Engineered for EXTREME impact

New EC08™ Extreme

A multifunction plasterboard engineered to deliver exceptional impact resistance across 3 key areas:

✓ Hard body impact

✓ Soft body impact

✓ Surface indentation

Ideal for walls in hospitals, mental health facilities, correctional facilities, sporting facilities, schools or anywhere extreme impact damage of all different types is a risk.

For more information and specifications, scan here

Given that the building would be subject to immense foot traffic each day, especially in the common areas, it was vital that the walls were able to withstand knocks, scrapes and scuffs. Dulux Wash & Wear was used here to provide long-lasting, washable surfaces. For the new plasterboard, Dulux Professional Enviro2 interior was used to meet the sustainability ratings.

External steel and other substrates were protected from the elements with Dulux Protective Coatings that were also aesthetically pleasing.

For architects looking to give metal surfaces on commercial builds a whole new look and level of performance, Interpon’s D2525 Stone Effect powder coatings will transform these surfaces to give them a beautiful, stone-like appearance.

Available in seven different styles, the speciality coating has all the aesthetic qualities of Portland stone, limestone, and brickwork, but without the practical challenges and costs that come with installing the real thing. Surfaces protected by Interpon D2525 Stone Effect powder coating are lighter, super durable, and easier to handle.

Interpon explains that applying the coating is a “very green process” as there are no solvents in the paint and no heavy metals in the formulation. The process is clean too, there are no toxins or dust deposits for the people who spray it. It’s lead-free, it’s easy to dispose of, there are no VOCs and there is a high application efficiency with up to 99% usage.

Interpons D2525 Stone Effect powder coatings have only just launched in Australia, but the coatings have already seen some great results overseas. In Ireland, Interpon’s powder coating was used for the Dublin Landings, a prestigious office block on the banks of River Liffey. Interpon D2525 Stone Effect was chosen for the structure’s banding elements, helping to compliment the fin detailing. Interpon’s powder coating in White Stone was used at mixed use development City North in Finsbury Park London.

Low VOC and high-performance coatings are also in high demand when it comes to commercial flooring. To meet this need Tremco has developed Flowcoat Terrosso, a highly decorative resin-based flooring system. The multi-layered system features an epoxy primer, base coat, acrylic paint flakes, followed by coats of a UV-resistant sealer.

There are a few options for gloss or satin finish, and it is available in a >P1 to >P4 slipresistant finish depending on the project needs and legislative requirements.

The system can be put together with a range of low VOC clear sealers including water-based options. These polyurethane-based sealers offer enhanced protection against abrasion and can be used not just on Tremco’s own systems, but also for sealing polished concrete. Performance resin flooring systems such as the Flowcoat Terrosso system are ideal for commercial applications thanks to its durability and abrasion resistance.

Flowcoat Terrosso was the flooring of choice for the new state-of-the-art $177 million Brisbane International Cruise Terminal designed by Arkhefield in collaboration with Arup. The public spaces including the internal walkways, communal areas and departure lounge featured Flowcoat Terrosso in four bespoke colour combinations. The decorative resin-based flooring system was chosen to provide a decorative, seamless surface that would not only create a luxurious and welcoming environment but withstand the expected foot traffic.

Sika Floorings and Coatings has also seen an increase in the desire for sustainable flooring coatings in the commercial space. Sikafloor Resin flooring solutions (Epoxy, PurCem and Polyurethane) have been a strong choice for public spaces, the food industry, cleanroom environments and car parking areas.

Sika floor coatings were chosen for the popular direct factory outlet shopping centre in Homebush. The shopping hotspot is open to the public seven days, attracting tens of thousands of shoppers each week. Years of constant foot traffic resulted in the entire centre requiring renovations.

The unique project required a complete revamp of approximately 1200sqm worth of flooring within the centre. Given the flooring would be located directly in premium and high-end shop fronts, a durable yet very aesthetically appealing solution that tied in with the decorative theme of the surrounding store fascias was needed. A key requirement for this project was that the same finish and effect that was applied to the flooring would also need to be applied to a 40-metre-long ramp at a slope of 1:40 leading into the centre.

This required special attention during the planning stages of the project. A challenge for this project was the application of the flooring while the centre was still trading as well as having renovations carried out to other areas. Firmstone Flooring Specialists were sub-contracted for the project and before construction began, a timber mock-up of the flooring was made to ensure that the finish matched the architect’s artist's impression.

Once this was approved, Sika and Firmstone began work on the floor. Working in areas of 300sqm, the floor was vacuum ground before being primed with Sikafloor-160, a two-part solvent-free, epoxy primer and binder used in past flooring systems such as the MCG and Perth Arena. Sikafloor-160 was then mixed with the silver and grey metallic shards which would ultimately give the floor the desired metallic effect.

When it comes to commercial builds, architects, builders, and designers are looking for paints, coatings and sealings that are not only hard-wearing and fit for use but also environmentally friendly, low VOC and aesthetically pleasing.