FFI 83 September 2016 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° 83, September 2016 - Price: €8 - Published 7 times a year - (Feb, March, May, July, Sept , Nov, Dec) Of fice of deliver y 9099 Ghent X , P911092, BC 31359 - Responsible Publisher: Filip De Ridder

Special: Top Dutch companies focused on export Special: Anti-slip finish for wooden and bamboo terrace floors

To quote thousands of users worldwide,

“a truly great choice!” Special: Colour oils : who has which colours and how are they applied?

Special: Versailles panels : who still produces them?

Special: Laminate floors : part I

WE WILL BE PRESENT AT

Special: Producers of silane adhesives

WE WILL BE PRESENT AT

DOMOTEX 2017

www.adesiv.it

2017

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Content

Editorial

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

Special: Top Dutch companies focused on export Special: Anti-slip finish for wooden and bamboo terrace floors

To quote thousands of users worldwide,

“a truly great choice!”

“Big parquet manufacturers have to pull out all the stops to achieve real growth in the sector”

Special: Colour oils : who has which colours and how are they applied?

Adesiv is one of the major Italian parquet chemical specialists. The company is based in the region around Venice and operates in over 40 countries. We spoke to Enrico Passerini, sales and marketing manager at Adesiv. He gives his views on the market situation and tells us something about recent and future development at Adesiv itself.

Special: Versailles panels : who still produces them?

Special: Laminate floors : part I

WE WILL BE PRESENT AT

Special: Producers of silane adhesives

WE WILL BE PRESENT AT

DOMOTEX 2017

www.adesiv.it

2017

Floor Forum International n° 83 September 2016 Photo Adesiv

How do you look back on the first six months of the year at Adesiv?

Inside news

8 Special Providers of filling machines : who has them ?

Enrico Passerini

(sales and marketing manager at Adesiv)

11 Special Anti-slip finish for wooden and bamboo terrace floors 14 Special Colour oils :

who has which colours and how are they applied? 20 Special Laminate floors : part I 23 Special Nanotechnology based lacquers and oils 26 Advertorial Chimiver Panseri S.p.A. (IT) 28 Advertorial EPLF (DE) 30 Special LVT, PVC and vinyl floors for the project market 33 Advertorial Vesting / Heywood Vloeren (NL) 34 Special Producers of silane adhesives 38 Special Belt sanding machines 41 Industry news 42 Special Checking the screed 44 Special Producers of skirting boards 48 Special Wall cladding fastening systems 51 Special Outdoor floors : maintenance & finishing

‘We’re happy with our sales, both in Europe and the Far East. Recent investments at Adesiv, in all sections of the company, are starting to bear fruit. People all over the world appreciate our strong assets, such as no-nonsense quality and products with genuine added value.’

What’s happening at Adesiv at the moment? ‘In recent years, we’ve been developing new products for the parquet and for other sectors of which the compnany works on (paper industry, footwear, constructions). For example this year, we’ve been conducting some intensive research and developing various building products based on MS polymers. These products include membranes, protective coatings, low modul join adhesive. There is a high demand for such products for structure technology and we’re getting orders at present due to our know-how and there’s also still plenty of development margin for those applications. Our products find their way to end users and also private Label has its importance. This last one in the recent years has grown and it is interesting to see how many important companies contact us because they obtain quality and service with us.

How do you assess the situation in the international parquet sector? ‘The parquet sector is stable and better than a few years ago. However, you can’t really say that the crisis is over in many countries and Italy, too. For achieve real growth, we find that European parquet manufacturers really do have to pull out all the stops. Since a number of the big parquet layers are controlled by laminate and LVT makers, this possibly doesn’t happen enough.’

Finally, what can parquet traders expect from new products at Adesiv? ‘Shortly, we’ll be updating our range of waterborne parquet varnishes. We’ll also be re-packaging our range of 2K parquet glues within a few months, so that the second component will be integrated into the same packaging without loosing the loading weight for pallet, so 1000 kg. This fact will be definitly a advantage regarding the ratio product price / transport cost.

55 Special Versailles panels : who still produces them? 58 Special Who has anti-slip oil and/or lacquer for wooden

floors and stairs ? 62 Special Top Dutch companies focused on export 66 Product news

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

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

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

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

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

The copyright of Floor Forum International and the articles appearing herein are retained by the publisher. By agreeing to publication of an article in this journal, the author assigns to the publisher the irrevocable and exclusive right under Copyright law to collect charges due from third parties for copying said article and to undertake legal or other action for this purpose. Editorial and advertising copy in this issue have been carefully checked and Floor Forum International bvba cannot accept any responsibility for any errors.

∂ Inside news IMPERTEK: innovation to be continued

Soudal celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2016. With over 2,400 employees and 15 production plants on four continents, this 100% Belgian family business has grown into an international player and expert in chemical building specialities.

Innovations@DOMOTEX 2017: submissions now invited – Closing date for submissions: 1 November 2016

Starting today, we also develop your projects. Impertek, a leading manufacturer of products for the construction industry, introduces MegaPro, a web application to design laying for external floating floors with Jack Supports and MegaMart supports. MegaPro revolutionises the concept of online estimates: it offers a workspace with traditional technical drawing tools (drawing board, ruler, etc.), the entire range of Impertek supports, the option to show heights and the characteristics of each section of the flooring and, above all, to save projects and generate specifications with details of the supports used.

Soudal is majority shareholder of Westerlo Football club

Last July, Soudal announced the takeover of KVC Westerlo Football Club. Furthermore, Soudal founder and chairman Vic Swerts is now the chairman of the Belgian division one football club. The takeover of Westerlo underlines Soudal’s anchoring in Kempen. Whilst Soudal, the biggest European independent producer of fillers, adhesives, and PU foam, continues to expand globally, it also wishes to reinforce its local roots. Furthermore, the shirt sponsorship of Westerlo, in combination with the sponsorship of cycling team Lotto Soudal and the Soudal Classics in cyclo-cross, will provide visibility all year round for Soudal products: adhesives, silicones, and PU foams.

Floor Forum International 83

Hannover. The submissions process for Innovations@DOMOTEX 2017 has begun. This successful format offers DOMOTEX exhibitors an additional opportunity to showcase their latest products at the world’s leading trade fair for carpets and floor coverings, and thus to stand out from the competition. Exhibitors have time until 1 November 2016 to submit their latest products in the categories textile floor coverings, fibres and yarns; resilient floor coverings; wood parquet and laminate; modern hand-made carpets and rugs; and applications and installation technologies. Product samples can also be submitted. Participation in Innovations@DOMOTEX is free of charge for registered exhibitors. Innovations@DOMOTEX – a major crowd-puller In 2017 back for the fourth time, Innovations@DOMOTEX will once again be presenting the latest trends and innovations on a series of dedicated display areas in Halls 6, 9 and 17. The benefit for exhibitors is obvious: trends and innovations are natural crowd-pullers. So Innovations@DOMOTEX offers participating exhibitors an additional, high-profile showcase for their products. “High-profile” because the format attracts extensive press coverage in the international media before, during and after the show. In addition, the guided tours, led by prominent industry experts, will take groups of interested visitors working in architecture and interior design direct to the stands of participating exhibitors. Here too, the benefits are immediately clear: more footfall, producing noticeably more contacts, and therefore more sales opportunities. A jury of experts under the chairmanship of the renowned industrial designer Stefan Diez will examine and assess the entries in mid-November 2016, and put together a varied shortlist. New products submitted in the product group “Modern hand-made carpets and rugs” are assessed by a separate international jury of design and carpet industry professionals, which is responsible for the Carpet Design Awards. The jury selects the best designer carpets and rugs in eight categories. These will be on display throughout the show on the Innovations@DOMOTEX Area in Hall 17, which also hosts the formal prize award ceremony for the winners on 15 January 2017. The Carpet Design Awards are regarded as the top international accolade for exclusive hand-made carpets and rugs, and are eagerly awaited at the start of every year. Entries for Innovations@DOMOTEX 2017 can be submitted up until 1 November 2016 via the Online Business System (OBS). Full details are available on the Internet at www.obs.messe.de. DOMOTEX Worldwide: DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR: Shanghai, 21 – 23 March 2017,

Technical Support Innovation Science

Kaneka

Cork Parquet

Premium Wood

Technology Driven

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∂ Inside news International Trade Fair for Carpets and Floor Coverings in the Asia-Pacific region. DOMOTEX Turkey: Gaziantep, 22 – 25 May 2017, Leading Trade Fair for Carpets and Floor Coverings in Turkey.

DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2017: From strength to strength

Shanghai, China. The 19th edition of DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR will take place on March 21-23, 2017, at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. As the leading trade fair for various

segments of the flooring industry in the Asia-Pacific area the event is continuing to expand and its international profile in 2017 will be stronger than ever. Seven months before the gates are opened 13 percent more display space has been booked compared with last year. Manufacturers of international brands have booked approx. 32% of the total space booked at DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2017. Major suppliers of resilient floor coverings such as Armstrong, Gerflor, KCC, KDF, LG Hausys, Nox, US FLOORS and Windmoeller have confirmed their participation. They will be joined by big names in the wood flooring industry such as Amorim, Alsapan, Classen, the French Timber Association, Haro, Swiss Krono Group and Välinge, as well as Balta, Boyteks, Jaipur, Nishaburi, Oriental Weavers and Suminoe from the carpet industry. National pavilions have been reserved by Belgium, India, Pakistan and the USA, i.e. the American Floorcovering Alliance (in the carpet sector) and the National Wood Flooring Association. The exhibition space embraces twelve halls. Five halls are dedicated to carpets, rugs and runners, and four to parquet and laminate flooring, as well as to cork, bamboo and other hard floor products and the FloorTech display. The remaining three halls have been allocated to resilient floor coverings for domestic, commercial and industrial applications. At the heart of the extremely popular wood flooring category, a new special display area will accommodate

WOODEN FLOORING WORTHY OF THE FUTURE Everything that surrounds the 21st century man should be functional, comfortable, modern and beautiful at that. Baltic Wood floors are created in the spirit of the above assumptions. Such a great selection of three-layered wooden floors, which is inspired by the latest fashion and design trends as well as by timeless classics, is otherwise quite hard to come by. In the Baltic Wood collections, noble wood – presented in the form of multi-layered, engineered floors intended first for quick assembly and then for many years of service – takes on multifarious garb, ranging from melancholy whites through technical greys and warm shades of brown to reds. The Baltic Wood offer includes an array of 9 proven varieties of European, American and exotic wood, as well as more than 100 finish compositions. The colours, in combination with the unusual structure of wood enhanced in the process of brushing, sanding or hand distressing of the floor surface, make for unique offerings. Structure worthy of the 21st century All Baltic Wood floors are characterised by perfectly refined dimensions and joints, which results in unusually rapid and accurate assembly. Each of the floorboard layers is made of natural wood. The floors on offer are between 2.7mm and 6.6mm thick, which allows for their renovation up to 9 times. They are fitted with state-ofthe-art adhesive-free 2G and 5G joint systems under

license from Välinge Innovation, a renowned Swedish company. Baltic Wood offers more than 10 different board sizes, which enables a perfect pattern match allowing for the character of the interior as well as personal preferences. A modern solution is to be seen in the Jeans Collection, where each model is available in both the slat and the board pattern, which makes it possible to lay it down in adjacent rooms without losing the uniform colour effect. No compromise Quality is an overriding value. We take care of it at each stage of production. The floors are subject to a 7-degree inspection, and so the client finds the end product perfect. The production process makes use of well-tried and eco-friendly components by such recognized manufacturers as Osmo, Kneho, WOCA, AkzoNobel. The Baltic Wood products constitute a perfect combination of the features of solid wood boards and of the traditional three-layered ones. They have their own unique character, and thus they cater to the needs of the discriminating client and investor, as well as correspond to ideas of the creative architect. CONTACT US AT: Magdalena Marek M: +48 510 00 6397 magdalena.marek@balticwood.pl

www.balticwood.eu 6

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advertorial_190x136_EN.indd 1

10.08.2016 14:50

∂ Inside news the exhibits of manufacturers of ceramic tiles and WPC outdoor decking. DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2016 attracted 1,303 exhibitors from 40 countries, as well as 50,398 trade visitors, including 11,963 foreign visitors from 106 countries. In 2017 the event will build on its past successes and attract more trade professionals by consolidating its position as an outstanding global meeting-place for business leads and contacts across the vast and expanding Asian flooring market. For more information on the trade show go to: www.domotexasiachinafloor.com

reception by Jean-Marie and Felix Clercx in the presence of Ms Blanksma, mayor of Helmond, and employees from Felix Clercx BV. This warehouse will be in use as of August 2016. You are warmly invited to the open day on Friday 23 September, when you can have a look inside our new warehouse. You can reply to this invitation via www.felixclercx.com/opendag.

FELIX CLERCX EXPANDS ITS CAPACITY BY 35% At the start of this year, Felix Clercx BV started work on the construction of a new warehouse to raise its capacity by 35%. For over 125 years, they have invested in the family business in sustainable production and innovation and capacity increase. As a family business, Felix Clercx BV recognises the power of generations. They strive constantly for sustainability in the products, surrounds, and company. The new warehouse (over 3,500m²) means centralised storage, which will optimise continuity, level of service, and the delivery process even more. This is how Felix Clercx is responding to the demands of the changing market.

D E S I G N® PA R Q U E T Fr a nc e

SOLID PARQUET and ENGINEERED PARQUET LOFT PRO - COTTON

LOFT PRO

Cotton The warehouse consists for about 50% of storage shelves, and that makes for rapid order picking. The other part is used for dispatch and bulk storage. Last Friday, the warehouse was opened with a

Cotton parquet flooring brings refinement and elegance to a room with its white and glossy varnished

Loft Pro Semi-solid Oak Prime/rustic grade 16 x 180 x 1500-2200 mm 2 bevels, Tongue & Groove

www.designparquet.fr Floor Forum International 83

Special

Providers of filling machines : who has them ?

MACHINES CAN FILL HOLES FILLER MACHINES SAVE MONEY AND IMPROVE QUALITY

Photo – CSP Engineering

Technology is there to serve people. The ‘ invention’ of the lever is a good illustration of that. An object which couldn’t be moved even one millimetre by a human being can be picked up effortlessly with a lever. That is the conversion of sciences, in this case physics, into useful technology. Thanks to that couple of science and technology, it is possible ‘ lighten’ the load for human beings in scores of operations. Automatic filling machines fit in perfectly with this story, even though they have emerged at a time when some of the work has been relocated from the site to the factory.

The floor fitter’s eye The parquet floor fitting profession has come a long way. Let’s take a look back to the traditional techniques to find out which aspects have gradually departed from the site. And so, indeed, we’re looking back at the old traditional parquet method in a nutshell. The floor fitter’s ‘eye’ plays an important part in that story. After all, floor fitters had to check various aspects in different phases of the fitting and these jobs had to be done ‘visually’ out of necessity. In the first phase, it was necessary to check the strips for minor damages or imperfections which could not pass the relevant wood selection. Any substandard strips were put to one side and could be repaired by filling in possible holes or cracks. Since fitting traditional parquet implied the combination of glueing and

Floor Forum International 83

nailing, there was even more filler work after the fitting. In the previous edition of this trade journal we presented the various products which floor fitters have to fill holes. Usually, and that’s extremely important for the sequel to this story, one applies too much filler after all the necessary sandpapering has been done. Various phases of the traditional parquet method have been brought together in the production of multi-layer parquet. After all, strictly speaking, multi-layer parquet (two and three-layer) is parquet in which the finish layer (the strips) has been fastened to the subfloor in the factory in advance. This implies that the floor fitter’s control and repair function in those phases has to be taken over by the production plant.

The parquet factory Anyone who visits a factory where solid wood and multi-layer parquet are produced can still be surprised by the high number of people who are involved in the production. This production still involves a lot of manual labour. One of the functions which catches the eye is that of the worker who checks the floorboards manually and visually at the end of each production lane. Planks with obvious cracks, gnarls, or other flaws are removed and collected by another employee for repair. We can imagine how that repair process goes. The hole is filled in with a filler, smoothed, dried, adapted, sandpapered, and possibly coloured. Lots of chores which are done away from the production line. We

now know that some renowned machine designers have devised a lot of high-tech machines to computerise some aspects of that process. Modern parquet production lines are full of those high-tech solutions. As we’ve often said, everything can be computerised, from the supply of planks, the floorboard production, the application of the finish, the packing and labelling, and collection for delivery to the warehouse. And so, that applies no less to tracing and repairing large and small holes and cracks.

Leading trademarks CSP Engineering

The PAR-Filler® is an automatic machine for filling knots, bursts, and cracks on the surface of wooden floorboards. For this machine CSP Engineering has developed a special scanner which detects those imperfections accurately and notifies two applicators of the positions. For the filling CSP Engineering developed an applicator which presses wood filler into the imperfections under high pressure. The PAR Filler® works in continuous process. There are various semi-automatic to full-automatic systems for supplying and discharging floorboards, depending on the capacity required and implementation in your production. In standard configuration the floorboards are entered via a buffer. The unique scanner detects every hole, from barely 1mm to knots of 40mm and more. Hereafter, two applicators follow your products at high speed and inject the exact amount of filler in the exact spot. The filled floorboards are conveyed back to the entrance in pairs parallel to one another. One operator handling the machine is sufficient for most grading and dimensions of wood. At the same time CosmetiWood® has been developed. This is a new water-based wood filler which behaves like wood. CosmetiWood® absorbs beautiful oils and colors , bonds perfectly to the wood, and doesn’t shrink, even with big knots. The product can easily be sanded and/or planed and does not crumble. The benefits of PAR Filler®: - One operator handling the machine is sufficient (in the standard configuration). - No specific skills are required for handling.

MACHINED FILLING OF FLOORING BOARDS

NEW

WWW.CSPENGINEERING.BE TECHNOLOGIES FOR WOOD FLOORING PRODUCTION info@csp-engineering.be Tel: +32 (0 )14.37.77.52 Floor Forum International 83

Special

Providers of filling machines : who has them ?

- One production circuit, ideal for average to high production capacities. - Easy to set up: dimensions, wood grading, and quality. - Easy switch between colors, no product loss and without cleaning of tubes - Ecological filler, harmless to people and environment, ready for use. - Exceptional high-quality result thanks to the new injection technique. Next to the standard configuration, it is also possible to implement individual solutions for integration of the-PAR Filler® into your production. CSP Engineering works out the best solution for you, depending on the specific dimensions of floorboards, required degree of automation and integration with other production lines. More information: www.csp-engineering.be

Timber Repair & Cosmetics by WINTERSTEIGER

WINTERSTEIGER’s “timber repair & cosmetics” (TRC) is a highly advanced and already established system, repairing flooring or wood panels with a unique detecting and injection system. The main advantages of the TRC injection system are: high-pressure injection of the filling material, 100% sealed around repair spot, no material shrinkage / bubbling, the panels can be stacked or processed further immediately after repair. Very important and a major advantage of TRC is that the filling material achieves the hardness of the processed wood. The TRC product range covers all capacities – from semi to fully automatic machines. For special applications WINTERSTEIGER also offers adapted system solutions, in-line with customer needs. Detecting holes itself The “Faulty Spot Eye” scanner was specially developed for the specific request of detecting holes in floor panels. It works quickly and accurately in 2D- and 3D-mode and enhances images in milliseconds. The scanning technology is a 100% in-house development and therefore a direct interface between scanning and mechanical technology. The dosage is administered automatically, assuring the complete fill-up of the defect without overdosing, not to waste material as well as saving further finishing tools. Advanced and established system Ewald Fuchs, managing director at STIA Holzindustrie in Admont, Austria, said: "We have high quality requirements and our wide multilayer parquets are offered in many different dimensions. After guaranteeing that our performance and quality requirements would be met, a solution was tailored specifically to us. All the key figures regarding quality, performance and deadline were realized 100%." So far, 20 fully automated lines have been installed, and they repair approximately 18 million square meters of wood surface every year. Dozens of semi-automatic machines complete the world-wide use of TRC. More information: www.wintersteiger.com/trc

Special

Anti-slip finish for wooden and bamboo terrace floors

NO EUROPEAN STANDARD FOR ANTI-SLIP TERRACES PROFESSIONALS MUST GIVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO SAFETY

Photo – Durieu Coatings

The number of accidents occurring each year from ‘slipping and falling’ is staggering. Depending on the study in question, they account for 10 to 50% of all working accidents. In France, eight million working days are lost each year due to slips and falls. Yet those studies refer to ‘recorded’ incidents. This means we are referring solely to accidents which occur at work or are recorded in a public area or on public roads. What happens ‘at home’ on terraces and around swimming pools is seldom disclosed publicly. Safety on wooden terraces is a question of responsible professionalism.

No legislation At present, there is no national or European legislation on the slip resistance of floors. A European standard, which will probably emerge at some point, is likely to apply to floors in public areas and public buildings. Amongst others, the Netherlands has ‘playing rules’ regarding floors in public swimming pools. Legislation will probably never affect floors in private homes. There we have to rely on the knowledge of the architect or the expertise of the professional who comes to fit the floor. Wooden floors play a special part here whenever they come into contact with damp and the outdoor climate. There are multiple solutions to prevent wood from becoming ‘slippery’.

Visit www.floor-forum.com

The concept of slipping The slip resistance of a ‘dry’ floor is created by the microscopic surface structure of the floor material (BBRI). The rougher a floor, the stiffer it feels. In dry conditions floor stiffness depends largely on the ‘hook effect’. This is the effect whereby shoe sole material gets hooked to the unevenness of the floor surface. And so, the ductility of the surface and the footwear also play a part. Indeed, some of a person’s kinetic energy becomes distorted so that the motion itself slows down. That’s precisely why people wearing rubber soles are less likely to slip than someone wearing leather soles, for instance. In the case of a damp floor the slipperiness is caused by the fact that the foot cannot get a grip on the floor surface because the water cannot drain fast enough. The liquid then prevents the sole from getting a good grip on the floor surface. Just think of what we refer to as ‘aquaplaning’ in traffic. The degree to which this occurs is affected by elements such as the viscosity of the liquid (oil versus water), the material of the sole and the floor surface, and the relief of the shoe and the floor.

The slipperiness of wood outdoors Lots of people still don’t want to fit a wooden terrace because they’re afraid that the wooden planks (or tiles) will become extremely slippery in the winter. Quite a few myths prevail in this debate. The aspect of ‘winter’ is one of them. Any slipperiness in wood is more to do with

Floor Forum International 83

Special

Anti-slip finish for wooden and bamboo terrace floors

natural forces and damp than the winter. Ice or frost on a ceramic tile or on natural stone will not really be any less slippery than on wood. Wood becomes slippery from residual water (e.g. from swimming pools) and/or any formation of algae or moss which is stimulated as a result. With wooden terraces or swimming pool boards we can draw some consolation from certain design measures.

Drainage and ventilation People sometimes say that wooden terraces don’t need a steep slope. Nevertheless, a certain degree of slope does help to dry the wood faster since the water can drain quickly. Good ventilation of the wood (which usually occurs naturally outdoors) is obviously a plus point.

Round planks A few years ago, some terrace floor producers launched ‘invisible’ round planks. That was an excellent idea because, irrespective of the terrace slope, water drains off each plank quickly along the sides.

Ribbed planks The claim that ribbed planks would help to make a terrace safer is sheer nonsense. The ribs in the planks mean there is an even greater need to clean the wood regularly to ensure that there is no algae formation between the ribs. And so, ribs tend to give a false sense of security.

Blanchon To be quite clear, we draw a necessary distinction between ‘slipping’ (sliding sideways when stopping a movement) and ‘stumbling’ (falling over). There is now a European standard for the first time. The problem for outdoor terraces is that, apart from being walked on, they also have to face weather, UV rays, and differences in temperature. If a terrace is dry, this also means it is ‘not slippery’. Wet wood can be slippery, however, but terrace makers soon found the solution by making ribbed terrace wood (a natural solution subject to regular maintenance). Unlike an anti-slip lacquer, which works by adding mineral particles, it is not possible to make an oil anti-slip in the same way. Blanchon believes the aforementioned natural solution is advisable, combined, if necessary, with anti-slip strips.

Ciranova

As we said with the description of the concept of ‘slipping’, the roughness of the surface is extremely important for the slip resistance, irrespective of the type of material. The rougher the surface, the greater the slip resistance. There are also various methods for improving the slip properties of a floor by increasing the roughness. For example, this can be done using a mechanical treatment such as sandblasting. However, these methods can drastically change the appearance of the floor. Other more subtle methods include micro engraving using lasers or chemical treatment based on acids, depending on the type of floor. As regards slip resistance, it’s always necessary to compromise. After all, a floor often requires easy cleaning. Excessively slippery finishes certainly increase the risk of slips and falls, with potentially serious injuries, but excessively rough surfaces can cause another type of fall injury, such as grazes.

By analogy with indoor applications, the R-classes are also often used as a criterion for wooden terraces. Anti-slip for HIGH QUALITY WOODCARE PRODUCTS outdoor use is particularly important for wet surfaces. For terraces you can obtain anti-slip by adding a suitable additive to the oil for this purpose. This usually yields an oil developed specially for that purpose, which is applied as an extra coat. Moreover, there are also some specific coatings or finish systems which give the terrace some anti-slip properties (this is outside Ciranova’s product range). As regards durability, as is the case for all outdoor surfaces treated with oil, the quality stands or falls with the maintenance. Regular maintenance is recommended.

Solutions for wooden terraces

Durieu Coatings

Most solutions which we found for increasing the roughness of wooden terraces are related to the finish. We also note that lots of suppliers have earned their spurs in supplying public institutions, especially by making public buildings (or swimming pools, for instance) safer.

According to Durieu Coatings, there is sound legislation for anti-slip for outdoor wood, but not specifically for bamboo. Obviously, the most important aim of anti-slip is to prevent slips during rainy weather or if the terrace is exposed to surface water (e.g. around swimming pools). The anti-slip effect is obtained by means of additives which are integrated into the Owatrol products. Treatment needs repeating every one to three years, depending on the usage intensity and the weather.

Increasing the roughness

Staining Some producers present a product which serves at the same time as a protective finish for outdoor wood and as security against slipping. For example, we found that one producer has a solvent, transparent, and silky gloss anti-slip stain. This stain feeds and protects terrace wood, but also makes it anti-slip by means of an anti-slip grain. This also stops the wood from ageing at the same time.

Anti-slip ‘strip’ We found another solution in a dual component polyurethane product, which is sprayed into the groove of a plank after the addition of a third component. As the finish hardens, the polyurethane is spread with quartz sand to obtain a narrow and rough line. This guarantees roughness for a long time since the line has been sanded into the mass. Applying such a line every 7 to 10cm is enough to ensure that it is safe to walk on the terrace surface.

What’s on the market?

Floor Forum International 83

Mapei Mapei believes that it is absolutely essential to use anti-slip outdoors because wooden floors can get wet and become extremely hazardous in some conditions. Mapei has a number of ready-for-use products with anti-slip properties in its range, including lacquers, oils,

and maintenance products. The fact that surfaces have to be treated annually with those products is not due to any fault in the anti-slip properties, but due to the fact that outdoor floors need annual treatment in any case.

Osmo

Saicos Although there is no compulsive legislation, Saicos nevertheless recommends anti-slip R10 for wood oils designed for terraces and outdoor stairs. It is also essential to remove any moss or green algae with Green-Ex before applying the oil. This applies even more to the northern side. To obtain the anti-slip R10, Saicos applies an additive to the Saicos Special Wood Oil. This can also be used as a final coat for terraces which have already been treated with Saicos oils. The R10 oil is applied solely with the flat Saicos brush. The treatment has to be repeated every year for outdoor applications.

Tover

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On wooden terraces, decking Tover recommends to apply the natural impregnating oil Oil4sun. Very easy to use, waterproof, it is suitable for the treatment of wooden floors outside. The oil contains fungicides against mildew and additives which guarantee a long-lasting protection against UV rays and bad weather, the main causes of wood wear and damages. Oil4Sun deeply penetrates into the pores and feeds the wood, granting a homogeneous tonality to the whole surface. This oil is also in compliance with the EN 13036-4:2011 European norm in terms of slip level. It guarantees a protection against slippery even if the floor is wet for a total safety of the user.

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Non-slip wood finishes provide more safety in the garden, especially on wet decking. Osmo Anti-Slip Decking Oil is a top coat finish for timber decking, which has been pre-treated with one of the pigmented Decking-Oils. It reduces the risk of slips (R10) and extends the life of the pigmented oil finish through additional protection against weathering. The surface is water-resistant and weatherproof. When renovating, one coat applied to the clean and dry surface is usually enough, no sanding required. For private households, Osmo recommends re-coating the clean decking with both the coloured Decking-Oil and Anti-Slip Decking Oil one time before the beginning of the garden season. One litre covers approx. 24 m2 with one coat.

Special

Colour oils : who has which colours and how are they applied?

‘COLOUR’ IS THE PASSWORD FOR OIL TRENDY COLOURS ATTRACT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE

Photo – Durieu Coatings

Give your life some colour! You hear it more and more. Whilst white, grey, and even black shades are on the crest of a wave in many decorative elements, there is still a stubborn yearning for colourful joy in the interior. Moreover, in truth, it’s a phenomenon which holds sway beyond the playroom, where youthful, often frivolous colours give the ‘child’ centre stage. We’re also seeing it in offices at home, living rooms, and kitchens. In the previous edition we examined the ‘precolouring’ of wooden floorboards, but, this time, we want to highlight the colour assets of oil as a parquet finish.

Good for the client

Oil gets good marks for quality, but there’s much more. As a finish, oil has the strong asset of both satisfying to perfection the concerns of environmentally-aware consumers and also offering floor fitters a ‘chance’ to create client loyalty.

Natural oil seems to meet consumer expectations in every possible way. It’s becoming increasingly clear that lots of end users are now steeped in attention to nature, the environment, and the welfare of people and their surrounds. All of us have concerns about the much-heralded global warming, the melting of the ice cap, natural disasters, and such like. The word ‘natural’ works wonders in the slogan ‘natural oil for parquet’. Although all parquet oils contain many other ingredients, the word ‘natural’ and its mention in the list of ingredients such as linseed, pine resin, and ‘vegetable’ oil distract the attention completely (and that’s not meant to be a slur or an accusation).

Good for the floor fitter

The assets of parquet oil

There’s no such thing as a bad parquet finish, just as there are no such things as bad cars, computers, or telephones. So much research has been done to exclude the possibility. Moreover, manufacturers also mirror each other closely or, you could say, they draw inspiration from each other. All finishing methods and means have their own strong assets, but also their own minor drawbacks. A preference for a certain finish is often inspired more by the user e.g. the usage intensity,

Lots of sales arguments plead for an oil finish on parquet. Here we consider the main ones.

Oil is popular

the low maintenance, preferred tastes, or the look. Things are somewhat different from the floor fitter’s point of view. It’s in the floor fitter’s immediate interest to recommend an oil finish. Certainly as regards maintenance products, oil guarantees client loyalty.

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Appearance and feel Oil preserves the natural beauty of the wood like no other finish. The structure, the grains, the colour, everything still closely resembles the properties of an untreated floor.

Good protection

Oak takes the crown again

Since oil impregnates the wood (i.e. it fills up the wood pores), a floor treated with oil is waterproof and dirtproof. Obviously, scratches can occur on an oiled floor, but they’re less noticeable than scratches on a lacquered floor.

Oak enthusiasts generally love it in its natural form. Obviously, there are trends. It is easy enough to colour oak to meet those trends. Whitewashed oak is very much in fashion. Here, the pores take on a white or grey appearance, something also very much in fashion. Yet oak can also adopt a completely different appearance if you apply certain colours. For example, by applying a red shade, you get the effect of American red oak. By colouring oak extremely dark, you give it the airs of certain tropical wood sorts. You have to be a connoisseur to distinguish (virtually) black coloured oak from a sort such as wenge or to distinguish dark coloured oak from pangapanga. In this respect oak can act as a substitute for often unaffordable tropical hardwood sorts, yet it is just as hard.

Maintenance and repair An oiled floor is easy to maintain. Moreover, by treating the floor with a maintenance oil, you give the floor constant nutrition. An oiled floor also has the big advantage that it can be repaired in patches (read: re-oiled).

Renovation Whenever an oiled floor needs a thorough renovation, you don’t have to sandpaper it. With a lacquered floor, you have to empty the entire room and sandpaper the whole floor completely pale. An oiled floor can be renovated without sandpapering and, if necessary, you can do it in phases.

Colouring wood In the previous edition we considered the various ways of transforming the colour of wood. You can achieve this pre-colouring by means of all sorts of chemical operations (lyes) and physical treatments (thermal) or by using certain colouring products. Staining wood is one of the customary pre-colouring methods. In many cases the ‘creation’ of colour still requires an extra finish. For example, lyes don’t really protect the wood, so you also need to apply a finish with oil, lacquer, or hard wax.

Colour as ‘password’ Nowadays, almost all parquet oil producers have a range of ‘colours’ and, in recent years, they’ve been highlighting this fact more and more. The reason for this is probably that there is still scope for innovation here and that it is the range of colours which help trademarks to stand out from the rest, in terms of both inventiveness with shades themselves and as regards the number of colours.

Colour oil As we’ve already said, some wood colouring methods still require additional protective treatment. A colour oil applies protection and colour in one finish product. This method is suitable for all new wooden floors or recently sandpapered parquet in all wood sorts. Most colour oils are transparent. A finish coat with these oils also provides a strong

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protective coating. Moreover, colour oils can also be combined with other treatments such as lyeing and smoking to obtain highly exclusive results.

Colour oil works in the depth Since oil penetrates deep into the pores of the wood, the same applies to colour oil. The benefit of this is that it gives you colour ‘all over’ up to a certain height. Lots of other colouring products or techniques colour the surface as well. The possible drawback is that, if we want to renovate the floor, it is not so easy to deviate from the chosen colour.

Much more than wood colours Colour oils consist of a wide range of contemporary and timeless colours. They are usually prepared by adding dyes to the natural oil. And so, this transparent wooden floor colouring can be supplied in several different colours, which can even be combined with each other. What’s noticeable is that producers no longer draw their inspiration solely from a range of wood shades, but also from other colours which have nothing to do with the wood sorts.

A selection from the range Adesiv Adesiv presents Paviolio 25 WB, a colouring agent with modified vegetable oils for impregnating wooden floors indoors. Paviolio 25 WB can be painted over using a waterborne dual component varnish. The product itself has one single component, outstanding colour properties, and a high penetration capacity. The finish can be applied in one work session. The product is suitable for all wood sorts. Obviously, the floor has to be clean and dry (between 8 and 12%) and sandpapered with a maximum grain of 150. The sandpapering has to be perfect because Paviolio 25 WB highlights the smallest inadequacy. And so, the product can be used on all wood sorts, but it comes best into its own on sorts such as oak, larch, and cherry.

Blanchon Colouring wooden floors has been a strong trend for a few years now. It is being followed by everyone in the parquet world, from makers to fitters. Oak is still the most popular sort and it also lends itself best to a colour treatment. Blanchon has presented a complete range of oils, wax oils, and hard wax oils for over 20 years. In 5 ranges, with 45 shades, it has been possible since this year to order no fewer than 90 shades, which can be supplied within a week. And so, that immediately gives clients the choice of over 135 colour ranges, but actually the possibilities are Unlimited since the oil is often applied to a parquet surface which has already had some or other form of colour such as with some distressing techniques. The white and grey shades have been the most noticeable for about 10 years, but then with various derived shades. Experienced fitters even work with a wet-inwet technique whereby you get special effects such as marble or with

Floor Forum International 83

Special

Colour oils : who has which colours and how are they applied?

shadows. Dyes are generally used to obtain the colour because they are more resistant to light than colouring agents and also because there’s no such thing as a white colouring agent. Moreover, dyes yield deeper and more intense ranges of colour. The addition of a UV filter, certainly with waterborne oils, can give added value both decoratively and technically (sustainability).

Briançon According to Briançon, colouring wooden floors is very much in fashion. In particular, wood sorts like oak and horse chestnut are perfectly suitable. The most popular colours are wood shades, whilst the most trendy are grey and white. With the Wood Shade (‘Teinte à Bois’) Carbamex and the Wax Oil (‘Huile Cire’) Carbamex, Briançon offers two outstanding solutions. The Wax Oil is the combination of protection and decoration. It is available in eight shades and ready for use. The Wood Shade Carbamex is a pre-colouring which can be given any Briançon finish. This is available in 10 colours.

Ciranova According to Ciranova, colouring parquet and furniture is extremely popular. Sandpapering parquet to obtain a floor which looks as good as new with coloured oils is also very popular. Oak wood is the most suitable for colouring the wood. UN1CO is a single-coat VOC-free oil from the latest generation based on renewable and natural raw materials. Thanks to this special technology, one coat is all you need. A hardener must be added to the oil to ensure fast drying and excellent chemical resistance. UN1CO is available in 16 colours. Furthermore, Ciranova also presents its HARD WAX OIL, a fast-drying parquet oil with outstanding durability, good filling, and good chemical and mechanical resistance. This is available in eight standard colours and eight trendy colours. Two or three coats are applied, depending on the wood sort. At present, white and natural shades are the favourite colours. The colour is achieved through the addition of dyes. A lot of attention is paid to make sure that the selected dye concentrations are sufficient, in accordance with the prevailing environmental terms and conditions. Sandpapering and renovating furniture is also on the way up, and UN1CO is also ideal for this purpose. UN1CO is used a lot for protecting and colouring in one coat.

Chimiver 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 20 standard trendy colors and many other you can easily find by mixing the colors each other. 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 the wooden floor a warm and soft effect. LIOS BIOIL 2K is formulated with naturaloils 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.

DevoNatural® DevoNatural® High Solid Oil is a matt and setting oil which has a high coverage capacity and is based on natural oils. It can be used for all sorts of parquet, wooden floors, and other wood both indoors and out. The high solid content of the oil and its unique molecular structure means that the floor needs only one coat of oil. For that matter there’s no point in applying an extra coat because once the wood is saturated, it repels any surplus product! Once DevoNatural® Extra Hardener has been applied, the floor is ready for use again after 12 hours and the coat of oil becomes ‘even more’ durable! DevoNatural® High Solid Oil can be applied to both commercial floors and high-traffic domestic floors. The product is easy to apply and to massage into open wood pores. DevoNatural® High Solid Oil can be applied to all types of wood e.g. indoors on parquet, wooden floors, cork, furniture, wooden walls, etc. Its waterproof properties also make this oil suitable for bathroom parquet and also outdoors on all woodwork, garden furniture, terraces, and such like. It is also suitable for exotic wood sorts such as teak. The available colours are colourless, pure, silk white, lime white, agate grey, vison grey, weathered oak, and black white washed.

Durieu Coatings Durieu Coatings also believes that colouring wood is in fashion. Colouring is particularly appropriate for soft wood sorts, but hard sorts are also suitable. Oleo Floor oil protects and feeds the wood in the same way as a sutaurator, namely by applying a protective layer in the depth without leaving a film. This makes maintenance extremely simple. The most important shades for Durieu Coatings are white and grey. Oleo Floor is offered in three variants: natural version, white antique (leaded), and grey antique (leaded). The colouring is obtained through the use of dyes.

Ecofa Ecofa agrees that colouring parquet floors is in fashion, especially when it comes to darker sorts of wood. They advocate a coloured ‘background’ and then a finish (read: protection) with a colourless hard wax oil. Colourless protection at the end offers greater durability. The

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Special

Colour oils : who has which colours and how are they applied?

most popular colours are the shades of white. Shades can be used in special hard wax oil, but dyes are possible as well. At Ecofa they have five basic colours: antique oak, dark walnut, dark brown, black, and makassar.

Floorservice Floorservice offers different types and colours of Floorservice Hardwax-oil. Off our 34 colours the white and brown shades are the most popular, in particular the Polar, Arctic and Brasil. Followed by the unfinished look and the brown shades. The Floorservice Hardwax-oil penetrates deep into the wood, without blocking the pores. This allows the wood to keep breathing and retains its natural structure, because no top layer is formed. Every floor that is finished with Floorservice Hardwax-oil is guaranteed to be highly resistant to wear and is also water resistant. Besides that the floor is protected against saliva and sweat and make the floor child friendly because they meet the requirements for children’s toys. In addition to this, the Floorservice Hardwax-oils also meet anti-slip standard R9.

Hesse Benelux According to Hesse, generally speaking, most floors are finished as naturally as possible, but colouring parquet and wooden floors is also done regularly, for example, to fit in with coloured stairs, cupboards, or other interior elements or precisely to break out of the rigid white interiors. The wood sorts used most for colouring are pale, neutral sorts like oak, deal, elm, and such like. By colouring these, you can obtain something near to an effect of tropical wood sorts. With the colour oil from Hesse, you can colour and protect the wood in one work session. Hesse also offers (coloured) oils which can be finished afterwards with a 2K waterborne varnish to eliminate a reaction with tannic acid, to guarantee adhesion when renovating a previously oiled or waxed floor, and/or to ensure even better protection. The colours most used are still white, grey, and natural shades. These oils are tinted mainly with colour dyes since they can no longer ‘bleed’ after drying, unlike some colouring agents. In the standard range Hesse has about 10 colours to give an idea of the possibilities, but since they also produce customised colours, the number of colours is actually unlimited.

Lecol Lecol has Loba oils in its assortment. For Loba, oil is still a trend. Classic oil penetrates, impregnates, and leaves no film. Classic oil intensifies the colour of the wood and preserves its natural beauty. An oiled floor keeps its good looks for many years, as long as it is cleaned and maintained as required. Loba sells various oils and oil-wax

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combinations. The best-sellers are the Lobasol® HS Akzent 100 Oil, the Lobasol ® HS 2K Impact Oil, and Impact Colour Oil. The 2K impregnation oil LOBASOL® HS 2K Impact Oil is suitable for all wood sorts. It highlights the natural colour and structure of the wood. Moreover, both oils can be used to give lots of colour effects! Clients can choose from no fewer than 19 contemporary vivid colours.

Mapei Mapei is seeing colour oils used mainly for lighter wood sorts such as oak. The Italian maker presents a range of colour oils which now need only a maintenance product. The most popular colours are walnut and ‘grey wave’. The colour oils from Mapei are developed on the basis of a special and pre-coloured composition. And so, these products are also ready for use. The Mapei assortment of colour oils includes seven different shades.

Osmo The Osmo products Polyx®-Oil Tints and Oil Stain both colour and protect hardwood flooring at the same time. With Polyx®-Oil Tints, a transparent colouration is achieved; thereby the wood grain remains visible. Seven various colour tones, such as White, are available. For applications on raw wood, Osmo recommends applying two coats: the first coat is carried out with Polyx®-Oil Tints and the second with a clear Polyx®-Oil. With Oil Stain, hardwood flooring can either be coloured transparently or intensively. Silver Grey and White are two of the ten colour tones available. The number of coats depends on the desired colour intensity: for a transparent surface, Oil Stain is applied one time, two times for an intensive colouration. The top coat is carried out with a clear Polyx®-Oil.

Pallmann At Pallmann they get lots of requests from clients who want to colour their parquet, especially in combination with a brushed surface and a vintage look. Colouring is attractive for wood sorts which lose their colour over time under the influence of sunlight. At Pallmann they offer two oil systems which ensure a coloured floor. Magic Oil 2K Colour yields a fully oiled surface in the required colour. By contrast, Pall-X 333 Colour is a coloured primer for pre-treatment. This can be painted over with waterborne lacquers such as the dual component Magic Oil 2K. The most popular colours here, too, are white,

black, and grey, but, occasionally, they get requests for fashion colours. Most oils from Pallmann are coloured with dyes which give the right colour and provide protection from UV light.

Rubio Monocoat All wood sorts can be coloured and protected with Rubio Monocoat oil. Obviously, each wood sort has its own colour/tone, which will determine and affect the final colour. This means each project is different. Rubio Monocoat is a trendsetter and pioneer in promoting an oil which protects and colours in one single coat. Due to the unique technology of molecular binding, Rubio Monocoat oil contains unique properties such as application on overlappings with no risk at all, and all this with 100% natural ingredients (0% VOC). Furthermore, Rubio Monocoat oil is easy to maintain and easy to repair. The best-seller, Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C, is available in 40 standard colours, which can be mixed with each other and give an intensive colouring without affecting the natural look of the wood. If all that still isn’t enough, they are only too happy to make a customised colour for you. And so, RMC Oil Plus 2C is the ideal partner for all projects. Clients often choose natural colours which highlight the beauty of the wood a little extra.

Oils with dye colour and protect at the same time. The trademark offers twenty colours as standard. The Ecoline Oil Ground Coat is available in 12 shades or in the RAL or NCS colour which the clients wants. The Premium Hard Wax Oil is available in eight shades.

Stauf Coloratum Oil is a single-component, coloured finish based on natural oils and wax. It is used for parquet, cork and wood floors in living areas with normal or moderately heavy use. The product contains no lead-based or cobalt-based dryers and is pigmented. The finish is multi-functional. It can be used as a stand-alone product, or mixed with other oils. The combination of STAUF Oil in One and STAUF Hardwaxoil achieves a restrained spread of colour on floors in the shades, Black, Grey, White, Wenge, Dark Walnut or Teak. The finished surface has a silky feel and is also dirt-resistant and water repellent. The trend is currently grays that match with the vintage look in interior.

Tover In the past years the market trend went towards colored floors to obtain highly customized “unique” effects. To reply to this particular aesthetic request, Tover increased the number of colored oils to 30 different standard shades, an endless range as these bases can be mixed together. Moreover the company combined it with the search of eco-compatible finishing products offering a mono-coat solvent free hardwax oil: L’Olio 100% with high resistance to liquid spots and very easy to apply and renew.

Rigo Verffabriek The colour oil from Rigo Verffabriek has been used for decades to colour wood without leaving streaks, even on the biggest and most troublesome floors. Apart from a full and natural look, the greyed or white-wash floor is still extremely popular. Just about any sort of wood can be manipulated as regards colour. Generally speaking, it is oak which is coloured the most. Anyone with doubts about colouring a specific sort of wood can always contact the Rigo Verffabriek technical advisers. Both the ROYL Bio-oil and the ROYL Oil 2k are coloured quite simply by the addition of a separate colour dye ‘Colour for Oil’. You can make an endless variety of colours with these 23 separate colour dyes and three base oils (blank, white, and black). After the addition of the colour dye to the oil, one coat of oil on the floor is enough. And so, the floor is coloured AND protected in one coat. Rigo has brought the most popular colours together in the ROYL wood shade range and the ROYL grey shades range. Apart from the standard available Colour for Oil colour dyes, any colour can be ordered on the basis of an NCS or RAL code and added to the oil.

Saicos

Saicos also thinks that colouring is very much in fashion and the preferred colours are grey and brown shades. Their colour oils can be used for all wooden floors, cork, or bamboo floors. They can be used on hardwood, exotic wood, and thermally treated wood. Saicos Hard Wax

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Vesting At Vesting they have noticed that consumers are looking for more expression and new colours. Vesting knows how to achieve this with modern stains and oils, but also through new combinations in the process. This is possible, for example, by treating the wood first with a colour stain and then applying a colour oil. The grain colours differently from the rest of the plank to create a sort of 3-D effect. All colour oils from Vesting are made on a base of natural oil. This automatically means that the colour oil provides the same outstanding protection for the floor. The absolute favourites are the shades of white and grey, but, recently, they have also seen greater demand for brown shades. Furthermore, Vesting also has the Nazir Collection: a wax oil in the colours pearl, gold, and silver. The use of aluminium colours gives the floor an extra degree of ‘sparkle’. This results in an extra-luxury look. Since these oils can also be used as a top coat, they can be combined with other colour oils from Vesting. The standard packet from Vesting consists of 19 different colours plus natural transparent. Obviously, combinations mean there is a much greater range of colours. Moreover, Vesting offers the unique option of producing colours on demand. And so, clients can develop their own unique and custom-made colours.

Floor Forum International 83

Special

Laminate floors : part I

OLD FITTING PATTERNS FOR LAMINATE PRODUCERS DRAW CREATIVE INSPIRATION FROM THE PAST

Photo – Berry Alloc®

Laminate has always been a copy of ‘something’. Whether we’re talking about imitations of wooden floors, natural stone, or something else, the decor is a photograph and, of course, you can take a photograph of anything! And so, it is perfectly possible to imitate wood sorts, selections, and shades, or even compositions. And there’s more! To give laminate even more decorative options, makers are reaching for old fitting patterns from parquet and wooden floors. Not just planks any more! There are now also strips which can be fitted in herringbone, Hungarian point, or tile shape. Why not?

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The magic of parquet Parquet and wooden floors in general have the great asset of fitting into any setting. Obviously, a wooden floor often seems a logical choice in classic interiors, but even in rigid and modern settings wood adds that extra dimension. As for building plans, there are similarly no limits in fitting parquet. In residential dwellings, offices, public spaces, and even in airports, project managers are increasingly choosing the noblest of all floors. Let’s be honest, wooden floors always have something ‘exclusive’ about them. Whenever we enter a room, they usually attract us with their warm, homely, and stylish look. In that respect a wooden floor is never ‘ordinary’. Within the wooden floor range, you certainly have lots

of variety, partly depending on the wood used. Oak commands a certain respect, but a parquet or wooden floor in wenge also gives you a wow effect. Then, there’s the distinction between solid wood and multi-layer, between floating and glued, and between lacquered or oiled. However, apart from the wood type, the most visible difference between different parquet floors is still the fitting method: the pattern in which the strips are fitted dominates the look of the floor.

Inspiration for laminate producers Since laminate is a copy product, this obviously applies to everything we’ve already said. Anything can be copied and, therefore, also fitting patterns. This makes the world of laminate even more of a rival to real wooden floors with the big advantage of being completely ‘independent’ of the range of wood. Is parquet in wenge expensive? It certainly is, but, strictly speaking, laminate in wenge is no more expensive than laminate in pine. After all, a picture remains a picture. And so, it’s no surprise that style panels are emerging here as well. For some people these are the noblest of all parquet floors, but in laminate. Yes, it’s possible! Here, too, laminate makers draw inspiration from old fitting patterns. The exclusive element of these floors lies not only in the fact itself that we’re talking here about panels, but also, and especially, in the way in which those panels are being filled in i.e. the pattern within the pattern. Apart from style panels, it is possible to give parquet certain highlights via marquetry. Here, too, the possibilities are well nigh unlimited. From a simple border around the room to the inlay of a company logo, the sky’s the limit’.

Style panels in laminate Style panels are actually large wooden ‘tiles’ with an outer rim which, as it were, ‘frames’ the wooden floorboards in a certain fitting pattern. The solid wood sections are generally glued to each other sideways (solid wood 6 or 10mm), but, in recent years, these panels have also been emerging in multi-layer in which the solid wood pattern is glued onto a subfloor (multiplex). The design of these patterns in laminate brings us back to the art of photography and modern printing techniques. Just as a ceramic tile in laminate is a ‘photograph’, the same applies to the classic parquet patterns. As far as the preferred patterns are concerned, just about all producers have noticed the same trends, namely distressed panels and, especially, ‘old fitting patterns’.

Hungarian point and herringbone Hungarian point is one of the oldest parquet patterns. In the case of parquet floors this pattern is normally fitted ‘separately’, but can also be fitted in panel form. In this pattern the strips are fitted against each other in herringbone pattern at an angle of 30 to 45°. Sandpapering creates a subtle difference in colour to provide a three-dimensional effect. People sometimes confuse Hungarian point with herringbone. The latter, too, is a classic fitting pattern for parquet and this, too, can be the pattern for a panel design. The slats are fitted in herringbone bond, the upper sides directly against each other, to create a zigzag pattern. The following is a good way of remembering the difference between herringbone and Hungarian point: With the herringbone pattern, each strip is a geometrical right angle, whereas with Hungarian point, each strip is a parallelogram is (sawn mitred).

Versailles – the champion Versailles panel is the most popular panel without a shadow of a doubt. It appears in the ranges of various renowned laminate trademarks. Versailles panel looks like a diagonal interweaving framed by a square edge of parquet strips. Obviously, the name is derived from the magnificent palace of Louis XIV. In that palace the panels are exactly 1m² (100 x 100cm). Nowadays, Versailles panels are available in different

sizes and are adapted to the room in which they are fitted (see below). A laminate format that we encounter amongst some manufacturers is about 60 x 60cm with a cost price for the end user of about €40 per square metre. Another pattern which is also fitted in the palace is the Chantilly pattern. Chantilly is a somewhat intricate variant which consists of several small panels which also for man interweaving. In the castle this is fitted in panels, but it can also be stretched out over the entire floor width.

A selection from the market range Alsapan Flooring

Laminate now accounts for 18% of the entire flooring market. As far as Alsapan is concerned, this market reached full maturity a few years ago. Nevertheless, the market share has remained stable after the emergence of new products. Alsapan Flooring sells three products: a laminate range with over 60 decors in varying thicknesses, a vinyl range of 21 decors (wood or concrete), and parquet in eight designs. Since 2015, Alsapan has presented nine decors in herringbone and four in ladder shape. At the start of 2016, both types were doing very well with herringbone ahead. The most popular decors in laminate are still the natural wood shades or wood with a touch of grey.

Balterio At Balterio they have seen a rise in the market share of LVT in recent years. However, if we consider the EPLF laminate volume, we see that the number of m² of laminate sold in most Western European countries is virtually stable, apart from in Germany. In other words, in most countries laminate is now a fully fledged and stable floor category which most people know and appreciate. Balterio produces and sells only laminate floors. This one-category-product approach might appear to be a weakness, but is actually a strength, since Balterio profiles itself as ‘the specialist in laminate floors’. And so, it’s no surprise to hear that they also dare to produce exclusive decors. Herringbone, Hungarian point, Versailles, and such like are top quality parquet fitting methods which can be applied solely by professionals. And so, you see most of these patterns in high-quality, exclusive, and luxurious interiors. Copying such patterns in laminate is a real

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Special

Laminate floors : part I

(technical) challenge where designers must never lose sight of fitting comfort (in many cases laminate is fitted by buyers themselves)! Some laminate makers already offer these designs, but it is still a niche. The most popular decors at Balterio are oak and elm in a pale and natural look.

Chateau, herringbone laminate from Berry Alloc®

since January, all premium Meister laminate floors have been equipped with increased scratch-resistance and are also suitable for installation in damp rooms. Meister has a whole range of floors, including laminate floors (Classic and Premium), parquet floors, Nadura, Lindura, design floors (LVT), cork, and linoleum. The Meister laminate range doesn’t include herringbone floors since Meister believes that the target group which wants to buy those floors tend more towards buying the real product instead of laminate. The most popular decors here are mainly the timeless decors, which transcend trends.

Parcolys Flooring

The herringbone is a timeless classic. As a trendsetter, Beaulieu International Group offers the herring bone pattern in its Berry Alloc® laminate floors under the name the Chateau collection. Chateau combines the trusted innovation and easy installation of a Berry Alloc® laminate floor with the elegance of a herringbone pattern. Discover the eight attractive decors of the Chateau collection: Crete Oak, Pearl Grey Oak, Venice Oak, Wales Oak, White Chestnut, Teak, Merbau, and Honey Oak. The planks are 504 x 84mm and can be fitted in three different patterns, namely classic, ladder, and, of course, the herringbone. The herringbone pattern is a highly versatile fitting technique and can be used in just about any room. This pattern has been around for generations, but is now gaining in appreciation once again both in vintage and very trendy interiors. A Chateau floor brings any interior to life. The Chateau floor from Berry Alloc® gives any room a touch of extra elegance and style. Yet Berry Alloc® is much more than laminate alone. If you visit their web site www.berryalloc.com, you will discover their wide range of parquet, vinyl planks, and wall panels.

Meister

According to Meister, laminate in volumes is still the most important category of floor. Sales in square metres are still also relatively stable. The emergence of innovative floors such as Lindura, Nadura, and Silent Touch has resulted in a slight fall in the percentage of laminate’s market share for the benefit of Nadura Lindura and design floors (LVT). Meister laminate floors improve constantly in quality. For example,

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For Parcolys Flooring laminate retains a relatively constant market share. LVT is growing more than laminate is falling, so they told us. The reason has to lie in the fact that clients want more technical solutions (waterproof, slip-resistant, impermeable, etc.) which laminate doesn’t offer. Parcolys presents with Parcolux and Parcostone a hard LVT floor with high temperature resistance, greater impermeability, a better click connection, and anti-slip. Parcostone can also be glued onto a wall for decoration. Aquastep from Parcolys profiles itself against laminate as the only waterproof laminate. Special patterns such as herringbone and Hungarian point are a niche market, according to Parcolys.

Quick-Step Quick-Step offers laminate, multi-layer parquet, and luxury vinyl floors (planks and tiles). Laminate has infinite imitation options. Quick-Step concentrates on tile and plank decors under the motto ‘a trendy floor today, but a classic tomorrow’. And so, they follow trends at Quick-Step, but only those which they think will have a long lifespan. Quick-Step offers a Versailles tile in the Arte range. With this Arte range (and other ranges of tiles), they aim to offer consumers a full range, but these aren’t the best-sellers. The new and impressive waterproof laminate plank collection is doing very well and accounts for the lion’s share of laminate sales. The best-sellers in the Belux are the soft oak floors in this collection (three shades available: IM 1854, IM 1855, and IM 1856).

Special

Nanotechnology based lacquers and oils

NANOTECHNOLOGY IS HERE TO STAY THE PARQUET INDUSTRY ALSO BENEFITS FROM SCIENCE

Photo – Blanchon

It was about eight years ago that we first made reference in this journal to the advance of nanotechnology in the chemical industry. It became a seminal article which certainly didn’t leave the ‘sector’ unmoved and generated a considerable number of reactions. Since then, nanotechnology has gained a firm foothold in scores of fields which are constantly part of our daily lives. This advance has taken place under the watchful eyes of the governments concerned. They realised from the very beginning that this advance was unstoppable since nanotechnology offered such vast possibilities. High-tech parquet lacquer brings nanotechnology right into our homes.

Visit www.floor-forum.com

A reminder What’s it all about? Academically, it’s about the science and technology of matter on a minute scale. A nanometre is one billionth part of a metre. Here are some examples by way of illustration: a hair is 80,000nm thick, a red blood cell is about 7,000nm big, and a water molecule has a diameter of about 0.3nm. One possible definition of nanotechnology has been put suggested by Nano Ned, the national initiative for research and development of nanotechnology in the Netherlands: ‘Nanotechnology is the study of phenomena and the manipulation of materials on the scale of atoms, molecules, and supramolecular structures from 1 to 100nm.’

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Special

Nanotechnology based lacquers and oils

‘Invisible’ properties Major implications lurk behind this definition. Indeed, on this minuscule scale matter displays new properties which we just cannot see ‘on a larger scale’. In other words, nanotechnology makes it possible to develop materials and systems with new physical, chemical, and biological properties. Therefore, nanotechnology also denotes developments with huge potential.

The Engines of Creation The term nanotechnology was first used by Eric Drexlers in his book ‘The Engines of Creation: The Coming era of nanotechnology’. However, it was Professor Feynman who announced the start of the nano era in a now world famous lecture in 1959 when he said, ‘There’s plenty of room at the bottom.’ Feynman predicted that scientists would build highly powerful, but extremely small devices atom by atom. At present, numerous research projects are in progress where scientists are building devices and machines with nano building blocks.

Enabling technology It’s hard to demarcate nanotechnology for the precise reason that it constantly goes beyond the limits of scientific disciplines. That’s why nanotechnology is sometimes defined as an enabling technology, a technology which can be of service to different fields and sectors.

Europe keeps vigil The very first article in this journal in 2008 about nanotechnology did not go down well at all with some people. In hindsight we realise that their reactions were not without some justification. In particular, some people found it hard to bear the comparison with the ‘asbestos issue’. Nevertheless, the article at the time drew attention solely to the dangers of the ‘unknown’, because that was still largely the domain of nanotechnology in those days. It was sufficiently unknown to move scores of European agencies to take measures to warn researchers to work ‘circumspectly’ in this new, but undoubtedly ‘promising’ domain. In the report Expert Forecast on Emerging Chemical Risks, which was issued by 49 experts in Europe in 2008-09, nanoparticles were at the top of the list of substances against which workers had to be protected.

to monitor nanotechnology. The Commission has considered a number of REACH appendices for change and has encouraged the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) to develop guidelines further for registrations after 2013.

Nanotechnology in the lacquer industry Nano particles are appearing in the lacquer industry as extra ingredients which can give lacquers new properties in a marvellous way. Nanotechnology has brought about a real revolution in this industry.

Ingredients of lacquer Paints and lacquers consist as a rule of three ingredients. A binding agent is necessary to ensure that the paint hardens after it is applied. A solvent is necessary to keep the paint fluid and to make it possible to spread it over the surface to be painted. Finally, dyes are added to determine the colour and/or texture of the paint. Dyes are small grains of solid matter. Nano particles are added by the lacquer producer to improve the properties of paints, lacquers, and other coatings or to add new properties to these coatings.

‘Super-parquet-lacquer’? If we can use nanomaterials to change and improve the intrinsic properties of substances such as coatings, this could lead in the field of parquet lacquer to the creation of a sort of ‘super-finish’, which is completely scratch resistant and durable. This would be the dawn of a new era for parquet traders, and that era has started! Already, we have seen parquet industry lacquers ‘improved’ by nanotechnology. Are these the first signs of a ‘major breakthrough’?

What’s on the market? Adesiv

Caution commanded In April 2009, the European Parliament was still calling for further agreements for drawing up new legislation on the use of nanomaterials. It was decided at that time to make extra funds available for research into areas such as the risks of nanotechnology. A ‘duty of caution’ was imposed on all makers of nanomaterials. The European Commission was (and is) of the opinion that nanoscience and nanotechnology offered (offer) huge potential for social progress and job creation. And so, it is important to deepen our knowledge and the implications regarding these developments. Drawing up and applying suitable safety measures to protect the public and employees have become a pressing need in view of this essential and rapidly growing branch on the shop floor.

Measures In this context, amongst other things, the European Commission has introduced a nanotechnology action plan, launched a web portal, and drawn up a code of conduct for research. In 2013, the European Commission ruled that REACH, which is involved in the global management of chemical substances, was the best organ

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Adesiv presents the waterborne dual component lacquer ICE, which is highly durable. Moreover, it preserves the colour of the wood perfectly and is easy to apply. ICE can be used directly on a well prepared wooden substrate. Two coats give you a light gloss finish. This lacquer has a very low VOC content. The moisture in the wood should be between 8 and 12% for application, the temperature between 15 and 25°C, and the air humidity no more than 75%. It’s best to let the product adapt to the surrounding temperature. Under normal conditions the second coat can be applied 12 hours after the first coat has been sandpapered with grain 220.

Blanchon

Lecol

The benefits of nanotechnology are that it is possible (through the use of tiny particles) to obtain exceptional properties as regards durability and resistance in a varnish or paint. The fairly high cost price and scores of questions about possible (still unknown) dangers prompt Blanchon to extreme caution, certainly with applications on site where physical contact cannot be ruled out. Blanchon also uses nanotechnology in very specific industrial applications where the necessary protective measures can be guaranteed for the operators.

Lecol has a complete finish lacquering system under the LOBADUR® trademark. The system consists of a primer and a number of finish lacquers. There’s something for everyone. With the LOBADUR® lacquers you work 100% streak-free and get the best lacquered floor! LOBADUR® 2K Supra A.T. is a dual component (semi) matt waterborne lacquer based for 100% on polyurethane reinforced with ceramic particles. This lacquer has an extremely high durability, great elasticity, and outstanding chemical resistance. LOBADUR® 2K Supra A.T. is a lacquer which retains the natural colour of the wood and puts less strain on the environment. This lacquer is easy to apply.

heywood VLOEREN

Bespoke Hardwood Flooring

Antique Herringbone ‘Aconcagua’

DUTCH DESIGN Wide Plank

www.heywoodvloeren.com

The Netherlands

+31(0) 412 657 428 Floor Forum International 83

Advertorial

Chimiver Panseri S.p.A. (IT)

CHIMIVER STARTS WITH SUCCESS ON THE CHINESE MARKET SPORTS ARENA IN HANGZHOU HAS A WALNUT SPORTS FLOOR WITH CHIMIVER SPORTS LACQUER AND PAINT

After a few years of sound market research, Chimiver has recently entered into partnership with Shanghai Chimiver Trading Co in order to develop its activities on the Chinese market. Initial sales have been outstanding and, moreover, people in China have lauded the Italian parquet chemical maker for the quality of its products. This guaranteed quality was precisely why Chimiver technology was selected for the construction of a sports floor for the World Hoops Challenge basketball competition.

Sports floors to meet all quality demands

To be precise, we are talking here about a sports floor with a surface area of 800mÂ˛ in Asian walnut wood for a sports stadium in the Eastern Chinese metropolis of Hangzhou. The project included the entire Chimiver sports floor range: primer, finish, and line marking paint.

ECOPRIME 2K SPORT primer

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These sports floors meet the specific EN 14904: 2006 standard and the DIN 18032 standard for sports floors. This also ensures compliance with all requirements of international sports federations in areas such as grip, bounce of the ball, shock absorption, and rolling load. Another important factor was that Chimiver had a certificate of durability. Specifically, this meant a coating with a thickness of 20Âľ and a floor evenness with a deviation of under 5mm over a distance of 2 metres.

First of all, the walnut sports floor was given a coat of primer specially for sports floors, namely the ECOPRIME 2K SPORT. This is a waterborne 2K primer with a high solid content which guarantees excellent coverage. This means it is possible to fill the wood pores completely with one

coat. The subsequent required intermediate sanding is then very easy and the primer has already given the wood an attractive shade.

ECOSTAR 2K sports lacquer with an effective anti-slip effect

That was followed by two coat of ECOSTAR 2K sports lacquer. This waterborne polyurethane lacquer has the same unique qualities as the standard Chimiver ECOSTAR 2K, but is adapted to guarantee that the sports floor meets the strictest standard requirements for sports floors, among which we remind friction, vertical deformation, shock absorption, and easily meets the European standard EN14904:2006, which is also in force in China.

ECOSTAR Line Colours Obviously, a sports hall floor also needs coloured lines and zones which delineate the court and the specific areas. To that end, Chimiver has developed Ecostar Line Colours. This is a single component waterborne polyurethane paint, which can be supplied in any RAL colour. The choice is diverse and the paint colours can also be mixed with each other to obtain specific colours as required. More information on www.chimiver.com

Chimiver: growth through innovation and export Chimiver is based in Pontida (Northern Italy) and has operated for over 50 years in the development and production of chemistry for the wooden floor sector and in the latest years as also approached with excellent results also different sector like adhesive for resilient and lacquers for resin treatments. The range is extensive and varied, but always of high quality. Last year, the company opened a completely new lacquer production plant with an average daily production capacity of 10.000 lts. Export is becoming increasingly important for Chimiver, aiming to 50% of its turnover this year. Apart from Europe, Russia and Turkey, Chimiver is very active in overseas markets like China, Middle East, central and south American markets.

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Advertorial

EPLF (DE)

PLENTY OF ROOM FOR GROWTH Giving the headline “Plenty of room for growth...” to an article about future prospects for laminate floors seems like the proverbial ‘whistling in the dark’. Hasn’t the EPLF recently been reporting at its press conferences that global sales volumes have been growing quite moderate only, for example experts report only plus 3% for the whole period from 2010 to 2015? And sometimes playing it down with a comment about laminate being substituted by MMF (LVT) flooring with a higher price tag, which is frequently made or marketed by the same companies as classic laminates? This is only one side of the coin, however, because the fact is that out of the world market volume of 943 million m² of conventional laminate flooring in 2015, approx. 25% (i.e. 236 million m², export 72%) was manufactured in Germany – just 10 million m² less than China, which is in number one position globally with a market share of around 26%. Taking a look at China with its slim lead on the global market: the relationship between domestic consumption and export presents itself very differently from what we would normally assume about Chinese products, and from what we have recently learned about laminates from Germany: of the 246 million m² produced in China in 2015, 45 million m² were exported, i.e. just 18%, of which 20 million m² went to North America and 12 million m² to Russia. Around 200 million m² of domestic production remained in the country. What is significant for Chinese manufacturers is that 2016 counts as Year One after the Lumber Liquidators scandal, a timber dealer with

representation across the whole of the USA. In a consumer tv broadcast, Lumber Liquidators were accused of selling low-end flooring from China found to have formaldehyde concentrations way above the permissible level. Presumably it was the result of a chummy partnership between purchasers and irresponsible producers in China that led to this worst-case in China’s key export market. Accounting for almost 10% of Chinese production, the American market abruptly collapsed. The ‘secret’ of the European market leadership appears to be based on three significant elements: continuous innovation, sustainability without compromises, and a clearly-defined market structure with compatible corporate strategies. Let’s start with the latter: the distribution of the major laminate flooring markets in Europe are split in equal parts between the DIY market and trade channels which supply to skilled craftsmen. The key EPLF member companies tend to fall into one of these two segments, where they have individually developed consistent, comprehensive brand and marketing concepts. Clear messages prevent loss of company profile, so customers can make sound choices to suit their individual preferences. About 30 years of history of laminate flooring has meant a never-ending sequence of innovations: surface wear resistance, installation technology, dimensions, decor and texture creativity, acoustic design, understanding flooring as a complete system made up of covering, underlay and peripherals – and now discovering new horizons with digital printing, which will potentially have implications even to business models.

Laminate Floorings: Global Market 2015 Regional Production and selected Countries (mil. m²)

Statistics EPLF and Munksjö Germany Holding GmbH

TOP 5 Countries Market share: 77%

943 mil. m² Americas 11%%

Europe 60%

Asia 29%

Turkey 10% Germany 25%

USA 9%

Russian Fed. 6%

Global Production 2010 935 mil. m²

Belgium 4%

Americas 10% Europe 60%

Asia 30%

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China 26%

Austria 4% Poland 4% Others 10%

Switzerland 2%

▲

Global Production 2015:

Charts Fig. 1: Global Market 2015: Regional Production and selected Countries (Source: EPLF)

The third element is the commitment to sustainability. In 1996, just two years after the founding of the EPLF Association, it was deemed advisable to arrange for a technical position paper in which the diverse positive interdependency between laminate flooring and the environment was laid down. From the manufacturing process to the living environment and finally recycling, this was the goal and the route map likewise. When the first laminate flooring standard EN 13329 was published in 2000, the overall complexity of the product became clear. In 2004 a major research study on eco-efficiency including a life-cycle analysis was carried out. This became a guideline for companies to be used in their own research and development. In collaboration with IBU of Germany the EPLF developed generic EPDs (environmental product declarations) for the first time in 2009, verifying the sustainability of European-produced laminates. Laminate floor coverings are suitable for fitting out the interior of new buildings as well as for renovating worn-out floors of all types. Laminate flooring complying with quality standards is always a good solution representing outstanding value for money, making it particularly suitable for the mass market. They are not fixed in terms of style as they are camouflaging themselves nearly without limits – whether as wood reproductions, with stone effects, as plain designs or creative decors. Despite this, market results vary so much, market penetration divides the world. In this context, analyzing the annual consumption of laminate flooring per capita for individual national markets proves to be an interesting exercise. The front-runner here is Turkey with 1.26 m² per capita, followed by the Netherlands with 1.18 m² (the Netherlands is the market from which is always reported that the substitution of laminates by MMF/LVT floorings is already happening on a large scale!). Germany follows behind in the 0.8 to 0.5 m² category with 0.84, Canada 0.83, Poland 0.75, Sweden and France both 0.57, and the Russian Federation with 0.49 m² per capita. The USA follows behind with 0.36 m² – around half of Canada! How do

these two markets explain this? Spain is actually no surprise with its 0.31 m², because it is always described as a stone or ceramics market due to the climate. Yet a comparison of the climate zone on the Iberian Peninsula with that of Turkey throws up remarkable similarities! What about China? Per capita consumption here lies at 0.15 m². This means that China and the most intensive market in this selection differ by a factor of times 8.4! The gap in prosperity as a justification for this doesn’t hold water. The real GDP 2016 per capita in Turkey is 9,260 USD; in China it is 8,240 USD, i.e. a mere 12% difference in Turkey’s favor. At a recent forum in Shanghai the production of ceramic tiles in China was mentioned accounting for 9.5 billion m² per year (against a consumption of 207 mil. m² of laminate flooring in China in 2015). A cross-check confirms that this may well be the case, although only a proportion of this figure relates to floor tiles. Be that as it may, China has plenty of potential for hard floor coverings. Based on the growth of high-quality imports from Europe to China our hypothesis is that it comes down to the strategy of the Chinese laminate flooring producers! The ‘Rest of the World’ also seems to have considerable growth potential, however. Now that the political sanctions with Iran have been abolished, a new market with a population of almost 80 million people is ready to be entered. How penetration of each market and distribution channel can be increased according to the individual supplier is down to these export-oriented companies themselves. But the figures calculated suggest that with regional sales of laminate flooring alongside the macro-economic framework conditions of each country, it is less a case of how consumers are ‘programmed’ (tradition, climate, taste) and more a case of how appealing laminate flooring can be made for them. The European laminate flooring industry can be proud of what it has achieved so far and the experiences of its successful markets should continue to convey the same positive, productive and aggressive approach.

Laminate Floorings: Global Market 2015 Market Penetration in selected Countries (Consumption in m²/per capita)

Statistics EPLF and Munksjö Germany Holding GmbH 250

1,40 1,26

Per-Capita-Consumption in m²/p.a. 0,84

150

1,00

0,83

0,80

0,75 0,57

100

0,57

0,60

207 0,49

0,40

0,36

117

100

0,20

68 20

0,31

5,6

COUNTRIES

0,15

▲

Sales in mil. m² in 2015

1,20

Sales mil. m² in 2015

Per-capita Consumption in m²/p.a.

1,18

200

0,00

Fig. 2: Global Market 2015: Market Penetration in selected countries (Source: EPLF)

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Special

LVT, PVC and vinyl floors for the project market

FLEXIBLE FLOOR COVERING DISCOVERS ‘DESIGN’ OLD FITTING PATTERNS ARE CATCHING ON HERE, TOO

Photo – mFLOR Belgium = YEPP

Laminate is a rare product group where ‘copy/imitation’ is an art. Elsewhere in this edition we show how makers are using old parquet patterns and panel floors, where proper imitation is ‘a matter of honour’. We see similar scenarios in flexible floors with vinyl, PVC, and linoleum. Here, too, floor decors are often derived from ‘something’ else, and design floors are made to ‘complete’ the range.

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Love of wood - irrepressible What is it about that incessant yearning for wood indoors? If wood really were used for everything in interior design and decoration and everything that looks like wood, there probably wouldn’t be any trees left in the forest. People generally attribute this to the preference for ‘natural’ materials, but I think that’s nonsense. It’s the look and decorative force of wood and the vast range of sorts, designs, and colours

which attract project managers. Furthermore, if, for any reason, they can’t or won’t use ‘real’ wood, they take something akin, but it must look like wood. The huge span covered by laminate in recent decades is solid proof of that. Agreed, we also see laminate in other decors, but wood still plays the lead role and, to equate even more closely to the real wood market, imitation oak is top of the range. Where’s all that ‘ceramic parquet’ suddenly come from? Well, they may use a name which is strictly regulated (and rightly so), but the idea is clear: to create a floor with the intrinsic benefits of ceramic tiles and the ‘look’ of wood. Flexible floor makers are doing the same thing. Once they see trends on the wood market, they measure them to the millimetre to imitate any type and shape to include them in their range. They are likely to ‘invent’ ‘ceramic Versailles tiles’ very soon, aren’t they?

‘Flexible’ imitation The bathroom wall covering in my first ‘student flat’ in Leuven seemed at first sight to be nicely tiled with attractive, but ultra-classic Villeroy-Bosch-like tiles (10 x 10cm) with a neat pink pattern of (yes!) a bouquet of flowers. The tiles looked uneven since the bouquet was upright in some places and on its side in others. An eagle eye soon noticed that the actual bouquets were identical. It might have been a vinyl or linoleum wall, but that’s an aside. In those days, many floors in hospitals, schools, and public buildings resembled glowing marble floors. We’ll call the linoleum of those days ‘Marmoleum’ for convenience, since that brand has become a ‘concept’. Like wallpaper, those floors endured lengthy stagnation. People felt those floors lacked inspiration, had limited decors, and were rather antiquated. Wood was all the rage, the laminate sector soon cashed in, and other floors suffered as a result. This is now the age of ‘fully equal treatment’. Everyone sells everything and sometimes that means the same producers in seemingly different product categories. Talk of complementary!

The assortment is growing The renaissance of vinyl, PVC, and linoleum and the emergence of LVT (luxury vinyl tiles) and LVP (luxury vinyl planks) have given parquet floor fitters a nice opportunity to extend their range of services even more. The end goal is simple: To put together an assortment so that floor fitters can meet all imaginable requests and combinations of requests. There is no doubt that extending one’s range to offer flexible floor coverings is a good thing. Let’s define them all briefly.

Vinyl A vinyl floor is a springy synthetic (PVC) floor with various layers: the underlay/back, a protective fibreglass layer, the pattern, and the top layer. The durability of vinyl rests on the top layer density and the base structure solidarity. An extra protective layer raises scratch-resistance and durability.

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

Linoleum Linoleum is virtually a 100% natural product. Raw materials include linseed oil, wood flour, limestone, and jute. A linoleum floor can be fitted onto just about any subfloor which is sufficiently flat and strong. Floors with a marble decor are called Marmoleum.

Tiles are there! Vinyl, PVC, and linoleum were already extremely popular on the project market. By appearing in the form of tiles (LVT) or planks (LVP) with a click system, they have all the potential to make strides on the private market.

‘Old patterns’ here, too Whilst the first moves by these floors towards wood imitation consisted mainly of planks or strips, and often in an oak design, this soon extended to other sorts and colours. The look was there, whilst the feel soon followed by creating effective wood grains in relief. Old fitting patterns are now emerging here as well. The main ‘three’ (herringbone, Hungarian point, and Versailles) are outlined elsewhere in this edition. Apart from the ‘pattern’, which in no way limits makers, these floors have the huge asset of their minimal thickness, so they are absolutely ideal for renovation projects.

What’s on the market? Gerflor Benelux The market share of LVT and PVC is growing all the time. Home owners are making more and more space for LVT and PVC floors thanks to the strong properties of vinyl when it comes to comfortable walking, low maintenance, and faithful designs in wood or mineral print. LVT is usually chosen for projects for the thickness of the transparent top layer on the design. There are diverse qualities available for both the residential and commercial markets. LVT is used in lots of segments where there is a need for a particular look. Demand for these floors is on the increase, especially in the retail and hospitality sectors. Gerflor Benelux offers more than 300 designs within its range of Luxury Vinyl floors, including classic decors. The different fitting methods are a strong asset. These include glueing, a click version, or a version with a coat of adhesive integrated into the backing.

Meister Meister design floors (LVT) are clearly increasing their market share as compared to other floor categories. In particular, the Catega Flex long design floors of 2.05m with integrated click system are doing well on the market. These floors are silent, can be installed quickly, and, moreover, do not contain any PVC, so there are no phthalates. This health argument is becoming more and more important for fitting in public buildings such as hospitals or care homes. Furthermore, they are also often used as trade fair floors or for hotels or restaurants. Meister doesn’t offer any classic decors from parquet markets such as Hungarian point or herringbone or panel floors such as Versailles.

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Special

LVT, PVC and vinyl floors for the project market

Meister design floors can be fitted by floor fitters, contractors, or parquet specialists.

mFLOR Belgium = YEPP YEPP Belgium presents the ‘mFLOR’. Due to their many specific qualities, LVT and PVC floors from mFLOR can be used perfectly well in just about all sectors. In the course of the years, these floors have developed increasingly into a new category within floor covering with countless features which other floors cannot match. And so, they are perfectly suitable not only for domestic use (retail), but certainly also within the commercial world for both new construction and renovation. All mFLOR floors easily meet the strictest standards in terms of the environment, hygiene, and emissions. A floor from mFLOR isn’t really finished until it has also been fitted correctly. In other words, it is important that the floor fitter has sufficient expertise to fit an LVT floor properly. To this end, mFLOR, in collaboration with a number of adhesive makers, organises the necessary training courses. These courses are certainly not a luxury since fitting an LVT floor requires a number of specific skills such as substrate preparation, correct glueing, etc. mFLOR Parva Parquet offers maximum creative freedom in design floors. The unique size of 22.86 x 7.62cm offers endless fitting possibilities. Think, for example, of traditional herringbone pattern, zig-zag pattern, and many other options. With Parva Parquet, which is available in six attractive colours, everyone can create a floor to go with their own unique design and identity.

Parcolys Flooring According to Parcolys, figures for design floors are still less than a third of those for laminate as regards square metres delivered. However, prices are a lot higher, so they assume that the share of turnover must be somewhat higher. In the case of Parcolys they have noticed that a hype in LVT and PVC floors. The teething problems of vinyl are gradually disappearing and DIY players are certainly taking full advantage of this market. Parcolux, Parcostone, and Parcozen are three solutions

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used mainly on the project market. The benefits are: waterproof, anti-slip, thermal stability, long lifespan, and easy cleaning. Aquastep is a product which tends to be used more on the housing market for bathrooms and kitchens. Parcolys is fitted mostly in hotels, restaurants, and shops with the ‘Parco’ series, especially in renovation. They don’t offer any classic patterns here. These floors can be fitted by contractors, floor fitters, or parquet specialists.

Pergo/Unilin

With the Pergo trademark, UNILIN concentrates mainly on the project market, where the ‘performance’ of the product takes centre stage. Pergo offers luxury vinyl planks and tiles which are suitable for all sorts of commercial applications. These types of project floors are exceptionally durable and capable of withstanding heavy commercial use and they require little maintenance. Moreover, thanks to the wood, leather, or slate look, they are also exceptionally elegant. All Pergo project vinyl is available in two classes of quality: class 32 Premium and class 33 Optimum. For commercial use they always recommend class 33. Vinyl floors in class 32 are suitable mainly for residential applications. Unilin doesn’t offer any classic decors, but the luxury vinyl planks which are glued can also be installed in various patterns such as herringbone. Pergo luxury vinyl planks and tiles have the look and feel of stone and wood , but they also combine that realistic look with the practical benefits of a Pergo luxury vinyl floor: They are watertight, low-maintenance, hygienic, acoustically comfortable, scratch-resistant, impact-resistant, and, moreover, easy to fit. Since the importance of a good fitter is so essential and is reflected in the floor, UNILIN has set up the ‘Academy for excellence in flooring’ with effective courses to train fitters and keep them up to date with new techniques.

Advertorial

Vesting - Heywood Vloeren (NL)

HEYWOOD VLOEREN IS THE FIRST TO ADOPT VESTING'S LED-DRYING OIL PARQUET LINE In March, Vesting presented a world first (EFWEX Ghent BE): a LED-drying oil for wooden floors. Heywood Vloeren immediately saw the great advantages of this revolutionary innovation and acted quickly: the first finish line with LED floor oil has since been installed at the global manufacturer of high-quality wooden floors in Oss.

negligible ozone emissions, the power costs are significantly lower in comparison to the classical UV drying system. This is because LED lamps use far less electricity.”

Ideal lamps LED lamps also have a much longer lifespan. “They can reach around 10,000 hours, sometimes even more,” explains Henk Smits. “For comparison: UV lamps only last 800 to 1,000 hours. Unlike UV lamps, LED lamps don't need to warm up before use, which also saves time during production.” Vesting expects that many more parquet manufacturers will switch to LED technology in the coming months.

Cold light limits production risks

Quick finish without major investment “The LED-drying oil offers us nothing but advantages, so we did not hesitate to make the move to this innovative technology. And the initial results are very promising,” says Haike van der Heijden, who co-runs Heywood Vloeren with his brother. “The new LED oil offers all the advantages of the well-known UV oils with none of the disadvantages: it hardens out just as quickly and protects the wood well. It is able to do this without the high power costs associated with UV-drying. What's more, it does not release any poisonous fumes, so you do not need a complex exhaust system!”

Henk Smits continues, “With UV drying, the wood is heated. With LED technology, the wood isn't heated while the floor panels are being dried. This prevents dozens of potential issues during production - many well-known and frequent problems such as roughening of the wood, discolouration, loss of glue adhesion and even combustion are now a thing of the past.” For further information in connection with this article please contact: Heywood Vloeren: tel +31(0)412 - 657 428 or via e-mail to info@heywoodvloeren.com Wasziederij De Vesting BV: tel+31 (0)493 496760 or via e-mail to info@vesting.nl

Ready for immediate shipping “Moreover, the first tests we ran showed we could create lovely floor finishes with the LED oil. The fact that the floorboards are ready for immediate shipping and can be sent for packaging as soon as the finish is applied was a strong argument for us to invest in this new technology. This allows us to adapt to customer demand more quickly while saving room in our production halls. With the oxidative oil, the parquet planks had to be laid out on a drying rack first,” says Haike van der Heijden.

“Lots of interest within the sector” Henk Smits at Vesting is delighted with Heywood Vloeren's choice of the LED-drying oil. “We have had lots of requests for information from the sector in the past few months. Many people are convinced of the LED oil's quality. What's more, the LED technology has a number of unique characteristics that make it an excellent investment. Besides the lack of poisonous fumes and

Floor Forum International 83

Special

Producers of silane adhesives

SILANE ADHESIVES – THE QUEST FOR BALANCE ADHESIVES DEVELOP IN A WORLD OF GREEN REGULATIONS

Photo – Pallmann

In recent decades, adhesive technology, and certainly parquet adhesive technology, has been almost constantly in motion. What makes parquet glue so special? All products and building materials have their own specific features which make them ‘stand out’. In the case of wood, one of those features is undoubtedly the moisture sensitivity of the material, which means that it is

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constantly swelling and shrinking as the surrounding humidity fluctuates. Parquet adhesives have been undergoing a quest for ‘ balance’ for years. A balance between hardness and elasticity, a balance between efficiency and ecology, a balance between functional and affordable. Silane adhesives have held their own perfectly in that quest.

How it all started Around the turn of the millennium, MS polymer adhesives and other silane parquet adhesives came fully under the spotlight in the parquet industry. The name MS polymer adhesives was reserved for glues which contained the polymer from the Japanese industrial chemical giant, Kaneka, which claimed an exclusive right (‘trademark right’) regarding the name. Adhesive producers were able to buy the polymer, an important ingredient (up to 30%) for certain glues, i.e. a sort of licence. However, MS polymer adhesives are not the only adhesives based on modified silanes. On the ground, we use the expression SMP technology, where SMP stands for Silyl Modified Polymers. MS Polymers stands for Polyethers Modified by Silanes. The silanes (silicon hydride) modified polymers consist of chemical reactive bondings which ensure that the polymer forms an elastic adhesive bonding when it comes into contact with air humidity. MS polymer adhesives were previously used in ship deck glueing. Their suitability for glueing parquet therefore seems guaranteed and, over 15 years ago, this spurred a number of adhesive makers to go further down that road. For the roots of these adhesives, we have to go back to the 1970s, when lots of Japanese makers did some research into ingredients for building ‘permanently elastic’ constructions in order to withstand the numerous earthquakes in Japan.

Elastic glueing The term ‘elastic glueing’ has been coined. What does it mean and what effect is it having on the development of glue technology?

Elasticity The elasticity of a material refers to the extent to which deforming it temporarily generates a counteracting force, so that it can return to its original shape after the cause of the deformation is removed. The mechanical force with which the material regains its original shape is called its ‘resilience’.

Elastic glueing Once the concept of elasticity is clear, the term ‘elastic glueing’ becomes more understandable. It is obvious that the glue has to handle the movements when wood expands and contracts due to changes in air humidity and so forth. As explained above, the elasticity of the glue has to ensure that the adhesive is able to return to its original shape when the wood does. The elasticity of an adhesive is, of course, determined by its formulation. The very fact that there is a variety of formulations is in turn the result of the very wide range of conditions that can be involved when wooden floors are glued (the type of wood, the kind of floor, air humidity, the substrate, etc.).

Hard or soft elasticity? The older types of solvent-based glues and dispersion adhesives are often referred to as ‘hard elastic’. This implies that these glues can withstand some brief forces of limited magnitude, but that they can deform permanently when the forces exerted are greater or last for longer. Hard elastic glues do their work perfectly well under reasonably ‘normal’ circumstances. If there is a substantial risk that the wood will shift a lot (e.g. large fluctuations in air humidity), we can use a ‘soft elastic’ glue to prevent the forces being exerted from having a direct effect on the subfloor, particularly the screed. The glue absorbs the movements of the wood and returns to its initial shape again every time afterwards. The disadvantage: an adhesive that is too elastic pretty much creates a ‘floating’ floor.

Balanced elasticity The original elastic adhesives that have come onto the market for the parquet floor industry over the last decade (MS polymers and

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other silane glues) have generally been too ‘soft’. Their adhesive strength has often been too low and they have not guaranteed a stable floor (particularly for solid, non-engineered floors). Those glues were not really suitable for some types of parquet (such as traditional parquet). Harder glues came to the fore, including silane glues. The terms ‘balanced elasticity’ and ‘calibrated elasticity’ are still fairly new. The term arose when producers started looking for a glue that combined the properties of hard and soft elastic adhesives, but without their disadvantages. These glues are also referred to as hybrids. A hybrid is a blend of various raw materials based on what is needed for the application, and the formulation is then developed with the best products for that specific application.

Producers go for quality and help the environment There has been cut-throat competition over recent years in the search for an ‘excellent’ solution to a sticky problem. Downward market pressure on prices is one reason why lower-quality ingredients have sometimes been used, and that, in turn, affected the environment and the health of the users.

Softeners The (excessive) use of softeners was under fire for a long time, for instance. Softeners are oily liquids which are added to plastics to make them more flexible. This vastly increases the range of applications that the plastics can be used for and it is possible to adjust their properties (the flexibility) to whatever degree is required. The key plastic that softening agents are added to is PVC. In addition, softeners are used in glues, sealants, varnishes, paints, inks, and cosmetics. The price pressure that prevailed on the adhesives market for a long time led to some manufacturers looking for cheaper formulations by adding softening agents. Not only are high levels of softeners bad for the quality of the adhesion, they can also migrate after the glue is in place, reacting with the applied finish. Finally, we also see that quite a number of the common softeners are being criticised from an ecological point of view. Banning softening agents is therefore one of the current challenges, both from the quality perspective and as an ecological objective.

Environmentally friendly and healthy MS polymers (polyethers modified by silanes) and silane-based glues have managed to combine both adhesive strength and the desired elasticity. The possibilities in terms of innovation do not stop there, either. New regulations in Germany, Belgium, and elsewhere on volatile organic compounds are now making these glues even more attractive. MS polymers are very much ready for it. Kaneka has recently carried out measurements for TVOC (total volatile organic compounds) and SVOC (semi-volatile organic compounds). For the TVOC, the emissions after 28 days were 6 micrograms/m³ (the limit in Belgium and Germany is 1,000 micrograms) and for the SVOC, the emissions were 5 micrograms/m³ (the limit in Belgium and Germany is 100 micrograms). In that context, it is far from insignificant that Kaneka recently started studies in Belgium, focusing on the European market. The company wants to develop the further potential here and in order to do so apparently wants to be positioned closer to the (European) market. Environmental factors play a key role in this. MS polymers also do not contain isocyanates, which therefore avoids skin problems for the users, for example. That implies not only that they do not leave marks on the hands, but also that any residues can be removed from the parquet with no problems. That last point is, of course, a trump card for glueing floors which are finished in the factory.

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Producers of silane adhesives

What’s on the market? Adesiv Adesiv presents two single component silane glues based on Kaneka’s MS polymer. WB Mono MS is a one-component adhesive specially for glueing prefabricated wooden floors onto concrete substrates or onto existing non-absorbent floors (marble, tiles, flagstones, wooden surfaces). For engineered floors, Adesiv recommends WB Mono MS-LE. WB Mono MS ‘Performance plus’ is seen as a ‘universal adhesive’. The two glues have different elasticities. WB Mono MS Performance plus is available in tubs of 15 kg.

Department BEST - Politecnico of Milan CCA Registration No. 201216); Sound Reduction (CSI Test Report No. 0056/DC/ACU/06); Heat conductivity (CSI Test Report No. 0020/DC/TTS/06). Unisil is available in buckets, sausages and cartridges. In addition to Unisil, Chimiver has also Adesiver Elastic which, as Unisil, is EC1 very low emissions certified adhesive. Both adhesives can contribute to the achievement of QI CREDIT 4.1 according to the parameters of the GEV dated 03 March 2009, because it meets the certification LEED protocol (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Devo®

Bostik ‘Silane’ (or ‘silanes’ to be more precise) is a broad concept. The term refers to a group of chemical compounds based on silicon. The functions of silanes can be wide-ranging. They can act as a kind of drying agent, as a type of adhesion improver, as a binder or as a primer. They are used in glues and sealants (both 1 and 2-component) based on silicones, polyurethanes, polysulphides and what are known as SMP systems (silyl modified polymers). From the Bostik range, we mention Parfix Classic and Elastic. Parfix Classic is in the middle ground between soft and elastic, making it usable in 95% of cases; including gluing underfloors.

Chimiver Chimiver offers Unisil, an adhesive based on MS technology. This flexible an elastic adhesive is a ready to use product. UNISIL is a prepolymer based, single-component adhesive with a silanic termination (MS technology), totally free of water, solvents, amines, tin, isocyanates and epoxy resins. It hardens with atmospheric humidity and becomes resistant to water, temperature and ageing in approx. 36-48 hours. Recommended for gluing prefinished parquet onto marble, grit, tiles, ceramic or marble-chip floor, etc. Also suitable for gluing parquet onto underfloor heating and cooling system. CERTIFICATES: EC1R; ATTESTATION CCAEnvironmentally Compatible Product (Certificate issued by

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Devo® silane and hybrid adhesives are suitable for all wood sorts. There are some types of adhesive which are designed specifically for multi-layer or for solid parquet. Devo® Glue MSP150, MSP200 and MSP250 are all silane or hybrid adhesives. Devo® Glue MSP 150 1C is a single-component and semi-elastic hybrid MS polymer adhesive, which doesn’t contain silicones or isocyanates, designed for multi-layer stabilised parquet, whilst Devo® Glue MSP 200 1C is a 1-component and soft-elastic MS polymer parquet adhesive, which doesn’t containa any silicones or isocyanates either. Devo® Glue MSP 250 1C is the best seller at Devomat Industries. This glue is suitable for glueing all sorts of wood, solid wood up to 20cm wide, and is recommended especially for fitting engineered parquet. The glue contains no water or VOC and spreads very easily. Devo® Glue MSP 250 is a hard-elastic adhesive (about 70 Shore) with high adhesive strength, it conforms to CSN EN 14293, and has the EC1-Plus (EC1-R) classification. Devo® Glue MSP250 is packed in bags of 5kg.

Henkel Laying parquet places high demands on the performance of the parquet fitter and on the quality of the product that is used. For pre-finished parquet, Thomsit presents P 675 Elast - high quality for a competitive price. P 685 Elast Universal, however, is more widely applicable and is suitable for solid parquet, among other things. P 695 Elast Universal Strong has pride of place and is suitable for all types of parquet. These three glues all offer the benefits of FLEXTEC™ technology, which Thomsit has developed in-house. Thomsit’s elastic adhesives absorb the movements in the parquet floor, permanently reducing the tensile stresses on the subfloor. They are also strong and flexible, adhering firmly to almost any substrate so that no sealant primer is needed. Apart from the costs, it also saves valuable drying time.

Lecol Wakol MS 230 is an MS polymer adhesive for complete gluing of multi-layer tongue and groove systems. Wakol MS 260 is a hard elastic parquet glue suitable for glueing mosaic parquet, laminates, 22mm parquet, multi-layer parquet, solid parquet (up to a maximum width of 18cm; oak up to a maximum width of 20cm), crosscut RE/WE, as well as flat cork floor coverings on absorbent and non-absorbent substrates. Wakol MS 260 is compliant with DIN EN 14293. Wakol MS 260 is suitable for a larger number of applications than other glues. For instance, the adhesive is also suitable for fitting distressed floors without the risk of the glue damaging the floor.

Pallmann Pallmann products, based on silane-terminated polyurethane products (STP), are used as the base for parquet adhesives and as sealing compounds. In terms of their composition and applications, they are very similar to 1-component polyurethane glues. These 1-component glues are cured by a reaction with moisture from the surroundings. When it is possible to choose between a one-component (1C) and a two-component (2C) system, the parquet fitter will generally prefer 1C products. Soft silane adhesives only transfer tensions from the wood to the substrate to a limited extent and permit expansion and shrinkage of the parquet. Hard or hard elastic silane glues offer greater certainty when a limited amount of resistance must be provided to expansions and shrinkage in the wood, while minimizing deformation of the parquet. The range of applications is greater than for soft silane adhesives. Pallmann presents the 1C STP parquet adhesive PALLMANN P5, a hard elastic solvent-free and anhydrous parquet glue that is compliant with DIN EN 14293 for glueing parquet. This glue is suitable for parquet strips of 19 to 22 mm, engineered parquet of 16 to 22 mm, solid parquet and exotic wood species. The 1C STP adhesive combines powerful elasticity with the benefits of modern STP technology. Solvent-free and anhydrous, making it extremely easy to use and with no harmful effects on the parquet. PALLMANN P6 is the hard elastic 1C STP glue for the next generation.

Rectavit Rectavit presents Rectavit 255 Fibre Tech. This parquet glue is one of Rectavitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brand-new generation of adhesives. Fibre Tech technology yields a substantially stronger glue that builds up its adhesive strength more quickly. You can walk on the parquet after just 3 hours and the glue can be sanded after 16 hours. Rectavit 255 Fibre Tech can be used for gluing all the usual sorts of parquet and wood types directly onto cement-bonded or anhydrite screed, mosaic subfloor, egaline, or

even onto a tiled floor. Floor heating is no problem at all. This easy-to-spread parquet adhesive can also be used for glueing bamboo. In addition, the width of the planks can range up to 25cm for semi-solid or multi-layer, and up to 19cm for solid parquet.

Stauf There are two basic types of silane adhesives: SMP and SPU. SMP stands for silane-modified polymers. SPU is a further development of SMP, as silane terminated polymers, and comprises the two components polyurethane and silane. The difference between hard and soft silane adhesives lies mainly in the mechanical properties and strength of the substance, i.e. a hard adhesive has hard mechanical properties and high strength, where as elastic adhesives have soft mechanical properties and low strength. The strength of the adhesives is regulated by the international standard ISO 17178. STAUF offers a range of silane adhesives: SMP 950, SMP 930, SPU 570, SPU 555, whereby the STAUF MULTILAYER product is particularly elastic and the premium product SPU 570 is a hard-elastic adhesive.

Tover Tover silane adhesives: certified quality at European level. Tover chose Kaneka MS polymer technology for the production its silane adhesives. The excellent quality of Tovcol MS, its elasticity combined with a good strength, its low impact on Environment and high safety level for the user enabled to get the DIBt certification and A+ Attestation relative to low VOC emissions. This elastic adhesive is suitable for any wooden floor on any sub-floor and recommended on under-floor heating systems. It does not swell, has a long working time, a good adhesion on ceramics and metallic supports and is very easy to clean from prefinished parquet. Tovcol MS is available in bags or buckets and Sigil MS in cartridges and sausages for a gun application of the sealant inside and outside. Tover also offers now Tovcol MS Start for engineered floors of any size, species finished or not.

Floor Forum International 83

Special

Belt sanding machines

ENDLESS BELT SANDERS SANDING MACHINES FOR REAL EXPERTS

Photo – Alvaket

Belt sanders are designed for experienced parquet floor fitters. This is proved solely by the fact that there is a ‘ light’ version of these machines for non-specialists (read: DIY enthusiasts). After all, the heavy weight of professional ‘ belts’ means that a minor sanding error can cause serious damage. Innovations are aimed at convenience, ergonomics, and easy handling. Machine makers offer ‘stable’ machines

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to reduce the ‘pressure’ on users. Training with such machines is certainly not a luxury.

Fitting parquet - easy? Manufacturers involved in some way or other in the production of wooden floors are increasingly finding ways to make fitting easier. Chemical companies provide all sorts of fast-working and self-levelling

agents and repair kits so that fitters can ‘prepare’ the substrate for the fitting quickly and easily. Subfloors are being supplied for all purposes and, yes, they are easy to install. Floor makers, too, have made every effort in recent years to make fitting simpler. For fitting floating floors there are the click systems, which have been launched at lightning speed in recent years. They originated in the world of laminate and cork floors, gradually conquered the engineered floors sector, and are now being used increasingly for solid wood. Fitting a floating floor is becoming child’s play. Furthermore, these floors are also appearing fully finished, equipped with a durable coat of lacquer or treated with natural oil or hard wax in the factory. And so, it’s no longer even necessary to sandpaper or polish!

But there is also real parquet! Thankfully, not every parquet floor is pre-finished. There are still lots of clients who explicitly prefer a solid wood, traditionally fitted, parquet or wooden floor. Traditional fitting, too, has certainly become easier and safer thanks to scores of innovations. However, the quality of the finish still depends on the floor fitter’s expertise.

The first sandpapering Once the subfloor is glued, the first task is ‘rough sandpapering’. With traditional parquet the belt sander sandpapers the mosaic blocks until they are completely even. Endless belt sanders weigh up to a solid 80kg. That, together with the vast engine power, enables them to make an excellent job of sandpapering. And so, the power of the sandpapering comes partly from the weight of the machine.

Training Sanding machine manufacturers offer various training courses and demonstrations to help potential users master the different sandpapering techniques. The most experienced parquet floor fitters are only too eager to accept those offers, if only because every machine is different and because you can only learn to ‘handle’ a sanding machine through practice. No one underestimates the importance of sandpapering. If you don’t do it enough or if you do it with the wrong materials, you will taste the bitter fruits in the end result. If you do it too much, that means you’re diddling clients out of a ‘piece of solid wood’ for which they’ve paid a lot of money.

Sandpapering technique and technology Sandpapering techniques are outlined in theory, learnt in practice, and rounded off by experience. ‘Sandpapering technique’ lies in the floor fitter’s fingers, shoulders, and elbows. ‘Sandpapering technology’ is the contribution from the manufacturers to ‘relieve’ those fingers, shoulders, and elbows. Over the past 15 years, there have hardly been any ‘conceptual’ changes to most sanding machines. The innovations which have occurred relate to quality, control, and convenience.

The heaviest sanding machine The endless belt sander is the heaviest sanding machine from the range. The endless belt sander works on a rotating wheel base. A belt is stretched by two rollers, namely the cylinder and the upper roller. The difference in quality with these machines lies in the extent to which you can achieve a form of ‘mechanical perfection’. There can be no doubt that the various A-makes are comparable to each other in terms of quality. How do we recognise a top quality machine? An initial feature, as we have already said, is that all good machines weigh about 80kg. It must be possible to mount the sandpaper perfectly to prevent the machine from vibrating. Important features for user-comfort include the accessibility of the parts, the ease with which the roller is

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tightened, the method of removing and cleaning the suction ventilator, and, finally, the dismountability of the tool. The latter point is vital since it’s not so easy to transport a machine weighing 80kg. The accessibility of parts, especially those needed for cleaning, setting, and adjusting, should make the tool easier to use.

Maintenance is essential A good car has a longer lifespan if it is well maintained. Everyone knows that. The same applies to parquet sanding machines. The combination of dust and technology cries out for ‘daily maintenance’. It is absolutely essential to clean the suction ventilator and empty the dust bag regularly. Just as a vehicle needs a minor or major service from time to time, so, too, an endless belt sander needs maintenance. A major inspection/service takes place in the supplier’s workshop. The ball bearings are examined and replaced as necessary, as are the belts. The machine is cleaned thoroughly. Floor fitters must commit themselves seriously to observing the obligatory maintenance because the ‘state’ of the sanding machine affects more than just the quality of the work. A machine with a diminishing suction capacity or a defective dust bag could cause serious damage to newly painted walls and ceilings. Moreover, regular inspections of the tool are obligatory for safety reasons. A faulty machine can expose the user to serious risks.

A selection from the range Alvaket Alvaket takes the view that some machines are capable of carrying out just about all sandpapering work. Provided you have the right machine, with the right grain in steps, and the planks are not too bent, it is possible to carry out all sandpapering work using the Frank Spider or the Bona Flexisand, both with the satellite disc drive underneath. It will then merely be necessary to sandpaper the edges with the edge sander. In the field of belt sanders the Frank Cobra O9 is a fine example of innovation. This machine stands out from the earlier models and most other trademarks in various fields. The handle can be adjusted in height to prevent back complaints. A low-fitted powerful LED lamp highlights any sanding faults in good time. The dust back is now angular and no longer sticks out at the side of the machine. The voltage used is indicated on the ‘dashboard’ so that it is possible to adjust the (continuously adjustable) sanding pressure if the voltage in an older home is too low. The machine now has one driver belt to drive the ventilator and sanding drum instead of two V-belts. Benefits: less loss of capacity due to lower friction, faster mounting and dismounting, and less noise. The Cobra 09 is equipped with an automatic belt tightener. The motor is encased; that looks better, but the most important reason is that there is even less noise. The motor, the handle, and the dust tube can be dismantled much more quickly to make the machine lighter for transport between different levels (loading or unloading vehicle, working upstairs in a building without a lift, etc.) There are four wheels (two swivelling wheels at the rear) to

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Special

Belt sanding machines

make the machine more stable. The machine is also much easier to transport and is much more versatile during the operation. All machines are fitted with dust suction and/or can be connected to a fine dust suction machine.

Devomat Industries At Devomat the Deva research and development department is working on a number of new sanding machines, including the Deva Belt II endless belt sander, the Deva Handy II belt sander, and the Deva Easy II edge sander. These machines will be launched on the market in late summer 2016. Although the belt sander has been developed specially for ‘heavy’ work and is essential for a number of tasks, it is nevertheless possible to do some standard renovation tasks using solely the Devo® Master 3D. This speeds up the work and gives you a better quality finish. Dust suction is still another important point for attention here. Most Devo Machines have their own dust suction, but they can also be connected to the Devo Finedust for a dust-free operation. The Woodboy machine and the Devo Master 3D are already equipped as standard for connection to the Finedust. Devomat also pays a lot of attention to ‘ergonomics’. Obviously, parquet sanding machines are still heavy appliances. This is inevitable, since the output of a professional machine is in proportion to its weight. Nevertheless, Devomat tries to offset this as much as possible, for instance, by making machines which can be dismantled and by desinging carrier handles.

Overmat Overmat offers several machines for grinding and sanding of wooden floors. For example: the Woodboy® 4000/32-3. This rotating single disc machine is suitable for (fine) grinding and polishing of wooden floors, before applying the finishing layer oil or lacquer with the best result. All-in-one with the HTC 420 Overmat also offers grinding machines by the Swedish brand HTC. The HTC 420 is a compact and solid grinding machine with a high capacity. Due to the wide range of tools the machine is suitable for any wood grinding job. From floor preparation to fine polishing of the wooden floor. Therefore this machine is capable to do the work for a drum sander and rotating grinding machine all-in-one! Do you prefer working with a drum sander for the coarse work? Overmat offers you the right machine! Our high efficiency Frank grinding machines are known for their powerful motor and solid

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construction. Therefore they are perfect for professional use in grinding parquet and wooden floors.

Pallmann At Pallmann they certainly believe in the value of the belt sander, but they also see a worthy alternative in the Pallmann Spider. This is a powerful 3-disc sanding machine driven with a chain. It can do rough sandpapering as well as extremely light and fine work. It does all this quickly and accurately. As regards belt sanders, they sell the Pallmann Cobra. This machine combines the proven Frank technology with progressive technical and visual aspects. All machines can be connected to an external dust suction unit. For Pallmann it is clear that parquet traders look mainly at the functional aspects. Nevertheless, during the development of the appliances, they also pay a lot of attention to the design, but always starting with the functionality. A spokesperson comments: ‘Surely you prefer to park on your client’s drive with a delivery van which looks neat and professional?’ They also pay a lot of attention to ergonomics.

Repex REPEX is well aware that 80% of occupational diseases are caused by the exposure of machine users to toxic substances or complaints related to the muscles and bones. With this knowledge, REPEX has developed a new-generation sanding machine, namely the CYCLONE. The German association BG BAU and then the CRAM toxicological laboratory in France have taken measures against dust and have discovered sizes up to 0.5mg/m³ which have been inhaled. This result is related to the construction of the machine, which uses a built-in cyclone to separate the dust particles and make it impossible for the user to come into direct contact with those dust particles. If you compare the sanding machine to a vacuum cleaner, the Cyclone is: - two to three times more effective in separating dust particles; - the only machine which complies with French standards; - lighter in weight than 40kg. The machine is easy to transport since it can be dismantled into four parts within two minutes. The appliance is aesthetically and ergonomically responsible and the simple control of the handle ensures that all models are easy to operate.

∂ Industry news Bostik Voulez-vous coller avec moi? Indeed, the 103rd edition of the ‘Tour de France’ has, as always, been a very exciting competition. As ‘Official Sponsor’ of the ‘Tour de France’, Bostik was again present with a new slogan this year: 'Voulez-vous coller avec moi?’ The ‘Tour de France’ is one of the biggest sport events in the world. A unique and popular event that reunites 12 millions of admirers along the roads every summer. The race is broadcast to TV audiences in 190 countries and generates an estimated 3.5 billion views globally. As an official sponsor, Bostik had a number of exclusive privileges, with, a.o. 3 magnificent and attractive vehicles in the ‘Publicity Caravan’ and 1 sponsor vehicle. A series of marketing and promotional activities has taken place to coincide with the firm’s sponsorship of the race. Bostik had created its own unique cycling shirt that could be won in different ways (contest, Facebook, etc). The Tour de France attaches great value to effort, courage, determination and decisiveness, characteristics with which Bostik can perfectly identify.

CSP Engineering CSP Engineering has grown even more rapidly since the development of its new filler technology. Recently, they have invested in extra business space. This new accommodation gives them scope to extend the Research & Development department even more and welcome potential clients for demonstrations as well as for testing PAR Filler® on their own floorboards. This helps CSP to stress that a ‘personal and client-centred appraoch is still essential,’ according to manager Jan Peeters. For the first time in its history, CSP Engineering will also be present at the next Domotex.

Neuhofer Holz | Certifications & memberships Quality, reliability and sustainability in practice – at Neuhofer Holz Quality management system ISO 9001:2008 and Environmental

management system ISO 14001:2009 as well as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) certificates were successfully confirmed in June 2016. GREENGUARD certification & GREENGUARD GOLD certification – first received in June 2016 These certifications guarantee that a product meets the most rigorous and comprehensive requirements for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air. ALL products submitted by Neuhofer Holz have received this certification! UN Global Compact – first joined in June 2016 We have been a member of the “UN Global Compact” network since June 2016. We support the ten principles concerning human rights, labour, environment protection and anti-corruption as well as the sustainable development goals of the UN.

Soudal Vic Swerts receives prestigious honorary title at AMS. In the evening of Friday 24 June, as part of the Graduation Ceremony of the Executive Master’s degree in Innovation & Entrepreneurship of the Antwerp Management School, Vic Baron Swerts, founder and chairman of Soudal, received the title of Honorary Master in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. In his opening address, AMS dean Prof Dr Paul Matthyssens outlined the reason for this honorary title as follows: ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship are “key” for our society, and also for Antwerp Management School. Vic Swerts is an entrepreneur who has successfully put these ‘key’ elements into practice for five decades and has thereby made Soudal a top class player on the world stage.’ He concluded his address with a short film clip with testimonies by five prominent Flemings who explained why Vic Swerts deserved this title with reference to his life motto, ‘Dream, Devise, Dare, Do, and Deliver’. In his word of thanks, Vic Swerts added a sixth ‘D’ to his creed, with which he has led Soudal for 50 years: ‘Delighted with this award – thank you for this honour.’

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Special

Checking the screed

WORKING ON A GOOD SCREED – IT’S COMMON SENSE READING, RECORDING, AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIRING: TASKS TO PRECEDE THE MAIN WORK

Photo – Tramex

It goes without saying that you can’t glue a floor onto a sandy beach. That might sound like an extreme example, but in the case of a screed, whether new or existing, there is a real risk of the base onto which a wooden floor will be glued, generally or very locally, showing certain deficiencies and thereby posing a threat to a quality fitting. Any weakness in the screed, however local, will reflect in a deficiency in the glueing itself. And so, it is clear that before floor fitters start

Floor Forum International 83

on their noble task, they should first check properly to see if the substrate is ready. If only out of ‘self-preservation’.

Screed inspection: a logical step-by-step plan Glueing parquet essentially means anchoring wooden floor parts to the substrate either chemically or physically. This anchoring requires the right conditions. There are lots of faults which could obstruct the anchoring, over the entire floor or locally, or adversely affect the

anchoring quality so that certain problems emerge at once or in the long run. First of all, we have to know what sort of screed we’re talking about, since certain aspects differ with cement-bound or anhydrite screeds.

Anhydrite or cement The growing success of anhydrite screeds prompts us to highlight some of the differences for floor fitters. The differences start with the composition itself. A cement screed is a mixture of rough sand and cement. A solid cement covering floor (screed) consists of about 300320kg cement for each cubic metre of sand. Various screed suppliers use a computerised system to obtain the correct mixing ratio before the screed is mixed and pumped. An anhydrite screed is a covering floor based on gypsum. The mineral anhydrite is actually the dehydrated variant of gypsum. An anhydrite screed is also sometimes called a flow screed. Commonly used aggregates are natural anhydrite and alkaline silicates, quartz sand, and substances to improve the quality of the screed and make it fluid. This screed is absolutely level with a uniformly even grain structure. What do we have to take account of? Points for attention like flatness and uniformity, which are necessary with cement, are less important with anhydrite. The permitted ‘residual moisture content’ is lower with anhydrite than with cement.

or paint it is possible that the porosity may differ in patches. In that case it will be necessary to apply a primer.

Moisture content In this journal we have covered the permitted level of moisture content often enough. There are various tools for reading moisture content and they are based on various forms of moisture reading technology. Different chemical treatments can be deployed to safeguard the substrate. Solutions for glued floors can obviously also be deployed for floating floors, but the other way round is quite rare. The major solutions are undercoats (primers, usually PU-based) and epoxy screens. An epoxy moisture screen is still the best guarantee against surplus residual moisture.

Even, strong, and uniform Whether we are talking about a new construction or renovation, a screed is seldom 100% flat. With a new construction builders even allow tolerances of up to 7mm. However, if we are going to fit parquet, we really have to see a 2mm difference in level as the maximum. Levelling is the best solution for both floating and glued floors. A levelling subfloor is often enough with floating floors. Levelling is usually necessary for glueing vinyl or linoleum because any unevenness will invariably be reflected in the end result. The strength of the screed is also important for the quality of the glueing. With a new construction the composition of the screed plays a part (cement/sand), whilst with older screeds there may be visible signs of ageing and local ‘weaknesses’. The solution here often lies in a combination of a primer and a leveller. Moreover, for glueing wooden floors it is essential that the absorption capacity of the screed is the same everywhere. Otherwise, you get differences in the glue adhesion. In the case of old glue residue

Photo – Tramex

Floor Forum International 83

Special

Producers of skirting boards

ALL MATERIALS ARE USED FOR EDGE FINISHES SKIRTING BOARDS STILL HAVE AN IMPRESSIVE RANGE OF TYPES AND MATERIALS

Photo – Küberit

We can say without a doubt that the skirting board market is constantly in motion. Type and functionality change everything constantly for both (interior) decorative trends and sorts of material. Up and down! Today, high skirting boards are in favour, but tomorrow we’ll want low ones. Today, it can be on show, but tomorrow we’ll want it to blend modestly into nothing. As for the material for making skirting boards, it’s not a tale of ‘either/or’, but rather of ‘and, and, …’ Possibilities are legion!

version is called HDF (high density fibre). It is clear that HDF isn’t really necessary for making skirting boards since they don’t have to cope with much ‘force’. The range of MDF skirting boards in various designs is immense. Here are some examples of types: - Grounded (2X) in waterproof MDF and ready for painting; - Lacquered in an RAL colour (grounded + white lacquer); - Wrapped in foil: ready for immediate use or painting; - Wire skirting board: wrapped and ready for painting.

All raw materials welcome!

Solid wood or veneer

Just about anyone who produces ‘something’ from ‘one’ raw material, can, with a little creativity, design skirting boards. It’s no wonder that skirting boards are made from a vast quantity of materials all around us. Here we consider the most current and popular sorts of materials and skirting boards.

There are just as many types of solid wood skirting boards as there are wood sorts. Both native and exotic sorts are available, so there’s a suitable skirting board for any wooden floor. Obviously, the same applies to veneer skirting boards, which, strictly speaking, look exactly the same. The benefit of solid wood and veneer wooden floors is the even (possible) discolouration under sunlight.

Versatile MDF Medium density fibre or MDF is pressed board with a medium-hard thickness. MDF isn’t a trademark, but a generic name. The wood fibres are dried and bound to each other using resins. The stronger (harder)

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Aluminium and stainless steel Various skirting boards are also available in a somewhat more expensive segment in aluminium or stainless steel. There is also a vast range

of metal colours (e.g. bronze or silver). Aluminium skirting boards are the perfect finish for a modern interior. Aluminium is a fixed and light material which can be processed in several ways. It can be polished to look like a mirror, but it can also be sandblasted, for instance, to give it a matt look. If necessary, aluminium can also be lacquered or coated.

Pliable skirting boards Curves and arches are emerging increasingly in modern housing construction. Until recently, it was no easy job to give those arched walls a suitable edge finish. Nowadays, however, this is easy with flexible/ pliable skirting boards. Those skirting boards can be produced, for instance, in polyurethane foam. The height is often easy to adjust (via notches at the rear).

What’s on the market? Decruy Decruy believes that skirting boards should match the colour, scratch-resistance, and the waterproof nature of the floor as far as possible. Decruy is a specialist in making skirting boards and profiles from floor panels or floor slabs. High skirting boards could be back in fashion, depending on the type of interior. Decruy has developed a revolutionary technique to make skirting boards and profiles from

PVC skirting boards PVC is easy to process. The added benefit of PVC is that it doesn’t swell or shrink after fitting. It is also scratch and chip-resistant. PVC skirting boards are used a lot in rooms where floors are cleaned with voluminous material or rooms where hygiene is important. PVC is also completely waterproof.

Laminate skirting boards If laminate makers don’t do it themselves, skirting board makers will. Some of them make laminate skirting boards in such a multitude of colours that there’s an ideal skirting board for any floor. Yet there are also collections bound to a trademark, so they match the accompanying floor 100%.

DPL wooden panels. They also realise digital printing will surely gain in popularity since traders don’t want to have as many foils in stock, so order quantities are increasingly diminishing. Since Decruy makes skirting boards from the actual DPL panel, they can limit the minimum order quantity to the number of skirting boards per decor obtained from one panel. New at Decruy is the technique of making a 3-in-1 or

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Special

Producers of skirting boards

multifunctional profile from a DPL panel. This technique and the profile are licensed by the firm Decruy NV.

Depro Profiles Next year, Depro Profiles from West Flanders celebrates its 25th anniversary. Thanks to their years of experience, their range is also the most complete on the market: from white skirting boards which can be painted and skirting boards with a certain decor to adhesive skirting boards, hollow skirting boards, transferable skirting boards, and various floor accessories such as threshold profiles. Skirting boards are cased in diverse materials such as paper foil, laminate, vinyl, and veneer. Innovation is the driving force of Depro’s policy. They constantly assess and modify products and processes to ensure that they always have the best quality products on the market. Digital print technology provides a perfect match between floor and skirting board and yields customised client solutions every day. Depro is a reliable long-term partner which makes a priority of quality, client focus, and pro-active service. You can find more information on their extensive range on the web site www.depro-profiles.com.

Flamingo Parket Flamingo Parket doesn’t produce skirting boards and sells only one sort of modern skirting board in three sizes, namely 15 x 70, 15 x 90, and 15 x 120. Flamingo Parket have made this decision because they nevertheless want to offer a white skirting board and research has shown that most demand amongst clients is for modern skirting boards of 15 x 90 and 15 x 120. These skirting boards are made of waterproof MDF and are lacquered in RAL 9010. Flamingo Parket offers this at a highly attractive price and has already sold thousands of metres since its introduction. In 90% of cases they supply such a white MDF skirting board. The alternative is a solid oak wood skirting board. Most skirting boards are between 5 and 12cm high. If clients want solid wood skirting boards, Flamingo Parket supplies them in the same colour as the floor. They can do that with orders of one metre or more.

FN Neuhofer Holz For FN Neuhofer Holz skirting boards are once again becoming design elements. There are no limits to the decors thanks to digital printing. As regards dimensions, they believe in the motto ‘the shape follows the function’. At all events, the trend is now towards wider, simple, rigid, and cube-shaped. Obviously, Neuhofer Holz considers the rise of design floors, which are flexible, waterproof, and easy to maintain. Obviously, they also consider the more limited

Floor Forum International 83

thicknesses of the floors. The possibilities are endless as regards both materials (MDF or aluminium) and finishes (anodised alu or printed paper). Neuhofer Holz also provides skirting boards with a groove for the inlay of vinyl, for instance. Due to growing demand for short delivery times, customised skirting boards, and stock limitation, Neuhofer Holz is working on a method of producing neutral profiles, which appear as ‘standard’, but can be printed digitally. This also makes it possible to produce smaller orders. Neuhofer Holz also deploys 3D printing, not engraved but embossed. Generally speaking, digital printing for Neuhofer Holz is a pioneering form of technology which has opened up a world of (previously non-existent) possibilities. Another important innovation is FN Cut Pro, a skirting board which is equipped with grooves and can easily be cut down. Finally, FN white & pure is a skirting board in polystyrene foam which meets all the demands made of LVT. The skirting board is extremely light and waterproof.

Küberit Küberit makes skirting boards solely in aluminium and stainless steel. The aluminium skirting boards are often deployed where it is not possible to obtain skirting boards to match the floor. The best colour options are silver or stainless steel, also called ‘titan’. A height of 60mm is often requested for residential applications. For commercial projects, such as shopping centres, 100mm is more popular. They have noticed that skirting boards in the Middle East are usually higher (150 mm) due to the fact that walls are usually higher. Technical innovations from Küberit include clip systems for easy fitting, the option of hiding cables, and solid solutions for corners, with due regard for the reality that angles are never exactly 90°. At present, they are working on some solutions ‘not in existence’. At Küberit, too, digital print is becoming increasingly important. Personalised skirting boards are possible from 100 metres. The latest innovation is a skirting board of 60mm in stainless steel with inner and outer corners produced from the same material.

La San Marco Profili La San Marco Profili never regards trends as universal because they depend on too many factors. They have noticed, however, that trends relate closely to the prevailing floor trends, and that’s precisely the reason why La San Marco Profili follows them closely. They strive constantly for the perfect match. Here they have noticed mainly a combination of old and new. Higher skirting boards are definitely back in fashion, but with some innovative elements. Although they see the importance of digital print, they are nevertheless seeing more of a demand for ‘natural’ elements. The ‘groove’ in the collection The Venetians is an illustration of that. This collection stands out through a luxurious veneer in elm, walnut, and oak, which appear in their roughest form thanks to an innovative procedure. A modern

vintage look. Since the market demand is enormously wide and varied, La San Marco Profili offers an extensive range of standard products which are in stock.

Progress Profiles ‘Silver’ is the colour most in demand at Progress Profiles. At all events, metal skirting boards are in fashion and anodised skirting boards in aluminium or stainless steel are particularly popular. The sizes of the skirting board are purely a question of preference as regards design. A more modern design leads to a skirting board of 40mm high, whilst more classic interiors are usually given skirting boards from 80 to 100mm. Here, digital print is vitally important because it goes together with the huge ‘boom’ in vinyl floors. New at Progress Profiles is Cove Cap, a range of flexible and non-toxic vinyl profiles. This profile finishes an edge in an elegant (and protective) manner, in places where vinyl floor covering is fitted against the wall as a skirting board. The visible part of the profile is available in white, light grey, dark brown, and black. Another new item is the Proskirting 40, an anodised (silver) alu-profile with a height of 40mm. This is mainly geared to renovation. Finally, the Proskirting Flat & Channel skirting boards are still popular. These are extremely modern and at the same time trendy skirting boards.

Profilpas Skirting board Metal Line Minimalist details that make the difference Inspired by contemporary design, the range of skirting boards Metal Line represents the perfect relationship between functionality and elegance and is characterized by a minimalist and modern design that adapts to every housing need. The selection ranges from aluminium to stainless steel: two materials that give shape, colour and dimension to the space. Among the models of this range, it is worth citing Metal Line 90 in aluminium, characterized by a classic but very elegant line. Conversely,

the model Metal Line 89 stands out for its essential but not invasive line and for its square shape. In addition to the useful skirting boards for concealing cables, this range also includes elegant skirting boards flush with the wall for plaster and plasterboards that integrate with the wall thus creating a pleasant perception of continuity. For more style and design, Metal Line 89 is available in the I-Design version, characterized by modern colours and a beautiful satin finishing. In the end, we have to cite Prolight Metal Line 89 LED with LED technology for creating pleasant and original light effects.

Sotrinbois At Sotrinbois they have detected a number of trends in materials and styles. As for material, MDF gets high marks for its price/quality ratio. As for colour, the skirting board has to fit in with wall and/or door styles. Pre-coloured white is the favourite since it can be painted according to choice. As for styles, the trend is for higher and thicker skirting boards, sometimes with frames. In terms of technical innovations outstanding finish products are mentioned. Wire skirting boards in MDF are much appreciated. For Sotrinbois digital print offers no added value whatsoever for skirting boards, since it is only the accessories (floor thresholds and connecting elements) which have to be co-ordinated with the floor. They sell customised skirting boards in quantities of at least 500 linear metres. New at Sotrinbois is a wire skirting board, rough or painted in white. This makes it possible to insert wires, with both low voltage (< 48V) and high voltage (<220V), and provides an excellent solution for office design, for instance.

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Special

Wall cladding fastening systems

VENTILATION IS A CRUCIAL ASPECT OF WALL CLADDING INVISIBLE FASTENING SYSTEMS ARE ‘THE CHERRY ON TOP’

Photo – Silvadec

Wood is enjoying growing popularity as a building material. Obviously, that surprises no one. We’re all looking increasingly for durable and natural materials, and that fits in perfectly with our growing ecological concern. Wood is a renewable raw material and, since it comes from sustainably managed forests, we can sleep easily at night in that regard. Just as terrace wood has enjoyed a growing (renewed) interest in recent years, wall planks are gaining ground as a finish for the facade. Wooden terraces and wooden wall cladding have the element of ‘wood’ in common. However, some points for attention with the fitting differ considerably.

Basic rules for wall cladding Irrespective of the final fastening method for the wall cladding, there are a number of basic rules for the support structure and a number of special points for attention.

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The support structure The wall cladding is fastened onto horizontally or vertically fitted slats fastened to the support structure. Fit the lathwork, preferably in coniferous wood and reinforced with a preventive protective treatment (22 x 45mm; e.g. saturated wood with an ATG certificate), with intervals of no more than 40cm. With horizontal cladding, fastening lines are simply fitted vertically onto the wall. With vertical claddings, the regularity needs to be disrupted in certain places to provide ventilation. We’ll say more about the latter below.

The wood used Dimensional stability isn’t the most important criterion in choosing the type of wood. Nevertheless, it is advisable to use a wood sort which is highly stable. After all, hygrometric fluctuations in the wall cladding can cause the wood to swell and shrink considerably. Even with moderately stable wood sorts, you cannot exclude some distortions. To keep those

distortions to a minimum after the fitting, you are advised to dry the wood to an average of 17+1%. That figure is 15+1% with larch wood, whilst for afzelia doussie 25% is permitted during the execution. It is advisable to use only planks in quartered wood for places exposed to direct sunlight.

Seal membrane Two elements are vitally important for protecting the wood from moisture, namely the creation of an air cavity (see below) and the provision of a damp screen. The damp screen, which is obligatory with most types of fitting, has to be fitted all along the insulation on the side of the air cavity. The screen has to be watertight and airtight and must allow damp to pass through. The damp screen must have an md value (also called an sd value) of 0.5m. In the case of open wall cladding you should choose a damp screen which is resistant to UV rays, frost, and wind.

Nails Use stainless steel nails which are at least 45mm long and have a small head. Other sorts must not be used since they can oxidise and react badly to the natural preservative oils in cedar wood, for instance, and that leads to smudges. Fasten the wall plank onto each slat on the line i.e. fixtures every 40cm. Never use nails with no head. The BBRI has also taught us that the nails have to be at least two and a half times longer than the thickness of the boards. The nailing should be done cautiously. Nails knocked in too violently distort the wood, whereby it might split. Make sure that the heads of the nails or screws are exactly level with the wood surface, but no deeper; that would leave the job looking unfinished.

the wall cladding as regards air flow and speed as compared to single lathwork. Obviously, you have to provide a correct opening. And so the advantage is the guaranteed ventilation, whilst the drawback is the extra fitting time as compared to that of single lathwork.

Ventiwood® - simple and ingenious Lots of ingenious inventions are simple. This is no true of Ventiwood®. The rafters include a notch at regular intervals so that the rafter itself is ventilated. This not only gives excellent ventilation (> 100cm²/m), but also, moreover, it enables rapid fitting. The rafters are 33 x 60/41mm with a length of 3.60m.

Invisible fastening The technology which has been all the rage over the past decade for invisibly fastening terraces in wood or composite has now reached the wall. After all, the benefits are the same: faster fitting, no nails or screws in the wooden planks or boards, no splinters, a longer lifespan, and a much nicer result since there are no visible fastening tools. Although wooden wall cladding is subjected much less to mechanical stress (you don’t walk on it), several of those systems are also recommended in one go for terrace wood and wall cladding. The range on the market is growing. The important feature here is that invisible fastening systems are ‘only’ the ‘cherry on top’. In other words, if all the points for attention discussed above have been dealt with, the final fastening with an invisible system seems better than that with nails or screws. Nevertheless, in this debate the beauty is primarily on the inside. Without a good base, you can’t get durable wall cladding. adv. 92,5 x 136 mm:Opmaak 1

05-12-2014

09:45

Pagina 1

Ventiwood®: the ventilation solution (Outdoor Wood Concepts)

There’s a new wind blowing ‘through’ wood cladding. Outdoor Wood Concepts has launched a unique rafter which forms an excellent solution for the issue of ventilating closed vertical wall cladding. What’s the problem? Obviously, with vertical planks the support rafters run horizontally. And so, with continuous rafters there would hardly be any linking cavity behind the cladding, so the ventilation would be substandard or even non-existent. Strictly speaking, there are two solutions for providing a well ventilated cavity for closed vertical cladding to prevent mould. Outdoor Wood Concepts has added a third solution, which is also a time-saver. Let’s consider the possibilities.

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Single horizontal lathwork A simple and fairly quick solution is to fit horizontal lathwork (e.g. rafters of 22 x 45mm) with a number of disruptions so that air can flow upwards. This solution means less work than double lathwork, but there is also less guarantee of air flow than with double lathwork. Furthermore, you must not forget even a single disruption.

Double horizontal lathwork For fitting double horizontal lathwork, you start by fastening vertical lathwork. The horizontal slats are then fastened to the vertical lathwork. This design is preferable since there is better ventilation behind

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Special

Wall cladding fastening systems

A selection from the range Archi Wood

show due regard for the structure, damp, and ventilation. The B-Fix system will make the purchase cost more expensive, but, on the other hand, it will save huge amounts of time on the fitting. It also provides a much more attractive finish. B-Fix can be deployed for various materials.

Silvadec

HardWood Clip is the wooden terrace invisible fastening system developed by Archi Wood. The stainless steel fastening clip (in a high-quality synthetic casing) is applied to the grooves (on the side) of the floorboards and is screwed through the floorboards at an angle of 45° into the beams using self-drilling screws (SPAX in high-quality A2 stainless steel). SoftWood Clip is virtually the same fastening system as the HardWood Clip, but it is designed exclusively for thermo-wood or thermally treated wood sorts. The SoftWood Clip is available in two sizes (5 and 7mm). Both systems are also suitable for both vertical and horizontal fitting of exterior wall cladding. Specially for that purpose, Archi Wood has developed the DROP ™ profile, which, amongst other things, can prevent water or insects from seeping through and is adapted to the most common sorts of wood. The planks can be fitted quickly and there are no longer any visible screws or nails.

Silvadec continues to innovate, now with the ‘open strip atmosphere’. The wall profiles owe their special features to a new process in which the composite sections are ‘packed’ into a protective polymer envelope. The colours are uniform and durable, so ageing/greying is excluded. The quality is constant and different lengths are available. The maintenance is a piece of cake. The fitting can be done horizontally and vertically with various available colours. Silvadec provides for the fitting scores of accessories, including corner profiles, end profiles, a fitting aid to determine the interval, and, of course, the clips for invisible fastening. For renovation this system makes it possible to combine with wall insulation.

B-Fix

Vetedy

For B-Fix the wooden wall cladding market seems to be quite stable. The B-Fix fastening system is deployed for both terraces and wooden wall cladding. This is a conscious choice. After all, it makes the work easier for both traders (e.g. in the area of stocking) and fitters, who only have to work with one system. For wall cladding it is possible to fit the planks vertically or horizontally. For fitting with B-Fix there are no special points for attention, but, as with all wall cladding, you need to

Vetedy offers with its Techniclic®, a complete range of invisible fixation system for cladding, going from the boards and its fixation, to accessories of fixation and a cleaning solution. Installation with Techniclic® authorize horizontal as well as vertical, choice to work with similar boards, or to mix the 3 available width, and to choose the space between the boards (4 possibilities). A new wood specie joins the range since January : thermo-treated Ayous, available in 60, 100 and 140mm.

Floor Forum International 83

Special

Outdoor floors : maintenance & finishing

WOODEN TERRACES ARE LASTING LONGER PROPER MAINTENANCE EXTENDS THE LIFESPAN Nowadays, wooden terraces can withstand the ravages of time much better than about 20 years ago. However, nothing has really changed as regards the natural properties of the various wood sorts. Agreed, there are a lot more wood sorts available in those higher durability classes than in the past,

when bangkirai just about had a monopoly on the terrace market. However, we can put the longer lifespan down to the refined fitting systems, which have due regard for the ‘conduct’ of wood outdoors, and the outstanding research products for finish and maintenance.

Photo – Mapei

The highest class 25 years isn’t the maximum! The wood industry must ensure consumers get correct information on using wood outdoors. We mustn’t tell lies to cover up flaws, but we must ensure that communication on the lifespan of wood doesn’t lead to misunderstandings. 25 years isn’t the maximum! Information which we often find relating to the ‘durability classes’ of wood sometimes leads us to suppose that we should be well satisfied with 25 years. This means that when consumers make a choice, they could think that a wooden terrace inevitably has a limited lifespan, whereas an expertly fitted natural

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stone or ceramic terrace doesn’t. It’s up to the fitter to rectify that misunderstanding.

Durability classes Durability classes indicate the lifespan of the wood in outdoor conditions and untreated. In other words, the classes refer to the ‘natural lifespan’ of the wood. The natural lifespan of wood is the resistance which wood can offer against the harmful effects of organisms if it hasn’t undergone treatment to increase that resistance. Wood sorts are divided up into five categories: Class 1 has the highest lifespan and

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Special

Outdoor floors : maintenance & finishing

class 5 the lowest. Obviously, wood which is used for the garden, terraces, exterior wall cladding, or other outdoor uses should best be in either class I or II. CLASS I

More than 25 years

CLASS II

15-25 years

CLASS III

10-15 years

CLASS IV

5-10 years

CLASS V

Less than 5 years

Popular sorts In other words, the durability classes refer to the natural resistance of the wood to the effects of weather, wind, and fluctuations in temperature and moisture. Here, the influx of tropical wood sorts is certainly having an effect. King ‘bangkirai’ has already had to relinquish the throne at the hands of other equally strong and often better sorts of wood. Nowadays, the undisputed top three are ipe, massaranduba, and teak. Bangkirai is still in contention, but other sorts such as itauba, afrormosia, and padauk are definitely just as popular and also lend themselves ideally to use in combination with the invisible fastening techniques which are so popular.

Life causes death That sounds strange, of course, but that doesn’t make it any less true. That which we desperately need in order to live is also the very thing which makes us grow older. Oxygen is certainly vital for human beings, but it’s the oxidising effect of oxygen which causes the human body to age slowly but surely. That’s why human beings also have a lifespan which is limited by definition. It’s clear that a healthy life(style) and good health care influence that lifespan. The same is true of wood. Wood is a natural product, but in nature we find lots of elements which threaten the lifespan of wood.

Ageing through UV light Ultraviolet light, oxygen, and water together form the main causes of ageing and possible wood rot (see below). In a photochemical process, sunlight breaks down the dark-coloured lignin, one of the main ingredients of wood. The light-coloured cellulose (the other ingredient) is left behind on its own. The fact that the colour of the cellulose is going to dominate can be seen in the ageing process as the wood turns grey. What we perceive visually as ‘ageing’ (turning grey) is actually a microscopically thin layer of wood which is decomposing.

Hazardous beasts Wood worm, wood rot, and fungi can pose a major threat to all outdoor wood. The wood worm is a larva of the furniture beetle. The designation 'worm' refers to the larvae, since the wood worm is basically a beetle. The wood worm lives in the wild, especially in trees with hard wood such as oak and fruit trees, for instance. Wood rot is a fungus which mainly affects wood which comes into contact with (too much) damp. In some cases the fungus is visible. Finally, the polypore is mushroom-like fungus which can cause a lot of damage to woodwork. The most notorious of these polypores is the so called dry rot.

Job for the floor fitter Fitters of wooden terraces have several opportunities to ‘secure’ their clients for many years. When it comes to wood, consumers are generally open to advice. It is up to floor fitters to explain which products

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are available to extend the lifespan of the wood and to sell those products. However, floor fitters can also conclude ‘maintenance contracts’ with their clients. That gains them profit over a longer period!

Sale of products Terrace oil, terrace anti-ageing, and terrace cleaner are the top products in this story. Terrace Oil provides effective protection against the penetration of damp and dirt since the oil impregnates the wood so that the pores become saturated. You need to use coloured oil to provide protection against UV light. Terrace Anti-ageing is designed either to counteract the ageing process or to eliminate the decomposing layer of wood, which causes ageing. Anti-ageing products remove the veil and restore the wood to its original colour. Finally, Terrace Cleaners are an efficient means of tackling moss formation and dirt. They can be deployed on all sorts of tropical wood. Most cleaners are diluted with water and applied with a brush. The dose can be adapted to the severity of the contamination.

The maintenance contract A maintenance contract enables floor fitters to kill two birds with one stone. Maintenance can cover the regular cleaning and treatment of wooden terraces up to the full renovation a few years later, including all the interim phases. Floor fitters hereby create effective jobs for themselves and sell their products to clients at the same time. That’s a dual benefit!

What’s on the market? Adesiv Adesiv presents several products for treating and protecting terraces. Adesiv has a full range for the treatment and maintenance of wooden floors. They particularly want to promote New Deck, a product which prevents and eliminates ageing in outdoor floors. New Deck has a remedial effect and ensures that the wood starts to ‘shine’ again. There’s also Pavidek, an impregnation product which has to be applied in two coats. The idea is to protect the wood against the weather conditions and counteract ageing. Pavidek is an impregnation resin which, amongst other things, provides protection against UV light and Oliopro is a detergent for regular cleaning. These products can be used for all sorts of wood.

Blanchon Blanchon offers impregnation through saturation to protect outdoor floors. This means all the wood fibres (pores) are saturated and there is only a modicum of product at the top. Wood needs to be cleaned thoroughly before it is saturated. Blanchon has a full range of products for the preparation, the finish, and the maintenance. Firstly, there is Wood Anti-Ageing (‘Dégriseur Bois Blanchon’). This is a high-quality gel specially recommended for cleaning outdoor wood exposed to the weather and the formation of mould and moss. ‘Satureur Bois’ is a saturator based on a traditional formula. For some years now,

Blanchon has also offered the Ecological Saturator (‘Saturateur Environnement’), which is part of the Ecological Quality Line (‘Ligne Qualité Environnement’) and scores well in all areas. It can also be applied to exotic wood sorts immediately after the fitting. In this range Blanchon also has the Opaque Ecological Saturator (‘Satureur Opaque Environnement Blanchon’). This is suitable mainly for softwood and the fast drying means you can finish a terrace in half a day. For periodic cleaning there is Terrace Cleaner (‘Nettoyant Terrasses Blanchon’), and for composite Blanchon has the Composite Terrace Renovator (‘Renovateur Terrasses Composites’). Terrace Anti-UV System (‘Système Anti-UV Terrasses’) is a colourless protective system to counter the effect of sunlight on wood. It comprises an Anti-UV Conditioner (‘Conditionneur Anti UV’) and an Anti-UV Terrace Protector (‘Protecteur Terrasses Anti UV’). A major asset of this system is that it preserves the original colour of the wood. Whilst protection against UV light traditionally includes the addition of dyes, this system is colourless.

Briançon Briançon has no doubts that a saturator is the right product for finishing and maintaining terrace wood. An important aspect here, amongst other things, is that you don’t use a saturator with too much colour, so you preserve the natural shade of the wood. For terrace wood finished in autoclave pine, for instance, you can apply the Red Wood Saturator (‘Saturateur Bois Rouge’). This product gives the wood the look of ipe to some extent and therefore an exotic look. Briançon presents a full range of products for finish and maintenance. There is the Wood Anti-ageing (‘Degriseur Bois’) for restoring terraces which have turned grey. The Aqua Terrace Saturator (‘Saturateur Aqua Terrasse’) can then be applied for all wood sorts (five available shades). Finally, there is also the Aqua Oil for Teak (‘Huile Aqua pour Teck’) for maintaining garden furniture.

Chimiver Chimiver offers a wide range of products for treating protecting and maintaining all kind of outdoor wooden surfaces. Lios Sundeck Wood Oil is an impregnating oil for outdoor wooden floors available in different colors and a certified anti-slip version. Lios Sundeck Soap is a nourishing soap for cleaning and maintaning outdoor wooden floors. Lios Grigioff is a special solvent-free product to restore wheathered outdoor wooden floor back to its original colour. Chimiver offers also a water-based impregnating oil SUNDECK W OIL available in different versions as no-slip and colored white and grey. Last innovation from Chimiver research is LIOS SUNDECK CLIMA+ which is a water-based thixotropic impregnating oil for wood with UV absorption double technology. Thanks to this innovation property, LIOS SUNDECK CLIMA+ is particularly resistant to the action of UV radiation, both direct and indirect. Hence it is recommended for the treatment and protection of the wooden boards used as outer covering of facades. Its new formulation, due to its suitable thixotropy,

cut down minimize the draining. The light mordant, in addition to be an excellent solar filter, gives the wood a pleasant warm colour. LIOS SUNDECK CLIMA+ also protects the wood from mildew and infesting microorganisms. Into our range we offer also SCUDO WPC which is a water-based compound formulated with high penetrating nanotech particles for the treatment of WPC, precompressed wood, composites based on different materials. SCUDO WPC makes the treated surfaces water-oil-repellent, avoiding the formation of unaesthetic and persistent stains due to the absorption of oil substances and dirty. It gives a slight toning effect, excellent resistance and color stability.

DevoNatural® For cleaning and treating wooden terraces and garden furniture Devomat presents DevoNatural® High Solid Oil. The wood is best protected after thorough cleaning, certainly for tropical hardwood. For cleaning weathered and contaminated wood there is DevoNatural®Outdoor Wood Cleaner, whilst they recommend DevoNatural® Intensive Cleaner for removing dirt and grease. If necessary, light scouring and/or scrubbing is possible with Woodboy and brush or black pads. DevoNatural®Outdoor Wood Cleaner is an intensive wood cleaner based on oxalic acid. DevoNatural® Intensive Cleaner is a powerful cleaner for removing old layers of soap and degreasing strongly contaminated floors. These products must be used before parquet oil or oil renovator are applied. For treating a Floor with DevoNatural® High Solid Oil (‘colouring and protecting’) one coat is enough.

Durieu Coatings It is partly the condition of the wood that determines which products are most suitable for finishing and maintaining outdoor parquet. At all events, the wood has to be clean and dry and stripped of any previous finishes. The pores need to be well open; the wood has to be compatible with an oil or saturator. Cleaning, anti-ageing, degreasing, or staining will be essential, depending on each individual case. Owatrol has a wide range for all those tasks. As far as saturators are concerned, Durieu offers the Owatrol range for softwood sorts and exotic sorts. Owatrol Pro is the saturator for soft, exotic, and hard wood sorts. For maintaining composites Durieu has ‘compo care’, whilst for cleaning there is ‘compo clean’.

Floorservice

The garden is increasingly becoming an extension of your home’s interior. Wooden patios with matching chairs and tables perfectly suit your indoor style. Just like the wood for indoor floors, the outdoor wood also requires attention and the right products in order to maintain the natural look! Floorservice Decking Oil To keep the outdoor wood in perfect condition we’ve developed

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Special

Outdoor floors : maintenance & finishing

Floorservice Decking Oil. This oil penetrates deep into the (tropical) wood and offers excellent protection against water and dirt. The mild smelling oil doesn’t leave a film, but gives the wood a smooth surface. Floorservice Woodwash The intensive cleaner Floorservice Woodwash cleans thoroughly and restores colour of garden furniture, patio’s, garden fences and pergolas. This is an excellent universal cleaner for soft and hard wood types. The grey garden wood will be brought back to life, restoring the wood’s former glory!

Mapei Mapei believes that an oil finish is the best finish for wooden outdoor floors. The most important feature of a finish for wooden outdoor floors is that it has to be a breathable finish and certainly mustn’t leave a film. In this context Mapei has a full and clear finish and maintenance system. The Ultracoat Top Deck Cleaner, an alkaline product which is completely ready for use, is used to clean outdoor wood thoroughly. The Ultracoat Top Deck Oil (Natural and Teak) is used to finish and maintain the wood.

Osmo Decking is optimally protected if the wood extractives are thoroughly weathered away and if it is then coated with a Decking-Oil. The natural wood finish is available in ten various colour tones and especially geared towards the needs of numerous soft and fine woods. Decking-Oils smoothen the wood surface and make it water and dirt-resistant. While keeping the regular cleaning and maintenance of timber decking in mind, Osmo created Decking Cleaner. Depending of the amount of dirt, one litre of the concentrate cleans 30 - 100 m2. The cleaner is also suitable for timber privacy screens and fencing. Also for the cleaning and maintenance of WPC and BPC decking and fencing, Osmo has a deeply effective concentrate in its product range: the Polymer Composite Cleaner, which was especially developed for cleaning both WPC and BPC surfaces.

Pallmann Thorough cleaning is the first step in maintaining a terrace. For that purpose Pallmann suggests chemical cleaning with a brush and detergent. They recommend Pallmann Wood Refresher for that purpose. After that, the floor can be oiled with Pallmann Outdoor Oil. Points for attention when choosing a finish include the fact that the surface should always be left ‘open’ after treatment and resistant

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to UV rays and all weather conditions. The products presented here can also be used perfectly well for wood composites. In recent years, Pallmann has gained a lot of experience in that domain. They also note that some exotic wood sorts exceptionally require a different approach. For example, an oil-based finish is sometimes enough.

Rubio Monocoat Rubio Monocoat presents a structured method and the necessary products for finishing and maintaining all wooden terraces. Good preparation is essential to a good end result. For this purpose you use the Rubio Monocoat Exterior Wood Cleaner. This cleaner completely removes dirt, grease, and moss formation. It can be used on all types of wood. During the cleaning process, the pores of the wood are opened so that you get a smoother result as the surface is treated with oil, namely the Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Wood Protector, which colours and protects the wood in one coat. Thanks to its innovative technology, this oil is suitable for colouring and protecting all types of wood, both indoors and outside. The simple application and simple maintenance contribute to the user-friendliness of this product. Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Wood Protector is available in 13 contemporary natural wood colours and eight pop colours. The product contains no solvents, no water, and no VOCs. For interim cleaning there is a mild soap, namely the Rubio Monocoat Exterior Soap. An outdoor floor treated with Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Wood Protector is maintained simply with the same product, with no scouring!

Tover For an efficient and beautiful finishing of wood in exterior, Tover recommends to apply the natural impregnating oil Oil4sun. Very easy to use, waterproof, it is suitable for the treatment of terraces, decking and furniture. The oil contains fungicides against mildew and additives which guarantee a long-lasting protection against UV rays and bad weather, the main causes of wood wear and damages. Oil4Sun deeply penetrates into the pores and feeds the wood, granting a homogeneous tonality to the whole surface. When the floor appears dull or worn, it can be degreased with Nettar Due and cleaned with Deteroil, a concentrated specific neutral soap and then a new layer of oil will newly revive and protect it. If the wood becomes grey, the specific agent GreyFree will remove this grey patina and enable a new coating with the oil. Oil4Sun is available in neutral, teak, wengé and grey versions. As composite wood is becoming more and more popular Tover has developed a maintenance system for terraces made in composite wood (WPC) in order to protect the surface against its main enemy: oils and grease spots. The surface must be coated with the water-based agent: WPC Cover to create an oil-proof protection and clean with the specific detergent WPC Cleaner.

Special

Versailles panels : who still produces them?

CASTLE FLOORS IN THE LIVING ROOM VERSAILLES PANELS CONQUER THE MODERN HOME They might be linked originally with the splendid castles from the days of King Louis XIV of France, but design floors, including Versailles floors, are gradually finding their feet in modern homes. Not suitable for a modern interior? They are now! Yet few things come as close to perfection as the artistic combination of rigid modernism, preferably in white, and classic beauty. This creates rustic warmth in an otherwise somewhat ‘chilly’ setting. Parquet floor fitters are seeing a revival in demand. Talk about Renaissance! The fact that Versailles panels are appearing in multi-layer and even in ‘pre-finished’ is surely a sign of the times?

The most popular ‘antique’ patterns Panels or cassettes are the result of a specific production method which differs completely from the production of traditional parquet strips or wooden floors. The panels are pre-assembled floorboards in line with a particular design. The boards are sawn customised and mitred and glued to each other along the sides and tightened so that they can dry. After the assembly it is possible that another tiny piece is sawn out of the shaped panels in order to ensure that all panels have identical dimensions and squareness. Various fitting patterns such as herringbone and Hungarian point lend themselves to making cassettes. Other well known designs are Chantilly, Star, and Mansion. It has to be a very specific fitting pattern in order to be called a Versailles floor. We will run through the most well known patterns:

Versailles pattern The Versailles panel looks like diagonal basketry framed by a square edge of parquet strips. In the Palace of Versailles the panels are exactly 1m² (100 x 100cm). They are separated by three strips of 8cm which converge in a corner to form a point. Nowadays, Versailles panels are available in various dimensions and they are adapted to the room in which they are fitted.

Chantilly pattern Chantilly pattern is a pattern in bobbin lace and clothing design. It is not as well known as the Versailles pattern, but it is also found in the renowned palace. Chantilly is a somewhat intricate variant which consists of several small panels, which also form a basketry. This is in panels in the palace, but it can also be stretched out over the width of the floor.

Hungarian point Hungarian point (‘Point de Hongrie’) is one of the oldest parquet patterns. This pattern, too, is normally fitted ‘separately’, but can also be fitted in panel shape. In this pattern the strips are fitted against each other in herringbone design at an angle of 30 to 45°. Sandpapering creates a subtle difference in colour to give a three-dimensional effect. Hungarian point is sometimes (wrongly) mistaken for herringbone.

Photo – BJ Parket

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Floor Forum International 83

Special

Versailles panels : who still produces them?

Herringbone Herringbone, too, is a classic parquet fitting pattern and this, too, can be the pattern for a panel design. The French call this pattern ‘à baton rompus’ (this and that). The slats are fitted in herringbone bond, the upper sides against each other, to create a zigzag pattern. Here is a useful way to remember the difference between herringbone and Hungarian point: With herringbone design each strip is a geometric right angle, whereas with Hungarian point each strip is a parallelogram (mitred).

Yes, they’re definitely coming back Panel floors are more than just a ‘flare’ in the traditional workshops of a few renowned parquet traders. No! They’re coming back in full episcopal dress, through the gate, and with a roll of drums! Very often, you can only detect the renaissance of a particular style by looking down on the market from a great height and scanning the range attentively. And what do you see? Signs of the times and something for any right-minded parquet trader to consider.

Standard sizes are emerging An initial shift: Since panel floors have to adapt to the dimensions of the rooms in which they are fitted, they have always been ‘customised’. You can hardly get more traditional than that. After all, the panels themselves are not meant to be sawn. The floor has to ‘sprout up’. The best dimensions are usually chosen in consultation with the architect or designer. They will take account of the sizes of the room where the floor will be fitted, the edge finish, and the preferred dimensions of the panels to calculate the right configuration. Nowadays, we see that some manufacturers present a number of ‘standard sizes’. This is an initial sign of a real ‘comeback’. The fact that we also find a range in ‘pre-finished’ really is a ‘sign of the times’.

Other types of floors jump on board This theme is considered elsewhere in this edition (twice!). Whenever a certain type of floor or a certain ‘decor’ tends to enjoy success, producers of completely different forms of floor technology invariably jump on board. As regards Versailles panels and other old fitting patterns, we are seeing a reaction from both the laminate sector and producers of flexible floor coverings such as LVT, PVC, and linoleum. Here, too, these old patterns are emerging in what we condescendingly call ‘design floors’. The fact that these types of floors are following the trend proves that it is a trend!

What’s on the market? BJ Parket Versailles panel floors have always been a permanent fixture at BJ Parket. Demand has risen as the company has enhanced its reputation with these floors. Oak is still the most important wood sort, but a number of tropical sorts are also used. The panels are offered both distressed and untreated. The standard pattern which BJ Parket has chosen is that with twelve blocks and five

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diagonal plaits. This pattern has a stylish appearance without coming across as too lively. The highly prominent designs such as those in Polish and Russian palaces are not so popular in Western Europe. Adapting the size of the panel to the size of the place means it is possible to work towards a more natural harmony between floor and space. That’s why BJ Parket has three sizes in the range in which the plait is made up of friezes of 55mm (panels of 49.5cm or of 55 to 73cm wide), friezes 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 altering the size of the square blocks. BJ Parket can put up excellent references such as the parquet floor for Cumberland Terrace in London (125m² of Versailles panels in afrormosia, hand-scraped, and finished with 4 coats of oil), Hansbeke Castle in Nevele (+/- 55 m² Large Versailles in oak/rustic, distressed, stained, and soaped) and Champagne Taitinger Castle in France (200m² XL Versailles distressed, finish unknown).

Design Parquet Design Parquet believes that these floors belong in castles and spacious houses and mansions, but also in new homes which strive for a contemporary design. Oak is the most popular sort of wood, but other sorts like wenge and merbau are possible. The oak can be coloured in various shades according to current trends. The panels are available both distressed and non-distressed. Design Parquet offers panels in 1,000 x 1,000mm as standard, but customised work is also possible: 600 x 600mm, 800 x 800mm, etc. The panels are nailed to a frame or glued onto a screed.

Flamingo Parket Versailles panels are also sold regularly by Flamingo Parket, even though it is still a niche market. Over 95% of those items are produced in oak, both in light rustic and pure oak. They are usually supplied in the distressed version. This means that the panels can be fitted completely finished, so the floor fitter only has to apply the final coat of oil. The panels are produced customised. Most of the work lies in the production. Such floors can be fitted relatively quickly.

Habo A Versailles panel is a classic that will always be in great demand. Together with herringbone and chevron, the Versailles is one of our most requested decorative patterns. They are still mainly installed in traditional interiors, but can stand out even better in a very modern and minimalistic interior. Habo offers Versailles panels in 9mm solid parquet in different sizes with strips of 90 or 71mm and blocks of 140, 110, 90 or 71mm. This results in a very wide choice. The pattern floor that is traditionally installed in bigger spaces can this way also be considered for smaller rooms. The end consumer can choose from four selections of French oak and several exotic woods.

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!

Kerkhofs Kerkhofs has specialised for years in producing customised solid wood floors. By solid wood floors we mean Traditional Parquet 6mm/ Burgundy 9mm and full Solid Wood 15 and 20mm. Think here of herringbone, Hungarian point, and other patterns. What they have noticed in recent years is that there is a big demand for style panels at the moment. They produce those style panels custom-made or bespoke, in the pattern specifically requested by the client or in consultation with his or her architect. These panels are then produced entirely as required in the requested size, wood sort, and range. For this production they have a CNC-guided saw and a press which enable them to operate with great accuracy. Various patterns are possible, such as the most well known Versailles (in diverse variants with continuous frieze and, if necessary, with continuous tress), but Chantilly, Chaumont, Aremberg, and many others are also possible. The individual parts of all these style panels can also still be beaten and/or smoked for a composition or for creating a distressed floor. Fitting is very simple. The panels are supplied on a special removable foil, so sandpapering is not necessary, especially with distressed panels. This application makes the panels very easy to fit so that the laying costs can be reduced, something which can benefit the end user. Style panels are available in various thicknesses of solid wood from 9 to 20mm and multi-layer from 15 to 20mm. These types of floors are increasingly in demand mainly for projects such as hotels and shops, but demand is also growing in the higher segment. Style panels certainly have that little bit extra.

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

Who has anti-slip oil and/or lacquer for wooden floors and stairs ?

ANTI-SLIP FOR PARQUET AND STAIRS SAFETY IS ALSO PRIMARY IN PRIVATE HOMES In one of our previous editions we went off in search of legislation on anti-slip measures for floors. Elsewhere in this edition we consider the slip resistance of terraces and outdoor floors in greater depth. In short, there is such a thing as slipping and falling! Moreover, it is one of the most common causes of minor accidents and sometimes major ones every day; we’re not talking here solely about the proverbial banana skin. Even when we are just walking or running, there are scores of situations which can cause us to slip and fall. Isn’t there any safety legislation? Yes, there is, but not in private homes. However, there are some solutions!

A vast paradox Safety is assessed and regulated completely differently in a more or less public environment than in the private sphere. There are rigid rules for places where trade takes place and where people are employed. However, once private individuals close the front doors of their homes, those rules disappear. Isn’t that odd? The same applies to fire safety. In fact, there are no compulsory fire safety rules for private homes until the time comes that the owner wants to let the property. If a private person consciously decides to play the ‘ecological’ card and illuminates his or her home in the evenings with tea lights set up here and there on furniture made from recycled cardboard, no one could prohibit it. In a restaurant, however, they wouldn’t get away with it. Furthermore, where an entrepreneur has to ensure that there is as little risk as possible of his or her employees slipping and falling on the shop floor, legislators should be concerned if a private person wants to risk slipping over from time to time on a slippery, shiny floor or staircase. This is paradoxical since the risks in private homes are perhaps greater than on the shop floor.

Health and safety at work Belgian federal legislation Current federal legislation in Belgium on employee safety is no longer limited to commitments to make efforts, but now relates to commitments to achieve safety results and objectives. It is cast in specific form by a basic law in which various European directives have been transformed into Belgian law. It is the law of 4 August 1996 (Belgian Official Gazette of 18 September 1996) regarding the welfare of employees as they carry out their work. This law has been complemented by scores of royal decrees which make up the codex of welfare at work. Some sections have been added from the General Health and Safety at Work Regulations (ARAB). The law of 4 August 1996 imposes on the employer the general obligation to take the necessary measures to promote employee welfare at work (section 5 §1). The employer must thereby show due regard for preventive principles. The first three are as follows: 1. Preventing risks 2. Assessing risks which cannot be prevented 3. Replacing anything which is dangerous with something which is safe It will sometimes be possible, after analysis, to prevent some of the

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Photo – Saicos

dangers which are identified, whilst the risks have to be assessed and the result of their assessment will yield a residual risk which has to be managed.

Legislation on the risk of slipping Professional rules for health and safety at work are compositions or realisations of elements such as: - national rules on employment protection (e.g. laws and/or regulations) and/or - sector-specific rules (rules regarding accident prevention) and/or - technical specifications and/or - experiences of sector-specific prevention services

Slip risk classification methods The standards DIN 51130 and DIN 51097 contain a description of the method used to assess and classify surfaces with a potential risk of slipping and to assess the possibility of being used as a floor covering. The classification for DIN 51130 is intended for floor coverings which are designed to be walked on by people wearing shoes, and the moistening agent used for the test is motor oil. The classification for DIN 51097 is intended for floor coverings which are designed to be walked on barefoot and the moistening agent for the test is water (source: WTCN). In this test the surface to be tested is fastened to the test apparatus and ‘soiled’ with a certain quantity of standardised mineral oil. After that, a person wearing safety shoes with standardised soles walks on the surface to test it. In the meantime, the slope of the walking surface is adjusted. This goes on for as long as the person testing the surface feels that he or she can still walk safely. The slope is then

recorded and the surface is classified in the respective R-group. The total average assessment groups are as follows (source: Hesse): - - - - -

from 6 to 10° more than 10 to 19° more than 19 to 27° more than 27 to 35° more than 35°

R9 R 10 R 11 R 12 R 13

It is important that people don’t slip over (also in the private sector, of course). On staircases, in particular, this can result in highly dangerous situations. It goes without saying that falling from stairs and slipping on a wet floor can have serious consequences.

The anti-slip effect is obtained by adding minute particles with a measured grain thickness. The load of grains must lead to a perfectly even spread (that’s why it’s necessary to shake them thoroughly first). For some industrial applications it will be necessary to ‘sprinkle’ them into the first (still wet) layer. The durability of these finishes comes partly from the fact that quality products are used for the base. Since a renovation also means a full sanding session, the aim is to give these finishes the longest lifespan possible. For an ordinary school sports floor (not used for competition) Blanchon estimates that renewal will be necessary every 7 to 10 years. At university level (used for competition) this will probably be 6 to 8 years. Renewal will be necessary even sooner at the genuinely ‘prof’ level.

Ciranova

What’s on the market? Blanchon To be quite clear, we draw a necessary distinction between ‘slipping’ (sliding sideways when stopping a movement) and ‘stumbling’ (falling over). There is now a European standard for the first time. We assume that finishes for parquet and stairs are non-slip and that real anti-slip treatments are made for sports floors and some high-traffic public places.

Ciranova believes that anti-slip is also a must in private homes and they apply the same test methods, in which the newer method for recording the FRICTION CO-EFFICIENT (DIN51131) is becoming more

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The DevoNatural range of professional parquet floor products meets the highest standards when it comes to treating parquet floors. It is all about quality without compromise, developing products using the best raw materials and cutting-edge technologies. DevoNatural is available in original colours and contemporary finishes, which are fully in harmony with the latest trends in interior design.

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Devomat Industries PLC - Florent Geversstraat 31 - B-2650 Edegem - Belgium T +32 03 450 94 70 - F +32 03 457 94 24 - info@devomat.be - www.devomat.be

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Special

Who has anti-slip oil and/or lacquer for wooden floors and stairs ?

important. This method can be used on-site. The anti-slip property is obtained by depositing special additives in the lacquer or oil itself. In the Ciranova products, these anti-slip additives are deposited in products such as FORTICO & OCULTO. For residential use safety and accident prevention are good arguments to win over clients. In offices and high-traffic rooms the anti-slip floor’s built-in resistance to wear and tear is an advantage. These products are as a rule state-of-the-art developments. The additives and basic raw materials deposited in these products obviously have their price. As far as durability goes, it is usually the case that anti-slip products are deposited in a base which contributes in itself to the durability of the finish, typically on a PU base.

Durieu Coatings There are some sound guidelines for anti-slip floors and stairs, but they are not binding. Durieu Coatings also applies its own assessment method. At Durieu Coatings, and especially in Owatrol products, the anti-slip is worked into the saturator or the floor oil. The anti-slip from Owatrol is colourless and works by saturating the wood. The product is recommended for zones which are more slippery due to damp. Treatment needs repeating every one to three years, depending on the usage intensity and the weather (if there is an outdoor staircase or near a wet zone).

Floorservice

Floorservice offers different types and colours of Floorservice Hardwax-oil. Off our 34 colours the white and brown shades are the most popular, in particular the Polar, Arctic and Brasil. Followed by the unfinished look and the brown shades. The Floorservice Hardwax-oil penetrates deep into the wood, without blocking the pores. This allows the wood to keep breathing and retains its natural structure, because no top layer is formed. Every floor that is finished with Floorservice Hardwax-oil is guaranteed to be highly resistant to wear and is also water resistant. Besides that the floor is protected against saliva and sweat and make the floor child friendly because they meet the requirements for children’s toys. In addition to this, the Floorservice Hardwax-oils also meet anti-slip standard R9.

Hesse Finish products from Hesse can be given varying degrees of anti-slip protection. It is vital that stairs and floors aren’t too slippery, but it’s

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equally vital that they aren’t too uneven. A floor which is too uneven can also cause people to stumble. In particular, the thresholds between two floors with different degrees of slipperiness must not be too great. The cost is no excuse, since an anti-slip product at Hesse costs little or no more than another finish product. The durability of an anti-slip floor is equal to that of an ordinary floor. Every so often (depending on how much the floor is used), the floor needs to be given a fresh treatment, as is the case with ordinary stair and parquet finishes.

Lecol Lecol has anti-slip products amongst both its oils and lacquers. The oils LOBASOL HS 2K Impact Oil and LOBASOL HS Akzent 100 both meet the highest possible anti-slip value (R10 according to BGR 181 and DIN 51130). Amongst the lacquers, two of them meet the second highest value of R9 according to BGR 181 and DIN 51130, namely LOBADUR® 2K Supra A.T. and the LOBADUR® WS 2K Duo R9 version. LOBADUR® 2K Supra A.T. is a lacquer which retains the natural colour of the wood and is less harmful to the environment. It is easy to apply. LOBADUR® WS 2K Duo scores best in terms of durability, partly through the addition of the second component. This creates an excellent lacquer with exceptionally high durability. LOBADUR WS Duo (special R10 version) meets the highest value of R10 according to BGR 181 and DIN 51130.

Osmo With Polyx®-Oil Anti-Slip and clear Spray-Wax (3009 Anti-Slip), Osmo now offers more safety for hardwood flooring and stairs. Both products are suitable for use in private homes as well as public buildings and have a slip resistance rating of either R9 or R11 (Polyx®-Oil Anti-Slip Extra). A surface treated with Spray-Wax is very robust, hard-wearing, tough and also easy-to-maintain. The wood finish is suitable for cup spray gun, Airless/Airmix and HVLP applications. Polyx®-Oil Anti-Slip produces an extremely hard-wearing, long-lasting and non-slip wood surface. On raw wood, two coats of either Polyx®-Oil Anti-Slip or Spray-Wax must be applied, and when renovating one coat is generally enough.

Saicos Despite the lack of legislation, Saicos proposes an improved R10 antislip property through the addition of an additive to the Premium Hard Wax Oil System or the Ecoline Multi Top(plus) System. These systems already have an R9 anti-slip rating. The additive needs to be added

undiluted to the oil or lacquer and needs to be mixed thoroughly. It should then be applied thinly and evenly. The quantity in the additive packs goes with the pots of 0.75 and 2.5l. Parquet traders can use various arguments. Safety is definitely appropriate in homes where elderly people live, homes with staircases, and old people’s homes. If the floor is worn, it is advisable to repeat the treatment.

Stauf In many countries, there are clear regulations regarding the slip resistance of floors in workplaces, such as for examples kitchens and counter areas, where liquids can expected to be found on the floor. In Germany, slip resistance is regulated by the anti-slip classes: R6 – R13. R6 stands for slightly or traditionally rough floors and R13 for extremely rough surfaces. STAUF offers two products here: STAUF OIL IN ONE, which requires no further mixing and has an anti-slip rating of R9, and AQUA GRIP, a grip powder which is used as an additive to increase slip resistance in accordance with German standard BGR 181. With the addition of this grip powder, the final coat of STAUF AQUA AURUM two-component finish can be made significantly rougher and achieve an anti-slip rating of R11. This is required primarily on stairs in working areas.

Tover Tover offers in its range of water-based lacquers some products which comply with the EN 13036-4:2011 European norm in terms of slip level safety. These lacquers have been tested by an external laboratory and guarantee a perfect security to the final user. Customers have the choice between two bi-component varnishes: Idrolak DR 97 in semi glossy, matt and extra matt version for a velvet soft touch and Lympha for an extra matt rough aspect. Also the new Uniqua, mono-component lacquer for extremely high traffic respects the anti-slip norm. It exists in glossy, semi glossy, matt and extra matt versions to reply to any requests from professionals in terms of aesthetic results, resistance and durability.

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Special

Top Dutch companies focused on export

THE NETHERLANDS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE SMALL PARQUET COUNTRY, BUT A GREAT INDUSTRIAL PLAYER Over the centuries, lots of trees have been felled in the Netherlands. In that time, man has replaced the originally woody country with stable and semi-natural landscapes such as moors, bluegrass meadows, and other arid lands, reed-lands, and chalk hillside grasslands, so there is now a wider variety of plant growth. In the course of history, primeval forests have been cut down or burnt for fields, villages, roads, and cities. In 1876, the last primeval forest perished with the demise of Beekberger Wood near Apeldoorn. There are still some woods, but major assets lie ‘elsewhere’.

The Netherlands on the map The Netherlands is the part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands which lies in Western Europe. The Netherlands has a total surface area of 41,526km². From north to south the country is about 300 kilometres long and about 200 kilometres wide from east to west. As enclaves within the province of North Brabant there are about 30 small Belgian areas, which together form the town of Baarle-Hertog; within that area there are two Dutch exclaves, which belong to the town of Baarle-Nassau. Apart from its mainland, the Netherlands also includes the Wadden Islands: Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland, Schiermonnikoog, and Rottumeroog. The Netherlands borders on Germany in the east (577km), Belgium to the south (450km), the North Sea to the west, and on the North Sea and the Wadden Sea in the north – the total coastline is 451km long.

A ‘hereditary’ kingdom We’ve often written articles about the Netherlands in recent years. We’ve covered all sorts of aspects, but not the political structure of the country. And so, it’s time to set the record straight.

Legislative power The Kingdom of the Netherlands is officially a constitutional, hereditary monarchy in which the division of power is regulated largely in the constitution. The Netherlands is constitutionally a parliamentary democracy in which the monarch has indefeasible rights and the ministers are responsible. Legislative power is exercised by the government and the Dutch Parliament. The Chambers of the Dutch Parliament, the First and Second Chambers, represent the Dutch people and date back to 1815. The First Chamber has 75 members and the Second Chamber has 150. The constitution establishes the principles of universal suffrage and proportional representation. The Second Chamber is elected directly every four years by those entitled to vote, namely all Dutch citizens aged 18 or above. The members of the First Chamber are chosen via indirect elections by the Provincial States. Provincial State elections also take place every four years.

Executive power Executive power lies with the monarch and is exercised via ministers who are heads of the ministerial departments over which the entire central government is spread. The general advisory organ for the monarch is the Council of State. The Council of State must be heard for any bill of law. By reason of his or her position, the head of state is the chairman of the Council of State, which also consists of a vice-president and has a maximum of 28 members. The day-to-day leadership lies with the

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vice-president. The capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam, but the seat of government is in The Hague.

Judicial power Judicial power is exercised by independent judges, who are appointed by the monarch for life. The administration of justice in civil and criminal cases lies with magistrates courts, district courts, law courts, and the Supreme Court, the highest court of justice in the Netherlands in the fields of civil and criminal law. The Supreme Court has the power to quash rulings by lower courts. The national Audit Office, which has three members, exercises control over financial management of state revenue.

The Dutch economy The Polder model World War II changed the Dutch economy radically by giving rise to new conditions such as a big rise in the population and the loss of the colonies. In a relatively short space of time, the Netherlands has transformed itself from a mainly farming country to an industrial and internationally-oriented nation. Generally speaking, the Dutch economy is stable. That stability is preserved via regular intensive consultations between the government, business community, and trade unions i.e. the so called polder model. All these factors ensure that the Netherlands has one of the biggest global economies.

Cast-iron assets Large natural gas reserves are vital to the Dutch economy, partly due to the income from exports. Major European rivers like the Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt play a big part as interchanges in European transhipment traffic to places like the German Ruhr region, and Rotterdam, for example, has been the biggest port in the world for years. Schiphol airport (Amsterdam) is also a big driver of the Dutch economy, whilst multinationals such as Shell, Unilever, and Philips are based in the Netherlands.

Barometer shows ‘fine weather’ The Dutch economy grew once again in the first quarter of 2016. According to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Bureau, the economy grew by 0.5% as compared to the final quarter of 2015. In comparison with the first quarter of 2015 growth was 1.4%. The Dutch economy has booked growth for eight successive quarters. For the first time in a long while, the Central Plan Bureau now forecasts growth of over 2% for 2016. According to that same Plan Bureau, global trade will grow less strongly than forecast, and that will affect exports. Therefore, the Netherlands will be producing less gas, so growth will certainly be somewhat lower. However, the fact that the euro has fallen in value is good for exports. The attitudes of the European Central Bank, the progress of oil prices, and the value of share prices are other vague parameters which can affect growth. Higher wages and low inflation will have a favourable effect on consumer spending power. According to the CPB, unemployment will fall slightly from 6.9 to 6.7%. The national debt will fall from 2.2 to 1.8 %.

Agriculture and forestry Agriculture and horticulture The share of agriculture and horticulture in the total professional activity of the population has fallen from about 17% in 1950 to 2% in 2013 and its share in the national income fell in this period from 14.4 to 2.6%. Nevertheless, over 60% of Dutch soil is used for farming. Thanks to a more intensive use of the soil and the higher yields per hectare, Dutch agriculture and horticulture production has risen vastly. The Netherlands is also still one of the biggest farming exporters in the world. Lots of farming products are exported to Germany, which is the top market, followed by other EU countries.

Forestry Although the Netherlands isn’t a country which is typically woody, it does nevertheless have a forestry sector. All together there are 1896 forest owners registered with the Forestry Board. The most productive sorts of trees are pine, oak, poplar, douglas, larch, and fine spruce. Pine is the most common type of tree in Dutch forests with 33%, followed by oak (18%), douglas (6%), larch (6%), poplar/willow (6%), birch (6%), spruce (4%), and beech (4%). The other types consist for 11% of other deciduous trees and for 6% of other sorts of coniferous trees. About 1.2 million cubic metres of wood are taken from the forest and landscape each year. 50% of Dutch wood is used for the production of paper, cardboard, and wooden panels, 40% for sawn wood, and the other 10% is put to other uses such as wood pile, clogs, firewood, and biomass.

Vesting LED HardWax Oil

Still a small parquet country With 2.33% of European parquet production and 2.79% of consumption, the Netherlands still lurks in the lower reaches of the European parquet market.

Production in the Netherlands The Netherlands accounted for about 2.33% of all parquet production in 2011. This figure put the country in third from last place, ahead of Czech Republic and Belgium. In 2011, Dutch producers manufactured 1,647,612m² of parquet. In 2012, the Dutch share fell to 2.01%, but the country was still in third from last place. In real production figures this meant production of 1,372,149m², almost 280,000m² fewer than in the previous year.

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Consumption in the Netherlands For consumption, too, the Netherlands is towards the bottom of the FEP list with shares of 2.70% in 2011 and 1.80% in 2012. Consumption in 2011 was 2,469,825m², whilst the figure in 2012 was a mere 1,575,162m², a drop of no fewer than 900,000m². Only Hungary and Czech Republic consume less parquet. Belgium has a higher consumption figure, with a share of 3.63%.

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An introduction

FLAMINGO PARKET Europa Parket, affiliated company of Flamingo Parket was formed in 1967. Originally, the company concentrated mainly on private sales and fitting parquet. Nowadays, the emphasis is on producing parquet floors for sale to professional parquet traders. Next year, the company celebrates its 50th anniversary! Their core business is producing Twin Plank (two-layer parquet), traditional parquet floors, and solid wood planks. Most floors are finished according to the client’s choice. Flamingo Parket manages the entire production process. For example, freshly sawn wood is purchased directly from the saw mills. This means that not only is the company highly competitive in terms of prices, but also it manages the entire quality control process itself. Besides Twin Plank, traditional parquet, and solid wood planks, Flamingo Parket also makes accompanying staircase steps. 40 people work for Flamingo Parket in Barneveld in the Netherlands and 30 at its affiliated company Europa Parkett GmbH from Dömitz in Germany. This year, the company expects to produce around 400,000m². They are aiming to increase their capacity in 2016 and 2017, so that they can supply orders faster to existing clients. Germany, Belgium, and England are the main export markets. + 31 (0) 342 404 222 - www.flamingoparket.nl

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www.vesting.nl

Special

Top Dutch companies focused on export

VESTING

FELIX CLERCX

A good sixty years ago, antique enthusiast H. Smits senior started to produce restoration and maintenance articles such as classic waxes and stains especially for the antique trade. Very soon, lots of furniture makers and antique dealers recognised the qualities of the traditional Vesting products, which had usually been made naturally. Later, there was also a growing demand from furniture traders. The Smits children have developed the business rapidly since 1999. Apart from the extensive range, clients can still have waxes, stains, or oils produced in line with their own colour wishes. People work every day in the Vesting laboratory to refine existing products and create new ones. This has led to a global first early in 2016 with the launch of a LED-drying floor oil. This revolutionary new technique has huge benefits for the industry with considerable reductions in energy consumption, environmental pressure, and maintenance. The leading product from Vesting is wax oil (both oxidative and UV drying). People are forecasting that the LED-drying oils will take over first place within the near future. At present, Vesting employs thirteen people and the company’s annual capacity is 1.8 million litres. As regards exports, Vesting concentrates on Europe, North America, Russia, and China. Recently, they have opened their first office abroad in Los Angeles, California. + 31 (0) 493 496 760 - www.de-vesting.eu

Felix Clercx started 125 years ago with the purchase of a small plot of woods in the Southern Netherlands and, led by its third generation, is now a renowned business in the internatinal wood trade. Their ‘core business’ up to and including the 1980s was sawing wood for ground construction, road construction, and hydraulics. Nowadays, Felix Clercx has grown into a modern trading company for sales to the wood trade, building industry, retail, and DIY. At the end of the 1990s, the company started with a programme of high-quality garden products in bangkirai from Indonesia. The strong growth of the garden products market has led to a full product range under the name ‘Felixwood’. In the meantime, they now also import wood for the construction of terraces and garden fences from all continents in both hard and softwood. Apart from the sale of wood, Felix Clercx, together with Fiberon, has also built up a top quality assortment in wood-synthetic-composite terrace parts. This also applies to the top quality assortment of thermally modified ash from the Novawood trademark. The wood which Felix Clercx sells is selected not only on the basis of quality, but also on the basis of its origin. Moreover, partly through ongoing innovation and the discovery of new products, they offer a durable product which can be enjoyed by several generations! Felix Clercx has 23 members of staff and, with a stock of about 10,000m³, the company supplies the (garden) wood trade in Western Europe. +31 (0) 492 53 19 44 www.felixwood.com

RIGO VERFFABRIEK Rigo Verffabriek, a Dutch family business formed in 1938, has concentrated since the 1970s on developing and producing waterborne PU parquet and cork lacquers. At Rigo Verffabriek the quest for the least harmful raw materials, preferably as natural as possible, has been and still is an ongoing and intrinsic part of their operational policy. For example, in the mid-1970s, they developed the first waterborne polyurethane parquet lacquers of Rigo STEP, and 100% vegetable floor oils ROYL. They are the only producer in the Netherlands with their own laboratory and production facilities. In the meantime, the development of PU lacquers has now yielded SKYLT technology, which is renowned in the Netherlands. SKYLT technology is characterised by a number of unique properties. Technically, SKYLT is a PU lacquer, but it allows the wood to look AND feel like untreated wood. SKYLT has arisen from the need to preserve the beauty of newly sandpapered wood and fresh cork, but also to protect it from outside influences. Similarly, Rigo thinks it can offer the expert something new in the shape of ROYL. The ROYL oil products are made on a 100% natural base, which can be coloured with a separate colour dye as required. The process is quite simple. The entire floor can be oiled in one session and polished. After 24 hours, the ROYL OIL 2K can be walked on. Moreover, nothing evaporates from the ROYL oil products – what you see is what you get! +31 (0) 255 548 448 - www.rigoverffabriek.nl

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WOOD SENSATION

Wood Sensation is a young and dynamic producer from Bergen op Zoom with four workers and an annual production capacity of 25,000m². They focus on Dutch floors with distinctive special finishes. The multi-layer floors dominate the range. The bottom layer is a birch multiplex underlay with a layer of cold glued solid oak on top. They are sold in various sizes (14 to 32cm wide and 10 to 20m thick). Wood Sensation offers highly diverse floor finishes, from cover products to floors with a ‘natural’ look. Due to the link with interior finish, Wood Sensation focuses constantly on renewing colours and finishes, including brushing and planing. They have their own collection in current colours, but they can also supply custom-made. For this autumn and the start of 2017, they are working on a collection of wall coverings and a range of stair coverings in an identical finish to the floors. As regards export, they concentrate on England, Germany, France, and Scandinavia. +31 (0) 164 85 90 02 - www.woodsensation.com

OVERMAT

PARKETFABRIEK LIEVERDINK

For 35 years Overmat Industries is the specialist for treatment, finishing, maintenance and cleaning of floors. Our specialization is the Floorservice Hardwaxoil in a wide range of colours and effects, for manual, professional and industrial use on wooden floors, and the corresponding cleaning and maintenance products. Every year at least 5 million square meters of wood are being treated with Floorservice products. Supporting this assortment of products a perfect range of machines and accessories are available. Like the Woodboy® and Floorboy machines. Besides that Overmat is exclusive Benelux dealer of the well-known brands HTC and Airtec, who provide high quality machines for treatment of concrete and natural stone. For example you can find the best concrete scarifiers, concrete grinding machines, Twister diamondpads and other maintenance machines for different types of floors at Overmat. At Overmat you can take advantage of our many years of experience and first class know-how. Our 25 employees have the knowledge and provide the best service for all kinds of projects and forthcoming problems. Our products are known for a perfect price/quality ratio, safety, environmental responsibility and lifespan. Overmat has got clear ambitions for the growth of the brand Floorservice. National as well as International. Therefore Floorservice is open minded about all countries and markets were Hardwaxoil is being used or benefits from a growing popularity. + 31 (0) 416 317 788 - www.overmat.nl

Lieverdink has been in existence since the end of the 1960s and has produced parquet and shop panels/boards, but the company adopted its present form in 1986. In the last three decades, Lieverdink has concentrated exclusively on the production and supply of parquet for specialist parquet businesses in the Netherlands and abroad. Here, the company specialises in the area of traditional parquet floors. They produce and supply magnificent strips, herringbone patterns, and design floors from over 40 types of wood. Apart from traditional parquet floors, this backwater company also supplies distressed floors, mosaic floors, edge finishes, fitting accessories, and such like. Over time, Parketfabriek Lieverdink has grown into a fully fledged factory with 30 enthusiastic employees. Their capacity is about 300,000 square metres per annum. Lieverdink not only supplies its own ‘home-made’ floors, but is also a stock-holding distributor of rival quality products for dealers. And so, the company has grown to a respectable size as a logistical platform for further distribution at home and abroad. For 2016, Parketfabriek Lieverdink is presenting the Pastis collection and an extension of the colours. +31 (0) 314 340563 - www.lieverdink.nl

VEC - TRIVEC Trivec specializes in ideas, technology and machines for the finishing of parquet floors, terrace wood, façade wood, moldings, construction timber etc. The technology is designed, built and continuously adapted to new market developments, in-house. It concerns machines for applying paint, coating, oil, stain and glue, but also upstream and downstream technology like brushing systems, polishing systems, sanding systems, product handling, drying systems (IR, LED, UV), glue machines, presses up to the cleaning of tools and handling of paint, stain and glue rinsing water after production. Trivec machines are characterized by their unique modular nature and can – depending on the desired finishing and production capacity – be composed, adjusted and expanded into the best suitable solution. The Trivec modular program currently consists of more than 60 different machine configurations. In addition to standard machines, Trivec is also strong in customization. Customers are more than welcome in the new Trivec testing and experience center in Sumar. As of October 2016, the name Trivec will be the new international company name of Vec (since 1974). ‘Tri’ stands for a constructive, independent and close collaboration between the three parties; customer, oil/coating suppliers and the people of Trivec. In this (strong) combination, Trivec stands for “Creating Coating Solutions Together”. + 31 (0) 512 510 035 www.vec.eu

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∂ Product news BASIN WHEN THE INVISIBLE BECOMES POSSIBLE! It’s a common question: ‘How can I protect my parquet without losing the natural effect of my wood?’ BASIN is pleased to offer you the solution par excellence: NO VISIBLE. This rejuvenating product is available in varnish (NO VISIBLE, NO VISIBLE NUANCE, and NO VISIBLE LAVA) and in oil (NO VISIBLE OIL) and provides an invisible matt finish for your parquet floor. It is a definitive treatment for normal use of parquet. It doesn’t turn yellow over time and it preserves perfectly the natural colour and appearance of the wood. Contact them for more information.

CSP ENGINEERING : COSMETIWOOD® This is a unique wood filler developed by CSP Engineering which is suitable for applications in industrial parquet production: - Available in 7 wood colours. (Customised production of new colours for large volumes.) - Outstanding adhesion with wood, hardly any shrinking, unique on the market. - Easy to plane or sandpaper without crumbling. - Good absorption of colours and oils thanks to the wood-related structure. - Ecological, utterly respectful towards people and the environment. - Available in buckets of 9.6kg and/or tins of 0.7kg. For more information about CosmetiWood®: admin@csp-engineering.be

DESIGN PARQUET SOLID PARQUET AND MULTI-LAYER LOFT PRO – COTTON: A LIGHT SHADE WITH GLISTENING FINISH FOR BRIGHT AND CLEAR DESIGN INTERIORS Design Parquet, a French manufacturer of both solid wood and customised parquet, launches high-quality trendy products with natural colours on the market. The Breton trademark uses its know-how to produce high-quality finish parquet floors, which are certified in France. Cotton parquet draws its inspiration from Norwegian style and is at the same time pure and elegant thanks to its pale shade and its glistening varnish finish. This parquet gives living rooms a warm and modern style, which is characteristic of refinement.

WICANDERS Hydrocork and Authentica awarded by specialists Two products launched by Wicanders, have recently won accolades by construction experts. The waterproof Hydrocork proved again why it is the fastest-growing product in the history of Amorim, winning the most innovative flooring product in the “Inovação na Construção” (Innovation in Construction) awards organized by the 3 main Portuguese media specialized in the construction industry. Authentica also stood out as a winner in the natural flooring category in the Muuuz International Awards, jointly organized by the well-known ArchiDesignClube and d’A maganize as one of the 33 most innovative products in construction among 2.500 products that were analyzed from 600 manufacturers in 15 countries.

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