old fitting patterns’. By contrast, there are producers who sell mainly modern and neutral designs i.e. not distressed.

Any wooden floor is unique Some people see exclusivity as non-negotiable when they want something for their home. There can only be one example. Those are the people who, when they want a painting on the wall, look only for oil or acrylic on canvas, pastel, pencil or charcoal drawing, and such like, but never reproductions. Not even etchings or lithography. They want one single and unique version. Others opt for visual perception and attach less importance to that exclusive element. One thing’s for sure: With

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wood you ALWAYS have a unique floor. That goes for all wooden floors, however cheap or expensive they are. No two wooden floors are identical because two identical planks don’t even exist. However, adherents of exclusivity within those wooden floors will still look for something to stand out. With fitting patterns, wood combinations, designs, and colours, you can still often make a difference.

Style panels The important thing about panels is the fact that, strictly speaking, nothing is sawn on site. Indeed, each panel forms an entire pattern where you can’t simply leave a piece out. Amongst other things, this has consequences that the majority of design floors have to be made customised because the dimensions of the room are essential for the size of the panels. That certainly applies to solid wood. There are, however, standard sizes for multilayer.

Solid wood Panel floors or design floors are pre-engineered square panels into which wooden floorboards are fitted according to a certain fitting

pattern. Each panel forms a mini-parquet floor in some respects. The floorboards are sawn customised and mitred and are glued to each other sideways and clamped in order to dry. After assembly, it is possible that a tiny piece might still have to be sawn out from the formed panels so that you have the identical dimensioning and squareness for all panels. That obviously simplifies the fitting by the floor fitter considerably.

Multilayer Multilayer panel floors or cassettes are usually constructed in two layers, but three-layer floors do exist as well. The top layer of usually 6mm of noble wood is glued onto a birch multiplex. The panels can be fully glued onto a screed. Especially in multilayer floors, we see that some producers also offer some standard sizes. The chances of standard sizes coming out perfectly are obviously rather small.

What about the target groups?

Now, then, what about those target groups? Multilayer panel floors are part of the set assortment at various parquet manufacturers and are available in various designs (patterns) and finishes. Here we are mainly targeting a group which buys products which are available as standard.

With solid wood style panels we are almost always talking about customised work and the patterns and dimensions are virtually always geared to the client’s wishes. It is clear that the budget for multilayer and solid wood is not the same and that customised solid wood floors are geared more to the aforementioned clients who look for something quite exclusive.

Some specialists BeaverArt Since 2013, BeaverArt is specialized in the manufacturing of exclusive wooden floors in almost every conceivable pattern.

For example, a boring hardwood floor can suddenly brighten up with a beautiful border, or with a medallion as an eyecatcher in the room. You have also come to the right place for custom marquetry, such as company logos.

This can be done in a mix of various types of wood,in your floor, in table tops or as wall decorations. We do not shy away from a challenge! BeaverArt always tries to let the wood speak for itself, by either emphasizing the natural color or by playing with the wood grain.

You will not find stained or chemically colored wood at our workplace.

Due to the high degree of digitization, standard designs can be manufactured in a cost-effective manner. “Custom made” is of course always possible. All designs can be made from 3mm thickness, above 8mm all designs are manufactured with a birch plywood underlay.

Quality Parquet

FOR PROFESSIONALS

Promoting sustainable forest management

“Every product you need for a perfect �loor.”

Tel: +32(0)11 63 64 00 - www.parketkerkhofs.be

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Producers of style panels

Design Parquet

Design Parquet, which has great expertise in the manufacture of special panels, has noticed a great appreciation for these floor designs.

The company has also accounted for several prestigious projects. This type of parquet can be fitted in any interior and is designed for all sorts of clients. The floors are glued or nailed. The most important designs are Versailles, Pyramid, and Hexagon. The major sizes are 800 x 800 and 1,000 x 1,000mm. Here, too, oak is the most popular and most suitable sort of wood, but all sorts are possible. These panels are highly popular in the Middle East.

Houtbedrijf Kerkhofs In recent years we have found Style panels are gaining popularity. We at Houtbedrijf Kerkhofs have had increasing demand and received many commissions for this product. Mostly commercial projects, think

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hotels, bars, restaurants and other public spaces.

There is also growing demand for these Style panels by private customers who have a larger budget. People like to create a traditional atmosphere combined with a modern twist. When a specific request comes for something bespoke, we first do design drawings. After approval our highly skilled factory team starts production.

Houtbedrijf Kerkhofs is very flexible when offering Style Panels. This can be done in unusual dimensions, pattern and wood species. Material can be smoked, brushed or aged (distressed) before the panels are assembled. Finishes such as staining, oiling or lacquering will be done on site. Houtbedrijf Kerkhofs produces Style Panels with great precision care and quality.

Special

Parquet oil

THE DISCRETION OF OIL IS STILL THE BIGGEST ASSET THE NATURAL ASPECT IS DECISIVE FOR MANY CLIENTS

Photo – Blanchon

Just as a growing preference for natural and durable materials stimulates wooden floor sales, so, too, it seems that those aspects persuade clients to opt for oil. Moreover, parquet oils really are based on natural products such as tung oil, castor oil, soya oil, and linseed oil, albeit in a modified end product. Obviously, environmental legislation also applies to oil finishes, so that means that water-based oils have been an integral part of the range for some years now.

The assets of parquet oil Lots of sales arguments support an oil finish for parquet. Let’s consider the main ones.

Appearance and feel Oil preserves the natural look of the wood like no other finish. The structure, grains, and colour all continue to resemble closely the features of an untreated floor.

Good protection Since the oil impregnates the wood (i.e. it saturates the pores of the wood), a floor treated with oil repels damp and dirt. Scratches on an oiled floor are obviously possible, but they stand out less than scratches on a lacquered floor.

Maintenance and repair An oiled floor is easy to maintain. Moreover, applying a maintenance oil to the floor also nourishes the floor constantly. Moreover, an oiled floor also has the major benefit that it can be repaired (read: re-oiled) in patches.

Renovation When an oiled floor needs to be freshened up, you don’t need to sandpaper it. With a lacquered floor, you have to empty the whole room and sandpaper the whole floor completely pale again. An oiled floor can be renovated without sandpapering and, if necessary, it can even be done in phases.

Natural and technological Linseed oil Traditionally, lin oil or linseed oil has been used to treat (nourish) wooden floors. Lin oil has some outstanding properties specifically for use on wood. In particular, lin oil maintains the wood structure and stimulates the moisture-regulating effect of the wood. That’s why lin oil has been processed for years in industrial paints, stains, oils, and waxes. However, if we use natural linseed oil, we don’t achieve a very high level of scratch resistance and in many cases the wood becomes discoloured (yellowy). Moreover, natural linseed oil has a relatively long drying time. However, it goes without saying that the human intellect has also discovered a solution for that.

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Parquet oil

Urethane Ingredients such as linseed, tung, castor, soya, or sunflower still form the base for what we now call ‘modified oil’. The most commonly used component in modified oil is urethane. It ensures faster drying, better scratch resistance, and less chance of discolouration.

Water Obviously, environmental legislation also applies to oil finishes, so that means that water-based oils have been an integral part of the range for some years now. These water-based oils are usually created by means of emulsion whereby an emulsifying agent ensures that non-mixable fluids (such as oil and water) can nevertheless be mixed into a uniform and stable product.

Major trends People like a bit of colour Whilst white, grey, and even black shades are on the crest of a wave in plenty of decoration elements, the craving for colourful joy in the interior continues to emerge stubbornly. Moreover, it’s not just a phenomenon in the children’s room where youthful, often frivolous colours have to stress the ‘child’ element. We also see this in home offices, living rooms, and kitchens. Colouring wood is no problem.

There are various techniques for doing that such as smoking, staining, soaking in lye, and such like. Usually, the floor still needs a protective finish after it has been coloured. With a coloured oil we apply both protection and colour with one finish product. This procedure is suitable for all new wooden floors or parquet in all wood

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Oil-lacquer systems We can obtain excellent protection, well nourished wood, the natural look of a wooden floor, and the low maintenance of a lacquered floor simply by combining the two finishes. More and more producers now offer an oil/lacquer system as the ultimate finish for parquet and wooden floors. This is most certainly a ‘hybrid’ solution. After all, it combines the best features of both options.

Logic itself dictates that a floor which is due for renovation will have to be sandpapered, something which is not the case with a purely oil finish. The application is virtually identical for the products from most makers. The oil serves to saturate the surface. This gives the floor all the features of an oiled floor, including the visual ones. The oil has to be applied in a professional manner. If possible, it is even more important that the oil is polished in a professional manner and that surplus oil is removed. In most cases you will need to allow for a drying time at this point (depending on the producer).

According to a certain procedure, and after the drying time, a lacquer is applied in the second instance as the definitive finish.

Obviously, the oil and lacquer which are used are geared to each other completely. Once the coat of lacquer is applied, the floor has the benefits of a lacquered floor, yet it still retains the look of oiled parquet.

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sorts which has just been sandpapered. Most colour oils are transparent. A finish coat with these oils provides a strong protective coat on top. Nowadays, almost all parquet oil makers have a ‘colour’ assortment with a wide range of timeless and modern colours.

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OSMO: THE SOLUTION FOR YOUR INTERIOR WOOD Oil Stain

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Wood Wax Finish

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Polyx®-Oil Original

www.osmo.de/en

Polyx®-Oil Anti-Slip

Ciranova

An overview Blanchon Blanchon Original Wood Environment: the best choice to keep the natural unfinished look of the wood Original Wood™ Environment is perfect for bringing to life the character of all types of wood. It offers effective protection and naturel treatment for wood floors and stairs which makes it ideal for restoration and maintenance.

That outstanding oil leaves the wood colour inchanged and brings a natural matt finish.

Original Wood™ Environment is easy to apply on bare wood: simple roller application, no buffing machine required. It is odourless and quick-drying: only 1 hour between coats allowing a quick return to use of the premises finished.

Original Wood™ Environment has been designed to meet high environmental standards and excellent performance.

Ciranova has a detailed range of different oils. The oiled floor gives a matte, natural finish that maintains the natural appearance of the wooden surface. The oils are providing natural protection to the wood and have excellent chemical and mechanical resistances, easy to maintain and to protect. The most popular oils are the Hardwaxoil TITAN, UN1CO and Hardwaxoil MAGIC. Hardwaxoil TITAN is especially developed for onsite application with a roller providing natural protection. Its also possible to finish our Hardwaxoils and UN1CO with the Hardwaxoil TITAN as a finishing coat for a perfect protection.

UN1CO is our 2-component, 1-coat oil of the newest generation to

VELUREX® Multi Gen MULTIUSE CLEANER

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LOBA makes wood even more natural!

An independent survey by IHD and HFA institutes reveals:* wooden surfaces, which are coated with LOBADUR 2K InvisibleProtect, look and feel even more natural than untreated raw wood. * Institut für Holztechnologie Dresden / Germany (IHD) and Holzforschung Austria (HFA)

RECOMMENDED FOR ALL HARD SURFACES VELUREX® Multi Gen is suitable for ordinary cleaning of rooms, working stations and common leisure areas which need to be kept clean and healthy.

LOBA – Your partner for surface finishing and care CHIMIVER PANSERI S.p.A. PONTIDA (BG) - ITALY - chimiver.com

LOBA GmbH & Co. KG | Leonberger Str. 56 – 62 | 71254 Ditzingen | Germany Fon: +49 7156 357 - 0 | Fax: +49 7156 357 - 211 | service@loba.de | www.loba.de/en

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Parquet oil

colour and protect the wood with just one coat. The combination of oil with hardener ensures quick drying and excellent chemical durability.

Hardwaxoil MAGIC gives the wood a good filling, a natural colour and very good chemical & wear resistance. The MAGIC is available in 16 trendy colours for onsite and industrial application. Please contact us if you need more information or if you want to become samples.

Chimiver

LIOS B 100 is a natural oil treatment for wooden floors, it has 100% solid content so it can be considered VOC free. LIOS B 100 protects the wood, enhancing the softness and the natural look of the wood.

DevoNatural® The DevoNatural® product range includes both a series of different oils and a series of varnishes.

Devomat specialises in both areas and can offer clients the most suitable product for the relevant application. For years there has been a certain balance between the numbers of lacquers and oils sold, and that balance is still more or less the same up to the present time. This is because both finish systems have specific advantages and drawbacks. And so, the extensive DevoNatural® assortment always has the right product. Amongst other things, Devomat offers DevoNatural® Hard Wax Oil and DevoNatural® High Solid Oil. This is a matt setting single-coat oil with a high coverage capacity and based on natural oils.

It is for all sorts of parquet, wooden floors, and other wood, both in and outdoors. DevoNatural® High Solid Oil can be used for both commercial and domestic floors with intensive use. The product is easy to apply and spreads well into open wood pores. DevoNatural® High Solid Oil can be applied to all types of wood. Recently, they have added two new colours to the range. DevoNatural® Extra Hardener is unique. This additive inserted into DevoNatural® High Solid Oil triggers the oxidative drying process to ensure better and faster drying. Parquet floors treated with DevoNatural® High Solid Oil + Extra Hardener can normally be walked on and used 12 hours later. This makes the combination highly suitable for finishing parquet floors on building projects, public buildings, catering businesses, reception rooms, industrial finish companies, etc.

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Hesse The charm offensive of oil There is a constant and ongoing demand for oil finishes. Apart from the numerous finish options, oil still charms us with its natural look and attractive haptic features.

Hesse has been involved in the development of oil finishes for over a century. Moreover, the company is always looking for better and stronger combinations with an ecological emphasis. One of these developments is Hesse Colour Solid Oil. This oil stands out as a single-coat, user-friendly, and natural oil with no emissions, solvents, or odours. It also has excellent chemical and mechanical resistance and a wide range of applications indoors. This hybrid product can be used as either 1K or 2K and, if necessary, can be accompanied by Hesse Pura One and Pura Natura.

Discover also herein their Hesse ‘one layer only’ standard composition in a handy and convenient wooden presentation box with 21 trendy oil colours.

Loba LOBASOL Solvent-free Oils Bring Out the Natural Beauty of Wood LOBA’s product family LOBASOL offers a variety of natural, solvent-free oil systems. HS 2K ImpactOil transparent or Color, a natural two-component impregnating oil for highest demands, accentuates the character of the wood and is the perfect solution for an individual color design. It is available in transparent as well as 17 mixable colors and can be combined with the water-based pigment stain PreTone to intensify the color effect. Due to its high water resistance, HS 2K ImpactOil is suitable for bathrooms and spa areas. HardwaxOil EcoPlus is a transparent one-component hardwax oil which gives the surface a rich and full-bodied appearance.

HardwaxOil EcoPlus is free from cobalt and butanonoxime and is economical in use. These two oils are real time-savers, as they can be applied in a one-day-system. With their anti-slip properties and natural plant-based formulas, they comply with BGR 181 (R10) / DIN 51130 and are suitable for children’s toys (DIN EN 71-3). They both bear GEV-EMICODE EC1 Plus for very low emission.

Osmo Polyx®-Oil – optimal protections for wooden flooring Osmo Polyx®-Oil Original is a microporous and breathable wood coating that is especially suited to protect wooden flooring. After two coats, the wood surface is water and dirt repellent, hardwearing and extremely durable. Osmo Polyx®-Oil Original is based on natural raw materials that enhance the colour of wood. When dry, the wood coating

is resistant to saliva and perspiration and thus also suitable for children’s toys. Osmo Polyx®-Oil is available in different variations: Original, Rapid, Effect, Tints and Pure.

Pallmann Wood floor oil is still a trend as endusers more and more like the natural, extra matt look and appearance of their wood floor. An open-pored wood floor offers different room-climatic conditions and the barefoot-effect on oiled wood floors is inimitable. The colour enhancement of the wooden structure is better with oil. The Pallmann Magic Oil Line offers a product range of solvent-free, sustainable and save-to use products like Magic Oil 2K Original, Magic Oil 2K Ergo, Magic Oil 2K Spa, Magic Oil 1K Easy and the Pallmann Color Collection for coloured wood floors. 2-component oils have a significant shorter drying time and a higher resistance compared to 1-component products thanks to their special molecular structure.

Instead of forming a layer, what hard wax oils do, oil is a wood impregnation system. The natural character of a wooden floor is highlighted more by the impregnation with an oil. With proper cleaning and maintenance no disadvantages compared to a sealed surface can be seen.

RIGO Verffabriek The master oil makers of RIGO Verffabriek have been making ROYL floor oils from 100% vegetable oils for almost 40 years. Demand for our oils is still as high as ever, thanks to their evident benefits for professionals and end users alike.

End users prefer our oils because of their beautiful, matte natural look and our wide range of 45 standard colours.

Our oils are bio-based products: 90 - 100% vegetable-based and 100% solvent free.

For professionals, ROYL offers great ease of use, non-marking application and short lead times.

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The oil is so strong that a single layer will do. High efficiency: 1 litre will cover 30 to 40 m2. With our 2K oils, you will be able to walk on your finished floor within 24 hours.

Oil-based finishes also offer significant advantages with regard to maintenance. Oil-finished floors can be refinished locally, and provided they are refinished in time, sanding will not be necessary, because the coat will not wear through.

ROYL oils come in a 1K and 2K version.

If you prefer a 100% vegetable product, opt for the 1K version, which is available in the 24 standard colours that can be made with base Clear.

This product was previously called Aquamarijn Corcol.

ROYL OIL 2K is 90% vegetable and renewable. Thanks to the addition of the B component, you will be able to walk on your finished floor after 24 hours. Our 2K oils are available in base Clear, base White and base Black, giving rise to a range of 45 - mixable - standard colours.

Oil has a beautiful matte natural look and feel that goes well with aged floors. For the subtle sheen of a waxed floor, apply 1 thin layer of ROYL Project Maintenance 2K to a floor finished with ROYL oils.

The same approach can be used to enhance the rich, lustrous appearance of tropical hardwoods.

To combine the appearance of a colour oil with the powerful protection and easy maintenance of parquet lacquer, combine SKYLT 2K Overcoatable colour oil with SKYLT.

STAUF

AKZENT OIL IN ONE COLOR by STAUF AKZENT is the name of STAUF’s new line of wood treatment products.

The range includes not only primers, oils and varnishes, but also offers a joint putty as well as products for cleaning and caring for wood surfaces. The new »AKZENT OIL IN ONE COLOR« now boasts a coloured impregnating oil based on natural oils. This pigmented product dispenses with the use of lead or cobalt drying agents and is ideal for applying to parquet, cork and wood floorings. Depending on the particular use, the drying time is 10-24 hours after application. »OIL IN ONE COLOR« is currently available in 34 shades plus a colourless version – and since they can all be mixed together, this offers even more possibilities when applying it in situ or in the parquet layer’s shop. The oils not only lend an attractive appearance, giving floors a well-groomed matt finish, but they also afford reliable protection. This results in products that meet the highest requirements when it comes to a healthy living environment, occupational safety and durability. www.AKZENT-woodcare.com

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∂ Industry news EPLF Fair Underlay joins EPLF as new associate member EPLF, the association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring is pleased to announce it recently welcomed Fair Underlay as a new associate member.

Max von Tippelskirch (Swiss Krono Group), President of EPLF, welcomed Fair Underlay to the association and stressed that “Welcoming the members of the supply chain into the association shows the important role they play in enabling laminate flooring manufacturers to provide their customers with high quality products”.

“We, at Fair Packaging, are very excited that Fair Underlay became an EPLF associate member and we are looking forward to a fruitful cooperation with all the members of the association”, Mateusz Pretki, Chief Executive Officer at Fair Packaging, stated.

Fair Underlay was established in 2011 and is part of Fair Packaging.

It is the leading European manufacturer of professional grade natural rubber underlays. The production plant and logistic centre are located in west Poland (Posnan region) and produces 25 million of square meters of high-quality underlays each year with focus on performance and parameters fulfilling the most rigorous requirements of European floor manufacturers. Research on market trends and orientation on customer’s needs allow the company to develop a unique product offer.

With this new addition to the association, EPLF has now 16 Ordinary Members, 24 Associate Members, and 10 Supporting Members.

member community at MMFA. It is therefore committed to contributing its expertise in the area of product emission testing to the association’s knowledge pool.”

Flooring Industries Ltd., also doing business as Unilin, division Technologies, manages and commercialises the innovation and IP assets of the Unilin and Mohawk Group and administers to date more than 2000 patents in over 300 patent families. The company obtained world-wide recognition by introducing and licensing out the Uniclic locking technology to the flooring industry and it has throughout the years continued to introduce innovative locking systems such as Unidrop and Unizip. In the last 10 years, it also heavily focused on new plastic-based cores and on digital printing and structuring of flooring panels.

Servaco Product Testing - Joint Venture with VITO – was launched in March 2019 and is based in Belgium. The company provides laboratory and consulting services in the niche market of product emission testing and volatile organic compounds reduction performance testing. The product emission tests analyse the impact of all kinds of building and consumer products and materials on indoor air quality.

With the addition of the Flooring Industries Ltd. and Servaco Product Testing - Joint Venture with VITO, the MMFA now has 25 ordinary members (producers of MMF flooring or their European representations), 28 associate members (supplier companies) and three supporting members (scientific institutes).

NOVOWOOD: NEW PRODUCTION LINE

MMFA MMFA welcomes Flooring Industries Ltd. and Servaco Product Testing - Joint Venture with VITO MMFA, the Multilayer Modular Flooring Association, is pleased to announce that Flooring Industries Ltd. joined the association as associate member and Servaco Product Testing Joint Venture with VITO, as supporting member.

The President of MMFA, Matthias Windmöller (Windmöller), welcomed both organisations to the association and stated that “with Flooring Industries Ltd. and Servaco Product Testing - Joint Venture with VITO joining our portfolio of associate and supporting members, we are gaining two highly skilled organisations which will strengthen our expertise in the area of product testing and IP assets management for flooring technologies.”

“We, at Flooring Industries, are very pleased to join MMFA. The fruitful collaboration that will emerge from our membership will, I am sure, benefit both the company, the MMFA and our fellow members”, said Bart Van der Stockt, Managing Director at Flooring Industries Ltd. Marc Lor, Managing Director at Servaco Product Testing - Joint Venture with VITO, stated that “the company values the high-profile

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Novowood can provide innovative systems and solutions for decking, cladding, louvers and sliding panels, giving to its customers also special under structure systems for many fields of application and thinking forward in order to achieve new goals through the design of innovative profiles. We expect to keep growing our market quote during the next 3 to 5 years for cladding, ceiling and louvers systems, this is the reason why we are glad to announce that by the end of next month we will place our 4th EXTRUSION LINE in our Ferrara’s factory where our technical team is always working deeply on products and solutions. Thanks to an internal laboratory for tests on produced material , as for example dimensional test, , breaking test for flexion and traction, absorption test, OIT test and a long term partnership together with the University, we are able to supply safe products and competitive solutions.

Visit our website

www.floor-forum.com !

You can consult both the most recent and previously published magazines, read the vacancies and news reports from the sector, and find a summary of the leading national and international trade fairs. Last but not least, you will also find all the answers to your questions regarding applications and the use of machines and products.

More information :

sales@media-pact.com

Special

Rwanda

FORESTS IN RWANDA SUPPLY MAINLY FIREWOOD

:

THE ECONOMY SEEMS FINE, BUT THERE’S STILL WORK TO BE DONE

Rwanda is one of the fastest growing economies in Central Africa, with growth of about 6 to 8% in recent years.

Traditionally, the economy has relied on farming production, mainly of tea, coffee, bananas, and potatoes. Almost three quarters of the working population works in the farming sector. Nevertheless, Rwanda is now focusing increasingly on the service sector. The growth has improved the living standards of the average Rwandan citizen. For instance, in 2005, about 57% of Rwandans still lived below the poverty line of $1.25 per day, but by 2010 that figure had fallen to 45%.

Geography Rwanda is a small country in East Africa with a surface area of 26,338km². The country has no coastline. It lies a few degrees south of the equator. The hilly landscape of Rwanda is covered with grassland and small farms. In the north-west there is a volcanic area from where a mountain ridge stretches out in a south-easterly direction. This is the location of Mount Karisimbi, which, at 4507 metres, is the country’s highest mountain. The watershed of the river basin of the Nile and the

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Congo runs along the west at a height of about 2743 metres. On the western flanks of this mountain ridge the country descends sharply towards Lake Kivu and the River Ruzizi valley. This region is part of the great African plain. The eastern slopes are more even with a nicely extensive hilly landscape which descends evenly towards the plains, marshes, and lakes in the eastern border region. This landscape has earned Rwanda the nickname ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’. The most remote watercourse of the Nile (i.e. the real source of the River Nile) arises in Nyungwe Forest. The water flows via the rivers Mwogo, Nyabarongo, and Kagera into Lake Victoria in Tanzania.

Politics The 2003 constitution replaced that of 1991. The constitution provides for a multi-party system and democratic elections. The new constitution limits the executive power of the president by setting up the office of prime minister, has a 30% quota of women for all public bodies, and replaces the one-chamber parliament with a two-chamber parliament.

Since the 2013 election, the lower house of this parliament has had the largest share of women in the world (initially 64%; 61% on 1 January 2017).

Parties

Political will

The leading party is the Rwandan Patriotic Front (FPR). The FPR was formerly a guerrilla movement of Tutsi refugees, but in 1994 it became a political party of moderate Hutus and Tutsis. Before June 1991, the National Revolutionary Movement for Development (MRND) was the only lawful party. The MRND claimed that it wasn’t a political party and that it represented all the population, but in reality it was a Hutu party.

In 1991, the country introduced a multi-party system and the MRND changed its name to the National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development (MRNDD). Besides the MRNDD and the FPR, there are some other parties: the MDR (Democratic Republican Movement), which is now prohibited, the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the Liberal Party (PL), the Rwandan Socialist Party (PSR), and the Christian Democratic Party (PDC). The latter is now known as the Centrist Democratic Party because parties are not allowed to have a religious ideology.

The Rwandan government itself is also doing a lot to stimulate the economy and improve living standards for the average Rwandan. For instance, the government is fully committed to the construction of new roads and buildings. On the one hand, this helps people to find employment and, on the other hand, it provides a better infrastructure to stimulate further growth. They are also investing in the electricity network. A large part of the population still has no electricity, but here, too, change should be on the way in the next few years. Furthermore, the government is aiming to move towards a knowledge economy instead of the present agricultural economy.

The economy in Rwanda Anyone wanting to do business in Rwanda would be well advised to get to know the country’s political background. The political situation has been stable for a few decades now, but that certainly wasn’t the case for a long time. After Rwanda gained independence in 1962, the country passed through stormy times. Tensions between the two main ethnic groups in the country, the Hutus and Tutsis, led to outbreaks of violence.

In 1994, this escalated into a genocide aimed at the Tutsis, moderate Hutus, and the Twa (the original occupants of Rwanda).

Consolidation

Forests in Rwanda In the period around 1995 after the genocide, many people feared that forests would disappear totally. The growing population in the countryside was looking for farming land, firewood, and wood for building. There was a real threat of too many forests disappearing. It has emerged from data from the Mongabay web site that the use of wood for firewood in Rwanda rose by 60% between 1990 and 2005. Industrial wood cutting also increased during that period. Rwanda acknowledges the role of forests nowadays as absolutely essential to the health of the country.

Millions of trees are now being planted each year in Rwanda. After the genocide of 1994, the forests had certainly well nigh disappeared in about 80% of the green ‘land of a thousand hills’. Rwanda is still losing original forests. For instance, Gishwati forest in the north-west of the country has almost been completely destroyed. However, the strong campaign for sustainable forest management has offset those losses.

The situation has now changed and Rwanda is a stable and progressive land. Most of the 12 million inhabitants (2018) live spread around the countryside. Kigali is the capital of this presidential republic, Christianity is the main religion, and the official languages are French, English, and various Bantu languages. Rwanda borders on countries such as Uganda, Burundi, and Congo-Kinshasa.

Support from abroad The current economy of Rwanda revolves mainly around farming activities. The estimated figures are that 70% of people in employment work in farming. Rwanda exports coffee and tea, for instance, and, furthermore, the country also harbours some minerals such as coltan, tin, and tungsten. Revenue from tourism is growing strongly. In order to stimulate further growth, there are several aid organisations operating in Rwanda, which, for instance, invest in local enterprises or train those enterprises to get more from their business. At present, the country still depends on foreign aid for about 30 to 40% of its income.

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∂ Product news ESTAPARKET ESTAPARKET Stock Collection is now available! There are 33 items available from the factory stock in Estonia for immediate dispatch. The delivery is straight from the factory and very fast. European clients can get exact amount needed within a week or two. The new brochure allows customer to see the product in the interior and has all necessary technical details. Within 1 month, it will be possible to virtually simulate all floors from the stock collection in your house or apartment by using special app. on our website. This will allow consumers to the right floor matching their interior.

NOVOWOOD: SLIDING PANELS AND ARIA Following our customers’ enquiries and a growing market demand, we’ve deeply worked on ready-toinstall systems, such as Sliding Panel: this particular solution is made for those projects that require high aesthetic relevance together with the need for regulating the entrance of the sun light inside the rooms.

This system can be made with perimetral frame in Painted aluminium or with an hidden frame that makes a natural effect to the project. Thanks to the combination of our Infinity line profiles and a catalogue of accessories, panels are customizable in number and dimensions and can be fitted in many field, from balconies to pergolas , giving a luxury feel of the entire space around them.

As a result of a cooperation with a team of Architects, we are glad to announce ARIA, a complete modular solution for pergolas, made with painted aluminium, Novowood Prestige or Elite Decking and Infinity louvers profiles. Aria is a special module that can be used as a private box by the pool, or a glamour pergola on the roofs, making a new shape to existing spaces.

Q-FLOOR: NEW IN OUR RANGE! Soon, our 220 mm wide parquet will also be available in the different finishes of our range, both oiled and varnished. Due to its tight wood classification (Prime-Bis & Bis-Rustic A), this collection is the ideal choice for those who love a modern, matt looking parquet floor. These wide planks with a 4mm top layer are extremely suitable for installation over underfloor heating!

For more information: www.q-floor.com

WINTERSTEIGER Innviertel-based company provides solutions in times of coronavirus Wintersteiger develops drying locker for COVID-19 protective masks Extraordinary times require extraordinary solutions. In order to support emergency services and medical personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wintersteiger has developed a new drying locker.

The PURE CO18 will be used for chemical-free disinfection of protective masks and hygienic utensils.

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Floor Forum International 109

Take advantage of our promotion and become part of the large reader family of the magazine Floor Forum International:

* 49 eureoars per y ues for 7 iss

INTERNATIONAL trade journal f or impor t , expor t , dis tr ibu tion and lay ing of par que t , laminate, cor k f loor ing and r elated pr oduc t s

N° 107 Februar y 2020 - Price: €8 - Published 7 times a year - (Feb, March, May, July, Sept , Nov, Dec) Of fice of deliver y 9099 Ghent X , P911092, BC 31359 - Responsible Publisher: Filip De Ridder

Special: Poland

The concept of decking to clip

Review: Domotex Hannover (D)

Advertorial: Belgiqa (B) Special: Outdoor floors: wood & composite

Special: Who has handmachines for roughening up old tiles, scraping the screed,…

Special: Repairing substrates: who has the products for this purpose?

www.gradconcept.com

INTERNATIONAL trade journal f or impor t , expor t , dis tr ibu tion and lay ing of par que t , laminate, cor k f loor ing and r elated pr oduc t s

N° 104, September 2019 - Price: €8 - Published 7 times a year - (Feb, March, May, July, Sept , Nov, Dec) Of fice of deliver y 9099 Ghent X , P911092, BC 31359 - Responsible Publisher: Filip De Ridder

Special: Uganda Special: Colour and colour hardwax oils

Special: Producers of design skirting boards

Create your own wood story Special: Producers of elastic adhesives

BONA OIL SYSTEM – UNIQUE CHARACTERS ON WOODEN FLOORS Special: Producers of style panels and Versailles panels

Fulfill that unique floor vision of yours. Empowered with a passion for wooden floors and 100 years of innovative solutions, Bona Oil System inspires and supports you, from vision to reality. A full range of oils based on renewable ingredients.

Whether you are to design, craft or care, break the ordinary with Bona − for durable beautiful floors with unique character.

bona.com/bonaoilsystem

Our magazine, that is distributed all over the world, targets professionals from the floor coverings sector and the wooden façade claddings. Floor Forum International, that from its start focussed on parquet floors both indoor and outdoor, every year aims at informing its readers about the newest trends and novelties. In it, among other things, you read all about trends and innovations for parquet floors, and this in all kind of wood species, vinyl, LVT, PVC, wooden façade claddings, glues, varnishes, subfloors, deckings,…

For more than 11 years already, Floor Forum International is appreciated by all the major players in the sector, who help determine the contents of the magazine thanks to their novelties that are accompanied by the necessary explanation. In every edition, the magazine singles out one particular country. In doing this, the readers not only discover the sociopolitical history of that country, but at the same time are also informed about the economic potential for what wood is concerned.

Are you an installer of parquet floors or a timber trader, an importer, a distributor, a wholesaler, a carpenter with employees, an agent, an interior architect, an interior designer, a decorator, a manager of a shop specializing in decoration, an entrepreneur in the world of construction or a manufacturer…? If this is the case, our magazine is an exceptionally good source of reference for you.

If you want to take a subscription, all you need to do is send an email to info@media-pact.com.

You can also surf to the header ‘Subscribe’ on the website of Floor Forum International : www.floor-forum.com.

Subscribe right away and become part of our family of professionals to stay informed about the trends and novelties in the sector of floor coverings and wood façades, deckings, finishing products,…

Become part of the large family of the sector of the wooden floor coverings, vinyl and PVC and the wooden façade claddings, thanks to the most popular magazine in the sector in Europe.

Take a subscription right away and enjoy our promotional price of 49 euros*. * 79 euros per year for dispatching outside Europe

170 rue de la Roque�e 75011 Paris contact@dinachoc.com - www.dinachoc.fr Contact : +33 7 83 02 03 14

Your specialist in acoustics

Tested (and approved) S801-Technology for over 10 years INSULATION FOR FLOORS AND WALLS

100% rubber CAN BE FITTED UNDER PARQUET, LAMINATE, TILES, MARBLE, AND CARPET

Thickness

DOES NOT SAG OVER TIME

2mm 3mm 5mm 10mm

HIGH ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCES ANTI-VIBRATION

LABORATORY TESTED

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50 YEAR WARRANTY

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INSULATION ΔLW 20DB IN 5MM

Our commitment to Sustainable Developmentsable Recycling is a necessity. That’s why Dinachoc makes every effort to offer you only recycled products. This s�mulates the circular economy and looks to the future for everyone.

S�ck the Dinachoc S801 with Dinachoc C901 adhesive for maximum comfort.

4

PARQUET

3 ADHESIVE C901

Adhesive Dinachoc C901 spread with spatula 15kg pot

2

INSULATION S801

1 ADHESIVE C901

Double glueing