2009
Carpets
Rugs
Ceramics
Bamboo
Concrete
Porcelain
Outdoor Flooring
Natural Stone
Cleaning
Laminates
Vinyl
Underfloor Heating
Wood
Buying Tips
CARPETS
Belgotex Floorcoverings Belgotex Carpets Limaro / Kambali Nouwens Carpets Top Carpets & Floors Van Dyck Carpets
033 897 7500 033 897 7500 011 462 9848 011 796 5180 0860 109 234 0800 227738
CERAMICS, STONE & PORCELAIN
Ferreiras Decor World Italtile Johnson Ceramics Natural Stone Warehouse
011 699 3500 www.ferreiras.co.za 011 510 9000 www.italtile.co.za 011 316 3133 021 506 1300 www.naturalstonewarehouse.com
p22 p18 p23 p20
CLEANING
Numatic International
0861 686 2842
www.numatic.co.za
p47
CONCRETE FLOORING
Cemcrete PPC Cement SmartStone
011 474 2415 0860 236 2738 0861 762 781
www.cemcrete.co.za www.cemcrete.co.za www.smartstone.co.za
p40 - 41 p45 p43
EXTERIOR SURFACES
DuraTurf
033 897 7500
www.belgotexfloorcoverings.co.za
p44
RESILIENT FLOORING
Allure Grandeco IVC Woodmark
0860 346 356 / 011 974 6315 021 464 4320 033 897 7500
www.finfloor.co.za
p36
www.albertcarpets.com www.belgotexfloorcoverings.co.za
p38 p37
UNDERFLOOR HEATING
Speedheat
0800 112 215
www.speedheat.co.za
p46, p47
WOOD & LAMINATES
Bedson Timbers Berry Floor Laminate Ecostrong Bamboo Flooring Floors Direct FloorworX Interior Wooden Floors Pergo Quick-Step Suntups Solid Wooden Flooring
012 803 4376 033 897 7500 011 552 8480 011 462 1889 011 406 4263 011 455 2975 0800 444 000 011 455 2975 011 610 1700
www.bedson.co.za www.belgotexfloorcoverings.co.za www.ecostrong.co.za www.floorsdirect.co.za www.floorworx.co.za www.interiorwoodenfloors.co.za www.pergo.com www.floorworx.co.za www.suntups.co.za
p26 p27 p28 - 29 p34 p31 p32 Cover, Back p33 p30
www.environmentalchoice.co.za www.belgotexcarpets.co.za www.kambali.co.za www.nouwens.co.za www.topcarpets.co.za www.vandyckcarpets.com
p9 p10 – 13 p5 p15 - 17 p14 Inside Front
Pergo is Best in Test
Maritime Oak featured on cover R
Pergo has won the ‘Best in Test’ title,
was rated ‘very good’ in durability,
our strong commitment to provid-
which is a laminate assessment con-
sensitivity to burning cigarettes,
ing reliable and value for money
ducted by an independent Belgium
water resistance, installation and the products. These tests have been
magazine, Testaankoop. The tests
product’s installation instructions.
conducted on our entry range
are conducted to measure durability,
Pergo has also been named overall
product and the quality is superb,
impact and water resistance, and the
‘best buy’ compared to the market’s
so imagine how good our premium
ability to remove stains, amongst
leading competitors.
range is!”
other factors.
Pergo regional marketing manager,
The results showed that Pergo
Kate Male, says, “The results reflect
Toll free no: 0800 444 000 www.pergo.com
Liezel vd Merwe, Fanie Venter, Roxanne Mancini, Margaux Brink, Madelein Smith, Dave Soons, Jody Boshoff, Signa Evans, Sietske Rossouw, Jacoline de Jager. MIA Graphic Studio: Chantelle Fourie, Chriselda Meyer. THE GREAT FLOORING GUIDE is published by Media in Africa. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the pulishers. Contact Media in Africa on (012) 347 7530 or visit our website at www.mediainafrica.co.za
introduction
Following the success of The Great Flooring Guide in recent years, this year’s issue covers the whole gamut of modern floorcoverings: carpets and rugs; ceramic and porcelain tiles; resilient floorcoverings; natural hardwoods; laminate floors – and we have added a Kentwood Brushed Oak Granite Pass
few new sections, all aimed at providing you with wonderful flooring ideas, and helping you to obtain excellent value for money. We hope you enjoy The Great Flooring Guide as much as we do in providing it for you! Designing with floors
A floor is often described by designers as being the “fifth wall”!
A floor is often described by designers as being the ‘fifth wall’ and there is no doubt
ing tips for each type of floor and hints on
that floors play an important role in enhanc-
how to keep your floors clean and extend
ing the décor or creating the required ambi-
their working life, but before you embark on
ence of any room or home.
buying any floorcovering it must be remem-
Modern floorcoverings are so versatile that they can be used as the basis for the design
bered that whatever you choose will need to last for many years.
and décor of the room, to highlight a select-
This means you should make sure it will
ed focal point, or to enhance or complement
meet your long-term requirements, includ-
the fixtures and furnishings in any area of
ing its aesthetic appeal and day-to-day per-
the home.
formance – don’t buy a floor or a style you
They can be selected for their aesthetic
will hate in three years’ time! Here are a few
qualities, colour, feel and durability, and their
general points that should help you to make
versatility can provide comfort and opulence
the right choice.
in the living and bedroom areas, through to workmanlike heavy-duty floors for kitchens,
How will it be used?
garages, external applications and highly
Before you approach your specialist floor-
trafficked areas.
ing retailer, ask yourself the questions that he will be asking you. Firstly, he will want
great flooring guide|2009
How to buy
to know how the room is going to be used.
In this issue we have provided you with buy-
Each room will have a different requirement
introduction
that will affect the choice of floor. It will be required to accommodate bare feet or slippers in bedrooms and bathrooms; hard and soft shoes in the lounge and living areas; high traffic in passageways and at entrances. Pets or small children using the room must be given special consideration when a floor is being chosen. Budget
Whatever your flooring preferences are, you will find the very best in product, expertise and customer service within the local floorcovering industry in this year’s version of The Great Flooring Guide – and we hope that this will assist you in bringing floors into your home that are stylish and durable, and which exceed your expectations. Enjoy!
You should establish a budget and determine how long you expect the floor to last. It could also help to have a fairly accurate idea of the total floor area you are covering; this will enable you to do some quick mental arithmetic in the showroom to see if you can afford it!
expensive in the long term. The best way to make a decision is to visit several showrooms that specialise in the flooring you fancy, take a note of their
Eliane Emporio
However, buy the best you can afford, but don’t buy cheap – this will always be more
recommendations and study the various options at home before deciding. You could even ask for contact details of some of their satisfied customers to see if they really are satisfied with the floor you might buy. Compatability You should also make sure the floorcovering will be compatible with those used in adjoining samples home so that you can compare with the furniture and furnishings, and in the light (natural and otherwise) of the room itself.
Polystyl
rooms and, before you decide, take some
Watch who you deal with The rule of thumb for a perfect installation is to only deal with reputable suppliers, retailers and contractors, and check their references and specifications carefully. As in many other spheres of modern living, there are a lot of charlatans out there that are
Lano
Floors play an important role to enhance your home!
Classic Décor
willing to take your money and run.
great flooring guide|2009
Colours mainly determine the mood of your interior, so it is important that you choose the right colour combinations. Colours, light and space influence each other to a great extent.
T
he colours of the floor, the ceiling and the walls have a substantial optical impact on how you experience the space. You can make a room seem larger, smaller, wider, narrower, deeper, higher, lighter or warmer. GENERAL TIPS a) Which colour for the floor: pale versus dark? Light colours enlarge the room and dark colours make a room look smaller. This is generally known – however, what is the effect of the colour of the floor? Pale floors If you have a dark space that you want to brighten up a bit, you should choose a pale floor. Pale floors reflect light. This will make the room lighter and enlarge it optically. Pale colours reflect purity and tranquillity, and make the room timeless. Dark floors Dark floors are the ideal starting point to create contrasts. They can be combined perfectly with walls in light colours or with other dark colours which are used for highlights and accessories. b) How to create a spacious effect? You can create a spacious effect by combining a sober and pale floor with light walls. Lighter
great flooring guide|2009
Natural Stone Warehouse
useful tips
and cooler colours will make the room seem larger. Dark and warm colours make the room smaller and cosier. c) Combining the colours of the furniture and the floor Make sure the colour of your floor is either two shades lighter or a lot darker than the colour of the furniture. A floor and furniture in the same colour wood is only possible if you have a carpet in a contrasting colour between them. d) Which mood does a particular floor colour create? Floors with a yellowish-beige colour: Yellowish-beige colours are warm, cosy and create a sense of optimism. Floors with an oak, beech or maple design can make a dark room warmer. Floors with a reddish-orange colour: These floors give the room a very warm feeling. This colour is often combined with yellow highlights. Brown floors: A brown hue, especially for floors, refers to our alliance with the earth. In comparison with the walls it must always remain in the background. Brown consists of several other colours and this means it can be combined with many other colours.
e) How to combine bright floors with walls and furniture? Tropical wood types produce very warm floors. For example, merbau, doussie a.k.a. afzelia, natural varnished teak, and many others. These wood types are very lively and for this reason it can be difficult to find matching furniture and wall covering. Tip: keep the walls warm and neutral (off-white or shades of white). This creates an attractive contrast with the floor. f) Influence of light on the floors? Colours in dim lighting create a different feeling than the same colours in bright sunlight or artificial lighting. Light colours reflect light and dark colours absorb light. Acknowledgement and thanks are given to the website www.quick-step.com for the information contained in this article. Quick-Step laminate flooring is marketed in this country by FloorworX.
The effect of combining the colours of the floor, ceiling and walls: 1. A dark floor with pale walls and ceiling widens the room; 2. A dark floor with dark ceiling widens and lowers the room; 3. Dark walls in a room with a light floor and ceiling emphasise the horizontal lines; 4. Light floor, ceiling and back wall: space is narrower, deeper and higher; 5. A dark back wall and pale side walls and floor decrease the depth of the space; 6. A light ceiling, dark floor and dark walls result in a basement effect (light only above you); 7. A light floor, light back wall, dark side walls and a dark ceiling create a tunnel effect; 8. If all spaces have the same dark colour, they lose their shape; 9. A room with a light floor and light walls creates a spacious effect. Too many pale colours make it cool and impersonal.
advertorial
F
or the homeowner that is looking for floors, rugs and mats made from natural materials which are not a threat to the environment in any way, the combination of Kambali and Limaro is for you.
Limaro Agencies is a flooring contractor, manufacturer and wholesaler, and one of the biggest importers of natural fibre floorcoverings in South Africa. Its subsidiary company, Kambali, is an importer and distributor of a wide range of natural textiles and artifacts to meet any home requirement. This includes broadloom jute, coir, mountaingrass and sisal – all obtained from a reliable supplier in the southern Indian province of Kerala, who works in partnership with the company to ensure consistent quality in supply. Woven jute carpets are provided with a coir weft and quality latex backing to assist in wall-to-wall fitting on underfelt, and are suitable for use with underfloor heating. Bound and stitched rugs can also be made to order. You have a choice of bindings ranging from fancy braids from Italy and Belgium to Kudu leather from Namibia. Or, if you prefer, cotton bindings in various colours can be provided. Sisal is available in various weaves, textures and colour shades, and is also manufactured in India. Kambali also holds stocks of quality sisal products imported from Belgium. Mountaingrass is another new and exciting natural fibre floorcovering – imported from China by Limaro. It has a latex backing and is provided in four-metre widths. For the adventurous, Mountain Grass can also be used for decorating ceilings and walls, as well as floors. Coir is imported from the south of India and is supplied in herringbone and boucle weave. It is interesting to know that coir is derived from the husk of a coconut and is cleaned and spun into a very strong yarn suitable for making four-metre wide broadloom carpeting.
It is important to note that this coir is very tightly spun and woven on a power loom and not a hand shuttle loom as used by many other suppliers. However, this does have a cost implication but the wearability of the carpet is much improved. Limaro also has a big range of doormats of differing quality, shapes and sizes. The range includes PVC-backed coir tufted doormats, ideal for inlays at door wells. These can be supplied with customer logos printed at an additional cost. Other doormats include thick coir doormats with printed designs or plain bleached coir with cut-out designs on the mats. Limaro Agencies is a wholly owned family business run by Sem Vosters – who has many years’ experience in the flooring trade – together with his two sons Mark and Robert, and daughter Liaan. Its seven shops trading as Kambali are located in Bergvliet, Durbanville and Big Bay in Cape Town, Victory Park and North Riding in Johannesburg, and Kloof in Durban as well as Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal, where you will be welcome to view the latest in natural floorcoverings and get the best advice to meet your needs. Limaro also has a dedicated team of fitters for fitting natural fibre flooring throughout the country. Experienced fitters are essential to achieve a good quality finish and Limaro prides itself on its after-sales service which is sometimes required due to the inherent nature of the fibres that behave differently under varying climatic conditions.
Limaro Tel: 011 462 9848, Fax: 011 462 9849
great flooring guide|2009
Nouwens Carpets
carpets
Other than going to bed, sitting in your favourite armchair, or lying on a pile of cushions, nothing comes close to the comfort and luxury of a quality carpet, and in South Africa you are spoilt for choice with the wonderful ranges available from the local manufacturers and suppliers. Today’s carpet offers a wide variety of choices in style, fibre composition and colour. Gone are the days of having
to select only conventional loop pile, a carpet style consisting of yarn in uncut loops, although these carpets are still very popular and good value for money. great flooring guide|2009
carpets
Available in numerous carpet styles, and including imported exotic varieties which are
loop and cut-loop patterns allowing a wide
still a firm favourite, rugs bring colour and
range of interesting designs that stand out in
style to any home, and can change the look
sculptured effects, and the texture, colours
and feel of any room.
and pattern of the carpet can complement
They can also be used to cover up any
or contrast with the patterns of your furni-
imperfections in your main floorcovering,
ture and window treatments.
and you can save it from excessive wear by
Using a solid colour, textured carpet is a great way to provide interest and appeal, without going to a multicolour, overall pat-
using rugs in front of regularly used cupboards or armchairs. It has been said before – nothing compares
tern. Textured styles also fit well with today’s
with carpet when it comes to the ‘feel’, the
active and casual lifestyles. Ask to see the
comfort, the opulence it provides, the ease
various available options when you visit the
of installation and maintenance – and value
showroom.
for money.
Warm and safe Carpet actually provides great thermal benefits. In cold seasons it retains warm air longer, which saves energy. It is also ideal for cushioning the sound of footsteps, reducing slips and falls and minimising injuries when falls do occur. It provides safety for the whole family, but especially for small children and older people. Adding a quality underlay beneath your carpet reduces noise and softens falls even further. Carpets are forgiving Carpets are forgiving and do not appear dirty as quickly as most alternative floor surfaces. This is a major benefit, but do not allow them to become too soiled before cleaning – if properly cared for from day one, most quality carpets will maintain their good looks for years to come, so establish a regular cleaning programme to protect your investment before problems occur. (See insert: Taking care of your carpet). Rugs for added comfort With the huge selection of hard floorcoverings available – wood, vinyl, ceramic and
Taking care of your carpet Carpet is easy to clean and maintain. Regular vacuuming (daily if possible) will help it to retain its service life and beauty for years, and annual professional steam cleaning is a recommended treatment that will also prolong its life expectancy. Maintenance of carpeting does not require any extraordinary equipment or expertise, and the modern advances in carpet manufacturing have given the market many “stain-resistant” options that make the cleaning of carpeting even easier. However, although the construction of the carpet will hide the dirt and soiling until it is properly cleaned, leaving it until it is too late will not only ruin the overall appearance of the floor but drastically shorten the lifespan of the carpet as well. It certainly helps to place dirt-trap mats at every entrance to avoid grit, grease and dirt being brought in on shoes, and inadvertently being wiped on the carpet.
porcelain tiles, natural stone and more – discerning homeowners will always turn to including high-quality rugs in their overall décor.
Warm, safe and comfortable under your feet!
Van Dyck Carpets
New technology New technology can produce multilevel-
great flooring guide|2009
Belgotex Floorcoverings
carpets
If you have any queries on this section of The Great Flooring Guide, please contact the FLOORS in Africa Help Line on 012 347 7530 and we will put you in touch with the experts.
Buying tips Determine the use of the room that the carpet will be installed in; the carpet must
experienced installer – look at some of
provide the comfort you are looking for,
his previous jobs, and ask his customers
and yet still withstand wear in high-traffic
if they were satisfied. If they wouldn’t use
areas.
him again, nor should you!
Choose the style and design that meet
Before you place an order with the install-
your décor requirements and make sure
er, ask him if the offcuts that are left at the
that the carpet specification will do the
end of an installation are your property.
job you expect it to do. To this end, it pays
This is not always the case, and this will
to visit more than one supplier or show-
avoid any argument or extra cost. They
room to see what is available.
can be used for any future repair work
Don’t buy cheap – it will undoubtedly be more expensive in the long term. Better to have peace of mind by investing in a quality carpet. The carpet price often reflects the quality, but you will find that there is
Make sure you select a reputable and
that may be required and, properly edged, they make great scatter rugs. Make sure you buy a high-quality underlay, and that it is fitted correctly.
way you can make sure that it blends with your furnishings. Check any quote carefully so that you fully understand what you are getting. Make sure there are no hidden “extras”, and certainly don’t pay in full in advance. Speak to the installer, and make sure you understand and are happy with the laying procedure. Points to look for: – ensure that joins do not occur in high-wear areas, and pay particular attention to joins on stairs – these should be avoided wherever possible. A mistake often made is to buy carpets that are too light in colour for the area of
good value for money in the lower priced
Take samples of the carpet home and view
use. This is acceptable in bedrooms, but if
ranges. The rule of thumb is: buy the best
them in different light situations to make
the area is regularly trafficked, rather con-
you can afford.
sure you still like it before you buy. This
sider going for a shade darker.
great flooring guide|2009
At Belgotex Floorcoverings, as one of the largest carpet manufacturers in Africa, we have taken far-reaching measures to establish eco-friendly production practices at our Pietermaritzburg plant in accordance with modern environmental imperatives. We recognise the impact of our activities, products and services on the environment and we’ve put several initiatives in place to manage any negative impacts. Our environmental policy addresses resource management and pollution prevention, including issues from water consumption and energy efficiency to chemical waste disposal and boiler emissions. We are currently on track to attain compliance to the international ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. We are giving attention to conserving energy and managing scarce resources more efficiently, while also providing environmental training courses to entrench a “green” philosophy among our employees. In conjunction with Eskom, we have undertaken a cost saving initiative and installed new energy saving light fittings which reduced energy consumption by 460kW, at a cost of 2.4 million rand. We have installed motion sensors, which automatically switch off lights and air conditioners in unoccupied offices and warehouses, resulting in a 5 % savings on our total energy usage. Waste water from production is purified by a specialist effluent treatment company before it is discharged into the municipal sewage system. We have introduced systems to minimize all forms of pollution resulting from the plant’s production processes, including regular monitoring of flue gas emissions from the steam generating boilers, measuring combustion efficiency and using clean burning coal only. At Belgotex Floorcoverings we have assembled an expert team of specialists to assist it in recycling all forms of waste produced in the manufacturing process. For example, our Green underlay is made from 100% recycled yarn and fibre. In addition, our product development is geared towards producing more solution dyed fibres and yarns, which are dry processes that reduce water, chemical and energy consumption.
10 great flooring guide|2009
advertorial
The new generation of stain-proof carpets from Belgotex Carpets – SDX – answers the quest for fashionable, fuss-free floors. Carpets are back in fashion in a big way – not only for their trendy textures and nostalgic old-world charm, but also for their eco-friendly energy efficiency and easy-care yarns.
Belgotex Carpets’ latest hi-tech yarn, SDX (Solution Dyed Nylon for X-treme Conditions), produces carpets that are colourfast, UV-resistant and completely stainproof, giving you floors that not only look beautiful, but are easy to care for too! These SDX ranges – Royal Twist, Westminster and Opulence – are perfect for homes with wide expanses of windows and glass that let the natural light in and reduce the need for artificial light. The natural insulation properties of carpets overcome problems of loss of interior warmth, while improving indoor air quality by absorbing airborne dust and allergens, as well as emitting lower levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) commonly caused by pesticides and glue.
Westminster
Maximum luxury, Minimum fuss Colourfast, stain- and UV-resistant to the
How does one maintain and care
fading effects of sunlight, carpets made from
for carpets?
SDX allow you to enjoy the natural light
Follow these easy steps to keep your carpets
and warmth of the sun without concerns of
in pristine condition:
your carpets fading. You can also confidently
Regular vacuuming to remove dust and
select that beautiful light shade you just love
allergens and maintain the pile height and
because it will stay that way!
fibres – at least once a week for general
SDX yarn protects the carpet from staining or bleach, and retains its luxurious body. Simple vacuum cleaning at least once a week
soiling and daily for high-traffic areas such as stairs and corridors Before trying to remove dirty marks from
is all that is required and, if necessary, stains
your carpet it’s important to know whether
can be washed out with a simple solution of
they are stains or ‘soiling’ – Staining is the
household bleach and water.
discolouration of carpet fibres caused when pigment from a substance like coffee or red wine leaves residue in the carpet. – Soiling is caused by dirt, dust, ciga-
Opulence - Majesty
rette ash, and other particles that settle on a carpet and, if not regularly removed,
great flooring guide|2009
11
can cause friction at the base of the carpet and weaken the fibres, causing loss of pile height and density, and a dull appearance. Carpets made from Stainproof Miracle Fibre or SDX must have spills or stains
vinegar and water. Avoid washing carpets with household detergents such as shampoo and opt for
by absorbing impact and improving the effi-
an annual steam clean instead.
cacy of vacuum cleaning. The undercushion
Stair nosings will reinforce the highest
treated as soon as possible for the best
pressure point on stairs and extend the life
results. Spills and stains can be cleaned
of the carpet.
is dust-repellent and improves the underfoot luxury and comfort of the carpet. Belgotex Carpets
with an equal solution of household
12
Royal Twist - Viscount Pearl
bleach and water, blotting from the out-
Longevity Hints
Tel: 033 897 7500
side inwards. Never scrub a stain!
Installation of the carpet with Orange
Fax: 033 897 7700
Undercushion extends the life of the carpet
Website: www.belgotexcarpets.co.za
Remove stains on other carpets by using
great flooring guide|2009
advertorial
Enjoy the flexibility of carpeting as a fundamental design element that adds character and comfort, coupled with convenience and health benefits, to your home. 1 STYLE – supplied to you in various new
A number of carpet ranges from Belgotex Carpets are made from the hi-tech Stainproof Miracle Fibre or SDX making them easy to clean and supremely resistant to household spills and stains. Carpets bearing these logos are colourfast so they won’t fade or discolour and can be cleaned with an equal solution of clear, household bleach and water. Carpets made from natural wool or nylon should be rinsed with one part vinegar to ten parts water. Most carpets from Belgotex Carpets undergo the Ecowash cleaning process (in effect a factory steam clean) to remove the natural lubricants used during the manufacturing process and enhance the colour and texture of each carpet.
ranges to take care of every decorating idea. Belgotex Carpets’ latest luxurious topof-the-range collection – Opulence – is designed from the finest stainproof, colourfast and crush-resistant SDX yarn technology (Solution Dyed Nylon for Xtreme conditions), giving you all the traditional warmth and comfort of carpeting without the practical worries of stains and maintenance. The new DIY Tile from Belgotex Carpets gives you the freedom to create any design and colour combination without breaking the bank. Mix ’n match boxes of peel ’n stick carpet tiles offer affordable luxury that’s easy on the pocket – perfect to keep up with the latest trends! 2 CLEANER AIR - Carpets act like a sponge to trap dust and germs, and with regular
4
ADDED SAFETY - Use the advantage of luxurious, non-slip carpeting underfoot to cushion those faulty footsteps, whether the first steps of a child or those of an ailing adult.
5
EASY ON THE POCKET - Advances in fibre technology such as the Stainproof Miracle Fibre or SDX provide an attractive alternative that performs better than more expensive, perishable natural materials. Belgotex Carpets offer a variety of ranges to suit any budget.
vacuuming, can help improve the indoor air quality by keeping the air you breathe safe and free of dust and allergens. Scientific studies have proven it’s the allergens in the air that cause allergic responses such as asthma. Furthermore, synthetic carpets are not appealing “snack” food for undesirable bugs! 3 EASY CARE - the simplicity of a onceover with a reliable, clean-filtered vacuum cleaner beats the sweeping, mopping and polishing of other floorcoverings any day!
6 SPOILED FOR CHOICE - Whether you desire sleek and smooth or rustic and chunky, Belgotex Carpets’ ranges will have exactly what you need, available in the colour of your choice. 7 COOL OR COSY - Reduce your heating bill and energy consumption this winter and banish cold floors forever! Carpets are warm in winter, cool in summer offering 10% better thermal insulation than other floorcoverings. 8 BETTER ACOUSTICS - The absorption properties of carpets help reduce noise pollution and improve sound quality by minimising vibration and reflection – this is the reason for carpeting in our best movie theatres and sound studios. 9 LUXURY AND COMFORT - Orthopaedic specialists confirm that the superior underfoot cushioning from the soft, shock-absorbent surface of carpeting alleviates stress and fatigue on your back and joints. 10 SATISFACTION GUARANTEED - All carpets from Belgotex Carpets carry a 5-Year Guarantee of superior material and craftsmanship across every range and a 10-Year Warranty on tufted carpets.
13 great flooring guide|2009
advertorial
M
ost family businesses build their reputations on personal service, quality products, customer care, and value for money. Nouwens Carpets offers one more – craftsmanship. When Cornelius Nouwens started Nouwens Carpets in Harrismith almost 48 years ago, he brought with him a unique set of values and carpet craftsmanship skills, an inheritance from his father and grandfather in Tilburg, Holland. Together with his daughter and son, Luci and Pieter, they have interpreted these skills with modern machinery and technology, establishing Nouwens as a brand which currently compares with the best in the world. The Nouwens philosophy seems simple – classic luxury at all levels – but the owners are dedicated and innovative master craftsmen, who know how to bring out the best in carpet fibres and styles, without ever compromising their values. After all, the Nouwens name they treasure has earned a well deserved quality reputation of which they can rightfully be proud.
‘Better rather than bigger’ is the company’s
2 Nouwens Platinum Edition is a select
motto – or as expressed in the words of
group of flagship ranges, endorsed
Cornelius Nouwens himself: There are
by the Nouwens craftsmen as carpets
two types of carpet – those you wouldn’t
of exceptional style and quality – five
put your name on, and those you would. Nouwens excels in the latter. WHY BUY A CARPET IF YOU CAN BUY NOUWENS? 20 good reasons: 1 It is true that pure wool carpets are simply the best, but Nouwens also offers a superb range of wool-blend and synthetic carpets which come in a wide range of prices, always offering discerning homeowners the very best in design, durability and value for their money. For consumer convenience, Nouwens have grouped their wide product range into three distinctly different categories – the flagship Platinum Edition; the Naturally Nouwens spun-yarn ranges; and the Easi-carpet polypropylene ranges.
unique ranges crafted in the finest imported pure new wools and synthetic fibres. Platinum Edition carpets not only look exclusive, but offer superb appearance retention and are easy to care for, bringing elegance, comfort and sheer luxury you can enjoy for years in your home. 3 Naturally Nouwens offers a more affordable traditional Nouwens style and quality – six ranges in 100% woollen spun yarn, ranging from the ever popular wool-blend Berbers to plush polyester Saxony styles. Carpets from this Nouwens sales programme are suitable for all areas of the home and provide an unmistakable
15 great flooring guide|2009
quality base around which to design
is your assurance that these products
Nouwens carpet made up for his inaugu-
your interior and your future.
have been tested and pass the SABS
ration!
Basic Quality Standards. There is also a
11 Many, many valued Nouwens customers
extruded fibre, introduces a totally new
commitment by SABS to entertain any
have supported the brand over and over
culture in polypropylene carpets. This
quality related consumer complaint on
since 1962. This has earned Nouwens an
entry-level Nouwens brand is produced
SABS-branded carpets and to deal with
unrivalled reputation for carpet excellence
4 Distinctive Easi-carpet, in a Nouwens
in solution-dyed Nouwens Easi-fibre for excellent colourfastness, and comes in a quality and style that is so obviously Nouwens. 5 All Naturally Nouwens and Easi-carpet ranges come with mill-applied Easi-care soil-resistant treatment, making them easier to clean for lasting good looks. 6 All Nouwens carpets are manufactured to the highest standards, carrying the SABS 1375 mark of quality, and are finished with imported ActionBac backings for extra stability. The SABS mark
16
the manufacturer on the consumer’s behalf. 7 Every Nouwens carpet comes with a five-year quality guarantee supported by a dedicated Nouwens customer service department to deal with any product quality enquiries. 8 All Nouwens Wool Collection carpets come with a five-point Wool Collection Commitment based on international wool quality standards. 9 Nelson Mandela selected a Nouwens pure wool carpet for his home. 10 Whilst Jacob Zuma had a regal red,
– Thank you! 12 Carpets do minimise noise, provide a non-slip surface, conceal dirt, and provide a good insulation which saves energy – Nouwens does this in style… 13 After almost 48 years, Nouwens Carpets is still a family business, imbued with the same passions and craftsmanship with which it was first started, and is still making “carpets (we) are proud to put our name on!” 14 Nouwens carpets simply look different – the innovative styles and quality engi-
A specially qualified partnership for the ultimate carpet experience all great flooring guide|2009
advertorial
neering provide lasting good looks, which set them apart from other carpets 15 There is something about the comfort of a textile floorcovering that sets it apart from other hard floor finishes – that is why carpets are still used in most bedroom and living areas where people kick off their shoes. This is even truer for Nouwens! 16 When it comes to name-dropping – Nouwens is the name in carpets, often quoted along with a swimming pool and other features worth mentioning in houses for sale.
ciplines to conserve energy, minimise waste and preserve our environment. 19 Nouwens market their products through a national Nouwens Appointed
Dealer network. These are listed on the Nouwens website by province. Then there are the specially qualified Nouwens Platinum Partners, with fully equipped showrooms, offering a professional service on all Nouwens ranges at no additional charge and extending the five-year guarantee on all Nouwens products to include the installation as well. 20 Visit the Nouwens website for compre-
17 Nouwens are committed to uplifting
hensive information on every Nouwens
and supporting the local community
range, practical advice, complete carpet
with sustainable projects.
care, Nouwens dealer listings as well as
18 Nouwens are committed to the future and have implemented systems and dis-
an e-mail link to the Nouwens director’s desk!
NOUWENS PLATINUM PARTNERS • John Dore, Midrand, 011 318 0446 • Kevin Bates Flooring & Carpeting, Sandton, 011 608 4270 • National Carpets, Randburg, 011 791 6874 • Carpet & Décor Centre, Johannesburg, 011 833 2311 • Carpet & Décor Centre (Pty) Ltd, Fourways, 011 465 1017 • Sawyer Group cc, Horizon Park, 011 763 1045 • Stern Carpets cc, Benoni, 011 421 4282 • John Dore, Menlyn, 012 361 2414 • John Dore, Centurion, 012 663 5093 • Richard’s Place, Lynnwood, 012 348 3910 • Bentleytex Carpets, Cape Town, 021 461 7550 • Cardinal Flooring Specialists, Cape Town, 021 421 6700 • Albert Carpets, Cape Town, 021 462 3446 • Cardinal Flooring Specialists, Bellville, 021 945 4470 • Carpet World Flooring, Somerset West, 021 853 8530 • World of Carpets, Diep River, 021 715 9660 • Master Carpets & Flooring, Springfield Park, 031 263 0431 • Tile & Carpet Centre, Hillcrest, 031 765 5554/1 • Top Carpets, Pinetown, 031 705 8584 • Walton Carpets, Pietermaritzburg, 033 386 8222 • Barry Kapelus Carpeting, Port Elizabeth, 041 364 3710 • Nolan’s Flooring, Plettenberg Bay, 044 533 1252 • Carpet Discount House & Interiors, Knysna, 044 382 2090 NOUWENS APPOINTED DEALERS A complete and updated list of Nouwens Appointed Dealers appears by region on the Nouwens website.
the way into your home!
Nouwens Carpets Tel: 011 796 5180, Tel: 031 502 5730 Tel: 021 447 2856, Tel: 058 622 1101 Website: www.nouwens.co.za
great flooring guide|2009
17
003586
Ci sono momenti in cui vedi cose che non ti stancheresti mai di guardare Massimo Neri, who proposed to Annamaria in 1969
Vi Join si in t to any the w d fo in ay Ita ce l r yo a R and tile lebr u om y sh at an o o io d an u c wr n. yo H ou oo ur ol ld m pa ida rt y ne r.
Sometimes you just see something you know you’ll never get tired of.
Terms and conditions apply. For more information visit www.italtile.co.za
The Style. The Passion.
Johnson Tiles
ceramics, porcelain & stone
Ceramic and porcelain floors provide more than just highly efficient floors for your home – they are also an investment, and are easy to clean, hygienic and durable. The difficulty is – which of them to choose! • Don’t buy cheap tiles or you will
Ceramic tiles
moisture and stain absorption than ceramic
These tiles are a mixture of clays and other
tiles. They can be used both indoors and
regret it later. The same applies to the
natural materials that is shaped, coloured
outdoors.
grouting, which is available in many
The traditional 300mm x 300mm tile is still
shades and colours to form an effec-
naturally coloured and left unglazed like
the most popular in both ceramic and porce-
tive part of the overall floor design.
terracotta tiles, or can have coloured or
lain tiles, but the porcelain 300mm x 600mm
highly designed surfaces which can be
floor tiles are gaining in popularity for very
glazed in a high gloss or matte finish.
large room areas, particularly when used
and then fired in kilns. They can be
As a guide, ceramic tiles are given a rating that indicates their suitability for where they are to be installed: Class 1 is usually restricted to bathrooms,
with tiles of other sizes. Porcelain floor tiles that look like wood have become very fashionable, and they are produced in variable shades and grain
and they should not be used in heavy traffic
effects and available in long rectangular
areas.
formats which give the impression of wood
Class 2 is for use where soft soled traffic
strips.
is encountered. Not for use in areas such as kitchens, entrances, and stairs. These tiles will not perform well against tracked-in dirt or spilt abrasive materials. Classes 3; 4; and 5 can be used in any room in the home, although the latter two are designed for use in heavy duty commercial
• Purchase 10-15% extra tiles over the estimated quantity to accommodate breakages or for later replacement if it becomes necessary.
• The substructure must be solid, smooth and level before laying commences, and you should find out if your floor needs a primer (or even a damp-proof barrier) before the tiles are laid.
Caring for your ceramic floor tiles
• Make sure that a good quality adhesive is used and that the installer
Tiles need minimal maintenance, but
follows the manufacturer’s instructions
the best care is regular care. Sweep
regarding spread rates and applica-
or vacuum your ceramic tile floors
tion procedures.
applications.
at least once a week, because dust
Porcelain tiles
promptly removed, especially in areas
sealed (Terracotta tiles in particular
where there is moisture.
may need sealing).
Porcelain tiles are made from fine porcelain clays and fired at a much higher temperature than ceramic tiles, which makes them less porous, much harder and less prone to
can evolve into grime if they are not
After washing a ceramic tile floor, thoroughly rinse it with clean water to remove any detergent residue.
• Find out if your tiles need to be
• Only use a flooring contractor that is experienced in this type of work. Check his references.
great flooring guide|2009
19
ceramics, porcelain & stone
The reason why stone is so often a preferred flooring material for use in homes from the humblest to the most upmarket is that it has a natural, timeless beauty and a feeling of opulence and solid quality which is hard to match with any other type of material.
E
ven with the ability to last for ever, natural stone floors are always stylish and
fashionable, and one of the main reasons for their popularity is that each type of stone has its own individual patterning, colour and appeal, making every floor unique and ensuring that any style or dĂŠcor can be accommodated and enhanced. The most common varieties of natural stone used for flooring are marble, limestone, granite and slate, although quartzite, sandstone, and travertine floors are often found in South African homes. If you have any queries on this section of The Great Flooring Guide, please contact the FLOORS in Africa Help Line on 012 347 7530
Natural Stone Warehouse
Natural Stone Warehouse
and we will put you in touch with the experts.
Take your time in buying a natural stone floor. Ask the experts for their advice and choose the stone that meets your daily functional needs as well providing the aesthetic appeal you require.
Find out if your floor needs to be sealed.
Natural stone floors must be laid by a flooring contractor that is experienced in this type of work. Check his refer-
Get the supplier’s recommendations on
Most natural stones are porous and will need sealing, because they will stain if not properly treated.
a regular cleaning and maintenance programme, and follow it rigidly.
ences.
great flooring guide|2009
21
22 great flooring guide|2009
advertorial
C
eramic tiles are so popular with the discerning homeowner because they look good, last for ever, and are easy to keep clean – but how do you choose the right tile for your room? The first step in choosing ceramic tiles for your home is to prepare a budget, and although this may need some amendment once you have seen what’s available out there, don’t buy cheap (it becomes expensive in the long run), and don’t compromise your budget by overspending. Try to find a balance between quality, your budget and style. You need to consider the areas where you want to install the tiles, and make sure they blend or complement the adjoining rooms or hallways, otherwise you will get a style or colour clash that you will hate for ever! If you don’t want to use exactly the same colour for adjoining rooms or hallways, you can always select a different shade, but in the same colour. This gives you some variation, but not a sharp contrast. Choosing the right colour and style of ceramic tile can be difficult, because there are so many choices. Think of the atmosphere you are trying to create. For example, for a light and airy feel, a light or neutral shade would work well, although it may be more difficult to keep clean if it is in a high-traffic area. Do you plan to paint the walls another colour, or change your furnishings? If so, make sure the tiles you select will match or enhance your colour scheme for the room. Ask the supplier if you can take home some samples of those you like, to be able to compare with your design ideas. Remember, lighter coloured ceramic tiles tend to make a room feel more open. Darker colours add a cozy and warm appeal. Neutral colours work well, but some people may tire of them and prefer to go a bit bolder. Ceramic tiles come in different thicknesses. This can be an important factor when making
your selection. Thinner floor tiles are just as good as thick tiles if they are correctly bedded into a solid bed of adhesive – at least 5mm thick. Usually, tiles will only crack if they aren’t fully supported by the adhesive bed – the adhesive ‘spotting’ method should be avoided at all costs – and it almost goes without saying that these problems will not occur if the correct and good quality adhesive is used and good workmanship applied. You must also decide on the surface finish – are you looking for a high-gloss or a matte surface? Take expert advice on the best tile to use for the room, according to the amount of traffic it will get. The layout you choose for a room is important when selecting your ceramic tile. You may want all the ceramic tiles to be the same design and shape or you may want to mix them. For example, you may want to use all 300mm x 300mm tiles or perhaps combine them with a smaller tile to give a unique design to your floor. You can even lay them in a diagonal design. There are many options when choosing your layout, so talk this over with your supplier and installer. It is always a good idea to buy extra tiles (say 10%) in case one or a few break, either during installation or after the floor is in use. You should also choose the colour of your grout carefully, to decide if you want a colour that contrasts or blends with your tiles? Be sure to check the manufacturer’s warranty for the tile you select. It can vary and you want to make sure you get a good warranty with your purchase. Be careful to understand it fully – read the small print – and, if you are employing a tiling contractor, ask for references and check with his past customers to see if he did a good job. Finally, ensure that a good quality adhesive is used for your installation. Using the incorrect
adhesive for the tile and the traffic conditions it will encounter can, and almost certainly will, result in a tile failure. Once you are happy with all of the above – enjoy your new floor! tile78
11/15/07
5:01 PM
Page 1
Your complete tiling solution ...under one roof Johnson Tiles (a division of Norcros SA) Tel: 011 316 3133, Fax: 011 316 3278
Your first choice for a stylish range of affordable wall & floor tiles, wall-t laminated flooring, real wooden flooring and all the accessor
23
FOR YOUR NEAREST STORE: CUSTOMER CARE NUMBER 0860 BUILDERS/0860 284533 E&OE. PRODUCT MAY DIFFER FROM IMAGE DISPLAYED (TILE78_31)
great flooring guide|2009
wood,laminates & bamboo
L
iving rooms, family rooms and entrances
Engineered wood floors
or foyers are the most popular rooms
The introduction of engineered wood floors
where people prefer a wood look floor, and it
has also eased concerns over the environ-
is generally agreed that the main reasons for
ment – they are produced in a multilayer
having these are that they increase the resale
design with a top layer of the selected hard-
value of the home; promote a healthier indoor living environment; are hypoallergenic; beautiful to look at; durable; and easy to clean and maintain. Natural wood floors There is no doubt that wood floors work with many decorating styles, in addition to which they age nicely, appreciate in value, are
laminate of less exotic wood in three layers, laid at right angles to reduce and stabilise any movement in the material. By having a 4mm hardwood top layer this design enables more floor to be produced per tree than solid wood, thus making far less environmental impact – particularly if all
environmentally friendly, and will last a
woods used in the construction of the engi-
lifetime if looked after.
neered wood flooring are sourced from well-
As homeowners increase the demand for hardwood floors, manufacturers are
controlled and renewable-resource forests. Engineered wood floors mean that you
producing better-quality finishes and
can have a natural wood floor with all the
manufacturing methods. The result is that
attributes of solid wood, but with modern
wood floors are now available in both solid
technology providing longevity, aesthetic
and engineered wood varieties, and can be
appeal, ease of installation, and low mainte-
installed over a wide variety of subfloors.
nance – and the environment is being cared
Solid wood floors In general, modern surface finishes and protective treatments have largely improved the cleaning and upkeep problems of solid wood floors, and if you make sure that the selected wood is obtained from companies that comBerry Floor
wood being factory-applied to a cross-
ply with the strict international reforestation requirements, these floors can meet the design needs and quell the environmental anxieties of the most discerning homeowner.
for as well. However, don’t confuse this type of construction with a laminate floor – they are entirely different. Laminate floors Laminate floorcoverings entered the market with a wide range of excellent wood lookalike finishes, but technology here has become so far advanced that it is now possible to obtain realistic visuals and textures that replicate all types of natural stone as
24
Beautiful to look at; durable; and easy to clean and maintain!
great flooring guide|2009
well, together with other finishes and textures.
wood,laminates & bamboo
Laminate is ideal for homeowners who want the look of real hardwood or stone
all that is needed to keep the floor clean. Anyone thinking of using laminate flooring
without the cost of maintenance that some-
in their home should ensure that the selected
times can be associated with the natural
product meets all the stringent European
Never buy cheap wood, bamboo or
products.
Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) manu-
laminate floorcoverings – these will
facturing and test requirements, which is
not last and will require very expen-
1 Basic construction
now an accepted set of worldwide standards
sive early replacement.
The basic construction of a laminate floor-
that grades the products into wear and dura-
covering is divided into four main sections:
bility classifications in accordance with their
brand – and a guarantee (for both the
the stabilising bottom layer; the core; the
designated usage. Ask your supplier for full
product and its installation).
decorative layer; and the wear surface – all put
details, and check the test results.
together under high pressure.
Whether you choose a natural wood or
The bottom layer (sometimes called the
laminate floor, we would recommend that
backing), is a melamine-impregnated paper
you speak to the Southern African Wood &
that protects the underneath parts of the
Laminate Association (SAWLFA) (Tel. 011 455
floor from any damage, provides dimen-
2833) to ensure you are getting the right
sional stability to the planks, decreases the
product and a competent installer.
chances of the floor deforming or ‘bowing’, and helps guard against moisture. (This is
3 Bamboo flooring
one thing that laminates do have in common
Bamboo is fast gaining popularity because
with wood – moisture is the enemy).
of the superb floors it can provide, and its
The next layer is the core board, usually
inherent eco-friendliness. Unlike hardwood,
made from high-density fibreboard or par-
bamboo is not a wood at all – it is a fast
ticle board that may also contain melamine
growing grass that can grow from sprouts to
plastic resins which help to improve the
harvesting in three to five years.
moisture resistance of the core. Then a decorative layer or print film is
This means that an acre of bamboo can
Make sure you get a well-known
Check the references of both your supplier and your installer and make sure that their previous customers are still happy. Make sure you have a flat, smooth subfloor that is free of moisture. Satisfy yourself that the fixing method and the finishing details are what you expect. Check if your installed floor needs sealing.
Keeping these floors clean Wood, laminate and bamboo floors are all
provide far more flooring than an acre
relatively simple to keep clean, although
adhered to the top of the core board,
of trees, and when bamboo shoots are
you should always get the recommenda-
which gives the floor its required faux finish
cut, fresh new sprouts grow in their place
tions of the manufacturer or the supplier
because it is in effect a printed high-resolu-
because the roots remain intact.
regarding ongoing cleaning and mainte-
tion photo-reproduction of wood grain or natural stone.
Bamboo can be an attractive alternative
nance requirements.
to hardwood or laminate floors because it is
You must make sure that dirt and grit are
The wear layer is basically the transparent
eco-friendly, is dimensionally stable, and can
not trafficked onto the floor from out-
sheet over the decorative layer that gives the
be installed in a bathroom without the worry
side, because although repair kits may
surface its strength. This overlay is impreg-
of a wet floor. It is interesting to note that
be available, these impurities will cause
nated with melamine – almost the same
as a floor it is harder than Maple and several
the appearance of the floor to deteriorate
finish as provided on kitchen countertops
types of steel!
rapidly.
– and sometimes it contains aluminium
Manufactured in planks with tongue and
Sweep and vacuum these floors regularly
oxide as well. Either way, the surface has
groove edges, bamboo floors are installed
– daily if possible – and a damp mopping
exceptional durability.
just like engineered hardwood floors – glued
once a week should then keep your floors
2 Great benefits
To illustrate this point, this layer makes the laminate floor resistant to abrasion, scratches, fading, impact and indentation, cigarette burns, chemicals and stains; they never need waxing, polishing or sanding; and have a very low maintenance requirement – regular vacuuming and a wipe with a damp cloth is
down, nailed down or installed as a floating
in good condition.
floor over many different types of subfloor to
Never swamp the floor with water, and
provide you with a cost-effective, eco-friendly,
mop up any spills as soon as they happen.
durable, low-maintenance, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing floor that will be the envy of all your friends and visitors.
If you have any queries on this section of
Installed properly, any one of these three
The Great Flooring Guide, please contact the
types of flooring will give you endless satis-
FLOORS in Africa Help Line on 012 347 7530
faction.
and we will put you in touch with the experts.
great flooring guide|2009
25
NICO GROBLER STUDIO +27 (0)12 802 1220
Colorado
Louro Preto
Design:
Virapita
Floors
26 great flooring guide|2009
Decks
advertorial
Splash out on the Berry Floor laminates’ Loft Project range with its new, specially imported HydroPlus waterproof coating and get the fabulous good looks of wood laminates without the worry of warping or delaminating.
B
erry Floor wood laminates are the innova-
heating systems, Berry Floor’s affordable
systems that increase their practicality and
tive answer to open-plan interior design
wooden good looks can be installed with an
enhance their beauty.
and are equally at home in the living room or
underlay for extra underfoot comfort that
To provide the correct care and mainte-
wet areas such as the kitchen.
soundproofs and insulates the home at the
nance for laminate flooring, make sure that
same time.
any spills are immediately mopped up, and
Available in a variety of natural or washed and distressed finishes from the deep
With Berry Floor, you are choosing one
clean the floor with a damp cloth – never use
colours of hardwoods to sunny golden tones
of the most advanced laminate flooring
of maple and beech, Berry Floor laminates
products currently available. Consisting of
emulate the beauty of natural wood but
multiple layers, assembled using the most
leave the real trees safely in the arms of
advanced production procedures and
Mother Earth.
subject to the strictest controls, Berry Floor
For further information contact Berry Floor’s Marketing Service Department on 033 897 7500 or visit the website www.belgotex-
laminate flooring products include patented
floorcoverings.co.za.
Suitable for use with under-laminate
a soaking wet mop.
27 great flooring guide|2009
Bamboo is fast becoming the most popular choice of flooring for homeowners, particularly those that have concerns about the ecology, because it is a flooring option that considers the environment and is extremely hardwearing and attractive at the same time.
28 great flooring guide|2009
advertorial
T
here is an ongoing requirement to provide ever cleaner, ever stronger and ever more technologically advanced construction and decoration materials. Ecostrong bamboo flooring is one of these products. The company was formed to promote and distribute Ecostrong bamboo flooring in southern Africa. Bamboo is the newest trend in flooring, providing a beautiful, sustainable, and renewable alternative to solid timber and laminate flooring. More and more people are finding out about the seemingly endless benefits of a bamboo floor in both looks and practicality. Ecostrong offers a range of bamboo products including flooring, decking, wall cladding and furniture board, with products that are sourced from reputable manufacturers. Sustainable bamboo Currently forest resources are seriously depleted and the ecological environment is getting worse; people must stop using nonrenewable timber. Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource; it is self-regenerating, growing to maturity and achieving optimum hardness in approximately 5 years. It has high carbon absorption rates and releases oxygen into the atmosphere. There is both minimum waste and minimal pollution in its harvesting and production – all parts of the bamboo plant are utilised to produce a multitude of products. It is also highly termite resistant. Bamboo products are harder and more resistant to moisture than popular hard woods such as Red Oak and Cherry. About bamboo Bamboo is a naturally beautiful and durable alternative to our limited global supply of hardwood, and like traditional timber is a natural organic substance. It is technically a grass, not wood, and is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates throughout the world – particularly China. Once the bamboo has been harvested and processed it is more stable and harder than most old-growth forest hardwoods. With a tensile strength superior to mild steel and a weight-to-strength ratio surpassing that of graphite, bamboo is regarded as the strongest growing wood plant on earth.
Ecostrong Bamboo Floors are very hard and durable, and are available in two flooring solutions - Ecostrong T&G Bamboo Flooring, which is traditional tongue and groove strip flooring, and Style Lock Bamboo Flooring, which is a DIY floating floor. In conclusion, Ecostrong Bamboo Flooring should be the natural selection for your next building project and because bamboo is environmentally friendly, it will no doubt become an increasingly popular choice in the 21st century.
Advantages of a Bamboo floor * Environmentally sustainable – Ecostrong Bamboo Flooring is an attractive alternative to hardwood floors, and is derived from the forests of a rapidly growing renewable resource. * Easy installation – Bamboo Flooring compares favourably with traditional solid select timber floors and is pre-finished alleviating the need for sanding and sealing on site. * Coupled with its price advantage, bamboo floors are creating significant interest for their aesthetics and other qualities over existing hardwood alternatives. * Very stable under humid and dry conditions * Bamboo flooring is allergy free * Ecostrong bamboo floorboards are sealed with non-toxic glues and are finished with aluminium oxide. * Ecostrong Bamboo Floors also have high UV resistance, blocking the sun’s harmful rays and protecting the floor pattern from fading over time. * Excellent warranty protection. * Easy cleaning, since bamboo flooring doesn’t trap dirt, most spills can be cleaned up with a damp mop or sponge. * Very low emissions through waste and pollution; the result is a very environmentally friendly product.
Ecostrong Tel: 011 552 8480, Fax: 086 530 6230 E-mail: info@ecostrong.co.za Website: www.ecostrong.co.za
29 great flooring guide|2009
advertorial
stuck onto the sticky side of the mat and the underside or non-sticky side is free-floating over the screeds. This enables any expansion of the wood floor to be contained – particularly during periods of very high humidity – and should
With Steven Suntup having been in the solid wooden floor-
any remedial work be required, Elastilon enables this to be carried out without major
ing industry for over 20 years, and his company well estab-
repairs being necessary.
lished in the timber business over three generations, Suntups Wooden Flooring is one of the most well-respected and experienced South African companies dealing exclusively in solid wooden flooring.
All pre-finished Suntups flooring has six UV-cured coats of aluminium oxide, and the hand-brushed antique ranges have six coats of an air-dried matt sealer to give the natural look similar to that of an oiled floor. Suntups has a nationwide list of recommended installers and you can find one in your area by visiting the website www. suntups.co.za or making contact with the national sales office on 011 610 1700. For your guidance in selecting the correct wood for your rooms, the website also contains full information on the range of wood floors currently available. In addition, all the recommended fitters have the Suntups Sample Range; if they don’t have one, we will send them one overnight for your viewing. The correct installation of a wood floor is essential if it is to provide its expected
Suntups has over 30 different types of solid
due to its construction which provides
and engineered wooden floors in its sales
boards that have a plywood base and a solid
programme and recently opened a full
top of the chosen hardwood, rather than
showroom at its Johannesburg premises
being a solid plank of the ecologically
where all the current ranges are on display.
challenged species.
Natural wood floors provide any room with
For the installation of Suntups flooring, the
a luxurious look and feel, a sense of pride
use of the Dutch imported Elastilon system is
in the home, and a low-maintenance, long-
recommended (www.elastilon.com). Elastilon
lasting floor that will be the envy of all your
is a series of permanent stick mats that are
friends.
designed for the installation of solid and
Although many traditionalists still favour the solid wood, tongue-and-groove flooring, engineered wood provides a more stable installation and is environmentally friendly
tongue-and-groove engineered wooden floors. permanent bond on one side; the wood is
“TM”
S.A. WOOD & LAMINATE FLOORING ASSOCIATION
great flooring guide|2009
expensive floor failure you should ensure that your installer has accreditation from the Southern African Wood & Laminate Flooring Association, which means he is using SAWLFA recognised methods of installation. (See www.sawlfa.co.za for a full list of members.) Should you wish to speak to Steven Suntup directly, you can call him on 082 821 9899, or contact him by e-mail: info@suntups.co.za. Suntups Solid Wooden Flooring
These are highly elastic mats with a
MEMBER
30
performance and longevity, so to avoid an
Tel: 011 610 1700, E-mail: info@suntups.co.za Website: www.suntups.co.za
advertorial
Natural wood or laminate for my floor? How long can I expect it to last? Who can install it? These are just some of the questions that every homeowner needs answering before deciding which type of floor to use. The Great Flooring Guide sought the answers from the local guru on both types of flooring – Peter Geyer of FloorworX. Why should I choose real wood? Engineered wood floors are boards of multilayered design, which makes them less expensive than solid wood. Engineered wood is pre-finished, with no sanding or sealing required, no installation mess, and the floor can be walked on the same day it is installed. You should insist on some proof from the supplier that the equivalent number of trees used in their products are replanted through the strict control of the Forest Stewardship Council and that the wood used comes from a sustainable and controlled source. The natural beauty and the genuine wood colour cannot be beaten for the real wood look, and the sound and feel adds real ambience to the home. Its ease of installation, maintenance and cleaning, plus its anti-allergenic properties, make real wood of true value to any home. How do I know my floors will last? You should get a written guarantee from the manufacturer and not from the installer; enquire about what type of wood was used on the final overlay; insist on waterborne finishes (not solvent-based) as these also help to preserve the environment. Do some research on the Internet regarding the source and the quality as well as the local supplier.
Why should I choose a laminate floor? The cost of laminates is generally less than wood floors, and they are well known for their ease of maintenance. Easily installed, laminates also can be provided as a DIY option. They are also highly scratch-resistant, fade-resistant, and certain laminate manufacturers guarantee that their laminates will not pull apart. Underfloor heating can be used under good-quality laminate floors, although special requirements need to be met. The new technology can give the effect of real wood looks, colour variation and feel. Most people decide on the basis of colour and quality, but my initial advice is to research the retailer with whom you are going to deal with. How do I know my floor will last? Ensure the product you want to select is graded by the EPLF (European Producers of Laminate Flooring) or the South African Bureau of Standards, and check with SAWLFA (South African Wood and Laminate Flooring Association) whether the supplier of the particular brand is a member. You can also research the brands on the Internet. Also, research your potential retailers thoroughly and make sure they are also members, and insist that your guarantees are valid from the manufacturer. Don’t forget that product guarantees do not cover poor installations. Who can install my floor? 90% of product failures are due to poor installation; for a good installation the dampness in screeds and substrates must be checked. Floor level and expansion requirements should also be checked, as some products expand more than others. Not all installers have the correct equipment and experience to correctly install your laminate floor. So ensure your installer has been accredited by SAWLFA as they have to meet strict installation requirements. There are, at present, ten Master Installers in South Africa, who are well equipped and qualified to take on the most difficult installations. (They can be sourced via the SAWLFA website.)
FloorworX Tel: 011 406 4263, Peter Geyer: 083 380 6665
31
Peter Geyer
great flooring guide|2009
advertorial
Choosing a real wood floor is a responsible choice; picking a Kährs wood floor (marketed in South Africa by Interior Wooden Floors) means making an even smarter green decision.
W
ood is a renewable flooring material – the raw material can be replaced within several years, and the
multilayered construction of Kährs floors means that it is used in the most effective and environmentally responsible way, using fewer resources than in solid wood floor production. Kährs only makes wood floors and over the years has striven to capture the beauty and expression of wood – learning to combine this beauty with leading floor technology to produce high-quality wood floors which are durable, stable, and easy to install. Now available in over 20 wood species, Kährs floors satisfy the demands of a consumer looking for a floor that will Jatoba
contribute to a better environment. Wood floors keep our feet warm on cool days and refreshingly cool on warm days – thanks to their natural cellular structure. Wood was designed by nature to be a great insulator and has a way of softening interiors. No other floorcovering can compete with the spirit of real wood, either physically or emotionally. So take off your shoes and relax; your wood floor will offer better insulation and warmth than most other floorcoverings. Naturally! If you are looking for a real wood floor, Kährs has to be
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your choice – they are designed for a better environment.
10% Discount on Kährs wood flooring orders placed BEFORE 30 November 2009! CALL 011 455 2975 or e-mail: info@interiorwoodenfloors.co.za
MEMBER
“TM”
32
S.A. WOOD & LAMINATE FLOORING ASSOCIATION
great flooring guide|2009
Country
advertorial
A comprehensive programme of over 11 styles puts Quick-Step laminate flooring in the forefront of design options, providing the right floor for any application in the home. vailable in tiles or wide and small planks to match or enhance any décor you
the watchword! Quick-Step floors are easy to install using
need, Quick-Step gives you the capability of
the unique Uniclic system that is a feature
selecting the range, colour, size and look of
of the factory production of each plank or
the flooring.
tile, being milled into the core board itself to
Following Quick-Step’s policy that design is just as important as quality, these ranges will
ensure exceptional tensile strength. All Quick-Step laminates are manufactured
fit your every requirement for any room, and
to the European Standard of Laminate
with designs and quality that have stood the
Flooring EN13329, which is a mandatory
test of time, Quick-Step is able to offer a 25-
requirement for manufacturers and your
year warranty on its floorcoverings.
guarantee of quality.
Every Quick-Step floor is manufactured
In addition, Quick-Step has been a mem-
using top-class materials including a high-
ber of the European Producers of Laminate
quality HDF core and a surface treatment
Flooring (EPLF) since its inception in 1994,
that will resist impacts from falling objects,
meeting high standards of manufacture and
stiletto heels and other troublesome effects.
performance.
They can also be easily combined with floor heating systems.
And – if you want to see what your floor will look like, visit the website http://www.
This top layer utilises Scratch Guard tech-
quick-step.com/others/oth/en/interiorde-
nology that is the result of years of research
signer.aspx, where you can play with your
and investment in the field of durability, and
floor design until you get exactly what you
the benefits are immediately obvious. The
want. Try it!
top layer has extra protection so that you can enjoy a beautiful, natural-looking floor for a
Interior Wooden Floors
lifetime of use.
Tel: 011 455 2975
Eligna
A
These floors are damp-proof, antistatic, and will even resist a glowing ember from a cigarette falling on it for a short period of time without leaving any lasting traces – and
33
the planks are virtually inflammable. Safety is
great flooring guide|2009
FloorworX
resilient
Vinyl Regarding design, the new luxury vinyl tile products are manufactured in completely realistic stone and wood styles – some with tactile finishes that even confuse the experts into thinking they are the real thing once installed. Detailed wood graining, random stone veining and marbling of the tiles all combine to provide stunning-looking floors. Linoleum This is one material that has been around for well over a century and a half. Linoleum (and its derivates) has long passed its classification as a ‘granny’s kitchen’ floorcovering, and is providing excellent service in many homes. Its main attribute is that it is made entirely of natural materials, because this exceptional floorcovering is manufactured from linseed oil (extracted from the flax plant), pine rosins and wood flour derived from sustainable tree plantations, ecologically responsible colour pigments and limestone, as well as jute for backing. Rubber & PVC
These days cork is available in coloured form, printed with a pattern, or in its natural tones and shades, and, as a floor, it is warm, resilient, naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to mould and mildew.
Regarding design, vinyl tile products provide stunning looks!
your home, it is well worth looking at what they can do for you. Keeping resilients clean
Worth a second look!
Waxing and polishing is a thing of the past
So, in summary, most resilient floorcoverings
with the new surface technologies, which
are relatively inexpensive, durable, easy to
means that if your resilient floor has been
install and clean, provide outstanding wear
installed correctly, the cleaning and main-
performance and have excellent colour
tenance programme is very simple.
retention. They also provide warmth under-
All it requires is to be kept free of any
foot, a high degree of insulation and sound
grit or dirt, swept or vacuumed regularly,
absorption, and are resistant to stains, abra-
and cleaned with a damp cloth and a
sion, acids, alkalis, oils and fats.
neutral detergent with clean water which
They have excellent dimensional stability and resistance to shrinkage, and many systems also provide a full range of stair treads, risers, nosings, trims, skirtings and
should be changed throughout the cleaning process. But, never use any cleaner that has an alcohol or abrasive content.
other accessories. Resilient floorcoverings can provide you
If you have any queries on this section of
with so many options for obtaining attrac-
The Great Flooring Guide, please contact the
tive, long-lasting floors that, the next time
FLOORS in Africa Help Line on 012 347 7530
you are thinking of having a new floor in
and we will put you in touch with the experts.
Rubber and studded PVC floor tiles, together with the interlocking PVC tile ranges, will always command a place in the residential market because of their versatility in use, and these resilient floorcoverings regularly find favour in the most upmarket of homes. Cork Cork is another truly eco-friendly flooring material which is native to the Mediterranean region where it forms the bark of the Cork Oak tree. The bark naturally splits every 9-15 years and can be safely harvested, causing no harm to the tree.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that a thick vinyl tile is a good one – the quality, strength and performance of a vinyl tile is determined by the thickness of its wear layer. Check it with your supplier. Use a reputable flooring contractor – and check his references by visiting some of his past customers to make sure that they would use him again. The contractor must make sure that the subfloor is perfectly smooth, because any imperfection will “grin through” the floor once laid.
He should also check the subfloor for moisture before laying commences, and ensure that the correct adhesive is being used (in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer or the supplier).
Check with your supplier or flooring contractor if the resilient flooring you have selected needs sealing.
Finally, the eternal warning to the uninitiated: Don’t buy cheap – it is always expensive in the end.
great flooring guide|2009
35
advertorial
Woodmark, the new cushioned vinyl from Belgotex Floorcoverings, lets you enjoy the warmth and appearance of wood without harming the planet. Available in a variety of trendy shades and finishes from the pale whitewashed look to darker dramatic browns, Woodmark’s cushioning adds softness underfoot, absorbs sound and minimises loss of heat through the floor, significantly reducing energy consumption. Its hardwearing surface has a protective wear layer that is hygienic and easy to clean, requiring minimal water and detergents to retain its smooth, sleek good looks. What’s more, Woodmark vinyl flooring meets the most stringent emission standards with extremely low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions, ensuring your floor will add nothing but style and convenience to your interiors. So, Woodmark vinyl flooring is eco-friendly, but what are the day-to-day practical reasons for using it? These are manifold: for example, it is easy and economical to clean, requiring minimum amounts of water and detergents for ongoing maintenance due to its tough, hygienic, hardwearing surface that does not retain dust and dirt particles. It is also a strong thermal insulator, enabling the room temperature to be retained with very limited heat loss through the floor, which means lower energy consumption with a significant reduction in environmental impact. This vinyl floorcovering is also hygienic; the well-balanced composition of these products makes them anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, assuring the consumer of maximum perforAspin 805 in the Woodmark range of cushioned vinyls from Belgotex
mance in terms of hygiene, because bacteria
Floorcoverings for sleek style with low VOC emissions.
and other harmful organisms will hardly develop on the floor surface.
Belgotex Floorcoverings Tel: 033 897 7500 Fax: 033 897 7700 Website: www.belgotexfloorcoverings.co.za
great flooring guide|2009
37
advertorial
Albert Carpets of Cape Town has recently introduced a new vinyl flooring product called Grandeco, which is termed as being a unique, stylish, modern and practical alternative to laminate flooring that is available in a wide range of colours, textures and styles.
G
randeco is a stylish, functional and
appealing colours are available with this
ties, no sealing or special treatments are
affordable floorcovering which is more
exciting range.
necessary.
realistic in appearance than other wood look-
Floors take more stress and strain than any
Anyone interested in learning more about
alikes previously available on the market. It is
other household surface, yet we still expect
this exceptional vinyl flooring product
hardwearing and adds character and style to
them to endure the spills and general wear
should contact Albert Carpets.
any room. It is especially great for bathrooms
and tear of life and come out looking as
and kitchens as it is impervious to water
good as new.
spills.
Albert Carpets
With this product, you have the best of
Tel: 021 464 4320
both worlds, with all the pros of wood and
Fax: 021 462 5027
mercial use, is easy to install and will provide
laminate floors – but at the same time it
E-mail: info@albertcarpets.com
excellent service if it is properly installed on a
provides a hardwearing floorcovering that
Website: www.albertcarpets.com
smooth, level and dry subfloor.
requires minimum maintenance, is not
It is ideal for both residential and com-
Grandeco tiles have a multilayer structure that is unaffected by temperature changes in terms of expansion, shrinkage or bending, and various wood looks, textures and
affected by water, and the acoustics it provides are excellent. Also, with the surface treatment from which Grandeco gets its hardwearing quali-
From left to right: White Pine, Maple, Beach, Oregon, Teak, Smoked Oak, Mocha, Charcoal
38 great flooring guide|2009
he flooring industry in general is no slouch when it comes to innovation and the introduction of new ideas. In this issue we have featured engineered wood; laminate floors with an even more realistic look and feel; the option of large format ceramic and porcelain tiles that opens up numerous design possibilities; the resurgence of resilient floorcoverings; and the marketing emphasis in bamboo and cork floors. However, there are still many other options for the venturesome homeowner that really wants something different, and in this section of The Great Flooring Guide we are highlighting some of the alternative floorcoverings that should capture your imagination, and are well worth considering.
angular appearance, have lost their sharp edges
Cement floors
We have featured this old-style flooring before, but it does provide a unique floor and there are still exponents of this early South African flooring that requires little maintenance, looks good, and will last for ages. The floor consists of peach pips that are packed by hand onto a glued surface and filled with a silica sand and resin mixture, then sealed with a twin pack urethane. The sharp edges of the pips are ground off before the resin is applied, first to expose the nice red colour of the pips and secondly to make it very comfortable to walk on with bare feet.
Smooth cement floors present a very attractive and viable option when used in the home, and are obviously easy and cheap to look after. They can be pigmented in various colours, painted, provided with a textured finish, or left with a matt or gloss finish. The other alternative is cement tiles, ranging from – and here you really are spoilt for choice – pigmented or painted options through to the really upmarket stone replicas that emulate several stone types, both in looks and texture. Used in combination with other flooring materials, they will enable you to produce a unique design to be proud of.
Quartz Carpets This is a revolutionary flooring system that has really caught on since it was introduced to South Africa a few years ago, offering unique floors with great design possibilities. Quartz floors are made from imported natural glacial aggregate, tinted and blended with colourless resin to provide a unique seamless finish, which basically makes them an epoxy-type floor. The stones, whilst maintaining their natural
– achieved through being tumbled down glacial rivers – resulting in a luxurious “soft” sensation underfoot. Antique floors If you are interested in having a floor that is over a century old, reclaimed terracotta flooring, flagstones and other ancient flooring materials are now being imported from Europe. These are prized for their durability and inherent natural beauty, enabling you to blend the ancient with the modern, combining art, culture and European heritage in creating a truly unique and original look in your home.
Peach pip floors
Epoxy floors This type of floorcovering seems to be gaining in popularity for use in the home. Epoxy floors are very versatile, extremely hardwearing, and have a long service life, although they are often expensive and time-consuming to install. In effect, epoxy floors are concrete floors that are painted with an epoxy coating to provide either a clear or coloured finish. These coatings
Choices for venturesome homeowners!
are excellent for use in garages, or for pool decks, work areas and laundry rooms. If you are feeling adventurous, they can also be used in other rooms where a minimalist look is required. Epoxy floors are durable and are slip-, stain-, and dust-resistant and have excellent resistance to chemical spills, as well as being easy to clean. They come in several colours including clear, silver grey, and slate grey and may be tinted to a specific colour using a white or dark base colour. Because the flooring industry is one that never stands still, these are but a few of the innovations, developments and ‘way out’ floors currently available in South Africa. Whether you are looking for a traditional floorcovering or something more exotic, there is no doubt that you will be able to find it from a local retailer or importer, and most flooring showrooms are a treasure chest of designs and ideas. If you have any queries on this section of The Great Flooring Guide, please contact the FLOORS in Africa Help Line on 012 347 7530 and we will put you in touch with the experts.
Quartz Carpets
T
Leather for your floor!
Stone Fruit Floors
Granorte
creative
39 great flooring guide|2009
Est. 1973
-more than 35 years of innovation
OUR PRODUCT RANGE INCLUDES: EXTERNAL & INTERNAL WALL FINISHES CEMENT-BASED & ACRYLIC WATER PROOFING SYSTEMS CEMENT-BASED FLOOR FINISHES & SEALERS WHITE & COLOURED MARBLE SWIMMING POOL PLASTER SPECIAL CONCRETE COLOURANTS BONDING AGENTS, GROUTS & MORTARS
Headof fice tel: (011) 474 2415 fax: (011) 474 2416 info@cemcrete.co. za
0860 CEMCRETE
cemcrete.co. za
Cemcrete (Pty) Ltd PO Box 43236 Industria 2042
exterior
SmartStone
Outdoor areas provide wonderful design, flair, aesthetic appeal, safety & durability!
I
n residential applications, the days when a few bricks leading up to the front door or around the swimming pool were all that were needed for the average house are long gone. Today, discerning homeowners look for design, flair, aesthetic appeal, safety and durability in providing wonderful outdoor areas for their homes, which not only mean traditional braai areas – they also search for unique features such as quality decking and fitted lapas. To meet these demands, there are more ‘flooring’ solutions than ever before, as concrete, asphalt, epoxies, tiles of every description, clay brick and concrete block paving, and wooden decking all have a place in the exterior finishes of any home – particularly as the value they add to the property is considerable, with the ability to completely alter the lifestyle usage of the home. Traditional pavers Block and brick pavers are probably the main choice of paving for residential applications,
Concrete options For a viable alternative to block and brick pavers in these applications, one needs to turn to the various concrete options. Here the homeowner is spoilt for choice with a wide variety of pigmented colours, patterned surfaces applied in situ or supplied as pre-finished concrete blocks, and slabs or ‘tiles’ with factory-made stone finishes of all descriptions that enable outstanding designs to be created for the paved area. These latter materials can be used to great effect in providing interesting paths or custom-
Preparation of the ground and substrate
any doubt, contact the Paving Division of
on which the external surface is to be applied is the critical factor in obtaining a satisfactory installation and, as each type of external floor has its own requirements, it pays to go to a specialist for whatever you want to achieve.
For example, there are many reputable
42
and pavers in many colours, shapes and sizes are now available to meet almost any demand in these applications. If the proper installation procedures are followed they will provide a good-looking and serviceable paved area that will last for years. Apart from their durability and aesthetic appeal, they require little or no maintenance apart from inhibiting the growth of weeds, and can easily be altered or extended, or provide immediate and easy access to services if necessary.
paving companies around – check them out, including their references before you employ one to work for you. If you are in
great flooring guide|2009
the Concrete Manufacturers Association for technical information or contractor recommendations.
Likewise, the Cement & Concrete Association will provide the same service
made walkways for the residential garden, adding flair and interest to the layout of any area – large or small – and they compete extremely well for the flooring of braai areas, patios, lapas and other outdoor entertainment areas, including the non-slip surrounds needed for splash and swimming pools. More choices! However, ceramic, porcelain and terracotta tiles are also regularly found in these outdoor applications, in addition to which people that are looking for something truly out of the ordinary often turn to the warmth and beauty of natural wood decking which, if properly treated and maintained, is another aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting option. If quality materials are used and they are installed by a reputable and specialist installer, there is no doubt that any of the foregoing exterior surface materials will provide years of pleasure, excellent service, and a considerable asset improvement to any home. Looking after your external surface There is not much to be done in terms of cleaning; a weekly hose-down and brushing would seem to be sufficient. Maintenance is another story. The area needs to be kept clear of weeds, and look for any cracking of the surface, deterioration of the edges of paths, and the general appearance of the area. Although it should have been taken into account at the installation stage, you will need to keep an eye on any adjacent trees or large bushes, because their spreading roots can seriously affect the performance of paving or pool surrounds. Any defects such as those mentioned above should be corrected by a specialist, so check your guarantee and get the same people to carry out the repairs.
for you if a cemented area is your choice, and for wooden decking the Southern African Wood & Laminate Flooring Association is your best bet.
If you have any queries on this section of The Great Flooring Guide, please contact the FLOORS in Africa Help Line on 012 347 7530 and we will put you in touch with the experts.
South Africa: Bloemfontein Durban George Johannesburg Nelspruit Port Elizabeth Potchefstroom Pretoria Namibia: Windhoek Jordan: Amman
www.smartstone.co.za
Making South African patios beautiful since 1980
South Africa - 0861 SMART 1 (0861 76278 1) | Namibia - 061 235 525
advertorial
Turf out old ideas of high-maintenance lawn, extend your living space and create an everlasting “green room” in your garden with the new DuraTurf artificial lawn. “Modern open-plan design and our climate encourage outdoor living with patios forming extra living space,” says Frank Moffat, marketing director of Belgotex Floorcoverings, “and the new DuraTurf combines convenience with style, giving homeowners a low-maintenance, comfortable flooring that can be used indoors or outside.” DuraTurf enables you to hide those ugly bare patches in shady spots, under jungle gyms and swings where natural grass struggles to grow, and you can change an eyesore into a showpiece in enclosed courtyards and along walkways where paving seems the only alternative.
44 great flooring guide|2009
You can create a city garden on patios and balconies, and cover the naked earth under the eaves to make mud splattered exterior walls a thing of the past. With the look and feel of natural grass – even amongst rocks and stones, mixed with flowers and stepping stones, or under chairs and tables – DuraTurf is the answer to all those trouble spots in the garden. This is every homeowner’s dream! Now you can have a lush green lawn all the year round without having to cut it, fertilise it, water it, or weed it. Simply lay it and then relax and enjoy your garden, which will have a lawn that looks the same the whole year long, requiring no maintenance other than regular brushing with a simple kitchen broom to retain its lush and manicured good looks. Belgotex Floorcoverings Tel: 033 897 7500 Fax: 033 897 7700 Website: www.belgotexfloorcoverings.co.za
TJDR36628 Kirchen & Bathroom
Express your individual style and flair – choose concrete to complement and enhance the décor on your building project. Distinctive styling coupled with the option of aesthetically pleasing finishes makes concrete the ideal product for a vast range of applications including those all important rooms – your kitchen and bathroom. Warm, earthy colours and textures add richness which can be adapted to suit modern or classical furnishings and fittings.
Concrete is an ideal product for creating unique features in your home as it can be moulded to the shape and design of your choice. All you need to achieve this is adaptable, reliable and consistent cement as the essential ingredient for your concrete mix. For further information, or for technical advice, contact 0860 CEMCRETE (236 2738) or email info@cemcrete.co.za or visit www.cemcrete.co.za.
N
o matter what new floorcovering you have selected or used, the room will look better, and the floor given its best opportunity to provide long service, if you take advantage of the array of accessories that are available to put the finishing touches to any room.
Trims and transition joints These will include items that are essential for the upkeep, performance and safety of the floor, such as edge trims that provide a neat and permanent finish to the floor; specialised items that will control any expansion or contraction of the floorcovering; transition joints to take care of the difference in height or texture where two completely different flooring materials meet, and a very wide variety of cleaning equipment and materials that are very necessary if you are to keep your new investment in top condition.
Mouldings and inserts Many floorcoverings are provided with proprietary and matching items to suit the product or system you have purchased. Depending on the type of floor, there are mouldings or inserts available to provide a neat and safe finish around doors and walls; matching skirtings can be provided, often with the ability to hide or contain any unsightly electrical wiring (which is a desirable safety feature where there are young children around); and inserts, borders and trims can be used within the floor to provide exciting design effects at a relatively low cost. Other accessories such as the use of listellos, inserts and inlays and border treatments in hard floorcoverings like ceramic tiles or natural stone can also bring life and creativity to the floor in any room, and your local showroom will have many beautiful examples and ideas on how to bring your room to life.
46
Obtain a neat appearance Edgings and corner pieces are also very desir-
great flooring guide|2009
Speedheat
accessories
able, to provide a neat appearance and to make cleaning easier by preventing dirt from becoming trapped in those awkward places. Specialised trims and transition joints are essential where you are using different flooring materials in the same room – such as in combination floors or if you have a split level room – not only to make the floor look neat and finished where one material meets another, but also for the obvious safety reasons. Although essentially functional, these items often come in matching materials or various metals that encourage their use in the overall design of the floor as well.
mat with a lighter wipe mat, scatter rug or even a carpet off-cut placed inside the door, and you
Essential accessories
prolong the life of the floor.
Expansion joints are very necessary where very large floor areas are concerned, and you must make sure your design and your flooring installer takes care of this aspect. One area where it is essential that the right accessories are used is that of steps or stairs, because the floor will lose its good looks if the correct edge treatments and stair nosings are not used.
These also protect the floorcovering from abnormal wear and provide the necessary safety factor in these areas.
will then have the ideal protection system for any floorcovering. But keep these mats clean as well or else you are wasting your time putting them down in the first place! As any home cleaning expert will tell you, the most valuable accessory for the floor in any home is the vacuum cleaner. Every type of floorcovering needs vacuuming regularly – some more than others – if they are to remain in good condition, and investing in a goodquality vacuum cleaner will considerably Make sure that the vacuum cleaner you purchase is suitable for the type of floors you have, and then, having taken the sensible step of buying the best you can afford, it also pays to remember that vacuum cleaners also need regular attention. Remember to empty or replace the dustbags before they become too full, otherwise the machine will not operate efficiently and your floor will suffer as a result.
Keep it clean
If you have any queries on this section of The
Because soiling is perhaps the most serious abuse any floor can get, and considering that most of the dirt is brought into your home through the entrances, the installation of quality dirt-trap matting outside the doors will pay for itself many times over in terms of protecting your floor from the ingress of dirt, grit and water – particularly with hard floorcoverings that may scratch easily. Support the outside
Great Flooring Guide, please contact the FLOORS in Africa Help Line on 012 347 7530 and we will put you in touch with the experts.
advertorial
The vacuum cleaner is probably the most important item of floor-
ic Int Yellow Product.pdf
5/28/08
2:32:09 PM
care equipment that you will ever buy, and homeowners should make sure that the model they buy is the right one for what they expect it to do.
Numatic International has been providing
Henry is never without that famous
quality vacuum cleaners to the South African
smile that is loved and appreciated
market for over 25 years, and has a wide range
by users the world over.
of models to meet any residential, commercial or industrial requirement. Two models that have really captured the
Full details of the complete range of high-quality vacuum cleaners that are available from
imagination of the public, as well as keeping
Numatic are available on the website
their floors in pristine condition, are Henry and
www.numatic.co.za
Hetty. Hetty is a sexy new vacuum cleaner that
Numatic International is celebrating 15 years as an industry leader in
brings a funky appeal to floorcare as well as a
South Africa in cleaning. They pride
high performance when it comes to getting rid
themselves not only on cleaning
of dust and dirt.
programmes for the home but have
As a lightweight model, Hetty has many benefits to offer: dry vacuum power, a 9-litre capacity, a Hi/Lo setting that ensures the right coverage for
a huge role to play in the industrial and commercial markets. Their range of products includes
the right surface, silent operation, and a two-
vacuum cleaners, mopping units,
year guarantee.
janitorial trolleys, hotel trolleys, floor
Fast and efficient in operation, Hetty looks as good as the rooms she cleans for you. Henry has been around for 25 years now, and he is the macho one of the two, provided with a
machines and specialised units. So the Numatic solution is not only suited for your home – but also for your office!
full Twinflo 2-stage motor and a giant Tritex filter system - just two of the advanced features of
Numatic International
this great vacuum cleaner.
Tel: 0861 686 284
His Hi/Lo operation allows different power to HiBak Mopping System from Numatic offers 30 l single capacity or
Fax: 0861 686 329
meet different surfaces and applications and
/12 l double capacity, an all-mops press and a super efficient Numatic
also reduces sound levels for those sensitive
p. Now you’ve got everything you need for any wet cleaning job in
areas. He has a 10-metre cable storage and
piece of equipment. Making things more efficient and effective for
rewind system to keep everything neat and tidy.
47
That’s what it’s about. For more info call 0861 686 2842 or visit
A true professional in every sense of the word,
w.numatic.co.za
great flooring guide|2009
accessories
H
aving been manufacturing high-quality
which is a patented design that nobody has
floor heating systems in South Africa for
been able to copy.
a quarter of a century, Speedheat has gained
Speedheat floor heating systems can be
an enviable reputation for both the standards
installed under all types of floorcovering,
set by its systems and their unrivalled energy
including tiles, resin floors, carpets, vinyl,
saving and safety performance.
rubber, cement floor toppings and wooden
Speedheat has over 30 different element
laminates, and the patented 1mm-thin heating
profiles with outputs ranging from 250 to
element means that Speedheat technology
1400 Watts, which may be combined to
is suitable for new homes or for renovating
suit any room size or shape, and these can be
existing homes or floors.
installed with state-of-the-art, microprocessor-
One advantage that these systems do
controlled floor temperature sensing
have is that if a fault occurs, Speedheat is
systems that enable the systems to switch
able to identify this in the wiring to within
off four times every hour.
a 3cm radius of the problem, which means
This provides outstanding energy
that only one tile would need to be uplifted
saving, which is one of the main attributes
and replaced to effect the repair in case of a
of Speedheat’s success, and makes the
mishap.
products ideal for all residential applications.
With 22 franchises throughout South
Also, the green energy materials used by
Africa, Speedheat is able to offer an out-
Speedheat in the manufacture of its systems
standing sales, installation and technical
contribute to a long-term future.
advisory service to homeowners anywhere in
Speedheat provides on-demand control
the country.
with its seven-day fully programmable intel-
Speedheat is also marketing the popular
ligent thermostats which allow comfortable
ColdBuster Floor Heating for the DIY market,
temperatures when people are at home
suitable for use under tiles or laminate
and energy saving when they’re out. Simple
flooring. Easily installed and suitable for
bi-metallic or trendsetting remote control
any room, Cold Buster is supplied with full
thermostats are also available.
installation instructions on the box. Further
In terms of safety, Speedheat is manufactured in compliance with IEC (International
information is available by contacting the numbers shown below.
Electrical Committee) safety specifications,
same. FACT: There are distinct differences between electrical and hot water floor heating systems as well as between underfloor “in-slab” heating and floor surface heating systems. The Romans had hydronic underfloor heating. Electric solutions are very fast. 2 MYTH: All floor heating is expensive to
run. FACT: Most “in-slab” heating systems are expensive to run because they are slow. Only certain floor surface heating solutions are economical due to their speed and efficiency. 3 MYTH: All floor heating is safe.
FACT: Only electrical floor heating systems with earth screens that can be connected to an Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) can be considered as safe. 4 MYTH: Floor heating cannot be used in
bathrooms or under wooden laminate flooring. FACT: Floor heating can be used in bathrooms and kitchens as long as it has full earth connectivity. Heating can also be used under laminate floors as long as the
and with systems that cannot deteriorate with age, they stand out against many other
Dont’s
systems – passing the safety test after having
Don’t compromise on safety. Don’t compro-
been installed for 20 years! In addition, the
mise on quality. The cheapest is not always
system is completely waterproof.
the best option. Always consider running
Speedheat floor heating elements are
1 MYTH: All underfloor heating is the
temperature is correctly controlled.
costs and efficiency when deciding on floor
designed for optimum efficiency. Closer ele-
heating solutions. Don’t use “fly by night”
ment spacing enables heaters to run cooler,
operators.
using less electricity and yet achieving superior comfort levels. The quick Speedheat response time is
48
Speedheat 0800 112 215
achieved by the unique, very thin element
E-mail: info@speedheat.co.za
being in contact with the floorcovering,
Website: www.speedheat.co.za
great flooring guide|2009
*Speedheat and ColdBuster are Registered Trademarks.
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