FFI 74 May 2015 by Media-Pact NV / FFI bvba

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° 74, May - June 2015 - 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 Hungary Preview: EFWEX 2016 Ghent (BE)

EFWEX

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

Review MADE expo Milan (IT)

Review Domotex asia/ CHINAFLOOR Special: Producers of style panels

Special: Parquet oil

Turning 50 without feeling old... and still desiring to grow!

Special: Producers of exterior walls : wood, bamboo and composite

chimiver.com

From 1965 top quality products for wooden ﬂoors

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

Content

Editorial

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

Special Hungary Preview: EFWEX 2016 Ghent (BE)

“Chimiver protects and maintains the indoor and outdoor wood of several pavilions at the World Exhibition in Milan”

EFWEX

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

Review MADE expo Milan (IT)

Review Domotex asia/ CHINAFLOOR Special: Producers of style panels

Turning 50 without feeling old... and still desiring to grow!

Special: Parquet oil

2015 is a special year for the Italian parquet chemical specialist Chimiver. This year, the company celebrates its fiftieth anniversary and

Special: Producers of exterior walls : wood, bamboo and composite

is also protecting the indoor and outdoor wood of

chimiver.com

From 1965 top quality products for wooden ﬂoors

several pavilions at the World Exhibition in Milan.

Floor Forum International n° 74 May - June 2015 Photo Chimiver Panseri Panseri SpA

At the same time, the company is also achieving its export ambition with rapidly growing activities in Latin America and, shortly, in North America as well. Nevio Panseri tells us more about it.

4 Inside news

‘EXPO, the World Exhibition in Milan, is an

5 Preview EFWEX 2016 Ghent (BE) 8 Review Domotex asia/CHINAFLOOR 10 Review MADE expo Milan (IT) 11 Special Producers of profiles for LVT, vinyl and PVC floors 15 Special Producers of style panels 19 Project Design Parquet (FR) 20 Special Protection from sunlight by means of

extra UV-resistant oil and varnish 23 Project Impertek (IT) 24 Special Suppliers who provide temporary floor protection 27 Special Producers of exterior wall cladding :

wood, bamboo and composite 32 Advertorial Parket Kerkhofs (BE) 34 Special Parquet, laminate, vinyl, PVC and LVT in hotels 39 Special How to prepare and treat subfloors

important event for the Italian economy. There you

Nevio Panseri

(Chimiver Panseri SpA)

will see pavilions from 145 countries and 20 million visitors are expected in the coming months. And so, it’s a great honour for us at Chimiver, in the

year of our fiftieth anniversary, to be given the task of finishing and maintaining in perfect condition the wooden surfaces in the pavilions from Brazil, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Chile, United States, and Monaco during the show. This is a major assignment, which we have to complete under heavy time pressure. No less than 80% of the structures at the show are made of wood or composite material.’

An assignment which fits in perfectly with Chimiver’s export ambitions. ‘Definitely. Such a project is great publicity both at home and abroad. It also shows once again that Chimiver is no longer geared solely to Italy or Europe, but is a global enterprise. Chimiver products are now sold in 51 different countries. Our export figures now account for 40% of our entire turnover. In recent years, we’ve been building up our activities considerably on the Brazilian market and are now also active in other Latin American countries. Thanks to the favourable euro-dollar exchange rate, we’re also planning exports to the United States.’

What’s the recipe for Chimiver’s international success? ‘Chimiver’s international success is due to the quality of our products and the

43 Special Terrace renovation

commitment of our staff. Moreover, there are 12 people working every day in our Research

46 Special Producers of parquet oil

accurately, so we’ve launched scores of new products in recent times. Our range of finish

51 Special Producers of dispersion adhesives 54 Industry news

& Development department. This makes it possible to anticipate new market trends and maintenance products for wood composite material is also a good example of our successful innovation strategy.’

55 Special Hungary 58 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 Stauf Strong performance in the Netherlands

reagents (Grey effect and Tanned effect) and the ‘White Patina’. In particular, Cimethane UV, an ultra-effective glazer which makes it possible to use high-traffic parquet floors immediately, attracted a lot of attention. As always, the participants greatly appreciated the visit to the Production and Logistics departments, which concluded the sessions.

Presenting the new manager of Rubio Monocoat Germany

STAUF Klebstoffwerk GmbH of Wilnsdorf presented itself as a reliable partner at the Parquet and Woninginrichter trade event in Gorinchem in South Holland from 30 March to 1 April: STAUF exhibited its portfolio of services side by side with the Dutch customer Plinten en Profielen. The practical demonstrations in particular attracted a great deal of interest: STAUF D 37, for example, impressed visitors as a universal wet, pressure-sensitive and contact adhesive for all common types of flooring, while STAUF SPU 570 provides an ecologically beneficial solution for extreme solid floorboard formats. Special samples were prepared for the trade event to demonstrate the practical applications of the entire bandwidth of adhesive technologies – from the Repamed adhesive that can repair hollow spots in wood through to SP Spot Tack for synthetic turf applications.

It is a great honour and pleasure to announce that Mr. Sebastian Fisher, manager of Rubio Monocoat Germany, will be responsible for the further expansion of the German market. Mr. Fischer has extensive international experience in the sector and previously worked for a leading South German parquet floor company. He was responsible for successfully expanding various markets, including North America, the Benelux and South east Europe.

NEW – The SAICOS consumption calculator

Blanchon – busy as ever in 2015

A Flemish group of parquet floor fitters concluded the Blanchon Technical Meeting Days this year. These days provide an opportunity for a meeting between specialist professionals (once again, this year, there were almost 200 participants from France and the rest of Europe) and the Blanchon team i.e. a meeting of people who share the same ‘Passion for Parquet’. For two whole days, everyone had the opportunity to discover and discuss new aspects with other informed professionals, apply the ‘Natural Effect’ (4% gloss, glazer, and oil), see the trends with Tints and Distressing Resources, and look at the new

Floor Forum International 74

Your fence needs a refreshment, the parquet floor shall look more alive and your partner wants the current yellow garden shed now in blue? Many questions arise: Which product is suitable for my purpose? How many cans do I need? The solution - Our new consumption calculator! Select the area you would like to coat in the interactiv illustration, choose your desired product and specify the area in sqm and you get a detailed recommendation concerning needed quality, as well as important information on the perfect use and combination with other products.

Soudal Excessively powdery bases, dirt, paint or oil-soiled subfloors and excessive levels of residual moisture are major obstacles to glueing. Soudal provides various solutions, in particular two primers and an epoxy moisture barrier. The primer WBPR-21P is a surface primer for powdery bases, whilst the WBPR-31P is a deep primer suitable for very porous bases. Soudal does not supply universal primers. Epoxy

Preview EFWEX 2016 (The European Floor and Wall Exhibition) Ghent (BE)

EXHIBITORS EAGERLY AWAIT EFWEX 2016 MAJOR PLAYERS IN THE FLOORING INDUSTRY WILL BE THERE: 38% OF THE STAND SPACE IS ALREADY BOOKED

EFWEX

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

It is now crystal clear that there was a need for a trade fair for wooden flooring, laminate, synthetics, and outdoor flooring and walls. The success of the first EFWEX in 2014 speaks volumes: an outstanding range and no fewer than 3,500 high quality visitors, whose presence was greatly appreciated by exhibitors - exclusively professionals, about 39% of them from outside Belgium. This international flavour was a conscious decision from the very beginning on the part of the organiser and a number of leading players from the industry. EFWEX will continue to steer this course.

More visitors expected A good trade fair has to be a window of economic reality. This is no less true for EFWEX 2016. And what do we see as we cast a glace through that window? A strongly growing interest in natural materials for the interior. Wood is proving a big hit! This is shown in the growth of wooden floors, wooden terraces, and wooden walls. But also wood-related materials or compositions of wood, such as laminate and some composites, are on the up. At all events, consumers are certainly spoilt for choice in their love of wood. Completely different forms of floor technology, such as LVT and PVC or floors in rolls, such as classic vinyl and linoleum, also offer wood designs as well as an infinite choice of decors. Since more and more people are showing an interest in all these floor coverings on the market (the real outdoor world!), interest in the EFWEX 2016 exhibitors (the virtual world inside Flanders Expo) will also increase!

Speed of change as ‘food’ Everything changes. Nothing stays the same. Heraclitus said this over 2000 years ago. There are few sectors of the construction industry like ours where so many innovations follow each other in quick succession. In all segments of our industry new forms of technology are emerging

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constantly which give rise to new techniques e.g. new (often composite) materials, new chemical products (such as primers, adhesives, and finishes), new fitting techniques, and new accessories. Floor fitters are bombarded regularly with information about all those innovations. And so, EFWEX 2016 can also be regarded as a ‘time of rest’ i.e. a meeting place where professionals or purchasers can browse amongst all those novelties, ask questions, compares systems, and such like.

More and better We’re moving to a bigger hall! Hall 8 offers no less than 10,735m² of exhibition space. Plenty of exhibitors have booked more stand space than for the first edition. Surely this speaks volumes? With a refined catering system and even more recruitment efforts from the organisers, this second edition promises to be even better.

Already present: ALVAKET, ARCHI WOOD, B-FIX, BJ PARKET, BONA, BELTRACO BENELUX, BUCO IMPORT, BOIS ET BOIS, WOOD EXPERIENCE, BALTIC WOOD, BLANCHON, BUZON, CIRANOVA, CANECT, CERCLINDUS, CSP ENGINEERING, DEVOMAT , D.E.S. BVBA, DL CHEMICALS, DESIGN PARQUET, DUBOIS-PARQUET/CRAS, EMFI, EUROTEC, ESPRIT DU PARQUET, XPECT, FLAMINGO PARKET, GASCOGNE ALL WOOD, FLOORCONCEPTS, FETIM, WOCA, PARKETTFREUND, STAUF, HAMAT, HELCO, HESSE BENELUX, HERREBOUT VERMANDER, LAMETT EUROPE, MIVA PARKET, MAPEI, mFLOR, MALISH, MUYLLE FACON/RUBIO MONOCOAT, RECTAVIT, ROVAKO, QUICK-STEP, JANSER ,OUTDOOR WOOD CONCEPTS, PARKET KERKHOFS, PRIMAVERDE, PROTAC OUEST, PALLMANN, PEFC BELGIUM, PARADOR, SPEA, SOLIDOR, TOVER, TIP_TOP SLIBERMATERIALER, TOPFIN BVBA, UNIFLOOR, UNIPRO, VEC, VETEDY, WOODMADE, WOOD SENTATION, WASZIEDERIJ DE VESTING, and YEPP

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â&#x2C6;&#x201A; Inside news sealer EPR-31P is a dual component-moisture barrier based on epoxy resin. Epoxy sealer EPR-31P is usually applied to bases with capillary rising moisture and residual moisture in concrete or cement floors. The product creates a hard, impermeable layer and therefore insulates capillary moisture. The EPR-31P contains 100% solid matter (no solvents) and has very low emission (EC1-R). The moisture barrier can be used for up to 7% residual moisture (5% for anhydrite).

through the website www.vloervanhetjaar.nl, from which the three best projects were selected. The winner, Interieurrr from Breda, received a cheque of 1,500 euros, 2nd and 3rd places respectively received 750 and 500 euros. Parketzorg, a parquet flooring company based in Rotterdam, received the first prize of 1,500 euros in the category project floors.

Rubio Monocoat Floor of the year The winners of the first edition of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Floor of the year', an initiative by Rubio Monocoat Netherlands, were announced during the Parquet and Interior Design trade fair in Gorinchem (province of South Holland). Over a 15-month period, participants were able to share their designs

Progress Profiles Progress Profiles attended successfully Made Expo setting up a brilliant stand, where visitors came in large number (mostly retailers, contractors and architects). The top new products presented were:

Discover the Future of Floor & Wall solutions

EFWEX

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

13/15.03.2016 FLANDERS EXPO - GHENT (B) - www.efwex.be

Floor Forum International 74

∂ Inside news Henkel / Thomsit

R SHIP F OM BEL GI AN M

UM CE 1948 SIN

WOOD CR AF TS

PRODESO HEAT SYSTEM (a time saving, cost effective system employed to install warm and comfortable floor), PROTERRACE DRAIN (a profile which protects the edges of tiles on terraces and allows the water flowing), SKIRTING PVC (a special skirting board for floating floors in laminate wood, which can be combined with almost 30 different shades of wood) and SOL 30P-ZEROCURVE-TERMINAL PIN (an innovative separation/transition/perimital joint that solves any flooring laying problems for LVT floors).

One of the advantages of dispersion adhesives is that they do not contain solvents and therefore they are not subject to labelling. They do not have an adverse effect on the indoor air quality, so they are environment-friendly products. One disadvantage is that the water can cause problems with wooden flooring. Henkel offers under the brand Thomsit dispersion adhesives for glueing mosaic parquet, 22 mm solid strip flooring, cross-cut parquet, 10mm solid oak flooring (up to 250 x 50mm), two layer parquet (up to a length of 1200mm) and cross-cut parquet flooring RE. The adhesives can also be used for carpet, PVC, linoleum, and rubber. The range includes Thomsit K 112, K 150, K 188, K 188 E, L 240 D, T 440, TL 280, P 618, and UK 800.

TOP QUALITY WOOD

W W A P. B E .T R

Apart from various possible finishes, Terra da Bosco also has at its disposal an Italian varnish formula which makes floors highly durable. The design products can also be used as tabletops, staircase steps, or worktops. Obviously, the floors comply with the prevailing health and environmental legislation. The products bear the CE label. The company specialises in solid parquet in oak or walnut, multi-layer in oak, and wooden panels in walnut or oak. The company employs 23 people and its capacity is averagely 60,000m² per annum. For 2015, there are some new panels, including wall furnishing and various new design products.

Oak Mix Rustic – Smoke Chateau

Terra da Bosco Kft H-9831 Bérbaltavár, Béke u. 3., Hungary +36 30 964 27 60 - +39 34 50 116 426 www.terradabosco.com/en/ - www.terradabosco.de/de/ video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCv_DkqA5G0

Oak Super Select Herringbone

Am. Walnut Select Planks & Chevron

Multilayer engineered and solid flooring delivered throughout Europe

Floor Forum International 74

Review

Domotex asia/CHINAFLOOR

REVIEW OF DOMOTEX ASIA/ CHINAFLOOR SHANGHAI RECORD NUMBER OF VISITORS FOR DOMOTEX ASIA

With 46,115 visitors DOMOTEX Asia/CHINAFLOOR had a record show and underlined once again that it is the leading floor show for Asia-Pacific. The international range of exhibitors and the focus on innovation and durability ensured a successful show to the delight of visitors, exhibitors, and organisers. The show took place from 24 to 26 March in Shanghai exhibition complex and the 1,275 exhibitors together occupied over 140,000m² and 12 exhibition halls. The number of visitors rose by almost 9% as compared to last year and about a quarter of all visitors were from outside China. Almost a quarter of the exhibitors were from outside China and they represented 38 countries all together. Big names such as Balta, Oriental Weavers, Alsorayi, Armstrong, Gerflor, Krono Flooring, Kronotex, Beaulieu, Egger, Berry Alloc, and Witex were all present and there were also national pavilions from countries such as Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, India, Iran, Pakistan, and the USA.

InnovAction Flooring The show was committed to innovation and underlined this with the InnovAction Flooring platform where all product innovations were

Floor Forum International 74

presented to visitors online. 18,706 visitors gave online feedback about the innovations on show and selected their favourite products in the category of parquet and laminate, carpet, and semi-hard floors. The winners included: Star-living, Dasso, Nature, Shenzhen Kingforest, Jinqiao Flooring, Zhejiang Shiyou, Zhejiang Yuhua, Ciambella Legnami, Beamy International and Zhejiang Yongyu, Gerflor, Novalis, Armstrong, Tarkett, New Tech, Changzhou Liberty, Flooring Industries, National Flagship, Zhejiang Sunflower, and Guangzhou Tongxin. A jury of experts selected the seven best innovations from the exhibited products. These were ‘Back to Nature with Bamboo’ by Dasso Industrial Group, ‘Source-Nature’ by Weihai Shanhua Carpet Group, ‘Aurora’ by Newspec, ‘Carol Land’ by Suzhou Duolaiyun Houseware, ‘BIO +STYListic’ by Gerflor, ‘Symphony in Colours’ by Novalis Innovative Flooring, and ‘Infinity’ by Star-living.

Green Step Asia Awards The Green Step Asia Awards were presented for the second time. This was an initiative from the organisers and the American trade journal Floor Covering Weekly, which highlights initiatives related to ecology and sustainability. The prizes went to Shan Dong Li Fang Jie for their ecological floor cleaning membrane, which neutralises all dirt and toxic substances on the floor, Weihai Shanhua and Zhejiang

Sunflower for their green production process, and Novalis Innovative Flooring for a ‘green’ promotional campaign. There were honourable mentions for Wuxi Huacan and Dalian Huade, Beaulieu Asia, and Polyflor. Furthermore, a number of events at the trade fair showed the direction in which the industry will be going in the coming years: a forum about new floors with synthetic-wood composite materials, a showcase on interior design with wooden materials, an event on floor heating, and an arena with solutions for use in sport infrastructure.

Some testimonials : Adesiv looks back on a successful Domotex Shanghai Adesiv, the Italian maker of chemical products for the parquet industry, was satisfied with its participation in Domotex/Chinafloor in Shanghai at the end of March. It was the seventh consecutive time that Adesiv had exhibited at the world’s second biggest flooring show. They managed to establish good links with some new potential clients from China and other countries in the region such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Most visitors to the stand were interested mainly in Adesiv’s range of waterborne varnishes and coloured oils.

Chimiver Panseri SpA Following to the great success of last year, also in 2015 CHIMIVER PANSERI S.P.A. exhibited at DOMOTEX Asia/ CHINAFLOOR in Shangai. So many people visiting our booth!!! Especially firms, company owners and buyers, professionals... all of them were were truly interested in all CHIMIVER products and willing to test their outstanding quality : adhesives for parquet, resilient and synthetic grass, cleaning-maintenance line, water-based lacquers, oils and outdoor line and new wood ageing reacting system. People coming not only from China but also from asian bordering countries, Oceania, India, USA, Europe... really worldwide exhibition! That being so, you must be sure CHIMIVER will be present in 2016 as well.

Küberit The German manufacturer of flooring accessories Küberit presented its flooring profiles made of aluminium, brass and stainless steel as well as its skirtings made of aluminium and stainless steel at the Domotex Asia in Shanghai, China.

Made in Germany The complete production range “made in Germany” was successfully shown on the 40 m² Küberit booth. It was the intention to present the Küberit 2015 novelties to potential customers from Asia as well as the possibilities of recently acquired digital printing technology for customized surfaces on the flooring trims. The booth attracted many visitors not only from Asia but also from Australia and USA. The visitors could get an overview of the wide product range as well as practical demonstrations of bendable profiles.

Osmo presents innovations Numerous international visitors saw new products and colour tones for themselves at the fair stand from Osmo Holz und Color. Christian Cordes, Managing Director of Osmo, was extremely pleased: “DOMOTEX Shanghai was once again a complete success this year. We are already looking forward to next year.” Among the highlights, which were presented, were the optimized Wood Wax Finish range as well as the new colour tone Light Grey, which was added to the Polyx®-Oil Tints range. Visitors found the live demonstrations especially interesting, as well.

STAUF goes Asia: nĭ hăo from Shanghai STAUF present once again in DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR the company’s entire product range, covering diverse raw materials technologies. Because, in addition to adhesives for parquet and floor coverings, STAUF’s products for industrial and assembly applications also deliver what they promise. The adhesive experts were able to impress their visitors with hands-on product constructions: adhesive samples on non-woven fabric, sample boards and fillers passed through many inquisitive hands. The new flooring installation videos, which flickered nonstop across the flat screens in the Shanghai trade fair hall, proved to be a real eye-catcher. Visit our brand new YouTube channel, STAUF Klebstoffwerk, at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpa7GtsETKNZ-WBix4-7IPg

Floor Forum International 74

Review

MADE Expo Milan (IT)

TRADE FAIR PREVIEW FOR MADE EXPO MILAN (IT) MADE EXPO COMMITS TO INNOVATION, BEAUTY, AND DURABILITY With an innovative and qualitative range and lots of interesting events, MADE Expo in Milan lived up to its justified ambition of being an essential professional event for Europe. The 208,000 plus visitors, 36,103 of them from abroad, proved that the show has become a permanent fixture in the diaries of those operating in the world of construction and architecture.

Outstanding business fair Giovanni De Ponti, CEO of MADE Expo commented after the show: ‘We wanted a top quality event to give visitors and exhibitors the best possible business opportunities. And that proved to be a good strategy. Lots of exhibitors told us that they had concluded major deals during MADE Expo. Another great success was the International Business Lounge, where over 1100 B2B links took place between exhibitors and visitors from a total of 24 countries. This led to better and major business links and meant that, once again this year, we have improved as compared to the previous show.’ Obviously, the focus during the show was on maximum business links for visitors and exhibitors. However, information and education was also an important factor for this MADE Expo. There was an extensive programme of workshops, seminars, and meetings. The Build Smart zone, devoted to innovation and durability for the construction industry, attracted over 9000 professionals. Since MADE Expo took place a few weeks before the opening of the World Exhibition in Milan, the organisers also had an exhibition devoted to ‘Expo Milano’ and its pavilions. This, too, attracted lots of interested visitors.

was also a worthwhile event in that respect. With MADE 4 RETAIL and MADE 4 CONTRACT HOTEL, the Milan show had two events devoted to big business retail and tourist locations respectively. Visitors gained new insights into the needs and woes of the sector in the area of the design of tourist and business accommodation. There were also lots of B2B meetings between buyers from the hospitality sector and construction specialists and new trends and solutions for this market were presented. Finally, Giovanni De Ponti, CEO of the fair, revealed one or two tips about plans for the next MADE Expo in 2017: ‘We want to maintain the positive features of this edition for next time and plan some large-scale major business initiatives in Italy and abroad in the run-up to the next show.’

Diverse meetings – focus on the contract market

Obviously, the international contract market is a crucial part of our industry. MADE Expo

MADE Expo 2015 in figures ✓ 208.302 visitors ✓ … 36,103 of them were from abroad: France, Switzerland, Eastern Europe, North and South America, Asia and the Middle East, Russia ✓ 1450 exhibitors … 279 of them were from abroad ✓ 65,000 square metres of trade fair space ✓ 8 halls ✓ 9000 participants in 120 meetings ✓ 16 world famous firms of architects attended the show

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Producers of profiles for LVT, vinyl and PVC floors

PROFILES HAVE BOTH A TECHNICAL AND A DECORATIVE FUNCTION COMBINATIONS OF FLOORING REQUIRE A SMOOTH JOIN

Photo â&#x20AC;&#x201C; KĂźberit

These days, in both renovations and new construction, different types of floors are increasingly being combined. This is in part due to the fact that floors, regardless of which type (parquet, laminate, textile, vinyl, or linoleum), are more often available in the same decors, or at least in suitable decors. Most types of flooring, other than wood, can be found in an infinite variety of colours and designs, and most types of wood are also available in various colours. Combinations of hard floor coverings with other hard floor coverings or hard floor coverings with soft floor coverings are the order of the day. Profiles provide the threshold.

Profiles from a technical point of view As the title already indicates, profiles have both a technical and a decorative part to play. From a technical point of view, they ensure important aspects such as comfort and safety; from a decorative point of view, they provide the floor with the finishing touch, just as the skirting board does. The challenge for designers and/or manufacturers lies in reconciling the functional (technical) aspects with the decorative aspects. Profiles are used in both new construction and renovations.

New construction and renovations Profiles are used in various disciplines in construction, whether it be new construction or renovations. Needless to say, the market in

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renovations scores highest here. Among other things, the inclination of the modern DIY enthusiast to turn various small spaces into larger, more open ones creates a surprisingly large number of differences in level to be dealt with. Kitchens are broken through into living-rooms, stairwells are included in the interior, rooms are extended.... the larger the continuous floor area becomes, the greater the need for items such as expansion joints and the more likely there will be differences in height and combinations of various types of flooring.

Types of profile There are five types of profile in the world of floor coverings: corner, separation, end, expansion, and stair nosing profiles. These various types of profile are the answer to every conceivable join or threshold that placing a floor can cause. Stop or end profiles make a join between the floor and the wall. Separation profiles join either two different floor types on the same level (for example parquet and carpet) or two floors of the same or different types, with a difference in level. These profiles have a protective function, in ensuring that the edge of the higher of the two floors does not get damaged; a safety function, in preventing residents or visitors from tripping over the difference in level; and, finally, an aesthetic function, in camouflaging that difference in level. Lastly, there is the slot edge profile, which is used, for example, to border stages, raised floor sections, or stair edges.

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Special

Producers of profiles for LVT, vinyl and PVC floors

A decorative look at profiles It is the same in the land of profiles as it is everywhere - there are trends. There are trends in colour, shade, model, and gloss, just as there are in skirting boards and in floors themselves. The trends usually follow the general trends in interiors. At the opposite end of the scale, but no less important, is the desire for exclusivity. In a way, that is the need to ignore the prevailing trends, choose to be different to the rest, and do something else. An important innovation in recent years has been that techniques are now making it possible to achieve this desire for exclusivity. Digital printing facilitates completely personalised products.

The general trends Has a lot changed? Not really! Metallic colours are still as popular as they always were. Stainless steel and aluminium profiles continue their advance. Remarkably, in addition to the classic tints such as aluminium, bronze, silver and all manner of wood patterns, 'black' is also gaining in popularity.

Digital printing

recent years on the design of profiles which can solve various situations simultaneously. There are, for example, various profiles which are suitable for bridging a large number of different heights, and profiles which can be shaped into a horizontal threshold profile, a reducing profile or even an end or stair profile. Two-in-one is passé. Now it's four or even eight-in-one. A number of distributors envisage an end to the advance of multifunctional profiles. That signals the first real 'collision' between the technical function of profiles and the decorative role they fulfil. Are we not, after all, seeing a general trend towards personalisation, and tailor-made solutions? Even customising through digital printing is catching on in the world of profiles, allowing everyone to have their personal preferences translated in detail, and that means including the profiles. One thing is sure: a potential return to individualism will not make the issue of stock management any easier for the distributors of peripheral accessories.

A selection from the range Auer Metallprofile

As we have already said, with the possibilities offered by digital printing, you can have profiles designed which either conform totally to the appearance of the floor or form a complete contrast. Exclusivity is the rule here, with some saying it is becoming increasingly important, while others say it counts for more in the field of skirting boards than that of technical profiles.

Decorative and Technical Very noticeable, among the newest products, are the flexible profiles (including stair profiles) and profiles for vinyl. While creating a large variety of aesthetic and decorative possibilities, makers are also working on improving the durability of the profiles. As we have already said, decorative and technical go hand in hand here.

Auer Metallprofile is a manufacturer of flooring profiles. The product range includes a large selection of stair nosings, transition profiles, skirting boards, stair rods, and corner protection angles. In addition, Auer Metallprofile is characterised by its ability to make custom-made products and its fast delivery times.

From multifunctional to specific? One shift we have all been able to follow is the shift to multifunctional profiles. This shift was initiated with the intention of reducing the amount of stock to be kept by distributors and retailers, but in the end it benefitted end users as well. It is already clear that the number of differences in height that can be found between two floors is, mathematically speaking, infinite. Manufacturers have been concentrating in

In 2015, this manufacturer from Saxony is also expanding its range to include many more products. A priority this year have been stainless steel insert profiles for floor coverings 2-22 mm and matching inside corners.

with T RXScrews!

Euro-Step® Star – multi-purpose laying solution for LVT-floors · Patented and safety certified by TÜV 2-part stair nosing profile system · For LVT-floors from 4 – 9 mm · Based on the award-winning Champion-technology 12

Floor Forum International 74

www.kueberit.com

thickness (roughly 2mm for glued floors and around 5mm for floating floors). As far as materials go, the accent is on HDF and aluminium, but in the design the choices are endless (anodised or printed designs). The situations in which profiles are required are so diverse and extensive that there is still a large demand for the multifunctional profile, which is the biggest seller at FN Neuhofer Holz, produced in aluminium. In addition, they have supplemented their range of various aluminum stair nosings for 2, 3, and 5mm flooring with products for 2.5 mm floorings. Furthermore, they have created a new skirting board so that floors can be glued in thicknesses of 3, 5, and 11mm.

FN Neuhofer Holz The major difference between profiles for laminate and parquet and those for vinyl and linoleum is the height of the floors. And so, FN Neuhofer has developed various profiles for such floors (and for all problem areas) taking into account their limited

K端berit K端berit was the first company to launch a two-part profile for floating floors, called PPS速. Innovations were recently released for LVT, PVC and linoleum. The material most frequently used for all floor profiles is aluminium, followed by stainless steel. The most important profiles are corner profiles and expansion profiles. The company still sees a demand for multifunctional profiles, particularly in the interests of stock control. The PPS速 Champion Star for floating LVT (4 TO 9.5MM) is the most recent development. The range offers an end profile, a connecting profile and a threshold profile with expansion joints of 8.3mm. The range can also be applied to carpeting. The Design Clip and PPS Champion Star systems are the best sellers, but there is also a wide range of high quality products for PVC and LVT. New to the collection are the 317 and 317G silicone-free expansion profiles.

AZ_Zeitschriften_Text_ENG_190x65 20.02.13 17:28 Seite 1

We make binding connections. Floor profiles and underlay sheeting for hard, elastic and textile flooring.

www.proline-systems.com

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Producers of profiles for LVT, vinyl and PVC floors

Perfilstar Perfilstar has developed a profile especially for LVT which is 100% waterproof. The dimensions of the profile were adapted to suit market demands, in widths of 10 or 14mm. The profiles are made of PVC and covered with printed laminate designs. Another remarkable detail is that these profiles can be used in damp spaces. The company offers an end profile, a T profile and two reducer profiles for 3 and 8mm, all in a self-adhesive version.

Progress Profiles With Progress Profiles, we see a big difference as far as profiles for vinyl and PVC are concerned. The company offers a limitless selection for all applications and in countless versions. The customer can choose between decorative strips, expansion

we print all digital

profiles, peripheral expansion profiles and stair nosing when placing all floor types, such as LVT, ceramic tiles or linoleum. The selection for a limited thickness has been extended, and is now from 1 to 12mm. The profiles combine technical perfection with decorative strength. For example, you can choose from a myriad of colours, or combine with any one of 30 wood types. Here, the general opinion is that while multifunctional profiles may win on practicality, they mostly lose something in aesthetic appearance. The Progress Profiles collection consists of no less than 12.500 items.

Proline Systems Wooden floors, laminate, and soft floorings all have their own specific, corresponding profiles. Proline Systems developed, among other things, the PROCOVER Designfloor Profile, for vinyl with a click system. Aluminium is still the material of preference. Proline Systems has developed profiles for every application: threshold, end, and stair nosing profiles, etc. The company offers a wide selection of patented systems. One product worthy of a mention is the PROVARIO clip Universal, for wooden floors in different heights. It is available in eight modern anodised colours and in 15 wood designs.

Isobloc

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Cover Skirting

2 in 1 - Levelling and T Joint Profile

perfect matching ﬂooring collections send us your samples

dé ondervloer voor click vinyl voldoet aan de eisen van alle LVT producenten

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each ﬂooring each skirting

lvt, wood, laminate

MADE IN EUROPE - Barcelona we manufacture

we are factory

Floor Forum International 74

underlay specially for click vinyl satisfies the requirements of all LVT producers

maclean Mac Lean Products B.V. Moerdijk The Netherlands www.macleanproducts.nl info@macleanproducts.nl

Special

Producers of style panels

STYLE PANELS OFFER UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITIES PATTERNS RANGE FROM ‘SOBER’ TO ‘JUST INSANE!’

Photo – Edelholz Faipari Kft

Style panels or design floors are genuine oddities in many respects. On the one hand, they are part of a building style which is no longer in vogue. Their history dates back to the 16th century when the rulers of France showed off all its pomp. Versailles is still the home of this style. On the other hand, they offer a technical floor solution where actually anything is possible. After all, there are no restrictions in terms of look, pattern, or wood sorts, nor even in terms of floor construction. They are available in solid wood and multi-layer. What they certainly offer is the opportunity to arrive at the ultimate exclusive floor.

Almost always customised Mini-parquet floors Panel floors or design floors are engineered square panels in which wooden sections are fitted according to a particular fitting pattern. In some respects each panel forms a mini-parquet floor. The sections are sawn diagonally as required by the client and are glued to each other sideways and clamped for drying. After the sections are mounted, it is possible that a tiny piece may need to be sawn off from the created panels in order to ensure that all panels are identical and at the correct angles. This simplifies the fitting for the floor fitter considerably.

Usually customised work The important thing about these panels is the fact that, strictly speaking, nothing needs to be sawn on site. After all, each panel forms a complete design and you can’t omit a piece just like that. Amongst other things, this means that most design floors have to be tailor-made/customised because the dimensions of the room determine the size of the panels. Standard sizes which are very popular are 600 x 600mm, 700 x 700mm, 800 x 800mm, and 1,000 x 1,000mm. The latter is also the size of the original Versailles panels in the palace with the same name. As regards thicknesses, there are various possibilities (linked partially to the size): 8, 8.5, 15, 18.5, and 20mm.

Sometimes standard It is also important that panel floors are available in both solid wood and multi-layer. Multi-layer panel floors or cassettes are usually constructed in two layers, but there are also some three-layer floors. The top layer, which is generally 6mm noble wood, is glued onto a birch multiplex. The panels can also be glued fully onto a screed. Especially in multi-layer we have noticed that some producers also offer a number of standard sizes. Obviously, the chances of standard sizes fitting perfectly are fairly slim.

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Producers of style panels

Wood sorts and fitting patterns Anyone who makes a choice from the traditional fitting patterns usually opts for oak. The only reason why oak is the most popular choice is the simple finding that 90% of all wooden floors (in Europe) are designed in oak. However, all other wood sorts (or combinations of wood sorts) are just as suitable for making panels. One of the many popular alternatives is European walnut. Cherry, too, is quite popular. With one of the traders (see below) we find panel floors which are designed in recycled teak. These floors inevitably yield a distressed look. Strictly speaking, all classical fitting patterns are suitable for making panels. For example, the Chantilly patterns is not as well known as the Versailles pattern, but it is also found in the celebrated palace of Louis XIV. Chantilly is a somewhat intricate variant which consists of several small panels, which also form a braid. The major classics ‘Hungarian point’ and herringbone, which are normally fitted fully, can also be included as a design for a panel floor. With Hungarian point the strips are fitted against each other at an angle of 30 to 45°. Sandpapering creates a subtle difference in colour, which provides a three-dimensional effect. With the herringbone pattern the strips are fitted in herringbone bond with the tops directly opposite each other to create a zigzag pattern.

Customised work means an exclusive floor The things written above relate to classic style panels. However, as we have already said, since the vast majority of the work is customised, anything is possible. The sky’s the limit! Earlier in this article we noted the fact that each panel is actually a mini-parquet. This means that each panel can also be a unique and exclusive composition. Clients can give their imagination a free rein. Panel floors are already extremely

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exclusive. We can reinforce this exclusiveness with other exclusive floor applications. This means combining exclusive applications and here, too, the possibilities are endless.

Art parquet in panel form Art parquet is a puzzle or mosaic of pre-cut puzzle parts which form a design once they are fitted in the proper way. The possible designs are virtually endless. Basically, customised work is possible, as is even the development of a faithful reproduction of the company logo or a personal touch. In practice, private clients will draw their inspiration from the catalogues issued by some of the top manufacturers. In panel form we mainly see geometrical figures, apart from designs. The possible choices in that respect are once again unlimited. In some respects the manufacture of panels speeds up the parquet floor fitter’s work and makes it easier. After all, the panels together make up some or other fitting pattern, which would otherwise have to be fitted on site. That’s why we use the expression ‘pre-assembled designs’.

Colour and marquetry The colours are achieved by means of different wood sorts. In other words, there is no artistic colouring in marquetry and the natural colour of the wood sorts used provides the different shades. Whilst light wood sorts such as oak and maple are often used for the base, people like to deploy darker exotic sorts such as merbau, jatoba, or wenge for contrast or a play on lines. Up to 60 different sorts of wood have been worked into some floors, which have now become ‘historic’. People have been using the most unexpected materials for marquetry such as ivory, tortoise Shell, precious stones, extremely rare wood sorts, and

such like since time immemorial. Some companies do not do wooden marquetry, but prefer metal fitting patterns.

What’s on the market? Albers / Habo Style panels are classics which will always be in demand. They are often still fitted in classic interiors, but they also come into their own splendidly in a rigid and minimalist setting. For example, they have already produced herringbone and Hungarian point for several shops from the trendy Belgian clothing trademark ‘Essentiel’. This means that young people get the chance to see traditional floors in a modern interior. Versailles panels, Hungarian point, and herringbone are still the most popular style floors. Our final design, the wild bond, is an attractive more rigid option. Obviously, they can also make any possible decorative panel to order and in several selections of French oak and exotic wood sorts. Just about anything is possible In 9mm, whilst Habo and Albers produce herringbone and Hungarian point in multi-layer parquet in 13 or 18mm in large sizes. For all style panels there is also a choice in distressed and finished versions.

MANUFACTUROR OF SOLID AND ENGINEERED WOODFLOORS Style panels, end grain, distressed floors (different ageing techniques ‘sanded, brushed, tumbled, smoked and structured’): Customised work on simple request!

BJ Parket Style panels are still important to BJ Parket. Versailles is one of the sorts most in demand. Versailles is a traditional type of style panel which consists mainly of (diagonal) weaving framed by a square edge of parquet strips. However, it is not an unequivocal name because Versailles parquet consists of several variants, depending on the time and place. The standard pattern chosen by BJ Parket is that with twelve blocks and five diagonal sets of weaving. This pattern has a stylish look without coming over as too full. Highly prominent designs such as those found in Polish and Russian palaces are not so popular in Western Europe. By adapting the size of the panel to the size of the location, it is still possible to work towards a natural harmony between floor and room. That’s why BJ Parket has three dimensions in the range so that the weaving is built up of friezes of 55mm (panels of 49.5cm or of 55 to 73cm wide), friezes of 72mm (panels of 65cm or of 73 to 95cm wide), and friezes of 90mm (panel 102cm wide). The size is adapted precisely for each floor by changing the size of the square blocks.

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 style panels

Edelholz Faipari Kft Style panels are often chosen for the restoration of old castles and mansions, but they are also extremely popular for commercial projects such as hotel conference rooms. Obviously, these panels are chosen mainly by ‘classic’ enthusiasts. The panels are used mainly in high and spacious rooms. Normally, classic designs are used, but Edelholz can also make other designs to order. Distressed and hand-scraped are popular applications. The most popular sizes are 980 x 980 and 600 x 600mm. The panels are preferably fitted by glueing.

Design Parquet Design Parquet makes special style panels in solid wood or multi-layer. All wood sorts and thicknesses are possible here, and there are no limitations as regards patterns either. Design Parquet can make identical reproductions, but it is equally possible to convert an attractive draft from the client into a panel floor. The sizes are always adapted to the dimensions of the floor, whether or not account is taken of the provision of a peripheral frieze. Popular dimensions are 600 x 600 or 800 x 800 on 14mm thickness and 1,000 x 1,000 on 23mm thickness. Here, too, oak is champion, often combined with highlights in other less common wood sorts such as teak, wenge, or walnut.

Flamingo Parket Flamingo Parket certainly regards style panels as a niche product, but they do make the assortment complete. Flamingo Parket tends to have to look outside the Netherlands and Belgium to clients who are interested in these panels. The panels are not necessarily finished with a lacquer or natural hard wax. They are often designed in everyday colours such as white, grey, or brown so that they are perfectly suitable for fitting in a modern interior. As regards designs, Flamingo Parket

Floor Forum International 74

often starts from a drawing or photograph. Here, too, distressed is a popular design. The sizes of the panels are between 80 x 80 and 100 x 100cm. Usually, the exact dimensioning is produced in line with that requested by the client.

Lalegno Traditional Versailles panels are back in vogue. Early this year, Lalegno started with a multi-layer alternative to these classic design floors and its success has been hugely impressive. The parquet design of these tiles, which can be fitted quickly and easily, consists of square panels with diagonal interweaving framed by longer strips of oak wood. Versailles panels from Lalegno are 800 x 800mm and have a total thickness of 20mm with an oak top layer 6mm thick. Both the panels and the accompanying sidings have been prepared and distressed carefully. They were smoked, beaten, and brushed. Moreover, the so called ‘old wood effect’ was applied to the attractive joints which furnish this floor to make them look splendid, authentic, and old. Lalegno has opted to offer these Versailles floors untreated as standard so that fitters can choose their own unique finish to do honour to the floor and the interior of their clients. Thanks to these floor panels, any home can be transformed into a luxurious room in Louis XIV style in no time at all.

Parketfabriek Lieverdink Lieverdink makes the most exclusive designs imaginable in every possible colour or in distressed form. We supply designs from our sawmill in 40 wood sorts, so combinations of wood sorts to form one design are also feasible. Obviously, Versailles and Kubus are exclusively available at Lieverdink, but so, too, is their new Fibonacci herringbone. This design is magnificent in a traditional wood sort such as wenge or teak and can also be designed in ship deck with sealed joints or with an aluminium strip around the parts. They also make exclusive customised designs such as the Penrose design, Romanesque bond, and such like. See also their Facebook page for more details. A more commonly requested design is Hungarian point in broader sizes. Think here of Grigio Grey Slate in 18cm width and with a cutting angle of 60 degrees. Highly authentic in colour and slightly distressed, a joy to the eye. Obviously, these colours are also available in Q2 two-layer parquet, whilst herringbone, block, and Hungarian point are also available in all their wood sorts, colours, and distressed forms. And so, the possibilities are well nigh infinite!

Project

Design Parquet (FR)

OILED OAK PARQUET IN HUNGARIAN POINT FROM DESIGN PARQUET FOR SHOE BOUTIQUES Chaussures André is a French shoe shop chain. When they renewed their shop designs, they opted in some of their Paris shops for a solid parquet floor in Hungarian point from Design Parquet. The special elegance of the oiled oak floor and the traditional fitting pattern in 45° ensured an attractive and exclusive atmosphere.

Finish

This shoe shop chain has a history going back over a century and has shops all over France. In three Chaussures André shops in Paris they decided to fit a new solid parquet floor in Hungarian point from Design Parquet, a job covering over 800 square metres. Two of those shops are situated in the centre of Paris in Rue de Rennes and Avenue Victor Hugo, whilst the third one is in the Aéroville shopping centre near Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris.

Variety with darker oils

The chain opted for a solid floor in premier oak from the reputable French manufacturer Design Parquet. The planks are all 14mm thick and 90mm wide and have a V-groove on the four sides. The producer gave the planks a Blanchon oil finish and delivered them ready to be glued onto the substrate on site.

Fitting pattern

The Hungarian point floor in the shop in Avenue Victor Hugo was given a special twist. As customers entered the shop, they were directed further inside by the variation in the colour of the planks between colourless, chocolate colour, and black oil finishes from Blanchon. The carpet in the shop was also framed with a strip of parquet. It seems clear to us that customers could not have dreamed of a more attractive floor as they try on their new pairs of shoes.

With Hungarian point they have opted for one of the great parquet classics. This ingenious fitting pattern with brushed planks was fitted at an angle of 45° and gives the shop floor an exceptional elegance.

For more information visit us at www.designparquet.fr Dealer: Panofrance: Dijon

Photo: Groupe André

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Protection from sunlight by means of extra UV-resistant oil and varnish

UV RADIATION CAN MAKE WOOD DISCOLOUR LACQUER AND OIL MANUFACTURERS PROVIDE THE NECESSARY UV PROTECTION

Photo – Timberex®

We now know that wood is a delicate material to a certain extent. Wood is very sensitive to moisture and expands and shrinks with the fluctuating air humidity. Furthermore, wood has a ‘relatively’ low density compared to ceramic tiles, stone, concrete, etc. This means that wood is more or less impressionable and sensitive to the mechanical impact of items such as heavy objects. Wood is also sensitive to certain chemical products, which can cause a reaction with the wood’s own constituents (e.g. ammonia + tannin = smoked effect). It is irritating that wood is sensitive to sunlight: after all, sunlight is present everywhere. This needs to be put into perspective and differentiated!

What is UV radiation? Ultraviolet (UV for short, also called ultraviolet radiation, black light or UV light) is electromagnetic radiation just outside the part of the spectrum that the human eye cannot see (see also: light). The wavelength of ultraviolet radiation lies between 10 and 400 nanometres, i.e. ‘beyond the violet’, which is also the literal meaning of ‘ultraviolet’. Because ultraviolet light has a shorter wavelength than visible light, it is richer in energy; it can even attain the ionising potential of organic molecules and consequently set off chemical reactions. That is also the reason why (excessive) ultraviolet radiation is harmful to many organisms (including human beings).

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Types of UV As regards the effects of ultraviolet light on mankind and the environment, a distinction is made between UV A, UV B and UV C. UV A is ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of between approximately 315 and 400nm (‘long waves’). UV B has a wavelength of between 280 and 315nm. UV C has a wavelength of between 100 and 280nm (‘short-wave radiation’). We call radiation with a wavelength of between roughly 10 and 100nm extreme ultraviolet (EUV or XUV). This radiation does not penetrate the atmosphere very far.

UV and the sun In addition to ‘normal’ visible light, the sun also emits ultraviolet radiation. While the human eye is sensitive to this light, the eye lens does not allow it through, and thereby protects the retina. Following prolonged or frequent exposure to excessive ultraviolet radiation, the eye lens itself will develop cataracts as an ageing symptom. Bees can see ultraviolet radiation, so that they see much more clearly some flowers that are inconspicuous to human beings.

UV and parquet floors UV A forms 98.7% of the UV radiation reaching the earth. The ozone layer has little influence on it. UV A largely goes through glass and clothing and causes discolouring of substances and paint. It is

therefore clear that UV A is responsible for the possible discolouring of (parts of) wooden floors onto which the sun shines directly.

Protecting wood As we have already said, fresh and dried wood discolours. This is a well known phenomenon with wooden ceilings, walls, floors, furniture and structures in the interior. Everyone knows about the discolouring of pine, deal, douglas, and larch in chalets and wooden homes. The intensification of colour will go faster in the first six months than in the further course of the discolouring process, which ultimately will take two years. The wood becomes deeper in colour and may turn somewhat yellow. This depends on the finish applied onto the parquet floor. Many people often do not like the discolouring in the form of yellowing and darkening and they would prefer to keep the colour of ‘fresh’ wood. This can be prevented by treating untreated wood with a product (lacquer or oil) with an extremely high UV protection factor for wood in interior applications. Finishes with enhanced UV protection reduce the yellowing and darkening of wood caused by light (UV) effectively and durably without changing the wood’s natural properties.

What’s on the market? Bona Each primer has its own application. One primer (e.g. Bona Amber Seal) ensures an attractive darker shade of colour, whilst another finish (Bona Natural) has been developed to keep the floor as light as possible for as long as possible. Bona Natural approximates most of all to the look of

untreated wood. It is generally accepted that whichever component is used for the UV resistance, the UV blockers will only have/retain their effect on a temporary basis. These products are deployed for any floor which needs to have the lightest possible look. It is easy to apply – there is one base coat (Bona Natural Base) and two finish coats in the dual component system for heavier applications.

Blanchon Everyone knows that sunlight causes discolouration in wood. For many years, people looked for a solution to this problem in the form of a new generation of molecules, which absorb sunlight energy. Adding these UV absorbers to the finish has the effect of reinforcing the finish and counteracting discolouration. A number of finishes from Blanchon (especially those which offer a brightening effect) therefore contain a powerful agent against UV rays. Furthermore, there is also the white dye, which is used in the colour TIO2. This dye has a strong capacity to filter UV light. These finishes (oil, lacquer, and varnish) can be applied in the same way as other products. It doesn’t matter whether the product either already contains a lot of anti-UV from the production or whether it is reinforced by the user through the addition of the Agent Anti UV from Blanchon. The addition of the agent has no effect on the storage life of the product.

Ciranova The new products from Ciranova, such as OCULTO, are formulated with the latest raw materials, which have improved properties. Oculto contains state-of-the-art UV technology. It is known that oxidative drying oils discolour considerably. To counter this as much as possible, the right choice of natural oils and associated binding agents is decisive. Additives can enhance

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Heavy Duty UV Plus 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

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• High wear and water resistance • UV-blockers prevent discoloration • Very low VOC and smell • High coverage: 12-15 m2/L • Ideal for high traffic areas like airports & museums

www.timberex.com Floor Forum International 74

Special

Protection from sunlight by means of extra UV-resistant oil and varnish

this even more. Pigment choice and concentration is also an important factor. In particular, the additives added provide extra protection against the action of sunlight: additives such as lignin stabilisers, UV absorbers, free radical absorbers (HALS), and the chemical properties of the binding agent itself. The oils can be used for all wooden floors and furniture.

DevoNatural® All DevoNatural® acrylate lacquers (Finish and Transit) contain a UV absorber for countering discolouring. In DevoNatural® Passage this is unnecessary because the backbone here is a polycarbonate. By its nature therefore, DevoNatural® Passage resists UV discolouring better and needs no UV absorber. DevoNatural® High Solid Oil parquet and furniture oils also contain this UV absorber and so are also highly suited to outdoor use. These products retard the discolouring of the wood, any colour stain, and the lacquer by the action of UV radiation. Other lacquers do not do this. The products owe this property to the UV absorber (chemical name: hydroxyphenyl benzotriazole). These products are particularly recommended for lacquering tropical woods, floors stained with light (white) colour stains, and rooms with much incidence of light.

Osmo Osmo UV-Protection-Oil – the unbeatable sunblock for wood Osmo UV-Protection-Oil makes it possible to retain the natural tone of wood for a significantly longer time: as an all-in-one finish, it prevents the natural greying process by a factor of 12 in comparison with untreated wood. If UV-Protection-Oil is used as a top coat on coloured finished wood, it prolongs the intervals between renovations. This wood finish is also available with active ingredients that provide preventive protection against mould, algae and fungal attack. It is especially recommended for vertical surfaces (e.g. timber cladding, windows and doors).

Sirca Sirca presents two products for improving UV protection : IR 1850 is specially developed for extreme weather conditions, where furniture and joinery is severely exposed to solar radiation, while IR 1750 is a formulation specific for exterior decking, an improvement of the Decking oil commonly found in the market. IR1850 is semigloss, has a long open time and high solid content. IR1750 provides a natural look and gives an optimal soft feel. Both have to be added with special pigments, which improve the UV resistance. The products are extremely easy to apply and suitable for woods difficult to paint and for exotic woods. Both products provide immediate protection against UV light.

Timberex®

The oils that Plastor offers are not specifically protective against UV, but the brand presents an additive, which enables the oils and lacquers to be made extremely resistant to UV. The product, Absorber UV, protects against the degradation of the film by absorbing UV rays. This Absorber UV ensures that the wood does not yellow. Absorber UV is compatible with both solvent-based and waterborne products, oils and varnishes.

Timberex® has a whole range of products for protecting wood outdoors under the name Timberguard®. The latest product is called Timberex® Heavy-Duty UV Plus, which was specially developed for protecting wood indoors and outdoors against discolouring and degradation by UV light. The development of the product comes in response to the trend in modern architecture to attract as much light as possible in buildings. Obviously, however good the glazing is, harmful rays also come in with that light. Normal oils only provide partial protection against UV. The protection is increased by adding UV inhibitors. These absorb the UV radiation and stop the wood fibres from degrading. After a certain time, these UV inhibitors become spent, so repeat applications become necessary. The number of uses is very great, ranging from wooden floors through to patio parts, and even guitars. The oil is applied identically to the other oils from Timberex®. They have the advantage of the same rapid drying time so that only 20-45 minutes needs to be allowed between coats. Timberex® oils are used worldwide.

Rubio Monocoat

Tover

In terms of UV protection, Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Wood Protector oil is a particular top number within the range. This oil is based on RMC technology, with integrated UV stabiliser. The oil is easy to apply: rapid drying and no overlapping. Maintenance is easy too. Maintenance is done without sanding. The same product can be used for freshening up the colour and for protection. Specific UV blockers and inhibitors have been developed for UV protection. These protect both the substrate and the oil against UV degradation. Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Wood Protector is used particularly in outdoor applications, but it can also be used indoors when 10 % of the Accelerator is added. This can be very useful for rooms that go through from indoors to outdoors. Just as the other oils in the range, this product is also applied in just one coat. It is possible to opt to add the accelerator (10%) for faster hardening and extra abrasion resistance.

Wood in outdoor like cladding, window frames, shutters, fences and also garden furniture and terraces needs a protection against atmospheric agents it is constantly submitted to; rain, freezing, moulds and moss but above all sun which speeds up its deterioration and ageing process. Tover offers a water-based impregnation product: Xilocolor available in transparent and colored version and an oil for external: Oil4Sun. These products contain anti-UV additives which efficiently protect against light in order to keep the original aspect of the wood, granting a homogeneous tone on the whole surface.

Plastor

Saicos Ecoline Multi Top lacquer with UV protection considerably reduces the natural discolouring of wood resulting from sunlight. This lacquer can be used on all types of wood and bamboo, for solid and multilayer floors and all other interior surfaces. When combined with certain primers (Ecoline Oil Ground Coat, Saicos Oil Ground Coat, or Ecoline Future Universal Ground Coat), this lacquer is suitable for exotic hardwoods and

thermally-treated wood. The user first has to mix the additive in the lacquer before use.

Floor Forum International 74

WOCA WOCA has a new concept for freshening up and renovating wooden patios, developed under the motto ‘natural choice’. Basically, the principle is that, following mechanical sanding, the wood is so fresh that the oil is able to penetrate deeply. The secret weapon is the WOCA Silicon Brush, which fits onto any 16” polishing machine on the market. The flexibility of the brushes still makes it possible to brush uniformly everywhere in spite of differences in level caused over the years. The brush also works perfectly on planks with grooves (ribbed). The second secret weapon in the concept is the WOCA Exterior Oil Exclusive, which is available in a natural version, but then also in different colours. Furthermore, the oil has an integrated UV filter, which minimises the effect of the sun.

Project

Impertek (IT)

THE IMPERTEK JACK SUPPORT

SUPPORTING A NEW URBAN IDENTITY | IN JESOLO LINES OF LIGHT AND SHADOW STRIATIONS SHAPING THE ‘TORRE AQUILEIA’

Carlos Ferrater is a well known name worldwide in the field of architecture. When he was designing ‘Torre Aquileia’, he wanted to achieve his idea of minimalist poetry, de-materialised in its volume due to taking away surfaces and adding games of lights and shadows. The Tower is related to the re-qualification plan for the Jesolo downtown , a plan that extends to the sandy shore and beach access. The re-qualification includes a new path to the sea. Starting from the main Piazza Internazionale, it is possible to walk along a tree-lined pathway, which is marked by its shadows, lights, and recreational areas. The tower as a centripetal point is capable of attracting various city souls, fragmented in their identity, in order to return a strong spatial unity. ‘Torre Aquileia’, an icon of the unity once again found in Jesolo, is now once again being harmoniously declared in the different urban types: a city made of roads and asphalt and seaside resorts which declare an urban core that reverberates in the sandbanks and the water sheets of the Venice Lagoon. The Ferrater project is an addition by subtraction, where the architectural volumes are lightened thanks to the rhythmic articulation of shadows and lights. This is a rhythm which is generated by taking away the fullness from volumes in order to dematerialise into shadow striations and vibrant lines of light. The Tower includes

84 luxury flats arranged on 21 floors, on top of the double height ground floor, commercial and meeting heart of the architectural work. Impertek has made its invisible yet essential contribution, making the surface of this work ethereal and ever changing. The outdoor flooring of the flat terraces and those of the pool remind you of the odours and colours of the nearby maritime flora. This consists of precious teak decking heated by the sunlight, resistant to salt air and the weather and seasonal whims, supported by more than 25,000 jack supports, height adjustable for different design requirements. Each individual jack support is capable of bearing a concentrated load of 400kg and is conceived for laying any type of flooring on any surface, allowing inspection of various underlying systems without requiring any type of demolition. All surfaces are perfectly level thanks to the versatility of Impertek supports, which are adjustable not only in height, but can also be calibrated thanks to the Easy Flat slope corrector. The work, commissioned by Compagnia Sviluppo Immobiliare Srl, has solid project and cultural support, a minimalist core, and a sky and sea frame. Various skilled professionals have contributed in its completion, including Impertek. Impertek pedestals represent the Impertek technical and technological know-how, making the outdoor surfaces solid and light, simple in the maintenance of both the outdoor flooring and the underlying systems. A guarantee that the new Jesolo identity will be maintained unchanged over time. For more information visit us at : www.impertek.com

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Suppliers who provide temporary floor protection

DAMAGE PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE COVERAGE FOR THE FLOOR... BUT ALSO FOR THE TRADESMAN

Photo – Primaverde

You can insure yourself for virtually ‘anything’; that is a fact. Traders can get insurance for any possible damage which they may have caused or to which they are subjected at the workplace. Many contractors, especially ‘turnkey’ contractors, take out an ABR; the so-called ‘Construction All Risk’ policy. This generally covers them for most types of possible damage. Nevertheless, there’s no insurance to cover the loss of time or the loss of image when something goes wrong. Preventing damage is therefore recommended and can be very easy, especially when it comes to floors.

Floor Forum International 74

Photo – Easydek

What to leave for last? Let us tell you a story. The owner of a house hires a contractor to add a second floor in timber frame construction. The house was a bungalow and a little tight for a whole family. The three bedrooms would get moved upstairs. The work progressed quickly. The timber frame is covered with Gyprock on the inside and expertly filled and polished. The situation: everything is done, except for the finish. There is a new screed, of course, and the walls are ready to be painted. The builder opts for merbau parquet flooring on the entire floor. After much deliberation, it is decided to do the painting first and leave the

installation of the floor for last. The walls are painted perfectly white. Installing the wooden floor on an oak subfloor is done without any problem, but then something goes wrong. A problem with the sander causes a constant output of red dust (merbau is red), which is blown against the freshly painted walls. The painting has to be done all over again. Would it have been better to work in a different order? That’s debatable. The possibility of spilled paint creating irreparable spots on the new parquet flooring could not be ruled out. On top of that, the painting would have to wait until the floor finish had completely hardened. Or maybe not? There are other solutions.

Hazards of the construction site The example above is a case where damage was caused by a defective machine. This is just one example, of course. At a construction site, especially when there are several traders involved, a hundred and one things can go wrong and this is no less true for the hardwood floor fitter. Floor fitters can damage the work of others (e.g. existing floors, carpets, stairs, etc.) just by bringing in their materials and tools. We once visited a school where renovations were being done. They were working against the clock. We found a floor fitter at the end of his tether, because ‘someone’ had driven across the finished part of the newly installed sports floor in the gymnasium with a pallet truck and had left a lot of tracks. We will go over some of the hazards we can protect ourselves from, with respect to flooring.

Falling objects When different people work at a construction site, the risk of falling objects is not imaginary. Depending on the height and weight of the object, the impact on, for example, a plank flooring, vinyl or linoleum will be greater or lesser. A trader who drops a claw hammer while standing upright can cause a serious dent. If the same trader is at the top of a ladder, or on some scaffolding, to do some electrical work, the impact (and the damage) will be exponentially greater. Height and weight determine the impact together. We know that a euro cent, dropped from a height of 15 to 20 meters, can drill through a human skull.

Chemical products Various chemical products are used in various areas of trade. There are almost no areas of trade that do not use chemical products: silicones and other kits in plumbing, joinery, floor covering, etc. Glues, lacquers, varnishes, certain detergents and solvents or grease and oils. They all find their way to the construction site and accidents are just waiting to happen. All of these products can cause significant damage to a finished or unfinished hardwood floor.

Moisture There is also water at the construction site. Of course, there is residual moisture in the used hardening and screed materials, but water also circulates in the preparation of all kinds of products, for diluting products and all kinds of cleaning jobs. Water can also cause irreparable damage to a brand-new floor.

risk, there are different points of interest. We cannot describe all the types and characteristics here, but we will give a few examples.

Cover foils and films Cover films and foils come in all thicknesses and densities, depending on the job they’re used for. Some foils are offered as being ‘universally applicable’ for all jobs. One of the interesting characteristics of a number of cover films is the self-adhesive character. This ensures that not only can they be applied quickly and without tape, but also that they stay put. They are ideal for protecting stairs during renovation work, for example. Some foils are vapour permeable, some are absorbent, and others are more for slip resistance. Depending on the density, these covering materials are more or less impact resistant. The foils are generally available on rolls, varying in breadth from 5cm to 2m.

Some special protections - Hardfloor covering: we found a double-layered covering material for temporary protection of hard floors. The under-layer is a tough foil, which makes the material moisture-proof. The soft upper layer is a shock and moisture-absorbing felt, which offers perfect protection for sensitive surfaces, such as wood floors and natural stone. - For events: a three-layer covering material for the temporary protection of hard floors, such as sports halls, gym floors, laminate, marble, and wood. This covering consists of a very good anti-slip bottom layer, which has a shock and moisture absorbing intermediate layer with a strong top layer.

WHAT MAKES DIAMABRUSH PREPTOOLS UNIQUE! -‐ System fits on most standard commercial cleaning machines, size 12-‐20” -‐ Easy to use, dustfree, no chemicals needed resulting in mechanically closed floor so add no coatings needed -‐ Through clever patented design always contact with floor so touches low parts -‐ Down pressure from use machines allows even wear of blades so no waste -‐ Endless variety in use: cleaning, polishing, scratching, sanding and combinations of techniques -‐ Easy to use in all size b uilding, small or large floors, b asement or upstairs -‐ Cheapest maintenance tool ever -‐ Never cloggs, like sandpaper does!

Cover everything! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; that’s for sure. A number of producers/suppliers have specialized in aids for building materials while working. It will be clear that these products do not come cheap. But this outweighs the costs (and loss of time) when damage occurs to new materials, such as hardwood for floors, vinyl flooring, linoleum, etc. It is striking that these suppliers of protection products present specific protection products for the various floor types and for the various risks. Depending on the type of floor and the

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Suppliers who provide temporary floor protection

- Just installed floors: Allows the just installed floor to dry better, with a breathable film, while the rest of the work is still going on. - Dust-absorbing foil: we found another special product in the form of an adhesive mat, which consists of 60 self-adhesive layers. The layers are numbered and are put together in such a way that the self-adhesive layers points up. When the adhesive mat is walked on, the dust under the shoes stays behind on the mat. This prevents dust from being moved. This adhesive mat is also suitable for rolling equipment, such as carts, dollies and trolleys.

Golden advice! Do not doubt the need to use protective products by default. The cost and the misery resulting from unforeseen repairs, loss of time, material damage and claims will generally be much greater than the investment in these protective foils or other coverings.

Two specialists: Easydek

Easydek supplies various products for covering hardwood floors. When covering a hardwood floor it is important for the covering material to be breathable. Wood is a natural product and must therefore never be completely closed off. Easydek therefore offers the Multi Cover Premium+ with a permeability of 2000gr/m2/day. For a quicker installation, the Multi Cover Basic may be used; this moisture-absorbing film is great for a temporary cover for at most one day. Easydekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s package also includes products for covering carpet, laminate, PVC,

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poured floors and natural stone. There is no floor type that cannot be covered with an Easydek product. The material is made of Polyester film with a latex anti-slip layer. The top side has a breathable membrane, if needed, combined with an extra spun-bonded sheet for even more protection. The other products can be made of polyethylene, with or without an adhesive layer, so that it will stay in place, without leaving any glue residue, of course. The products are available in various sizes, but always on a roll. The inside of the roll is the same as the bottom side, which makes rolling out the film very quick to do using hands or feet.

Primaverde Primaverde is one of the leading suppliers of protective foils and all accessories. We will describe a few of their star products. Permafix Floorguard Standard is a slip-proof self-adhesive covering film for floors and stairs. The cover film is removable without glue residues. Permafix Floorguard Evapo is damp-open self-adhesive cover film for newly installed and recently treated floors. Permafix Floorguard 1120 is a breathable, self-adhesive covering film for newly installed and recently treated floors and stairs. The film has a breathable membrane. The floor therefore gets the opportunity keep drying, even after it has been covered. For the under-floors made of wood or laminate, there is Permafix Hardfloor, a strongly self-adhesive foil for hard floors and stairs. Tackmat is a special product; a clean-off solution for preventing floor contamination during renovations. Each Tackmat consists of 60 numbered adhesive layers and can therefore be used long-term. Primaverde provides various accessories, such as a special foil knife and a dispenser for Permafix Hardfloor.

Easydek floor protection EASYDEK SPECIALIZES IN TEMPORARY FLOOR PROTECTION DURING CONSTRUCTION, REMODELING AND MAINTENANCE. All Easydek products meet the highest standards in terms of protection, safety and ease-of-use. Our extensive product range includes solutions for protecting carpets, wooden floors, LVT, laminates, Flotex, natural stone floors etcetera. Easydek delivers these products to any desired location in Europe <72 hours. Minimum order quantity is only 1 roll! Save time, save money and contact us now!

TEL: +31 33 2859222 OR INFO@EASYDEK.COM OR WWW.EASYDEK.COM 26

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Producers of exterior wall cladding: wood, bamboo and composite

WOOD, BAMBOO AND COMPOSITE ARE DOING WELL IN CONSTRUCTION WALL CLADDING MAKES AN EXCELLENT RENOVATION SOLUTION

Photo "©NUNC Architecture: bardage Essentiel®"

We had to look for some statistics for exterior wall cladding, but we didn’t find any. We did, however, find some statistical material about the wood construction market in general. Obviously, the comparison isn’t 100% watertight, so we can’t apply those figures to wall planks in one breath just like that. After all, wood construction essentially implies that the wall has to be designed in wood as well. We do certainly get a strong impression that there is growing interest from consumers for wood in the construction industry. For renovation work wooden wall cladding can offer an excellent solution for insulation purposes.

Wood construction is growing The wood construction industry is doing well! The number of approved urban planning applications in Belgium between 2010 and 2011 fell by 13.19%. Obviously, the economic crisis was largely responsible for that. However, the trend in wood construction was in the other direction. Approved applications in wood construction between 2011 and 2012 rose by 2.16%. Wood is in fashion, it fits in with people’s growing ecological awareness, it is effective, and wood construction provides a link between mankind and nature. Wood construction companies work according to one or more of the five major wood construction systems.

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These are: - timber frame construction - solid wood construction - stake-beams system - glued multi-layer solid wood panels (cross-laminated timber) - nailed multi-layer solid wood panels (cross-laminated timber) Timber frame construction is still the most popular system (used in almost 80% of cases), but all systems, with the exception of glued multi-layer solid wood panels, increased in numbers between 2011 and 2012. Obviously, we can’t draw such a generalised conclusion for such a short time span. It is also possible that the system with glued solid wood panels, linking up with its typical advantages, focuses on other sorts of construction work such as multi-storey buildings. With timber frame construction there was spectacular growth in 2012 as compared to the previous year: 30.1% for new construction and even over 40% for renovations.

The perception confirms it Obviously, perception on its own doesn’t provide any scientific basis, but in this case we can hardly avoid relying on it. Wood is becoming more and more prominent. This is certainly the case in rural

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Producers of exterior wall cladding : wood, bamboo and composite

environments where we are witnessing the emergence of more and more homes where even wooden planks have taken over the role of roofing tiles or slates, something which would have been unthinkable about 10 years ago. Wood owes its success to its warm natural character. Wood provides a cosy atmosphere. The growing fondness for wood is finding expression in construction in an equally increasing number of applications e.g. more wooden floors, the return of wooden panelling and ceiling cladding, wooden kitchen sinks, and worktops. In the garden we are seeing more wooden terraces and swimming pool boards, wooden garden houses, wooden outhouses, wooden shelters, and pool houses. As we have already said, companies specialising in solid wood construction and even in timber frame construction have been doing big business in recent years. More recent figures from the Building Confederation bear this out: 15 to 20% of new homes in Belgium in 2014 were made of wood, 83% in timber frame construction and 7% in solid wood construction.

What about exterior wall cladding? We cannot say for sure if the figures show the same trend. On the one hand, a wooden exterior wall finish is by no means the only option with a wooden building; you can just as easily build a stone wall. On the other hand, wooden exterior wall cladding is an option for all other building methods. And so, we can assume that the trend will be at least comparable. The fact that producers of other exterior wall cladding materials (e.g. composites or PVC) also (or mainly) offer wood decors in their range backs up our assumption. Wood is doing well! Strictly speaking, consumers will see three distinct possibilities in exterior wall cladding: wood, wood composite, and synthetics.

or exterior wall renovation are sidings from PVC hard foam with a co-extruded top layer. Another producer offers sidings in high-quality synthetics (ABS). ABS is impervious, so it cannot absorb moisture. Moreover, it is UV-resistant, so it ensures a durable solution.

Bamboo There is another alternative! Natur+ Bamboo is the 100% solid bamboo material, which is suitable for outdoor use. It is 100% ecological, does not involve cutting any trees, and has no PVC whatsoever. Consumers who are looking for easy maintenance and low prices often choose PVC wall cladding or wood and bamboo composites with synthetics. The texture and look, however, is artificial. Solid wood is the preferred choice of consumers who value warmth and a natural look. It is in this latter segment that Natur+Bamboo aims to appeal to exterior wall cladding producers and offer bamboo as the new and durable alternative. The fact is that bamboo has been emerging strongly over the past eight years. Indoor bamboo floors provides strong evidence of that.

A look at the market ArchiWood

Wooden exterior wall cladding Western Red Cedar is still probably one of the most popular and most used wood sorts. However, just as bangkirai has had competition in recent decades from scores of (at least) equally valuable wood sorts for laying terraces, cedar wood is also seeing its monopoly in exterior wall cladding disappear. Strictly speaking, we can say that wood sorts which qualify for durability classes 1 to 3 without additional protection are suitable for exterior wall cladding. For outdoor use with no contact with the ground reinforced larch and oregon are also suitable, as are even less durable wood sorts such as deal and pine wood on condition that they are given some form of protection (e.g. chemical modification or thermal treatment).

Wood composite Wood composites are making a breakthrough here as well! Wood composite consists of wood fibres, high-density polyethylene, UV stabilisers, pigments, and various additives in order to optimise the mechanical qualities. These are usually recycled wood fibres and waste wood and recycled polyethylene. The ingredients are mixed and put through an extrusion process at high temperature and under heavy pressure. Thanks to extrusion technology, it is possible to obtain accurate dimensions and all things are possible in terms of shape. In several respects wood composite is an ecological alternative to tropical hardwood. Basically, you don’t need to chop down any trees and the waste wood can just as easily bear the FSC label.

Demand for the various wood sorts for outdoors and the various types of profiles is also growing. In particular, demand is growing with the construction and renovation of homes, but also more and more industrial premises are being decorated with wood. The most important wood sorts are cedar, mélèze, thermowood and other thermally treated sorts, afrormosia, ipe, padauk, accoya, and such like. The invisible fasteners Hard Wood Clip ® fasteners and Soft Wood Clip® (for thermally treated wood) are also used for exterior wall covering. At the same time, it is more or less possible to adapt the planks to suit aesthetic preferences. Two groove profiles are available: TWIN is a standard profile, and it is reversible and symmetrical (3-7mm). DROP is a newly certified profile for closed planks, semi-closed, or open.

B-Fix

Other cladding There are other manufacturers who have noted growth on this market. Sidings are appearing in various materials and not necessarily in a wood look. For example, we’re also finding exterior wall strips made of cement-fibre, an extremely durable and ecological material. One well known producer offers these strips in smooth cedar design or more structured. Another product being introduced for new construction

Floor Forum International 74

B-Fix has no doubts whatsoever that the market in exterior wall cladding in wood or composite is growing all the time. There is still

plenty of innovation and growth. Wood still leads the field and producers are standing out with increasingly refined products finished in the factory. This success is due to several reasons. The aesthetic aspect has improved considerably in recent years. Wooden walls integrate perfectly into different construction methods and styles. Moreover, wood is in fashion and also makes it possible to insulate the outside. The speedy fitting and affordable price are other attractions. For all these reasons wood is just as suitable for private homes as it is for major projects. B-Fix is benefitting from this growth thanks to its universal fastening system, which can be used for both terraces and wooden walls. The B-Fix fastening system can be used for native and exotic wood, thermally treated wood, and composites.

Gascogne Bois

the right support

Wishinavitsibilse teo sthseeenyetsial We have been ensuring quality and support for roofings and foundations for 30 years, providing our contribution to the construction sector. Impertek has an extensive range of competitive products: from the adjustable supports, like the extensions for jack supports, to the XL jack supports and MegaMart S. An invisible contribution to make your world sounder and more durable.

Major advantages of wooden exterior wall cladding are the easy fitting, the high thermal comfort, and the aesthetic look. The company is expecting strong growth in the coming years. Gascogne Bois presents exterior wall cladding in coniferous wood (pine) from Gascogne, originating from sustainably managed forests and characterised by excellent mechanical and aesthetic properties. The Yachting range is presented in an extensive selection of colours, whilst the Naturals range offers an alternative to coloured wood. The fact that wood is advancing is due to its natural look, the vast number of renovation possibilities, and new and improved finishes. To encourage people to continue to follow the ecological road, Gascogne Bois has opened its Technobois de Gascogne training institute, which has been set up specially for architects, agents, and fitters.

Interply For Interply itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to imagine modern architecture without wooden exterior wall cladding. Apart from the traditional Cedar Planchet, Interply offers the more contemporary Parallello profile in 18 x 45 and 18 x 65mm, which gives the wall a particularly rigid look. Interply opts consciously for durably wood sorts for their warm and natural look. Interply puts the success of wooden exterior walls down to the fact that wood can be combined perfectly well with other materials. Wooden exterior wall cladding gives the home or trading premises that little bit extra, both for large and

Italian

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Floor Forum International 74

Special

Producers of exterior wall cladding : wood, bamboo and composite

small projects. Interply offers from its stock padauk FAS, afzelia doussie FAS, thermal red Norwegian pine, thermal oak, and W.R. cedar.

Natur Bamboo – LINEAR SERIE Building for the future.

The Belgian manufacturer Plastivan NV has almost 50 years’ experience in the production and sale of PVC and WPC profiles for building. Early in 2015, the company launched a new line of DURASID® exterior wall cladding. DURASID® is a complete exterior wall cladding system, which is suitable for new buildings and renovation. It is ideal for use in homes, chalets, or industrial premises. Through the application of a specific technique on the wood grain structure of the hard foam panels you get an exterior wall cladding with a particularly lifelike look. The collection consists of five contemporary colours and is available in a 167mm siding model. By combining the advantages of wood (look) and synthetics (maintenance) you get an aesthetic alternative to traditional exterior wall claddings.

Protac Ouest

Wood as exterior wall cladding gives a warm and exclusive look. Moreover, what about using an alternative which requires no cutting? Thanks to the latest development in the LINEAR series from Natur Bamboo, it is now possible to build even more sustainably and ecologically, both indoors and out. Developments for bamboo have never been so progressive. With Natur+ Bamboo you opt resolutely for a unique supplier. Do you have a new exterior wall cladding concept and you want a partner to complete it in bamboo? With Natur+ Bamboo you can complete your new concept with every confidence. BOBBY is such a specimen concept in the LINEAR material. A completely simple exterior wall cladding to create an elegant play on lines for the exterior wall. Ecological, durable, and no trees are cut. With the new LINEAR series you can devise complete exterior wall cladding concepts. Apart from this series, there’s also the OUTDOOR series. This is also 100% solid bamboo material with extremely high density. Natur+ Bamboo supplies exclusive bamboo material solely for the professional commercial market. They don’t sell indoor parquet. From the very beginning, they have committed themselves to the development of solid bamboo material for outdoor use. The outdoor environment requires extremely high-tech processing during the production, which goes far beyond hot pressing under high pressure. All parameters have to be correct, down to the smallest details, and that’s precisely where a lot of bamboo suppliers come up short. Our philosophy is: ‘Succeeding in bamboo is the biggest challenge of all and we want to be the market leader.’ The use of bamboo material in the interior world is a nice extension and offers lots of creative possibilities. You can find more information on our website.

Protac Ouest Sarl / Wood Solutions for a Sustainable Future / Protac Ouest is an industrial planing, founded in 1993 situated in Brittany Western France. Our main business activity is the production and sales of Nordic Softwood Planed Timber and Profiled Boards (external cladding, decking, fencing, and tailor made products). Protac Ouest is operating with a high-tech production line offering several treatment and value-adding possibilities – cross-cutting, end-matching, pressure impregnation, and high quality surface coating. Sawn timber used as raw material is High-Quality Nordic Softwood imported mainly from Finland & Russia, from well managed forest. Protac Ouest is an environmentally friendly company FSC & PEFC certified.

Rahuel Bois

Plastivan/ DURASID®

At Rahuel Bois, too, they have noticed a big increase in the use of wood in construction in general and in exterior wall cladding in particular for about 10 years. This trend is particularly noticeable in the construction of private homes and industrial premises. The company has several big projects of more than 600m² on its reference list. Since its foundation in 1921, Rahuel Bois has specialised in chestnut wood, a sort which is perfectly weatherproof. The application of such exterior wall cladding does not constitute a problem, certainly not for a professional. Chestnut wood can certainly be left untreated, but a popular finish is

Floor Forum International 74

colourless varnish. Last year, Rahuel Bois launched completely finished exterior wall cladding under the name Already Grey (‘Déjà Gris’).

Silvadec

towards natural materials. For exterior wall cladding the company offers thermo treated wood and naturally durable wood. According to Vetedy, wood is still more popular for exterior wall cladding than other materials, even though other materials are making progress. The company have developed a fastening system whereby exterior wall cladding is perfectly suitable for bigger projects. Techniclic® uses U-profiles which avoid the use of screws for the fastening. This means that the fitting is much faster. The addition of the spacers, in option, allows to see openwork cladding between the wooden boards, from 5.5, 10, 20 or 30mm, below customer’s choice. Whilst the pure cost of the material is certainly higher than with traditional fitting, it is precisely the time saving and the spacers which makes the system cheaper, material and installation time combined. Vetedy also has lots of references for bigger projects.

Silvadec produces exterior wall cladding in composite which consists of 2/3 wood and 1/3 polyethylene. The company has had a new range since 2014. The composite displays very specific characteristics and offers lots of properties. Dirt doe not penetrate into the planks and they are extremely easy to clean. The planks age uniformly over time. They have high resistance to UV rays and they retain their initial colour. Silvadec exterior wall cladding is suitable for both private homes and for commercial projects.

Vetedy Vetedy notice an increase in wooden exterior wall planks using open joints with invisible fixation. This is the result of the general trend

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Floor Forum International 74

Advertorial

Parket Kerkhofs (BE)

KERKHOFS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MAKER OF SOLID PARQUET, DEALER IN QUALITY PARQUET AND ACCESSORIES Parket Kerkhofs from Peer (Belgium) is a dealer in a full range of parquet floors and accessories and commands an outstanding reputation due to its quality, service, and competitive prices. At the same time this family business (now in its fourth generation) is also a specialist manufacturer of high-quality solid parquet floors and design floors in scores of wood sorts and made to order.

Total supplier for floor fitters Parket Kerkhofs was formed in 1993 and arose from the Kerkhofs family sawmill. The company offers a full range of parquet floors for parquet specialists: solid wood, multi-layer, traditional parquet, end grain blocks, distressed floors and, new in the range, reclaimed wooden floors. Moreover, they also have an extensive range of quality accessories e.g. adhesives, levelling agents and primers, sandpapering materials, oils and varnishes, skirting boards,

Floor Forum International 74

and maintenance products. Each product category, from the solid parquet from its own production to all accessories for parquet specialists, offers guaranteed top quality.

Specialist in solid parquet Apart from the role which Kerkhofs plays as a wholesaler, it is also a parquet producer. Production at Kerkhofs is geared entirely to the specialist production of solid parquet floors. They offer solid parquet in various lengths and widths and in plank thicknesses which vary between 6 and 20mm. Everything is produced with the utmost care and in accordance with the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wishes.

50 wood sorts Kerkhofs offers solid parquet in scores of wood sorts. These include softwood, hardwood, and exotic sorts. All together Kerkhofs has

50 different sorts at its disposal. Moreover, floors can be supplied quickly due to the extensive stock and the drying chamber at Kerkhofs. Most items can be delivered within one to three weeks of the order being placed. Furthermore, thanks to the company’s own drying capacity, it is also possible to supply extra dried solid parquet for combination with floor heating.

Refined design floors Apart from wooden floors, the company also supplies various design floors such as herringbone or Hungarian point and also other patterns and panels, including Versailles. For this purpose the company has also invested in a high-tech CNC-driven sawing machine in recent years. This guarantees a tip-top and perfectly finished solid wood design floor.

No mass production, but top quality The company’s philosophy is therefore oriented completely towards high value product quality. And so, Kerkhofs is not concerned with mass production, but parquet which brings the ultimate beauty of wood to the floor. And so, they also don’t hesitate to work together with other sound and reputable producers and traders. For example, they supply the solid parquet planks also to the prestigious market and specialists in distressing wooden floors.

the United Kingdom, and France have experienced that Parket Kerkhofs always goes for outstanding quality at competitive prices. Its particular philosophy on quality lays the foundation, together with a client focus and a flexible corporate atmosphere. This is so that the company can respond to the need for customised work such as for renovations and repairs. This, in combination with Kerkhofs’ good after-sales service, always wins client trust.

Distributor of top brands Finally, there is one more thing about the role of Kerkhofs as a wholesaler for parquet traders. Apart from its own quality range of solid parquet, this parquet specialist from Limburg also offers a wide range of other high-quality wooden floors from associate manufacturers. Together with its own range of solid parquet, there is a full range for parquet specialists. Equally for all accessories such as adhesive, oils and varnishes, moisturisers, and skirting boards, the company works with trademarks which stand for quality. Kerkhofs has deliberately chosen not to have its own trademark. The idea is that all products offer the quality which is typical of a top trademark. Amongst other things, Kerkhofs offers the following trademarks: Woca Denmark, Bona, Lecol, Loba, Mapei, Osmo, Tover, Wakol, Sia Abrasives, Royal Plint, Fid box, and Winix.

Customer care Over the years, both parquet businesses and traders in Belgium and distributors and clients in the Netherlands (Kerkhofs’ major export market – the company has a collection warehouse in Amsterdam),

For more information you can visit their web site: www.parketkerkhofs.be

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Parquet, laminate, vinyl, PVC and LVT in hotels

THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR HOTEL FLOORS DECORATIVE VERSATILITY AND TECHNICAL PERFECTION

Photo – Kurkfabriek Van Avermaet

In just about all applications or building designs the floor already plays a ‘ dominant’ part. The floor has a considerable share in the look, style, and atmosphere of the room where it lies. That visual dominance means that a lot of attention is also paid to the floor, so aesthetic and decorative demands are often very high. The purpose of the room where the floor is fitted also largely determines people’s technical expectations of the floor. Due to both their decorative versatility and as a result of certain technical demands, floors such as laminate, LVT, vinyl, parquet, and such like have made their way into hotels.

What is a hotel owner looking for? Whenever an interior architect or architect is entrusted with the task of designing a hotel, he or she is aiming primarily for excellence. Both the hotel manager and the designer are looking to stand out from the ‘rest’. Depending on the hotel price class, the design varies from ‘cosy and attractive’ to the creation of a ‘wow experience’ for the clients. And so, the selected type of floor has to provide plenty of variety so that the designer has lots of freedom to make a choice. Then there are the clear technical and mechanical expectations which hotel floors have to

Floor Forum International 74

meet. Moreover, as regards both the decorative and technical aspects, the requirements are determined by the room within the hotel where the floor is fitted. Obviously, a hotel room has to meet different requirements to the lobby. For a hotel room one strives for a sense of home, cosiness and atmosphere, whilst the lobby needs a certain ‘elegance’. After all, the lobby is the place where visitors get their ‘first impression’. The concept of ‘high traffic’ also deserves some modification. The extent to which the floors in a hotel room or even in the corridors are walked on doesn’t compare with that in the lobby. In other words, the architect has to take account of a whole set of aspects.

Parquet – if it has to be top class Many people immediately associate parquet with ‘elegance’ and ‘considerable expense’. The wood sort is certainly not the decisive factor here, but it does have a certain influence on the perception and degree of ‘elegance’.

Oak and exotics Most people recognise oak and see it as a luxurious sort of wood. Apart from that, the darker the floor, the greater the appreciation. This is because people intuitively regard the darkest types of floors as ‘exotic’

and therefore expensive. That assessment isn’t always accurate since dark-coloured oak is perfectly comparable to some tropical sorts.

A natural product The fact that wood is a natural product means that it immediately commands appreciation. People soon feel ‘at home’ whenever they step on a wooden floor. This is partly the result of the natural warmth which a wooden floor exudes; wood invites you to walk around in bare feet, and it is comfortable and cosy. It is that combination of natural and inviting warmth and the expensive look which spontaneously commands appreciation from hotel guests.

The power of ‘floating’ Irrespective of the type of floor, floating fitting has some very specific benefits for hotel design, and for other commercial operations for that matter. Firstly, a floating fitting means the interior can be given a complete change quickly and easily. We have already said that the floor can have a dominant impact on the atmosphere. It is vitally important for lots of businesses to change their interior design from time to time. That’s certainly the case, for example, for boutiques which sell fashion-related products. It’s also the case in catering establishments and, obviously, that includes the hotel restaurant or bar. Changing smoothly to a new interior is one thing, but the fact that this can be done extremely quickly, cleanly, and silently is even more important, if it is possible. Whenever a hotel room is in need of a new floor, the idea is to ensure that this room is available for hire again as soon as possible. With floating floors it is possible to fit a new floor within a short space of time without causing complete chaos in the

hotel and without causing the inconvenience of dust and dirt. Parquet, laminate, and LVT floors with click system, PVC, or vinyl all meet this requirement.

Decorative versatility As we have already said, the designer needs a wide range of choice as regards various decors and possible colours. He or she finds just that in the vast variety of laminate, parquet, PVC, LVT, and vinyl. The range of decors in laminate had been infinitely wide for years. If we were to put all assortments from all producers next to each other, we might be able to count more wood decors than that, every imaginable modern and youthful colour and design. Not easy to add anything there! Nevertheless, the emergence of digital print technology has seen the range grow from ‘immense’ to ‘infinite’. It is now possible to make anything, irrespective of whether or not it actually exists. The age of personalisation has dawned. For hotel managers (or hotel chains) this means that the hotel logo can be incorporated into the floor. Yet another advantage! For vinyl, PVC, and LVT we can limit ourselves to a simple conclusion that the progression has been identical. From a technical point of view there has been the transition from flexible floors in rolls to tiles and planks with a click system for floating fitting. From a decorative point of view, the progression has been exactly the same as that of laminate.

Suitability for projects The introduction of durability classes (December 2000) was an important step. These classes are a European quality standard (EN 13329). A distinction is made between laminate for domestic use and laminate

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www.designparquet.fr

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Parquet, laminate, vinyl, PVC and LVT in hotels

for commercial use. There are three separate categories here, namely laminate which is suitable for light, medium, and intensive use. The allotted classification depends on criteria such as durability, impact resistance, scratch and stain resistance, colour-fastness, and the effect of chair legs and stiletto heels. AC1 class 21: light use (e.g. the bedroom); AC2 class 22: normal use (e.g. the living room); AC3 class 23: intensive use (light commercial use); AC3 class 31: intensive use (normal commercial use); AC4 class 32: heavy use (normal commercial use); AC5 class 33: very heavy use (intensive commercial use).

Views from the industry Design Parquet

Acoustics We learn here that of all the existing types of floors flexible floor coverings offer the best acoustic comfort and the best insulation against impact sound. This is very important for hospitals, schools, libraries, old people’s homes, and such like. The extent to which these floors contribute towards acoustic comfort is determined partly by their thickness and composition. There are also solutions for laminate and other click floors, including subfloors which absorb sound better.

Maintenance Anyone who talks about hotels is talking at once about ‘large surfaces’. It goes without saying that convenient maintenance plays a decisive part in the choice of floor for hotels. Since these floors are perfectly smooth and even, and often seamless, they are extremely easy to clean. Some of these floors can be cleaned using a buffing machine and, where necessary, in silence. Laminate can be cleaned dry or slightly damp so that the floor is never soaking wet.

Design Parquet, too, has noticed a strong increase in hotel parquet floors. They attribute this to the development of outstanding varnishes such as the ROC varnish, which can help to ensure that the floors have a long lifespan. In 2014, Design Parquet completed two more attractive hotel projects for the Nomad Group. Design Parquet believes that the ecological aspects and the modern look of parquet make it more suitable than carpet, for instance. For hotels Design Parquet offers the LOFT PRO range with a total thickness of 16mm and a top layer of 4.5mm in oak (in 90, 145, 180, and 220mm) and in various other sorts such as walnut, bubinga, wenge, afrormosia, and doussie. The wood

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used is FSC or PEFC certified. Design Parquet believes that these floors need to be fitted by parquet specialists.

Finesse Floor

gives a business more prestige than a laminate or PVC floor. The look is so much better and also the durability (it is possible to sandpaper several times) is an absolute plus point and a reason for choosing wood. They have noted here that parquet is increasingly being fitted in the separate hotel rooms, whereas until recently only the restaurant and lobby were fitted with wood.

Junckers

Finesse Floor with RCB Technology™ is a waterproof floor, which is highly stable and extremely comfortable to walk on. The material can be fitted quickly and easily without extensive preparation of the substrate. The system is equipped with a strong Top Click edge joint and has a sound reduction layer (sound reduction of 19dB). The material does not contain any softeners or formaldehyde. Translucent effects are a thing of the past. Finesse Floor is made in 14 designs, digitally printed with HD resolution to give a material which can hardly be distinguished from the original. The 3D effect and a repeat of only 1 out of 60 planks is unique. Finesse Floor is equipped with a new and patented top layer with an unseen wear resistance (class 34), soft touch effect, and antibacterial coating. Finesse Floor has been tested extensively and bears the CE label. And so, Finesse Floor is a new generation of floor coverings which are unrivalled. www.finessefloor.com

Flamingo Parket

Junckers has specialised in the art of wooden floors for over 80 years and has now supplied over 100 million square metres of flooring for private homes, trading premises, and public rooms, including the White House in Washington, the B&O headquarters in Denmark, and the Pushkin Museum in Moscow. The company has completed wooden floors for just about all the major hotel groups in the world, but also for several smaller guest houses in the furthest corners of the planet. Each floor project is linked inextricably with advice, service, and support. A floor from Junckers is an expression of the client’s trademark. After all, each floor is unique by nature and the finish, gloss, gnarls, and grain convert that unique character to an authentic and exclusive interior. Thanks to the vast number of wood sorts, the variety of colours and dimensions, and the different accessories, it is possible to complete a floor to suit everyone’s unique design idea. The wood for Junckers floors comes from sustainably managed forests. Thanks to outstanding oils and varnishes, Junckers can guarantee a durable parquet floor, whether it is for the bedrooms, the restaurant, or the lobby.

Kurkfabriek Van Avermaet

Flamingo Parket offers only a limited service in PVC and works solely with the Max Wear trademark, which is produced in Sweden. This is a click PVC (5G) and the underside already has a sound-reduction layer, the so called ‘Catwalk’. The base is in HDF. The top layer is made using newly patented technology which fits the vinyl cross-linked onto each other so that the floor is much harder and more resistant to external influences. All edges are treated with a wax-based coat of lacquer to make the floor even more moisture-resistant. However, the company’s core business is the production and sale of wooden floors. Wood will always retain its important place. It gives a more exclusive look and

Kurkfabriek Van Avermaet gets a lot of requests mainly for LVT. They attribute this to the fact that the average layperson can no longer

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Parquet, laminate, vinyl, PVC and LVT in hotels

distinguish LVT from real parquet. This is because of the transfer of printing onto the plank, the uneven finish, and the royale size (up to 180cm /22cm). Furthermore, the cost price and the maintenance interval works out a lot cheaper than the original. The lobby, restaurant, corridors, and bedrooms are all suitable candidates. In wet rooms people still prefer ceramic tiles and natural stone because those floors are still less vulnerable to damp. The so called aqua click floors have the disadvantage that moisture can get underneath them. Although the product is completely inert and waterproof, the fact remains that moisture and soap residue under the floor will prove to be a source of mould formation in the long term. There are different durability classes in LVT, but, according to Van Avermaet, class 33 does not constitute a problem for any manufacturer whatsoever.

that the tile imitations feel as warm as wood and are even stronger than real tiles (unbreakable). Lindura floors consist of a genuine wood top layer, which is reinforced with a coat of wood powder to create a wooden floor with reinforced properties as compared to traditional parquet. In response to the demand for ecological and environmentally-friendly products Lindura offers a suitable answer since there is a thin top layer of genuine wood reinforced with ecological, yet highly strong wood powder, and all for a price which is only half that of comparable wooden floors. The Meister Lindura and Nadura floors have a BfL-s1 certificate and are therefore absolutely ideal for projects.

Lalegno

Trap Flooring

At Lalegno they have noticed a major increase in the use of Lalegno Multi-layer parquet floors for top class projects, top class hotels, and restaurants. For example, the 15-ABC-189-PINOTNOIR-B can now be admired twice a week on television in the well known VTM pop-up restaurant Origo in Aalst, but there’s also the top class Sandton Grand Hotel Reylof in Ghent and the world famous star chef Bocuse in Lyon which have recently opted for the outstanding quality of Lalegno floors. There are several reasons for the growing popularity of their floors in the catering industry. One of those reasons is the durable and ecological nature of wood. Wood in general (as a natural product) and multi-layer parquet in particular (since the wood is treated in an ecological manner) are ideal from this point of view for such applications. 21mm floors are a popular choice because the top layer (6mm thick) is perfectly able to cope with the high traffic of a busy hotel, but 15mm floors (with a top layer of 4mm) are becoming increasingly popular with hotel managers, especially those floors with trendy colours. The choice of a finish often falls to a highly matt UV varnish.

Meister At Meister they have witnessed an increase mainly in Nadura and Lindura in hotels. These are two floor innovations based on wood powder technology. These floors have the advantage of being tremendously strong and durable. This durability and the tremendously strong wood powder appeals to clients who are looking for something which can cope with a knock, is easy to maintain, and stays attractive for a long time. Amongst other things, they are deployed in hotels (lounge, bedrooms, and restaurants), gymnasia, hairdressing salons, and shops. Nadura floors (in tile format) have a usage class of 34, whereby the top layer consists of 100% wood powder and has the advantage

Floor Forum International 74

Trap Flooring has proved that parquet is suitable for hotel projects with three impressive achievements. They have fitted their brand of multi-layer parquet (20mm/6mm top layer) in Le Manoir Oxfordshire with a coat of UV oil in black as a finish. In the renowned Pullman Hotel in Dubai they have fitted out the gym in American walnut solid wood (20 x 110mm) and the reception in multi-layer (15 x 4mm top layer) with the same wood sort. Another really impressive project has been the renovation of the Great Northern Hotel in London. This project saw the transformation of a former station into a luxury hotel. All together Trap Parket supplied 1,400m² of floors for this project. These were multi-layer floors in American walnut with a thickness of 20mm and a top layer of 6mm. The floor was given an oil finish. They supplied both planks in variable widths and design floors all-in the ‘select’ quality, a top selection with sap limited to a maximum of 30%. The hotel lies in the centre of London near King’s Cross and St. Pancras. It has been given a sublime renovation to become a luxurious boutique hotel barely 25 metres from the Eurostar terminal.

Special

How to prepare and treat subfloors

PRIMERS FOR IMPROVED SCREED POROSITY A ‘BASE CONDITION’ FOR OPTIMAL GLUING OF FLOOR COVERING

Photo – Mapei

It is perfectly conceivable that the screed is not suitable for gluing, both in new building projects and renovation. Glueing parquet, in particular, requires a few special base conditions: after all, wood continues to move (expanding and shrinking). Good parquet glue absorbs those movements by also expanding and shrinking. The screed is expected to withstand the movements of the wooden floor and the glue. In other words, the screed remains motionless and just lets the wood and parquet glue movements happen. The screed porosity is crucial for the adhesion of the glue or levelling compounds.

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What does a screed have to deal with? We all know that wood expands and shrinks in changing weather conditions. If the humidity levels are high, wood absorbs moisture from the air and expands. Inversely, it will balance its moisture content again when air humidity decreases and start shrinking. Modern glueing technology takes those wood movements into account. This has led to an extensive supply of ‘flexible’ glue types which are specifically designed for wooden floors and follow the wood movements seamlessly. All those movements affect the base in different ways and various directions (vertical and horizontal). When parquet is glued onto a cement-bound screed, the screed must be able to withstand

Floor Forum International 74

Special

How to prepare and treat subfloors

those effects. In other words, whilst the glue ‘moves’ with the effects, the screed has to ‘withstand’ those effects. That is why optimal adhesion of the glue is a basic condition. A primer might be necessary to guarantee that.

The importance of porosity The screed porosity is extremely important for the adhesion of the glue. A screed can be too porous (or powdery), it can be insufficiently porous (this stops the glue from penetrating), or it can be too porous in certain places and not porous enough in other places. The porosity has to be examined both in new building and renovation projects.

The action of primers Depending on the former floor covering and the placement method of that former floor covering we notice during renovation that the porosity of the screed is rarely homogenous. When the old floor covering is removed, we often have to remove glue residue and it becomes immediately clear that it can be more stubborn in some places than in others. As that glue residue hasn’t penetrated the screed in the same way everywhere, you find places with higher or lower porosity. Differences in porosity can be resolved perfectly with a primer. The primers available for sale can easily be spread out to level the absorbing power of the screed to make sure that the glue or the levelling compound can first be absorbed well everywhere. Using a primer to improve a powdery screed is strongly discouraged. Other strengthening products are available for that purpose. Of course, there are various primers with their own specific functions.

As reinforcement For powdery bases or screeds lacking strength, a strengthening primer can be the solution. They secure the covering layer as it were. Some make a distinction between primers for porous or non-porous bases, whilst others provide universal primers.

Improved porosity If the suction power of a covering floor is not uniform everywhere, there is a risk of the glue adhesion not being the same everywhere. In the long term, there is then a risk of the floor coming loose from the screed in patches.

As bonding ‘bridge’ for quartz sand If scattering quartz sand is necessary to improve adhesion of a levelling compound or glue, the primer is used to secure the quartz sand. This can be required to apply egaline after placing an epoxy moisture barrier.

Activation of tiles Ceramic tiles and natural stones like marble are almost not porous at all. In renovation projects there often still is a demand for directly gluing on those existing floor coverings. The primer then acts as a solvent and activator of the ceramic tile.

Screed strengtheners A screed strengthener has a completely different purpose than an adhesion primer, that much is clear. A screed strengthener is used when the screed does not have the required strength to cope with the strength of the wood and glue. It is completely impossible to glue a floor onto a powdery screed. Screed strengtheners are highly fluid, and that enables them to saturate the micro-pores of the screed completely. They are available in one or two components. The water of the strengthener feeds the strengthening resin’s molecules (acrylate,

Floor Forum International 74

styrene acrylate) deep into in the screed which generates an acceptable cohesion. The drying time of the strengthener is of fundamental importance. Insufficient drying time, especially with single component PU glues and MS polymers, can block the polymerisation of the glue, which prevents the glue bonding. It is also important that the screed strengtheners are only used for the strengthening of porous bases. They should never be used on a closed base.

A selection from the range Blanchon As an addition to the Blanchon range of Hybrid-Polymer adhesives, they are now selling an epoxy primer which can be used on sand-cement screeds with a moisture degree below 10%. Its very low viscosity ensures outstanding penetration capacity. It is applied in two coats and can be used as a moisture barrier (in that case it is necessary to sprinkle a little dry silicon onto the still damp layer so that the glue can adhere properly).

Bostik Bostik provides lots of solutions for screed problems. Impurities like old glue residue and plaster residue must be removed at all costs by scrubbing the base and then hoovering it thoroughly. If hardened glue residue is still present after scrubbing, it is recommended to fix it by applying a coat of Renogrund PU RAPID (covering floor strengthener). If the base has insufficient surface strength because, for instance, it is too powdery/granular, the top coat of the covering floor can be strengthened by treating it with a covering floor strengthener of PU RAPID type (1-component polyurethane liquid) or with NIBOGRUND E30 PLUS (liquid 2-component epoxy resin). If the base is too humid during the fitting or there is permanent danger of rising damp, a moisture barrier must first be applied based on a 2-component epoxy resin type EPONAL 336 that is both suitable for residual moisture and rising pressure moisture: the EPONAL 336 also resists damp from the base and is therefore a pressure moisture primer too. If the base is not level enough, it needs to be levelled with a suitable levelling compound once a primer has been applied. BOSTIK NIBOPLAN BEST is a suitable levelling compound. If the base has a lot of bursts and cracks, this can be resolved by fitting an uncoupling film (Bostik Renofleece) onto the base, on which levelling is then done at a minimum thickness of 5mm. As star product Bostik presents the EPONAL 336, a unique and very efficient problem solver for moisture problems on the base.

Chimiver Panseri SpA Chimiver has a very large range of sealants suitable for sub floors with a residual moisture content of no more than 5%. The best seller is Prymer SF1105 which is a 2-components water-based epoxy primer suitable for dusty, very dry and crumbling subfloors and for preventing rising damp in absorbent subfloors. It has excellent penetrative

properties and can also be used on anhydrite covering floors. The residual humidity allowed during the installation of a wooden floor is 5% in a 6 cm thick substrate. Than we offer also PRYMER FAST 500 which is a single-component polyurethane primer, solvent and water free, able to consolidate friable substrates and create a Damp Proof Membrane (DPM) on humid foundations. It is suitable on either absorbent and non-absorbent subfloors, including also anhydrite. Main properties: fast drying time (45-50 min.), solvent and water free, no smell, low viscosity (high penetrating property), suitable for subfloor heating systems. CERTIFIED EC1R. PRYMER FAST 500 can contribute to the achievement of QI CREDIT 4.1 according to the parameters of the GEV dated 03 March 2009, because it meets the certification LEED protocol (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Within our range of primers we also have those to be used for screed consolidation only and for increasing adhesion of glues on non absorbent materials such as ceramic tiles a marble.

Devo® Devo® provides four different products for base preparation. There is a solution for any problem in the Devo® range. The Primer Express PU is a rapid PU primer, which contains no water or solvents, for fixing dusty covering floors/screed floors and acting as an insulation layer against residual moisture. The Primer HE 2C is a solvent free 2-component epoxy primer for the insulation of residual moisture in cement covering floors. The Primer PA 400 is a sealing and penetrating primer for strengthening granular screed floors. Finally, Hydroblock 3C is a highly waterproof 3-component undercoat. It is also suitable for non-absorbent floors like marble, old tile floors, and such like. Each Devo® Primer has very specific features geared to a specific problem. Devo® Primer Express PU, for example, can be used more widely, but on specific surfaces in problem situations it is better to chose a specific Devo® Primer. The specific action will then be much more efficient.

Lecol / Wakol Various possible problems can form obstacles to good glueing. Lecol has a specific checklist for that purpose, which can be downloaded from its web site. The external service team can also provide support for difficult underfloors and larger projects in order to assess the subfloor personally and speedily and to offer guaranteed written advice. Lecol provides several solutions. Wakol Polyurethane Sealant compound PU 280 is recommended for improved adhesion of the glue on the subfloor, if the subfloor is not strong enough, for the insulation of moisture in the subfloor, for binding dust in the subfloor, for binding unstable residual

glues in the subfloor, and for reducing the suction power of the subfloor. Wakol PS 205 Liquid resin is designed to repair tears in the subfloor. Wakol also has several levelling compounds for the levelling of uneven subfloors. For roughing up excessively smooth subfloors such as tiled floors as a preparation to levelling there is Wakol R 4515. When glueing parquet directly onto tiled floors, floor fitters can easily get it wrong. That’s why Lecol/Wakol presents the advice sheet ‘Gluing on tiled floors’ on its web site.

Mapei The Eco Prim PU 1K is a single component primer based on polyurethane. This primer contains no solvents and guarantees an extremely low emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC). Eco Prim PU 1K is designed to make cement covering floors and anhydrite watertight and to reinforce them. The primer sets in accordance with the surrounding air. It can be deployed as a moisture barrier for covering floors which exceed the permitted residual moisture content for parquet by a maximum of 5% for screeds of 6cm thick, which are not subjected to constant rising damp. Apart from this primer, Mapei also offers Triblock P, a treble component epoxy moisture barrier.

Pallmann Pallmann P104 is a quick drying single component PU primer for glueing parquet with reaction resin adhesive. It is particularly suitable for strengthening and sealing covering floors and as a moisture insulating sealant on moisture-resistant bases with increased residual moisture levels. Pallmann P104 is suitable as a moisture insulation in two layers on cement-bound and moisture-resistant bases such as cement covering floors with a maximum residual moisture content of 4cM%. The primer can also be used as a quick drying undercoat for glueing parquet with Pallmann P5, P6, and P9 on cement, anhydrite and wood granite covering floors, mastic asphalt, concrete, chipboard, dry floorboard systems and old bases with good adhesive glue or levelling residue. Pallmann P104 offers excellent reinforcement for absorbent mineral bases, such as cement, anhydrite and wood granite covering floors, concrete, and such like. Pallmann P25 can be used to level the covering floor.

Stauf For any floor construction, primers are the key components. Primers must ensure adhesion on a variety of different substrates. At the same time, primers serve as bonding agents not only for sub floors, but also for levelling compounds or different adhesive systems. In addition, their ability to form a layer that reduces and controls the water vapour diffusion rate of the substrate (DPM) becomes increasingly important. For the latter, STAUF offers a comprehensive system of primers, which allows floor construction on graded residual moisture contents:

Floor Forum International 74

Special

How to prepare and treat subfloors

STAUF VDP 160 Dispersion primer below nearly all STAUF adhesives and levelling compounds - DPM up to 3.5 CM-% (cement screed only) STAUF VPU 155 S PU primer below STAUF SMP-, SPUand PUK adhesives - bonding can be performed after 1 hour - DPM up to 4.0 CM-% (cement screeds only - in combination with STAUF VDP 160, can also be used below STAUF levelling compounds STAUF VEP 190 2c epoxy resin primer below STAUF SMP-, SPU- und PUK adhesives and below STAUF levelling compounds - DPM up to 6.0 CM-%, on concrete substrates up to 6 percent by weight - direct bonding with STAUF SMP-, SPU- und PUK adhesives within 24 hours - can be used below STAUF levelling compounds when gritted - alternatively, it can be levelled without prior gritting when using STAUF VDP 160 as bonding agent .

Tover Professionals can meet several types of issues related to supports: too high humidity level, poor, dusty, uneven or cracked sub-floors. Tover proposes a complete range of primers which enable a secure and long lasting laying. In order to create a vapor barrier and to harden the sub-floor surface, the mono-component polyurethane solvent-based primer TOVERFIX is suitable; if there is an under-heating system, PRIMER PU-100 and ADEBLOK T19, both solvent free and odorless are particularly recommended. To make a deep hardening up to 5 cm, Tover offers PRIMER TS composed of salts in water emulsion while Nano-Fix can be used to fix the dust on the surface. If the support shows cracks, it is possible to use ADEBLOK T19, two-component epoxy primer, mixing it with sand to get a synthetic mortar with high filling properties. On the ground floor, in case of humidity rising, it is highly advised to apply the three-component primer IDROBLOK C3, able to permanently block water migration into the wood even on a non-absorbent support. You are invited to consult our â&#x20AC;&#x153;guide for a correct layingâ&#x20AC;? on our site.

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Special

Terrace renovation

WOODEN TERRACE RENOVATION FLOOR FITTERS CAN EARN SOME MORE CASH HERE

Photo – WOCA

Just as a parquet or wooden floor reaches a point where it is due for a thorough renovation, so, too, an old terrace floor requires renovation to restore it to its former glory. For parquet and wooden floors the length of time which can pass by before they need renovation depends on several factors. Obviously, the initial quality of the floor and the wood sort play a part, but then there are factors such as the type of fitting, the quality of the fitting, the finish, the intensity of usage, and maintenance. The same factors apply to outdoor parquet, but there are also various weather factors. As a rule, an outdoor parquet floor will never have that ‘eternal life’ of an indoor parquet floor. However, it is possible to exert considerable influence on that lifespan.

Which factors affect the lifespan? There are a number of factors which determine the lifespan of a wooden floor. Furthermore, as is so often the case, we will also see here that the most expensive solution is also usually the most durable. In other words, quality costs money. We’ll run through these factors for indoor parquet and wooden floors so that we can then check them in relation to terrace floors.

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Wood sort We all know there are differences in quality between the various sorts of wood. The hardness, processability, tannic acid content, damp resistance, and such like are all features which affect the suitability of wood sorts for use in flooring. For example, we know that oak contains a lot more tannic acid than other wood sorts, so therefore it lends itself better to certain processes such as smoking. Oak is also renowned for its stability. Teak is also stable, but not as hard. Beech is more sensitive to moisture than other sorts, and we could go on. Without making it a hard and fast rule, we can say that most hardwood sorts are harder than coniferous wood.

Thickness The thickness of the floorboards plays an important part, but especially the thickness of the top layer. The thicker the top layer, the more often the floor can be sandpapered before renovation is necessary and therefore the longer the lifespan of the floor. In the case of solid wood floors with tongue and groove we have to regard the layer above the tongue and groove as a top layer. After all, you can only sandpaper up as far as (and just above) the tongue and groove. And so, it is clear that the longest lifespan is reserved for

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Terrace renovation

solid wood floorboards (strips) without tongue and groove. Here, too, the total thickness determines the lifespan.

Fitting method The method used to fit parquet plays an important part in its durability. In this regard glued floors are better than floating floors. The most durable fitting method once again seems to be the most expensive solution. This is the traditional parquet fitting method whereby wooden strips (6 or 9mm) are glued fully onto an oak mosaic subfloor, which, in turn, is glued onto the screed. The small oak strips of the subfloor perfectly absorb the various forces created by the swelling and shrinking of the wood.

The finish Many people face a dilemma in choosing between lacquer or oil finishes. When we consider this dilemma in the light of the lifespan, oil finishes win the day. The reason is quite obvious. Lacquer might seem to be easier to maintain and have a high sandpapering resistance, but when the time does come to renovate a lacquered floor, it has to be sandpapered completely pale, and that inevitably means removing a layer of wood. This is not the case with oil, wax, or hard wax.

Maintenance and care It is absolutely essential for users to take care of the floor and treat it with respect. In the case of a ceramic tile a doormat simply helps to keep the floor clean, but in the case of a parquet floor that same doormat helps to lengthen the floor’s lifespan. Dirt residue or stones in shoe soles can cause serious damage, which results in renovation becoming necessary sooner.

What about terrace floors? The same applies as for parquet We can immediately apply all the above to outdoor parquet. Here, too, the type of wood (especially the durability class) plays an important part. Obviously, here, too, the thickness of the planks determines the number of times that renovation is possible. As regards the fitting method, everyone nowadays is probably convinced that an invisible fastening system fitting is better than the traditional fitting with screws. The wood is not drilled and the clip system is designed in such a way that the wood can exercise its natural movements freely. The finish will largely determine the UV resistance and whether or not the wood becomes discoloured. Obviously, it’s vitally important to care for and maintain a wooden terrace.

Weather influences as well In contrast to parquet floors, terrace floors are beset with other influences which affect their lifespan. Temperature changes, water, humidity, and UV light form the atmospheric threats, but certain insects and bacteria also constitute a danger. Ultraviolet light, oxygen, and water together form the root cause of discolouration and possible wood rot, a mould which mainly affects wood which comes into contact with (excessive) moisture. In some cases the mould is visible. Sometimes, wood rot shows up because the wood surface has become brown and crumbly or looks greyish-white and spongy. The woodworm is a larva of the furniture beetle. The name ‘worm’ refers to the larvae, since the woodworm is basically a beetle. The woodworm lives in the wild, mainly in trees with hard wood, such as oak and fruit trees. The polypore is mould which looks like a toadstool and can also cause a lot of damage to woodwork. The most notorious of these polypores is the so called dry rot.

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Supplementary business As with parquet, care and maintenance also increase the lifespan of wooden terraces. Here, floor fitters can earn some extra business by supplying their clients with the necessary products to clean, maintain, and protect outdoor wood. After all, there are lots of products on the market to protect the ‘health’ of outdoor wood. The assortments can largely be divided up into three product types, namely Terrace Oil, Terrace anti-ageing, and Terrace Cleaner. All three help to make the terrace more attractive and protect the wood in the long term. However, as we all know, everything has its limits. The day will come when a thorough renovation is essential, as is the case with parquet. The terrace renovation machines which are available today make it really easy to renovate outdoor parquet. If floor fitters buy such machines, this can open the door to a lucrative renovation market. Since these machines have come onto the market only recently, we can assume that there is a good market lying in wait.

What can these machines do? It is clear that there are different types of terrace renovation machines, but we do find three functionalities which are generally ever-present, namely sandpapering or brushing, applying oil, and polishing. Most machines operate with different sorts of brushes, some with a special wax, which are used for sandpapering or hard brushing to make the wood completely pale once again. The brushes or rollers are produced in such a way that all parts are reached, even with differences in height due to wear and tear or with structured and ridged planks. Some machines have a dosage unit which can be used to apply oil or cleaning detergent. After all, these machines have the necessary accessories for polishing and applying oil.

Machines on the marquet Bona The Bona Power Scrubber, the ultimate machine, in combination with the Bona Deep Clean Solution, a deep-cleaning maintenance product, provides the best guarantees. You can also renovate a terrace with a rotating single-disc machine, but this will never be as thorough as with the Bona Power Scrubber (the brushes are so designed as to clean right down into the grain). The Bona Buffer or the Bona Flexi-Sand can be deployed as an alternative. It is possible to hire out this machine, but terrace renovation is a fairly specific task which should preferably be carried out by a professional. Furthermore, in the long term, hiring out a machine might lead to unwanted damage to the machine or even its complete disappearance. That is undesirable.

Devomat Industries The Devomat Industries range includes various products for cleaning and treating terraces. For renovation Devomat Industries presents the Woodboy® machine. This machine is flexible and, with the right accessories, can be used perfectly well as a terrace renovation machine.

There are specific machines with a cylindrical brush. The problem, however, is that these machines are rather expensive. Since this tool can be used only for this application, it takes a long time to recover the cost of the investment. For this purpose, Devomat Industries offers only the WoodboyÂŽ machine because all parquet fitters have it, and the tool is also used for many other applications. The WoodboyÂŽ can be deployed for a wide variety of applications through the use of various accessories. The Cleanfix Floormac Deluxe is sold for hire to private individuals.

the oil into the wood. Overmat also offers a manual sanding machine for renovating, cleaning and treating smaller or hard-to-reach sections of the wooden decking, the Terrace Side Renovator! Airtec Multi-talent Besides the described machines Overmat offers a true Multi-talent machine: Airtec ES-200. With a wide range of wheels is a solution available for all types of jobs. This Swiss quality machine is besides renovating the terrace, also capable of (for example): roughening concrete, stripping of coatings, de-rusting ship decks and cutting parquet and wood.

Saicos

Janser

The new portable QUAD from Janser has been developed specially for renovating and cleaning oiled wooden surfaces and terraces. Thanks to its special brushes, the tool can be deployed on all surfaces, structured or not. When new terraces are laid, the terrace boards are finely sandpapered to obtain a perfectly smooth surface. This gives the terrace an exclusive premium look and is pleasant to walk on. The pressure exerted by the brushes can be adjusted on each brush to obtain the required sanding depth. The machine is equipped with dust suction. The frame ensures that it is easy to use. The machine has an extensive choice of brushes. For large surfaces it may be easier to fit a longer handle for extra control.

Saicos has two solutions for cleaning terraces in its range, namely the Green-Ex and the Wood Brightener. With these products you can give the wood a new lease of life and they can also be used on garden furniture to prevent moss formation and ageing. Saicos also has a cleaner for WPC terraces. Saicos recommends the Special Wood Oil (transparent or colourless) to give terrace wood the perfect finish and protection.

WOCA

Overmat Terrace Renovator De Terrace Renovator by Overmat renovates and maintains the wooden deck perfectly. The Renovation Roller used in this machine gently sands the decking and is constructed so that even grooved decking can be cleaned effectively. The machine then sprays oil onto the decking, by using a pressurised container, and uses a special brush to rub

WOCA offers the silicon terrace scrubbing brush, which can be adapted to all makes of single-disc machine. The WOCA system combines the WOCA exterior cleaner with the hard silicon scrubbing brush. The combination of both means that weathered or dirty wood is restored so that it looks as good as new. Since the hard silicon brush hairs are assembled at different heights on the drive plate, it is also possible to remove dirt in planks with grooves. This silicon terrace scrubbing brush can be adapted to all makes. A highly recommended machine is the Menzer 406 single-disc machine in combination with the silicon terrace scrubbing brush. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attractive to traders is the fact that it is possible to hire out the same type of tool as is used to sandpaper and oil indoor wooden floors. One hires out the tool together with the brush and the WOCA exterior cleaner is also sold at the same time.

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Producers of parquet oil

A FULL RETURN TO NATURE OIL RESPECTS THE LOOK AND FEEL OF WOODEN FLOORS

Photo – Pallmann

It is clear that the vast majority of consumers have great respect for the planet. We see this everywhere. We’re increasingly turning away from fossil fuels to generate heat and energy, not only because they are getting scarce, but also due to an awareness that they pollute. This respect for the planet finds expression in a general return to natural materials, a movement which is continuing in the construction industry. Even wooden roofs are becoming more and more prominent. Oil for applying a finish to wooden floors fits in perfectly with this trend. ‘Colour’ is a major trend here.

Natural, yet modified It is also noticeable that researchers and engineers working on product development are focusing their attention on natural raw materials and looking for systems to use those raw materials for various applications. Human intervention is taking the original and sound properties of natural raw materials to a higher level. Mankind is improving these natural ingredients. This applies no less to the use of natural oil in various applications. Oil is still many people’s preferred choice as a finish for parquet. People have used flax oil or linseed oil to treat (nourish) wooden floors since time immemorial. Flax oil has some outstanding properties which suit wood perfectly. Flax oil protects the wood structure and stimulates wood to absorb and extract moisture. That’s why flax oil has been processed for years in

Floor Forum International 74

industrial paints, stains, oils, and waxes. However, if we use natural linseed oil, we don’t get good scratch resistance and in many cases the wood becomes discoloured (yellowy). Moreover, natural linseed oil takes quite a long time to dry. Obviously, the human intellect has also found a solution. Ingredients such as linseed, tung plant, castor, soya, or sunflower still form the basis for what we now call ‘modified’ oil. Urethane is the most commonly used element in modified oil. It dries faster and has better scratch-resistance, whilst there is also less chance of discolouration.

Why oil? An oil finish means lots of benefits for both floor fitters and consumers. Oil, in combination with wood or as a natural product, is an extremely ecological choice.

Benefits for floor fitters It is generally accepted amongst floor fitters that an oil finish is relatively easy to apply without streaks, something which is not always the case with a varnish finish. Oil is usually applied with a spatula and surplus oil is removed. With some oils (and certainly with colour oils) you need to polish the floor afterwards. Lots of producers claim that their oil offers sufficient protection after just one coat. Another big benefit is that most oils dry rapidly. Some oiled surfaces can be walked on and used after just a few hours, something which is not possible with a lacquered floor.

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Client loyalty If there’s one finish for parquet which enables floor fitters to establish some client loyalty, it’s oil. Clients will find it perfectly normal to nourish an oiled floor with the same oil or, at least, maintenance products of the same brand. This is not the case with a varnished floor. Chemical producers are aware that in the beginning several end users deploy the cleaning product of the same brand as that of the applied varnish, but gradually they tend to switch over to ordinary detergents, which are often cheaper. Strictly speaking, that’s not a problem with varnish. However, with oil and the related maintenance products, some alternatives might possibly be incompatible. And so, floor fitters can contact their clients periodically to supply oil and/or a maintenance product. This keeps up contact with clients and ensures that floor fitters don’t miss the opportunity to carry out major maintenance or renovation work.

What’s on the market? Adesiv System based on natural oils and waxes for impregnation treatment of smoothed wood floors. WB OIL is water and walking resistant. Apply directly two hands of product without any primer. WB OIL give a brightening effect to the wood fibers, making your floor more pleasant over the time. It's for internal use only. These essences are available: neutral, white, grey, teak, cognac, wenghè.

Blanchon The Blanchon range includes three oils based on the traditional compositions (the oxidative drying of which has improved considerably) and one waterborne oil which also has certified ecological properties. Parquet Oil from Blanchon is an extremely hard oil, due to the fact that it is urethane-modified. This oil is ideal for very high-traffic areas e.g. shopping malls, theatre stages, shops, versatile rooms, and all public spaces. This oil is hydrofuge and anti-dust. People appreciate the easy application as well as the exceptionally matt look. As regards maintenance, Blanchon Parquet Oil scores very highly. Apart from the parquet oil, Blanchon also presents a number of products or systems which contain oil such as Wax Oil and Solid Oil. Environmental Parquet Oil is a waterborne oil (it deploys emulsion technology) which enables you to impregnate a parquet or wooden floor very quickly without the use of a primer. This oil dries in barely two hours! This oil bears the European Eco label. New in the Blanchon range is Cimethane Oil ® UV, a UV-drying oil to be applied on site.

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Producers of parquet oil

Ciranova Hardwax Oil Magic is Ciranova’s best seller, but the brand also offers a range of impregnation oils, which are designed to saturate the wood. Another successful product is UN1CO, a 1-coat Project Astadgard Sweden - Ciranova Indonesia oil of the new generation which makes use of renewable natural oils. Thanks to the special technology, it is necessary to apply only one coat. The combination of oil with a hardener ensures rapid drying and outstanding chemical resistance. Also new is OCULTO, an ecological water-based PU impregnation oil for parquet and wooden furniture. The wood retains its original untreated look. This oil is suitable only for indoor use. It contains a UV absorber and has anti-slip properties. ECOFIX is also an ecological water-based impregnation oil for parquet and wooden furniture to preserve the wood’s original and untreated look. ECOFIX is for indoor use only. Finally, ECOFIX WOODLOOK ensures that the wood turns somewhat pale so that it retains its original look for longer. This product, too, is suitable only for indoor use.

Chimiver Panseri SpA Chimiver Panseri SpA offer oils for wooden floors both for onsite and industrial application. For onsite application Chimiver presents its Lios Bioil range of natural oils which includes 17 standard trendy colors and many other you can easily find by mixing the colors each other Last year Chimiver introduced also its new Lios Bioil 2K which is a two component natural oil treatment for wooden floors in only one single coat. It has very high chemical and physical resistance, high coverage and it is very easy to be maintained; it gives to the wooden floor a warm and soft effect. LIOS BIOIL 2K is formulated with natural oils and it is VOC free. For industrial application Chimiver has a great range of UV OIL with very large range of colors. We produce and supply also a wide line of maintenance products for keeping your oiled wooden floors always new and clean.

the right product. DevoNatural® has both High Solid Oil and Hard Wax Oil. It is a fallacy to say that a hard wax oil should be better; both systems are different and both have particular advantages and disadvantages. At DevoNatural® they focus more on High Solid Oil because this oil is a technical progression from the old hard wax systems. For that matter, hard wax has gone ahead in the area of VOC. The best seller here is DevoNatural® High Solid Oil + Extra Hardener.

Floorservice Floorservice offers oils for parquet and wooden floors for both manual and industrial application. The Floorservice Hard Wax Oil Classic and Floorservice Colour Hard Wax Oil Classic are ideal for manual use. This dual coat system has built up an outstanding reputation when it comes to strong durability, water repellence, and anti-slip properties. As a single coat system, specially for professional parquet floor fitters, Floorservice offers the solvent-free Hard Wax Oil Pro and Colour Pro. Naturally, these products also have the same properties when it comes to durability, water repellence, and anti-slip. The Floorservice Hard Wax Oil Profiline is the top industrial oxidative drying solvent-free Hard Wax Oil for mechanical application. All the aforementioned oils for both manual and industrial use are available in no fewer than 27 trend colours. With manual application the Hard Wax Oil Classic is applied using a spatula, brush, roller, or mop. Rubbing in with a machine is not necessary to obtain the required effect. If a Colour Oil is used, rubbing in with a single disc machine will be necessary. The Floorservice Colour Hard Wax Oil Pro can also be applied manually using a spatula, brush, roller, or mop, and then rubbed in with a single disc machine such as the Woodboy. The industrial oil from Floorservice, the Profiline series, is applied in an industrial oiling line.

Loba

DevoNatural® The DevoNatural® product range includes both a series of different oils and a series of varnishes. DevoNatural® specialises in both areas and can serve clients with the most suitable product for the required application. For years there has been a certain balance between the number of varnishes and oils sold, and this balance has more or less continued up to the present time. This is because both systems have particular advantages and disadvantages. In the extensive DevoNatural® range they always have

Floor Forum International 74

For the highest design standards: LOBA is adding 8 new, light colours to its range of two-component oils. Building on the success of its durable, high solid oil systems for the initial treatment of wood floors, LOBA is introducing eight new, light colours to the product line. Customers can now choose from a total of 18 colour options to give existing wooden structures even more colour freshness and fascination. A glance at the eight new, light colours— Antique Oak, Chalk, Clay, Iron, Oyster, Pearl, Sand and Silver—is all it takes to see where contemporary interior-design trends are heading: lightness is everything, and Scandinavian designs are gaining popularity. From the warm-coloured Clay to the stylishly cool Silver, the new colour options were inspired by nature, catering for every taste and style.

These pigmented high solid oils offer not only an attractive finish, but also exceptional functionality and ease of application. Perfectly homogeneous results can be achieved with minimal effort. Two trowel-applied coats are all that is needed for the colour-pigmented high solid oils to attain their specific wear class and the required abrasion resistance.

Mapei Mapei presents Ultracoat Oil, a natural oil for treating parquet. Ultracoat Oil gives wooden floors an attractive rustic effect and brings out the natural characteristics of the wood. Ultracoat Oil is ready for use. The oil is applied in one working session using the Ultracoat Roller plus or the Ultracoat Steel Spatula. In the case of absorbent wood sorts it is necessary to repeat the treatment 20 minutes later (and before the first coat is dry). Surplus oil must be removed within the hour with a cotton cloth and a single disc machine with a white Ultracoat Pad. 16 hours later, the floor can be polished with a black Ultracoat Pad. At the end, the floor is treated with two coats of Ultracoat Oil Care. Mapei also presents the Ultracoat Oil Colour, which colours the wood and can be finished using the varnishes from Mapei. The Ultracoat Oil Plus can also be finished with Ultracoat varnish.

Pallmann Magic Oil 2K is a natural solvent-free oil-wax combination, which provides a porous and breathing surface and gives the wood a natural aspect. The wax portion makes the surface uniformly matt and velvety. The hardener means that Magic Oil 2K has a rapid and unique drying process. This rapid drying makes it possible to renovate very intensively used rooms (e.g. restaurants, hotels, shops, offices, etc.) within a short space of time without limiting mechanical and chemical resistance after one night of drying. The improved cross-linking ensures a surface which is even more resistant to water and dirt, and this is something which cannot be achieved with a single component parquet oil. The limited dirt absorption is comparable to that of a varnished parquet floor. Moreover, the well known toilsome maintenance of parquet oil is not applicable to Magic Oil 2K. On the contrary, maintenance of Magic Oil 2K is comparable with that of a lacquered parquet floor. Other oils in the range include Magic Oil 2K Ergo, Magic Oil 2K Spa, and Magic Oil 2K Colour.

of Rubio Monocoat Oil UV easily meet the demands which pre-finishers make of a UV drying oil. Last but not least, for projects which have to comply with specific fire safety regulations it is possible to call upon the revolutionary Rubio Monocoat FR Oil System. This is the only oil system with a European classification Bfl-s1 (floors) in accordance with standards EN13501-1, EN ISO 9239-1, and ISO 11925-2. Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C is the top product from the range. Since the same molecular technology on which this oil is based also lays the foundation for the industrial and flame-retardant variant, it is logical that these products are gaining ground internationally within the specific areas of application.

Saicos As far as Saicos is concerned oil is still a trend and this is attributed to its natural look and the permanently attractive surface, which is also easy to maintain. Durability and environmental-friendliness are important topics. Oil consists of natural ingredients which penetrate deeply into the pores of the wood. SAICOS presents Premium Hard Wax Oil, Oil Ground Coat, and the ecological variants, namely Ecoline Hard Wax Oil, Ecoline Hard Wax Oil Natural, and Ecoline Oil Ground Coat. Premium Hard Wax Oil is the best-seller.

Stauf Oil in one Naturally drying oil for wood floors in residential and commercial areas, oil is based on Vegetables. Multifunctional oil which opened a pore surface and enhances the natural wood color, it can be sealed. The oil must be stirred well before use. Quickly and evenly apply the oil using a stainless steel trowel avoiding puddles. Coloratum oil Is a single component, coloured finish based on natural oils and wax. It is used for parquet, cork and wooden floors in living areas with normal or moderately heavy use. The product contains no lead-based or cobaltbased dryers and is pigmented. Colours: white, dark walnut, wenge, teak, grey, black.

Rubio Monocoat Rubio Monocoat offers a range of oils to provide an answer for any required application. For finishes on site, and especially on the project market, Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C is the recommended product for professionals who want to apply a durable, economic, and ecological finish. This product can also be applied industrially. The characteristics

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Floor Forum International 74

Special

Producers of parquet oil

Tover

Timberex®

The oil for parquet combines a large colors choice with a natural aspect and a highly ecocompatible finishing, features that explain its huge success in the past years. Hardwax oils are the most successful producs thanks to their major resistance to spots and wear. Tover proposes Crema d’Olio and its solvent free version L’Olio 100%, mono-coat, easy to apply and available in 28 colors. And once again Tover shows its exceptional innovation capacity launching on the market “mono OR bi-component” oiling system. Indeed it is possible now to mix, if requested, the single component oils with Oil-Linker, a Zero VOC additive. This activator or B component significantly increases the oils resistance thanks to its action of oil molecules crosslinking. It does not penalize the easy application with an oil spreader or a spatula, it leaves wooden pores open and the blend reaches more quickly its final properties. Without forgetting Tintoretto Design, colored oil overcoatable with Tover two-component waterborne lacquers to get the aspect of an oil and the performances of a varnished floor.

Timberex® Heavy Duty UV Plus is the best-seller at Timberex® and there are various reasons for that. This oil offers superior protection which literally lasts for years without maintenance. This product is also sometimes called ‘airport’ oil because lots of airports in Europe use this product for their wooden floors. The most well known example is Copenhagen airport, which has been using this oil ever since the opening in 1966. Other airports include Stockholm, Frankfurt, and London Heathrow terminal 3. The big advantage is that the maintenance is fast and simple, and that can save both time and money. The UV in the product name means that the same UV protection has been added for this indoor product as for the outdoor products. This means that the floor is also protected against UV rays, which come indoors through windows and doors. Finally, the product has an R9 anti-slip classification and an EN-71-3 certificate for Food- and toy-safe. There is constant research in progress to improve the formula. Another star product is the Timberex® Wax Oil, a solvent-free product with carnauba wax as a drying agent. This can be applied in intervals from 20 to 30 minutes.

NEW:

Prime Old Grey I V X

UV-PROTECTION-OIL

Prime Old Grey gives a weathered appearance to oak. The possibilities and variations are numerous by finishing the floor subsequently with one of the 27 standard colours of the Floorservice Hardwax-oil Classic, Pro of Profiline. Optimal protection from the sun – the first clear oil-based UV protection for outdoor wood surfaces! > Clear, satin, for the exterior

The water-based product Prime Old Grey offers very attractive market possibilities for both industrial and manual application.

Prime Old Grey I

> Highly recommended for all vertical wood surfaces in the outdoors: timber cladding, roof soffits, balcony elements, windows and doors etc.

Prime Old Grey V

Prime Old Grey X

Floor Forum International 74

Further information on this and many other products can be found on: www.osmo.de

Special

Producers of dispersion adhesives

DISPERSION ADHESIVES CONTINUE TO DO THEIR TASKS CERTAINLY THE BEST SOLUTION FOR FLEXIBLE FLOOR COVERINGS

Photo â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Soudal

There are various types of dispersion adhesives. In this article we consider waterborne. Waterborne dispersion adhesives are still amongst the most important parquet adhesives. Most dispersion adhesives have to be avoided if we fit moisture-sensitive wood sorts such as beech or if we want to fit exotic parquet. Dispersion adhesives consist of a synthetic resin (binding agent) which is dispersed in water. These adhesives consist for 50 to 65% of solid matter. These adhesives are also particularly suitable for glueing mosaic subfloors for traditional parquets and for gluing flexible floor coverings.

The Standard EN 204 Adhesives are classified into several categories because they also act on the basis of various scientific-technological principles. Adhesive bondings can arise from a physical or a chemical reaction between different components. For parquet gluing, it is mainly the type of wood and the kind of substrate which determine the most suitable kind of glue. Environmental conditions (e.g. moisture and oxygen)

almost invariably play a part as well. In order to achieve a clear distinction between the applications, the adhesives have been divided into four performance classes according to the standard EN 204. These classes indicate the sort applications for which certain adhesives are suitable. - Class D1: The adhesive can be used for indoor applications where the temperature may occasionally and temporarily exceed 50Â°C and where the moisture content does not exceed 15%. - Class D2: The adhesive can be used for indoor applications where occasional and momentary condensation and/or high relative humidity occur for limited periods. - Class D3: The adhesive is suitable for indoor applications in which frequent and brief condensation and/or high relative humidity occur for longer periods. Outdoor applications sheltered against harsh weather conditions. - Class D4: The adhesive is suitable for indoor applications in which there is frequent and considerable contact with condensation. Outdoor applications, exposed to weather conditions, with appropriate surface coating.

Floor Forum International 74

Special

Producers of dispersion adhesives

Dispersion adhesives can be used for a wide variety of applications (and materials) partly because the set adhesive seam is colourless. The adhesive has excellent mechanical properties and sticks fairly quickly. Since dispersion adhesives are thermoplastic, they are less able to resist high temperatures. When it is set, the glue seam is fairly resistant to chemical influences and mould. This means that dispersion adhesives also provide a durable adhesive bond. The dried glue has only low resistance to strong acids. Most dispersion adhesives have low moisture resistance, making them particularly suitable for indoor applications (Classes D1, D2, and D3). Exterior applications (D4) are possible if a hardening agent is added.

Formulation and operation As we have already said, dispersion adhesives consist of a synthetic resin (binding agent) which is dispersed in water. The most commonly used resins are polyvinyl acetate, acrylate, polyurethane, and derivatives of these resins. An organic solvent is added to dispersion adhesives for special applications in order to disperse the binder (mostly with the use of synthetic resin with a limited melting point). This is done in percentages of 0 to 5. In some branches, the adhesive can contain emulsifiers, cross-linkers, and preservatives.

The setting Dispersion adhesives set as a result of the removal of water from the glue resulting in a film of glue (water disappears, whilst solids remain to achieve the connection). This means that one of the parts to be glued must be able to absorb water. Metal, wood, paper, and textiles can be glued with dispersion adhesives. Since metal cannot absorb water, metal components can be glued only with non-metallic components using dispersion adhesives. Most dispersion adhesives for parquet flooring are based on polyvinyl acetate (see frame).

Polyvinyl acetate Polyvinyl acetate is the most frequently used synthetic resin for the production of dispersion adhesives. Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) is a synthetic polymer obtained by the polymerisation of vinyl acetate. It is sold in solid form (powder or granules), but mainly as latex or as an aqueous emulsion (it is not soluble in water). The main application of this PVAc emulsions is in various adhesives, particularly wood glue and adhesives for porous materials such as cardboard, paper, fabrics and such like. The 'white adhesive' for domestic use is also a PVAC glue.

Application areas Wooden floors Waterborne dispersion adhesives are used preferably for the adhesion of stable sorts of wood, preferably for pieces of wood in small sizes, such as mosaic parquet or mosaic subfloor, boards, etc. A waterborne dispersion is best used on absorbent substrates so that the water withdrawn from the glue is absorbed not only by the wood, but also by the absorbent subfloor. However, with waterborne dispersion adhesives water is also added to the wood to affect the stability of the wood. It is not possible to apply a finish immediately with a waterborne dispersion adhesive. The wood requires a longer period of time to stabilise, and that is a problem which does not occur with dual component polyurethane adhesives. This is precisely the reason why manufacturers devote themselves diligently to reducing the water content in waterborne dispersion adhesives considerably.

Floor Forum International 74

Vinyl and PVC The specific characteristics of wood on the one hand and, on the other hand, those of vinyl or PVC are completely different. Wood has an open structure, whilst these floors are smooth and closed. Wood is a hard matter, whilst these floors are flexible. Since it is difficult for a PVC floor to absorb the moisture in the adhesive, an adhesive is needed which can handle semi-wet or virtually dry adhesion. On the one hand, these materials swell and shrink much less than wood (that’s why we don’t look for elastic adhesives) and, on the other hand, an adhesive must be enough strong to prevent the seams from eventually becoming visible. In order to increase the dimensional stability of the glue permanently, reinforcement fibres may be added to dispersion adhesives. Besides dispersion adhesives, some producers still promote their universal Polyurethane adhesives for qualitative glueing of flexible floor coverings.

Points for attention Storage Dispersion adhesives should be stored in their original factory packaging. Since dispersion adhesives contain water, they should be protected from frost. The storage temperature is between 10 and 20°C. It is advisable not to store the pots on a concrete floor, but preferably on wooden pallets. The shelf life of dispersion adhesives obviously depends largely on their composition, but adhesives in closed packaging can be stored for up to one year.

Preparation Dispersion adhesives are supplied ready to use. In some cases it is permissible to add a little water to adjust the viscosity. In all cases the adhesive must be stirred thoroughly before use. The glue is odourless, non-inflammable, and harmless to users. Dispersion adhesives are processed above the film formation temperature (usually 15°C). The moisture content of the parts to be glued is very important (8-12%).

Application Dispersion adhesives are unilaterally applied by brush, spatula or notched trowel, glue roller, glue gun, or roller. It is essential for dispersion adhesives that the substrate is homogeneous. In the case of parquet adhesive, a highly absorbent substrate must be pre-treated first with a primer. Surfaces which are not flat enough must be leveled first. Once the adhesive is applied, the components should be positioned in such a way that the adhesive is not exposed to the air for too long.

What’s on the market? Bona Dispersion adhesive is a white wood adhesive which is made stable and spreadable by means of additives. Such adhesives are cheap and extremely stable, provided they are well spread. The disadvantage is the high quantity of

water which is involved and the accompanying long drying time of about three days. Furthermore, the moisture in the adhesive has an adverse effect on the wood. These glues are specifically suited to glueing wood onto wood and therefore mainly traditional parquet. The D750 is also used for other types of floors such as LVT and PVC. For parquet Bona has the D720.

Chimiver Panseri SpA Chimiver Panseri SpA presents in its range 3 dispersion adhesives. PARKETTKOLL L is a single-component adhesive in water dispersion specifically for laying engineerd and lamparquet wood flooring. The adhesion guaranteed by PARKETTKOLL L is characterised by good tenacity, good hold and long-lasting elasticity. PARKETTKOLL TOP RU is a single-component synthetic resin based adhesive in water dispersion treated with polyvinyl alcohol based protective colloids and having an average particle diameter of 0.5รท3 microns. The adhesive strength is higher than usual. PARKETTKOLL LISTONI is a single-component adhesive formulated with resins in water dispersion for laying of high thickness solid wooden floors. Its special feature is the very low content of water, which makes it ideal for firm sticking, without the usual defect of lateral "push". Chimiver offer also PARKETTKOLL FLOT D3 which is a single-component adhesive in water dispersion with no solvents suitable for gluing between tongue and groove of pre-finished wooden floors or engineerd floors that have been laid on a "floating setting".

Lecol / Wakol Lecol has one dispersion adhesive in its range, namely the WAKOL D 1640. WAKOL D 1640 has been specially developed for two types of glueing. Firstly, for glueing wooden mezzanine floors, such as chipboard and industrial mosaic, onto good absorbent subfloors. Secondly, for glueing traditional parquet which is not extremely sensitive to moisture. The adhesive is characterised by excellent strength, so that a good adhesive transfer to the subfloor is guaranteed.

Soudal A dispersion adhesive consists of solid adhesive particles which are dispensed in a liquid phase such as water, for instance. Typical examples are PVAC, ethylene vinyl acetate, acrylates, SBR rubbers, and PUR. Dispersion adhesive is easy to apply, washable with water,

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has a long open time, and contains no solvents. The glue can only be used on highly absorbent substrates. DS-10P Parquet Adhesive is ideal for indoor gluing of many types of wooden floors such as mosaic, wooden, or laminate (max. 250 x 50mm), parquet, traditional parquets 6-8mm (in combination with nails), multi-layered, or pre-finished parquet and laminate.

Stauf In 1952 STAUF developed the first ever dispersion based wood flooring adhesive. Today, STAUF M2A 910 (EMICODE EC 1 plus) is the top rated product in the STAUF dispersion adhesive range. STAUF M2A 720 is a classic, well-proven dispersion-based wood flooring adhesive with fast setting, a shorter open time, but a comparable low wood swelling factor as the M2A 910. For design floor coverings, STAUF recommends D 50. The fibre reinforced dispersion adhesive is ready for use immediately and the fibre reinforcement produces improved dimensional accuracy in comparison with conventional one-side adhesives. STAUF offers various special adhesives for textile and elastic floorings, for example STAUF D 8 for linoleum, STAUF D 20 for rubber floorings and STAUF D 5 for PVC.

Tover The use of vinyl glues like Tovcol TP 3RF to lay wooden floors has become marginal due to the long curing time before sanding. They still find an application to bond under-flooring panels before the parquet laying with a reactive adhesive. On the contrary acrylic glues are particularly suitable for resilient floorings; Tover offers Tovcol RP, solvent free, odourless with an excellent adhesion Peel for the laying of PVC, rubber, cork, vinyl flooring on any type of sub-floors, including under-heating systems. It can be used also in vertical position.

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∂ Industry news Alsapan Zip'N'Go system included under CLASSENS megaloc patent family Düsseldorf district court has confirmed that the laminate flooring products with the "Zip'N'Go technology" sold by EPI / Alsapan fall under the joint licensing agreement, as they use the CLASSEN megaloc patent family (judgment of 19 March 2015; File 4c O 11/14). The positive verdict for CLASSEN is based on a claim that the laminate flooring manufacturer filed on 26.02.2014 with the Düsseldorf district court against its megaloc licensee, EPI/Alsapan. Since 2012 EPI/Alsapan has used the self-developed Zip'N'Go system instead of the previously used MEGALOC system and has not paid any royalties for this product to the Classen licensor. The Düsseldorf district court has now confirmed the view of CLASSEN, that this fold down system also falls under the intellectual property right of the megaloc patent family (here: EP 2 194 210 B1) and found that EPI is obliged to pay CLASSEN the agreed royalties. EPI was further sentenced to remunerate past sales. The decision is not yet final and may be challenged in the appeal.

Special coating systems – Industrial wood finishes made by SAICOS

FSC TIMBER COMES FROM WELL MANAGED FORESTS, INDEPENDENTLY CERTIFIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF THE FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL A.C.

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Our goal is to implement custom-made finishing-systems according to our clients needs and deliver innovative solutions for the wooden flooring industry as well as other manufactures within the wood processing industry worldwide. Beside natural and UV-drying premium oil systems for industrial application we are able to supply waterborne systems for a variety of industrial uses. A maintenance-system which is designed for the use on all our industrial applied finishes completes our expertise as an capable partner of the wood industry.

Rubio Monocoat We make the world a little bit greener! It's been a busy period for the international Rubio Monocoat Team! Over the past months we have taken part in many different international fairs, like the NWFA Fair in St. Louis (USA), The Impuls Fair (Switzerland), Ligna Bohemia (Czech Republic), VIFA Expo (Vietnam), Holztek Interzum (Germany)… and closer to home, Architect@Work (Belgium).

Special

Hungary

HUNGARY – LANDLOCKED BUT PLENTY OF FOREST IDEAL GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION IS THE TRUMP CARD

Hungary’s ideal geographical location means it has all the ingredients to act as a European intersection. The country has taken on an important role in storing and transporting goods for the entire European market. This is one of the reasons why more and more big foreign companies have opened offices in Hungary, such as car production and electronics companies. Most production is geared to exports, whilst Budapest is still the biggest industrial area in Hungary. In the field of woodwork Hungary is not so important. Some parquet is produced, but consumption is negligible.

Geography Hungary is a republic in Central Europe. It is surrounded entirely by other countries, so it doesn’t have a coastline. Hungary has a border with Slovakia in the north (677 kilometres), Ukraine to the north-east (103km), Rumania to the east (443km), Serbia to the south (151km), and Croatia (329km) and Slovenia (102km) in the west. The country has some natural borders formed by four rivers, namely the Danube and the Ipoly in the north and the Drava and the Mura in the south. Hungary consists largely of a lowland plain, the so called Pannonian Basin, which can be divided up into the Nagy Alföld (Great Lowland Plain) east of the Danube, Dunántúl (Transdanubia) west of the Danube, and the Kis Alföld (Small Lowland Plain) in the north-west of Hungary. The landscape is crossed by a range of hills, which runs from

the south-west via the Bakony Forest, the Vértes, Börzsöny, and Mátra and Bükk Mountains to the Zemplén Hills in the north-east. The Nagy Alföld or Great Lowland Plain is bordered by the River Danube and the northern massifs and covers over half the country. The highest point (182 metres) lies in the north-east near Debrecen. The lowest point (76 metres) lies in the south near Szeged.

Hungarian economy From a state economy to a market economy After 1989, work started on restructuring the Hungarian economy to convert it to a market economy and that process is now just about complete. The fact that the economy as a whole is struggling is due to minimal foreign demand and the slow growth of Hungary’s traditional export countries. Heavy state debts and high inflation also limit and prevent rapid economic expansion. In March 1995, the government began to implement a policy of economic reforms. This so called ‘Bokros package’ was designed to stabilise the economy and reduce the government’s budget deficit and the shortfall in its current account. The people of Hungary have had to endure hardship in these times of severe, but necessary packages of measures. This inevitably caused a fall in national demand, and that had major consequences for small and medium-sized companies. After 1997, these measures started to bear fruit. Gross domestic product has increased annually by about five per cent and inflation

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Special

Hungary

has fallen, as has unemployment. And so, over the last five years, the Hungarian economy has grown considerably and the coming years will witness heavy investment in housing construction, the extension of the motorway network, innovation, and tourism.

Budapest as the driving force Budapest is the major driving force behind the Hungarian economy, but the north-west of the country has also enjoyed strong economic growth due to its ideal location. Economic growth in the east of the country is lagging behind. Privatisation of the Hungarian corporate world has been a task for the Hungarian privatisation company ÁPV over the past decade. Companies were privatised in the early 1990s and the process is now virtually complete. By early 2001, 1770 of the original 2000 state-owned companies had been privatised. The Hungarian electricity market has been privatised since 2003 and has been completely liberalised after the country’s admission to the European Union.

Foreign investments GDP in 2013 consisted of 3.4% in agriculture, 28% in industry, and 68.7% in services. Of all those in active professional work in 2013 7.1% worked in agriculture, 29.7% in industry, and 63.2% in services. Unemployment in 2013 was 10.5%. The economy has hardly grown at all in recent years and that has been due to the credit crisis. The growth percentages in 2011, 2012, and 2013 were 1.5, -1.7, and 0.2 respectively. The strong growth in investments can be accounted for by Hungarian companies which are now owned completely or partially by foreign companies. Many foreign companies have also invested in new factories. Hungary was also the first country in Eastern Europe to open up ‘sensitive’ sectors such as financial services and energy supply to foreign companies.

Strengths and weaknesses Few raw materials Hungary has very few raw materials, so mining is of only limited significance. 1986 saw the closure of the last iron ore mine, so now all iron ore has to be imported. Coal is mined at Pécs (where uranium is also found) and Komló, lignites at Ajka (Bakony Forest), Tatabánya (Vértes Mountains), Dorog, Tokod, and in the province of Borsod-AbaújZemplén. Coal has to be mined at great depths, so it is expensive. And so, coal production has been falling steadily for some years now to less than 70% of production in 1989. Petroleum is obtained in the province of Zala and in the Mátra and Bükk Hills, whilst natural gas is obtained in Eastern Hungary and Zala. However, the chief mineral is bauxite, which is mined at Gánt in the Vértes Mountains, Iszkaszentgyörgy, and in Bakony Forest.

Energy import The lack of natural raw materials means that Hungary imports about 50% of all its required energy. Hungary provides for about 25% of its oil needs. The country is taking steps to be less dependent on oil, such as the conversion of oil-powered electricity plants to coal-powered plants. Nuclear energy also accounts for about 25% of all Hungary’s electricity generation. However, production from the four current antiquated power stations is being scaled down with no plans to build any new nuclear power plants. Furthermore, the country has not yet solved the problem of nuclear

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waste. The total stock of coal reserves is estimated at 700 million tonnes; 100 million tonnes of that stock can be mined economically. Lignite stocks are even higher at about 700 million tonnes in existing mines and 3.7 billion tonnes in reserves to be exploited. Hungarian oil and gas reserves are found in the Alföld region. Oil reserves are estimated at 58 million tonnes and gas reserves at 113 billion cubic metres. Three quarters of the required oil is imported, notably from Russia.

Export-oriented industry Hungarian industry is concentrating increasingly on exports. Moreover, several foreign investors have opened factories in Hungary as a base for exports. At present, the industrial sector is growing much faster than the agriculture or service industries and is actually the driving force behind the economic growth. Consumer electronics and the car industry are the fastest growing industries. Industrial production is growing so fast partly due to the country’s ideal geographical location in Europe and the highly skilled labour market. Most industry is concentrated in and around Budapest.

Important Construction industry After industry, agriculture, and trade, construction is a major industry in Hungary. About 5% of the working population works in the mainly private companies. The top Hungarian building enterprises concentrate on work abroad due to a lack of growth in national projects. Road construction and hydraulics have not enjoyed spectacular growth in recent years, but this is likely to change in the coming years due to some major projects which are in the pipeline. There is also high demand for new warehouse space and distribution plants due to Hungary’s endeavour to develop into the number one regional transport centre with a distribution function.

Hungarian forests Hungary has lots of forests, especially in the Trans-Danube low mountain range and the Alpine foreland. Bakony forest is the biggest forest. There are also some attractive forests for citizens in the mountain regions, such as the Börzsöny, Bükk, and Mátra. One finds oak forests, beech, and ash there. There is still a great variety in these areas, but the total amount of forest area has fallen over the years to 14% of the country’s surface area. In particular, the lowlands are now almost completely devoid of forest area. In the higher Mountains, however, you can

find mainly oak forests, coniferous forests, and a number of deciduous tree sorts. The Salt Steppes have grown considerably over the past two centuries (about 7% forests) and that has obviously had a big influence on vegetation.

EDELHOLZ FAIPARI KFT

Hungarian parquet production In 2011, Hungary produced 2.52% of all European parquet. That figure accounted for 1,781,967m² of wooden floors. In 2012, the country’s share in production dropped to 2.34%, which represented production of 1,597,427m² of parquet. The country has fallen to fourth from bottom in the production list ahead of Belgium, Czech Republic, and Switzerland.

Hungarian parquet consumption In terms of consumption Hungary’s shares in European sales and the number of square metres are in proportion to what the country produces. In 2011, all Hungarians together consumed 420,785m² i.e. 0.46% of the total European consumption. In 2012, Hungary’s share in consumption dropped to 0.32% i.e. 280,028m².

3 Major players:

TRAP HOUTINDUSTRIE

TERRA DA BOSCO

CE 1948 SIN PE

WOOD C RA FT

NV Frans Trap is a typical Belgian family business which has now been in operation for three generations and over 70 years in the import and processing of hardwood. From three TOP QUALITY WOOD offices in Belgium (two in Mechelen W and one in Ciney, Wallonia), Trap proW W A P. B E .T R duces and distributes mainly solid wood worktops; frames and parquet (multi-layer and solid wood) in a very extensive range of over 30 sorts of wood. In view of their strong international orientation (over half of the company turnover comes from exports) and the unfair competition from low-wage countries, business manager Marc Trap and his father Jean-Paul decided two years ago to invest in new production abroad, especially in Hungary, due to its outstanding logistical connection. The new factory (a 4000m² production hall on premises of 20,000m²) will treble the company’s capacity and is located in the north-west of Hungary about 70km from the Austrian border in an area with a lots of forest and a long wood tradition. Production of glued panels started early in October 2014 and parquet production has also been completely operational since February. Customised frames and wedge jointed and glued beams will be produced in Hungary (contract work will be possible from 10m³). The Belgian offices will continue to concentrate on stocking, service provision, and the production of smaller series such as customised worktops (the Topwood Panels range) or special finishes (e.g. on parquet). + 32 (0) 15 419 964 - www.trap.be SHIP FROM EU AN RO SM

A natural encounter with Edelholz Faipari Kft The Hungarian parquet manufacturer Edelholz lives to transform oak and ash wood into high-quality, modern parquet floors. They do everything in accordance with today’s strictest standards and, given their location amidst the big Central European woods, sustainable forest management is an obvious philosophy for this family business. Solid wood or multi-layer wooden floors, herringbone, and panels. Since 2002, Edelholz has been producing solid wood floors and, also, finished parquet since 2008. In 2013, they also added a semi-solid parquet range. This is a parquet plank consisting of three layers to guarantee outstanding stability. Apart from traditional wooden floors, they also offer castle planks in extra large sizes. Trendy herringbone and panel parquet is also available from Edelholz. + 36 (0) 92 571 028 - www.edelholz.hu

Terra da Bosco is an Italian company located in Hungary near the Austrian border. The company was formed by the Barro family from Treviso and produces solid wood, multi-layer, and design parquet for the international market. Apart from various possible finishes, Terra da Bosco also has at its disposal an Italian varnish formula which makes floors highly durable. The design products can also be used as tabletops, staircase steps, or worktops. Obviously, the floors comply with the prevailing health and environmental legislation. The products bear the CE label. The company specialises in solid parquet in oak or walnut, multi-layer in oak, and wooden panels in walnut or oak. The company employs 23 people and its capacity is averagely 60,000m² per annum. For 2015, there are some new panels, including wall furnishing and various new design products. + 36 (0) 94 575 054 - www.terradabosco.com

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â&#x2C6;&#x201A; Product news KLINDEX Wood sanding machine with twin counter-rotating heads. Compact and powerful twin counter-rotating heads sanding machine. It quickly levels very close to the wall, thanks to the two counter-rotating heads which are perfectly balanced, Minitimba is easy to be used even by operators with little experience. Directional wheels drive Minitimba in all directions with the same easiness of a computer mouse. It is ideal for both finishing works and for levelling a screed. Light and easy to carry. Designed to work in tight spaces but its great effectiveness allows to work even in bigger ones. The top handle improves the quality of work allowing to operate in a stand-up position and thanks to the innovative directional and swivel rod, Minitimba is extremely easy to maneuver.

SAICOS Breath new life into your wood - with SAICOS thoroughly developed cleaners With our Green-Ex and Wood Brightener you can simply remove green-growth and greying and beautify all your outdoor wood. For brightening your garden furniture, wood decking and terraces, or freeing your natural wood of spoiling grey without sanding and damaging the wood use our Wood Brightener. For an effortless removal of mould and similiar infestations and protecting against new infestations we recommend our effective and biological degradable Green-Ex.

BOSTIK A dispersion adhesive is a waterborne adhesive to which dissolved polymers such as organic binding agents based on PVAc (polyvinyl acetate, EVA; ethylene vinyl acetate) or acrylates, together with fillers and special additives have been added. The water content in these adhesives varies from 16 to 25% for the current dispersion adhesives for parquet. These adhesives are ready to use in a bucket. Depending on the dosed specific synthetic resins and polymers, it is possible to give a dispersion adhesive certain properties. These adhesives are easy to spread, economical, and ecological. They can be used only on porous substrates and are not suitable for moisture sensitive and tropical wood sorts. Dispersion adhesives are used for gluing oak mosaic parquet, chipboard, and OSB panels on absorbent substrates, for glueing engineered parquet and strip parquet with maximum dimensions of 250 x 50mm, and for glueing solid oak flooring (9mm thick) and traditional parquet onto a wooden substrate in combination with nails. There are dispersion adhesives for LVT, PVC, rubber, carpet and linoleum flooring. Bostik has a suitable dispersion adhesive for each common floor covering. The BOSTIK POWER ELASTIC is a new adhesive developed specifically for glueing LVT and PVC design floors with a very quick and high initial adhesive power and with a very high shearing tensile strength, so that LVT can also be glued in areas where direct sunlight enters (e.g. under large glass).

RECTAVIT A dispersion adhesive, also known as a colloidal solution, is a kind of mixture in which the particles remain suspended in solution. In the case of parquet adhesive, it is a hard glue in which the binder, PVAC (polyvinyl acetate), is dissolved in water. These adhesives have several advantages: in the first place, there is the cost price (dispersion adhesive is cheaper). In addition, dispersion adhesive is easy to spread, lubricates easily from + patches and similar cases and in wet condition is very easy to clean just with a simple wet cloth. At PU glue would need with Acetone, polymer adhesive with Rectavit Easy Wipes or benzene. It is a very strong glue with the highest shearing and a long open time. The disadvantage is that it only works on highly absorbent flat substrates, because the remaining moisture from this water based adhesive is absorbed by the substrate rather than by the parquet itself. In this case the parquet would be like a dish. Dispersion adhesive is especially suitable for classical native woods, less so for tropical hardwood and moisture-sensitive woods such as cherry and beech. Rectavit presents Rectavit 243 Dispersion.

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Long

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protect

A New Dimension to Decking Revival Bona Decking System Tired of labour intense cleaning of your deck? Having problems with remaining swirl marks when you finished the oil application? The Bona Decking System is an fast and convenient solution for deep cleaning and lasting protection of wooden decks. The powerful Bona PowerScrubber and Bona Deep Clean Solution gives your deck a unique and effective cleaning prior to oiling. The low VOC Bona Decking Oil seeps deep into pores of the wood and protect it from within, giving it a lasting surface. Take a step back and enjoy a stunning result – a deck that looks as new and will stay beautiful for a long time.

bona.com

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Effective preparation

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Lasting protection

WOCA

DIAMOND OIL Six new colours

That’s why we’re

№1

WoodCare Denmark has launched six new contemporary colours into our WOCA Diamond Oil range. The Diamond Oil range which now includes six additional decors are a completely new generation of professional oil treatment for the finishing of floors. They are unique within the market, applied in one simple coat with a coverage of 25 m2 per litre. The Diamond Oil range is suitable for commercial high traffic applications with maximum water and stain resistance. • • • • • • •

Suitable for all types of wood floors One-coat-system Direct contact to the wood Waterproof Extreme hard-wearing surface Fast drying High spread coverage

Carbon Black

Concrete Grey

Sand Grey

Smoke Brown

Chocolate Caramel Brown Brown

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