SPOTLIGHT
MAY 2021
FLOORING:
Products & inspiration
creates the canvas for commercial spaces Floors are probably the largest single surface in any commercial environment and as such have a major influence on the aesthetics, comfort and productivity of the space. From a design perspective one of the biggest international trends is to create “Resimercial” spaces. This involves taking the comforting and inviting elements of residential design and incorporating them into commercial spaces making clients, customers and staff feel more at ease. One of the easiest ways to create a welcoming aesthetic is through the flooring chosen and increasingly this is being seen in hotels, medical facilities, retail stores, offices and schools. Traviata Flooring currently markets a number of
commercial grade flooring options that offer design flexibility, superior acoustic properties, ease of installation and maintenance and contribute to indoor air quality and hygiene. At the forefront of this flooring revolution are the new series of “rigid core” interlocking LVT products including the Firm Fit, Traviloc XL – RCB and top of the range IsoCore brands. The board construction in these products sees significant reduction in airborne noise and also critically in floor to floor
sound transfer. This has been a major contributing factor in the selection of the IsoCore range by major hotel groups such as Marriott, City Lodge and more recently Radison, Accor and Meridean. IsoCore’s factory applied anti-microbial and antiBacterial coating along with its warmth, slip resistance and resistance to most spills and stains have also seen a large uptake in the medical field. It is for example used throughout the Netcare group for all their doctors’ rooms and has also found favour in many private clinics, hospitals and consulting rooms. Available in a variety of natural timber looks, stone and masonry designs and even solid colours and abstracts, LVT flooring has been specified in the major banking and clothing groups as well as
independents in South Africa. There is now a move to measuring indoor environmental quality in work spaces. Noise levels together with air quality and lighting levels have far reaching effects on the health and productivity of occupants and consequently on the bottom line. Traviata Flooring can help you achieve better results all round.
VIDEO
Luxury Vinyl
Traviata Flooring imports and distributes a number of ranges of luxury vinyl flooring products. These are three ranges of rigid core interlocking vinyl and one range of glued down vinyl.
The strongest waterproof floor...ffit for when life happens
WHEN SUN HAPPENS While most waterproof flooring available are not warranted for installation in rooms with large windows & a lot of sunlight, FIRMFIT is! Floor features outstanding stability & strength. FIRMFIT is perfect for every room of your home, including: - 3-Season rooms - Sunrooms - You name it!
Raised “cradle deck” floo system with unique water harvesting application
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USING RAISED CEMENT PAVERS
Sustainability is the key feature of a new outdoor raised flooring application which is laid on recycled truck tyres and will harvest vast volumes of rainwater. This system is exceptionally environmentally friendly. The InstaCradle system is comprised of cement pavers (600 x 600 x 40mm) which are loosely placed on top of rubber cradles (small square rubber feet) made from recycled truck and car tyres, combined with a weatherproof aluminium support structure. The height of the raised paving slab can vary from 90 – 245mm under the pavers. The pavers are “free” floating and not joined with grout, thus allowing the rainwater to flow through the gaps between the pavers. The cradles are also fully recyclable and the pavers can be lifted if they or the cradles need to be replaced.
USING RAISED CEMENT PAVERS
The purpose of this elevated outdoor flooring system is to allow rainwater to drain off the pavers and to direct water flow away from the building, to be collected at drainage points and be potentially reused as greywater elsewhere. The pavers can be manufactured in various colours and textures to suit the building.
Can you use underfloor heating on cement floors?
Even though cement has great insulation properties; which means it is not as cold as many would believe; some clients still prefer to have their home warm and snug in the cold winter months. The question “Can I use underfloor heating with my Cemcrete floors?” is a frequent enquiry. Below we have put together all the information you will need to achieve a successful underfloor heating system in conjunction with a Cemcrete floor finish.
WILL IT CAUSE CRACKING? An underfloor heating system in concrete relies on the thermal conductivity of the screed to transfer heat into the room. It is for this reason that it is crucial to gradually introduce heating to avoid thermally shocking the surface due to rapid
changes in temperature. It is advisable to leave your screed for 3 months, post-installation, before turning the heat on to allow for the proper curing time without thermally shocking the concrete. After the recommended 3
CAN I APPLY CEMCRETE FLOOR FINISHING OVER EXISTING UNDERFLOOR HEATING?
months it is important to gradually introduce heat to the screeded surface a few degrees at a time. These are the steps to be taken to minimize the risk of cracking; if these steps are not properly followed then the risk of excessive cracking can be increased.
Yes, you can. However; first check the existing floor for any cracking. This can be done by mist spraying water onto the surface which will show up any cracks. Visible cracking would indicate that the floor has been thermally shocked by the underfloor heating, and these cracks may migrate through to the new decorative coating or may require further preparation and precautions before the application thereof. If no thermal shock has taken place; a Cemcrete floor overlay can be applied directly. It is still important to follow the steps of gradual heating as a precautionary step to avoid cracking of the decorative overlay.
Firmfit - luxury vinyl flooring
FIRMFIT
Firmfit luxury vinyl wood flooring is indistinguishable from real wood and is 100% waterproof! Unlike other waterproof floorings, Firmfit has a limestone-based core giving it unmatched dent resistance and stability to heat and sunlight. And while most luxury vinyl flooring solutions available are not warranted for installations in rooms with large windows and a lot of sunlight, FIRMFIT is!
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Social distancing tape or scatter mats for schools Everyone is aware of the risk posed by physical contact with items that may be carrying viruses. Less awareness of viruses and other germs being transported on people’s footwear between different buildings and departments. With our children returning to school we need to protect them in the classroom. That is why COBA has developed a COVID-Response range to assist in reducing the spread of bacteria and viruses between children at school. This will ensure that our kids are safe in the classroom.
Help children maintain social distancing quickly and easily during reading time, assemblies or whilst queuing. Clearly define areas to promote social distancing with floor tape. The tape is ideal for all public buildings including hospitals, supermarkets and offices. Can also be efficiently used in factories and industrial settings. The advantage of using social distancing scatter mats for schools is that the mats can be relocated and washed, unlike floor stickers.
The Safari themed scatter mats are ideal for nurseries, playgroups and primary schools. The mats are printed digitally for a bright and clear appearance that enhances the classroom. These social distancing mats from COBA are a great way to remind your staff and pupils that they need to maintain distance between each other for their own safety. Social distancing is one of the best ways to help reduce the risk of the virus spreading from contact or coughing and sneezing. The floor mats promote health and hygiene awareness.
The wash hands signage mats are perfect for distance control at school sanitising and washing stations.
SEE ALSO
Iconic Saxon Hotel restaurant transformed with magnificent new floor
The Saxon Luxury Hotel has transformed its elegant fine dining restaurant, Qunu, with a beautiful decorative floor covering, using a multi-level system from TAL. Named in honour of former President Nelson Mandela’s hometown, Qunu has proudly South African roots.
The luxury accommodation in Johannesburg was once the retreat for Nelson Mandela when he left prison. On those grounds, he edited his autobiography, Long Walk
to Freedom. The private residence then belonged to Johannesburg billionaire Douw Steyn and his family. After the private residence transformed into one of the city’s most sought-after boutique hotels. The elegant dining room of Qunu offers a modern African table infusion with both local and international flavours. The restaurant’s magnificent new look was created with TAL Epoxyseal FLR100, a high performance, high build, solvent-free epoxy floor coating. This was topped with TAL Crystalclear with a pearl grey metallic pigment, which creates the sense of movement and elegant sheen to this hardwearing floor.
Earthbound design inspiration
1. MOUNTAIN HIGH Be inspired by the texturerich colours of your favourite mountains, with their warm natural tones of earth-brown blended with cooler greys.
Biophilic design has experienced a resurgence in popularity driven largely by the upswing in timespent-at-home. The design
of living areas is focused on creating healthy spaces for people to gather, in a postpandemic imagining of what our public and private
spaces could be. To this end, the earthbound design draws on the colours and textures of nature, such as stone and slate.
2. SENSATIONAL SLATE
The rich reds, burnt oranges and aged yellow hues of slate bring a vibrant colour palette into your space for a natural earthy feel.
3. GROUNDED IN STONE
The rustic charm of a time-honoured slasto layout or a mixed slate design in a cobblestone pattern is a powerful way to ground a space. With traditional designs reimagined into a tile format, this modern interpretation of a conventional stone look delivers easy maintenance with style.
4. TERRAZZO TERRACE
Embrace these warm nurturing colours and create a cosy space, inspired by earthbound design.
Traditional terrazzo with its exposed aggregate in a field of robust concrete is enduring and well suited to creating a timeless addition to outdoor spaces.