FLOORS in Africa

VOL 29.6 September/October 2011 R38 incl. VAT

Hi-tech flooring solutions • Specialized maintenance • Hard working floors

Neocon 2011 trends • Wood fibre flooring • Insight into showrooms

C O V E R S T O R YACCESS FlOORing Peter Bates Flooring p20, p23, p95

AdhESiVES / COATingSFloorworX p65TAL p45Tile & Floor Care p32Zimbo’s Trading p5

CARpETSBelgotex Floorcoverings p2FloorworX p74 - 75Nexus (Belgotex Floorcoverings) p2Nouwens Carpets Inside Front CoverPeter Bates Flooring p20, p23, p95Van Dyck p6, p17, p29

CERAmiC, pORCElAin And STOnEFalcon Tiling Products p66Tile Africa p81Tiletoria p79

ClEAning & mAinTEnAnCEFloorworX p55, p63Kendall Cleaning p53Matco Marketing p57MilliCare p61

Tai Chi is a martial art format that encom-passes relaxation and meditation to pro-vide the solution to the daily pressures of life, and Numatic International recently introduced a presentation that describes how the ‘de-stressing’ movements of Tai Chi can be related to and incor-porated into cleaning programmes. Business and home owners who benefit from the specialised cleaning techniques of Numatic’s equip-ment already know that a clean environment encourages relaxation, helps reduce stress levels and is calming in nature, and Numatic product owners are enlightened by cleaning. See page 82.

TAkINg THe STReSS OuT Of cLeANINg

To page 5VOLUME 29 .6 • SEPT/OC T • 2011

R E F E R E n C E Guid e

33 51 67

3F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 3

Roxanne Mancini: [email protected] Joanna Papastamopoulos: [email protected]

Tel: +27 12 347 7530 www.mediainafrica.co.za fax: +27 12 347 7523

The next issue of FLOORS in Africa has four great features that cover a wide range of floorcovering interest. Here’s what you can expect:

Successful projects

Below the surface

Which projects have surpassed everyone’s expectations and which flooring products and applications are creating a

buzz in the industry? We showcase some of the ‘game changers’ that have everybody talking.

Each floor laid to the ground begins with the subfloor and the systems associated with it and the results the floor is

expected to deliver. Where does one start? This feature addresses some of the key issues involved in floor prepara-

tion and the products that designers and architects need to ensure the durability of floors. We will look at floor slabs,

screeds, underlays, access floors, cable management, heating and airconditioning, and any other hidden benefits – all

in one feature.

This popular annual feature will cover everything from traditional paving solutions to new systems for decking, office

parks, residences and industrial applications. We will also be looking at products that look like rocks and stone.

exterior flooring & Paving

This section is dedicated to the essential tools and accessories for the flooring market. We will be talking to manufac-

turers as well as developers and design professionals to find out what types of equipment are used, what works and

what doesn’t in this booming industry.

flooring equipment

continued from page 3

ClEAning & mAinTEnAnCE (COnTinUEd)

Numatic International Front cover, p83

Prestige Cleaning Services p50

Sebo p59

indUSTRiAl, RESin & COnCRETE FlOORing

abe Construction Chemicals p44

Flowcrete SA p41

Lafarge SA p49

Mapei p39

Pharaoh Cement p42

Sika p48

Tuff Floors p42

Verni p43

RESiliEnT FlOORing

Belgotex Floorcoverings p2

Peter Bates Flooring p20, p23, p95

Polyflor SA p21

Transit Floor Tiles p37

Tuff Floors p42

R E F E R E n C E Guid e

Note: Editorials excluded, listed in alphabetical order

SEAmlESS FlOORing

Quartz Carpet p3

SpORTS & ExTERiOR FlOORing

Belgotex Floorcoverings p2

Van Dyck p6, p17, p29

TRAining & SkillS dEVElOpmEnT

Belgotex Floorcoverings Academy p84 - 85

WOOd, lAminATES & BAmBOO

Barrow Flooring Back Cover

Bedson Flooring & Décor p27

Peter Bates Flooring p20, p23, p95

Rhoms Timberworld p30 - 31

Suntups Solid Wooden Flooring p71

Traviata p15

ACCESSORiES And OThER

Cersaie p7

Falcon Tiling Products p66

Genesis p47

Kirk Marketing p25

Pretoria Institute for Architecture p91

The Office Plant p93

Transiton Transport (Transportation) p86 - 87

S.A. WOOD & LAMINATEFLOORING ASSOCIATION

MEMBER

“TM”

Cape Town +27 21 511-4693 | Johannesburg +27 11 466 3586 | Durban +27 31 3037964

[email protected] | www.zimbostrading.co.za

Wood specifyingat its best!

5F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 5

Roxanne Mancini

BUSINESS UNIT MANAGER

EdiTORiAl CommentFloors in Africa has taken the next step in “keeping up with the

times” by adding social media as an offering not only to our

advertisers but also to our readers. We have recently launched

Building&Décor SA facebook page which is growing by storm.

Watch this space, we will soon enlighten you!

We have also placed much emphasis on the exciting inno-

vation & design articles we bring to you, reinforcing our com-

mitment to bring newsworthy reading to the flooring realm.

After all, we are the flooring medium in the country. If it’s

flooring, call us!

This issue brings along with it exciting insights into the follow-

ing must-read feature focuses:

Industrial Flooring: This issue is dedicated to the hi-tech

flooring solutions for the industrial sector. We will be taking a

look at the latest projects and the unique range of products that

have been customised for industrial flooring. See page 33.

Cleaning & Maintenance & Repairs: Maintaining, clean-

ing and repairing floors is a specialised service and once the

product of choice has been issued and installed, there are many

after-installation facets to consider. How will the floor be main-

tained? What cleaning programmes should be adopted and

what happens should repairs be needed? All these aspects

affect the lifespan of the floor and should not be ignored.

What does the industry have to offer? We will report back.

See page 51.

High-Traffic Areas: High-traffic areas demand floors that can

handle the high flow of feet. If an application is to allow for 1

000 footfalls per square metre per minute, what kind of floor

should be considered?

Airports, hotels, shopping centres, entertainment centres,

theatres and restaurants need a specific set of technologies and

products. We speak to some of the leaders in high-traffic floor-

ing installations to find out what architects and designers need

to know about high-traffic flooring applications. See page 67.

Italy is also on the agenda for us ‘FLOORS-in-Africans’ when

we attend the annual CERSAIE exhibition in Bologna 20-24

September 2011. This international exhibition of ceramic tiles

brings with it trends and designs we can look forward to incor-

porating into the future of ceramic flooring specifications. See

our in-depth review in the upcoming issue of FLOORS in Africa.

Thought for this issue: “One is too small a number to achieve

greatness!” – John C Maxwell

Till next time, happy specifying!

Roxanne Mancini

Liezel van der Merwe

EDITOR

FLOORS is about ceramics, carpets, vinyls, wood, laminates, marble, granite, cement, stone ... any floor you can think of. It is also about accessories like rugs, adhesives and tools. Readers are welcome to contact us for any information. FLOORS is published six weekly by Media in Africa (Pty) Ltd. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We accept no responsibility for information published. PUBLISHER: Media in Africa (Pty) Ltd. Contact information: Tel (012) 347 7530 Fax (012) 347 7523 International: +27e-mail: [email protected] Box 25260, Monument Park, 0105; Republic of South Africa Unit G, First Floor, Castle Walk Corporate Park, Cnr Nossob & Swakop Streets, Erasmuskloof Ext. 3, Pretoria, RSAFounder: Schalk BurgerEditor: Liezel van der Merwe Cell 082 7700 799Financial Director: Fanie VenterFeatures & News Editor: Dave Soons Tel 012 807 7012Business Unit Manager: Roxanne Mancini Cell 082 779 5751 Business Unit Co-ordinator: Madelein Smith Client Support: Joanna PapastamopoulosCell 072 300 0867Design and Layout: Jakolien StrydomFinancial Manager: Gerda BezuidenhoutProofreader: Signa EvansREPRO & PRINTING: Business Print Centre

Liezel van der Merwe

14-15.

I n n o v a t i o n & D e s i g n

8 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

NEOCON 2011 Trendshe Neocon 2011 World’s Trade Fair held in Chicago earlier this year was a huge success, with over 43 000

attendees that showed considerable enthusiasm – a welcome sign after two depressing years in the industry.

BALA

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e

carpet trend: Midtone and deeper neutral colours are strong, including a broad range of greys . . .


9F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 9

carpet tile came in rect-angles and triangles this year, while some designs simply created the geo-metric effects.

JOH

NSO

NITe

JOH

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One of the notable elements of

the show, particularly among the

carpet mills, was the increase in colour

compared to last year. Here are the current

trends that were exhibited:

CarpetLinear designs are still strong, but mills are

experimenting with different looks, includ-

ing some that are more structured and

precise, and others that are fragmented and

irregular. Also, some of the linears have a

softer, more textile look; others are overlaid

on organic fields – a prominent feature this

year. Several mills produced linear patterns

crossbarred with band of texture to create

irregular and flowing plaid patterns.

Also freeform stripes for a hand-crafted

look, cross-hatched linears from small to

extra-large scale for an expressive painted

look, and surprise stripes where sweeping

random linears appear through a pattern

like a dramatic hand-sewn detail.

Midtone and deeper neutral colours are

strong, including a broad range of greys –

some warm, some cool, some tinted with

high chroma hues; earth tones: browns are

still huge, ranging from warm, deep hues

like chocolate to soft, quiet camel shades.

AMB0

655

Deep brights: many colourways show-

cased medium to deep colours, generally

softened and not too vivid; mills also used

high lustre yarns to achieve a range of

looks or simply to elevate the design of the

product.

Metallics as colour: This trend, which began

as a subtle accent stitch of glimmer, has

evolved into a bold and striking design

statement, with a raft of edgy products

with enough metallic fibre to show

off shapes, distinctive colour,

sweeping fields, and even

entire carpets.

Shapes: Carpet tile came

in rectangles and triangles

this year, while some designs

simply created the geometric

effects. New technologies appeared to


10 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

PART

eRRe

pave the way for

mills to reduce face

weights and main-

tain a plush look,

and narrow gauge

tufting technologies were on the increase –

leading to carpets with a woven look.

Colour as story: Brights and accents as

fields and bands echoed through coloured

lines, woven into neutrals, and shadowed in

companion pieces.

More fuzz: More detailed tip shearing, par-

ticularly on carpet tiles, for a richer, more

luxurious look.

Warm and cold: Mixing warm earth-tone

neutrals with cool greys for evocative

effects – either in integrated designs, as

accent and field, background and fore-

ground, or in a blend of contrasting designs.

Beyond square: New formats in carpet tile,

including rectangles and larger squares,

with mixing and matching to create distinc-

tive looks.

Yin & Yang palettes: On the one hand,

graphic, high-contrast, large-scale designs

with intense, fun brights; on the other hand,

soft, tonal large-scale fields with chiaroscu-

ro shady effects in neutral colourways.

Improved tufting technologies: High-

resolution, high-contrast designs, intricate

patterns, wider range of colours.

Collaborative spirit: Firms are moving

toward a more consolidated approach to

product, brand and sales; one that offers

designers and end-users easier access to all

types of products in their offerings.

Resilient and Hard SurfaceWood: Ceramic tiles with wood looks,

luxury vinyl wood look planks, and laminate

designs indicates that the commercial mar-

ket always wants wood looks and producers

are getting better at it all the time in tex-

ture, gloss levels and colours. Beyond wood:

some companies are producing vinyl lines

that look like linens and other woven looks.

Textures: Seen in vinyl, rubber and cork

– hammered finishes, leather looks, rustic

markings.

Concrete: The look

remains popular,

and its range has

expanded, with

smooth finishes

and, more often, distressed looks. Softened

concrete looks are also strong.

Stone looks: Quiet, refined stone looks like

travertine and high grade marble is seen

from vinyl and ceramic tile producers.

Tiles into rolls: Rubber and cork producers

are providing rolled goods for products that

only used to be available as tiles.

OverallHigh definition digital printing is finding its

way into all floorcoverings, from vinyls and

ceramics all the way to carpet.

Glueless systems abound. Adhesive tech-

nologies are surging, from floating luxury

vinyl to quick release adhesives to unique

carpet installation techniques.

Finally, price points. Manufacturers continue

to find ways to come out with products at

lower price points to capture share of the

market.

FloorDaily.net


11F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 11


12 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

WOOD FIBRE FLOORINGIs it a challenge?

FLOORS in Africa noticed an increasing number of industry comments over

the past few months about the efficacy of wood fibre flooring being

introduced by Välinge who say that this technology will take market

share away from laminate flooring, and in the previous issue we

gave the full official response to this ‘threat’ by officials of the

European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) who

were largely sceptical of the new flooring.

Now Darius Helm, senior editor of Floor Focus

– the internationally renowned and fore-

most US flooring magazine – has put

the Välinge case into perspective

in the June 2011 issue, and

below is an edited ver-

sion of his article.


13F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 13

. . . Taber tests indicating that it outperformed not just standard laminates but glazed porcelain as well.

Every few years someone comes along

announcing a game changer in the

flooring industry, and all too often even

the good ideas don’t live up to the initial

promise.

However, when Välinge’s Darko Pervan

makes such pronouncements, it may be

worthwhile to sit up and take notice. After

all, Pervan was the central figure behind the

invention of laminate flooring at Sweden’s

Perstorp AB back in 1977, and as head of

Välinge he was also behind the first glueless

locking system in 1995. Both inventions did

in fact transform the flooring industry, so he

has a solid track record.

Välinge first previewed its wood fibre floor-

ing (WFF) technology in the US market at the

Surfaces 2009 exhibition, and what was most

notable back then was the toughness of the

wear surface, with Taber tests indicating that

it outperformed not just standard laminates

but glazed porcelain as well.

The product replaces the surface paper lay-

ers with a wood dust mixed with binders and

aluminium oxide, all ground up as fine as

talcum powder. In addition, the product can

be floated or glued down.

Back then, the biggest limitations were

in design. The product, though heavily tex-

tured, only offered limited visuals – not very

memorable. As such, it would have had lim-

ited application in both the residential and

commercial markets.

Things have changed. A recent tour of the

Välinge operation in Viken, Sweden, imme-

diately revealed that breadth of design is no

longer a barrier. In fact, by integrating digital

inkjet technology into the production pro-

cess, wood fibre flooring now offers design

definition on par with the best the flooring

industry has to offer.

During the tour, editors from the US and

Germany had the opportunity to examine

under a microscope a wood-look WFF,

printed from a photograph taken less than

two hours earlier, and its precision and

accuracy were impressive.

So, digital inkjet technology has helped

WFF achieve cutting-edge aesthetic capa-

bilities. Any look and texture is achievable,

including in-register designs, and on top of

that it’s easily customisable.

Its closest competition is glazed porce-

lain, but in a faceoff WFF would hold the

advantage, since it offers a more wear-

resistant surface and greater dye penetra-

tion and, of course, it’s warmer underfoot.

Porcelain’s advantage would be limited to

applications in wet areas.

Over the last few weeks, Floor Focus has

reached out to key figures in several of the

leading laminate firms to get their impres-

sions of the new technologies. While a few

expressed scepticism about the design

capabilities (largely because they were


14 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

. . . with deeper texture than laminate flooring, greater durability and enhanced visuals that are also easily customis-able . . .

unaware of the digital inkjet capabilities),

most were concerned about the cost of

the technology, of the licensing, and of

the operating expenses.

However, according to Välinge, the

cost of the system is one of the biggest

advantages. A single powder scattering

machine, which requires about 600mm of

space on the production line, costs about

US $70 000 (R490 000).

The cost of creating a complete system,

with two or three scattering machines for

easy changeover or to create products

with multiple colours in different layers –

along with an automated powder deliv-

ery system and digital inkjet technology

– would (loosely speaking) probably run

from about US $700 000 to US $1 mil-

lion (R4,9 million – R7 million) or so, with

digital inkjet technology accounting for

perhaps half of the total investment.

In addition, it’s only the middle of the

production line that needs to be modi-

fied, and in fact it can be modified to

handle both powder and traditional

paper systems.

Tarkett’s European laminate facility

has already started production of the

powder-based products, having modified

its equipment to run with both powder

and paper, and other powder technology

licensees are now on board.

In terms of operating costs, Niclas

Håkansson, Välinge’s executive vice-presi-

dent of research and development, claims

that, though a full-blown system with very

deep embossing and extreme wear prop-

erties exceeding AC6 will cost more to run

than a standard direct pressure operation,

the use of digital inkjet technology to

eliminate paper layers on top “makes the

calculation even more attractive.” In addi-

tion, the firm is working on an innovation

to replace the paper layer on the bottom.

There’s also another factor to consider.

The value of a wood fibre floor that makes

full use of the complete system – with

deeper texture than laminate flooring,

greater durability and enhanced visuals that

are also easily customisable – far exceeds the

value of any laminates out there.

Pervan believes that WFF would be best

positioned, at least initially, to target price

points in the intersection between high-end

laminates and glazed porcelains.

Perhaps most significantly, this is a product

suitable for a broad range of commercial

applications – in markets that traditional

laminate flooring has never been able to suc-

cessfully penetrate.

Glazed porcelain with digital inkjet technol-

ogy is hugely popular right now, but on the

commercial side it’s not as prevalent in heavy

commercial applications, leaving a large

swathe of the market potentially available to


15F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 15

wood fibre flooring.

While Välinge anticipates large-scale adoption of the technol-

ogy among both newcomers and existing licensees of its other

technologies, it is also prepared to offer full-scale production for

clients within its own facilities.

The firm’s new 20 000m² support and research and development

facility includes a 9 200m² production area. In addition, the firm

owns a huge tract of adjoining land and is prepared to build a

large-scale production facility to produce WFF for partners or, if

necessary, to go to market directly.

If the firm does not find a US licensee, it is also prepared to build

its own manufacturing facility in the US.”

Scepticism or not, it looks like WFF could make the running in

the future.


16 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN100% behind the SpringboksWith the World Cup Rugby taking place as we speak, it is nice to see

the level of patriotism coming back to South Africa, the same as we

experienced just over one year ago with the World Cup Soccer.

Van Dyck partnered with SARLA ( South African Rugby Legends) to raise funds for rugby development.

We should never forget all the posi-

tive media feedback we received

from different countries around the world at

that time, with South Africa showing the rest

of the world that we can compete with the

best and as a result we can all be proud of

being South African.

The same applies when talking about carpet

manufacturing. Van Dyck has vast experience

with regards to overseas/international manu-

facturing standards and there is no doubt that

the overall quality of our local manufacturing

is on par with the best of the world.

Van Dyck carpets are made with pride in

Durban since 1948 by the longest established

carpet manufacturer by far in the country,

and for the last 63 years the company has

been at the forefront of carpet manufacturing

through constant research and development

and product innovation.

As a result of this vast experience our local

customers can be assured that they can get

the best of what is available in the world and

at a very affordable price.

Supporting local manufacturers also gives

a much needed boost to our local economy

and assists the creation of new jobs to make

a better life for all. It also reduces the nega-

tive effects of the transportation of imported

goods on the environment, so supporting

locally manufactured products is the most

sustainable decision to make.

Van Dyck decided however to even go one

step further, and as a gesture of goodwill

towards all the South African families that

have supported our brand over the last 63

years we decided to put some money back

into social upliftment.

We are proud to announce that we have

partnered with the South African Rugby

Legends (SARLA) and that for every square

metre of carpeting sold in South Africa Van

Dyck will make a contribution to the South

African Rugby Legends.

The Rugby Legends is a group of ex-Spring-

bok and Provincial rugby players who have

formed a charitable trust. The initial purpose

of the trust is to raise funds for the develop-

ment of rugby at grass roots and club rugby,

thus providing a vehicle for the ex-players to

put something back into rugby.

Today SARLA has grown into a full-blown

social awareness charity using sport as the

catalyst to bring people together and then

evolving their sport aspirations as well as

educating them about health, wealth and

social characteristics.

They have embarked on a sustainable

Legacy Park project which has become their

flagship, whereby over a 10-year period they

have raised over one billion Rand to build

400 multi-purpose facilities in the economi-

cally disadvantaged communities to help our

country solve their sport and social challenges

and as a consequence will feed 500 000 street

kids per day!

What SARLA has achieved for the under-

privileged and club rugby since inception

(over the last four years) is nothing short

of remarkable, all of which would not have

been possible without the substantial sup-

port and commitment of former Springboks,

first class rugby players, coaches, referees,

business associates and sponsors, all of

whom contribute enthusiastically without

any financial reward.

Van Dyck and TigerTurf were proud to be

the main sponsors at the Legend’s Presidents

Awards Banquet in Sandton last year and this

together with our ongoing financial support

confirms our commitment to social-economic

development and creating opportunities and

a better life for all.

For more info re the SARLA programs please

visit their website www.sarugbylegends.com

or alternatively contact one of the sales repre-

sentatives at Van Dyck.

For more information: 031 913 3800 /

0800227738 or www.vandyckcarpets.com


17F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 17

I n s i g h t : S h o w r o o m s

SHOWROOMS If you’ve got it – flaunt it!

Having taken a look at Health Spas and Wine Cellars in the previ-

ous issues of FLOORS in Africa, our intrepid investigator, Joanna

Papastamopoulos, turns her attention to Flooring Showrooms in this

issue. She took the opportunity of visiting John Dore, Tiletoria, Bedson

Timbers, Cemcrete, Revelstone and M Farrell & Sons showrooms.

John Dore Showroom, North Riding Tiletoria Showroom, North Riding

John Dore FlooringJohn Dore Flooring has been serving the

Gauteng community since 1990, specialis-

ing in wall-to-wall carpets and laminated

wood flooring. They offer quality and reli-

able products and installation you can

count on. Their friendly and professional

staff are happy to answer any questions you

may have about the company or its services.

Whether you need carpets or laminated

wood floors, they have what you need

at prices you can afford. At John Dore

Flooring, their goal is to provide a courte-

ous, expedient, professional service of the

highest standard. The service I received

when I walked in to photograph the show-

room was of top quality; very friendly, help-

ful and most accommodating.

The showroom itself was very clean and

orderly, well kept and easy to navigate

around. If I were looking for a carpet or floor

I would be very happy with the service I

received during my visit.

TiletoriaTiletoria is the biggest independent tile

distributor in the Western Cape, with four

divisions that supply tiles to the walk-in

18 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1


Bedson Showroom, Pretoria

Cemcrete Showroom, Parktown North

domestic market; the wholesale market

where more than 100 building/tiling retail-

ers are being supplied; the contracts market

covering housing developments, office

blocks, hotels, and shopping centres; and

the National Corporate and Specification

Division which supplies (amongst others)

Clicks, Cell C, Woolworths, Standard Bank,

Musica, Truworths, Foschini, Virgin Active,

Spar, Shoe City, Toyota and Edcon.

The launch of the new Tiletoria showroom

in North Riding, Johannesburg, earlier this

year was a phenomenal event! It was a huge

success and it is a stunning showroom with

great views given to all their products.

Tiletoria’s staff were very welcoming and

helpful whilst I was taking photographs

of the showroom – emphasising their out-

standing customer service.

Bedson Flooring & DécorBedson Flooring & Décor both grows and

procures pristine quality timber to ensure

optimal results in solid wood flooring, deck-

ing, mouldings, structures and furnishings.

Company-owned forests in Uruguay give

Bedson the flexibility and reliability of hav-

ing access to established strategic resources

with which to consistently supply the mar-

ket. This assists an increasing demand for

their products and the investment forms

part of a 300-year sustainable project.

Bedson has opened a magnificent show-

room in Pretoria, where the staff are excep-

tionally friendly and helpful – customer

service is a big trait of Bedson’s. To have

photographed this outstanding showroom

was an absolute pleasure.

CemcreteCement has long been a crucial element in

the building and constructing of homes and

structures. The revolution of using cement-

based products within interior design has

been gaining momentum since the 1970’s,

around the time that Cemcrete was estab-

lished, and has since had a huge impact

on designers and homemakers who are

constantly seeking alternate and innovative

ways to push boundaries and to find per-

sonality in their design.

Boasting unique, stylish and contem-

porary finishes, Cemcrete’s showroom at

227 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parktown North,

Johannesburg, offers abundant innovations

to cater for every individual need. From the

sleek sheen of the floors, to the textured

indulgence of the walls, the moment one

walks through the large front door there is

unlimited inspiration to renovate, refurbish

and build your dream home.

Cemcrete offers a range of cement-based

materials that can be used and manipulated

to cover nearly any surface from walls, floors,

swimming pools, roofs and so much more,

with products available in a variety of colours

to enhance the interior/exterior of any given

space. They have been used in the interna-

tional arena, and have become the play-

ground for interior designers and architects.

Proudly so, Cemcrete boasts the superior

quality of all products that have proven to

be timeless in their sophistication and lon-

gevity. This new showroom raises the bar in

this field, bringing individuals and corpora-

tions alike a charming taste and demonstra-

tion of just how adaptable these products

can be.

What is perhaps most appealing about

Cemcrete products is their flexibility of use;

interior and exterior design products are

19F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 19

mostly interchangeable. The products set

hard as rock, and are superbly low on main-

tenance.

RevelstoneA visit to the Revelstone showroom is an

absolute must. The showroom has been

designed for the homeowner and profes-

sional alike. Over the years they have found

more and more architects, landscapers and

developers using their showroom to bring

clients to see the products in both indoor

and outdoor settings.

The Revelstone experience has been further

enhanced by the introduction of a coffee bar

where clients can enjoy a quiet cup of coffee

in an attractive, serene outdoor courtyard – in

Revelstone Showroom, landsdown

and the public. M. Farrell & sons pride there

success from a simple formula of practical

experience, outstanding service, honesty

and a high quality of workmanship.

This pleasant showroom is nicely situated

close to the main road, and the products are

displayed evenly, not overwhelming to look

M Farrell & Sons, Lyttleton Manor

at and easy to choose from. There is also a

sense of history with the portrait of Brian

Farrell’s father hanging in the showroom

– showing his commitment to the flooring

industry and the legacy that he has left to

carry on flying the company’s flag up high.

It was a neat, clean and well-presented

showroom with an ambience of warmth

and a feeling of flooring solutions! Well

worth a visit.

the middle of an industrial area!

Boardroom facilities are also available to

professionals wanting to discuss with their

clients the projects they are working on

together – away from the busy showroom.

During our visit we enjoyed the beautiful

showroom. It is easy to navigate through

and has been designed to see all the prod-

ucts offered by Revelstone. Andrew, Alex

and Kate were most welcoming with a

lovely cappuccino at hand. Staff service is

top quality and truly a must see...

M Farrell & SonsAfter 27 years M.Farrell & sons are proud

to announce the opening of our exclusive

show room which has been designed to

facilitate from designers, architects, builders


20 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

Transparent 0861 PETER(73837)www.peterbates.co.za

P r o j e c t s

22 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

NEDBANK first green of its kindWith numerous projects

throughout South Africa now

seeking Green Star SA certifica-

tion through the rating system

operated by the Green Building

Council of South Africa (GBCSA)

– all of which are aimed at the

conservation of resources and

protection of the environment

– FLOORS in Africa decided to

take a look at how this status is

achieved in practice.

A cursory look at who is involved

and what is currently being

built revealed that one of the most eco-

concerned organisations in the country is

Nedbank which, with the second phase of

its head office in Sandton having gained

the accolade of being the first project in

the country to achieve a 4-star Green Star

SA Office Design v1 rating and also a 4-star

Green Star SA Office As Built v1 rating.

In addition, their new office building in

Umhlanga has also achieved a 4-star Green

Star SA Office Design v1 rating – the first in

KwaZulu-Natal.

These projects incorporate sustainable

design features with considerable attention

given to indoor environment quality (IEQ),

and energy and water saving.

To achieve the required performance in

the IEQ category, the design of these build-

ings catered for initiatives such as increased

fresh air rates, CO2 monitoring and control

within the office space, as well as maximis-

ing daylight and external views where

possible, and using low-VOC (Volatile

Organic Compounds) paints and other

materials, together with low-formaldehyde

composite wood.

Energy efficient lighting and air condi-

tioning systems are included, and water

savings will be largely achieved through

water-efficient fixtures and fittings, as well

23F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 23

Ethical 0861 PETER(73837)www.peterbates.co.za

P r o j e c t s

as through rainwater capture and recycling

and reduced potable water requirement for

landscape irrigation.

For the 9 300m² office building at the

Ridgeside office park development on the

Umhlanga Ridge (developed by Zenprop,

with Nedbank as the tenant), David Talbot

of the lead designers dhk architects, said

that to save energy the building envelope

was designed to be as thermally efficient

as possible, while at the same time to

maximise daylight penetration and provide

access to external views. The building also

incorporates an efficient air conditioning

plant, and an equally efficient lighting and

light-switching zoning strategy employed.

Regarding the flooring, Talbot says that

the specifications met the requirements of

Nedbank and the GBCSA guidelines which

include items such as minimisation of PVC

content and the reduction of VOCs.

When Nedbank built their head office

(phase 1) at 135 Rivonia Road, Sandton,

they went to great pains to ensure that

the floorcoverings were manufactured to

the best available ‘green’ standards, which

resulted in Dyemension Dynamix Sand

Dune carpet tiles being specified, together

with Polyflor’s Expona vinyl tiles – and

these products were used once more for

the Ridgeside project – with 4 500m² and

150m² installed respectively.

‘The best available green standards’ in this

instance meant compliance with the Earthly

Green South African Vision of Nedbank, who

are committed to a healthy work environ-

ment, and all carpet tiles installed at both

their Sandton Phase 2 and Ridgeside prem-

ises are manufactured in South Africa.

Ron Cherry, managing director of

Dyemension Dynamix, says, “This ‘Green –

Keep it South African’ vision was directly

responsible for Dyemension Dynamix

urgently researching and acquiring the

necessary knowledge, technology, skills and

equipment for production of the Nedbank

carpet tiles used on these projects.”

The flooring contractor for both of these

projects was Peter Bates Flooring, who men-

tioned that the adhesives used were also

provided to the Nedbank specification.

Finally, Revelstone precast cobbles were

used for the external paving, pre-sealed

with a silicone water repellant manufac-

tured by Chryso SA which virtually elimi-

nates efflorescence in concrete masonry.

This treatment forms polysiloxane cross-

linked network structures, permanently

chemically bonded to the concrete matrix,

which means that the admixture cannot

be washed away by capillary water pen-

etration. It substantially reduces water

absorption and efflorescence, and is both

alkali- and biologically stable, offering long-

term durability, and produces no change

in the appearance of the pressed concrete

surfaces.

Although Nedbank may well be in the

forefront of green building developments,

there is no doubt that many large compa-

nies, institutions and even Government

departments are looking towards providing

more efficient, eco-friendly buildings in the

future, so this should become the norm in

the foreseeable future. You can bank on it!

P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s

Lasting floors

With more than 50 years’ experience in the local and international flooring

industry, Denver Coleman, Chairman of Polyflor SA, answers questions posed

by installers, architects and readers on their flooring challenges.* The question

in this issue deals with adhesive applications.

VINYL

W e have recently been asked to specify a floor for a leading private school in our area and we’re very impressed with the exciting design and colour options afforded to us with the new generation vinyl

floors. After spending many hours researching the best option for the job, we are convinced that vinyl is the right choice – not least because it offers excellent durability and easy maintenance. However, please could you offer some advice on ensuring the floors maintain their beauty and longevity – especially with the heavy foot traffic it will have to endure on a daily basis!. Thank you! ” Beth Moore, Parkmore (Johannesburg)

“

Quality vinyl sheeting can give many years

of good looking service if correctly installed

and cared for. There is evidence that floors

installed in the mid-1960s have lasted and

are still functional today.

The first consideration is a good, solid, flat

and dry screed and, therefore, screed prepa-

ration is very important, bearing in mind

that the floorcovering largely is only as

good as the screed below, especially from a

“looks” point of view.

Always use a quality adhesive as, once

more, this is the basis of a good sheet floor

installation. Lastly, don’t skimp on adhesive

quality for the sake of a few cents, which

could cost you later. Make sure that you

follow the flooring and adhesive manu-

facturer’s instructions, after all, they make

the product and should know better than

anyone what is correct for their product.

(Before applying, always test the sub-floor

for moisture and, if in any doubt, apply a

surface damp-proofer.)

Once installed within the timescale of the

adhesive, the floor should be rolled with a

68kg roller to effect transfer of adhesive and

slightly assist in flattening the trowel marks.

Always use the correct trowel for adhesive

application (do not use a worn trowel, ever).

During the lifetime of the floor, the correct

maintenance should be followed. A clean

good-looking floor will always be attractive,

last longer and cost less to maintain if done

correctly – for the duration of the floor’s life.

PUR-coated floors do not require sealers

and can be maintained by the Masslin cloth

system. Non-PUR-coated floors should be

sealed and maintained by a regular spray-

and-buff system.

There are maintenance companies that

have excellent products and equipment and

can advise you on the best cleaning meth-

ods to ensure a long-lasting floor.

Considering that the flooring is one of the

most abused parts of any building, one of

the keys to protecting your investment is to

keep the floors in good condition. A proven

method of lengthening the life of both floor

and building is to prevent the dirt from get-

ting into the building.

This is best achieved by putting in some

good-quality, effective walk-off matting as a

building protection system.

Generally, you need outdoor primary mat-

ting which will take off all grit and stones by

trapping them in an open construction mat

which allows the drop-through of pebbles

and small stones, and a secondary matting

system inside the doors to remove all dust

and grime and moisture from incoming

feet. In planning, don’t forget staff entranc-

es and delivery access to the building, as

well as the main entrance or front doors.

Taking the above factors into account, you

can expect 15-20 years or more of life from

a good-quality vinyl sheet floor which has

been correctly installed and maintained.

The principle is not to take shortcuts on

your floor, as it is the foundation of the

inside of your building.If you have any floor-ing questions relating to design, installation, problems or commentary you wish to share with Denver, please e-mail him at [email protected] with ASK DENVER in the subject line or phone Blythe at Polyflor on 011 609 3500.

*The views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views or opinions of FLOORS in Africa and may not be applicable to all resilient floorcoverings. This article has not been solicited or sponsored by FLOORS in Africa.

24 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1


KIRK

GAUTENGTel: +27 11 444 1441 Fax: +27 11 444 1165

CAPE TOWNTel: +27 21 949 2226 Fax: +27 21 949 4531

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.kirk.co.za

KWAZULU NATALTel: +27 31 564 1175 Fax: +27 31 564 1143

PORT ELIZABETHTel: 0860 547573

Fax: 086 688 4980

FLOOR AND WALLFINAL SOLUTIONSavailable through Kirk Marketing

Quality Profiles for wood and laminate floors.

Structural movement and expansion joints for floors, walls, columns,

ceilings, roofs, car garages, bridges. Fire Barriers also available.

PVC curvable profiles for multi-shaped flooring. Commercial and

domestic applications.

Quality Tile Cleaners,Strippers and Sealants.

M Trim is a brand of PVC, brass, aluminium, stainless steel and anodised profiles used for tiles, carpets, vinyl and laminate floors.

Aluminium elite straight edge Aluminium formable square edge

Aluminium listello Aluminium tile-in corner protector

Aluminium ProfilesFINAL SOLUTIONS

Aluminium profiles are used with tiles, carpets, lami-

nates and other flooring types, and are the most

popular type of profile used in the flooring industry.

Aluminium Tile-in Beading Aluminium Capping strip

Aluminium carpet gripper capping strip

Aluminium wood/lami-nate transition cover

The majority of aluminium profiles are extruded to different shapes,

thicknesses and sizes dependent on the flooring type, and occa-

sionally new designs are invented to meet the specifier’s requirements.

Aluminium is anodised in different colours for aesthetic appeal and

to improve its anti-corrosive properties. Kirk has a variety of anodised

colours to match floor colours and types such as carpet, laminate, wood

and tiles. Anodising penetrates between 10-15 microns into the alu-

minium profile, giving it a long lifespan.

The other option is to powder-coat the aluminium to just about any

required colour. This is a surface coating and is a great option for deco-

rative requirements. However, if the profile is being used in a high-wear

area, Kirk does not recommend powder-coating because it may chip,

and then corrosion could occur where it is exposed. As a result, the

powder-coaters will never guarantee the product in high-wear areas.

Aluminium is versatile, because it is lightweight and easy to work with

– at the same time having very durable properties. This is Kirk’s biggest

range of profiles and it continues to grow year after year as new profiles

are invented and/or required by the specifiers.

The aluminium profiles range includes carpet trims with grippers; a

variety of covers used for all flooring types – flat covers, wide covers,

transition covers and more; ramps for tiles, wood and laminates; edge

trims for vinyl floors, screeds as straight edges and in formable shapes;

stairnosings of all types, plain without inserts, double, single and bull,

with PVC inserts, with non-slip inserts, with carborundum inserts, with

luminescent infills and more; a range of listellos of all sizes and depths;

corner protectors as tile-in and retrofits all sizes; comprehensive range

of laminate profiles; mosaic profiles; range of tile edge trims – round,

straight, square, formable, and more.

Aluminium profiles can be used internally and externally, and gener-

ally there is an aluminium profile to meet the specifier’s requirements,

making it a popular range of profiles to be used.

For further information: 011 444 1441 / [email protected] /

www.kirk.co.za.

25F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 25

SHOWROOM What does it offer Architects?

Bedson Timbers is the only manufacturer of solid wood flooring in

South Africa, with all its flooring material derived from sustainable

resources. The opening of its brand-new showroom in Silverton

should be enough to trigger the interest of architects and interior

designers to find out more about this exotic, highly attractive, envi-

ronment-friendly and cost-effective flooring.

New Bedson showroom is staffed by a showroom promoter, together with trained sales and technical staff.

The new Bedson showroom is staffed

by a showroom promoter, together

with trained sales and technical staff who,

with their knowledge and experience of the

unique timber species on offer, give advice

and recommendations in choosing the right

specie for the required application.

Technical advice is also provided by a quali-

fied wood scientist at the showroom both at

the design and selection stage, and during

the installation of projects.

Architects can view a wide display of

samples and configurations of solid hard-

wood species in flooring and decking from

North America, South America, and Africa.

Exotic species of solid hardwood flooring

and decking namely Anchico, Colorado,

Guajuvira, Ipe, Louro Preto, Pau Marfim and

many more are on display, together with

samples of different alternatives in White

and Red Oak wider planks, and quarter-

sawn solid hardwood floors.

These different configurations and combi-

nations of species are ideal for the design of

unique and sophisticated flooring or deck-

ing, and the accessories on offer are from

a superior, high-quality Swedish range of

finishing products.

The feedback received from customers and

professionals has confirmed that the new

showroom is a friendly, sophisticated and

comfortable environment to view and decide

on the correct flooring or decking option

which is best suited to the client.

It is also considered to be a place to send, or

bring, the client to view – under one roof – all

the species available, a veritable one-stop

shop for all their flooring needs. Brochures are

available, and so are samples on request.

Bedson Timbers owns 2 000ha of prime land

with forests that can supply the company

with over 300 years of sustainable resources

of timber products. The company says that

more wood is added in new growth each

year, than what is harvested on the 486-mil-

lion acres of forestland in the United States

that is classified as commercial. 86% more

wood is added annually for hardwood spe-

cies in nett growth than is removed through

harvesting. Bedson is 100% committed to

the green environment and all its timber is

obtained from FSC certified forests.

Specifiers and customers gain the support

of Bedson’s own raw material and factory to

meet the specifications of design by sizes and

species in the shortest possible space of time.

Oscar Bupo, CEO of the Bedson Business

Group, says, “Our new showroom is the place

to have the experience of seeing and com-

paring the grain colour and feeling of the

different species and configurations being

exhibited. It is also the place to have all final

arrangements made including the confirma-

tion of availability and reservation of stock.”

The new showroom is situated in Silverton,

Pretoria, on the corner of Axle and Battery

Streets in the Willows Business Park, and any-

one wishing to know more should contact the

company at the numbers shown below.

For more information: Head Office

012 803 4376 / KZN 031 736 1022 /

0861 BEDSON / www.bedsonflooring.co.za


26 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

g r e a t f l o o r i n g g u i d e | 2 0 1 1g r e a t f l o o r i n g g u i d e | 2 0 1 1www.bedsonflooring.co.za0861 BEDSON

The only South African manufacturer of solid hardwood flooring and decking.A seamless transition between indoor

and outdoor living.Head Office: Pretoria, Gauteng

c/o Axle & Battery St, Willows Business Park, Silverton Ext. 52T 012 803 4376 E [email protected]

Branch: Hammarsdale, Kwa Zulu NatalUnit 2 - Complex 4, 121 Main Rd, HammarsdaleT 031 736 1022 E [email protected]

COM

MER

CIA

L SP

ECIF

YIN

G


28 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

RE-COLOURINGPopular commercial carpet

To stay in touch with the latest colours and interior trends Van Dyck

decided to give its tufted commercial carpet tile ranges a facelift, and

as a result Tuftile, Aragon, Consulate and Vertigo have all been re-

coloured and re-launched recently.

At the same time the company decid-

ed to stock all these new colours,

instead of having them available only as

‘make to order’, to enable any potential

buyer to purchase smaller quantities with a

minimum of one box or five square metres.

This also gives clients the opportunity to

mix and match different colours in the

same installation without having to hassle

about minimum quantities and production

lead times.

Some of the yarn sourcing and construc-

tion was also changed to make these

products more affordable, without affecting

their durability and performance as heavy

commercial carpet tiles.

Tuftile is a product that has been around

for more than 25 years and is recognised in

the industry as one of the best performing

products that easily competes with the best

of overseas products. It is made from 100%

branded Ultron Nylon 6.6 giving it the supe-

rior durability and performance it always

has enjoyed.

These Ultron yarns are low-lustre fibres

that provide permanent static control, soil

hiding and resistance to soiling. Thanks

to their unique molecular structure, these

Nylon 6,6 fibres perform better than any

other fibre.

The Tuftile colour range has been updated

to give it a more contemporary look and

these colours are also selected in such a

way that they can be used easily for any

kind of overprint giving the product ulti-

mate design flexibility.

Vertigo is an ideal carpet tile for modern

commercial interiors, manufactured from

100% Xentrys BCF Nylon 6. The combina-

tion of the different yarn colours together

with the linear design provides stimulating,

versatile, commercial colourways for all

interiors.

Another hardwearing and aesthetically

pleasing carpet tile range that has been

recoloured is Consulate, which is a multi-

linear tufted tile also manufactured from

the well-branded and world-famous Xentrys

BCF Nylon 6 yarn.

Consulate has a refined linear-patterned

loop-pile construction for hardwearing

applications where durability and aes-

thetic appeal are essential, and thanks to

its unique construction the client is getting

the best of both worlds: a very affordable

product suitable for the most demanding

applications.

The last product that has undergone a

facelift is Aragon. This carpet range has

been on the market for almost five years

and has been a very popular choice with

many specifiers because of its rich look and

very affordable price. This carpet range is

also made from 100% Xentrys BCF Nylon 6

yarn and the six stock colours selected are

earthy and contemporary.

These four products are available in

500mm x 500mm as standard (but can also

be made in 600mm x 600mm on request),

and clients can choose as a backing either

Van Dyck’s Enduroback KR4 bitumen back-

ing or the more environmentally friendly

backing, Eco-back, which is made from

post-consumer recycled tyres.

All these products have the required

VOC ratings for Green Star Rating and are

manufactured locally in the Van Dyck fac-

tory in Durban.


0800227738 or www.vandyckcarpets.com.

VAN DYCK


29F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 29


30 F L O O R S J u l y A u g 2 0 1 1


31F L O O R S J u l y A u g 2 0 1 1 31


litochrom Starlike is a two-part, acid-

resistant, epoxy mortar for the instal-

lation and grouting of ceramics and mosaic

tiles that is a stain resistant, water repellent,

and decorative grout which prevents the

proliferation of fungus and moulds. It also

has excellent resistance to acids, alkalis, oils,

SPECIALISED grouts from Italy

Litokol is an Italian company with a very strong presence throughout

Italy and in 75 foreign countries. Litokol products are now available

in South Africa from Tile & Floor Care (TFC) who is very excited to add

the Litokol range of Litochrom Starlike specialised grouts to its large

range of tile cleaning, sealing and decorative products.

fuels and solvents, and is suitable for restoring

damaged grouts.

Litochrom Starlike can also be used as an

adhesive, which is very important when used

with very thin mosaics – two uses in one

unique product! It also offers a wide range of

stable and uniform colours from three design-

er collections: The Classic Collection which has

more basic colours; The Glamour Collection

with bright blues, reds and other colours to

whet your palette; and finally the unique

Metallic Collection with specialised colours like

Platinum, Shining Gold, Bronze and Copper.

With amazing additives like Spotlight and

Gold, which can be mixed with Litochrom

Starlike, unique and beautiful finishes can

be achieved. Spotlight will give Litochrom

Starlike a shiny glittering effect while Gold

will provide a glittering golden effect. This

range of epoxy grouts is truly special and

will give that wow factor to any area where

they are used.

Litochrom Starlike grout is extremely easy to

apply and clean even when used on industrial

floorings with tiles that have a rough, non-slip

texture. It is suitable for grouting porcelain,

mosaics, wood, natural stone and glass mosa-

ics in bathrooms, shower cubicles, swimming

pools and thermal tanks.

Thanks to its chemical resistance it can also

be used in dairies, wineries, oil mills, as well as

kitchen tables in restaurants and bakeries.

TFC also offers the following cleaning

chemicals:

Litonet Marble: an alkaline liquid cleaner for

removing epoxy mortar residues and marks,

specifically for delicate natural stone like

marble, granite and travertine. This product

is fast and effective and, when diluted with

water at 20-40%, can also be used for ordi-

nary floor maintenance when a deep clean

is required.

Litonet & Litonet Gel: two slightly acidic

cleaners that are used for the removal of

epoxy mortars. They can be used in different

applications depending on the dilution of

the product.

Litonet is suitable for cleaning floor ceramic

tiles in interior and exterior applications

while Litonet Gel (having a higher viscosity)

is recommended to clean wall ceramic tiles in

interior and exterior applications.

For more information:

0800 006 173 / 011

822 6901 /

021 556 1468 /

031 262 3616 /

www.tfc.co.za

Litochrom Starlike: for installation, grouting and adhesive for ceramics and mosaic tiles with a wide range of colours from three designer collections.

32 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

industrial Flooring

The problem with writing an introduction to indus-

trial flooring is to know where to start, because

practically every type of floorcovering has an

application in this sector, depending on whether

it is involved in light, medium or heavy industrial

applications. Even then, light industry can mean

anything from the static requirements of elec-

tronics manufacture to access flooring and cable

management for office layout and computer instal-

lations; medium industrial floors normally mean

hardwearing factory floors that can accommodate

continuous traffic such as forklifts; or the really

heavy-duty industrial floors that may need a spe-

cialised surface finish. And then there is everything

in between!

33F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 33

INDUSTRIAL FLOORSLight, medium or heavy?

F e a t u r e F o c u s : I n d u s t r i a l F l o o r i n g

34 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

SHuT

TeRS

TOc

k

Even then, light industry can mean

anything from the static require-

ments of electronics manufacture to access

flooring and cable management for office

layout and computer installations; medium

industrial floors normally mean hardwear-

ing factory floors that can accommodate

continuous traffic such as forklifts; or the

really heavy-duty industrial floors that may

need a specialised surface finish. And then

there is everything in between!

Although we expect people to come to

the party in each of these applications with

products and systems that comprise unique

The problem with writing an

introduction to industrial floor-

ing is to know where to start,

because practically every type

of floorcovering has an applica-

tion in this sector, depending on

whether it is involved in light,

medium or heavy industrial

applications.

concrete is the material of choice for the floors of industrial storage facilities around the world.

features that will enhance the performance

and longevity of the floor, we will mainly be

looking at the requirements of the heavy

industrial sector in this introductory article,

and the use of concrete or resin-based floors.

Concrete floorsConcrete is the material of choice for the

floors of industrial storage facilities around

the world. However, concrete is a brittle

material and needs to be jointed or rein-

forced, or a combination of both, to control

cracking. Reinforcement can be in the form

of bars, welded fabric or steel fibres.

The load carrying capacity of a concrete

floor is primarily determined by the thick-

ness of the concrete.

Reinforcement is generally only required

for controlling cracks caused by drying

shrinkage in floors with few or no joints.

It must be noted that the reinforcement is

used to control and not necessarily to pre-

vent cracks.

In a jointed floor slab, sawn contraction

joints are used to induce cracks at centres

of less than 4,5m. Where joints are further

apart, they can widen to the point that

aggregate interlock is lost and load transfer

from one side of the crack to the other can-

not take place. In such conditions consid-

eration must be given to the provision of

dowels to provide adequate load transfer.

Such dowels can be conventional round

dowels (to be used in transverse joints

only), or plate dowels which can be used in

joints in both directions.

SFRC ConcreteThe use of steel fibres evenly distributed

into fresh concrete will control and redis-

tribute the stresses that occur during the

shrinkage of concrete. They bridge cracks

that appear in concrete, thereby providing

a degree of post-cracking load transfer,

and also help to prevent micro-cracks from

developing into macro-cracks.

With fibre dosage rates of between 30 -

50kg/m³, steel reinforced concrete typically

shows partial ductile behaviour. However,

the level of ductility (usually expressed as

the ‘Re3’ value) is influenced by the fibre type

and quality, dosage and concrete quality.

The majority of “joint-free” (ie joints at

approximately 30 - 40m centres) floors

worldwide use undulated cold-drawn steel

fibres with an aspect ratio greater than 50

(length/diameter), and the tensile strength

of the wire ranges from 1 000 to 1 500

MPa depending on the fibre type. These

have proved particularly effective in floor

construction, sometimes used with con-

ventional reinforcement. Where “joint-free”

or “jointless” floors are used with joints at

large spacings, particular attention needs

to be paid to joint detailing to ensure that

adequate load transfer is provided for at the

joints that are used.

Urethane Concrete Systems

Urethane concrete, originally designed for

flooring in the food and beverage industry,

is a seamless, resinous industrial flooring sys-

tem. Engineered as a superior alternative to


35F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 35

SHuT

TeRS

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epoxy coatings and resin-ous flooring systems can be designed to meet the demands of nearly any industrial flooring environ-ment.

acid brick, quarry tile, and coatings, urethane

concrete offers unequalled resistance to

physical abuse, thermal shock, a wide range

of aggressive chemicals and bacteria growth.

Urethane concrete will stand up in the most

extreme industrial flooring environments.

The term Ferro Concrete refers only to

concrete that is reinforced with iron or steel.

Other materials used to reinforce concrete

can be organic and inorganic fibres as well

as composites in different forms.

Epoxy and resinous flooring systemsEpoxy coatings and resinous flooring sys-

tems can be designed to meet the demands

of nearly any industrial flooring environ-

ment. Industrial environments require res-

inous flooring systems that will withstand

forklift traffic, corrosive chemicals, cleaning

agents, oils and grease, bacteria, moisture,

and high heat.

Over time, the surface of concrete sub-

jected to these harsh conditions will abrade

and erode, and the solution is to use indus-

trial epoxy coatings and flooring which are

custom-designed to withstand the harshest

conditions without failure.

With a wide variety of resinous flooring

and coating systems available, from thin

film coatings for new concrete to 12,5mm

resurfacing systems for eroded concrete,

industrial flooring needs can be addressed

at any phase of the life of the concrete.

An epoxy mortar industrial flooring sys-

tem is a heavy-duty, seamless, trowelled

floor topping that can be used to restore or

replace eroded or spalled concrete. These

epoxy-based industrial flooring and resur-

facing systems are typically composed of a

unique blend of aggregates and 100% sol-

ids epoxy resins.

Epoxy mortar systems are used for envi-

ronments requiring an industrial-grade

floor or when a concrete floor has sustained

damage requiring resurfacing. For this,

epoxy finishes can be constructed to create

a variety of thicknesses, and textures rang-


36 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

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each of these applications with prod-ucts and systems that comprise unique features will enhance the performance and longevity of the floor.

ing from rough to smooth.

Epoxy resurfacing systems can also incorporate a seamless, sani-

tary cover as well as offering a variety of colour choices to blend

into almost any environment.

Repeated and constant abuse from forklift traffic, pallet jacks

and heavy skids destroy concrete. That’s where heavy-duty

polymer floors come in, available from all the leading industrial

flooring suppliers to withstand the most abusive industrial

flooring applications.

To reduce any confusion over the different types of resin flooring

applications that are available, we have given a brief description of

each below, but it is essential that you are aware of the terminol-

ogy given for each type of duty, so this is shown first.

DutyLight duty is suitable for light foot traffic and occasional rubber-

tyred vehicles.

Medium duty: is where regular foot traffic, frequent forklift

truck traffic and occasional hard plastic-wheeled trolleys are

experienced.

Heavy duty: is for constant forklift truck traffic, hard plastic-

wheeled trolleys, and some impact.

Very heavy duty: for severe and heavily loaded traffic and impact.

DescriptionFloor seal: This is a water- or solvent-based polyurethane, epoxy

or acrylic system usually applied in two or more coats with a

typical thickness of up to 150µm for light-duty dust-proofing

and sealing of concrete.

Floor Coating: The resin types for floor coating are water-

based, solvent-based or solvent-free polyurethane, epoxy or

acrylic applied in typical thicknesses of 150 to 300μm, and

intended for use in light to medium applications such as stor-

age rooms and light industry.

Highbuild floor coating: Using typical resin types such as poly-

urethane, epoxy or methacrylate in 300 to 1 000μm total thick-

nesses, these coatings are for medium-duty applications such as

warehousing, light assembly areas and laboratories.

Multilayer flooring: Typical resin types used here are polyure-

thane, epoxy or methacrylate in thicknesses from 2mm upwards,

depending on specification, and intended for use in medium- to

heavy-duty applications.

Flow-applied flooring: Once again, the typical resin types are

polyurethane, epoxy or methacrylate in 2 to 3mm thickness,

intended for use in medium- to heavy-duty clean areas such as

light fabrication and assembly, and workshops.

Resin screed flooring: These are heavily aggregate-filled, trowel-

finished systems, generally incorporating a surface seal coat

to minimise porosity. Typical thicknesses range from 4 mm

upwards, and the resin types are usually polyurethane or epoxy.

Intended use is for medium- to heavy-duty engineering work-

shops and other dry processing areas

Heavy-duty flowable flooring: These are aggregate-filled sys-

tems having a self-smoothing surface, or one which may be

given a light surface dressing. Typical thickness is 4-6mm and

the resin types used are polyurethane, epoxy or methacrylate.

Intended for use in heavy- to very-heavy-duty applications such

as clean areas with mechanical loading.

Heavy-duty resin flooring: A trowel-finished, aggregate-filled sys-

tem that is effectively impervious throughout its thickness, which

is typically 6mm upwards. Resin types are polyurethane or epoxy,

and the intended use is for very-heavy-duty applications such as

heavy-duty chemical manufacture or food processing.

It should be noted that the actual life of these flooring applica-

tions will depend on product thickness, quality of the substrate

and service conditions.

Also, some of these categories of flooring may be produced with

special decorative effects by the incorporation of coloured par-

ticles or flakes in the surface.

Terrazzo-like finishes (ground exposed aggregate) may be pro-

duced from certain trowel-applied floorings in the two heavy-duty

categories shown above, and slip-resistant or anti-static/conduc-

tive versions of all these categories may also be available.

It will be seen from this article that the design and provision of

an industrial floor must be undertaken by experienced specialists

with a proven track record in the selected fields if the anticipated

or required performance is to be attained.

Acknowledgement and thanks are given to the following for infor-

mation and assistance used in the preparation of this article:

www.ferfa.co.za; Bryan Perrie, managing director: Cement &

Concrete Institute

(www.cnci.org.za); Ruth Waugh, marketing manager: Twintec

Industrial Flooring

(www.twintec.co.za).


37F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 37

Tel (011) 397 3330 • Fax (011) 397 3810 e-mail: [email protected] • www.transittiles.com

Locally manufactured in South Africa100% virgin PVCSuperior abrasion & chemical resistanceAnti-staticCONDUCTIVE tiles also available for electronically sensitive areasEasy to clean and warm underfoot6 different stud-designs & 11 standard colours

Stylish design - Industrial durability


LAND ROVER greener flooring solution

Mapei South Africa recently provided applicator Liquid Flooring with

the ecological flooring products that Ritchie’s Land Rover required to

minimise its carbon footprint during the reconditioning of its service

centre floors.

Mapei products for Ritchie’s Land Rover service centre floors

Ritchie’s Land Rover looking to implement green practices

Mapefloor I 300 also has high mechanical strength that provides an ideal sur-face for most automotive industries . . .

According to Garth Meyer, flooring

product manager at Mapei South

Africa, the client required a solution that

would protect the floors from damage

caused during vehicle servicing. Due to

oil stains and other general workshop

activities, the flooring product had to be

hardwearing with high strength proper-

ties. However, the flooring product also

had to be eco-friendly.

“With Land Rover’s ongoing commit-

ment to environmental responsibility

and sustainability, the product had to be

ecologically innovative. We recommended

using a combination of Mapefloor I 300,

Primer SN and Mapecolor Paste 7001, all

eco-friendly products owing to their low

emission levels of volatile organic com-

pounds (VOCs),” says Meyer.

Liquid Flooring added Mapefloor I 300,

a two-component epoxy formulate, to

Mapecolor Paste and Primer SN in order

to obtain a defect-free surface with good

resistance to stresses caused by rubber-

wheeled vehicles. Mapefloor I 300 also

has high mechanical strength that pro-

vides an ideal surface for most automo-

tive industries, including vehicle service

centres such as Ritchie’s.

The surface was primed with Primer SN,

a solvent-free, two-component, epoxy pre-

filled primer designed to enhance the adhe-

sion of epoxy and polyurethane resins.

The ready-mix colouring Mapecolor

Paste can be added to both Primer SN and

Mapefloor I 300. The paste acts as a colou-

rant to the epoxy formulate and primer

and is available in 19 colours to satisfy

individual customer requirements. For this

project, Ritchie’s Land Rover opted for the

grey 7001.


082 050 1944 / [email protected]

38 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

HEAVY-DUTY get more durability…

When your flooring project requires a strong, robust coating there is one way to give your plant the muscle

to stand up to heavy-duty traffic movement, bulky machinery and physical attack – and that’s by using a

resin system from Flowcrete SA’s toughest flooring range – for hardwearing, resilient resin floor screeds that

withstand physical aggression.

flowcrete’s experts rec-ommend thick-set poly-urethane flooring systems for industrial environments where herculean strength is required.

Flowcrete SA has rigorously tested its

industrial floor coating systems and

hand-picked its strongest materials to offer

industrial manufacturing clients the most

hardy, most resilient and most powerful

resin surfaces available in the market.

Their award-winning industrial resin

flooring range includes non-slip, positively

textured polyurethane screeds, acrylic and

epoxy based floor finishes made-up of dura-

ble quartz beads as well as polyurethane

terrazzo systems that contain tough flint

and granite aggregates.

These heavy-duty resin formulations can

be applied up to a thickness of 10mm and

meet FeRFA guidelines for Type 8 resin

flooring, meaning that they are impervious

to the long-term effects of frequent or even

constant, physical aggression and offer the

most advanced levels of durability.

Enhanced surface protection with specialist

seal coats and treatments

Enhanced surface protection can be

gained in demanding environments

through the use of chemical-resistant floor

seal coats, antistatic surface treatments and

positively textured aggregates, which are

thrown into the resin mix to deliver a resil-

ient, static-free and non-slip floor coating.

For clean-room environments, where

hygiene is a must, Flowcrete offers a natu-

ral silver-ion based antimicrobial agent,

Polygiene, which is added to the resin for-

mulation at mix stage, to provide an impen-

etrable barrier on the surface of the floor,

which stops bacteria, dirt and other nasties

on contact.

Get More InsightFlowcrete’s experts recommend thick-set

polyurethane flooring systems for industrial

environments where herculean strength is

required. Their Flowfresh HF polyurethane

system is a good all-rounder – providing

excellent resistance to abrasion, heat and

chemical attack.

For production plants, packaging zones

or processing areas where hygiene is also a

must – Flowcrete SA’s Flowfresh HF offers an

additional barrier against dirt and bacteria

thanks to the inclusion of Polygiene.

In extreme environments, our polyure-

thane terrazzo screeds are the most practi-

cal option when it comes to long-term

surface protection from a whole manner of

service conditions.

For further information: 031 461 3411 /

[email protected]


40 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

INTERLOCKINGIndustrial floor tileTuff Floors manufactures a variety of interlocking floor

tiles designed for different applications and styles.

Their industrial range, the Plasti-Lock Big Brother, is manufactured

in 5mm and 7mm thick tiles, designed for heavy-duty indoor

environments and areas where adhesive cannot be used because the

subfloor is contaminated by oil or failing epoxy paints.

Apart from its high performance once installed, it is high on the list

of products that assist in protecting the environment, because 100%

of the material used in its manufacture is recycled.

These interlocking floor tiles simply clip together like pieces of a

puzzle and, for that perfect fit against walls or fixed objects, they can

be cut easily with a Stanley knife. In many applications these tiles can

be installed without the need of an adhesive, but it must be noted

that there are applications where the use of adhesive is essential.

Tuff Floors manufacture these tiles locally and installation is done

through a network of established flooring contractors throughout

South Africa. They also supply specialised anti-slip, self-drainage tiles

that can be used in bars, chemical plants and mines.

Further information: 011 873 1292/ 4674 / [email protected] /

www.tuffloors.co.za011 873-1292 | 082 565 4141 | [email protected] | www.tuffloors.co.za

EASy INSTALLATION

SAFE

COST EFFECTIvE

Pharaoh Cement (Pty) LtdTel +27 (11) 864-4918Fax +27 (11) 864-2123Craig: +27 83 394 0128E-mail [email protected]

The new name in flooring

42 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1


Verni has also taken over the future

business of Industrial Flooring

Systems (IFS), and is already fully operational

with in-house installation teams and techni-

cal specialists ready to be of service to the

local market. The telephone numbers have

been retained and it’s business as usual!

The taking over of IFS was seen as an

DEVELOPMENTS Local flooring market

Verni-Speciality Construction

Products, styled as “The

Performance Flooring Specialists”,

has recently opened a regional

office in the Western Cape. With

the head-office in Gauteng and

another regional office in Port

Elizabeth, the move into the

Western Cape flooring market

was a logical progression.

Supaflor Poly PF screed is a highly resil-

ient, decorative floor finish which has a

cured hardness in excess of 80 MPa and a

terrazzo-type appearance.

Verni offers a complete package, from

design and specification to installation

and commissioning, giving the customer

the correct floor at the right price, with no

double mark-ups.

These have been the key ingredients in

the success of Verni throughout the rest

of South Africa, and there is no reason to

believe that this recipe for success will not

result in a positive metamorphosis within

the Western Cape flooring market.


[email protected]

Verni offers a complete package, from design and specification to instal-lation and commissioning

opportunity, and the management of Verni

was quick to capitalise on developments

and effectively fill the gap in the market left

by the demise of IFS.

Verni’s managing director, Vernon Botha,

is upbeat about the new developments and

is passionate about bringing a new level

of service and professionalism to the com-

mercial and industrial flooring sectors in the

Western Cape region.

Unique in the local market in that they are

both manufacturers and applicators, Verni

is avoiding the often encountered problem

of split guarantees between supplier and

applicator.

With ten years of history and many success-

ful projects behind them, Verni is perfectly

positioned to grow and consolidate within

the flooring market of the Western Cape.

In addition to its existing product range,

which includes acid bricking, concrete repair

and polyurethane and epoxy flooring, Verni

has introduced a power-floated polymer

modified screed which has found a great

deal of success in the commercial sector.


43F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 43

44 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1


PROJECTS using their own!Some of a.b.e. Construction Chemicals’ most trusted and popular

flooring products are being used for the refurbishment of warehouse

floors at the company’s own premises in Boksburg.

abeco mastic application at ABSA Capital parking areas.

peter Jones, a.b.e.’s National Flooring

Manager, says a.b.e.-approved appli-

cator Permafloor was contracted to apply

abeco mastic to six internal ramps as well

as areas in the warehouse where the floor

was in very poor condition. Another a.b.e.-

approved applicator, Indufloor, handled the

application of two a.b.e. polyurethane sys-

tems, namely abescreed PU and abeflo HPU,

to the entrance of the warehouse.

“abeco mastic is a cold-laid bituminous

mastic consisting of stone chippings,

Portland cement, sand and flintkote 3 binder.

The flooring system is especially recom-

mended where a smooth, level, durable floor

with an attractive appearance is required. It

does not require any expansion or contrac-

tion joints and has around 50 years’ service

history on the local market.

This product is non-slip, vermin-proof,

damp-proof, and non-flammable; self-heal-

ing under the heaviest of traffic loads; con-

struction joints disappear after a few days of

traffic exposure; and it does not disintegrate

and can be laid over any firm, sound, clean

subflooring such as concrete, asphalt, well-

compacted crusher run, steel and timber.

Features and benefits of the abescreed

polyurethane system being used for the

upgrade of the warehouse floors include

its providing a seamless and hygienic finish

when sealed leaving no crevices where dirt

and bacteria can collect; it is also clean and

sterile with a low maintenance requirement.

Apart from having a non-slip finish, it has

high abrasion resistance; is solvent-free; low-

odour; has a far longer life than unprotected

concrete; and has excellent resistance to

damaging liquids.

The third a.b.e. product being used for the

repair project is abeflo HPU, a self-levelling

polyurethane product. abeflo HPU is excep-

tionally impact-resistant, can cope with

constant high-pressure cleaning as well as

temperature extremes. The product is par-

ticularly suitable for ‘wet’ areas.

a.b.e. Construction Chemicals, part of

the Chryso SA Group, is using the revamp-

ing project as training for current and new

staff including the company’s national floor-

ing team.

For further information: 011 306 9000 or

www.abe.co.za.


ESSENTIAL Movement jointsGenesis is a retail supply

company that focuses on

providing the retail market

with the highest quality

products and solution to

every finishing problem you

have encountered, and to

those you haven’t.

Genesis high-quality movement joints

46 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

One essential element includ-

ed in the Genesis range of

high-quality movement joints, briefly

described hereunder.

The Genesis movement joint range

is not only stronger and more flexible

than many others, but is also more

aesthetically pleasing, with a replace-

able infill available in black or grey.

The PVC Versi Joint – MLB, which

has the option of removing one of its

legs to create a perimeter joint. This

unique product is available in 8, 10

and 12mm depths and 2,5m lengths

in black or dark grey.

The Optimax Aluminium Heavy

Duty – MSA joint has been specifi-

cally designed for use in medium- to

heavy-duty traffic areas. Its co-extrud-

ed flexible infill is manufactured in

santoprene, providing greater flexibil-

ity together with excellent chemical

and weathering resistance.

Optimax has infills available in black

or grey, and this joint is available in

depths ranging from 8mm to 22,5mm

to suit most floorcovering materials.

Finally, the Aluminium Movement

Joint – MMA has a polyurethane infill

bonded to two aluminium anchor-

ing legs to provide an aluminium

movement control joint. With infills

available in black and grey, the MMA

is available in 10 or 12mm depths and

2,5m lengths.


[email protected] / www.tfc.co.za

Toll Free 0800 00 6173 www.tfc.co.za


48 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

FLOORIn record timeWhen quality flooring was

required for a new ablution area

in a building extension at the

LR Plastics premises in Mobeni,

Durban, the contractor speci-

fied the products of Sika, one of

the leading suppliers of flooring

materials to the construction

industry.

during the application in Durban, the con-

tractor had to apply the coating within a

shorter time span, because higher tempera-

tures reduce the curing time of the product.

With the quick setting times of the Sika

products, as well as the expertise and

efficiency of the contractors, the job was

completed within the specified time span,

proving once more that Sika can be relied

upon to get the job done in most challeng-

ing circumstances.

For further information: 031 792 6500 or

www.sika.co.za

All three Sika products are shown in one area: Sikafloor-20N in the shower, Sikafloor-21N in the toilet area and Sikafloor-29N on the coving.

december is traditionally a busy time

for the client, and Sealcon Systems,

subcontracted to main contractor Stefanutti

Stocks, had only one week to finish the prep-

aration and application of the floor coating

for an area of around 350m².

Due to the short completion time, Sika’s

high-performance products and systems

were selected for the ablution flooring and

Sikafloor-20N PurCem was applied inside the

showers to a thickness of 6mm.

This product is a coloured polyurethane-

modified cement and aggregate screed

suitable for floors subject to heavy loading,

abrasion and chemical exposure. With a tex-

tured aggregate surface, providing medium

to heavy profile slip resistance, it is typically

installed at 6-9mm thick to provide a hard-

wearing surface.

Sikafloor-21N PurCem was applied at a

thickness of 4mm in all other areas of the

ablution block, including the toilet and

change room. This is a medium- to heavy-

duty self-smoothing polyurethane screed

that provides smooth, flat and decorative

wear surfaces.

Sikafloor-29N PurCem, which is coloured

polyurethane-modified cement and aggre-

gate mortar, was used for the covings around

the floor area, in combination with the rest

of the PurCem range in concrete substrate

areas to provide vertical coving and detail-

ing solutions in areas of abrasion and high

chemical exposure.

Also required in the process was Sikafloor-

156ZA, a low-viscosity, two-part epoxy resin

for priming concrete substrates, cement

screeds and epoxy mortars.

Due to the high temperatures experienced

STYLISHPolished floorsAlthough they are based in

Port Elizabeth, Chris Howes

Construction operates through-

out South Africa as one of the

leading approved applicators

of the unique Lafarge Artevia

system and, equipped with HTC

polishing machines, the compa-

ny has completed three diverse

projects that show the versatility

of this system, including two in

the Gauteng area, each of which

emphasise the aesthetic appeal

of these hardworking floors.

texture, providing concretes that are easily

adaptable to complex shapes, easy to maintain

and rapidly applied. Their resistance to wear

and tear creates highly durable installations.

This exciting range of decorative concrete

consists of four products depending on the

required finish and, thanks to the multiple com-

binations available, Artevia offers a large variety

of colours and effects to fit any environment.

For example, Artevia Polish has a smooth texture

like polished marble that is elegant and silky

to touch. It highlights aggregates by polishing

until the concrete is smooth and shiny.


083 656 8586 /[email protected]

13mm white, brown and grey aggregates were used with a char-coal pigment in the concrete

TThe Mercedes Benz showroom in

Bedfordview, Johannesburg, illustrates that,

although Artevia was selected for its durability,

functionality and ease of maintenance, this appli-

cation – which incorporated grey concrete with

grey stone – was polished to perfection by Chris

Howes Construction to show these upmarket

vehicles to their best advantage.

Closer to their home base, Chris Howes also

provided and polished an Artevia application

for Preston’s Liquor store in Port Elizabeth where

Lafarge supplied the concrete, and the system

was used for this busy retail outlet for its aesthet-

ic appeal, functional attributes and durability.

Lafarge also used Chris Howes for the recep-

tion area of their own offices in Longmeadow,

where 13mm white, brown and grey aggre-

gates were used with a charcoal pigment in

the concrete. Over 30m3 of concrete was used

in this application.

Lafarge Product Development Manager Anathi

Zitumane says that, apart from the floor being

easy to maintain and clean, and the known dura-

bility of Artevia, this application demonstrates its

aesthetical appeal to all visitors.

Available in an amazing array of intriguing

colours, patterns and textures, Artevia brings any

location to life with vibrant colour and realistic


49F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 49

cleaning & Maintenance &

Repairs

The maintaining, cleaning and repairing of floors

often lead to specialised services being required,

and once the selected floorcovering has been

installed there are many after-installation facets

to consider. How will the floor be maintained?

What cleaning programmes should be adopted

and what happens should repairs be needed? All

these aspects affect the lifespan of the floor and

should not be ignored. So often people pay scant

attention to keeping their floors in peak condition,

which results in repairs or replacement of the floor

becoming necessary far earlier than would be the

case if the floor had been looked after properly.

51F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 51

F e a t u r e F o c u s : C l e a n i n g & M a i n t e n a n c e & R e p a i r s

52 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

FLOOR CLEANINGDon’t brush off!

The maintaining, cleaning and

repairing of floors often lead

to specialised services being

required, and once the selected floorcovering has been installed there are many after-installation facets to

consider. How will the floor be maintained? What cleaning programmes should be adopted and what hap-

pens should repairs be needed? All these aspects affect the lifespan of the floor and should not be ignored.

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53F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 53

correct cleaning equipment and chemicals should be specified – either for use by in-house staff or the subcon-tracted daily cleaning company.

So often people pay scant attention to

keeping their floors in peak condition,

which results in repairs or replacement of

the floor becoming necessary far earlier

than would be the case if the floor had been

looked after properly.

Planned floor maintenance is the best way

to keep your floors safe for use and looking

good throughout their life and also compli-

ant with manufacturer slip ratings, although

most hard flooring rarely becomes a slip

hazard due to wear. If it was fit for purpose

when installed and had the appropriate slip

rating, then if it is replaced prematurely it is

usually due to a lack of or incorrect cleaning,

sealing and maintenance.

Correct cleaning equipment and chemi-

cals should be specified – either for use by

in-house staff or the subcontracted daily

cleaning company. Generally microfibre

flat mops will suit the brief and remove

the damaging dry gritty soil that can pre-

maturely age a floor and result in surface

scratching and damage.

Combine this type of mopping system with

a cleaning agent that will clean the floor

and ensure it does not hold onto soiling or

attract dirt to itself. This applies whether the

floor is sealed with a polish or sealer or has a

PU coating protecting the actual surface.

Planned floor maintenance will protect the

investment made in hard flooring, deliver a

clean sharp image to staff and clients, ensure

a safe working environment, and extend the

useful life of the flooring.

Routine maintenance and its impact on the specificationFacility managers encounter a number of

daily maintenance challenges that can affect

the environmental integrity and overall per-

formance of their buildings, and can choose

flooring products that offer durability and

low-maintenance features.

The general public is now more environ-

mentally conscious than ever before, taking a

greater interest in learning more about how

materials and manufacturing processes can

impact not only the environment, but also

the occupants and the indoor atmosphere.

Therefore, it is important to consider how

the products installed are to be maintained,

and how that can impact a facility.

Selecting flooring that specifically relates to

the space is critical, as it serves as a founda-

tion of design, sustainability and functionality.

It can also serve as the basis for a mainte-

nance programme and is a critical component

of establishing a maintenance regime.

While there are a variety of materials

designed for healthcare and education appli-

cations, not all choices are suited to meet the

full spectrum of demands of these facilities. It

is also important to select a floor that can be

adequately maintained by the custodial staff.

Maintenance regimens can vary significant-

ly depending on the nature of the flooring

surface. Some flooring materials, generally

those with a dense, non-porous surface,

can be regularly maintained by only dust-

mopping followed by a wet mop with a mild

cleaning solution.

Other floors need stronger, more potent

cleaning agents. Some types of flooring also

need to be stripped and re-sealed or waxed

fairly regularly, and one should make sure to

choose a floor that fits the required mainte-

nance capabilities.

In healthcare and education facilities,

patients and students may be more sensitive

to smells and effects associated with clean-

ing solutions used to disinfect and clean the

floors. Also, the frequent use of harsh clean-

ers and detergents can lead to illness, and

can adversely affect the indoor air quality

throughout the facility.

By selecting a flooring solution that has

relatively low-maintenance requirements, a

facility will experience savings in both cost

of labour and cost of cleaning supplies, while

promoting a healthier overall atmosphere.

Some flooring options need to be waxed,

sealed or refinished as part of the cleaning

regimen. This adds time and labour to the

maintenance process. Unfortunately, many

of these coatings and treatments also can

release harmful pollutants into the air. There

are some no-wax flooring options available

that can provide a number of sustainable

CONTINUE TO PAGE 54 >>


54 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

and price, that can influence a decision.

From a maintenance standpoint, it is imper-

ative to select flooring that can be properly

cared for, to maximise the performance for

the entire lifespan of the flooring solution.

Selecting the proper flooring for a facility is

critical because when it comes to developing

a maintenance regimen and schedule, it all

starts from the ground up.

Keep the machinery clean as wellIf a floor scrubber or sweeper is used on a

daily or weekly basis it should be understood

that ongoing maintenance is a big part of

ownership. Even the best, most heavy-duty,

floor cleaning machines need constant daily,

weekly, and monthly maintenance, because

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maintenance advantages including higher

indoor air quality.

When maintaining facilities, there are a

number of built-in obstacles that affect the

cleaning schedule and practices incorpo-

rated by the maintenance staff.

Premises that function around the clock,

such as hospitals, provide floor cleaning with

a challenging task to consistently schedule.

In schools and offices, furniture often makes

floors difficult to efficiently maintain. If there

is a need to frequently strip the floors and

have waxes or finishes applied, maintenance

will take longer than that of a no-wax floor.

When evaluating flooring options, one

must take into account what staff is neces-

sary to properly maintain the floor, what

types of cleaners are needed, and if the floor-

ing needs to be frequently sealed or waxed.

The facilities manager must schedule this

regime around all of the activities that hap-

pen within the building by choosing a floor-

ing solution and a maintenance schedule

that can help keep the operations running

smoothly and uninterrupted.

Cost always plays a role in the selection of

materials. However, when evaluating cost,

one cannot solely factor in the cost of mate-

rials for flooring selection. The facility man-

ager and staff have to evaluate how long the

floor will be viable and how much it will cost

to maintain the floor, both in terms of labour

and cleaning supplies.

For instance, vinyl or carpet may initially

be perceived as an inexpensive option when

installed simply from a material perspective.

However, after a decade, when maintenance

requirements are factored into the overall

cost of the flooring, then other options

which might be more expensive from a

material perspective, may be more afford-

able over the lifetime of the floor.

Flooring that needs to be frequently

stripped and waxed will have higher mainte-

nance costs than flooring that does not have

those requirements. Some types of flooring

might not last an entire decade, whereas

other materials can endure for multiple

decades. Be sure to take a long-term view and

choose a floor that works for your facility.

Most facilities will generally use various

types of flooring in their buildings but, regard-

less of their specific choices, all flooring must

be cleaned and maintained. There are many

options to choose from and several factors,

including performance, environmental impact


55F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 55

may be able to obtain deductions from income tax for energy saved,

provided that they have certified proof of the resulting energy effi-

ciencies,” Damonze concludes.

To date, 11 SADC countries have introduced some form of green

environmental legislation, but most of these are directed at the

conservation of land and wildlife, and do not cater for sustainable

green cleaning policies in built-up areas, which is of prime concern

to the NCCA.

Things that sweeper and scrubber operatorsneed to know:What cleaning tasks can be accomplished with the machine being

used, and what tasks should not be tried.

What cleaning agents can be used, how much, and when to use them

Techniques for safe, efficient, and effective cleaning

Always carry out a pre-operation check.

Adopt proper cleanup and storage procedures

Check the battery maintenance and charging procedures.

Acknowledgement and thanks are given to the following for information

provided in the compilation of this article: www.nora.com; www.thesweeper.

com; www.ncef.org; www.contractmaintenancegroup.co.uk;

www.cleantex.co.za; Clive Damonze: chairperson, NCCA; and Amanda

Colling: Technical Services Director, Innu-science.

these machines literally live in dirt every day and are designed to

ingest the same materials that must be removed from the facilities.

These are the materials that if left uncleaned would make their

way into HVAC systems, machinery, appliances, carpet, and fur-

niture to name a few. In addition to that, various chemicals are

used with the scrubbers that clean, degrease, and sometimes even

remove floor finishes. Imagine what these chemicals might do to

the bearings, seals, vacuum motors, and so forth if not kept clean.

Perhaps the first and most important step to lowering the cost

of ownership is operator training and accountability. Many repu-

table floor scrubber providers will usually offer to train operators

free. Take advantage of this service whenever a new operator is

appointed for a sweeper or scrubber. Issue keys to the machine to

each operator only after he completes training.

A more thorough planned maintenance procedure should

be done on the equipment about every 100 hours of use. The

best way to be sure this occurs is to monitor the floor cleaning

machine’s use during the first few months. When the 100-hour

mark is reached, use that time period as the interval for further

cleaning. Carrying out the manufacturer’s recommended mainte-

nance is critical to reducing the cost of ownership and extending

the life of the machine.

Clean and green standardsCurrently there is no official national commercial and industrial

cleaning standard in South Africa, but The National Contract

Cleaners Association (NCCA) intends to formed a committee to

establish guidelines in collaboration with the South African Bureau

of Standards (SABS) and the Green Building Council of South Africa

and other stakeholders, to produce standards that are in line with

international cleaning industry standards.

Clive Damonze of Metro Cleaning Services, Cape Town, who is

also the NCCA chairperson, says this is now well underway. “The

new standard should be in its final form by February 2012, and it

is necessary for the cleaning industry to adapt to these new stan-

dards by gradually improving legislation and operational guide-

lines,” he says.

“The new national standards will consider various aspects of best

practice in relation to cleaning operations and chemicals, water,

emissions and land use to bring them into line with the concept of

green building and green cleaning which is becoming an impera-

tive requirement internationally and in all aspects of South African

industry,” he continues.

“Also, legislation dealing with the construction of buildings is

changing, which in turn means that legislation dealing with the

maintenance of buildings also needs changing. The NCCA is play-

ing an important role in providing input in this process,” Damonze

explains.

He adds that although the concept of green building and green

cleaning is growing in South Africa, there still is a perception

amongst some local cleaning service providers that environment-

friendly policies are too costly. “On the contrary, environment-

friendly policies can save cleaning companies money in the long

term,” he says.

“The draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill of 2009 has two incen-

tives that support better environmental practices. Businesses will

be able to cut their tax bill by reducing their carbon emissions, and


56 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

CLEANINGThe ProfessionalsAnyone who has had experience of a competent, well-trained cleaner

will know that there is a world of difference between this type of

operative and those who simply move the dirt around the floor with

a swirl of water and a sign that says “Caution: wet floor”.

Unfortunately, cleaning is often regarded

as being a Cinderella industry, which

gives rise to ‘cleaners’ being underpaid and

untrained (anybody can sweep a floor, use a

vacuum, etc), not realising the damage that

can be done – and the cost involved – if the

floors are not given the proper attention and

treatment.

The answer for anyone with a requirement

for regular cleaning is to enter into a contract

with a professional cleaning company, prefer-

ably one that is a member of the National

Contract Cleaners Association and has estab-

lished a firm reputation for service and work-

manship in the marketplace.

FLOORS in Africa posed several questions to

the Supercare Services Group, which is one

of South Africa’s leading contract cleaning

services companies providing a wide range of

specialised services. The response from chief

executive Philip Kruger is shown here.

When and why should companies/organisa-

tions outsource their cleaning?

Companies that focus on contract cleaning,

such as Supercare, are known to be specialists

– as all industry-related research, methodol-

ogy and application is their core focus.

Clients in production, manufacturing, health

and education, and others, must ensure that

their environment is clean and hygienically

safe, as it impacts on their staff, product and/

or service delivery. The delivering of these

non-core functions requires commitment and

focus; most clients don’t have the time or the

expertise to give cleaning and hygiene the

attention it deserves.

We focus on service delivery. We research,

source and purchase state-of-the-art equip-

ment and environment-friendly chemicals,

consumables and equipment, thus making

it possible to render a professional cleaning

service.

Contract cleaning companies play a major

role in the protection of the environment and

waste management. It makes good financial

and business sense to outsource non-core

functions, as time spent on such repetitive

support functions can then be spent on

production and/or manufacturing. It also

outsources all personnel issues and related

responsibilities and risks.

Other benefits to businesses include no

added HR/IR responsibilities; an all-inclusive

fixed cost; no capital investment; and trained

and skilled labour.

How do you ascertain their requirements and,

having done so, do you implement a planned

cleaning and maintenance programme both

with their staff and your own? What checking/

supervision is provided?

It is vital to understand and research the indi-

vidual needs and requirements of each client.

We ensure that service delivery is contractu-

ally agreed between both parties prior to

commencement of the service.

Planning and scheduling of cleaning func-

tions depend on various aspects such as

the location, the state of the building and/

or surfaces to be cleaned, the expected out-

come and, most importantly, the service to be

delivered.

Supercare provides a full range of check-

ing/supervision activities, including daily and

weekly site inspections (on-site “supervision”);

weekly and monthly site inspections (off-site

“Area Manager”); and independent quality

assurance audits.

Are there instances when you would train

their staff to carry out the duties you perform?

Only when employed as a section 197. If

and when companies wish to have this ser-

vice, Supercare would then place trained,

skilled and competent staff to deliver this

service, and will supervise and manage those

staff members, reporting to their manage-

ment and supervisors.

How do you train your staff, and are they grad-

ed in accordance with skill and performance?

All training is basic, in line with Industry Best

Practice standards. If and when a person is

placed on a specialised contract (in relation to

industry requirements), specialised training will

be done prior to placement.

How effective is the Services Sector Education &

Training Authority (SETA) and the South African

Qualifications Authority (SAQA) within the

cleaning industry?

The Services SETA has worked closely and in

partnership with its stakeholders to ensure

that all its actions, development and decisions

revolve around stakeholder needs. The SETA

ensures that all legislative requirements are

met and that funding is made available as per

sectorial needs identified through its various

chambers in the Workplace Skills Plan (WSP)

and Annual Training Report (ATR).

SAQA is responsible for the registration of

unit standards, short learning modules as well

as qualifications. SAQA also includes and gets

input from subject matter experts within the

industry to identify and develop the same.

Do you offer heavy industry cleaning that may

incorporate the use of large scrubbers, polish-

ers, etc? Can you give examples?

Yes. Industrial, commercial as well as specialised

cleaning forms part of the contract cleaning

scope of deliverables. Examples include ride-

on scrubbers and polishers for commercial

and industrial sites when cleaning basements,

parking areas and outside areas; high-pressure

cleaning; and specialist cleaning.

Anything else you feel would be of interest to

our readers?

Supercare was awarded the Cleaning Company

of the Year title at the annual Golden Service

Awards. With 16 nominations, 4 awards and the

overall winning award, Supercare shone at the

glittering black-tie event on 21st October 2010.

Arranged by Kimberly-Clark Professional, The

Golden Service Awards are South Africa’s pre-

mier cleaning service awards, recognising the

achievement and commitment to the highest

standards of excellence in the cleaning industry.

Supercare attributes this success to dedicated

employees, partners, suppliers and, of course,

its customers.


57F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 57

MAINTENANCEeffective floorsThe foremost protection against incoming soil and

grime is access matting, but it is important to con-

sider what type of entrance mat to install depending

on the kind of foot traffic and weather influence.

The size of the mat is important, because most people enter-

ing a building will not stop and wipe their feet and resume

walking. It is for this reason that the length and width of the

mat should be large enough to cover the entrance sufficiently to

enable people to walk off the dirt. Official tests have proven that 6

to 7 metres is ideal for cleaning 100% by just walking over the mat.

Of course it is not always possible to use this amount of space.

A dedicated area should be identified for an entrance mat. A

recess at the entrance to a building is ideal as the lifespan of a mat

laid into a recess has three times the life of a loose-laying mat.

Regular cleaning of matting is essential as the scouring effect of

loose dirt will reduce the lifespan of the mat. Depending on the

amount of traffic through an entrance, a mat should be cleaned

daily with the use of an extraction vacuum cleaner.

A large amount of a maintenance budget is spent on labour. It

costs less to clean and replace mats than it does to strip and wax

floors and clean and replace carpets, particularly in respect of labour

costs. An effective matting system will save both time and money.

As a leading supplier and manufacturer of matting for all appli-

cations in Southern Africa, Matco provides the commercial and

industrial market with matting solutions. Whatever the application,

Matco combines attractive design with a variety of functional attri-

butes to provide the best possible solution.

For more information: 011 452 7961 / [email protected] /

www.matcomarketing.co.za

The amount of carpet waste diverted from landfill rose by 60% in

2010 compared to the previous year’s figures, according to trade

group Carpet Recycling UK.

Approximately 42 000 tonnes of carpet waste were diverted in

2010 and the industry now believes it is on track to achieve its

25% landfill diversion target by 2015, Carpet Recycling said.

Currently only 10% in total of carpet waste is being recycled or

recovered.

Ongoing research is being conducted into innovative outlets and

end markets for recycled carpet waste with 50 small-scale devel-

opment trials last year.

Targets for 2011 include diverting 50 000 tonnes (12%) from

landfill and increasing recycling outlets to 40 across the UK.

FloorDaily.net.

INCREASE uk carpet recycling

VINYLAnti-bacterial treatment

Belgotex Floorcoverings has

launched a revolutionary new

anti-bacterial treatment for

selected residential ranges of

Belgotex Vinyl.

The treatment contains fractions of silver that pre-vent the oxygen intake of microscopic single cell organisms

Available in the Sherwood Oak and

Toledo ranges of cushioned vinyl,

the new anti-bacterial top coat ensures

long-lasting protection from nasty bacteria

commonly found on the floor.

The treatment contains fractions of silver

that prevent the oxygen intake of micro-

scopic single cell organisms. This natural

element, applied over the protective wear

layer, safely kills all bacteria that continu-

ally recur, despite regular cleaning, from

dust, shoes, pets and food. Silver makes

the floor uninhabitable to bacteria, halting

their spread as well as preventing unpleas-

ant odours, and provides a healthier, safer,

hygienic floor.

For further information: 033 897 7500 / 021

763 6900 / 011 788 3450 / 031 313 9600 /

www.belgotexfloorcoverings.com


58 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

New anti-bacterial treatment on selected Belgotex Vinyl ranges ensures truly hygienic, safe floors

Sebo is an internationally renowned brand of vacuum cleaners manu-

factured by Stein & Co – a company based in the German town of

Velbert. Established in 1978, this company is now one of the world’s

largest manufacturers of commercial upright vacuum cleaners and

dry carpet cleaning equipment.

CARPET CARE Proper cleaning

powder deep into the pile and around every

fibre; the dirt is taken from the carpet by

being absorbed by the powder which is then

vacuumed away.

This system is safe for use on even the most

delicate of carpets, and means no more wet

carpets, and elimination of the use of soap,

shampoo and water.

Used with the Doppel Duo Adaptor, two

standard Duo machines can be linked togeth-

er to create a 70cm width Applicator, which

is ideal for areas such as conference rooms,

banqueting halls, and other large areas.


[email protected] / www.sebo.co.za

Sebo Vacuum Cleaners have a vibrating brush action to prevent dust build-up

it is this expertise and technology that

enables Sebo in South Africa, as a subsid-

iary of the parent company, to be in the fore-

front of modern vacuum cleaner technology

and cleaning equipment.

“The biggest problem with carpet care in

South Africa is that so often people invest in

expensive carpets but then pay no attention

to ensuring that the carpets retain their aes-

thetic appeal and enjoy an extended lifespan

by implementing a decent maintenance

programme,” says Johan Humphries of Sebo

Carpet Care Systems South Africa.

“If the carpet is to be looked after properly,

a strict regimen of vacuuming and dry carpet

cleaning should be devised and rigidly fol-

lowed,” he says.

To assist in this respect, Sebo offers a com-

plete carpet care solution, with the vacuum

cleaners removing loose and dry matter, and

soiling and stains dealt with by the Sebo DUO

dry carpet cleaning system.

Vacuum cleanersAll Sebo Vacuum Cleaners incorporate

S-Class Filtration as standard in their design,

which means that the filtration system is

designed to remove a minimum of 99,97% of

particles of 0,3 microns and above.

One of the most versatile vacuum cleaners

in the Sebo sales programme is the Model G2,

which is not only durable and powerful, but

is a workhorse that is easy to maintain and

simple to use. In line with other Sebo vacuum

cleaners, the G2 fills up with dust from the

top, which means the suction remains con-

stant until the bag is completely full.

Other features of this model include a man-

ual brush height adjustment; a permanent

belt with a lifetime guarantee; automatic shut-

off if the brush is jammed or there is a full

bag; on-board accessories; and it is provided

with a 1300W motor for powerful suction.

This award-winning design is reliable and

durable, light and easy to operate, and has a

‘flat to floor’ design that enhances its perfor-

mance. For the technically-minded, it has a

total weight of 7,6 kg; a width of 37cm; a 5,3-

litre dust bag, and an airflow of 55 litre/sec.

Dry Powder cleaningThe Duo system enables the carpet to be

cleaned without using water, and comprises

a Duo Applicator and carpet cleaning pow-

der (Duo-P) which provides a very proficient

method. It is effective and avoids wet cleaning

problems such as carpet shrinkage, adhesive

damage, smell and long ‘area out of use’ peri-

ods due to lengthy drying times.

The Duo-P carpet cleaning powder consists

of thousands of micro-sponges which contain

safe solvent for releasing greasy soiling, a neu-

tral shampoo for non-greasy soiling, and an

anti-resoilant to delay re-soiling.

As the powder is brushed through the car-

pet it absorbs soilage and, when vacuumed

away, leaves the carpet clean, soft and fresh.

The carpet is ready for immediate use – with

no drying time required, as with wet cleaning.

Duo-P also has anti-bacterial properties and is

proven to eradicate dust mites.

The Duo Applicator features twin contra-

rotating brushes which open up the carpet

pile and work the Duo-P carpet cleaning


59F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 59

User Friendly , Light & Versatile


60 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

NEW cleaning products

Cemcrete is one of the leading innovators and manufacturers of cement products in South Africa, and the

latest addition to its sales programme is a superb variety of floor maintenance products aptly labelled the

CreteCare Range, which consists of three floor maintenance products specifically designed for the easy

upkeep of cement finishes.

User Friendly , Light & Versatile

The three products in the CreteCare Range are

CreteCare Floor Polish Stripper; CreteCare Floor

Polish; and CreteCare Mop & Shine. Each product is

formulated to target specific properties/needs to ensure

every aspect of floor maintenance.

CreteCare Floor Polish Stripper is a powerful cleaning

and floor polish stripping medium. Used when the cur-

rent polish on the cement floor needs to be replaced

for upkeep, Cemcrete’s Floor Polish Stripper is an effec-

tive and easy-to-use medium, saving time and money.

It is multi-functional, acting as a stripper, remover

and cleaner of floor dressing polishes. Once used,

the cement floor is ready to be re-polished giving it a

fresh new look.

For existing and new surfaces, CreteCare Floor

Polish is perfect for continued maintenance of

cement floors. It is an easy-to-apply, high-gloss, hard-

wearing, protective polish that will enhance the look

and longevity of the floor.

CreteCare Floor Polish delivers excellent black-heel-

mark and slip resistance. The protective layer it forms

makes it wear-resistant so that replacing the sealer

becomes minimised. It is perfect for high-traffic areas

and promotes abrasion and scuff resistance.

This product can also be used on vinyl, stone, tile

and wood floors. Once applied, general mainte-

nance thereafter becomes effortless using less harsh

and more eco-friendly cleaners such as Cemcrete’s

CreteCare Mop&Shine.

Cemcrete’s CreteCare Mop&Shine is a self-shining,

wax-based, manual floor maintenance cleaner for previ-

ously polished cement and other water-resistant floors

such as vinyl, PVC, parquet or artificial stone.

It is a mild detergent that simply cleans the floor

surface without removing the polish or damaging the

sealer. It is extremely effective and also provides slip

resistance as well as restoring the gloss. It is particularly

easy to use, as the name suggests, with a neutral pH

leaving the floor clean and shining.

With Cemcrete’s CreteCare Range products, all easy to

use and effective, floor surfaces are left with a revitalised

finish that is superb for maintenance, longevity and

aesthetic appeal.


www.cemecrete.co.za

Caring for your People.

MilliCare together with your HVAC System removes 99% of mold, dust mites and bacteria creating a healthy working environment.

For over 30 years MilliCare has been extending the life of carpet and textile and ensuring carpet appearance retention throughout

the life cycle which means best return on investment.

Just what you need, a clean healthy ThinkSpace, WorkSpace, GoodSpace

Clean Working Clean Living

www.millicare.co.za

To keep your vinyl floor clean, follow the next steps:

Step 1: SweepingSweep floors with a flat mop system to eliminate fine dust

particles settling behind you when sweeping with a soft

MAINTAINING VINYL easy!

High performance and attractiveness go hand in

hand with quality vinyl. While most vinyl products

are refined with an outer coating shield that pro-

tects the floorcovering, proper care and mainte-

nance of a vinyl floor will ultimately result in a lon-

ger lifespan of the product.

If correctly installed and maintained, vinyl flooring will provide years of carefree use.

Vinyl is a tough and durable floor solution but, as with any

product, everyday wear and tear will become noticeable if

the vinyl is not cared for properly.

As vinyl is the most popular choice for high-traffic flooring, dirt and

grit are a common presence and easily become embedded in the

outer layer of the vinyl, as well as easily building up around skirtings

and edges. The removal of dust and grit is very important as long-

term buildup will cause long-term damage.

Maintenance protocol in commercial, retail and industrial spaces

needs to be an integral element in the overall building planning.

Flooring is one of the elements in the building that has the high-

est wear-and-tear quotient and as such if a floor is not correctly

adhered (i.e. correct type and application of adhesives); stripped

and sealed; or maintained; clients may feel that they have made a

bad choice or installed an inferior-quality flooring.

If correctly installed and maintained, vinyl flooring will provide years

of carefree use. You will find that it is not only beautiful, but durable.

It is also much easier to maintain than most other flooring products,

because of its tough protective finish and/or sealer which provides

moisture resistance.

Vinyl flooring care and maintenance doesn’t have to be a full-time

job. But there are a few things that are easy to do, that will keep your

floors looking as good as the day they were installed.

Together, the two Accéntuate subsidiary companies, FloorworX and

Safic, provide that much needed bridge from flooring installation

across to maintenance.


62 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

bristle broom, because fine dust particles act as an abrasive

which damage any floor surface; the flat mop system could

also be used to do damp cleaning with a neutral-based prod-

uct (with a pH between 7 and 9).

Sweep the floor with a soft bristle broom to remove loose dirt.

Step 2: StrippingFor vinyl, FloorworX Stripper (and Marmoleum Stripper for

Marmoleum floors) from FloorworX or Ecosaf1224 stripper

from Safic is to be utilised in diluted form as prescribed on

the label or material data sheet.

Step 3: RinsingRinse the floor with non-abrasive floor cleaner. Utilise

FloorworX Rinse or SafGlass from Safic to neutralise the strip-

per from the floor surface; this will eliminate chemical buildup

on the floor and the polymer will adhere to the floor surface.

Completely rinse and neutralise the stripper on the floor.

Step 4: BuffingOnce the floor has been stripped, rinsed and dried complete-

ly, the floor must be dry buffed with a low- or high-speed

single-disk scrubbing machine with a red buffing pad.

Step 5: Damp MoppingOn completion of the dry buffing you need to damp

clean the fine dust particles from the floor surface by using

FloorworX Rinse or SafGlass from Safic with a flat mop system.

Step 6: SealingAfter the floor is completely dry, the floor must be sealed.

End-users can decide on what finish they want on the floor

surface, which can be either a matt finish; silk matt; or gloss

on the floors. Product to be used for matt and high shine will

be FloorworX Silk Matt Sealer, and for the ultra-high shine it

will be FloorworX Gloss.

If you want to further ensure the longevity of your vinyl floor, follow these five vinyl flooring care and maintenance tips:

1. Wipe spills up as soon as possibleSure, vinyl flooring is moisture-resistant, but leaving spills on

it for longer than necessary can lead to staining. If something

does spill, wipe it up right away with a clean, soft towel.

2. Be careful when you move heavy equipmentLay a piece of plywood or a furniture pad over your vinyl

flooring any time you have to move heavy furniture and

appliances. And, even with something laid over it, try not to

drag heavy equipment over your vinyl flooring, which would

damage the floor surface.

3. Don’t use rolling castersThese can really damage your vinyl flooring. But, if you abso-

lutely have to use them, opt for the double-wheel type.

4. Doormats prevent dirt from entering the floor surfacesSand, dirt and grit act like sandpaper if they get ground into

vinyl. If they are tracked into your house and everyone starts

walking on them, it won’t be long before your vinyl flooring

loses its shine.

5. Put felt protectors under heavy furnitureBecause it’s considered a resilient surface, vinyl flooring

“gives” a little bit. If heavy furniture stands on it without any

protection, it can dent or buckle. But a little bit of felt cush-

ioning between the furniture and your floor can prevent that!

For more information: 0860 346 679 or www.floorworx.co.za


63F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 63

CLEANTEX A huge success

The eighth edition of Africa’s Hygiene, Cleaning & Facility

Maintenance exhibition, Cleantex Africa, took place during July at

Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.


64 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1


65F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 65

Columbus, Hako, Santoemma, Fast, Kendall

Cleaning Technology, Floors International

SA and Newell Rubbermaid.

A dedicated demonstration area allowed

exhibitors to put the latest cleaning equip-

ment through its paces while many paper

products, chemical and washroom equip-

ment companies showcased their offerings

to interested visitors.

Prime Cleaning Suppliers used the show

as a platform to announce their appoint-

ment as the new Wetrok cleaning equip-

ment distributors in South Africa while

Eqstra Industrial Equipment exhibited their

best in the class Hako range of floor clean-

ing equipment.

Cleantex is held every second year in

Johannesburg and is co-located with

SAITEX and Africa’s Big Seven exhibitions.

Regarded as the Continent’s leading

event for cleaning professionals,

the show offered a complete overview of

products, services and equipment used

to effectively maintain facilities within the

built environment.

More than 4 000 visitors from various parts

of South Africa attended the show, and

other African countries were also well repre-

sented with visitors from Angola, Botswana,

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho,

Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia and

Zimbabwe using the opportunity to familiar-

ise themselves with the latest in hygiene and

cleaning technology.

The floorcare sector had a strong repre-

sentation at Cleantex with comprehensive

equipment exhibits by Goscor Cleaning

Equipment, Industroclean, Lavor SA,

Demonstrations at the Cleantex Afrixca Exhibition in Midrand

Falcon Tiling Products specialise in a wide variety of products focusing mainly on the Tiling and Flooring

sector of the market.We supply top quality products to the DIY and

Professional market, and we have a full range of Tiling Tools, Tiling Profiles and Mosaic Tiles.

Tiling Tools

Tiling Profiles

Mosaic Tiles

www.falcontiling.co.za

GAUTENGTel: 011 849 6651

KWAZULU NATALTel: 073 104 2395

PORT ELIZABETHTel: 083 534 2826

CAPE TOWNTel: 082 627 9862

F e a t u r e F o c u s : H i g h Tr a f f i c A r e a s

66 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

porcelain mosaic tiles exhibit all the properties and advantages

of a traditional porcelain floor, with a very hard surface finish,

water absorption of less than 0,2%, and a wide range of colours that

will enhance the aesthetic appeal of the floor tiles with which they

are being used.

They also allow the architect or interior designer to produce his

own patterns and designs to ensure a unique appearance to every

floor. Rustic porcelain tiles are provided in 300mm x 300mm sheets,

and these can be used as full sheets, or cut into strips to meet the

design requirements of each project.

Each individual tile is 48mm x 48mm with a thickness of 7mm, and

they are easily cut with a quality tile cutter, making them suitable

for use in the concourses or lounges of airports, in shopping malls,

and other areas of high foot traffic. They are also ideal for use in

swimming pools.

For full details of the available range, or any technical information

on rustic porcelain mosaic tiles, contact Falcon Tiling at the num-

bers shown below.

For more information: 011 849 6651 / [email protected] /

www.falcontiling.co.za

MOSAICSHigh trafficOne of the ways to provide outstanding floor

designs in areas that are subjected to high volumes

of foot traffic is to consider the use of the rustic

porcelain mosaic tiles available from Falcon Tiling.

Porcelain mosaic tiles

intro

High Traffic Areas

By definition, this introduction to the Floors for

High Traffic Areas feature must be another multi-

purpose article as every product and system has a

need to accommodate high foot traffic, depending

on its application. Residential buildings and even

relatively quiet offices have areas that are used

considerably more than others, and there is no

doubt that using the wrong product or specifica-

tion in any high traffic area is a recipe for disaster,

resulting in failure of the floorcovering and the

need for early replacement – often an unnecessary

expense if the right specification had been used in

the first instance.

67F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 67

Residential buildings and even relatively

quiet offices have areas that are used

considerably more than others, and there

is no doubt that using the wrong product

or specification in any high traffic area is

a recipe for disaster, resulting in failure

of the floorcovering and the need for

early replacement – often an unnecessary

expense if the right specification had been

used in the first instance.

Selecting a floorcovering to meet extremely

high foot traffic (often in conjunction with

FLOORING for high traffic

By definition, this introduction to the Floors for High Traffic Areas feature must be another multipurpose arti-

cle as every product and system has a need to accommodate high foot traffic, depending on its application.

maintained, they will all provide the end user

with everything needed to cater for heavy

foot traffic for many years.

Also, in the right applications, vinyl, natu-

ral wood and bamboo floors can provide

floors that last for scores of years, resilient

floorcoverings have made the healthcare

centre their own, often operating under ardu-

ous conditions, and carpets will remain the

favourite for upmarket homes, entertainment

centres, casinos, theatres and others where

aesthetic appeal, custom design and under-

Selecting a floorcovering to meet extremely high foot traffic (often in conjunction with trol-leys) is relatively simple . . .

trolleys) is relatively simple; ceramic and

porcelain tiles, natural stone, polished con-

crete, resin-based (epoxy and polyurethane)

floors, simulated stone, and epoxy encap-

sulated aggregate floors all offer the right

credentials for applications such as airport

terminal buildings, public areas, shopping

malls and so forth.

So, with these flooring materials it would

seem to boil down to preference and selec-

tion of the right product to meet the design

requirements. Properly installed, cleaned and


68 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

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69F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 69

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foot luxury are required.

The more common heavy traffic areas in

the home include the entrances, kitchen,

passages, bathrooms and the family room.

Resilient flooring or ceramic tile options are

good choices for these types of areas as they

are hard-wearing and practical.

With soft floorcoverings, manufactur-

ers have different grading systems; some

use Grade 1-5, or a Star rating 1-5, or the

European 21-23 rating for residential and

31-33 for commercial applications. In each of

these No.1 is the lowest and No.5 is the high-

est rating, so a No.5 will mean the product is

suitable for heavy commercial applications.

However, not every type of floorcovering is

coded, graded or rated in this way, so shown

below are the ratings provided under the

European Standard EN 685 (BS EN685 in the

UK); which is recognised, used and recom-

mended by the European Resilient Flooring

Manufacturers Institute (ERFMI), the

European Carpet & Rug Association (ECRA),

and the European Producers of Laminate

Flooring (EPLF).

This shows the ratings for carpets and vinyl

(Grade or Class) and laminate floorcoverings

(AC) together with the extent of loading or

traffic and an indication of the type of instal-

lation for which they are suitable. This should

provide a guide to the severity of loading and

traffic catered for in each instance, which can

then be applied to any floorcovering.

Residential buildingsGrade 21 (AC1): Moderate loads and traffic:

Areas with low or intermittent use, such as

bedrooms and guest rooms.

Grade 22 (AC2): Normal loads and traffic:

General areas of medium use, such as living

rooms and dining rooms.

Grade 23 (AC3): Heavy loads and traffic:

Areas of intense use, such as kitchens, cor-

ridors and entrances.

Commercial and public buildingsGrade 31 (AC4): Moderate loads and traffic:

Areas with low or intermittent use, such as

hotel rooms, small offices and meeting rooms.

Grade 32 (AC5): Normal loads and traffic:

General areas of medium use such as offices,

waiting rooms and boutiques.

Grade 33 (AC6): Heavy loads and traffic: Areas

with heavy traffic such as small retail outlets,

boutiques, large offices, shops, banks, public

buildings, healthcare facilities and schools.

Grade 34: Very heavy traffic: Departmental

stores, retail outlets, heavily used multipur-

pose halls and airports.

Light industrial applicationsGrade 41: Moderate loads and traffic: Areas

where work is mainly sedentary with occa-

sional use of light vehicles.

Grade 42: Areas where work is mainly stand-

ing and/or with vehicular traffic.

Grade 43: Areas of other light industrial areas

including assembly halls and storage rooms.

The criteria for these gradings or classifica-

tions include a wide range of tests including

abrasion resistance, impact resistance, resis-

tance to staining, castor chair marks, plus any

specific performance characteristics of the

selected flooring material.

For instance, with carpets the grade or class

represents the carpet’s ability to withstand

extended wear. A carpet with a higher perfor-

mance rating (such as 5 or 4) is one that will

maintain its new appearance longer in various

traffic conditions than one with a lower per-

formance rating. A rating of 4,0 is considered

outstanding.

These carpets are recommended for heavy

traffic locations, including family rooms.

A rating of 2,5 to 4 is predicted to provide

normal durability. These carpets can be

used in most homes, if properly maintained.

Carpets with rating below 2,5 should be

considered for light to moderate traffic

areas such as bedrooms.

These ratings do not take into account

soiling, poor maintenance or other factors

of use; just the change of texture related to

matting and crushing that might occur from

walking on it. For these reasons, it is not

practical to associate years of wear with the

performance ratings.

Not all manufacturers or retailers provide

this numerical rating, but those who do

believe it helps consumers make appropriate

carpet selections for their homes. A large fam-

ily with heavy foot traffic on stairs or hallways

might want to choose carpet with a high rat-

ing. On the contrary, a small family looking

for a carpet for a guest bedroom may wish to

choose a carpet with a lower rating.

The really heavy traffic applicationsNatural StoneThere is no doubt that natural stone floors are

amongst the best available for use in high or

heavy traffic areas, and perhaps the most con-

venient way of indicating the ‘rating’ of each

type of stone is to show the Measurement

of Hardness (MOH) Scale which indicates the

hardness of the stone.

This is a guide developed in the 1980’s

which helps to evaluate the strengths and

weaknesses of the stone being used. For

example, softer stones would require the use

of a less active chemical and a more frequent

dust mopping programme when cleaning,

and the higher the rating, the better the abra-

sion resistance of the stone. Therefore, it can

be seen that marble is a relative soft stone,

and granite the hardest.

Measurement of Hardness Scale Talc

Gypsum Calcite (Most Marbles)

Fluorite Apatite

Feldspar (Granite) Quartz (Granite)

Topaz Corundum Diamond


70 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

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e c

ARPe

TS

is expected to be completed by 2012, and

is being built exclusively for the Emirates

Airbus A380.

Kerastar porcelain floor tiles manufactured

by UK-based H&R Johnson were specified for

this project, together with a one part flex-

ible white adhesive and a high performance

epoxy grout forming the two principle prod-

ucts within the fixing specification.

Hardwood and BambooA measure of the hardness of wood is pro-

duced by a variation on the Brinell hardness

test. Known as the Janka Hardness Scale, this

was invented in 1906 by Gabriel Janka (1864 –

1932), an Austrian wood researcher. In Janka’s

original test, the results were expressed in

units of pressure, but when the ASTM stan-

dardised the test (tentative issue in 1922,

standard first formally adopted in 1927), it

called for results in units of force.

The Janka hardness test measures the resis-

tance of a type of wood to withstand denting

and wear, by measuring the force required to

embed an 11,28mm steel ball into wood to

half the ball’s diameter. This method leaves an

indentation. A common use of Janka hardness

ratings is to determine whether a species is

suitable for use as flooring.

The results are stated in various ways, which

can lead to confusion, but in South Africa

the results are normally treated as units,

for example ‘2 450 Janka’ (which, in effect is

pounds per pressure), and as a guide, of the

most common varieties of hardwood used

in this country Cherry has a Janka rating of

950, and Brazilian Teak is hardest at around

3 684. Other factors affect how flooring

performs: type of core (for engineered floor-

ing), grain direction and thickness floor or

top wear surface.

For bamboo, the traditional natural bamboo

floor has a Janka rating of 1 300 to 1 600 and

carbonised bamboo (carbonisation gives that

amber look) has an even lower Janka rating of

1 100 to 1 300. Woven/Strand bamboo cou-

pled with an aluminium oxide multi-layer fin-

ish, however, has a much higher Janka rating.

Epoxy floorsModern technology has seen the develop-

ment of a wide variety of polyurethane,

acrylic and epoxy resin floor coatings,

including self-smoothing and decorative

epoxy resin flooring through to high perfor-

mance vinyl ester coatings, and not forget-

ting epoxy paint systems.

Readers may wonder why there are no rat-

The objective of the MOH Scale is to mea-

sure the resistance to hardness of stones.

When sediment and grit are harder than the

surface, they will scratch and harm the stone.

For example, a piece of hard plastic is about a

2,0. It will not scratch Calcite (Marble).

However, a piece of sand that measures a

6,0 will scratch Calcite but will not scratch

Quartz which is Granite. The harder the stone,

the more resistant it is to abrasion. Exterior

sediment that is tracked into buildings

approximately measures from 3,0 to 7,0.

Ceramic/PorcelainCeramic and, in particular, porcelain tiles are

probably the most specified floorcoverings

for high traffic areas, whether in the home,

office or for those that need to handle

mind-boggling amounts of feet such as air-

port terminal buildings.

The current rating system developed by the

Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) for ceramic tile

is really the only reliable gauge for consumers

to use in determining wear expectations for a

particular tile choice.

The PEI Ratings and wear descriptions are:

PEI Class 1 Rating (No foot traffic) –

Recommended for wall use in residential and

commercial applications only.

PEI Class 2 Rating (Light traffic) –

Recommended for both wall use and bath-

room floor applications only.

PEI Class 3 Rating (Light to moderate traffic)

– Recommended for countertops, walls and

floors where normal foot traffic is expected.

PEI Class 4 Rating (Moderate to heavy traffic)

– Recommended for all residential applica-

tions as well as medium commercial and light

institutional.

PEI Class 5 Rating (Heavy to extra heavy

traffic) – Recommended for all residential as

well as heavy commercial and institutional

applications.

To illustrate the efficacy of ceramic or por-

celain tiles in extremely heavy traffic condi-

tions, it is worth looking at the US $4,5-billion

(R31,3-billion) Terminal 3 Building at Dubai

Airport, which opened on 14 October 2008,

and was built exclusively for the use of the

Emirates Airline.

Terminal 3 is the single largest building in the world with floor space of 1 500 000m²

(166 hectares) that brought the total capacity

of the airport to over 62 million passengers,

which will increase to more than 80 mil-

lion passengers when Concourse 3 opens.

Concourse 3 is also part of Terminal 3, and


71F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 71

abrasion, impact and chemical resistance.

Commercial spaces have a greater need for

durable, long-lasting, and easy-to-maintain

flooring than most applications, because

the floor gets a much higher amount of traf-

fic. Places like commercial showrooms, car

dealerships and showrooms, commercial

kitchens, retail outlets, and even rest rooms

need a floorcovering that can handle the

constant use.

Epoxy flooring will exceed the needs of

those spaces. With new advancements in

technology, improved mixtures have been

created with faster drying times so business

can resume with less down time.

Much like commercial spaces, industrial

spaces need a floorcovering that is very

durable, easy to clean, and long-lasting.

Epoxy floors would be appropriate in spaces

like warehouses, machine shops, auto-body

garages, parking garages, and animal hold-

ing facilities.

The floor in these environments takes some

serious abuse from heavy machinery, heavy

vehicles, and constant foot traffic. Epoxy floors

can, without a doubt, handle all of that.

While concrete is seen as virtually indestruc-

tible, it is not impervious to certain types of

damage, including cosmetic, such as scuffing,

cracking and staining. This can ruin the overall

attractiveness of the floor. Concrete is porous

and can absorb dirt, salt, chemicals and oils,

making it difficult to clean the concrete floors

properly. By applying an epoxy coating on the

concrete, the concrete is protected.

In addition, epoxy flooring has a high-gloss

finish that can increase light reflectivity by

200%. It will also seal the porous concrete sur-

face and render it stain proof.

Due to the chemical structure of epoxy

flooring, it is extremely durable as well as

scratch resistant. Unlike using a latex based

paint, individuals using a solids resin-based

solids epoxy product do not need to repaint

their floors every few years.

In fact, one coat of solids-based epoxy floor-

ing can last a lifetime. Epoxy flooring paint

will bond with cement molecules in any floor

to provide results that are long lasting, mak-

ing it especially good to use in areas where

there is heavy foot traffic or heavy machinery.

Acknowledgement & thanks are given to the fol-

lowing for information used in the compilation of

this article: www.naturalstone.com; www.sizes.

com; www.porcelainenamel.com; and numerous

previous contributors to FLOORS in Africa.

ings for epoxy floors included in this section,

but in this issue we have another feature on

Industrial Flooring (see Page 33 ), and rather

than repeat the ratings twice we have includ-

ed them in that introductory article, pro-

vided by FeRFA, the UK-based Resin Flooring

Association.

Epoxy floors are regularly specified for air-

port terminal buildings – from flight check-in

through to baggage reclaim – which normally

require eye-catching floor finishes as well as

subfloor screeds with extreme wear, scratch

and abrasion resistance to withstand heavy

volumes of foot and trolley-wheeled traffic.

Resin floor finishes are not only visually stun-

ning but also low maintenance and hygienic

with excellent durability.

Epoxy floors for high traffic applications usu-

ally comprise a two component, low odour,

low VOC 100% solids epoxy floor coatings

that provide heavy duty protection, and

they can be used for new or old uncoated or

previously coated industrial concrete floors

exposed to heavy foot and rubber-tyred

vehicle traffic.

This type of coating is also suitable for use in

areas of intermittent chemical spills, splashes

and power washings, and it has excellent


72 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

DURABILITY At the right price


73F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 73

Whether you are carpeting a

small office or a busy office block

where there is likely to be heavy

traffic, flooring options should be

considered based on durability

as well as cost.

not only adds warmth to the room but

makes the cleaning process easier.

The Nouwens Contracta Spec range comes

in 7 different colour variants.

Nouwens makes carpet care a breezeIt is very easy to keep a Nouwens Contracta

Spec looking brand-new for a long time –

providing it is not neglected. Regular clean-

ing of carpets and dealing with extreme

marks and spots quickly will extend the

carpet life considerably.

Advise customers to vacuum carpets thor-

oughly and more frequently in well-used

areas to prevent soil from settling into the

pile. Make sure that their vacuum cleaner

is well maintained, and that the bag is

changed regularly.

Assist customers with information about

removing spills and marks immediately.

Prompt action will prevent the spillage from

penetrating the fibre and becoming fixed.

Refer to the Nouwens guide for spot clean-

ing and the spot removal chart. Customers

can also maintain heavy-traffic routes with

Nouwens carpet cleaning powder from time

to time. (Capture and Duo Powder may also

be used.).

Nouwens Platinum Partners & Nouwens Appointed Dealers:A complete and updated list of Nouwens

Platinum Partners and Nouwens Appointed

Dealers appears by region on the Nouwens

website.


031 502 5730 / 021 447 2856 /

058 622 1101

Nouwens Contracta Spec

When it comes to making that carpet

choice, a decision usually depends

on how long it will last, how much it will

cost, and the volume of traffic most likely to

move across it. Therefore, when carpeting

hallways, passages or meeting rooms – long-

term wearability is key.

With an excellent carpet purchase you should be able to tick the following positively:1. Density

The density of a carpet refers to the amount

of yarn used in the top cloth of the carpet

and the closeness/tightness of the tufts.

For high-traffic areas, the denser the con-

struction of the carpet, the better.

2. Twist The twist of the tufts in the top cloth of the

carpet describes the winding of the yarn

around itself.

A tighter twist will ensure enhanced durabil-

ity and a longer lifespan of your carpet.

3. Pile ConstructionPile construction refers to the top cloth of a

carpet which can either be cut or looped.

A shorter carpet pile height combined with

a tight construction will ensure the best and

longest durability.

4. UnderfeltChoosing a good-quality underfelt will

help the carpet resist matting and crushing

and makes a difference in the comfort and

insulation.

A quality underfelt will prolong the lifespan

of a customer’s carpet under normal use.

The density and thickness of underfelt,

combined with the fibre contents, should be

investigated before a final decision is made.

Always refer to the specifications of under-

felt. For example, density per square metre,

fire and wear rating, etc.

A professional Nouwens Platinum Partner

or Nouwens Appointed dealer will provide

useful consultation and access to this type

of information!

Great value from NouwensWhile Nouwens’ flagship wool ranges offer

the ultimate in durability, budget and

application may call for a more comparative

synthetic solution with the same renowned

craftsmanship and quality.

The Nouwens Contracta Spec range intro-

duces a totally new innovative culture in

synthetic fibre carpets, offering affordability

with the best possible finished product. So

if it’s robust commercial use you are looking

for, the Nouwens Contracta Spec offers an

original wrap-spun, Antron 6.6 nylon base,

which makes the carpet both cost effective

and unbelievably hardwearing, therefore

more than adequately suiting those needs.

It has an SABS use class of 5 and a fire rating

of 3. This, together with Contracta’s stylish

plush appearance, has made it an all-round

favourite. The only change over the years

has been the way in which the colour

effects have moved with the times.

Choosing the right colour of carpet for

those high-traffic areas will also determine

the amount of time needed for cleaning

and maintenance. As a carpet covers a large

area of living space, choosing the right

colour is an important element to consider.

A carpet will form the foundation for the

rest of the room’s décor, and can either

blend in with the environment or be a

vibrant focal point. These days, although

carpets are available in countless designs,

colours and patterns, for an area that will

experience high traffic it is better to advise

a customer to go with a darker colour which

LUXURY Vinyl Planks for high-traffic areas

Products are key when it comes to creating an interior space. At FloorworX, they start by listening to what

you want, learning about the image you wish to project and understanding how your facility is used,

before they make recommendations for the best possible solutions to meet your goals.

Recommended UsageSpecification of

Legacy floorEuropean

Class EN685

Commercial areas with heavy traffic

(e.g. Retail outlets, Boutiques, Open-

plan offices, Care homes, Healthcare

establishments, Schools & Colleges)

2,5mm total thickness

0,55mm wear layer

(No bevel)

Class 33

Class 33

Class 42

Class 42

Commercial areas intensively used

with very heavy traffic

(Department stores, Retail outlets,

heavily used Multipurpose halls and

Airports)

Light Industrial areas with heavy

traffic

Production halls & Storage rooms

2,5mm total thickness

0,7mm wear layer

(With bevel)

Class 34

Class 34

Class 43

Class 43

SPAR new store in Robertson, Cape Town (FloorworX Legacy Woodplank).

did you know that there are over 750

Spar stores throughout South Africa?

The Spar aim is to make everyone’s shopping

experience as pleasant and enjoyable as pos-

sible. They endeavour to provide a friendly,

caring service that cannot be matched. This

includes, as with Spar Brand products, the

attention to quality of both product and ser-

vice, which is the hallmark of Spar.

Naturally, Spar chose the best possible

high-traffic floorcovering without com-

promising the design and aesthetics of

their supermarket when they opened

their new store in Robertson, Cape Town.

FloorworX recommended FloorworX Legacy

Woodplank.

Legacy Woodplank is the collection of

Luxury Vinyl Planks for use in both com-

mercial and residential environments that

provides the optimum balance between

realistic attractive design, exceptional perfor-

mance over many years and excellent value

for money.

The makeup of the Legacy Woodplank

allows the use of high-quality photographic

films that faithfully replicate and enhance

the unique designs found in nature while

at the same time conserving those valuable

resources for future generations.

All the photographic films used are fully

tested against strong UV light over long

periods of time which means that the floor

design will retain its colour and clarity over

many years.

Which designs can be used for commercial

or residential environments? FloorworX has

not limited the designer’s choice for any

given environment, whether residential or

commercial, and have made selection very

flexible.

The full Legacy Woodplank range can be

used in either residential or commercial

environments. It is only the construction

of the material (the total thickness and the

thickness of the wear layer) that will differ as

shown below.


76 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

Legacy Woodplank is quiet to walk on but at the same

time its indentation resis-tance removes the anxi-

ety of ladies in high heels shopping in the new Spar

supermarket . . .

The physical structure of the PVC in the

wear layer is very tight and this provides

a smooth surface that is inherently resis-

tant to dirt, stains and abrasion.

To provide even greater protection

against abrasion, a reinforced protective

coating of Aluminium Oxide (ALOR) has

been added. Aluminium Oxide Protective

Coatings are environmentally friendly

and exceed the highest European

Environmental Standard E-1. It is also

interesting to note that aluminium oxide

is used both as a dental abrasive and as

the coating on emery boards.

A PVC backing is used to reduce the

weight of the material and provide

greater flexibility. By having a similar

material on the top and bottom of the

flooring a sandwich effect is created, pro-

viding stable dimensional performance

throughout the material.

This is especially important when the

material is exposed to extremes of tem-

perature and it is this ‘sandwich’ effect

that prevents expansion, contraction and

curling of the material.

The structure of the Legacy Woodplank

flooring provides a very tight surface

which makes the floor resistant to dam-

age caused by spillage of water and

other fluids. This tightly sealed surface

also prevents the buildup of dirt and

bacteria. Legacy can therefore be used in

environments where hygiene is of para-

mount importance and where a quick

wipe of a cloth is all that is needed to

recover the situation.

In addition, Legacy Woodplank is

quiet to walk on but at the same time

its indentation resistance removes the

anxiety of ladies in high heels shopping

in the new Spar supermarket. When

exposed to flame the flooring material

will self-extinguish.

The structure of the Legacy Woodplank

flooring provides a surface that is easy to

clean and requires minimal routine main-

tenance. Unlike many natural flooring

products there will be no need to repair

cracked or splintered planks. The lifetime

maintenance cost savings of such a floor

are considerable and Legacy Woodplank

is also quick and easy to install.

For more information: 0860 346 679 or

www.floorworx.co.za


77F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 77

These high-quality porcelain tiles have a

PEI rating of V, which makes them ideal

for high-traffic areas where a hardwearing

tile is imperative, added to which they are

frost-, chemical-, stain- and slip-resistant.

With the slight accent on a natural green

colour, not only are these tiles aesthetically

appealing they will also find instant favour

because they are 50% manufactured from

recycled material, which makes them very

environmentally friendly.

These tiles are available at Tiletoria in two

sizes, 45x45cm and 60x60cm, which means

that the architect, interior designer or home

owner is offered freedom to personalise

creativity for residential and commercial

applications, or for public areas.

No two tiles are alike, which means that

every textured surface reveals a subtle dif-

ference in shade, creating refined variations

in tone; the exquisite final effect is the dis-

tressed look typical of natural stone floors.


031 459 0049 / 011 462 4640 /

www.tiletoria.co.za

QUARTZITE IN PORCELAIN

Stylish and environmentally friendly

Just arrived from Italy, Tiletoria

is currently marketing a new

range of rectified, porcelain tiles

that emulate the rich beauty of

natural quartzite stone, with the

Pietra D’Alpe and Serena ranges

that are part of the new Mont

Blanc Collection from Ceramica

Magica.

No two tiles are alike, which means that every textured surface reveals a subtle dif-ference in shade,

These high-quality porcelain tiles have a PEI rating of V, which makes them ideal for high-traffic areas


78 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

NEW TECHNOLOGYProtection and beautyAdvanced Technology (AT) represents the latest generation of Loba

products marketed in South Africa by Zimbo’s Trading that, with revo-

lutionary technologies, innovative raw materials and/or improved

application properties, are unique in the industry.

application properties; perfect flow and level-

ling; no side-bonding when installed firm or

firm flexible; and no white lines. Furthermore

no primer is required when used with tropical

wood species.


011 466 3568 / [email protected] /

www.zimbostrading.co.za

One of the latest impressive products

to emerge from Loba’s development

department is the new waterborne, one-

component finish Hybrid AT for colour depth

and vibrancy on tropical woods.

A shining example for the industry, even in

environmental terms, the new, low-emission,

waterborne, one-component finish Hybrid AT

represents the first true alternative to solvent-

based finishes.

Hybrid AT gives dark, colour-intensive

woods a classic amber look and attractive

vibrancy comparable to that of solvent-based

finishes. In addition this waterborne polyure-

thane finish even offers first-class technical

properties, thanks to the innovative Loba

Hybrid technology.

For this revolutionary technology the Loba

developers combined two different drying

mechanisms in a single finish – conventional

physical drying and oxidative drying, which

involves a reaction with oxygen.

In this way, water and oil are bonded on

a molecular level. The result: a finish with a

significantly higher, exceptional scratch and

chemical resistance.

This is how the innovative Hybrid AT water-

borne finish combines naturalness with

extraordinary beauty and exceptional durabil-

ity, exceeding even the highest requirements

of wear class C (ÖNORM standard C 2354.

Hybrid AT is also easy to use, with good


80 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

WOOD VENEERunique, Natural, greenPar-Ky genuine wood veneer flooring offers the best of both worlds

for your project – the warmth and feel of real wood and the advan-

tages of a laminate composite.

Because the top layer is real wood you

see and feel genuine timber. The high

density fibre (HDF) core means the boards

are ultra strong and have greater impact

and moisture resistance than solid timber.

This, combined with the extremely hard

eight layer “Dia-Pro” surface coating system,

provides a floor which is suitable for use in

light commercial applications such as shops

and offices, leisure applications such as hotel

bedrooms and elegant housing projects.

By choosing a Par-Ky product you also

take care of the environment. While the

product is manufactured from natural

resources, it is done without harming the

environment.

The veneer technique means that you

get the same level of comfort and unique

features of solid wood but use 25 times less

timber. Also all the wood used originates

from sustainable forests.

This is guaranteed by the manufactur-

ers “Pure-Wood” charter to which all their

suppliers have to subscribe, and their FSC

certification. The fact that no Aluminium

oxide is used in the wear layer also means

that the product is completely recyclable as

a fuel source.

Choosing Par-Ky is also choosing a healthy

living environment. The collection complies

with the strictest norms regarding volatile

organic substance emissions. This means no

toxins are released into your home or work-

ing space.

The sealed Par-Ky boards are available in

satin lacquered and a brushed “open grain”

matt finish which enhances the wood struc-

ture even further. Par-Ky is easy to clean and

maintain and will never require re-sanding.

The Par-Ky range is distributed in south-

ern Africa by Traviata Flooring Systems in

Johannesburg.

For more information: 082 595 2061 or

www.traviata.co.za

EXPERIENCED High traffic

Tile Africa Contracts is a full-circle partner with experience and expertise in supplying tiles for major proj-

ects requiring floor solutions that can cope with high footfalls per square metre. From concept to comple-

tion, the team ensures design continuity and project success throughout the country.

Orion Hotel: High-traffic areas require tiles with a PEI rating of four to five

Our national footprint affords our

clients the assurance that tiles and

bathroom ware are available in all nine prov-

inces. We offer good advice and personalised

service combined with quality products

that come with supplier guarantees,” says

Craig Irvine, national manager for Tile Africa

Contracts.

High-traffic areas require tiles with a PEI

(Porcelain Enamel Institute) rating of four to

five to successfully handle heavy footfall and

frequent traffic. These areas include public

buildings such as shops, hospitals, garages,

restaurants and industrial kitchens.

“We evaluate all aspects of the project,

from measurements, technical requirements,

movement joints and damp proofing to

the more decorative skills of planning tile

designs for focal areas. Our team is confident

in supplying a variety of high-traffic areas,

from major shopping centres and restaurants

around the country to numerous hotels and

airports,” says Irvine.

Tile Africa provided tiles for the terminals,

waiting areas, bathrooms, VIP lounge and

line shops within the East London airport. A

key contact person is involved in each proj-

ect to provide on-site technical advice and

an after-sales service, and architectural and

design consultants offer their expertise from

start to finish.

Materials are sourced locally and overseas

and Tile Africa Contracts researches all the

desired specifications methodically to find

the most suitable products or comparable

alternatives. Its methods of installation and

the materials supplied are in line with local

and international standards.

The team at Tile Africa Contracts invites you

to share your latest project highlights and

work on the blog located on the website.


www.tileafricacontracts.co.za


81F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 81


82 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

EASY CLEANING Busy areas

Travellers to busy international airports know the arrivals terminals can

be a nightmare as thousands of tourists make their way through the

passageways with their mountains of luggage. The last thing they need

after a long-haul flight is to be bothered by heavy-cleaning equipment

that will aggravate them, leaving them in need of another vacation.

it would be equally unsettling for passen-

gers to arrive in a filthy, smelly terminal

with scuff marks and food stains on the

floor. This is why Numatic International

has technology designed for effortless and

spotless cleaning that won’t disrupt crowds

in high-traffic areas.

“With Numatic’s new generation designs,

high-traffic areas are quickly transformed

to glowing passages as polishing time

is reduced without affecting the power

needed to achieve that flawless finish.

Passengers feel more relaxed when they

arrive at an airport with polished floors and

the fresh aroma of cleanliness,” says Dewald

Botha, general manager for Numatic South

Africa, one of the country’s leading cleaning

equipment suppliers.

Numatic’s floor machines, such as its

Twintec AutoScrubbers, are ergonomically

designed to cater for the operator’s needs.

“Users normally work with machines for

long periods, so Numatic’s equipment has

been designed with those people in mind.

They promote ease-of-use and comfort and

the construction of each machine ensures it

can be agile enough to access those hard-

to-reach areas,” adds Botha.

Polyscrub brushes are included with all

models to ensure high performance, while

machines contain built-in battery chargers

to operate safely without the limitations of

a cord, which also promotes safe operation

of the equipment in those large, high-traffic

areas such as airports and shopping centres.

Other safety features include an auto-stop

feature as soon as the operator rises from the

seat, an orange warning light and an audio-

reverse signal to alert people close by.

“Shopping centre owners and airport

management companies that use cleaning

equipment built with innovative technolo-

gies and architecture know the benefits

for them and their clients. They achieve a

spotless environment quickly, while safely

manoeuvring through crowds in high traffic

areas without obstructing them,” concludes

Botha.

For more information: 0861 NUMATIC

(686 284) / www.numatic.co.za

W h a t ’s h a p p e n i n g

BELGO

ARTIFICIAL GRASS

Belgotex Floorcoverings • Tel: 033 897 7500 • Cell: 082 561 6072 • E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.belgotexfloorcoverings.co.za

Belgotex Floorcoverings is committed to creating new opportunities for sales people and floorcovering installers, by presenting a programme of wide-ranging training workshops aimed at upgrading their professional skills and motivation. Established in 2000 (and originally known as the Carpet Pro Academy), the Belgotex Floorcoverings Academy has provided invaluable skills upliftment to hundreds of carpet professionals countrywide.This is the fourth in a series of articles by the Belgotex Floorcoverings Academy that are designed to assist those in the retail carpet trade to adopt better selling and installation techniques.

The technical side of Duraturf

guide to installation

gardens, for terraces, roof-terraces, balconies,

indoor applications, around swimming pools,

trade shows. These ranges are mostly installed

fully bonded.

Duraturf Infill Systems

The infill products are mostly used for the

larger projects like gardens, recreational

(municipality) areas, roundabouts, along

roads, playgrounds for children. The Duraturf

products can be filled with sand and rubber.

However, for the sand infill you cannot use

just any sand, because sharp sand may dam-

age the fibres, leading to a reduced lifespan

of the product. We therefore recommend

round and dried (silica) sand (0.3 –1.0mm)

(80% round) with a sub-base layer of Crusher

(grades 2-5).

In addition to the synthetic grass, Belgotex

Floorcoverings also supplies seaming tape

in rolls of 100m; as well as a 2-part adhesive

for landscaping installations. For bonded

installations a 2-part adhesive or Smoothedge

Outdoor Adhesive can be used. For indoor

installations an Acrylic Emulsion adhesive

can be used. (Adhesives to be used as per the

adhesive manufacturers’ recommendations.)

Where Duraturf is installed on a cement

surface, the surface must be dry, dust-free,

non-porous and even with a 1% drop for

drainage.

The adhesive must in general be applied

with a 3mm notched trowel to ensure good

adhesion. Where thinner product is installed

such as DIY a 2mm notched trowel must be

used, and care must be taken to avoid over-

application that can result in adhesive pen-

etration of the material.

The installation of Duraturf landscaping consists of six steps:

Step 1: Preparing the subsoil

Step 2: Joining the synthetic grass

Step 3: Checking the seam

Step 4: Gluing the synthetic grass

Step 5: Pressing the seam

Step 6: Applying the sand infill

Step 1: Subsoil preparation for landscapingThe area of installation must be prepared by

removing 10cm of the soil before condens-

ing the surface and filling with crusher (the

crusher grade must be between a grade 2

and 5).

The subsoil should be well wetted before

compacting with a vibrator plate to enable

good compaction, but the subsoil must not

be saturated with water. This compaction

process must be repeated a few times to

ensure that the subsoil is solid.

Once the subsoil has been prepared, weed

killer must be applied to the subsoil to

Six of the ranges are constructed out of

durable, tufted polyethylene fibre/yarn

and two out of polypropylene fibre/yarn.

Certain fibres were chosen to suit certain

applications and so provide the best possible

products. Duraturf is manufactured in a range

of different pile heights and textures to cre-

ate a natural appearance, and is suitable for

multiple applications. The fibres and backing

are of the highest quality to ensure excellent

performance, stability and colourfastness.

Duraturf has developed two product lines

for different types of applications: Non-infill;

and infill systems.

Duraturf Non-infill systems

These products are typically used in smaller

84 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

Bonded Installations

Landscaping Installation

BELGO

Belgotex Floorcoverings • Tel: 011 345 2944 • Cell: 082 561 6072 • Fax: 011 345 2988 • E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.belgotexfloorcoverings.co.zaBelgotex Floorcoverings • Tel: 033 897 7500 • Cell: 082 561 6072 • E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.belgotexfloorcoverings.co.za

85F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 85

prevent weeds from growing through

the subsoil.

The area where the 10cm soil has been

removed and prepared can now be filled

with crusher.

If Duraturf is being installed on an exist-

ing hard surface such as concrete, stone or

asphalt, compaction is not necessary.

The grass can now be prepared by rolling

it out and allowing it to lie for some time to

relax. This period of time will depend on the

temperature.

Step 2: Seaming DuraturfIf the required Duraturf surface is bigger

than the standard roll width or length,

two or more strips will need to be glued

together. The seaming tape and adhesive

can be supplied by Belgotex. You will need

a sharp carpet knife to cut the material, and

an adhesive comb (or similar) for applying

the adhesive.

Fold the synthetic grass at the sides, so

the back of the synthetic grass lies on top

and then cut off the black edge (about

2mm from the first row of synthetic grass

fibres over the full length of the roll).

Overlap the next roll about 3-5cm where

the material has to be seamed. Check if the

overlap at the ends of the roll is about the

same as in the middle, cut both rolls at the

same time with your carpet knife, which

will give you an even, exact seam. Note: A

straight rule will help you to cut an exact

straight seam. Using a loop-pile cutter and

cutting the material from the back will

make it even easier.

Steps 3 & 4: Checking the seam and gluing the synthetic grassFold the synthetic grass so that the stalks are

on top. Bring both pieces of synthetic grass

together and check if both sides are close

to each other over the length of the rolls to

ensure proper seaming. (This may need trim-

ming in places.)

Installation can only take place in dry

weather.

The sides of the synthetic grass roll which

have to be glued must be folded back so the

seam tape can be applied easily, and this

must be applied in such a way that the seam

between the two rolls is in the middle of the

seaming tape.

Spread the adhesive in the middle of the

seaming tape (about 15 cm wide) with

the adhesive comb – but not thicker than

approximately 3mm.

Step 5: Pressing the seamStart at the end of the synthetic grass rolls

and carefully fold back the rolls one by one,

so the sides are lying roughly in the middle

of the applied adhesive. Take care not to

catch the fibres in between the two panels

being seamed.

At the same time, carefully press the syn-

thetic grass into the adhesive to ensure

good contact between the back of the grass

and the adhesive. When the entire surface

is glued, you can walk a few times on the

seams to compress them a little more. If

any adhesive comes into contact with the

synthetic grass fibres, remove it before it has

hardened.

Wait for 100% curing of the adhesive

before you start sand filling (if it is required)

to ensure proper bonding between the

installation tape and top cloth.

Cut the outline of the synthetic grass sur-

face in the form you want before applying

sand filling, because it is not practical to do

this after the grass has been filled.

Step 6: Applying the sand in-fillNote: this is only applicable for In-fill

Products.

Both the synthetic grass and the sand must

be dry before filling commences. Moisture

causes the sand to coagulate, making it dif-

ficult to apply between the grass fibres; this

will result in an uneven sand filling.

Spread the sand with your hand (or

mechanically) in different layers on the sur-

face of the synthetic grass. The use of a fertil-

iser spreader works very well.

Now you can stand back and admire a job

well done!

Belgotex Floorcoverings presents group

and individual training sessions for the instal-

lation of Duraturf.

The information in this article has been

extracted from the Belgotex Floorcoverings

Technical Sales manual produced by Belgotex

Floorcoverings. If any further information

is required for the installation of Duraturf

please contact Belgotex Floorcoverings on the

details provided below.


Specialist transport EXCELLENT TRACK RECORD EFFICIENT AND TIME

-CONSCIOUS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION DRIVEN

TRANSPORT

for the flooring industry


With over four decades of serving the soft flooring market in Southern Africa with consider-

able success – which includes having pioneered access flooring in this country – Peter Bates

Flooring has an unsurpassed reputation for quality and customer service.

The secret of the company’s success is that it has been based on fair trading and the devel-

opment of its loyal staff, not the least of which includes the adoption of PETER – the acronym

that encapsulates the values the company adheres to in all its endeavours – Professionalism;

Empowerment; Transparency; Ethics; and Reliability. The fourth of these values is detailed here.

So often corruption and sharp business practices dominate the national Press, but companies

and organisations that trade by these means invariably fail or lose the respect of the market.

Ethics in business can be defined as being the rules and principles that any company should

adopt, consisting of the social responsibility that a business should have towards the commu-

nity; the company’s responsibility towards its shareholders; inter-company dealings and nego-

tiations; stakeholder protection, and the company’s fundamental business practices, which

incorporate its attitudes towards the well-being and development of its staff.

Business ethics creates a huge impact with consumers – it creates brand loyalty towards cus-

tomers, as well as a benchmark for the company to maintain a quality scale in their product,

and these values will ensure success for the company in the long run.

By adopting business ethics a company can achieve a competitive advantage, because sup-

pliers, customers and end-users know that all their dealings with the company, including the

products and services it provides, are based on goodwill, fair trading and the highest possible

standards being maintained.

The Ethics Institute of South Africa lists the following as being the cornerstones of ethics in

business: building an ethically responsible society; operating according to the highest ethical

standards; creating an ethical work environment; and encouraging responsible business con-

duct in your organisation, its sector of the economy, and Africa as a whole.

Anyone that has had dealings with Peter Bates Flooring over the past forty years will know

that these are the tenets the company has always followed, and are the main reasons for con-

tinuing a trusted relationship with them.

ETHICS Secure the company’s future

The growing demand for better and smarter

facilities management in South Africa has led

to the launch of the Facilities Show Africa, a

showcase for innovative products, technolo-

gies and services offered by industry-leading

exhibitors.

Organised by Montgomery Africa, The

Facilities Show Africa 2011 takes place from

6 to 8 September 2011 at the Gallagher

Convention Centre in Johannesburg and

will run alongside IFSEC South Africa and

OSH Expo Africa which focus on the security

and occupational safety and health sectors

respectively.

Most of the registered visitors to these

events have major purchasing power within

their organisations and all of them will have

free access to all three shows.

The Facilities Management market is

A FIRST facilities Management Show

becoming increasingly sophisticated and

specialised and only those that are able to

consistently deliver quality service will stay

ahead of the curve. “The show will offer

opportunities for professionals to keep up

to date and also empower them to make the

best decisions for their organisations, people,

and their bottom line,” says Montgomery

Africa’s director of sales and marketing, Ross

Cullingworth.

Companies interested in exhibiting at The

Facilities Show Africa 2011 should contact

Ross Cullingworth on

[email protected] or

011 835 1565. Anyone wishing to book space

or know more about this inaugural event

should visit the website:

www.facilitiesshowafrica.com.

88 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

“It is not the right angle that attracts me, nor the

straight line, hard and inflexible, created by man.

What attracts me is the free and sensual curve — the

curve that I find in the mountains of my country,

in the sinuous course of its rivers, in the body of the

beloved woman.” Oscar Niemeyer.

The Niemeyer cultural centre in Avilés, Spain, was

designed by the Brazilian master architect, Oscar

Niemeyer, who is now 103 years old. He originally

created sketches of the project to celebrate a cul-

tural competition in 2006, and he now considers it

his most important built work in Europe. The build-

ing, which opened in March 2011, has an auditori-

um, viewing tower and three-storey dome-shaped

museum. (www.viewpictures.co.uk.)

The Center was created to attract talent, knowl-

edge and creativity, and is an open door to culture

in all its shapes, forms, traditions and styles. Music,

theatre, cinema, expositions, conferences and out-

door and educational news will be the main focus

of a multidisciplinary cultural programme of which

the common denominator is excellence.

An auditorium for 1 000 spectators spills onto

a public plaza, which also contains a viewing

tower and three-storey dome-shaped museum.

A spiral staircase inside the museum leads to a

mezzanine where light and sound installations

will be on show.

Oscar Ribeiro de Almeida Niemeyer Soares

Filho (born December 15, 1907) is a Brazilian

architect specialising in international modern

architecture. He is a pioneer in exploring the for-

mal possibilities of reinforced concrete solely for

their aesthetic impact.

His buildings are often characterised by being

spacious and exposed, mixing volumes and empty

space to create unconventional patterns and often

propped up by piers.

Both lauded and criticised for being a “sculptor of

monuments”, he has been praised for being a great

artist and one of the greatest architects of his gen-

eration by his supporters.

Amongst his works are public buildings designed

for the city of Brasília, and the United Nations

Headquarters in New York City.

For further information: www.niemeyercenter.org or

www.niemeyer.org.br.

NIEMEYER103 not out!


FLOORS in Africa recently attended an

unusual yet amazing media presentation by

Numatic based on the art of Tai Chi, a martial

art format that encompasses relaxation and

meditation to provide the solution to the

daily pressures of life.

Numatic has introduced a way to bring

balance into cleaning by maintaining power

and reducing energy consumption. Through

the efforts of the Tai Chi demonstration team

that was present, they described how the

movements of Tai Chi can be related to and

incorporated into cleaning programmes.

Tai Chi, as it is practised in the West today,

TAI CHIPresentation

Numatic Tai Chi launch

NEW RANGE No compromise LVT flooring

Polyflor SA has announced the release of the Expona Superplank series

to the South African market – an exquisite selection of luxury vinyl tiles

that offer the warmth, look and feel of genuine wooden floors, in a

natural style and with creative design. End-users will welcome the low

noise and easy care that this high quality and environmentally respon-

sible floor provides

“Superplank combines the easy maintenance, longevity and durability

of luxury vinyl tiles with the natural beauty and texture of wood”, says

Denver Coleman, chairman and managing director of Polyflor SA.

Sold and professionally installed by accredited installers, each flex-

ible PVC plank measures 1 219 mm in length, with widths (which vary

depending on colour choice) of 152mm to 203mm, is 2,5mm thick with

a 0,55mm wear layer, providing an elegant finish in a choice of fourteen

different colours.

With a Polyurethane coating for ease of maintenance, soft underfoot

sound and 14 stunning colours to excite any designer and a 0,55mm

wear layer, “Superplank is suitable for use in institutional, commercial and

public buildings,” Coleman says.

Superplank offers a wide range of applications and will look beautiful

in any setting. It is ideal for use in the home, including living rooms,

entrance halls, children’s rooms and areas that must withstand spills and

water, such as in kitchens, bathrooms, and conservatories.

Its strength, easy maintenance and ability to absorb sound makes it

suitable for heavy commercial use in corridors, shops and showrooms,

department stores, classrooms, lecture theatres, multi-purpose halls,

open-plan offices and other areas with heavy-traffic areas that have to

endure high foot traffic.

89F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 89

can perhaps best be thought of as a moving

form of yoga and meditation combined. The

Chinese characters for Tai Chi Chuan can be

translated as ‘Supreme Ultimate Force’.

The notion of ‘supreme-ultimate’ is often

associated with the Chinese concept of yin-

yang, the notion that one can see a dynamic

duality (male/female, active/passive, dark/

light, forceful/yielding, etc.) in all things.

‘Force’ (or, more literally, ‘fist’) can be thought

of here as the means or way of achieving this

yin-yang, or supreme-ultimate discipline.

Anything that takes the stress out of clean-

ing is to be welcomed, and Numatic is to be

congratulated on providing zest and feeling

to what others may normally consider to be

a mundane task.

90 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1


CERSAIE 2011 We will be there!

Cersaie, the annual international ceramic

tile and bathroom furnishings exhibition

in Bologna which takes place on 20-22

September, has been booked solid for

four months before the opening date, and

FLOORS in Africa will be there!

In fact, Media in Africa will be well repre-

sented, with Marlene E van Rooyen, editor

of sister magazine WALLS & ROOFS in Africa

and Roxanne Mancini, the Business Unit

Manager for FLOORS in Africa looking to

bring you the latest design trends and inno-

vative products and solutions in the floor

tiling industry.

Promoted by Confindustria Ceramica in

cooperation with BolognaFiere and orga-

nized by Edi.Cer. SpA and Promos, this year’s

show will feature over 1 000 exhibitors from

34 different countries and 176 000 square

metres of exhibition space.

Highlights include a brand-new sustain-

ability initiative, a star-studded panel of

guest speakers and a student-run design

competition to choose next year’s official

Cersaie poster.

Also, Cersaie will begin the Cersaie for

Sustainability project to reduce its carbon

footprint through waste reduction, energy

optimisation, water and paper consump-

tion, and sustainable transportation.

Complementing the show’s green initia-

tives, Cersaie will welcome a series of lec-

turers during the conference programme

Building, Dwelling, Thinking where acclaimed

architects and designers will discuss archi-

tectural solutions and design-forward phi-

losophies.

Look out for the next issue of FLOORS in

Africa when we will be bringing you all the

news, views and innovations from this lead-

ing industry showpiece.

Roxanne Mancini & Marlene E van Rooyen

91F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 91


CMA SEMINARSBy expertWorld-renowned precast concrete expert Dr

Kim S Elliott will be presenting three full-day

seminars for the Concrete Manufacturers

Association (CMA) on precast hollow-core

flooring and load-bearing structures. The sem-

inars will earn attendees one CPD point and

will be jointly presented by local gravity-wall

and precast-concrete expert Simon Knutton.

Aimed at professional design engineers,

architects and graduate students in civil

engineering, building technology and archi-

Precast concrete expert Dr Kim S Elliott

tecture, the seminars are being hosted and

organised by the CMA in collaboration with

the Concrete Society. They will be staged

on: October 17th at the Eskom Centre in

Johannesburg; October 19th at the Nelson

Mandela Metropolitan University in Port

Elizabeth; and October 21st at the Newlands

Sun Hotel in Cape Town.

CMA director Hamish Laing says the use of

precast concrete multi-storey framed build-

ings is taking hold in South Africa. “It is widely

regarded as an economic, structurally sound

and architecturally versatile form of construc-

tion for buildings up to 40 storeys, although

the maximum height reached in South Africa

to date is five storeys.”

Dr Elliott comments that prestressed hollow-

core slabs combine the benefits of very rapid

construction and high-quality materials with

the advantages of production-line economy

and quality assurance, particularly when used

as prestressed concrete floor slabs.

“The seminars aim to provide the widest

possible appreciation of the proper use of

precast concrete for innovative and modern

buildings,” he says.

Dr Elliott is a self-employed consultant

to the precast industry in UK and Malaysia.

A BTech, PhD, MICE, CEng, he was senior

lecturer in the School of Civil Engineering

at Nottingham University, UK, and has also

worked for Trent Concrete Structures Ltd,

one of the UK’s leading precast concrete

manufacturers.

Since 1987, Dr Elliott has been researching

the behaviour of precast concrete structures,

and has published more than 120 papers and

four text books. He has chaired the European

research project COST C1 on semi-rigid con-

nection in precast structures and has lectured

on this subject over 40 times in 16 countries,

including Malaysia, Singapore, Brazil, South

Africa, Austria, Barbados, Portugal, Spain,

Scandinavia, and six times in Australia. He has

lectured at over 30 UK universities.

Simon Knutton is a professional engineer

and consultant (Pr.Eng B.Eng (Hons)). He

has over a quarter-century of experience

in the industry and has been a consulting

engineer since the early 1980s. Before he

founded Knutton Consulting in 1983 he was

involved in heavy earthmoving. Apart from

involvement in a wide range of projects in

South Africa, Knutton’s experience is also

utilised in the international arena through

assignments in Dubai as well as other

Middle Eastern states.

The attendance fee is R900 per delegate. A

discount of R100 applies to Concrete Society

members and any delegate having to travel

further than a 150km radius qualifies for a

R200 abatement. To register for one of the

seminars email [email protected].


92 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

Once again Van Dyck attended The Green

Building Conference and Exhibition this

year which was held in Sandton, the

event where different companies come

together to showcase their products and

services and to let people know how

each is contributing to greener buildings

and sustainability in South Africa.

This presented Van Dyck with an ideal

opportunity to officially launch its new

branding and corporate image, and

the new green and contemporary logo

displayed on the Van Dyck stand tied in

perfectly with the very purpose of this

event.

In addition, the floor was furnished

with a customised design of Oxygen

carpet tiles, a range that is manufactured

from more than 85% post-consumer

recycled material.

Van Dyck also went a step further by

introducing the world’s first-ever QR

Code carpet tile. QR is short for quick

response – which means the code can

be read quickly by a cellphone. It is a 2D

barcode that can store and digitally pres-

ent much more data including URL links

to websites. The QR-coded carpet tiles

displayed by Van Dyck enabled a direct

link to Van Dyck’s brand-new website, a

tool that was used by many of the exhibi-

tion visitors.

The topics presented and discussed

at the conference were very interesting

and at the end of a very exciting first

day everyone was invited to a Cocktail

Evening that Van Dyck was honoured to

sponsor.

Van Dyck remains one of the most

active carpet companies in South Africa

and the world when it comes to being

environmentally friendly. Through their

green initiatives they make it possible to

contribute to a healthier and more sus-

tainable environment.

Van Dyck said that this Conference and

Exhibition was a successful event for

the company and the warm embrace by

everyone of the new branding was appre-

ciated. Van Dyck looks forward to being

one of the sponsors of this successful

event again next year.

EXHIBITION Supporting the green effort

The world’s first QR Code in a recyclable carpet tile

EVENTS TO DIARISE:

2011 - LOCAL

6-8 SEPTEMBER: Facilities Show Africa

Gallagher Convention Center, JHB

www.facilitiesshowafrica.com

2011- INTERNATIONAL

12 -14 SEPTEMBER: Domotex Middle East

Dubai International Convention &

Exhibition Centre, Middle East, Dubai

20 -24 SEPTEMBER: CERSAIE, Bologna, Italy

www.cersaie.it/en/index.php

21 – 24 SEPTEMBER: MARMOMACC, Verona, Italy

www.marmomacc.it

2012 - INTERNATIONAL

11 – 14 JANUARY: Heimtextil

Messe Frankfurt, Germany

www. heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com

14 -17 JANUARY: Domotex Hanover

Hannover, Germany

www.domotex.de/home

24-26 JANUARY: Surfaces

Las Vegas, Nevada

www.surfaces.com

7 -10 FEBRUARY: Cevisama

Valencia, Spain

www.ceramicindustry.com

13 – 14 FEBRUARY: Qualicer, Castellon, Spain

www.qualicer.org

MARCH: March Expo Revestir, Sao Paolo, Brazil

www.exporevestir.com.br

8 –11 MAY: Africa Infrastructure Expo

Johannesburg Expo Centre

9 -12 MAY: Piedra Stone Fair

Spain, Madrid

www.eventseye.com

MARCH: March Domotex Asia/CHINAFLOOR

Shanghai New International Expo Centre

www.domotexasiachinafloor.com


93F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 93

Guy Donckers, Owner

of SIDEC NV of Belgium,

the largest supplier of

stone flooring world-

wide, Jeremy Stewart

owner of Seamless

Flooring Systems Africa

and Quartz Carpet

and Mr Yves Lapere

from the Economic &

Commercial Attaché of

Flanders Investment &

Trade, Belgium.

Consolidating the close

trade ties between SA

and Belgium.


94 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

In 2004, Fortune Magazine named archi-

tect Cameron Sinclair one of the Aspen

Seven, seven people who are changing

the world for the better. In 2005 he was

named RISD/Target Emerging Designer of

the Year and in 2006 received the TED Prize.

In 2008 he was selected as a Young Global

Leader by the World Economic Forum.

On 23 September 2011Cameron Sinclair

will speak at a conference entitled

“Architecture for Humanity” to be held in

the Architecture Gallery at Cersaie and

introduced and moderated by Franco la

Cecla. The aim of the event is to discuss

architectural solutions to provide shelter in

the wake of disasters such as earthquakes,

floods and migrations and to commence

SINCLAIRThe man who may save the world

Hic!A woman is sitting on the

veranda with her hus-

band and she says, “I love you.”

He asks, “Is that you or the wine talking?”

She replies, “It’s me….talking to the wine.”

A new brochure? Copywriting? A full service is available from design to final print from Jacquerie.We also undertake research and copywriting for press releases, articles or sales leaflets.Whatever your needs, contact us for full details and rates.Dave Soons, Jacquerie Marketing ccTel: 012 807 7012; e-mail: [email protected] to e-mail: 086 601 7842

Do you need…

rebuilding work.

Cameron Sinclair is an international

authority in his field. In 1999 he co-found-

ed Architecture for Humanity, a charitable

organisation that seeks architectural and

design solutions to humanitarian crises

and offers design services to communi-

ties in need. The organisation has grown

rapidly and now includes 40 000 profes-

sionals and 72 chapters in 14 countries.

Projects have included rebuilding after

the 2010 earthquakes in Haiti and Chile,

Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 South

Asia tsunami.

Reliable 0861 PETER(73837)www.peterbates.co.za

Ray

Anderson,

the founder

and chair-

man of

Interface, has

died at the

age of 77.

“Interface

and the

world have

lost a great man today,” said Dan Hendrix, President and Chief

Executive Officer of Interface, announcing that Ray C Anderson lost

a 20-month battle with cancer on 8th August. Surrounded by his

family, Ray died at his home in Atlanta.

“Ray was and continues to be our company’s heart and soul. His

iconic spirit and pioneering vision are not only his legacy, but our

future. We will honour Ray by keeping his vision alive and the com-

pany on course,” Dan continued.

Ray’s story is now legend: the 1994 “spear in the chest” epiphany

he experienced when he first read Paul Hawken’s The Ecology of

Commerce, seeking inspiration for a speech to an Interface task

force on the company’s environmental vision.

Seventeen years and a sea change later, Ray estimated that

Interface is more than halfway towards the vision of “Mission Zero,”

the journey no one would have imagined for the company, or for

the petroleum-intensive industry of carpet manufacturing, which

has been forever changed by his vision.

Ray chronicled the Interface journey in two books, Mid-Course

Correction (1998) and Confessions of a Radical Industrialist (2009). The

latter was recently released in paperback as Business Lessons from a

Radical Industrialist.

An honours graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology’s school

of industrial and systems engineering in 1956, Ray remained an

ardent supporter of the school, which recently awarded him with an

honorary doctorate of philosophy.

Together, he and Interface funded the creation of the Anderson-

Interface Chair in Natural Systems at Georgia Tech, where Associate

Professor Valerie Thomas conducts research in sustainability.

Anderson founded Interface in 1973 to produce the first free-lay

carpet tiles in America. Interface would revolutionise the commer-

cial floorcovering business, but it is for that legendary environmen-

tal epiphany in 1994 that Ray will best be remembered.

Ray Anderson – InterfaceOBITUARY


95F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1 95

Ray Anderson

BARBIEArchitect Barbie, the latest in Mattel’s line of fashion dolls, has a new

home that features bamboo flooring. Architect Barbie is an attempt

to get girls interested in a field that is dominated by men.

The American Institute of Architects held an Architect Barbie

Dream House Design Competition. Designed by architects Ting Li

and Maja Paklar, Architect Barbie’s 453m² home on the Pacific Ocean

uses several sustainable products, including bamboo.

The house also features low-flow toilets and operable shading

devices to limit solar heat.

FloorDaily.net

Richard Nuss has been appointed as Marketing Manager for

Nouwens Carpets. He has a science degree, and several years experi-

ence in marketing with Unilever and in the paint industry.

“The Nouwens brand is going through a modernisation process,

and this is the most exciting period for a marketer to come on board,”

he says. “It is critical to let the market know what the Nouwens offer-

ing consists of, but more importantly in the commercial market to

explain the benefits of our offering as well as the full understanding

of their needs.”

“The environmental issue is not going to just disappear; we need

to be conscious of our decisions but also, make those decisions with

the correct information at hand,” he says.

Hecele Prins, joined the Cape Town Nouwens team as Account

Manager: Commercial, having gained considerable experience in the

flooring industry working with Cardinal Flooring since 2004.

Nickey Cloete joined the Nouwens team in Johannesburg as

Account Manager: Commercial. Nickey started in the flooring indus-

try in 1996 with M Schwartz Carpets, Pretoria as an architectural and

interior design consultant, and later moved to Ultra Flooring where

she gained vast experience in the commercial contracting side of the

industry. Prior to this, she worked at National Carpets and Platinum

FloorworX.

Janice Steyn joins the KwaZulu-Natal team on 1 September and

will head up the KwaZulu-Natal branch, in addition to driving the

commercial opportunities for Nouwens in that region. She brings a

wealth of experience having handled the architectural specification

side of the KwaZulu-Natal ICI Dulux business.

NEW APPOINTMENTS

Nouwens

Do décor trade shows help in sell-ing flooring products? This question is answered by Jeremy Stewart, owner of

Quartz Carpet SA.*

The common misconception is that flooring companies

book stands within these décor shows and sell vast

amounts of their particular brand of flooring from them.

Another of these shows, namely Decorex Johannesburg

2011, has just been completed and the most common

question our representatives have been asked this week

is “How many square metres of flooring did you sell?” The

answer to that question is unquantifiable as we don’t

really know! Most of us use these shows as brand aware-

ness and marketing exercises.

Visitors to these shows arrive with clear and open

minds; many come especially to see new, fresh, excit-

ing or innovative ideas or applications. The vast array

of competition and choices is often overwhelming and

sometimes this can leave the visitor with more questions

than answers as each company punts why they are bet-

ter than the next.

Immediate sales from the shows may only account for

a few thousand square metres although there may be

triple that amount of business that emanates from that

show over the next few months and years.

I believe it is the responsibility of floor suppliers to use

the décor show platform to educate and introduce

products to the décor marketplace, so that our prospec-

tive customers get the

opportunity to evaluate

the options, draw their own

comparisons and then make

wise and informative deci-

sions. Maybe we will see

you at the next trade décor

show…

*The views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views or opinions of FLOORS in Africa.

fLOORINgquestions & answers ?WHAT IS THe DIffeReNce BeTWeeN VINyL AND LINOLeuM fLOORINg?People frequently confuse vinyl and linoleum flooring, think-ing that they are essentially the same thing. They do have some similar properties – in both cases they offer soft, durable flooring that is quiet and easy to clean and maintain, as well as being available in a variety of colours and styles. The key difference between them is that vinyl is completely made of a synthetic, petroleum-based material. It is composed of a sandwich of layers, starting with a vinyl (or felt) backing and is usually overlaid with a top layer of urethane which helps to resist scuff-marks, scratches and stains, as well as repelling dirt and moisture. Vinyl is also popular because it can replicate the look of other types of hard surfaces, such as tile and wood, but at the same time remains easy to clean and maintain, pro-vides cushioning underfoot and, most of all, is affordable. Linoleum, on the other hand, is completely natural, which makes it a popular choice for the environmentalist. It is derived from linseed oil which is extracted from flax seeds and then dried out and ground into a fine powder, called ‘linoleum cement’. This is then mixed with fine plant material, such as ground cork, wood flour and pine resins, and then combined with a jute fibre backing.

HOW cAN I OBTAIN A BLeAcHeD HARDWOOD fLOOR? cAN I DO IT MySeLf?Don’t attempt to do it yourself – even most professionals avoid bleaching hardwood floors because the process may weaken the wood. However, many flooring companies offer pre-finished hardwoods in bleached, pickled and other speciality finishes. Get some advice on where to obtain bleached hard-wood from the Southern African Wood & Laminate Flooring Association (SAWLFA) – 011 455 2822.

HOW SHOuLD I TAckLe SPILLAgeS SucH AS WINe ON My cARPeT TILeS?For any spills and little accidents, prompt treatment is the most successful course of action. Scrape up any solids as soon as possible and any excess liquid can be soaked up by using absorbent material and pressing firmly. Sponge clean if required or tiles can be lifted and rinsed under a tap. If a deter-gent solution is used, ensure that all traces are removed.

DOeS A RuBBeR fLOOR quALIfy AS BeINg A gReeN fLOOR? It depends on what you call a rubber floor: With a natural rub-ber floor, the milky white liquid from the rubber tree is used to make it which is a sustainable resource and therefore this flooring qualifies as green. A synthetic rubber floor does not qualify as a green floor but is more durable and resistant than natural rubber flooring. Recycled rubber floors are available as full floorcoverings as well as loose carpets for entrances, and also qualify as green products.

fLOORS, ENCAPSULATED

TRADE SHOWS

Jeremy StewartFlooring specialist and

owner of Quartz Carpet, SA.


96 F L O O R S S e p t O c t 2 0 1 1

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