FFI 70 November 2014 by Media-Pact NV / FFI bvba

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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° 70, November 2014 - 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 TOP ITALIAN COMPANIES LOOKING TO EXPAND EXPORT

EFWEX

European Floor & Wall Exhibition 13/15.03.2016 - FLANDERS EXPO GHENT (B)

Special: Veneer wooden floors: What’s new?

MS PolymerTM

Your Premium Polymer of Choice for producing sealants, coatings and adhesives!

Special: Producers of Hungarian point and Herringbone parquet

Special: UV lacquers and oils

Special: Producers of Profiles Special: Laminate floors : part 2

Toward an Even More Impressive and Productive Future

www.kaneka.be

1/1 PAGINA

Multilayer parquet, multiple enjoyment The engineered wooden flooring by Lalegno is more stable than traditional massive wooden floors and is available in oak, exotic species and durable bamboo. The extensive range of different sizes and finishes available offers solutions to suit every style. Therefore Lalegno flooring is the first choice of every flooring professional.

For more information on our products, please check our website www.lalegno.be or contact us via info@lalegno.be

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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

Editorial

SPECIAL TOP ITALIAN COMPANIES LOOKING TO EXPAND EXPORT

EFWEX

European Floor & Wall Exhibition 13/15.03.2016 - FLANDERS EXPO GHENT (B)

Special: Veneer wooden floors: What’s new?

MS PolymerTM

“New “High Strength” polymers will conquer the parquet sector.”

Your Premium Polymer of Choice for producing sealants, coatings and adhesives!

Special: Producers of Hungarian point and Herringbone parquet

Kaneka is the Japanese company which has developed MS polymers and is the supplier-partner of several leading adhesive producers for the parquet and laminate sector. How are MS polymer adhesives doing and where is the adhesive market heading? Jo Indesteege talks to us.

Special: UV lacquers and oils

Special: Producers of Profiles Special: Laminate floors : part 2

Toward an Even More Impressive and Productive Future

www.kaneka.be

Floor Forum International n° 70, November 2014 Photo Kaneka

4 Inside news 8 EFWEX: international meeting forum for our industry 11 Advertorial Kaneka (BE) 12 Special Laminate floors : part 2 15 Advertorial Hamberger Flooring / Haro (DE) 16 Advertorial Habo / CSP Engineering (BE) 20 Special UV lacquers and oils 24 Special Producers of elastic adhesives 28 Special Producers of veneer wooden floors 31 Special Producers of profiles 35 Special Producers of Hungarian point and

Herringbone parquet 40 Project Rubio Monocoat (BE) at Erasmus University

Rotterdam (NL) 42 Special sanding machines : part 2 45 Special Subfloors : part 2 48 Advertorial Ciranova (BE) 50 Special Producers of multi-layer floors 56 Special Maintenance and cleaning products for vinyl,

“Generally speaking, you can say that it’s mainly governments (European, national, or regional) and professional organisations which are promoting MS polymer adhesives on the market. They are the real driving forces behind the quest for better, more sustainable, and healthier products, which contain fewer VOC and conform to the standards of the environmental quality labels. At the same time, Jo Indesteege (LPD business manager we’re seeing that people are asking more and more at Kaneka Belgium) questions about the presence of isocyanates in PU adhesives, and obviously that also helps to promote MS polymer glues. In the meantime, traders are also realising that MS polymer adhesives with durable elastic properties are better for all sorts of parquet and they ensure good adhesion for the entire lifespan of the floor.” Can MS polymer adhesives also play a part on the laminate and vinyl markets? “I think so. Prices there are very competitive, but there’s no doubt about the quality of MS polymers. We warn producers not to opt for the addition of excess softeners in order to obtain a low sales price. The fact is that there is an alternative to those softeners. We have so called ‘ingenious polymers’, which guarantee the quality of the fitting and protect the fitters’ health without raising the price of the glue.” MS polymers were ‘discovered’ several years ago. What innovation can we still expect from Kaneka and MS polymers? “There’s definitely still some room for more development. For example, we’re still developing some new ‘high strength’ MS polymer adhesives. They contain the new ‘HS polymers’ or High Strength Polymers from Kaneka and reconcile high strength with ongoing elasticity. These developments trace their origins back to various industrial applications (cars, general transport, and trains), but they also add a little extra to the creation of hard elastic parquet adhesive. You also have to see the recruitment of Dr Stan Claes as part of our innovation and partnership. He’s a new and young employee to strengthen our MS polymer team, and he’s full of new ideas and innovations. He’s partly responsible for providing technical support for our clients. At Kaneka we’ve been supporting our clients for many years with the development of their newly developed products.”

PVC and LVT floors 59 Industry news 60 Special Top Italian producers looking to expand export 66 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 AT MADE EXPO 2015 THE SPOTLIGHT WILL BE ON FLOOR AND WALL COVERINGS

Floor and wall coverings will be taking centre stage at next year’s show, especially during B2B meetings for exhibitors only, and workshops focussing on the latest industry offerings

approach that will come into its own at the March 2015 show. The distribution sector will be the focus of MADE4Retail, a programme of educational and training events that will shed light on how to venture into new markets and how to maximise the skills of the distributors responsible for releasing brands in Italy and abroad. Challenges, best practices and case histories will be discussed by leading Italian and international distributors during meetings and workshops that will help businesses and industries fine-tune their strategies for innovating their distribution and sales networks and develop new business models capable of reconciling a global outlook with local market expertise.

Ciranova

MADE expo, the leading Italian trade show and one of Europe’s top events for architects, interior designers and the building construction industry, will take place at the Milan Fairgrounds Rho from 18 to 21 March 2015. The last edition in 2013 attracted more than 211,000 trade visitors and gave professionals from across the industry valuable insights into the latest solutions for ensuring the utmost comfort and sustainability in both new and renovated constructions. One area that will undoubtedly draw much attention is floor and wall coverings, materials that are playing an increasingly important role in modern architecture. MADE4Contract-Hotel is a special initiative that will focus specifically on floors and walls. It consists of a packed programme of B2B meetings between exhibitors and the procurement officers and specifiers from the world’s principal hotel chains. MADE expo exhibitors will have a unique business opportunity to showcase their latest offerings. The exhibitors-only event was announced at a high-profile meeting in Venice. Hospitality project specifiers from three major hotel chains addressed the over 200 business owners in attendance, sharing the criteria they adopt when they have to choose products and systems for renovating/refurbishing existing hotels, or constructing new ones. “We decided to organise MADE4Contract-Hotel”, explains Andrea Negri, Chairman of MADE expo, “because we felt there was a need to bring together two sectors that have both placed quality at the very top of their agendas. That approach is firmly embedded in the mindset of the MADE expo show: it has driven us to offer businesses and industries no-fuss tools that they can readily employ. And it is an

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Ciranova is fast becoming an established name in the international market. Turkey and Russia are exciting new export markets for the CIRANOVA brand. Both countries provide unique trade opportunities as they have strong emerging markets with big growth potential. Turkey is an invaluable gateway to both the Middle East and Russia. Turkey registered a rising purchasing power and an economical growth of 4% in 2013, making it a very attractive market for Flemish exporters. In Juli 2014 Ciranova signed a new distribution-agreement with the Turkish company FLOMAK COATINGS for product distribution in Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan and the Turkish part of Cyprus. At the end of September, for the first time, the Ciranova-product range was represented at the fair Intermob in Istanbul. The Ciranova-product range has been very well received in these new markets, with many contacts being established with potential distributors and end-users from the Middle-East. Ciranova Russia, since May 2014, has become the official distributor for CIRANOVA products. Since distribution started, there has been a huge demand for CIRANOVAs unique range of colours and finishes. At the fair “Beautiful Houses” in Moscou, at the end of October, the Ciranova product range will be presented to the general public for the first time.

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Floor Forum International 70

∂ Inside news Decorad

Osmo presents new products at the BAU 2015

UV drying or UV curing?

The terms UV drying and UV curing are often used interchangeably. Obviously, the meaning can be the same, but UV drying does not imply full curing. One of the most important features of UV curing of varnished floors on-site with the help of ultraviolet light is speed. This is inextricably bound to curing. As DecoRad® Systems, we therefore always speak of UV curing.

New products for the coming year will be presented by Osmo at BAU 2015 in Munich. At the world’s leading fair for architecture, materials and systems will also be included in the focus of the presentation along with new products and new colour tones for the field of natural wood finishes and garden wood. The company presents among other things also the current SCHÖNER WOHNEN-COLLECTION. You can find the Osmo fair stand in hall B5, stand 139. We look forward to seeing you there.

Haro Design Floor for Healthy Living Environments Plank 1-Strip look now with added resilience and easy care

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Bathroom parquet floor easier to lay

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Navylam

facile à poser Pre-oiled Double integrate black joint

Navylam+ is an unique system easier and faster for laying bathroom parquet floor. Strips are already pre-oiled and with a double integrated joint. No sanding, oiling and joint laying. You just have to put some glue in the groove provided for and join strips. So, your parquet floor is finished and completely watertight. 7 species (Teak, Acacia, Kambala, Doussie, Mutenye, Wenge, Afrormosia).

www.designparquet.fr 6

Le parquet salle de bains

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Rosenheim – DISANO fulfils the promises of vinyl flooring and translates them into a healthy living environment. This floor solution from flooring specialist HARO is produced from innovative materials that ensure that the product is completely free from PVC and

∂ Inside news plasticisers. This is certified by the Blue Angel eco label and the ECO-Institut label. The long XL plank format and the twelve highly authentic wood styles make DISANO by HARO a real eye-catcher. In addition, the design floor is warm to the touch, resilient, durable, and easy to maintain. With a thickness of 9.3 mm (3/8’’), this floor is also ideal for refurbishment and renovation. Developed for a healthy living environment Thanks to its sophisticated combination of innovative materials, DISANO by HARO is a floor covering that offers the positive performance characteristics of vinyl flooring, while meeting the requirements on ecology and a healthy living environment. As a company committed to ensuring sustainability throughout the entire product life cycle, anything less is not an option for Hamberger Flooring. An insulating cork bottom layer provides excellent footfall and room sound reduction. Only Disano has a semi-elastic pressure distribution layer which provides high stability combined with elasticity for pleasant walking comfort. The decorative wear layer at the top makes the floor warm to the touch and gives the wood styles a matt effect, creating a very authentic appearance. And when DISANO by HARO reaches the end of its service life one day, it can be simply disposed of in domestic waste. Natural, authentic plank design DISANO by HARO has everything it takes to add that natural feel-good factor to any room. Over two metres long and 24 centimetres wide the planks create a spacious visual effect, which is further enhanced by the bevelled edges on all four sides. The remarkably authentic wood styles in oak and trendy softwoods reveal that DISANO comes from Germany’s leading parquet manufacturer. The large-size floor boards are quick and easy to install with the proven Top Connect system and are suitable for use over underfloor heating. Nice and warm to the touch, resilient and durable: DISANO by HARO. With a thickness of 9.3 mm (3/8’’), this floor is also ideal for refurbishment and renovation.

DOMOTEX Laying the ground for success Come to DOMOTEX and experience the latest trends and exciting new products showcased by the world’s top manufacturers. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover the world of floor coverings – all at one venue. Meet your business partners and new contacts from the industry and flooring trade.

17 – 20 January 2015 Hannover ▪ Germany domotex.de

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News

EFWEX

EFWEX: INTERNATIONAL MEETING FORUM FOR OUR INDUSTRY Second edition of EFWEX (European Floor & Wall Exhibition): 13 to 15 March 2016 in Flanders Expo, Ghent (Belgium)

EFWEX

European Floor & Wall Exhibition 13/15.03.2016 - FLANDERS EXPO GHENT (B)

Last March, our industry celebrated the return to Belgium of a trade fair for wooden floors and walls, laminate, vinyl, and accessories. With this event, the organisers managed once again to gather everyone in our industry for a full overview of the latest collections, best technical solutions, and most striking innovations. The three days attracted a total of 3509 professional visitors to the first edition of EFWEX, 16% of whom came from 24 countries outside Belgium. In the meantime, the organisers are busy laying the foundations for the next edition in 2016.

Three days of floors, walls, and finish products The organisers are already working on the next edition, which is planned for 13-15 March 2016, and they enjoy the support of scores of top players from our industry. Once again, they are striving for the widest and fullest possible overview of all that is on offer in our industry, and there’s also scope for a focus on innovation and technical expertise.

Free admission and catering for professional visitors As with the previous edition, the show is reserved for professional visitors, who enjoy free admission provided that they register in advance via the exhibition web site. Once again, there will be free catering (drinks and snacks) for visitors and exhibitors. The organisers are also planning some changes to the catering to take even more account of visitor and exhibitor preferences.

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Exhibitors were pleased with the quality and international character of the visitors

Both exhibitors and visitors responded favourably to the first edition of EFWEX. The visitors’ questionnaire showed that the exhibition received an average score of 7.5 out of 10. Most respondents also indicated their intention to return next time. The venue, the exhibition range, and the free catering all received good marks. A questionnaire amongst exhibitors revealed that they were particularly pleased with the fact that visitors were generally high-profile operators with authority to make decisions. The exhibitors also applauded the international character of the visitors. This was also apparent from figures from the organisers. 16% of visitors came from outside Belgium. All together, 24 countries were represented, but, obviously, the vast majority of visitors from abroad came from neighbouring countries the Netherlands, France, and Germany. However, there were also visitors from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Switzerland, Denmark, Portugal, Greece, Serbia, the United States, Estonia, Lithuania, Austria, Rumania, Turkey, India, Dubai, South Africa…. The reactions gleaned from the EFWEX exhibitors were highly favourable. Here’s a summary of the exhibitors’ thoughts: Rubio Monocoat: “Our participation in the first edition of EFWEX proved a big hit. The show proved to be a good platform.”

T&G Wood: “A quiet show, but we were satisfied nonetheless. We were a little disappointed with the number of visitors from abroad, but, even in that respect, we met some potential clients. The effort was worthwhile, so T&G Wood intends to return in two years’ time.” Flamingo Parket: “We had high expectations of EFWEX and the show didn’t let us down. Long may it continue in the pleasant and attractive surrounds of Ghent. We’re already looking forward to the next edition of EFWEX!” Hertog Vloeren: “We enjoyed this first edition very much. Although this was the first EFWEX, we were delighted with the quality and quantity of visitors whom we were able to reach. We’re looking forward to the next edition in 2016 and would like to thank the organisers for their effort and commitment.” Devomat : “We appreciate the efforts of the organisers to set up a fully fledged parquet show on Belgian soil. The ratio of visitor numbers/ high-profile contacts was good and we’re already looking forward to EFWEX 2016!” Oosterlinck : “The quality of the visitors was very impressive. We established a number of good links with potential buyers” Ciranova: “We’re satisfied with the exhibition. We established several links with potential national and international clients and concluded some specific agreements.” Luxury Decor Floors : “Thanks to the efforts of the EFWEX organisers,

the show was more than a success for the exhibitors and visitors.” Hesse Benelux : “The show gave us a unique opportunity to attract new target groups and promote ourselves on the international market and further afield, thanks to the international character of the show.” Esprit Du Parquet : “We were satisfied with our participation in EFWEX. Obviously, most visitors came from Belgium, but we also welcomed several visitors from abroad.” B-Fix : “We took up the challenge to attend the first EFWEX and, by the end, we certainly had no regrets!” La San Marco Profili: “We established scores of links with new potential clients. And so, this exhibition has contributed to our international expansion.” YEPP: “We had a successful show. This was an ideal opportunity to show off our top products, parquet floors, and accessories.” Overmat: “As regards organisation, there is some room for improvement, but that takes nothing away from the fact that we had lots of worthwhile visitors at our stand. And so, we returned to the Netherlands satisfied. We also have a lot of respect for the courage and energy of the organisers.” Deckwise: “EFWEX in Ghent was a great success. We would like to thank the organisers for the smooth running of the show. We’re very much looking forward to the second edition.” Belgiqa: “We enticed lots of curious visitors to our stand at EFWEX.”

Floor Forum International 70

News

EFWEX

Exhibitors and product range - Manufacturers, importers, dealers, and wholesalers from the following sectors: • Parquet • Laminate • Vinyl • LVT • Cork floors • Bamboo floors • Chemicals for floors (adhesives, varnishes, oils, and maintenance products) • Wooden exterior wall cladding • Wooden terrace floors • Professional tools for floor fitting and joinery. - Producers and dealers of machines for the wood industry and parquet production and finishing - Specialists in computerisation and efficient woodworking and floor production - Professional federations and trade associations - Certification organisms - Professional media

EFWEX, 13 to 15 March 2016 in Flanders Expo, Ghent (Belgium). Opening times : 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Floor Forum international 70

Visitor target group - Parquet floor fitters - Floor fitters - Joiners - Landscape gardeners - Architects - Manufacturers - Importers - Distributors - Interior designers - Building contractors - Building promotors - Project developers - Wood traders - Parquet wholesalers - Floor specialists - Parquet retailers - Interior and universal designers - Designers, project developers, and importers - Decorators - Terrace fitters - Landscape designers - Garden designers - Landscape architects

Advertorial

Kaneka (BE)

MS-POLYMERTM, YOUR PREMIUM CHOICE FOR PARQUET ADHESIVES … …

Parquet installers often struggle with selecting the best fitting parquet adhesives out of the wide portfolio. The difficulty is to first select the most suitable technology, then the supplier and finally the specific product for the job. The selection of supplier and final product are often driven by practical experiences and/or economics and are out of the scope of this article. The differentiation of the various technologies, on the other hand, is the scope of this publication. Kaneka MS-PolymerTM is in this respect not the only, but surely the most versatile technology platform in the market of parquet adhesives.

temperature or moisture variations can be easily compensated by the adhesive’s elasticity. Parquet that has been installed with MS-PolymerTM based parquet adhesives can be walked upon after 24 hours, which is similar to other technologies.

What is Kaneka MS-PolymerTM? Kaneka is a Japanese company founded in 1949 and offering ground-breaking technologies in various market segments like e.g. food, life science, electronics and chemicals. Kaneka MS-PolymerTM, commercially introduced in 1979, is a liquid polymer which can be used as base resin or binder in various sealants and adhesives. While in the early days, the application of Kaneka MS-PolymerTM was limited to infrastructure sealants in earthquake sensitive areas, Kaneka‘s continuous pursuit of innovation has resulted in a broad product portfolio serving both the sealant and adhesive markets. Its flexible structure, broad adhesion profile, easy curing mechanism, tuneable workability and long lasting performance makes it particularly suitable for formulating parquet adhesives.

The uniqueness of Kaneka MS-PolymerTM ? Compared to other reactive moisture curable technologies, Kaneka MS-PolymerTM has some clear advantages. Figure 1 demonstrates the important properties of parquet adhesives and the position of MS-PolymerTM based glues. Firstly, MS-PolymerTM based parquet adhesives can easily be formulated to pass all three classes of the ISO17178 (2013). While the elastic (1 - 2MPa & γ > 1) and hard elastic (2 - 3MPa & γ > 0,5) classes can be easily passed with our present technology, the hard adhesives (> 3MPa) need the recently developed high strength technology. The latter is Kaneka’s novel answer for semi-structural adhesives. The storage stability of the parquet adhesive based on MS-PolymerTM is excellent and typically in a large temperature window. Furthermore, the MS-PolymerTM technology can be used to formulate a diversity of products, from highly thixotropic to self-levelling. While the first is required for the parquet adhesives, the latter is often desired for moisture barrier coatings or primers. Upon curing, the MS-PolymerTM based parquet adhesives release extreme low amounts of VOC’s, enabling the certification by EMICODE (EC-1Plus), Blue Angel (Germany) and M1 (Finland). The highly elastic nature of the pure polymer also facilitates the use of underfloor heating in combination with MS-PolymerTM based parquet adhesives. Occurring dimensional changes due to

∂ Relative performance of MS-PolymerTM based parquet adhesives Kaneka MS-PolymerTM, your best choice! As an environmentally-friendly and sustainable technology, Kaneka MS-PolymerTM based parquet adhesives contribute to the public health by being solvent and isocyanate free. Moreover the extreme low VOC emission contribute to the indoor air comfort. Furthermore, the well-balanced properties of Kaneka MS-PolymerTM based products result in high quality installed parquets and will bring the craftsmen a peace of mind, allowing him to refocus his energy on new challenges.

∂ Demonstration material of highly thixotropic parquet adhesives (non-sagging glue lines)

Stan Claes, Dr. Ing. R&D and Technical Service Specialist, Liquid Polymers Division

For more information visit us at www.kaneka.be

Floor Forum International 70

Special

Laminate floors : part 2

EMBOSSED IN REGISTER GIVES NEW ZEST LAMINATE IS STILL MAKING TECHNICAL AND DECORATIVE PROGRESS

Photo – Balterio

All the (sometimes ostensible) drawbacks of laminate are gradually disappearing. It is well known that some of those drawbacks are based on preconceived ideas, but not all of them. In the beginning there were certainly some teething problems e.g. sides which came loose. However, over the years, laminate has developed into perhaps one of the most popular floors, both amongst consumers and on the project market. Who deserves the plaudits? Answer: those who have managed to ‘raise’ the product to a higher technical level each year.

Growing reputation Laminate as a flooring solution is now a ‘permanent fixture’ in the flooring world. After all, the product combines so many technical and decorative benefits that it was destined for success from its infancy. However, for a brief period, it was a victim of its own success. Whenever a new market or product emerges and shows plenty of promise, budding candidates soon emerge in droves. This was no different with laminate. At a certain point (over a decade ago), the market was saturated with cheap ‘in-step’ dross which poked fun at certain quality requirements and some of the patents circulating on the market. Yet people reap what they sow. If that stream (mainly from the ‘east’) was responsible for harming its reputation amongst the general public

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(and even more amongst professionals), then that same stream finally proved self-destructive. The segments withdrew from each other. The cheap dross (promoted afterwards) has now virtually disappeared and the top segment is celebrating ‘high tide’ with clever technological innovations which have turned laminate into an extremely versatile floor solution. Consumers appreciate those ‘benefits’, whilst professionals now include the ‘product’ in their assortments.

Technical points for attention Laminate now scores highly from both a technical and decorative point of view. Some technical innovations have had a direct effect on its decorative versatility. These include certain adhesive techniques, coatings, colours, new printing technology, ingenious surface treatments, and UV technology. We’ll consider some of these topics in more depth. Our enquiries resulted in two important aspects coming to the fore: that of floors with refined acoustics and a further refinement of the click systems.

Acoustics Since laminate is often promoted as a solution for flats (due to its floating and portable nature) and, within housing units, as a solution for landings and bedrooms, this has several implications for the acoustics. As regards transit sounds, owners must (by law, for that

matter) respect certain rules so as not to be a nuisance to those in rooms underneath, and as regards the sound of footsteps occupants themselves will want to improve their own home comforts. The use of certain basic materials and incorporated subfloors provide relief here. Some manufacturers sell ‘silent’ floors as standard, whilst others offer them as an extra option.

Click systems Click systems have changed! In recent years, lots of manufacturers (sometimes out of necessity) offered existing patented click systems. There were only a few of them and they stood out because it was difficult to improve them . However, more recently, we have seen how some manufacturers have developed their own click system. Often extremely refined ones! An even more striking phenomenon has been the emergence of combinations. A number of laminate producers have devised their own click system (e.g. for the cross-cut sides) and combine it with their registration on existing licences (e.g. for their length). This is a new development.

From a decorative point of view We already know that there is an infinite choice of decors. That extensive range of decors is still being affected by technological surface innovations.

Surface treatment We know that laminate owes its strength (see ‘classes’) to seven consecutive coats of varnish which are applied nowadays using UV technology. Obviously, that benefits the strength and speed in terms

of production, yet there’s more. The combination of (digital) printing, photography technology, and surface treatment has given rise to all sorts of optical plus points so that certain visual movements, particular gloss, relief, 3D-effects, and such like appear on the surface. This is often a question of refined ‘optic deceit’, but it’s no less clever for all that. It looks nicer and is easier to maintain. As regards trends, producers nowadays are committed to ‘matt finishes’ and to that end they have drawn their inspiration from the general prevailing interior trend.

Embossed in register Embossed in register has probably been the biggest achievement in the history of laminate. One of the ‘faults’ for many consumers is still the imitation aspect whereby laminate certainly can copy any sort of wood visually, but the look and feel are not right. What is embossed? The concept comes from printed art (and from art tout court) whereby ‘relief’ is created in a picture by letting two presses facing each other press a shape (the one negative/the other positive). This technique is used frequently in printing books, but also in the stamp culture in bygone days: the so called ‘identifying mark’ in the writing paper of the more ‘well-to-do’ is a good example of this. Embossed in register means that you apply this relief technique in harmony with the contours of a ‘picture’ (in ink or foil) or a second printed picture. For laminate this means that you put the grain of the wood itself in relief so that you can feel the grains of the wood. The difference is less than millimetres, but the ‘feel’ is there. Embossed has paved the way for laminate to step into a new era. Just about all producers have it as (almost) standard in (almost) all collections.

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Floor Forum International 70

Special

Laminate floors : part 2

A selection from the range Alsapan/ EPI Flooring ALSAPAN, a laminate floor manufacturer from Alsace (France) has renewed its range of laminate floors in 2014 and this has proved to be a big success. Thanks to decors which are very much Franco-French, Alsapan’s sales figures in France this year have risen sharply. For 2015 the company has extended its range even more to include decors in warm shades of oak. These are meeting the needs of foreign clients in Northern and Southern Europe and in the countries to the East. Amidst the major traditional competitors, Alsapan has managed to carve out an important place for itself in France in both DIY businesses and in the network of traders. The company has achieved this thanks to a sophisticated commercial approach. Choosing Alsapan means choosing experience and for à la carte solutions which very few other manufacturers nowadays dare to offer or even want to offer. The creativity and originality of Alsapan are also in evidence in the installation system on the short side of certain products, such as the Zip’n Go. This is a simple and fast fitting system. In 2015, Alsapan is launching CREATIV’, a completely new concept for laminate floors. Various widths and lengths in the floorboards make it possible to combine the floorboards with each other so that the original decorative solutions are on offer. This new range of products will be available on the French market in 2015 in Leroy Merlin shops. Attractive decors to charm the general public, original sizes, and a look which is even closer to that of genuine wood parquet floors. In short, Alsapan knows how to attract people. We’ll see you in Alsace!

Balterio At Balterio, too, Embossed in Register is very important for imitating the visual and tangible aspects of real wood/ parquet/veneer. Balterio was one of the first laminate manufacturers to apply this technology to products back in 2004. Over the last 10 years, this technology has been refined enormously so that it is not only possible to press realistically, but also to make floors more matt and deeper. The number of EIR laminate floors at BALTERIO runs up to more than 65%. As regards click systems, Balterio plots its own course independently of others. The company also has its own fold-down system, the PXP® [PressXpress], which was launched in 2012. PXP® is a new and innovative fold-down installation system for fitting the short sides of the floor panels. Years of internal research and development at Balterio, combined with daily experiences and requirements from clients, have resulted in the PXP®. The clip in the plank guarantees that the short sides are fastened directly, and that results in a seamless and strong joint. The only thing which still has to be done is to ‘press’ the floorboards into their place with the outer ends against each other. PXP® has already been presented to Balterio clients at Domotex,

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Surfaces, and Mosbuild in January, February, and April 2011. The new installation system, the clip, the PXP® applicator machine, and the transport system for the produced floor panels are protected by various patents – applications and design rights. PXP® was introduced from April 2012 to the GRANDEUR, INFINITY, QUATTRO VINTAGE, and XPERIENCE plus collections.

Haro Haro Laminate Floor is launching a new dimension in laminate. Haro Campus means the entry of a new era, and at Haro they have no doubts about this. The development of Laminate Floors from the Parquet Specialist has added more inspiration. With Campus, Haro is launching an unusual format for a royal spacious feeling. Haro Laminate Floor Campus is the combination of a classic plank and a spacious width so that each room is given an elegant dimension. Haro Campus has emerged from the beginning in four new oak decors with an exclusive texture: Oak Luna, Oak Contura Creme, Oak Contura Amber, and Oak Duna Expresso make the Haro range of colours even more impressive than it already was. As is the case with all laminate floors, this new floor can be fitted with the integrated Silent Pro Insulation layer, which ensures greater acoustic comfort.

Meister Meister focuses mainly on matt and embossed in register surface structures which look true to nature. These innovations have not had any effect on the class and durability, but they have improved the look of the floor considerably. Embossed in register can be found in all collections at Meister. Technically, Meister is one of those companies which combines two click systems. Meister uses its own Masterclic Plus click system (Fall Down system) with Meister patent on the short side, whilst on the long side the brand has a licence on Uniclic.

Windmöller Flooring Products At Windmöller Flooring Products, too, matt (oiled) finishes and embossed in register are being promoted as leading trends. The great merit of the latter benefits the look and feel, and therefore also the character, of the floors, but it also improves durability. Embossed is standard and is deployed partially with the winneo®, collection, due to the decor. Windmöller Flooring Products uses the proven Uniclic click system from the Unilin Group.

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Hamberger Flooring/Haro (DE)

Interview with Uwe Eifert, CEO Marketing & Sales (Hamberger Flooring/Haro)

‘A TOTAL SUPPLIER WITH A FOCUS ON QUALITY AND INNOVATION’ Hamberger Flooring is one of the biggest parquet manufacturers in Europe and the company behind the international Haro brand. The Bavarian floor manufacturer has been producing parquet for over 60 years. In addition, this family business also makes laminate, cork, and design floors. Uwe Eifert, CEO marketing & sales tells us more about the strategy of Hamberger Flooring to be a full range supplier of flooring and developments on the market.

What are the values identified with Hamberger as a company and HARO as a brand?

‘Hamberger Flooring is market leader on the German parquet market, but we’re also highly active on the laminate and design floor markets. We opt resolutely to produce our floors in our own country with Made in Germany quality. As a family business, we also keep our feet on the floor and think long-term. We also stress sustainability and innovation.’

What are the advantages of being a full range supplier?

‘The wooden flooring market has a huge diversity of requirements and preferences on the part of consumers. We offer our clients, dealers, the opportunity to take advantage of all those needs and consumer preferences with a wide adapted range.’

Why should dealers opt for Hamberger and Haro? ‘Hamberger profiles itself as a reliable supplier with a focus on support for the distribution channels. The fact that Hamberger also has laminate, design floors, and accessories in addition to parquet gives dealers considerable advantages and ensures greater logistical efficiency. Furthermore, the dealers are also given free advice from our sales team in order to make their activities even more profitable. We also ensure that the dealer has a good

profit margin on our products. We also provide sales and technical training, support activities on the project market, and after-sales services.’ ‘Our HARO brand is an unmistakable plus point for the parquet specialist. The brand has a strong and reliable quality image and is very well known. We always make sure that the brand image amongst the dealers is backed up with POS materials, as well as ensuring visibility on the Internet and social media.’

What trends and developments are you seeing on the European parquet market?

‘Wide oak wooden floors are still the trend product in Germany and the rest of Europe. As regards finish, we are seeing more diversity: natural oiled parquet is in fashion, wax oil finish is also very popular, whilst a varnish finish is always in demand. As regards colours, natural and white oak are extremely popular on the European parquet market. We are now also seeing a trend towards floors in oak with a natural, rough, and untreated element. We’re taking advantage of that with our new HARO Plank 1-Strip Oak Natural.’ Thank you for your time, Mr Eifert.

Company profile Hamberger Flooring is located near Rosenheim (south of Munich) and has over 60 years of experience as a producer of parquet. This floor manufacturer also produces cork and laminate floors, the Celenio floors (a floor based on a mixture of wood fibre with natural resins), and the Disano design floor with unique ecological and health features. Hamberger also offers accessories qualified for products and regional markets. Hamberger Flooring is PEFC certified and works with wood from sustainably managed forests. The company is managed by Peter Hamberger and Dr Peter M. Hamberger, the fourth and fifth generations respectively. The corporate group numbers over 2000 employees and has an annual turnover of about 270 million euros. Over 40% of Hamberger products are exported worldwide to over 90 countries all together.

For more information visit us at www.hamberger.de - www.haro.de

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Habo / CSP Engineering (BE)

PARQUET PRODUCER HABO INVESTS IN FILLING PARQUET FLOORBOARDS MECHANICALLY PAR-Filler® - The solution for mechanically filling parquet floorboards for medium and large parquet production

CSP Engineering from Dessel in Belgium has concentrated in recent years on the development of computerised solutions and tailor-made machines for producers in the parquet industry. The latest innovation in the CSP machine range is PAR-Filler®. This unique machine fills parquet floorboards efficiently and sustainably. The parquet producer Habo in Genk has been using PAR-Filler® for a few months and both client and supplier are delighted with the results.

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Finish is gradually becoming the producer’s job Jan Peeters, general manager of CSP Engineering, comments: ‘In the past, the parquet floor fitter generally applied the finish to parquet on site. Developments in the market have led to floorboards often being finished before they are fitted. Various parquet producers and finish companies have taken advantage of this trend and are finishing parquet floors to order in accordance with client requirements. This has meant a vast increase in the range of techniques, colours, and materials. Most operations with industrial floorboard finish can be carried out mechanically. However, there was no adequate

solution for sealing knots and cracks in floorboards. For four years, we have been working to develop a machine which can fill wooden floorboards as well as, or better than, a human being and with an average capacity of over 200,000m² per annum.’

Efficient and flexible Efficiency and flexibility were the priorities in the development of the PAR-Filler®. Jan Peeters told us: ‘We wanted a machine which can respond flexibly to various wood sorts, qualities, and sizes, yet at the same time also respond correctly to wood paste. A continuous process leads to the required capacity and it is therefore a profitable investment for our clients.’

Three important research questions Before we started to develop PAR-Filler®, we were faced with three crucial research questions. How could we successfully show the knots and cracks digitally? Which technical solution could we use to apply the filler mechanically to the openings with maximum filling and adhesion? How do we obtain a filler which contains no solvents, approximates as closely as possible to the nature of wood, absorbs colouring and oil nicely, and doesn’t shrink as it dries? Moreover, the following aspects also determined the developmental trajectory: a simple operation for one operator; filling floorboards of fixed and variable lengths without resetting and without loss of capacity; being able to process exceptional floorboards of 6m or longer; targeting the capacity requirement of medium to large parquet producers.

Development of a production machine For all research questions we devised solutions and built, tested, improved, and refined units and started over and over again until we found the answer to all these questions. The first prototype was ready in February 2013, so CSP Engineering was able to show off the new technology to a select group of clients and ask for feedback. These clients were greatly enthused and their feedback was constructive. The prototype was then adapted as required, the ongoing processes were completed, and the capacity was raised to the maximum feasible. By the end of 2013, the specifications and know-how for the definitive production machine were a fact. Early in January 2014, the definitive PAR-Filler® was designed from a blank sheet and constructed. In July, CSP supplied the first machine to Habo in Genk. The new water-based wood filler with the required unique properties was christened CosmetiWood®. In the meantime, this filler is now also available for manual use.

Habo ‘It’s no coincidence that the very first PAR-Filler® was fitted at Habo in Genk,’ says Jan Peeters. ‘Habo and CSP Engineering have been collaborating excellently for many years. Since the installation of the first PAR-Scan in 1999, Habo has also been working with the PAR-Duo, a second PAR-Scan and several integrated forms of computerisation. They have followed the development of the PAR-Filler® closely and supplied several pallets during that time so that we have been able to improve our technology.’ The Luykx family is equally delighted with the machines and approach of CSP Engineering, which

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Habo / CSP Engineering (BE)

rests on dialogue and flexibility. Mr Stefaan Luykx says enthusiastically: ‘The PAR-Filler® is the ideal solution for us due to its capacity, investment volume, and the characteristic wood paste.’

Flexibility and precision ‘What we greatly appreciate is the simple operation and flexibility of the machine. The PAR-Filler® is especially easy to set and can cope perfectly with various wood sorts, qualities, and lengths and thicknesses of

floorboards,’ says Stefaan Luykx. ‘The decisive point is obviously that the quality of the filling is considerably better than what we could expect from human beings working day after day. Moreover, constantly applying filler is a burdensome and monotonous job. The PAR-Filler® was the logical step for us in further perfecting our Top Line. Since the launch of our multi-layer product three years ago, we’ve always chosen the best possible machines. For filling floorboards mechanically with a water-based filler, the PAR-Filler® is the answer.’

CSP Engineering: preferred partner for the parquet industry Since its formation, CSP Engineering has sought efficient and affordable solutions for computerising production in the wood industry. Over the past decade, the company has concentrated fully on solutions for the parquet industry. Today, CSP has a unique and extensive range of innovative machines, which are also often compatible with each other: • PAR-Duo® is a production line for glueing solid wood top layers onto multiplex bases in a continuous process. • PAR-Scan® accurately determines the length and surface of each pack of floorboards, adds a label with specific data, and packs it with tape and/or in foil without human intervention. • PAR-Info® is a handy unit for the addition of an information folder to a packet of parquet. The producer hereby provides the end client with information. • PAR-Stack® is a system for stacking or bundling packs of parquet quickly and efficiently. • PAR-Feed® is an ergonomic supply table which facilitates the necessary working comfort and speed for planing parquet using planing machines. • PAR-Return® is a handy retrieval system in combination with slower processing or packing machines and can also function usefully as a buffer. • PAR-Collect® is a universal buffer solution behind the processing or packing machine, which raises the profitability of the processing station. Furthermore, CSP Engineering also has some more useful solutions for various activities in parquet production.

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Classic Line Wengé chevron 45°

Classic Line, traditional 9mm parquet in French oak and various exotic wood species. Selected at the highest standards and available as strips, herringbone, chevron or any custom made pattern. Master Line, unique 9mm pre-glued open book parquet, known for its increased stability and special design. Top Line, 13 or 18mm two-layer parquet with solid top layer on birch multi-ply board. All French oak parquet floors can be delivered with a PEFC certificate. Distribution: Holz Bois • Bosdel 41 • B-3600 Genk • T 0032 89 32 95 80 • holz.bois@skynet.be Albers Parketgroothandel • Franklinstraat 4 • NL-6003 DK Weert • T 0031 495 58 08 08 • info@albersparket.nl Advertentie 1/2 liggend.indd 1

20/06/13 14:31

BUZON Pedestal International s.a. Manufacturer of adjustable pedestals for all types of wood terraces Adjustable from 11 to 1120mm

UN1CO, the one layer hardwaxoil. The central theme through the UN1CO story is one of exceptional quality and 1st class technology. This 1-coat Oil protects parquet like nothing else today and the new range of colours, according to the latest trends, is especially significant, being completely cobalt free. Ciranova is proud to say that UN1CO is by far the best and easiest to maintain product in the market today. For more information on the UN1CO colours and our complete range of products for wooden floors, please visit our website at

www.ciranova.be Industrieweg 29 | 8800 Beveren-Roeselare | Belgium | T. +32 (0) 51 301 140 | F. +32 (0) 51 312 648

90° 5%

90° 10%

Slope correction of up to 10% by combining 2 correctors.

BUZON Pedestal International s.a. Tel : +32 (0) 4 248 39 83 - Fax : +32 (0) 4 264 82 38 info@buzon.eu www.buzon.eu

Floor Forum International 70

Special

UV lacquers and oils

UV LACQUERS AND OILS MAKE A BREAKTHROUGH IN THE FACTORY AND ON SITE: EXCEPTION IS BECOMING ‘THE RULE’

Photo – Ciranova

The life of a trade journal editor is no sinecure these days, believe me. Everything happens just a touch too quickly. You can tell people one day about something ‘new’ with a hint of tension to give people something of a hocus-pocus experience, yet the next day it’s old news. Try explaining to your grandmother how you can push a sheet into a fax machine at home and a copy of it arrives somewhere in Canada or New Zealand a few seconds later. Even though it looks identical, it is not the same sheet! Fax machines? Who talks about them nowadays? Until recently, UV technology was hovering on the periphery. Today, chemical producers are talking about 25% of their turnover, so that’s more than a niche.

The rise of UV At first sight, UV drying is quite hard to understand. You assume that a liquid substance needs time to dry. Everyone still accepts that you can turn on a hair dryer to speed up the process. Yet ‘shining some light’ to do the very same thing sounds more like a fantasy. UV drying has entered the world of parquet. Until one year ago, that even led to confusion amongst specialists. During our traditional round of questions to the industry where we endeavour to obtain the latest product information, we clearly encountered some ‘ignorant’ answers: ‘Do you mean lacquer which is resistant to sunlight?’ That was a question which we heard repeatedly. This shows that sometimes the speed of change even surprises the industry itself. UV drying was already common in the graphic

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sector (for drying printed material) and in scores of medical applications. In 90% of cases your teeth fillings are dried using a ‘pen’ and UV light. Fast drying. The benefits are legion. In a production environment it seems fairly logical that a faster drying time can hardly be despised. Lacquered parquet sections which can be packed at once are a huge advantage. Furthermore, producers need little persuading, given the ever increasing demands in production capacity, production speed, and delivery deadlines. With delivery times on site becoming tighter and tighter, the breakthrough to applications on site is no surprise. Yesterday’s fiction is today’s fact!

Simply a better finish All manufacturers who now use UV lacquers and/or oils agree that these products simply provide better protection. ‘Better’ can be interpreted in different ways in terms of mechanical qualities. A product can stand out because it yields better results than other products using the same amount of product. However, a product can also stand out because it achieves the same result with less product. This is certainly the case with UV finishes. A quantity of 8 to 50gr/m² UV product (depending on the make and composition) can compete with 100gr/ m² of a traditional product with little difference in quality. That’s a difference which can ‘count’. Another important aspect is the fact that UV lacquers and oils contain neither solvents nor water and are (usually) composed of 100% solid elements, so they are considerably stronger and more durable. The resins used are harder in and of themselves and

in the final analysis they give the product better protection. Moreover, the fact that these finishes make it possible to add inorganic elements to the composition means that they offer considerably better scratch resistance.

The time saving – on site, too Obviously, the fact that these lacquers and oils offer better protection is a plus point. However, according to industrial manufacturers and floor fitters and their clients, the major benefit of UV drying is still the extremely rapid drying process. This speed means higher production capacity. Furthermore, finished products can be packed immediately, whereas traditional drying took up more time and considerably more space. The benefits on site are legion. Rapid drying means faster delivery. The project manager can use the floor within a short space of time and therefore exploit the space sooner. In offices, for instance, where businesses have to hire temporary alternative accommodation during renovation, this is undeniably a great financial blessing, as it is in a shop which is closed during renovation.

What’s on the market? Blanchon According to Blanchon, there are various levels of quality in the area of UV lacquers. Depending on the raw materials and the composition doc Blanchon/GEM/BS38 and nature of the industrial application, lacquer will give the wood a different grade of protection (with regard to impressions, chemical resistance, and scratch resistance). Thanks to the latest developments, which include the use of nanoparticles, it is possible to make extremely strong lacquers. The raw materials used and, obviously, the method of drying form the major contrast with a traditional lacquer. UV lacquers are geared to the client’s machines. And so, for example, fluidity is adapted to the client’s infrastructure. According to Blanchon, the number of coats applied is important, as is the total amount of lacquer. With its Ciméthane UV, Blanchon has moved towards on-site UV drying. Results in recent years have been most satisfactory (15,000m² in 2014), partly due to new machines. Blanchon does point out that it is not possible to use this for all applications, but the time saving which it yields means it is worth developing it further.

Chimiver

Chimiver Panseri Sp.A. has several new products, such as UV Oil One 1317, Vernice All’Acqua S49 AB, and the Ecoclass Anti-Blocking range. UV Oil One 1317 consists of high-quality raw materials and is a natural and ecological product with a very high content of solid elements

(99%). It is for use on porous and impervious wood sorts. It is very hard, fluid, and elastic. It gives wood the appearance of a waxed floor and is ideal for natural or coloured oak. Vernice All’Acqua S49 AB is a special antibacterial lacquer with special UV resins (in conformity to ISO 22169:2007). Tests have revealed a high reduction (99.99%) of certain bacteria (escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus). This finish is therefore recommended for public areas such as offices, hospitals, and such like. Finally, the Ecoclass Anti-Blocking is a single component, water-based anti-bacterial product for industrial applications.

Ciranova Ciranova UV oils and lacquers have 100% solid elements. This means you can achieve maximum quality with minimum quantities. The three-dimensional drying of UV radiation also provides extra and prompt durability. Basically, it is possible to use the standard UV oil from Ciranova on all sorts of finish machines. Adaptations can be made, if necessary, to improve the application. This varies from machine to machine. Customised colouring is a particular benefit with UV oils because it offers such a wide range of possibilities. The system chosen, the look, and the durability help to determine how many coats are applied. Two coats of UV oil provide ideal protection: the first coat +/- 15g/m² and the second coat +/- 5g/m². with UV lacquer, up to seven coats are applied. The Debacure UV roller oil matt from Ciranova, a colourless UV oil, is the best-seller in the UV range. This UV oil has the matt and natural look which producers look for.

Floorservice Floorservice Profiline Industrial Oil UV is a two-layer system and consists of Profiline Industrial Primer UV and Profiline Industrial Top Oil UV. The UV-hardening Primer is suitable for all industrial production of parquet and wooden floorings, and can be applied on all regular oiling lines containing a UV drying tunnel. After finishing with Floorservice Profiline Industrial Top Oil UV a surface is created with the looks and feel of an oiled floor, but with the benefits of faster production and packaging. The fully dried surface is free of emissions of organic solvents and therefore safe for people and the environment. Floorservice Profiline Nature Protect UV Last year Floorservice introduced the invisible finishing product Nature Protect. Now this product, to create an unfinished look on wood, is available for industrial use and UV-hardening. The optimal composition of Floorservice Profiline Nature Protect UV makes easy appliance on an oiling line and perfect hardening in almost all types of UV drying tunnels possible. The additional maintenance product Nature Care is an unique product

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Special

UV lacquers and oils

that retains the ultra matte look of the wood in a very easy way. Even after heavy use of the floor.

ICA Group A UV-lacquered floor is much better equipped to cope with external mechanical, chemical, and physical forces than a floor with a traditional lacquer finish. The photochemical reactions generated by a UV lacquer ensure that this is the case. It is clear that the lacquer or varnish used and the machines used to apply it have to be perfectly in harmony. That’s why specifications such as viscosity and levelling are adapted to the machine here as well. ICA also offers waterborne UV products for application on site. In its range of UV finishes ICA has two top coats which provide outstanding protection and contain very few VOCs: the UV02200 series (based on acrylic) and the UVA5487 series (waterborne).

Lecol /Loba Lecol sells a UV lacquer from Loba (in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK), namely the LOBACURE WS Rush. The LOBACURE WS Rush is the new generation of finish products. This 1K waterborne UV lacquer is absolutely ideal for projects where the floor has to be used the next day (time is money!), such as in hotels, restaurants, public houses, shops, and such like where the finish has to be of top quality. The lacquer dries immediately thanks to a special machine with a UV lamp so that the floor is ready for use immediately. And so, there are no waiting times!

Loba For many years, Loba has concentrated on three fields of activity: waterborne lacquers and primers for manual application on site, waterborne and UV-based solutions for industrial applications, and premium care and maintenance products. For industrial applications the absolute best-sellers are the 100% UV varnishes and UV top coats. For UV application on site there

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is the LOBACURE WS Rush A.T. This is a waterborne UV varnish which ensures that the floor is fully ready for use immediately after application and drying (see also under Lecol).

Milesi UV oils are produced with stronger and harder resins and provide greater resistance to scouring and scratches or stains. Depending on the desired result, these resins can form a strong surface, which creates a protective film. These finishes are composed of acrylic resins (urethane, epoxy acrylic, and polyester acrylic) or unsaturated polyesters. Their strong points lie in the rapid drying time and the stronger wood protection, but the considerable saving in space through the use of more compact production lines is also a big plus for industrial users. In addition, these products are highly ecological as a result of the reduction (or exclusion) of solvent emissions. At Milesi these products now account for 15 to 20% of turnover. The best-sellers include a waterborne finish for parquet and staircase steps with high scouring resistance and a waterborne UV lacquer and a UV varnish for kitchens.

Pallmann UV lacquers don’t change the physical properties of the wood, certainly not the deflection. And so, producers of these lacquers don’t need to be concerned about resistance to chemical aggression, dirt, and scratch-resistance because these lacquers are already highly resistant to those elements. Pallmann doesn’t have any UV lacquers for industrial application. Pallmann has the Pallmann X-Light system, a solvent and ozone-free system mobile drying of UV lacquer on site. This system consists of a dual component primer X-Light Aquabase, a single component lacquer X-Light Coat, and the X-Light Mobil, which has been developed specially for drying this lacquer. The treatment results in strong protection and it is possible to walk on the floor at once.

Rubio Monocoat Rubio Monocoat Oil UV R2 gives the wood durable protection in any case. The extent to which the oil has an extra impact depends mainly on the fibre structure and the strength of the wood itself. This oil doesn’t give the wood an extra coat, but binds

itself to the top wood fibres. Specifically, this means that if a surface is treated with RMC Oil UV R2, the oil ‘bounces’ with the surface if a hard object falls onto the floor. RMC Oil UV R2 cures via Photoinitiators, whilst the RMC Oil Plus (the manually applied variant) works via an oxidative process. The typical general characteristics of RMC oil, such as colouring and protection in one coat, the easy maintenance, and such like remain unchanged. And so, it is mainly the way in which the RMC UV oil is applied (via a UV line) and the curing process (faster due to Photo-initiation) which makes the difference. At the moment, the RMC Oil UV R2 already accounts for a high share of the turnover. Since the pre-finish segment is advancing in general, the assumption is that this product is likely to become even more important.

designed for application by spraying or using roller machines. They are applied in two coats for maximum chemical protection. WOCA provides oils solely for industrial applications, a segment which is growing considerably. The top product is the UV Oil 508 Natural, which combines a natural colour and a low gloss.

Decorad

WOCA WOCA UV oil strengthens the floor by providing greater chemical protection as compared to that of traditional (oxidative) oils. The difference lies partly in the high volume of acrylic components and photo-initiators in the UV oil. This speeds up the drying time considerably and raises the capacity. These oils are

WOCA

Rapid renovation of wooden dance floor on cruise ship using UV. A high-traffic wooden dance floor on a cruise ship has been completely renovated in two days and was ready for use immediately. On the first day, the workers sanded the floor and applied the primer. On the second day, they applied three coats of UV lacquer and they UV-cured immediately. The treatment was done using a UV-curable coating specially for parquet floors. They achieved a good industrial quality finish through the use of the UV coating in combination with the mobile DecoRad® UV apparatus. The floor owner hardly experienced any inconvenience at all. The workers found an innovative method of generating more work by offering this concept to floor owners.

NEW

NEUTRAL OIL AND CARE The invisible look

Neutral Oil and Neutral Oil Care, for the natural ”invisible” look WOCA Neutral Oil is a professional floor finish. The oil ensures protection of the surface while still giving the neutral ”invisible” look of raw wood. • Invisible look – gives the floor a neutral “invisible” look, as newly sanded wood and is daylight colour stable • Fast drying – very fast drying, all in one day application • Ecological – the oil is waterbased and very ecological • Solvent free – contains less than 1% VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)

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

Special

Producers of elastic adhesives

ELASTIC ADHESIVE AS A SAFE SOLUTION COMBINATIONS OF SOUND TECHNOLOGY SCORE HIGHLY

Photo – Pallmann

When we enter the realm of ‘ fully glued parquet’, we step into the most sensitive area of the floor fitter’s trade. Moreover, it’s also the area where floor fitters have depended most of all for many decades on the input of ‘third parties’, namely chemical producers who are searching constantly for better adhesive solutions. Mixing a little of the good of all products together doesn’t always yield the best formula, yet adhesive technology has made great strides with so called combinations (hybrids).

A host of technology The TKB 1, which was prepared by the German Technical Commission on Construction Adhesives and issued in 2007, gives a list of the different sorts of adhesives which are suitable for glueing wooden floors. What a long list it is! The TKB concludes the chapter on adhesives by answering the following question: ‘How do you choose an adhesive for parquet?’ The fact is that there are so many technical and legal aspects which need to be considered in order to make the correct choice. Here’a a bird’s-eye view.

Technical and legal The technical suitability of a parquet glue is determined partly by the type of parquet (structure, dimensions, and surface treatment), the type of wood (wood moisture content and swell coefficient), the subfloor, and the (long-term) conditions of the room where the floor is fitted. For legal purposes the TKB 1 refers to the (German) Ordinance on Hazardous Substances (‘Gefahrstoffverordnung’). Employers have to look for products with the lowest risks. Solvent-based polyurethane glues and some (reactive) powder emulsion adhesives are subjected to mandatory labelling and contain substances which must be replaced.

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Some emulsion adhesives, light PUR adhesives, silane adhesives, and silane-based adhesives are not subject to those requirements and are preferable from a legal point of view.

Adhesive technology Similarly, from a glueing perspective, there are some parameters of the parquet floor which have to be considered, namely: - Sizes of the floorboards: In particular, the thickness/width ratio, which affects the extent of swelling when the wood comes into contact with water or solvents, but which is also important for the dimensional stability of the floorboard with fluctuating moisture, also has to be considered. - The structure of the floorboard: Possible warping and dimensional stability are also affected by the structure of the floor and differences when it comes to a solid wood floor or a multi-layer floor. - Wood moisture content: The coefficient of the typical wood moisture content and the swelling differential help to determine the speed at which, and the extent to which, the wood can/will warp. - The finish: The end treatment obviously helps to determine the extent to which the wood absorbs moisture. The supply of water and/or solvents has to be kept within acceptable limits. Sealed parquet floorboards (varnished) are optically more sensitive than oiled parquet floorboards.

The elastic concept The elasticity of an adhesive largely determines how it will respond to the ‘forces’ of a wooden floorboard and the substrate (as specified above). Let’s briefly summarise the difference between plastic and elastic.

Elasticity The elasticity of a material indicates the extent to which a material exerts an opposing force (so called resilience) when it is deformed elastically (i.e. not permanently) or the extent to which a material is deformed through the application of some external pressure. And so, a material is said to be elastic if it returns to its original shape when there is no more external force. Rubber is an example of a very elastic material. ‘Resilience’ is the mechanical force with which the material tries to regain its original shape after being deformed.

Plasticity Plastic or ductile warping or deformation is also a term from material engineering which says something about the behaviour of a material if force is exerted upon it. A material can be deformed plastically if, for example, compressive or tensile force is exerted upon it. In contrast to elastic deformation (see above) plastic deformation means that the deformation is not reversed when the exerted force is removed. Plastic deformation often goes together with elastic deformation. In that case only part of the deformation remains after the removal of the force. The maximum pressure which a construction element can bear without plastic deformation is called the elasticity limit or the yield point.

Technology at a crossroads Depending on the conditions (type of parquet, type of wood, and surrounds), different forms of technology are more or less suitable for glueing. In recent years, it seems as though researchers have achieved the best (safest) solutions using technological combinations. They’ve

been taking the best of what is good, or, in other words, creating hybrids. Forms of adhesive technology which are frequently under the spotlight are PU, epoxy, and silane; combinations of these have resulted in the ‘new generation adhesives’. Let’s consider them briefly.

Polyurethane The properties of polyurethane adhesive arise from the composition of the substance. PU is a co-polymer which consists of hard and soft segments. These segments are created by the reaction of urethane and isocyanate, form a long chain, and take turns with each other. The hard segments tend to crystallise and form a hard material. The soft segments, left to their own devices, would form a syrupy liquid. The combination of both segments ensures that the best properties from both segments bind together. That’s why PU adhesive is very strong, yet still elastic.

Epoxy Epoxy glue is a dual component adhesive based on epoxy and is used for several applications such as in industry, in the home, and in aircraft model construction. It can be applied as a coating, but also in combination with glass fibres. Epoxy glue is also used a lot for repairs together with a solid substance such as a filler. A hardener is added to the epoxy to create a strong adhesive bond.

Silane Silane adhesive technology was used for the first time in Japan, a country where earthquakes ranging from light tremors to woeful severe disasters are everyday risks. It was there that silane technology was first applied

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STAUF Klebstoffwerk GmbH . Oberhausener Straße 1 . 57234 Wilnsdorf, Germany . www.stauf.de

Special

Producers of elastic adhesives

in construction. The Japanese chemical giant Kaneka has developed an ‘ingredient’ which could improve the flexibility and impact strength of glue considerably. Adhesive producers from all over the world have been able to buy a licence and use so called MS polymers in the development of their adhesives. MS polymers and silane adhesives generally have already been used in shipbuilding where adhesives are also subjected to special demands as regards elasticity and moisture resistance.

Combinations on the market Adesiv Adesiv believes that the main point for attention with elastic glues (polyurethane, hybrids, and silane) is still the fact that they are single components which don’t need a catalyst and set on the basis of air humidity, so a clean environment is necessary. Adesiv offers a 1-component adhesive (not labelled) and two 1-component silane adhesives based on the Kaneka MS polymer. The WB Mono MS is a single component adhesive specially for glueing pre-engineered wooden floors on concrete substrates or on existing non-absorbent floors (marble, tiles, Palladian, wooden substrates). Adesiv recommends the WB Mono MS-LE for engineered floors. WB Mono S is seen as a ‘universal glue’. Both glues have differing elasticity. They are sold in a 15kg bucket, a 600ml ‘sausage’ pack, and 290ml cartridges.

Chimiver Chimiver offers Unisil, an adhesive based on MS technology. This flexible an elastic adhesive is a ready to use product. UNISIL is a prepolymer based, single-component adhesive with a silanic termination (MS technology), totally free of water, solvents, amines, tin, isocyanates and epoxy resins. It hardens with atmospheric humidity and becomes resistant to water, temperature and ageing in approx. 36-48 hours. Recommended for gluing prefinished parquet onto marble, grit, tiles, ceramic or marble-chip floor, etc. Also suitable for gluing parquet onto underfloor heating and cooling system. CERTIFICATES: EC1R; ATTESTATION CCA Environmentally Compatible Product (Certificate issued by Department BEST - Politecnico of Milan CCA Registration No. 201216); Sound Reduction (CSI Test Report No. 0056/ DC/ACU/06); Heat conductivity (CSI Test Report No. 0020/DC/TTS/06). Unisil is available in buckets, sausages and cartridges. In addition to Unisil, Chimiver has also Adesiver Elastic which, as Unisil, is EC1 very low emissions certified adhesive. Both adhesives can contribute to the achievement of QI CREDIT 4.1 according to the parameters of the GEV dated 03 March 2009, because they meet the certification LEED protocol (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

Emfi Emfiparquet presents both PU and hybrid adhesives. We give one example of both. Emfiparquet PU Mono R800 is a 1-component

Emfiparquet Pro Plus

ECOLOGY/PERFORMANCE Parquet adhesive Based on silane terminated polymers. Approved for the fullsurface adhesive bonding of all types of parquet and in very large sizes: 15 x 160 mm, 20 x 180 mm, 20 x 200 mm.

OUR APPLICATION ADVANTAGES OUR ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS • In adequacy with the environmental standards in force. • Not aggressive for varnish. • Very low VOC* emission. • Very low odour. • Classified A+. • Classified EC1 Plus R. * Volatile organic compounds

• Excellent shelf life, minimum wastage. • Keeps perfectly good lines. • Use of advanced technology. • Easy to apply. • FCBA certificate. • Remains flexible after polymerization. • Suitable for laying on heated floors, in bathrooms, etc. • Fast curing time. • Improve the acoustic comfort of parquets. • Excellent resistance to humidity and heat.

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EMFI HEAD OFFICE - 3 rue Ettore Bugatti - CS 40030 - 67501 Haguenau Cedex - FRANCE Tél. +33 (0)3 88 90 60 00 Fax +33 (0)3 88 73 48 38 - Internet : www.emfi.com - E-mail : emfi@emfi.com

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Pallmann Pallmann presents its single component STP adhesive Pallmann P5. This glue combines the elasticity of a polyurethane adhesive and the benefits of state-ofthe-art STP technology. The glue is very easy to apply without any risk of swelling, since it doesn’t contain any water.

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Pioneering hybrid timber & wood flooring adhesives Soudal is a genuine Belgian family company, which after more than 45 years is still being managed by its founder Vic Swerts. Soudal’s continuous investments in Research & Development result in a permanently innovative range of products which meet the latest market requirements and offer the professional floor installers the quality and performance which is their due. With the new hybrid timber & wood flooring adhesives MS®-20 Plus, MS-30® Plus and SMX-30, improved performance with regards to end strength, open time, strength build-up and emission is obtained. They all have the best possible Emicode, EC-1 Plus, and therefore also meet the increasing demand for improved Indoor Air Quality. y

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Wakol MS 260 is a hard-elastic parquet adhesive, which is suitable for glueing mosaic parquet, end grain blocks, 22mm parquet, multi-layer parquet, solid parquet (up to a maximum of 18cm wide and oak up to a maximum of 20cm wide), cross-cut RE/WE, and flat cork floor covering on absorbent and non-absorbent substrates. WAKOL MS 260 conforms to DIN EN 14 293. WAKOL MS 230 is an MS polymer adhesive for the full glueing of Multi-layer parquet with tongue and groove. WAKOL MS 290 parquet glue combines the impact strength of a 2K PU adhesive and the strong spreading properties of a 1K MS adhesive. Due to its high internal solidity, the system offers the greatest possible security against the formation of joints. It is possible to use WAKOL MS 290 parquet adhesive to glue all sorts of parquet and wood as well as flat cork floor coverings and ready-for-fitting cork with MS technology. Interactions with lacquers are excluded because the adhesive does not contain softeners, so a migration of elements from the adhesive is thereby impossible.

Soudal

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Lecol /Wakol

Stauf offers several solutions in all sorts of elastic adhesives. The PUK 450 is a hard-elastic polyurethane adhesive for glueing wooden floors. This is a ready-for-use premium product which is suitable for glueing all sorts of solid wood planks. Damage to the subfloor or finish caused by softeners is excluded. The PUK 450 contains no water or solvents and bears the Emicode EC1-R (very low emissions). Amongst the hard-elastic glues we also find the following: SPU 545, SPU 570, and PUK 445. The Stauf SMP 930 is a soft-elastic glue. With the SPU 460 and the SMP 950, Stauf offers a range of adhesives which combine the proven safety and benefits of a single component PU adhesive with the benefits of silane technology (SMP), especially in the area of safety at work. This adhesive makes it possible to glue all sorts of wooden floors, including the most demanding types.

Kerakoll offers the ecological SLC Eco L34 line, which is not harmful to human health. This line consists of the 2-component PU adhesives with epoxy setting system: SLC Eco L34 (ECO2), SLC Eco L34 Neutra (Eco3), and SLC L34 Plus (Eco4). You can use the L34 adhesive to glue all sorts of parquet onto all sorts of substrates. The SLC Eco L34 Flex is a 1-component adhesive with no solvents and very low emissions of VOC. This adhesive offers a perfect balance between adhesive strength, strength, and elasticity, something which is important for safely fitting multi-layer and solid parquet onto any substrate.

Stauf

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Kerakoll

Pallmann P5 is suitable for just about all sorts of wooden floors, including exotic wood sorts and does not contain solvents. Pallmann P5 has an excellent filling capacity and a long open time. Adhesive residue can be removed easily.

parquet glue based on polyurethane which sets through contact with the air humidity. The EC1 grading ensures a very low emission of volatile organic compounds. This glue has been developed specially for full-surface glueing of solid or multi-layer parquet, lacquered or pre-lacquered, and in all wood sorts. Emfi also presents the Emfiparquet Pro+, a parquet glue which is based on silanated polymers and is suitable for the full glueing of all types of parquet. Plentiful research and development means that Emfiparquet Pro+ meets the strictest environmental standards. This adhesive contains no solvents, no silicones, and no isocyanates. It is suitable for glueing very wide floorboards in oak. It sticks quickly and is very easy to apply. The Emfiparquet Pro+ is a 1-component glue.

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Tover According to the ISO 171782013 norm an adhesive for parquet is considered elastic if it combines the three following characteristics: shear strength superior to 1,0 N/mm², shear elongation superior to 1 and tensile strength superior to 1,00 N/mm². To comply with the previous norm (UNI EN 14293:2006) was easier as the shear strength necessary was 0,5 N/mm². No problem for Tover elastic adhesives: Tovcol PU2C (two-component polyurethane glue) and Tovcol MS (single component MS polymer glue) are over 1,5 N/mm². Both adhesives are strong enough to be used with any species on any sub-floors and with an elongation superior to 2 they enable a secure laying on underfloor heating and cooling systems of boards of large dimensions. Tover is now launching on all the markets a new 100% MS polymer elastic adhesive: Tovcol MS Start. Isocyanate and solvent free, the adhesive is suitable for multi-layers prefinished wooden floors.

Floor Forum International 70

Special

Producers of veneer wooden floors

FRUGAL WITH WOOD AND YET DAZZLING NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH VENEER FLOORS

Photo – Europlac

There was a time when people somewhat scornfully used the expression ‘sticky wood’. Actually, that’s not surprising, because in the final analysis that’s what veneer is. The technique of veneering means that you apply a wafer-thin layer of wood to a certain (wooden) base to create the effect of a solid wooden plank. This technique has been used in the furniture industry for centuries for two diverse reasons: firstly, to give the impression of a qualitative piece of furniture at an affordable price and, secondly, as a form of decoration, since veneer does make it possible to create diverse patterns, sometimes with different sorts of wood. Today, veneer has found a place in the world of flooring and is more than holding its own.

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Visually no difference Those who claim that they can distinguish between veneer flooring and other wood sorts ‘with the naked eye’ are simply boasting. To the naked eye there is not a scrap of difference between veneer floors and other sorts of wooden flooring. The entire surface gives the appearance of solid wood. Depending on the type of floor, underneath you will find either even more solid wood (fully solid parquet), somewhat less solid wood (with multi-layer), or a base composed of wood. With laminate we get a photograph of a wood decor which has been glued onto such a wooden base. With veneer the technique is exactly the same, except that instead of a paper photograph we have a millimetre-thin layer of real wood. Connoisseurs do recognise that difference, even though laminate manufacturers do succeed in keeping that

difference between real and imitation to a minimum. We will see below that the limited quantity of wood (for the top layer) has more advantages than drawbacks from both a decorative and mechanical point of view.

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Photo – Europlac

Mechanically speaking For a long time, veneer wood was ‘stuck’ with a certain connotation. You can say that again, because this was largely due to the adhesives which were used in those days in the furniture industry. Apart from the sometimes artistic design (symmetry) of the wood, you could recognise an old veneer cupboard or an old lounge table mainly by the joints where the strips of veneer came together and which, sadly, often came loose. This wood was usually treated with beeswax. This offered solid protection against stains and such like, but it wasn’t ready in those days to be walked on. The fact that veneer can now be deployed in floor covering is down to the technological advancement in the chemical industry. The ‘ailments’ of bygone days have been remedied.

The base The so called ‘base’ onto which veneer for furniture was stuck was usually either cheaper wood (e.g. oak on pine) or composite wood such as triplex or multiplex. In both cases we are talking about bases with a rather minimal density. Cheaper (coniferous) wood sorts are rather soft, so if they are also used for the composite bases (e.g. with triplex), then those bases are also soft. ‘Soft’ in this context also means ‘impressionable’. There was never any reason to create a hard surface for furniture because the mechanical load never justified it. The ‘discovery’ of HDF has changed everything. High Density Fibre is the result of a high-tech process (however obvious it may seem to us nowadays) in which wood fibres are pressed together to form a panel of high density (compressive strength). The result of this is that the base for veneer can ‘barely’ be pressed in at all so it now has high compressive strength against any mechanical impact such as falling objects or stiletto heels. This is where the ‘slenderness’ of the veneer layer shows its benefit. Even the hardest wood sort is more or less impressionable. The thinner the layer, the less the impression. Let’s repeat the classic test: If you put a sheet of paper onto a solid wood table top, you can make a hole in that sheet using a ball point pen; yet, if you do the same on an HDF panel, you won’t be able to make a hole.

solid

parquet

engineered veneer

parquet

20 000 km d'economie europlac

tel. 0033(0)546046688 info@europlac.eu www.europlac.eu

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Special

Producers of veneer wooden floors

A stage for UV! Veneer floors are protected from above in the same way as laminate floors. Up to seven strong coats of varnish provide an ultra-strong top layer to ensure high resistance to scratches and stains. The structure of the varnish coats is sophisticated and the result of high-tech research. The breakthrough of UV curing plays an extremely important part here. Just as UV has had a beneficial impact on laminate production, so, too, it has had a beneficial effect on veneer floors. Elsewhere in this edition we discuss the mechanical qualities of coatings dried using UV light. There we see that it’s not only the drying technique itself, but also the composition of the varnishes used (resins and photo-initiators) which has a huge influence on the quality (read: strength) of the coats of varnish. Amongst other things, the use of ceramic materials and the fact that there are no solvents or water also help considerably. The number of coats of varnish and the grammes of varnish applied per applied coat together determine the quality of the top coating.

Decorative trends Until a few years ago, we stated quite frankly that veneer floors follow the same trends as those which emerge with parquet. This is still the case, but there is a ‘but’.

Tropical wood About a decade ago, there was a revolution on the solid wood market with the supply of tropical and exotic wood sorts. That revolution proved to be short-lived and due to a growing ecological awareness amongst consumers (and governments), combined with the unyielding stubbornness of oak, the ‘tropics’ disappeared just as quickly as they had arrived. ‘Tropical’ became synonymous with ‘unaffordable’ and socially ‘irresponsible’. Those arguments simply won’t wash for veneer. Veneer is very frugal in its wood consumption, so it is also still both affordable and ecological for tropical sorts.

and Exquisite Exotics (11). In distressed designs Par-ky presents Rustic Manhattan Oak, Rustic Ivory Oak, and Rustic Desert Oak. For 2015, they have announced a sawn design. The floors are in durability class 23/31 and have a standard guarantee of 12 or 15 years, depending on the finish. Decospan launches new Par-ky products each year. There is a clear trend towards natural products such as rustic floors and light colours.

Europlac

Fitting patterns As we have already said, whatever is under the top layer is out of sight. In the words of another proverb, old fitting patterns are coming back. Decorative aspects come into their own with veneer floors. Fitting patterns which are associated with solid wood are not a problem. A striking example is ‘end grain blocks’. Although we associate them with upright blocks of at least 18mm, it is also possible in veneer, as it is with mosaic patterns and brick bond. Another nice consideration is that these patterns are achieved during the production process. This means that we are not limited by the demand of great expertise on the part of the floor fitter to achieve such designs and fitting patterns. What is becoming harder in veneer is to follow certain distressed trends for which the use of tannic acid or the application of deeper wood structures are required.

Par-ky Each Par-ky plank is finished with a layer of veneer wood. This is why the floors look like solid parquet. And so, at Par-ky, just as in the wild, you never find two identical planks. Moreover, the wood also has a pleasant warm feel. Par-ky veneer floors have a top layer of 0.6mm in accordance with the DSI principle (Double Sided Impregnation). There are two variants in structure: HDF with two layers of veneer wood or HDF with two layers of veneer wood and a bottom layer of 2mm of cork to provide insulation and improve the acoustics. The trademark offers 72 references in different wood sorts: Trendy Oak (10), Contemporary Classics (4),

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At Europlac they deploy a top layer of 0.6mm of veneer wood. This is applied to an HDF base and fitted with a Uniclic® profile. The planks are available in three sizes and two widths (150 and 195mm). As regards decors, Europlac offers mainly oak in 15 different shades and varnished or oiled. There is also zebrano, wenge or teak. The abrasion resistance for both oiled and varnished floors is the same as with multi-layer parquet. Resistance to stains is greater with varnished floors than with oiled floors. Although these floors cannot be re-sandpapered, Europlac does suggest that its floors have an average lifespan of 25 years.

Special

Producers of profiles

PROFILES – ONCE AGAIN A ‘SPECIALITY’ HERE, TOO, DESIGN GETS THE UPPER HAND

Photo – FN Neuhofer

Everyone knows that design has been dominating interior trends in recent times. This expresses itself in all aspects of interior design, residential trends, or the design of commercial premises. Everything is becoming design, be it furniture, colours, floors, or decoration. Those little details in the interior have not escaped this trend. In the case of skirting boards this is fairly simple to illustrate by means of the materials and colours used, since skirting boards are a visibly present construction element. In the case of (technical) profiles this is not so immediately in evidence, yet this trend is catching on here as well. Logically, new profiles for LVT are emerging everywhere.

Decoration is priority There is design in floors, so there’s design in skirting boards and profiles. As far as profiles are concerned, this expresses itself in both the choice of materials and in ‘decors’. Here, too, the rule applies that profiles have to follow development both decoratively and technically (see below).

Materials In terms of materials it’s the metal variants which are on the march. This is also true for skirting boards and other accessories. Profiles in aluminium or in other metals which have a hype metal look are all the rage. Furthermore, HDF profiles are also extremely popular partly due

to their excellent mechanical qualities (hardness/impressionability/ durability), but partly also due to the endless range of colours.

Appearance An important development, not to say a ‘milestone’, has been the emergence of digital print technology. As a number of big producers have rightly said, it is now possible for the first time ever to give profiles a 3D structure (such as wood grains and patterns) on every material imaginable e.g. paper, plastic, or metal. Moreover, profiles can be offered in all sorts of gloss. That’s another step forward!

Technical topics A number of aspects typical of profiles are moving with trends in the flooring world. These include multifunctionality, fastening systems, technical objectives, and durability.

Multifunctionality Producers can’t entirely agree on this, but some of them regard multifunctional profiles as completely up-to-date because they reduce ‘mistakes’ in the user’s head. The chance of buying the wrong profile is certainly less, but that would appear to apply less to professionals (at least we hope so!). Other producers are indicating more that profiles are once again becoming extremely specialised; there is a specific profile for every application.

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Producers of profiles

Fastening As far as the preferred fastening method goes, there is also no unanimity. According to some traders, this even depends on the country or, more specifically, the region. Nevertheless, in the range we have noticed a strong increase in glued profiles or profiles fitted with an integrated self-adhesive strip. The vast improvements in adhesive technology (glue connection versus mechanical connection) certainly accounts for this in part. One producer has noticed a growing preference for adhesive or self-adhesive profiles in the residential market (read: DIY), whilst in projects and commercial applications it’s a screwed fastening which gets the vote.

Corner profiles Corner profiles are for use with convector wells, doormats, or stairs.

Threshold profiles Threshold profiles are used to bridge two floors of different heights e.g. from a laminate to a PVC floor.

The functions Functions correspond to floor development. Increasingly thinner floor coverings (certainly in renovation) mean that the heights to be bridged by threshold and expansion profiles are getting smaller and smaller. Below we explain the different functions briefly.

End profiles End profiles are for use with convector wells, doormats, or stairs. An end profile envelops the wood, even on the underside.

Durability It is clear that profiles have to survive the floor. In recent years, the strength, wear-resistance, abrasion resistance, and, in short, the durability of the profiles has increased considerably. According to some manufacturers, the profile is usually stronger and more durable than the floor itself. This shows that people have a high estimation of the technical importance of these profiles and that they are no longer just low interest accessories.

LVT steals innovations Together with the objective of the profiles and developments in the field of flooring (thinner!), we are seeing how, with various producers, the most important innovations are to be found in the flexible flooring market with a strong lead for both glued vinyl floors and LVT floors fitted with a click system.

Sorts of profiles in brief Below we outline the most important profiles (source: Plintenshop). Expansion profiles Expansion profiles are used with thresholds onto other floors at the same height. Expansion profiles or cover profiles give floors space to swell and shrink.

Stair profiles These profiles are deployed for staircase steps which have to be furnished again with laminate, parquet, or PVC floor covering. There are various strips available to finish the nosing. These can easily be sawn to measure and fitted onto the stairs. They also serve as anti-slip items. These profiles can be supplied for wood, laminate, PVC, vinyl, and such like. Wooden profiles These profiles are surrounded by a durable wooden foil. They can be supplied in various colours. They are of good quality.

A selection from the market range Dural GmbH & Co Design Profiles for Design Surfacing/LVT floorings: Dural offers a Comprehensive “All-Round” Range of Surfacing Products for “Trendy” Floor Designs. The popularity of design surfacing/LVT has risen impressively over the

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past few years and its market share has undergone exponential growth. Keeping its feet firmly on the ground in light of this amazing success, the Westerwald based German manufacturer Dural offers an astoundingly large “all-round” range, a top quality collection of profiles which are perfect for connections and endings, transitions, edging, skirting and even extra safety. Ultimately, every design surface also has a border or end which will need to be edged or secured to leave an attractive finish. And regardless of where it is installed - on a surface or stairway, as a transition to parquet flooring, carpeted or tiled areas, or as a bevelled edge or skirting - an elegant profile also never fails to highlight the valuable impression of these modern surfaces. Hence Dural supplies this state-of-the-art “flooring material” in an extensive selection of aesthetically pleasing metal variants with fine surface finishes.

important. The FN Sixpack in aluminium or HDF is a good illustration of that. This profile makes it possible to convert reduction profiles or T-profiles to end profiles. This is possible with an end piece which is supplied in the packet. This profile is a solution for all floors, partly due to its flat structure. In terms of fitting, adhesive enjoys the upper hand. An important challenge on the market are thinner floors, and therefore profiles, a segment in which Neuhofer is working, of 2mm for glued floors and 5mm for floating floors. The chief innovations can also be found in LVT. Decoratively, the technique of embossing is important whereby MDF profiles are converted into structured profiles. All structures are possible here.

Tecnorivest Italian company Tecnorivest is a family owned company established in 1993 and specialized in manufacturing high quality wooden veneered profiles. Tecnorivest distinguishes itself by its choice to cover profiles with a sole slice of veneer, so that their surface will not show any unaesthetic joint but only

Küberit At Küberit they have seen the emergence of lots of new profiles mainly with glued vinyl and click vinyl. The range is particular wide for floating fitting of LVT, laminate, and parquet, and there is still a big demand for multifunctional profiles. Earlier this year, specially for LVT, Küberit launched a new profile, namely the PPS Champion Star. As regards the preference in fastening, they do notice certain regional differences with a preference in the residential sector for glueing, whilst screwing takes the preference in the project sector. Küberit is working on innovations for both profiles and skirting boards. The aforementioned PPS Champion Star is such an innovation for LVT floors from 4 to 9.5mm and for carpets from 5 to 12mm. The latest innovation is a corner profile for LVT (5mm) for the floor/wall connection.

Neuhofer Holz GmbH Neuhofer has witnessed a strong increase in ‘design’, even in profiles. From a technical point of view, multifunctional profiles are still

the beautiful natural wood grains. The Tecnorivest range of profiles for interiors includes skirting boards and product and profiles for doors: casings and doorjambs, glass strips, edge protectors, angle bars, frames. The wide range of products are available in many dimensions and veneers and are constantly updated. Deliveries are quick, even for small quantities. Tecnorivest can also manufacture personalized profiles for its customers. Tecnorivest were among the first to produce UV water based coating for the profiles range and uses low environmental impact paints only. The water based coatings are used for both clear or stained finishing and from “oiled” to glossy effect.

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Producers of profiles

Profilitec At Profilitec the trend is driven on the one hand by design and on the other hand by profiles which are handy in daily use. The company strives to create profiles which give floors and walls an attractive finish and at the same time are accessories for an attractive living room. As regards fastening systems, they are seeing mainly combinations. There is a specific profile for each type of floor, with due regard for the thickness of the floor. As regards durability, they deploy the motto that a profile has to be just as durable as the floor itself . The company is constantly working on the development of innovations. The latest product is a design and function profile which can be used as a decorative vertical frame and as a hanger in the living room.

Profilpas At Profilpas they are entering a new era with profiles geared to design, modern finishes, integration of LED light technology, integration of profiles and shower systems, and the removal of thresholds in the bathroom. Multifunctional profiles are still very much in fashion here because they are a help to users and mean a reduction in stock for retailers. Raw materials are selected on the basis of an endeavour to increase durability considerably. Here, too, digital printing has brought about an important development. As a result, it is possible to supply the market with profiles and skirting boards with any decor whatsoever. The latest innovations from Profilpas have been launched in Bologna: the Iceberg Collection and the Profilpas LEDs are part of the family of light profiles to give the room a special atmosphere.

Proline The latest trend in profiles at Proline is the harmony in colour between the profile and the floor. As far as the fastening method goes,

they are increasingly seeing glued profiles, but it is also noticeable that professionals prefer a screwed fastening. Here, too, they are convinced that there is a profile for each specific problem. There will be a specific profile to provide a solution to each problem, depending on the type of floor. By using thicker and harder materials in the production of profiles, producers are achieving a longer lifespan, something which is essential nowadays.

Parkettfreund Nowadays, the flooring trend is towards vinyl and design floorings. People more and more prefer thinner floorings and therefore need profiles which are perfectly suitable and as modern as this kind of floor. In order to adapt to the steadily-changing market demands, Parkettfreund has the unique answer: Premium Click V â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the innovative click profile for design floorings. Together with its thin optic, the Premium Click V responds to both the modern design as well as the popular version of profiles to click. The elegant and discreet look revaluates every kind of vinyl and laminate ranging from 4-7.5mm and is a perfect alternative to grooved profile surfaces. Besides profiles to click, Parkettfreund is, as leading complete supplier of flooring accessories, also able to provide innovative screwing solutions. Based on the multiply-awarded Combi technology and due to the increasing demand for prefabricated corners and crosses, Parkettfreund does now offer external and internal corners as well as 360Â° crosses. These accessories are available for the screwing systems Combi, Combi Maxx, Twin and Twin Small. The good quality of Parkettfreund profiles is constantly being proofed and confirmed by certifications but also by the outstanding customer feedback. For all these reasons, Parkettfreund is your perfect partner for receiving all products for floor coverings out of one hand.

naturali venature

via del lavoro, 7 | 60010 Casine di Ostra (AN) Italia T +39 071688654-688669 | www.tecnorivest.com | info@tecnorivest.com

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15/07/13 10.58

Special

Producers of Hungarian point and Herringbone parquet

OLD PATTERNS ARE DOING WELL HERRINGBONE AND HUNGARIAN POINT ARE ON THE MARCH

Photo – FB Hout

It looks like something from grandma’s day, and it is, of course. Or even older! Herringbone and Hungarian point have been in existence for centuries and have often formed the patterns to make panel floors such as Versailles or Chantilly. Strictly speaking, these patterns are just two of the countless ways of fitting strip parquet. After all, apart from these, there’s also brick bond, mosaic, English bond, interlocked block, and so on. What herringbone and Hungarian point have in common is that they break through the consistently linear structure of the room because the strips are fitted diagonally within the pattern. This creates a highly vivid effect. There’s solid wood from bygone days, that’s clear enough, but nowadays they’re also available in multi-layer parquet.

Trends – general and particular Some people think that the emergence of old fitting patterns is a harking back to the past which is fuelled by strong feelings of nostalgia, but the facts seem to prove otherwise. We don’t hark back from our world to those good old days; we reinterpret permanent fixtures from those days. We use highlights which have proved their worth over the centuries and give them a modern framework. That’s something completely different. No, we don’t fit old coal fires or wood burners any more. We buy a built-in hearth with a highly sophisticated system of heat recovery so that we can combine that cosiness of the hearth with modern and ecological energy technology. Old floor fitting patterns (not just parquet) are making their way into modern interiors.

In all types of floors Herringbone and Hungarian point are also appearing in other types of floors. This shows that it’s not just a question of grandma’s wonderfully polished oak floor, but also simply the frivolity and vitality of the movement which wooden blocks create when fitted in this way. Everyone

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offers these patterns, be it in solid wood strips, multi-layer, or veneer floors. Moreover, virtually all laminate producers have the patterns in their assortments. Simply because it works. And, without swearing by it, we’d be surprised if there were no vinyl or PVC floors which have been given these unique patterns.

Not just distressed Whilst we regard ‘distressed’ as one of the permanent finishes with parquet, this is not so self-explanatory for old fitting patterns. From our enquiries we noticed that distressed designs tend to be in the minority. Strange, isn’t it? This shows mainly that it’s not about the nostalgia, but the design. These floors take their place in all interiors and, in a modern setting, preferably not in a distressed (ancient) version.

Multi-layer on the march Herringbone and Hungarian point have also made their entrance in the multi-layer floor segment. The reason for this is quite obvious; multi-layer can apply its big strong points to these fitting patterns, too: speedy fitting, dust-free fitting, often completely finished, and in smaller construction heights, and this often makes them more suitable for renovation. Strictly speaking, there’s no good reason not to opt for multi-layer. Producers also offer both solid wood and two or threelayer floors. Yet many producers are still rather ‘hesitant’ to mention the entry of these fitting patterns in multi-layer floors. Solid wood has the upper hand. The explanation is that lots of clients who choose such floors also opt immediately for a classic fitting, a (more than) lifelong lifespan, and infinite renovation possibilities.

Something for the expert An English producer has pointed out acutely to us that even a painter or plumber can fit parquet nowadays. He was probably referring to

Floor Forum International 70

multi-layer floating wooden floors. He’s right, of course. Fitting a floating floor is within the capacity of the DIY specialist, although we still insist that the perfect finish still requires expertise. In that producer’s view, it’s only with Hungarian point and herringbone (and other classical fitting methods) that the expert can really stand out. Let’s be honest: In the set tests which we’ve witnessed during various parquet competitions, we’ve seldom seen a basic, straight strip floor. Old fitting patterns are an acid test for the real expert, the chance to make the difference. The fact that these patterns often consist of 6.2mm traditional parquet or 9mm Burgundy already means there is a need for the old expertise. Apart from the fact that it’s about the traditional fitting, the preparation requires a lot of attention and, above all, measuring the room to ensure a balanced spread. A number of manufacturers recommend laying out the floor loosely first of all in order to adapt it neatly to the room.

aesthetic aspect of the floor. Albers/Habo always calculates the correct width of the Hungarian point lanes for its clients, depending on the dimensions of the room in which it will be fitted. This means that the lanes are always perfectly lined up in relation to the entire width and length of the room. The Hungarian point can be fitted at angles of either 45° or 60°. For a nice rigid effect the Hungarian point is sometimes finished with a modern plinth or U-joint. Hungarian point and herringbone can be produced in any wood sort. However, about 90% of orders here are in French oak. The exotic wood sorts which are most in demand are American walnut, wenge, and padauk. Albers/Habo offers these patterns both in solid wood 6.3m and 9mm and in two-layer 13mm and 18mm. A wide range of dimensions is possible in solid wood, whilst in multi-layer they have only large sizes.

What’s on the market?

BJ Parket

Albers /Habo In recent year, Albers/Habo has produced and supplied considerably more Hungarian point and herringbone. And so, there is clearly a trend towards a return to traditional patterns. Albers/Habo takes the view that fitting a traditional 9mm parquet floor in Hungarian point or herringbone requires real expertise. A Hungarian point floor has to be fitted perfectly at right angles and then treated and sandpapered meticulously after the fitting. The fitting of the lanes in relation to the incidence of light in the room strongly determines the

A few years ago, demand for herringbone was lower, but now it is growing again. Hungarian point has always been a product with good sales so far in its history. There are important points for attention with regard to the fitting. Firstly, it is essential to line up the floor to be fitted. Usually, the first line is fitted in the middle of the room so that the lines end parallel towards the sides. Basically, you can use any wood sort which is suitable for parquet floors. With Hungarian point the lanes are clearly marked out, whilst with herringbone the strips run into each other so that the lanes are less marked out. For a good quality result these patterns have to be exactly the right size, and that requires a certain expertise. Otherwise, you get a

ABOUT DIMENSIONS AND THICKNESS Double herringbone With herringbone or Hungarian point, it is not possible to talk of fixed ‘standard’ dimensions. Strictly speaking, all sizes are theoretically possible. The sizes of the strips actually have to be determined in proportion to the continuous surface which you want to cover with flooring. The rule is quite simple: the smaller the room, the smaller the strips can be. As we have already said, really big sizes only come into their own in really big rooms. With one producer in Limburg (Belgium) the size most in demand is strips 7cm wide and 40cm long. Time was when people would have considered that to be big. Indeed, the concept of ‘double herringbone’ arose in the period that the sizes of the strips were 22mm wide and 16cm long, just about the dimensions of a modern industrial floor (end grain blocks). In order to allow the herringbone to come more into its own, people sometimes fit two strips next to each other (double). In the bigger dimensions 16 x 60cm is a popular size and, at present, the biggest size at Kerckhofs is 18cm wide and 90cm long. There’s no need to say that such dimensions are only attractive in a room with a surface of at least 100m². Thickness usually 9mm Usually, herringbone strips are 6.2mm or 9mm thick and with no tongue and groove (traditional parquet). Nevertheless, there is also herringbone parquet 14mm thick with tongue and groove. The special feature of these floors (tongue and groove) is that you need two sorts of strips – the professional jargon is ‘a left one and a right one’. If the groove is on the left on one leg of the herringbone and the tongue is at the top right, the other strip needs to be the other way around. After all, you’re working in reverse.

Floor Forum international 70

wastage of parquet which is difficult for the floor fitter to absorb. BJ Parket offers both solid wood and multi-layer. In recent years, the distressed, untreated versions, both Old Flemish style and style panels, have been very much in fashion. Oiled floors (damages are easier to repair) or varnished floors (easy maintenance) are less in demand.

Chêne de l’est Herringbone and Hungarian point are also back in fashion at Chêne de l’est. They believe that fitting these floors should be part of a floor fitter’s training. After all, there are a number of special points for attention, not least the care required at the start of the fitting. Oak is the preferred wood sort here. As regards production, these floors also require some extra attention in terms of drying, stability, and sawing precision. Chêne de l’est offers both solid wood and multi-layer. The preference depends on the client.

Design Parquet Design Parquet, which has great expertise in the manufacture of special panels, has noticed a great appreciation for these floor patterns. And so, the company has some prestigious projects on its CV. For the fitting it is important to begin in the centre of the room. Here, too, oak is the most appreciated and most suitable wood sort. Other wood sorts are also in demand, albeit less frequently, but these include doussie, wenge, and cumaru. At Design Parquet they produce most of their floors in solid wood, but over the past four years they have also started offering multi-layer floors.

TRADITIONAL PARQUET MANUFACTURER Style panels, end grain, distressed floors (different ageing techniques ‘sanded, brushed, tumbled, smoked and structured’): Customised work on simple request!

Edelholz At Edelholz they attribute the renaissance of Hungarian point to designers, since the general public tends to find it ‘old fashioned’. The upper middle class appreciates these floors, especially the bigger sizes and generally oiled finishes. At Edelholz, they also believe that fitting these floors should be part of a floor fitter’s basic training. Oak is the most popular wood sort, but other popular sorts include acacia, steamed acacia, and maple. The preference between solid wood and multi-layer depends on the circumstances and how much confidence the client has in solid wood.

Eurocovering These old patterns are ‘back’. Together with mosaic floors, they are coming back into design. At Eurocovering these floors are in demand mainly in the somewhat distressed designs. Something for the expert? Absolutely! Apart from preparing the substrate properly and checking for flatness and moisture, it is also important to calculate the geometry of the room in order to get the perfect proportions. At Eurocovering all sorts of wood are possible, but it is once again oak which takes the honours. These floors are produced in Spain (Galicia) with the utmost precision, since the slightest deviation is fatal. Eurocovering produces both herringbone and Hungarian point in solid wood, but the company can also produce them in multi-layer. Solid wood has the upper hand.

FB Hout FB Hout has noticed for some time that herringbone and Chevron are making a comeback on the market, but in a completely new set of clothes. For example, these products at FB Hout are now available in multi-layer and also fully finished in the most modern finishes and designs. The new Construction of the product and FB Hout’s unique production process means it is no more difficult for professionals to fit a herringbone or Hungarian point floor than a standard plank floor. The foundation is important. If the initial lanes are laid out properly, it can hardly go wrong

B.J. Parket

BVBA

IndustrIestraat 44 9240 Z ele – B elgIum tel: +32 52 44 45 57 Fax: +32 52 45 06 71 emaIl: InFo@Bjparket.Be www.Bjparket.Be

Special

Producers of Hungarian point and Herringbone parquet

later. At FB Hout they supply a special system in which the planks can be used left and to the right, so the client doesn’t waste as much wood in cutting. Furthermore, our product can also be glued directly onto a flat concrete floor and is suitable for use over floor heating. Naturally, these pattern floors are available on request in just about any wood specie. However, quite logically, European oak is the best seller due to its vast diversity as regards processing and other options, and it’s also the sort in which FB Hout specialises. Manufacturing these products consistently with high quality requires specialisation. That’s why FB Hout has started a new FB factory in Inden, Germany, with fully computerised machinery, which is set up completely in line.

Whilst more and more clients at Flamingo Parket are asking for herringbone, Hungarian point is hardly in demand at all. Only in the UK is there any demand for it. Fitting herringbone is not really difficult, but it does require more time. Distressed herringbone floors need to be fitted in a different manner than the ordinary designs. The correct choice of border makes a big difference. Oak accounts for about 90% of turnover at Flamingo Parket. Floors are produced both in multi-layer and solid wood, but multi-layer has the upper hand.

point, herringbone, block panel, and Dutch pattern to Vienna point. All these patterns can be supplied in Q2. Sawn or mitred, and fitted as herringbone in sawn angles of 45 and 60°, this provides four new patterns. Parketfabriek Lieverdink believes that a solid substrate is primary. Completely different is Vienna point in maple, or an African exotic wood sort. The production is carried out using computer-guided machines. The Q2 strips are then fitted with a mitred angel. At a later stage, both heads are fitted with a groove where the separate spring has to be made. This simplifies the fitting considerably. Traditional parquet 6.2mm is the most popular at Lieverdink. If it has to be wider than 140mm, it is usually Burgundy 9mm. Parketfabriek Lieverdink supplies this in widths up to 250mm. There is now more of a tendency towards more two-layer parquet in the traditional sizes. Lieverdink supplies this in widths of 70, 90, 120, and 140mm in about 40 different wood sorts. In traditional parquet clients are asking for the most diverse patterns, which the company then supplies. In practice, the company can only show a limited number of its achievements on its web site.

Haro

Parador

Haro believes that the advance of herringbone is more ‘fiction’ than fact. The company has seen pictures in more and more interior design magazines of rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens where herringbone has been fitted. And so, they believe it is a trend orchestrated by those magazines. However, the road from the ‘interior journals’ to the reality is often a long one. And so, these patterns will tend to stay on the periphery in comparison to others, even though herringbone is coming increasingly into the picture as a classic. The fitting, too, requires special attention and skill. This is where the real professionals can stand out. In the Haro Professional assortment (Haro Parquet 4000 Series) they offer Allegro strips in oak, beech, maple, African oak, walnut, American cherry, iroko, and merbau. These are offered exclusively in multi-layer parquet.

Traditional patterns are also in vogue at Parador. They are considered to be ‘timeless’ and belong to those ‘good old days’. Here people think spontaneously of castles with big rooms and salons. In multi-layer strips Parador offers three types of herringbone in oak, namely Trendtime 3 Oak Living, Trend Time 3 Oak limed, and Trendtime 3 Oak black. However, Parador also offers laminate with herringbone patterns, namely Trendtime 3 Oak Versailles antique lime and Trendtime 3 Oak Versailles natural satin finish. Parador offers this pattern exclusively in oak.

Flamingo Parket

Lalegno The herringbone pattern is traditionally one of the most well known and most popular styles for fitting parquet floors, and it seems it is still extremely popular. Early last year, an oak multi-layer parquet with a herringbone pattern was included in the Lalegno range, namely the 15-ABC-122BRUT-VG. This alternative to solid wood herringbone floors was equipped with tongue and groove and can therefore be fitted quickly and easily. After all, there was a big demand from their clients for such a product. The 15mm thick planks with a 4mm top layer on a plywood base have a fixed length of 610mm and are 122mm wide.

Meister Fitting patterns such as herringbone and Hungarian point are still classics in the industry and are often fitted in traditional mansions, but there is also a growing trend for use in projects. Is professional expertise required? ‘Yes, because anyone who can fit herringbone or Hungarian point can fit any parquet floor’. After all, the fitting, like the production, does require a good degree of technical know-how. Oak is still the most important wood type for these floors. Meister produces floors only in multi-layer on an HDF base.

Parketfabriek Lieverdink Parketfabriek Lieverdink is still active in making special patterns in traditional parquet and Burgundy. However, they are now also working on Q2 two-layer parquet, the new product from Lieverdink. From Hungarian

Floor Forum international 70

SelectWood Select Wood specialises in exclusive hardwood floors such as the herringbone floor. A herringbone floor is regarded as a classic in origin. Today, however, herringbone is being fitted more and more in modern interiors. The decisive factor here is the look of the wood and the colour. Select Wood offers you a wide choice of herringbone floors with scores of possible variations in wood sort and finish. They have lots of experience in durable and naturally created shades, so each floor has its own unique look. At the moment, they are updating the web site to include their latest colour collection. Herringbone can be fitted both in solid wood and strips. However, fitting herringbone does require some expertise. Herringbone in strips is the best seller and is easier to work with. Herringbone is available as standard in the following sizes: 120 x 600mm, 120 x 650mm, and 120 x 720mm. However, the flexible production unit and their years of experience means it is possible to deviate from the standard sizes.

Yepp Herringbone, in particular, is still very popular at Yepp, even in bigger sizes. These are the products where the expert can stand out. Here, too, most clients ask for oak, but exotic sorts such as American walnut and wenge are also possible. The production of these floors requires extra attention to fitting the tongue and groove (right/left). With Hungarian point, in this connection it is necessary to take account of the side to be sheared. Yepp offers these patterns in solid wood with tongue and groove, traditional parquet, and two-layer. Solid wood is the most in demand, but multi-layer is on the march.

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Forum International 70 The Netherlands +31(0) 412 Floor 657 428 www.heywoodvloeren.com

Project

Rubio Monocoat (BE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam (NL)

4,000 SQUARE METRES OF OILED PARQUET FOR STUDENT SQUARE IN ROTTERDAM UNIVERSITY

Single coat oil system from Rubio Monocoat gives a bright look and provides effective protection What was once a grey underground car park at Erasmus University in Rotterdam has recently been transformed into what is undoubtedly one of the most attractive student squares in Europe. The transformation using parquet in American walnut proves that even exceptionally busy public areas can also be finished with oiled parquet.

From car park to architectural pearl The design of the new student square at the Rotterdam university proves that it is also possible to have beautiful educational infrastructure. The centrally located car park has been transformed completely into a central meeting place for students and lecturers. It is only the concrete car park central staircase which has remained virtually unchanged, but looks magnificent as part of the new whole. In particular, the combination of white with the warm shade of the walnut wood is very refreshing.

Floor Forum international 70

American walnut parquet This project was carried out by Finesse Parket from Rosmalen (NL) and it involved about 4,000 square metres of two-layer parquet with a top layer in American walnut. The architect for the new design opted for this wood due to its grain and colour. Some walls and doors were also finished with American walnut wood to give a particularly warm and luxurious look.

2-layer parquet with 4mm top layer The parquet was glued onto a subfloor of calcium sulphate computer tiles. This was a Profistab parquet floor from Finesse Parket and was supplied in planks 150cm x 10cm and 10mm thick. The top layer is 4mm thick and lies on a stable birch base. This is a parquet floor constructed in line with the very latest production methods and is ideal for large surfaces where the limited thickness offers an easy transition to other types of floor.

High-traffic, but one coat of oil suffices

Cleaning with RMC Soap

The finish of the American walnut parquet had to meet several requirements. For example, the finish had to be free of VOC and solvents. At the same time, the architect insisted on an oil finish due to its warmer look. Together with the conclusion that this location was the busiest part of the entire university, Finesse Parket , in consultation with Rubio Monocoat, opted for the RMC Oil Plus 2C in the ‘Pure’ colour. And so, this was a single-coat parquet oil which was mixed on site with a second component, namely the accelerator. That ensured rapid drying and setting (80% within two days) and superior protection.

Erasmus University numbers about 25,000 students, yet the maintenance requirements for the floor are generally quite light. The floor is cleaned once a week using Rubio Monocoat Soap. Any damage is restored using Rubio Monocoat Refresh. Since the floor is subjected to intensive use, a fresh coat of Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C is applied each year. This means that sandpapering is no longer necessary and it also guarantees the floor a long lifespan.

No more sandpapering Rubio Monocoat recommends this product for high-traffic floors and also guarantees that sandpapering will not be necessary, even in the distant future, provided that the floor is well maintained. RMC Oil Plus 2C contains neither water nor solvents and is economical to use (30 to 50m/litre). This oil also ensures that all the natural beauty of the wood is brought out to the full.

Oiled walls Finally, to protect the American walnut wood walls and doors, the project manager also opted for a Rubio Monocoat Oil. Since the walls are not walked on, the RMC Oil Plus in ‘Pure’ was enough. The oil itself was applied by spraying.

For more information visit us at www.rubiomonocoat.com

Floor Forum International 70

Special

Sanding machines : part 2

ONE SANDING MACHINE FOR ANY JOB? NEW GENERATIONS DISC MACHINES ARE HIGHLY VERSATILE

Photo – Tover

Most manufacturers will deny it, but the new generation of rotary disc sanders represents a threat to the traditional belt sander. In some respects, those same manufacturers may well have shot themselves in the foot by paying so much attention to perfecting disc machines. We’re quite happy to take up the challenge; it is undoubtedly possible to finish a new parquet floor or an old wooden floor completely using those new rotary disc machines. Does that undermine belt sanders? Not at all! They are still the power tools for every floor fitter, but if they can be replaced by one appliance, then so be it.

Floor Forum international 70

Sanding motions Cross-fertilisation and overlapping: Those are two concepts which go hand in hand and come into play in the work sphere of the ‘cream’ of parquet sanding machines. Cross-fertilisation bears an obvious meaning. This is partly because these machines originate from the same factories and are the brainchildren of the same engineers-designers, they snatch each other’s technological acquisitions and technical novelties. What works for one machine also makes another one better. Overlapping obviously means that the employment of both types of machines is becoming more and more related. What stands out here in particular is that rotary disc machines can do an increasing number of tasks thanks to the technology of the machine itself, whilst

belt sanders are becoming more versatile as a result of the sanding medium used. The sanding motion determines a lot here.

Making lanes The primary purpose of the belts or belt sanders is not so much to create a surface ready for a finish as to equalise or level the surface. Since there are now also certain tolerances in the manufacture of floorboards, you will hardly ever find two floorboards or strips of parquet which are identical. There may be minute differences in height (thickness), which, whilst certainly not visible to the naked eye, obstruct a perfect finish. It goes without saying that those differences may also trace their origin back to imperfections in the substrate (screed). By sandpapering with a heavy (80kg) and powerful sanding machine in the shape of lanes, we can make the surface perfectly level. This is often done twice (cross-linked) to refine the levelling operation.

sandpapering between coats of varnish. After the initial coats of varnish, different wood sorts tend to wool up (especially tropical sorts such as merbau). That’s the time for intermediate sanding. As soon as the varnish forms a film, sandpapering is no longer necessary. The rotary disc sander can be deployed for applying oil or wax and polishing the product. • Maintenance and renovation: In their lighter versions disc sanders are used to apply oil or wax and to maintain or renovate oil or wax floors. For floors finished with varnish they are deployed (the heavier versions) to sandpaper the floor completely blank. This can be done with floors fitted in the traditional manner or with pre-finished floors.

What’s on the market? Janser

Rotating motions Sanding the surface is designed to prepare the wooden floor for the required finish. The rotation motions also remove the belt traces which are inevitably left behidn, however competent the floor fitter may be. As you proceed towards successively thinner sanding means, the surface becomes increasingly smooth. There are once again different types of these parquet machines, depending on the type of rotating motion. We make a distinction here between three sorts of motions. Rotation is the circular motion of a body around one (central) point of that body. An eccentric motion is in simple terms a rotation motion combined with a motion up and down. With eccentric sanding machines you obtain this motion by fixing circular shaped sandpaper onto a flat sole with an elastic layer. Finally, oscillation is a periodically repeated reversal of the direction of the motion. We obtain combined rotation motions with several discs. It is possible to reinforce the effect of the rotation by using (usually) three discs which rotate in contrary directions. Strictly speaking, we are then combining rotation and oscillation.

Applications Disc machines can be deployed in all phases of fitting parquet, from the preparation of the substrate to the maintenance required after the fitting. • Heavy preparation: Let’s be honest – renovation is on the increase. People fit parquet (or other types of floors) onto an old screed every day. Some machines can be fitted with very hard sanding materials (brushes or heads) so that they can ‘scrape’ the screed, as it were. This makes it possible to remove old carpet residue, adhesive residue, putty, and such like with no problem at all. • Fine preparation: Whether we are talking about a new construction or renovation, a screed is seldom perfect. It’s possible that you might have to level the screed with a new construction in order to obtain a flat substrate. The disc sander is then used to polish the levelling agent. • Smoothing or levelling: Although these sanding machines are designed primarily for other purposes, they can also do this task, certainly the heavier machines. • Removing sanding lanes: The belt sander will almost always leave behind wide sanding marks, even when operated by the best floor fitters. These can be removed uniformly by using a machine with one or three discs. The traces are removed thanks to the rotation sanding motion. The floor fitter does the sanding by making a swerving motion back and forth and stepping backwards at the same time. • Finish: Whether the finish is applied with varnish, oil, or wax, in this phase, too, the rotary disc sander should be kept within reach. If the floor is finished with varnish, the disc sander is used for

The Columbus Speedtronic from Janser is an extremely versatile machine with adjustable speed (from 80 to 400 rpm.) and weight (weights supplied). This tool lends itself to both medium-heavy and fine sandpapering and, moreover, can also be used for cleaning and maintenance. The Columbus Speedtronic is also easy to dismantle, so it is easy to transport. Speedtronic has a powerful 2200W motor. The Columbus Speedtronic is ideal for preparing the substrate. You can use it to remove all unwanted substances from the substrate with no problem at all. It is fitted with the MULTI-VAC dust suction ring and the JANVAC 1600 vacuum cleaner, so you can work in a virtually dust-free environment. Apart from the Speedtronic, Janser also has a lighter machine, namely the TRIVARO 430, fitted with three discs. TRIVARO also has adaptable speeds and sandpapering pressures, dust suction, and the facility to change the sandpapering direction.

Malish Europe Since 1948, Malish has been a renowned name in the world of mechanical floor cleaners. Amongst practically every leading trademark in scrubbing/suction machines and 1-disc machines, you will find brushes, pad holders, and specialist products made by this American market leader. From its headquarters in Willoughby, Ohio, Malish has been producing and supplying goods and for over 15 years also from its own factory in Dongguan, China. Since 2012, the European sales office, which is located in Ulvenhout, near Breda (Netherlands), has been in operation. Diamabrush has been a real innovation in the field of floor cleaning and renovation. Diamabrush cleans dirty hard floors thoroughly such as concrete and terrace so that they can be further finished. You can also polish concrete and terrace with Diamabrush or you can opt for a non-mechanical seal

Floor Forum International 70

Special

Sanding machines : part 2

as for sanding wooden floors. This machine is simple to dismantle, so it is easy to transport. The machine diamonds are very easy to change thanks to the EZChange™ system. The vacuum cleaner HTC Greyline 25D has been developed specially to support the single-phase Greyline sanding machines, such as the GL 450.

such as a coating or hardener. Diamabrush is available in most common brush sizes from 25 to 50cm on average. The most commonly used tools are the MASTIC REMOVAL TOOL (grain 25) – very sturdy sandpapering parts which remove all that they need to remove – and the CONCRETE PREP TOOL in grit 25 or 100 - flexible metal blades ensure that there is always contact with the floor so that lower parts are also cleaned. The Diamabrush Polymer Tool system consists of flexible and easily replaceable plastic blades in grains 50,100, 200, 400, 1000, and 2000. These blades can both clean deeply and sandpaper heavily so that they are ideal for use to prepare a re-coating (think again about replacing sandpaper!), but they are also suitable for polishing concrete and terrace. In terms of technical costs, Diamabrush usually works out 70-80% cheaper per square metre and is about twice as fast as most machines.

Tover

Overmat Following on from the Woodboy 4000/30, Overmat has now come out with a new model, namely the Woodboy 4000/32-3. This Woodboy has the same strong motor and construction, but has a new handle. It is even simpler to operate and is safer. The fact is that this Woodboy is started with two hands so it conforms to all work and safety regulations. Furthermore, this new type of Woodboy has improved ventilation. This means that the motor can cool better, so the machine works more efficiently and is even more sturdy. Optionally, it is possible to make the Woodboy machine 12.5kg heavier for increased output. The machine is supplied with dust suction kit as standard for connection to dust suction unit Vac-1. This Vac-1 Unit is a professional, durable dust suction system with by-pass cooling, including a tube. Apart from its use on wooden floors, such as a driver disc for sanding parquet and the application of polishing wax, the Woodboy has a wide range of discs and accessories for all sorts of uses. Overmat is the exclusive dealer in the Benelux for the quality label HTC. The planetary sanding machine HTC Greyline 450 is suitable for both sanding concrete and subfloors as well

Floor Forum international 70

Tover RC1 sanding machine is extremely versatile. Its system of orbital magnetic discs combined with the speed variator enables an excellent level of finishing (fine sanding) but also a really efficient grinding, adding supplementary weights. Thanks to its good stability, it is possible to drive it without effort and in total safety. The vacuum system has been improved with a powerful turbine which drastically reduces the quantity of dust during the working time; the site is thus healthier for the installer and the abrasives used remain clean and have a longer life. Numerous accessories and in particular steel brushes permit to achieve brushed or planed floors for an aged aspect. It is also possible to adapt a sole disc to transform the machine into a mono-disc and to be able to oil the wood with a pad or to remove old glues residues from concrete sub-floors. A unique machine is enough for all the steps of parquet preparation and finishing.

Special

Subfloors : part 2

SUBFLOORS FOR FLOOR HEATING AND COOLING FLOOR HEATING IS ALSO ‘WARMLY RECOMMENDED’ FOR WOODEN FLOORS

Photo – Mac Lean

European (and other) norms, technical regulations, and rules of best practice: These are all tools which often represent the ‘crown of the work’ after a long period of intensive experimentation. Certainly in construction where every day ‘unusual’ situations arise so that people (architects, contractors, and other professionals) have to call upon all their creativity find a solution. Unusual or new combinations of materials and/or systems are not self-explanatory for professionals. Thankfully, experimentation is followed by a sharing of ‘experiences’ which, to put it mildly, act as ‘guidelines’. To give merely one example, there is the approval of CEN/TS 16354 for laminate floors.

Ongoing development On the basis of our expectations, history has proved that very little is possible. And so, progress is not the fruit of reasoned common sense,

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but rather of extravagant creativity. Without the latter we would still be standing with both feet on the ground. People don’t fly! Birds fly, but people don’t, certainly not to such inaccessible destinations as the moon. And yet, ‘this is a small step for a man but a giant leap for mankind’. This example might appear to be ‘plucked from thin air’, but we encounter such things on a daily basis. On the basis of our expectations, we constantly exclude various possibilities and put a damper on progress. Thankfully, there are people on the fringes who always want to break new ground. The first man on earth who combined floor heating with a wooden floor may well have encountered jeers of derision. Yet today, partly after the Scandinavian model, that’s common place. In other words, progress mustn’t be based on expectation, but it needs to be the result of ‘testing’. We mustn’t think in terms of whether or not something is possible, but we have to figure it out. With the combination of floor heating and wooden or similar floors, this figuring has already yielded ‘worthwhile’ fruits.

Floor Forum International 70

Dossier

Subfloors : part 2

The ‘law of heat resistance’ Whether or not we are talking about floating floor coverings or glued floors (wood or other floors), the basic rule which we apply is logic itself. Since we’re creating a heating system which has to provide heat to move upwards, it makes no sense to put material on top of it with good thermal insulation. You don’t build an air-tight cupboard around a radiator, do you? Experiences based on years of experiments with various materials now form the basis for a set and reliable rule.

A rule of thumb to decide on the suitability of a subfloor for floor heating is: -Permissible resistance for floor heating as extra heating = 0.18 m² K/W -Permissible resistance for floor heating as main heating = 0.14 m² K/W

Floor + subfloor

EPLF supplements CEN/TS 16354.

The suitability of a floor system for combination with floor heating is determined by two important factors, namely the coefficient conductivity and the thickness of the floor. Good heat conductivity contributes to the energy spread and therefore to the efficiency of the heating system. The subfloor must have a higher coefficient conductivity than the finished floor covering. Good values for heat conductivity are 0.05W/ m-k or higher for wood and laminate and 0.04w/m-k for vinyl. Another important factor is the thickness of the material. Even very good conductive materials can have an insulation effect, if they are too thick. Thicknesses above 3.5mm are usually not recommended because the final heat resistance would be too high. The coefficient conductivity and the thickness of the material together form the heat resistance:

Specifically for the technical requirements for laminate subfloors, the CEN published some technical guidelines for laminate subfloors for the first time at the end of 2013. This publication was preceded by years of preparation in the sector, not least in the bosom of the EPLF (European Producers of Laminate Flooring). Here, too, certain guidelines were stipulated for the combination with floor heating.

Heat resistance (Rm value) = Material thickness (m) Coefficient conductivity (lambda) The heat resistance is expressed in m² K/W

Why a subfloor? You could say that if the heat resistance is decisive, then don’t bother with a subfloor because that would make a difference. However, the CEN/TS 16354 is based on a number of functions which make subfloors necessary in some circumstances. You have to ‘make the substrate suitable’ for the fitting, so removing any unevenness is one of those functions. Providing ‘permanent protection’ against the effects of damp from below and providing ‘better acoustics’ are other functions. In other words, a subfloor is often something that ‘you

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Floor Forum international 70

cannot avoid’. The CEN makes a distinction between rules on the basis of the subfloor (1), use (2), and sound requirements (3).

Floor heating Laminate has a relatively small insulation value. If there is no mention of floor heating, good thermal insulation can be desirable. The subfloor can make an important contribution at that point. For floor heating and cooling the point is that it is better to keep this insulation fairly small. Specifically for laminate, the maximum values (combination of floor and subfloor) are set on: - Floor heating: R < 0.15m²K/W - Floor cooling: R < 0.10m²K/W

combined with a vapour control layer that guarantees an sd value of 75 m in order to meet the minimum requirement of the EPLF for moisture protection. Floorheater is a highly stable extruded polyolefin foam with a special punched hole pattern over the complete surface to improve the heat flow coming from the from the floor heating tubes.

From the industry Mac Lean

Steico

To guarantee that the floor heating system works efficiently, the subfloor has to have a low thermal insulation value (EPLF). This means that the total sum of the subfloor and the laminate has to stay below a certain maximum value (heated floors: R < 0.15 m² K/W and cooled floors: R < 0.10 m² K/W). Apart from the suitability for floor heating and floor cooling, other aspects are still important in the choice of the subfloor. The subfloor ensures that any small unevenness is levelled out so that there is a level surface for the floating floor. It provides constant protection against daily usage. The subfloor also contributes to the acoustic improvement of the floor. Shock absorption also improves walking comfort. Mac Lean has various floors which are suitable for floor heating, including Selitflex gold, Selitflex silver, Isoheat, various XPS products, and Isotherm.

Sekisui Alveo Most laminate underlays from Sekisui Alveo are combined with a laminate floor of up to 8 mm suitable for floor heating. Paramount for the R-value is the incentive that the thinner the underlay, the less insulation and therefore the lower the heat resistance. The greater part of the underlays is 2 mm thick and has an R-value between 0.044 m² K/W and 0.059 m² K/W, depending on the type of foam. Thinner thicknesses can also be produced on request and have a lower heat resistance so that, depending on the floor on top, the underlay is at the same time, suitable for floor cooling. A product which is offered specifically for the combination with floor heating is Floorheater that should be

Steico bases the suitability of the subfloors for floor heating on the general rule (EN 1264-3:2009; see above). And so, the heat resistance must not exceed 0.15 m² K/W and is calculated according to the formula mentioned above. Steico has calculated for itself that its subfloors (soft board) with thicknesses of 4 and 5mm are usually suitable in combination with floor heating. Since the heat resistance is affected by both the thickness of the subfloor and the finished floor covering, this has to be checked case by case. Steico draws attention to the fact that the heat resistance of a moisture barrier is negligible, but it is necessary to have due regard for the resistance of the material to the temperatures generated by the heating system.

Floor Forum International 70

Advertorial

Ciranova (BE)

AMERICA’S LEADING PARQUET COMPANY SELLS CIRANOVA Ciranova products are conquering the world. First, Last & Always from San Francisco, one of the leading parquet companies in the USA, has started importing and selling Ciranova products. This company employs 70 people and has completed scores of prestigious projects, including many for celebrities like Steve Jobs. We spoke to its founder Deven Gadula.

So you had met him in person? When did you work for him?

In 1999, 2004, 2008. In 1999 and in 2008 I had a lot of direct personal interaction with Steve. In 2008 there was no contractor in between. He called me and asked me to meet him at his house. Another day he took my 5 year old daughter by her hand and let her jump on his kids’ trampoline in the garden while we were looking at samples. What an amazing genius he was. I thought I had a problem with my I-pod and within a few minutes he had explained to me how I-pod thought and why it thought that way. He made it so clear and simple that my entire understanding of computer technology progressed. I feel very fortunate to be able to work for these industry leaders, and the San Francisco / Silicon Valley based, ever growing industry (computer, cell phone, Internet), seems to be running the world right now. I doubt that ever in our past, world’s most important companies were all situated in one place as they are now in San Francisco. I follow my clients wherever they invite me to.

How did you start in this flooring trade? Are you the best floor guy in America? I might be the most self-sufficient one in many areas of expertise of the hardwood flooring field; antique floors; antiqued floors; chemical treatments; complex finishing techniques; the ability of working with the most difficult materials and the widest planks in various areas of America, where wood moisture ranges from 6 to 14%. I am also very passionate towards my work. For some reason passion plays a huge role on my present personal journey.

Don’t you work for everybody famous? Don’t you get the best jobs from New York to San Francisco?

To Hawaii. It is true that I have a very impressive list of clients and I doubt that there is any contractor or subcontractor in America who would rather keep his list than have mine, but I can’t talk about many of them. I can’t disclose many of my clients’ identities.

Why not? Why would they care about that? I understand their position. They don’t want to be used in any advertisements of some mediocre products. That could happen, you know.

Do you ever meet them? Most of them I do meet but many of them completely leave construction to their teams; owner’s representatives, contractors, architects and designers. Not all of them; some are very involved. Steve Jobs knew more about construction than many general contractors do.

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I started First, Last & Always in 1990 and first I built a few decks prior to focusing on floors. Both stone and wood floors in the beginning. I have never worked for any flooring company and I think the reason that I turned my entire focus on hardwood floors was the issue of moisture related problems. Hardwood floors cup and open up or erupt, and I wanted to know why, but it seemed to me that people I talked to were not able to give me a straight answer. I have this need to understand my problems, and if I don’t, it bothers me. If you think logically and don’t mind experimenting, you can always get there in the end.

How big is your firm? First, Last & Always has around 70 employees.

What makes you good at what you do? What makes a journalist a good journalist? So many things come in play. Main thing is living in the moment. If I have to dig a hole in my garden I will find it interesting rather than just getting it done while waiting for later on. If you can develop such attitude in yourself, you are on the road to win and your life will be so much more enlightened. I am here now and I love this moment because I love my life. Flooring is a hard business but it can be very interesting as well. Every species of wood deserves a different approach and techniques. There is so much space here for artistic processes and solutions. I am also good with people, I think. Not in all ways but in the important ones. I am honest and loyal towards them and inside I truly believe that we are all equal, and I have just as much respect for a homeless person

drugging his Safeway cart in front of him as I do for a billionaire. And people feel my openness and my sense of self-worth and equality and they respect it. I came here from Poland with $10 and I had to be hardworking to get situated in San Francisco, as it happens to be one of the most expensive places to live. I fell in love with the area and its weather and ever changing atmosphere, and pushing myself in many ways was good for me anyway. To be honest, I was born with a lot of energy and drive. A few other things contribute to my strengths; patience I had developed in my twenties, my relentless urge to work on my weak points; my total faith in end result; and my habit of constant experimentation. Some of my experiments may sound insane to you. For example, for decades I was bothered by thoughts that just seemed to approach me all of a sudden, without me originating them. I know for a fact that 99% of our western civilized population should understand what I mean. I noticed that the more hectic surroundings I was around (crowds, movies, TV, radio) the more distracted I was. I have always loved to read because I felt this enormous lightness of the experience that at the same time was giving me a parallel place to be at will, in any moment. I have never felt this way about movies or TV. I have had short periods in my life when I was either overworked in an unhealthy way, or felt mentally or emotionally a bit lower the usually, and these were the only times that I would watch anything. It has always been a vicious circle for me because watching these electromagnetic waves depresses me. My mind gets haunted by the residual wave frequencies vibrating in front of my eyes for days and weeks to come, and I am completely unable to stop them. I bet you experience the same if you watch videos or play games on electronic devices. When you walk down the street and see a fight going on, that may also affect you on a emotional level but the scene will not be coming back to you in the same uncontrolled way as if you were watching it on a TV screen. Our high definition screens are great now and you don’t see this blinking our early TVs showed clearly, but believe me, on the subconscious level they affect us the same way as they affected the viewers in 1960s, and they always will. You take a two hour break with a movie and your mind gets ... fragmented. Well, it always bothered me and I have probably watched in my entire life less than an average American does every year. However, eliminating watching electromagnetic TV waves did not completely clear my mind. There were still these thoughts that were approaching me, rather than me being able to be always in charge of them. And so about four years ago I had decided to stop listening to radio. For decades I could not be around stations with commercials but I used to like to listen to National Public Radio, where there are lots of interviews and discussions going on. Half a year later I was not able to tell much difference but two years later I knew I have left mass communication for ever. Internet and email does not derail my mind and now most of thoughts come from inside of me. And often when I think about someone randomly, I know there is a reason, but that is a longer story. In a way while my mind becomes free and strong, I become a weakling. You don’t have to torture me with fire or water. Tie me down for a day to a chair in front of a TV with advertisements and it all, and I’ll break down. I am sorry I am wasting your time on this... experiment.

products to America. I didn’t know anything about the distribution business and I had made a mistake of letting Ciranova pack my first can (container). When the goodies arrived I became so confused and started confusing those around me. However, almost 2 years later lessons have been learned. The best flooring distributor in America is on board and together with Galleher we can work on bringing order to this line on our continent. Marketplace is the best judge and it has confirmed what I already knew to be true. Hardwax Oil Magic is the best one on the market. Just like you do in Belgium we have a lot of great small boutique floor producers. These guys are pros and they are becoming Ciranova’s best clients.

When are you planning to retire? I am not planning to retire at all. This has nothing to do with money. I make a lousy tourist for even one week. My parents are both medical doctors and still run their private practices. My father will be 80 years old next year; my mother 78. If I get to live to that age, and that is a huge if because in some ways I am not overly protective of myself, I will most likely still be working, collecting music and windsurfing.

Thank you for your time. Thank you.

You are a North American distributor of Belgium company, Ciranova. How did that come about?

Ciranova had by far the strongest line of reactive stains and also produced Hardwax Oil Magic, the most impressive hardwax oil I knew. We were being approached with such growing demand for gray floors that I figured it was going to be in America’s and Ciranova’s interest to get to know each other. And i decided to introduce Ciranova’s

For more info: www.first-last-always.com www.ciranova.be

Floor Forum International 70

Special

Producers of multi-layer floors

MULTI-LAYER OVERWHELMS THE MARKET SCORES OF REASONS PLEAD FOR MULTI-LAYER

Photo – Albers / Habo

People sometimes talk about the advance of ‘multi-layer parquet’. This term is strange in itself, if only because, strictly speaking, multi-layer parquet has always been there. Parquet is almost always ‘multi-layer’. It’s just that the different layers are now being constructed more and more in the factory and less on site. From an economic point of view, nowadays, we have to turn our attention rather to the ‘survival’ of solid wood instead of the advance of multi-layer. The so called ‘multilayer’ floors account for a good 78% of the parquet sector. It’s harder to imagine a bigger majority. These floors obviously have excellent ‘credentials’.

A solid wood top layer Multi-layer parquet implies a solid hard wood top layer on at least one base. This principle is based entirely on the old parquet craft (traditional parquet) in which the top layer was glued and nailed onto a subfloor on the site. The aim of this construction is to provide greater stability and that’s precisely why the subfloor has often been made of mosaic underlay (= spread of pressure). Another comparable aim is to obtain wider sizes without undermining the aforementioned stability.

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The top layer Top layers have no uniform thickness, as we can see from the multi-layer floors of various manufacturers. Thicknesses vary from about 2 to 6 or 7mm. Almost all manufacturers use their own minimum size as the ‘rule’ for deciding whether or not a product can be called multi-layer ‘parquet’. The BBRI, together with other regulating agencies, prescribes 2.5mm as the minimum top layer requirement to this end. We should point out, however, that a thinner top layer is not necessarily inferior. The standard refers to the use of the name ‘parquet’.

Two or three-layer Two-layer floors were made originally with a view to glueing them fully onto the screed. Basically, a two-layer parquet floor is a pre-fabricated traditional parquet floor (solid wood on a mosaic subfloor). Whilst originally the subfloor was glued first and then the top layer (glued and nailed), pre-fabricated traditional parquet is a floorboard ready for glueing. Originally, three-layer floors were usually fitted floating and were equipped with tongue and groove or even a click system from the world of laminate flooring. Nowadays, according to our enquiries, these floors are no longer as strictly distinct from each other. Both are

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suitable for glued or floating fitting, both are often available with tongue and groove or click system, both are available raw or finished, and both are suitable for new construction or renovation.

The base

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Obviously, the base of a multi-layer floor plays a crucial part. This base can consist of various sorts of wooden panels. Triplex, multiplex, OSB, MDF, and HDF are very popular bases. With triplex or multiplex it is advisable to check the composition of the panel (construction, wood sorts, and moisture-resistance). Some manufacturers swear by HDF due to its very high impact resistance and shape retention (e.g. with profiled panels). With three-layer parquet the layers are often produced from solid wood glued cross-linked. Larch is often recommended for floors with a click system due to the purity of the profile.

* in compliance with DTU 51.4 requirements regarding fasteners

Timber decking & cladding

Sizes Sizes which are possible in multi-layer parquet are virtually unthinkable for ordinary, traditional/solid wood floors. The wider the planks on a solid wood floor, the greater the risk of ‘curling’. It is precisely the multi-layer construction of wooden floors which makes the floorboards more resistant to climatic ‘capers’. The better stability of multi-layer constructed floors facilitates widths of up to 33mm (and sometimes more) and lengths of up to 5,000mm! This creates vast architectural possibilities, which, until recently, were not previously possible with wooden floors.

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Designs

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Anything is possible with designs, as with solid wood floors. Treatments to distress a floor are also possible with top layers of 2.5mm: planing, brushing, ripping, lashing, smoking, and such like are all possible. There’s also colouring (especially with oak), with the range growing all the time. For the finish, varnish, oil, wax, and hard wax are the standard ones.

Technical ‘plus points’ Obviously, producers are always looking to simplify the fitting. This is particularly true of laminate manufacturers and, yes, many of them, certainly the bigger one, do both laminate and parquet (solid wood and multi-layer). And so, any technical cross-fertilisation is fairly logical. Two major techniques stand out: pre-finished and click systems.

Pre-finished There are not many people who still speak of raw supplied floors in percentages of 50%. The normal ratio nowadays is 70/30% with pre-finished having the upper hand, whilst some (well known) manufacturers still only supply finished floors which are ready for fitting. Supplying raw floors does have some advantages: There are still some parquet floor fitters who swear by their own colour recipe. This is to be encouraged, although the range of colours on offer from manufacturers covers virtually all colours/shades. However, quite a few floor fitters still regard finishing as a point of ‘added value’.

Click systems These systems are meant for both two and three-layer floors. Multilayer parquet floors with a click system (usually one of the well known labels) are enjoying ever increasing success. Obviously, they are pre-finished, so the fitting is much closer to that of laminate and, therefore, within the realm of the DIY enthusiast. However, we reiterate once again that even with laminate a ‘professional hand’ can make all the difference in giving an expert finish.

Made in Europe

What’s on the market? Albers /Habo Albers/Habo produces the two-layer parquet Top Line in thicknesses of 13 and 18mm with solid wood top layers of 4 and 6mm respectively. Top Line is available in widths of 16, 18, 20, and 22cm in four selections of French oak and an extensive range of exotic wood sorts. Unfinished floors account for the vast majority of sales (about 85%). In addition, they also present a very wide range of finishes including their collection of VOC distressed floors and, since earlier this year, their own Top Line collection.

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BJ Parket offers multi-layer parquet with top layers of 4 and 6mm respectively. The company sells its own Duo Line, BJ Best Selection, but also Solid Floor and Europlac. Duo Line has a very stable birch multiplex base. Europlac offers a choice between birch multiplex or HDF. Solid Floor is assembled on a block panel. The ratio at BJ Parket between finished and raw delivered floors is 50/50.

Chêne de l’est Whilst the norm for the top layer thickness of multi-layer parquet is 2.5mm, Chêne de l’est also presents these floors with a top layer of 4mm. The floors have a hardwood top layer of 4mm on a birch multiplex base. Chêne de l’est produces multi-layer floors solely in two layers. These floors are supplied completely finished.

Design Parquet Design Parquet has two types of multi-layer floors. Loft Pro is a parquet floor which is either 16mm thick with a top layer of 4.5mm and in widths of 95, 120, 145, 180, and 220mm, or 20mm thick with a top

layer of 5.5mm and in widths of 180 and 295mm. Loft in three layers has top layers of 3.2 or 3.5mm and widths of 145 and 190mm. The best-sellers are Loft Pro 16mm and the three-layer floors. Loft Pro offers a high stability and allows greater thicknesses and widths. Design Parquet finishes 90% of its floors before they leave the factory.

products are complementary within one single range. Europlac offers a range of finished floors (25 colours), but still produces more ‘raw finished’ floors for professionals, who want to apply the finish themselves, or for dealers who have the finish applied on a finish line.

Flamingo Parket As far as Flamingo is concerned, parquet needs a top layer of at least 2.8mm. The company produces solely two-layer parquet on a birch multiplex base (glued

Europlac The statutory regulation is that parquet must have a top layer of at least 2.5mm. Europlac has also made a conscious decision to produce a range with a 2mm top layer. The company presents an ‘à la carte’ system with various ranges: Absolu 10 (2mm top layer on HDF), Absolu 14 (3.2mm top layer on HDF), Prestige 10 (2mm top layer on multiplex), Prestige 14 (3.2mm top layer on multiplex), and Prestige 19 (5.5mm top layer on multiplex). Absolu achieves the biggest volume. Prestige is a solution in the higher segment which can also be deployed with floor heating and in the event of changing weather conditions. The two

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Special

Producers of multi-layer floors

indelibly). Until seven years ago, Flamingo produced three-layer parquet. According to Flamingo, the advantage of two-layer parquet is the superior glueing, directly onto the screed. Two-layer parquet is less prone to swell, so for full glueing it can be fitted without an expansion joint. Flamingo supplies over 60% of its floors completely finished.

Haro In 2013, Haro managed to convert the retro brushed Plank (single strip) into a best-seller. And so, it’s no surprise that Haro has extended this range from two to four references: The ‘1-strip retro brushed Creme White Plank’ promises to be a big hit, if only because the floor provides a simultaneous answer to two trends (rustic and white oiled). Oak Workshop is an even better answer to the retro trend: This floors reminds us of a painted wooden floor with the paint peeling off after a few years. Apart from this introduction, Haro is also responding to the trend for ‘more slender’ floorboards with the Elegant Line. At the same time, the German market leader has also added spacious sizes to the two-layer floors. To meet the growing demand for pre-oiled floors, Haro has changed the finish of the 1-strip range in the wood sorts thermo ash, thermo oak, and larch to ‘naturaLin’ plus. Together with a brushed surface and four-sided bevelled edge, Haro now offers even more naturalness as regards look and feel.

Lalegno Lalegno floors are available in European or Chinese oak, bamboo, and tropical wood sorts (wenge, doussie, merbau, teak, and walnut). In thickness the floors are 10mm (top layer 2.5mm), 15mm (top layer 4mm) or 21mm (top layer 6mm). Most of these products are 1860mm long, but you can also opt for extra long planks of 2200mm or even 4500mm long. There is also a choice in the width, with the options varying from 127 to no fewer than 320mm. These floors can be fitted using tongue and groove or with a click system. In terms of quality sorting, too, Lalegno offers its clients a vast choice. Lalegno sorts the wood into diverse groups with their own look and feel (AB/C/ABC/Classic/ DD/DE). Lalegno has both untreated and oiled, varnished, smoked, and distressed parquet. In total, the company offers about 120 different parquet floors in its standard range. Apart from that, there are also lots of possibilities for tailor-made work. The number of finished floors is rising here, too.

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Meister Meister has multi-layer floors with a 2.5mm thick top layer for ecological reasons in order to reduce the impact on the environment by consuming fewer raw materials. Meister parquet floors always have three layers: a pine counter layer, and HDF middle layer, and a top layer in real wood. The various layers have a neutralising character and ensure a stable floor. Meister is particularly proud of the middle layer in HDF. The fact is that HDF is a much stronger middle layer than pine wood, so the impact of a falling object on the top layer of a parquet floor with an HDF core is much less (less damage) than on a parquet floor with a pine middle layer. Apart from ensuring less damage as a result of falling objects, HDF as a middle layer also provides a better click system; with an HDF click system (both on the short and long sides) it is not possible for pieces of the click system to break off or fall into a gap. All Meister premium parquet floors are 100% pre-finished.

Parketfabriek Lieverdink Lieverdink has multi-layer floors with a top layer at least 4mm thick. This can also run up to a 6mm top layer. Thicknesses can be adapted on request, in both the top layer and in the panel. Lieverdink has its own two-layer product: Q2 13mm (7, 9, 12, and 14cm), Q2 wide (18.5, 22.5, and 24.5cm) and products within the Kahrs and Moso assortment (bamboo). From Kahrs and Moso Lieverdink has various floors with a conventional ‘three-layer’ system and with proven quality for several decades. In particular, the wide floorboards are very much in fashion and at the moment these are usually made in a two-layer structure: a top layer of solid wood with a (birch) multiplex base. Amongst other things, to this end Lieverdink offers products up to 26cm wide in the Kahrs assortment. Q2 width goes up to 24.5cm. At present, Lieverdink supplies the most untreated products within the Q2 product. Obviously, varnished, oiled, or distressed products are all possible. The Kahrs and Moso assortment consists almost exclusively of varnished or oiled products.

Trap Flooring At Trap Flooring they talk of parquet if the top layer is at least 3mm. Trap Flooring offers three different types of floors in two layers, always a hardwood top layer on a birch multiplex base: Multrifloor Project (9mm + 3 mm), Multrifloor Royal ( 11mm + 3.8 mm), and Multrifloor Majestic (14mm + 5.5mm). Trap Flooring produces only two-layer floors. The consistent choice of birch multiplex as the base panel gives you a very stable and ‘heavy’ product which retains its shape, even in big widths. Since the base and the wood for the top layer always have

Yepp

to acclimatise together and the parts are then glued with a melting adhesive, Trap Flooring guarantees perfectly straight floorboards. Trap Flooring has three UV finish Lines and supplies over 80% of its floors oiled or varnished.

Van Landschoot At Van Landschoot they speak of multi-layer parquet with top layers of 3, 4, and 6mm. The company offers a floor, constructed in two layers and consisting of a birch multiplex with a hardwood top layer. These are available in three selections, namely Prime/1bis, RuA, and Rustic. The widths vary from 145 to 300mm, the lengths from 1,500 to 5,000mm. The floorboards can be profiled in three different ways: straight, V-joint, and shadow joint. Van Landschoot believes that its two-layer floors stand out in terms of stability, profiling, and precision. A good 70% of these floors are supplied raw.

Yepp has various types in its range, some with tongue and groove joint (Thrice and Doubly) and others with a click system (QS parquet and Thrice plus). These floors have a top layer of 4 and/or 6mm, depending on the type of product. Yepp offers multi-layer floors in a three-layer system ( THRICE) or in a two-layer system (DOUBLY). All these floors are offered with oak top layers as well as in other wood sorts. The two-layer structure is the most popular due to its easy fitting and, especially, the possibilities in ranges and sizes. As regards scope, there is no difference. Although finished floors are gaining ground, Yepp still sells more untreated floors in which the professional can make the difference and supply a floor finished in accordance with the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wishes.

NEW: PVC

PROTECTS AND COLOURS YOUR WOOD IN ONE SINGLE LAYER

products . Complete range for periodical cleaning, long-term maintenance and protection

. Suitable for PVC, Linoleum and Marmoleum floors

. Consists of: Cleaner, Polish and Polish Remover

RUBIO MONOCOAT OIL PLUS 2C: Behind every good craftsman stands an excellent oil. www.rubiomonocoat.com

Floor Forum International 70

Special

Maintenance and cleaning products for vinyl, PVC and LVT floors

MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS FOR LVT, VINYL AND PVC ANOTHER GOLD MINE – WITH A LITTLE MARKETING!

Photo – Bona

Some top players in the industry believe that the ranges of maintenance products for parquet, laminate, and ‘plastic’ floors are virtually the same. Others, however, believe that there is an essential difference. Whatever the case may be, one thing is certain: When we have to report on maintenance products for the various floors, another distinction emerges, namely that between ‘cleaning’ and ‘maintaining’ a floor. From this perspective, everyone is partially right. What does this show us once again? That floor fitters can earn good extra money here with the support of producers and the aid of a little marketing.

Cleaning or maintenance? Cleaning and maintenance are two completely different things, however often they are mentioned in the same breath. It’s like the difference between car maintenance and going to the car wash. A dirty car is less attractive, but if it is maintained properly, it will survive. The opposite is also true: A spotless car which isn’t maintained is doomed to fail at some point.

Parquet and wooden floors It’s not difficult to explain the difference between cleaning and maintaining parquet. Even (often ignorant) consumers soon realise that wood is a live material which has to be ‘fed’ once in a while to retain its natural gloss and stay ‘healthy’. Maintaining parquet and wooden floors begins in some respects with the ‘finish’ i.e. straight after the fitting.

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Wood which loses its gloss and dries out will soon show signs of decay and start to crack. Removing any dust and stains will not counteract this natural development. And so, it’s not difficult to persuade consumers to use specialist products to this end.

LVT and PVC The position is less clear with so called ‘plastic’ floors, as one chemical producer calls PVC, linoleum, and vinyl floors (not entirely justifiably, but clear nonetheless). PVC is virtually impervious, so you can’t really talk about nourishing, but only cleaning. By contrast, vinyl is (often) highly absorbent and porous. Therefore, it requires maintenance treatment which is comparable to the pore filler applied to wooden floors before you apply a ‘metallic’ product, which should protect the floor constantly from dust and stains.

Some myths There are quite a few myths told about cleaning and maintenance products, which, unfortunately, could cause damage to the floor. A less hazardous misconception is the conviction that wooden floors have to be maintained (and even cleaned) at all costs using the same product with which they have been treated. Preferably with the same brand! Obviously, that is pure marketing and, as long as it doesn’t cause any harm, it’s not a serious issue. Another misconception is that varnished floors (any floors whatsoever!) can be cleaned simply using any solvent whatsoever and that this will suffice in the long run. This applies to varnished wooden floors, laminate, cork, etc. Here, too, we have to say,

however, that as the coat of varnish or matt starts to fade, it becomes harmful to the floor. It’s not the floor which needs to be renewed, but the coat of varnish. There are also specialist products for this.

cleans in no time at all and gives the surface a new gloss. The product does not leave any differences in gloss on the cleaned surface, and that sets it apart from many traditional products.

Talk about marketing

Blanchon

Lots of producers (see below) have told us that their products for cleaning and maintaining LVT and PVC are part of their comprehensive clean, care, and maintenance range. Yet we see some products accommodated under a separate brand name. By doing this, traders not only want to make things absolutely clear to the end user, but they can also generate sales. It doesn’t seem so self-explanatory to offer a product for cleaning parquet alongside an offer of LVT floorboards, even if we are talking about the same product. Nowadays, there are sales stands or presentation displays which parquet traders can use in their shops or showrooms to give their clients clear communication and direct them quickly to the right product.

At Blanchon they point out that ‘those who can cope with hard work can certainly cope with easy work’. And so, a product which has been developed for parquet can also be used on these prepared ‘plastic’ floors. These include ‘metallic’ products for regular maintenance, power cleaners for ‘restoring’ worn top coats, and all this on different types of floors. Blanchon also draws the aforementioned and important distinction between ‘feeding’ and cleaning. The Blanchon range of products goes by the comprehensive Blanchon Maintenance (‘Blanchon Entretien’). This range is presented in a conveniently arranged display case. One of the star products is Lagoon, a rapid cleaning product with spray and micro-fibre cloths. This combination appears in a ‘kit’. The cloths can be machine-washed up to 500 times. For maintenance and renovation Blanchon presents a full assortment of products , including two ‘metallic’ products Gloss Renovator (‘Rénovateur Satiné’) and ‘Metamatt Renovator (‘Rénovateur Metamat’). These products are designed for renovation. For ongoing maintenance there is Parquet Cleaning Protector (‘Nettoyant Protecteur Parquet’; Lisabril) to supplement the aforementioned metallic products. Finally, the Superactivated Cleaner (‘Nettoyant Suractivé’) is perfect for cleaning and preparation for renovation.

A selection from the range Adesiv Adesiv offers ‘Detpro’, a gloss rejuvenation detergent for all types of floors e.g. marble, terra cotta, parquet, linoleum, vinyl, or laminate. The packet contains a spray which is ready for use. And so, Detpro makes it possible to clean products without a bucket and water, so it is extremely practical for use on stairs, in lifts, in storage cupboards, and such like. You simply spray the product on the ground and wipe it with paper, a mop, or a fibre cloth. In the case of stubborn stains, you can repeat the treatment. Deptro

WOCA

FOR VINYL AND LACQUER Soap and care

WOCA Vinyl- and Lacquer Care and Soap are suitable for PVC, laminated and lacquered surfaces. Vinyl- and Lacquer Care strengthens the surface as it protects against wear and tear and scratches and in that way, it prolongs the life of the lacquered surface. WOCA Vinyl- and Lacquer Care is self-removable by next application and therefore, it does not build up a thick layer on the surface. Vinyl- and Lacquer Soap is suitable for the cleaning of all vinyl, laminated, lacquered or painted surfaces. Vinyl- and Lacquer Soap does not build up soap ﬁlm, and therefore it is very suitable for surfaces requiring frequent cleaning.

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

Special

Maintenance and cleaning products for vinyl, PVC and LVT floors

Chimiver VELUREX Cleaner Star SUPER AZIONE BATTERICIDA VELUREX Cleaner Star Super is a bactericidal multiuse cleaner, suitable for maintenance of lacquered wooden floors. It also efficiently acts on PVC, linoleum, melamine, marble, etc. removing dirt, tire tracks, various stains; it doesn’t leave halos and perfume the environment making it hygienic.VELUREX Cleaner Star Super is a neutro detergent with addition of the special nano particles which give to the treated surfaces a long lasting bactericidal action. VELUREX Vinyl Cleaner SUPER AZIONE BATTERICIDA Vinyl Cleaner SUPER is suitable for cleaning vinyl flooring. The anti-static emulsion helps the absorption and prevention of dust build-up. Furthermore Vinyl Cleaner SUPER contains special nano particles which give to the treated surfaces a long lasting bactericidal action. Rinse free, it does not leave halos, assuring a hygienic and fresh smell/scent in the ambient.

Irsa Irsa has a full selection of cleaning and maintenance products for oiled or varnished floors on the one hand and for sealed floors on the other. The sealed floor range includes the Irsa Laminate Cleaner for laminate and, for vinyl and PVC, the Irsa Aqua Cleaner 7001. These are specific products in each case, since some floors (such as laminate) don’t need any maintenance, just cleaning. All the cleaning products are classified under the Irsa brand. Irsa offers the necessary promotional material for retailers such as instructions, for instance.

Kerakoll Kerakoll offers an extensive range of maintenance products for diverse floors and they have a specific range of cleaning and maintenance products for flexible floor coverings, wood, and laminate. These products are designed to protect the floor and preserve, or, if necessary, restore, its gloss. The products are concentrated, water-based, and have a low solvent-content so that they are not harmful to human health or the environment. The neutral operation of SLC Eco Silopark cleans vinyl, PVC, laminate, rubber, linoleum, and hard wood without damaging the surface. For general maintenance Kerakoll has the SLC Eco Silolux, an ecological wax for maintenance, recommended in Green Building. This product is easy to apply with a cloth of wax doser and gives the floor a protective layer.

Loba Loba has a full range of products with cleaning and maintenance items for all types of floors. This is the Lobacare Care and Maintenance range. This range is absolutely complete and includes a maintenance product for each floor. Loba Care includes primarily the Loba Care Cleaner, a concentrated and water-based detergent for daily cleaning of oiled and varnished floors. The range

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also includes Lobacare Floor Care and Lobacare Cleanfix. It is also possible to clean laminate using these products. Loba will soon be publishing the ‘Loba care instructions’ to give clients more information about the range.

Overmat PVC floors are becoming more and more a trend when it comes to floor covering. From now on you can find three new maintenance and cleaning products for PVC floors in the Floorservice productrange. PVC Cleaner Floorservice PVC Cleaner can be used for daily and periodical cleaning of PVC, Linoleum and Marmoleum floors. Stubborn dirt can be removed easily, while the original colour and appearance of the floor is being protected. PVC Polish PVC, Linoleum and Marmoleum floors can be perfectly maintained and protected with Floorservice PVC Polish. The applied protective layer is very durable. PVC Polish Remover This PVC Polish Remover removes old layers of Floorservice PVC Polish, or other water based maintenance products. Floorboy XL 300 For removing Polish on large areas the Floorboy Xl300 is a very capable and handy machine. The colour and structure of the floor won’t be affected.

Tover Tover offers in its range several maintenance products for resilient floorings like PVC, linoleum or rubber. For frequent cleaning of this type of surfaces subject to high traffic, the neutral detergent MyFloor Cleaner is particularly efficient as much concentrated and with good degreasing properties. For their periodical maintenance, the metalized wax Resinal Wax creates a washable protection coat, resistant to spots and wear. Nettar Due, once diluted can be used to wash floors or, applied pure, to eliminate old wax treatments. For laminate, a specific neutral and ready to use detergent, Ready-Pro with antistatic properties against dust is recommended to get a bright and clean surface. Tover proposes a display to present these products in a show-room and also the possibility to have private labeling.

WOCA WOCA has a special assortment of products for maintaining vinyl, LVT, and PVC. This assortment includes the WOCA Vinyl & Lacquer Care, WOCA Vinyl & Lacquer Soap, and WOCA Vinyl & Lacquer Maintenance Box. The WOCA Vinyl & Lacquer Soap is made with natural raw materials and does not contain alcohol or aromatic substances. WOCA Vinyl & Lacquer Care is strongly recommended as a nutritional product. It protects and freshens up the surface. This assortment is part of the WOCA Cleaning & Maintenance Range.

∂ Industry news Decorad Interest in on-site UV is increasing

Interest in on-site UV curing is growing rapidly. Various (big) lacquer producers are currently working on the development of UV coatings. Thousands of square metres of wood, flexible and mineral substrates are already being maintained successfully by using DecoRad® UV equipment. The big advantage of UV coatings as compared to traditional products is the rapid curing, environmental-friendliness, and excellent coating properties.

Osmo / New sanding and carving machine expands production

flooring show March 24-26, 2015 in Shanghai. The current number of international brands booked for this specific product category has already reached the final 2014 brands’ registration number 5 months before the next show opening. The international wood flooring brands increased by 50% compared to the same period last year. For the whole wood and laminate flooring sector, including international and domestic exhibitors, DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR organizers have already received a record of booths’ booking which forecasts an increase of companies’ participation in this particular section, confirming the leading position of DOMOTEX asia/ CHINAFLOOR as the biggest wood and laminate flooring exhibition in the world. Among the international wood and laminate flooring exhibitors are Kronoswiss, Kronotex, Lamett, Beaulieu, Ter Hürne, Parla, Stile, Egger, Berry Alloc, Witex, Floover, Tilo, BKB and SE Timber Floors while some of Asia’s more well-known domestic exhibitors include Nature, Sunyard, Yihua, Boer, Jinqiao, Teclic, and Huaming will showcase their latest floorings as well. Total exhibition space, including all flooring products categories, is already 81% sold. Last year the full flooring show hosted nearly 1200 exhibitors from across the industry with about 22% representing international companies from outside of China. In all, the 2015 show will encompass 12 halls covering 140,000 square meters of exhibit space. Online registration for the 17th annual DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR is open now at www.domotexasiachinafloor.com for visitors.

SIGIL LA Single-component water-based sealant for waterproofing the joints of click wooden floors and laminates systems

Osmo expands the production site in Warendorf with the investment in a new belt sanding machine from the company Costa Levigatrici. At the same time, the company strengthens its leading competence in the field of surface modification of wood and wood materials. The new structure and sanding machine introduces an immeasurably large variety of wood surfaces and finds its use at Osmo in the area of flooring as well as in profile wood, edge-glued panels and wooden garden elements.

DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR wood flooring exhibitors’ Booking record 5 months prior to the show It will require four dedicated halls to house just the wood and laminate exhibitions at DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR’s 17th annual chimiver.com

CHIMIVER PANSERI S.p.A. PONTIDA (BG) - ITALY - Tel. +39 035 795031 - info@chimiver.com

Floor Forum International 70

Special

Top Italian producers looking to expand export

ITALY LOVES ‘BEAUTY’ ‘MADE IN ITALY’ IS STILL A STRONG TRADEMARK Italy is an exception in so many ways. As regards cultural heritage, the country towers above all other parts of the world. From Siena to Pompey we find treasures from the past which are maintained and cherished masterfully. The country also stands out in all sorts of ways for its social and economic structures and organisation. Even the term ‘design land’ has a unique significance here. Design is more an export product than a way of life, even if that doesn’t appear to be the case. Italy is a small parquet country in comparison with the rest of Europe, but here, too, there are some players which specialise in ‘exclusivity’.

The economic ‘paradox’ Italy is a wealthy country. The country’s total wealth amounts to no less than 9,000 billion euros, wealthier than Germany per head of population. Moreover, the Italian central bank possesses 2,450 tonnes of gold, a figure which puts the country in third place in the league of gold reserves just behind the USA and Germany. In contrast to France, Italy has a primary surplus on its budget. This surplus was 3.5% in 2012 and in 2013 rose to 5% of the gross domestic product (GDP). This provides a solid foundation for the country to finance its debt. Moreover, with 45% of the GDP, the people of Italy have the lowest debt in the euro zone. Compare that with the Dutch, who, by contrast, have by far the highest debt with 130%.

Huge budget deficit For a long time now, the problem of the Italian economy has been the high budget deficit. The joint public and private debt of Italy is about 300% of GDP, a figure comparable with France and Germany. This figure includes both public debt (or government budget deficit) and the private debts of citizens, companies, and banks. By comparison, the total debt in the Netherlands is about 375% at the moment

A euro odd man out Italy is the odd man out in the euro zone. The Italian economy certainly does suffer at the hands of the single currency, but, in contrast to a country like Spain, Italy is strong enough to leave the euro zone on its own terms. Italy has often considered leaving the euro zone. In contrast to Spain, Greece, Ireland, or Portugal, Italy holds all the trump cards. The country is so rich that, if necessary, it could finance its own budget deficit internally. The introduction of a national currency would liberate the Italian economy from the yoke of the euro and restore the country’s competitive position in one fell swoop. Obviously, there would also be drawbacks as well.

Strengths and weaknesses The cluster formation, family character, limited innovation, faulty infrastructure, political instability, and bureaucracy all put a damper on the prosperity of the Italian economy. The endeavour to have products which are ‘Made in Italy’ acts as a motor which could bring some relief. The Italian people certainly have the will and that’s the basic condition for success.

The economy today Italy is in a downward spiral and has been in recession since 2011. Economists expected 2013 to be a year of recovery, but so far the

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indicators vary between ‘changeable’ and ‘very gloomy’. That conclusion is rather frightening for an economy which is one of the top ten biggest on earth. Recently, however, prospects seem to have improved a little. For 2014, the central bank is counting on growth of 0.7%. However, earlier this year, the central bank did warn that this forecast was clouded by lots of uncertainties. For example, the central bank expects unemployment to rise to almost 13%. In May of this year, unemployment was 12.2%, the highest ever recorded level. According to the Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istat), exports can bring some relief. According to Istat, Italian exports will grow by 9.7% until the end of 2014 and thereby make a significant contribution towards economic recovery in Italy. Exports of goods will rise by 10%, whilst the figure for services is 7.5%, according to Istat. The statistics agency has based its figures on the estimates of Sace, the Italian insurer of business credit. In 2013, Istat forecast that the Italian economy would shrink during that year by 1.4%, followed by growth of 0.7% in 2014. The forecast was that an increase in exports in 2013 and 2014 would add 1% to gross domestic product in that period.

Italy and wood About 23% of Italy’s surface area is covered by forests, which the country uses for wood and fuel supplies. 60% of Italian forests are situated in Northern and Central Italy, whilst the remaining 40% are located in Southern Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia. For hundreds of years, the country cut away at its forests on a large scale, but now there is a programme of replanting to counteract that erosion. Major wood regions include Trentalto Adige and Lombardy.

Italy and parquet In 2012, European parquet production showed a fall as compared to the previous year. As yet, there are no signs of a recovery. Production in the FEP zone in 2011 was 70,713,000m², whilst in 2012 that figure was 68,266,133m², a fall of no less than 4.7%. Total European production (FEP + other European countries outside the FEP zone) is estimated at 75,000,000m². The fall in consumption has been even greater. Whilst total consumption in 2011 was over 91,475,000m², in 2012 that figure was 87,509,000m². This represents a drop of 5.88%.

Parquet production Total production in the FEP countries fell in 2012 by 4.7 % to 68,266,133m². Total parquet production with the non-FEP countries included was estimated at 75 million square metres. Italy accounts for 4.83% of all FEP production. This means 3,208,508m² of wooden floors. In 2011, production was still 3,569,922m². The share then was still 5.48% of all FEP production. And so, there has been a considerable fall which corresponds perfectly to the general financial and economic situation.

Parquet consumption Similarly, parquet consumption in the FEP countries fell sharply in 2012 by 5.88% to a level of 87,509,000m². In 2011, Italy accounted for 10.33% of the total consumption. The country consumed 9,449,367m² of parquet during that year. Its share dropped in 2012 to 9.32%. The total amount of parquet floors was then 8,155,838m² i.e. another sharp fall.

ADESIV

ARDESIA

Adesiv was formed in 1971. The company produces adhesives for various industrial sectors and has established a fine reputation thanks to its ongoing product development. The company has always set great store by quality, image, and care for the environment. It has its own network of distributors to ensure that its clients always receive excellent service. Its clients are wooden floor fitters who purchase products from dealers. Adesiv exports a lot of products, and export figures are rising each year. The company is well known for its high quality adhesives, but in recent years has also made significant progress in coatings and wooden floor maintenance products. Adesiv focuses mainly on Europe and would like to have a greater presence on the British market, but the company also has its eyes on the Far East. Given that pre-finished wooden floors are becoming much more popular, Adesiv is ready with its varnishes for the day when all those floors need renovating. At all events, Adesiv is fully convinced that wooden floors have a great future. Adesiv, looking for distributors in the countries of Northern Europa and Scandinavia.

Ardesia was formed in 1999 by Franco Gelmo and is based in the municipality of Follina, near Venice. The company specialises in two and three-layer floors. For over eight years now, the company has had at its disposal a high-tech and fully computerised production line. The company carries out each step of the production process itself, from the raw wood to the finished product. And so, its products are also 100% ‘made in Italy’. Ardesia employs over 38 people and the annual turnover is about six million euros. Annual production is over 180,000m². The crown jewels in its assortment include the Maxi collection, a three-layer floor which is available in 15 wood sorts, several finishes, and a maximum size of 20 x 195 x 2400mm. Another important collection is Plus 12, oak floorboards in 12 x 135/155 x 1200/2000mm. 2014 and 2015 are important strategic years which will witness the important launch of the strong brand DE VENETIA, a paragon of the ‘Made in Italy’ symbol. This label will respond to the rapidly changing needs of the market. The initial step was the launch of a new web site: www.devenetia.com. The company has announced a new catalogue, merchandising, and its intention to take part in Domotex Hannover. + 39 (0) 438 971821 - www.devenetia.com

+ 39 (0) 424 566406 - www.adesiv.it

LA SAN MARCO PROFILI IMPERTEK

Impertek is a family business which was formed in1985 as a specialist in fitting watertight membranes and PVC materials. Since 2001, its headquarters have been located in Ceggia (Venice). The company operates on a surface area of 27,000m², 10,000m² of which is covered, and is the home base of the Giacomini family from Jesolo. Over the years, Impertek has developed into a paragon of the ‘Made in Italy’ label. Nowadays, the company specialises in watertight products and adjustable floor bases (Jack Support) for raised floors. Speedy order processing and ongoing attention to the needs of the market are part of the company’s philosophy. The turnover amounts to five million euros and the company employs 15 people. New items planned in the foreseeable future are adjustable floor bases for minimal differences in height (7-22mm). Impertek exports to Europe, the Mediterranean region, and North Africa and is now setting its sights on the United States, Canada, and the Middle East. They are also looking at growth islands in Africa.

La San Marco Profili is the expression of its two generations of management, dedicated to innovation. Our unwavering commitment, our research into and passion for wood, together with our latest generation processing equipment, have enabled La San Marco Profili to evolve with new technologies and offer high quality products and efficient service. Nowadays, the company is a benchmark in the Italian and foreign markets for the supply of skirting and profiles for the home and office, as well as wood flooring for outdoors installations. Passion, Experience and Innovation. These key words together with our production’s flexibility and fast deliveries distinguish our company. Our principal product born from our capacity to produce whatever the customer needs following his requests and desire. We have a wide range of skirting that easily fulfill all markets’ demands, but we could also produce skirting ad hoc for customers and adapt any outdoor flooring according to installation’s place and customers’ needs. Our latest product called ‘Olympia’, is a decapè decorative skirting board of mm. 120x15 covered by a particular kind of gold decoration. It shows the capacity of a simple structural element to become a real design product. La San Marco Profili exports its products to lots of countries above all in Europe, but we aim to export worldwide.

+ 39 (0) 421 322 525 - www.impertek.it

+ 39 (0) 438 980106 - www.lasanmarcoprofili.com

Floor Forum International 70

Special

Top Italian producers looking to expand export

KERAKOLL

RAVAIOLI LEGNAMI

Kerakoll was formed in 1968 by Romano Sghedoni and is now the Kerakoll Green Building Company led by Gian Luca Sghedoni. The company’s assortment includes a good 1,700 ecological products. The total volume amounts to 950,000 tonnes per annum, 200,000 tonnes of which consists of recycled natural materials. Respect for the environment and the health of the product users and the eventual occupants of a building constitute the primary objectives. The Kerakoll Green Lab in Sassuolo (Modena) is a good illustration of this, with its nine advanced laboratories and 87 researchers. This laboratory was one of the first examples of an industrial building with a low environmental impact, extreme comfort, and high energy efficiency. Today, 1350 members of staff work for Kerakoll Green Building spread over 12 offices. The company has 10 production plants in Italy and abroad, three research institutes, and three training centres. In 2013, the company achieved a turnover of 340 million euros. The major products include the SLC Eco L34 range of adhesives for hardwood floors. In 2014, Kerakoll has introduced the SLC Eco L34 Rapid. For 2015, they are working further on various products for the swift and sustainable installation of wooden floors.

Ravaioli Legnami was formed by Urbano Ravaioli in 1976 in Villanova di Bagnacavallo. In 1985, the company was taken over by the Bagnari family and, thanks to constant innovations, grew from being a small wooden profiles business based in a workshop to one of the most competitive companies in the industry. In 1996 and 2000, they opened two new offices in Villanova di Castenaso and Rimini respectively. Since 2002, the focus has been on outdoor floors. The machines which have been used to make profiles have been deployed for working on tropical wood. Today, their speciality is outdoor wood for terraces and exterior walls. Good quality is maintained from the selection of the raw materials up to and including the sound after-sales service. Well trained staff, wood from sustainably managed forests (FSC), and the registered Ravaioli Decking Building® label ensure that quality. In 2013, the company achieved a turnover of about nine million euros with 45 employees. Capacity amounts to about 150,000m² per annum. In 2014, various innovations saw the light of day: 4SUN (adaptable sunshade), CROMO BASIC (low-cost decking), iDECKING EASY CLICK (patented click system, and MODULO (decking tiles in teak).

+ 39 (0) 536 816511 - www.kerakoll.com

+ 39 (0) 545 927309 - www.ravaiolilegnami.com

BORGONOVO / TRABATTONI STAMPI

From 1961 Renzo Borgonovo and FNT Trabattoni Stampi collaborate in supplying of equipments for wood decoration. In the last years, they improved technology of wood embossing applied to the parquet industry. The embossing machines Renzo Borgonovo and embossing rollers from FNT operate with the technique of “pyro-engraving”. By means of pressure and temperature the designs engraved on the cylinders recreate onto the wood the most variegated structures; everything with the only use of one machinery and interchangeable embossing rollers. Architects from any part of the world use the experience of these two firms to create structures and finishes new and trendy, required by a market more and more demanding.” Recently Renzo Borgonovo perfected a new gas burner without open flame. This system with special heating elements emits heat up to 300°C on the cylinder. + 39 (0) 31 621303 - www.trabattonistampi.com + 39 (0) 362 901347-8 - www.borgonovo.com

Floor Forum international 70

CHIMIVER

Chimiver Panseri S.p.A. is a family business with a strong work ethos, a focus on research and development and an excellent customer service. It is now run by Giovanni Panseri (founder) and his 2 sons Oscar and Nevio. Nowdays Chimiver employs 56 people and has 11.000 m2 of surface and a capacity of 40.000 kg of glue per day (2 plants) and 10.000 liters of varnishes (1 plant). The company slogan is “Il Mondo del Parquet” (The world of parquet) is proved with the widest range of products for parquet: primers, adhesives, lacquers, oils and maintenance products for indoor and outdoor wooden floors. Since more than 20 years Chimiver offers a wide range of UV products supplying the Italian and European leading producer of pre-finished or engineered parquet. Chimiver’s UV line includes fillers, primers, finishing lacquers, UV-oils and a complete UV water-based treatment. Chimiver is recognized as the biggest Italian player for parquet products and is now focussing more on export (from Europe to South-America). At present 60% of the turnover is made in Italy and 40% abroad. The aim is to get to a 50%-50 % balance the next years. + 39 (0) 357 95031 - www.chimiver.com

KLINDEX

Klindex was formed in 1988 by the Bibiano brothers, who, at that time, already had between one and ten years of experience in selling cleaning machines. It all started with a patented new system for polishing natural stone with diamond pads. For many years, the brothers had to put up with a certain scepticism, but, thanks to their perseverance and the quality of the machines, they were able to promote the brand into a permanent fixture. At the Amsterdam Inter-Clean 2000 Convention, they were nominated for the ‘Most innovative Product Award’ with the Unika brushing machine. In 2004, the Idraulikus machine won an award. Today, the company exports to over 60 countries worldwide. Turnover in 2012 was about 10 million euros. Klindex employs 100 people and has planned the following new items for 2013-14: a new Hercules series, Expander 530, and 580. + 39 (0) 85 859 546 - www.klindex.it

MILESI

Milesi products have been made by Milesi SPA since 1947. The company specialises in the production of varnish, colouring agents, and impregnation agents for wood. 200 researchers are constantly engaged in research and development in the group laboratories. Since 2007, Milesi has been part of the IVM Chemicals Group, which, in turn, is part of the Multinational IVM Group. The latter is the top European player in the industry and a top global player with offices in Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Greece, and Poland. The products are available in 70 countries thanks to a sophisticated distribution network. Some of the major products include waterborne varnish for application on site, the Process UV Hes for industrial application, and the Process ‘Primary + Varnish’ UV in water-based oil. For 2014-15, the company has announced a waterborne UV varnish for parquet and stairs. + 39 (0) 384 2544.1 - www.ivmchemicals.com

ICA GROUP WE WILL BE PRESENT AT

ICA Group was formed in 1971 and is based in Civitanova Marche. The company is one of the leading Italian producers of special coatings for wood. From the very beginning, ICA Group was a family business, and that is still the case. ICA Deutschland, ICA Iberia (Spain), and ICA China are all part of the group. Since the 1980s, ICA has invested heavily in research and development and looks mainly for products with a low environmental impact. Today, ICA is recognised as one of the most technologically advanced producers in the area of coatings for the furniture industry, parquet, and indoor and outdoor joinery. All finishes are available in a ‘green’ version. The company concentrates on waterborne coatings (UV and air-dried) and finishes with a high solid matter content. In 2013, ICA Group achieved a turnover of 104 million euros in its three production companies. 42% of that was achieved via exports. The company employs 380 people and has an annual capacity of 25,000 tonnes. For 2014 and 2015, ICA Group is aiming to continue with its close collaboration with architects and designers in order to stay in the top segment by keeping in touch with the latest market innovations. +39 (0) 733 8080 - www.icaspa.com

www.adesiv.it Floor Forum International 70

Special

Top Italian producers looking to expand export

LECHNER

TOVER

Lechner is a family business, which was founded by Ernesto Lechner in 1920 and specialised originally in the development of resins for quality paints. Over the years, due to intensive research and development, and takeovers of other companies the assortment has grown considerably. Today, Lechner has three divisions: marine industry, construction, and Drenatech, the revolutionary solution for outdoor floors, introduced in 2013. The assortment includes a full range of products for fitting various floors: levelling compounds, self-levelling compounds, primers, adhesives, sealants, varnishes, oils, and cleaning and maintenance products. The most important product at the moment is Sipol Plus, an odourless epoxy-polyurethane adhesive for all wooden floors which does not contain solvents or water. The company operates on four continents and in no fewer than 28 countries. Lechner employs 30 people and has an annual turnover of 9.5 million (2013). Constant adaptation to client demands and the changing market situation is one of the secrets behind the success.

Export growth remains the first goal of Tover as domestic demand is being in stagnation for several years. Even if the Italian market will still represent around 55% of the global 2014 turnover, major investments in terms of research and innovation converge towards products which comply with the most restrictive European norms regarding VOC content and other hazardous compounds. As the German, Austrian and Benelux markets continue to be priority expansion targets on “the Old Continent”, the Company got DIBt certificate for its glues and offers a complete range for laying and finishing, solvent free (zero VOC), isocyanate free, without heavy metals. Moreover, reinforced by its experience and great success achieved thanks to a winning strategy of quality, flexibility and trust, Tover has set an ambitious agenda of commercial overseas development in 2015.

+ 39 (0) 143 636103 - www.lechnerspa.it

+ 39 (0) 11 7792823 - www.tover.com

MiniTimba Perimetric wood sanding machine with dual counter-rotating head.

NEW directional system

Run the new MiniTimba along the wall has never been so easy! The levers on the handlebars allow you to give pressure to the right or left, and in conjunction with the movement of the two counter-rotating discs Ø 140 mm, the machine will move by itself without any minimum operator effort.

Klindex s.r.l. SS 5 Tiburtina valeria km209+200 ▪ Manoppello (PE) Italy | Tel +39 085 859 546 ▪ Fax +39 085 8599 224 • www.klindex.it ▪ info@klindex.it

Floor Forum international 70

PROFILPAS

Profilpas S.p.A. (Italy) production profiles in metal

FAST

Profilpas S.p.A. (Italy) production profiles in PVC

Profilpas Polska

Profilpas was formed in 1976 by Franco Pasquali. Since its formation, Profilpas has produced metal and PVC profiles for walls and floors in ceramic, marble, carpet, parquet, and laminate. Profilpas is the Italian market leader and one of the top European producers. Profilpas is still a family business. The first company building was a 200m² large warehouse in Vigodarzere and the initial production was geared to carpet profiles. Now the surface of our stores Profilpas Italy and Profilpas Polska is 20,000 m². A network of agents helped the company to conquer Italy. Today, Profilpas has offices in France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic, Croatia, Russia, Poland and United Arab Emirates. Innovation and ongoing development are still key concepts. Today, the company has about 10,000 articles constantly in stock. An important product is Unisystem Plus, an innovative solution for laminate and wooden floors. Another flagship is the PVC foam skirting boards with PDS film and the option for personalisation. In 2013, Profilpas achieved a turnover of 24.5 million euros. The company employs 125 people. New items include the line of profiles with crystal from Swarovski and a collection of skirting boards with LED lights. + 39 (0) 498 878411 - www.profilpas.com

DISMAC

k... Easy, light and quic

in a click! MEGAMART is the new support for external raised flooring which can be used with all types of flooring without demolition thanks to its wide millimetrical adjustment. Installation speed. Innovative MEGAMART system allows to reduce time of laying always guaranteeing excellent results. Easy inspection without demolition. Raised flooring is laid directly on supports.

Dismac was formed in 1983 when it acquired the experienced employees and technology of a company which had been active since 1953 in the field of sandpaper and polishing. Thanks to years of experience and ongoing innovations, the company has managed to improve the quality and safety of the machines consistently under the Hevery® brand. Dismac is an extremely client-driven company which strives to guarantee machine users the greatest possible satisfaction. Optimal service from the quotation request to the after-sales is a key concept. The strength of the company lies in its extensive range of machines and accessories. The most important machine is the belt sander thanks to its outstanding results and user-friendliness. Dismac operates worldwide. + 39 (0) 117 395260 - www.dismac.it

Perfect levelness of the final flooring thanks to the regulation nut and slope corrector which allow millimetric heights movements.

IMPERTEK Srl Via Po 507 30022 Ceggia | Venice | Italy Tel. +39 0421 322 525 Fax +39 0421 322 756 info@impertek.com w w w. i m p e r t e k . c o m

∂ Product news CIRANOVA UN1CO is a 1-coat VOC-free oil from the newest generation using renewable natural oils. Thanks to this special technology there is only one coat necessary to finish your parquet. The combination of the oil with the hardener results in a fast drying and excellent chemical resistant finish. UN1CO will be available in 16 colours. New practical sample boxes : We are delighted to introduce two exciting new sample boxes which we believe are a very useful tool to sell and promote our CIRANOVA products. The UN1CO SAMPLE BOX contains 16 finished samples of the standard UN1CO colours. This sample box allows users and clients to make their choices in a fast and easy way. Thanks to its special technology, only one coat is needed to finish your parquet. The second “GET INSPIRED” sample box is specificially developed to send 100 ml of our CIRANOVA products. You have the choice to select 20 samples or fill the box with the 16 standard UN1CO samples + 500 ml hardener. This is an exciting way the client can create his own finishes and colours.

HAND-SIZE UV APPARATUS: DECORAD® HANDMATE UV 600 This is essential for any professional wanting to get into on-site UV. It has been developed in collaboration with end users and is produced by DecoRad® Systems, the European specialist in the field of mobile UV equipment. The DecoRad® Handmate UV 600 has the following characteristics: it is easy and safe to use (partly due to the built in shutter), lightweight, portable, and CE-approved (and BG-BAU).

LA SAN MARCO PROFILI Very recently, trends in interior design are going back to more elaborate and higher skirting boards, which in conjunction with other decorative moldings help to distinguish a home. The innovative element in this skirting typology is the assembly of any kind of ornament or decoration to the skirting. Our latest product called ‘Olympia’, a decapè decorative skirting board of mm.120x15 covered by a particular kind of gold decoration, well shows the capacity of a simple structural element to become a real product design. With this product, we combine wood quality with aesthetic and beauty, all characteristics that well represent what we call MADE IN ITALY.

OSMO OIL STAIN ENABLES AN INDIVIDUAL COLOURATION With Oil Stain from Osmo, wood flooring, but also furniture and stairs, can be coloured easily and without any noticeable seams. The product offers a wide spectrum – customers can choose between classic brown and trendy grey tones. Also white stained flooring is possible. With one coat of Oil Stain, a transparent colouration is achieved, and a second coat provides an intensive colouration. As a final top coat, Osmo recommends to apply one of the clear Polyx®-Oils.

VILIGNO LVT FLOORING, NOW AVAILABLE IN DRY BACK VERSION The Belgian manufacturer Plastivan NV, with nearly 50 years of experience in the production and distribution of PVC building products, introduce from September 2014 on a second line of LVT flooring also under the brand name VILIGNO. Besides the 4mm version with Uniclic system the Viligno floors are now available in a 2.5mm version to glue down. The collection is the same as the click version and consists of seven authentic wood designs and three contemporary tile structures. The dry back version is ideal to be used in the project market (offices, hotels, ...), but also meets a demand from the residential market. The VILIGNO dry back version comes with a 20 year warranty for domestic use and 10 years for commercial use. www.viligno.com

RUBIO MONOCOAT M1 label for RMC Oil Plus 2C! We are happy to announce that we have obtained the M1 classification for the Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C. Next to the A+ (French) and the Ü (German) emission labels, this Scandinavian classification aims to enhance the development and use of low-emitting building materials.The classification presents emission requirements for the materials used in ordinary work spaces and residences with respect to good indoor air quality. M1 stands for low emissions. www.rubiomonocoat.com

Floor Forum international 70

Discover the Future of Floor & Wall solutions

EFWEX

European Floor & Wall Exhibition 13/15.03.2016 - FLANDERS EXPO GHENT (B)

13/15.03.2016 FLANDERS EXPO - GHENT (B) WWW.EFWEX.BE