TIMBER FLOORS
A P
UB
LIC
ATIO
N F
RO
M
THE
AU
STR
ALI
AN
TIM
BER
FL
OO
RIN
G A
SSO
CIA
TIO
NIS
SUE
15 S
UM
MER
201
0-11
Tips and tricks for a perfect finish
Elements of timber floor design
ATFA CONVENTION 2011 ISSUE
1
Note from the CEO
this issueATFA update 2
Member profile: Sika Australia 4
Species feature: Sydney Blue Gum 6
ATFA Convention: Sydney 2010 8
ATFA Convention: demonstrations and speakers 10
Flooring and Finishes with ATFA 12
2010 Awards for Excellence 14
Staining floors: technical issues to consider 20
Elements of design 24
Tips from the trade, IR talk 28
Product snap shots 30
Project feature: Award winning floor 32
Cover: Sydney Blue GumBoral Silkwood engineered hardwood flooring
Welcome to the fifteenth issue of Timber Floors
Magazine, our annual convention issue.
ATFA continues to explore new services and
procedures in an effort to improve the industry
and create better business conditions for ATFA
members. The latest initiative is the ATFA Market
Analysis Program. As few government statistics
are obtained via census or business data for
our industry, ATFA has begun its own process. Why is this important? For
our industry and ATFA, it demonstrates the significance of our industry’s
contribution to the economy, providing us with the vehicle to negotiate better
funding opportunities for the industry. Without any data, this has been a
frustrating roadblock to progress.
For members, the ATFA Market Analysis Program provides valuable market
intelligence as it demonstrates % output for manufacturers and suppliers.
It also reports on industry sentiment, allowing anyone considering further
investment to firstly gauge the health and future prospects of the industry.
Further investment for contractors might mean a new sanding machine
or employing an apprentice. It could mean a new product or new business
arrangement for manufacturers and suppliers.
We encourage you to be involved in this vital program for the future benefit of
the industry. Simply give me a call on 1300 361 693.
Enjoy this issue and I look forward to seeing you at the convention in Sydney.
Randy Flierman
CEO
Australian Timber Flooring Association
TIMBER FLOORS
Staff and Contributors
Editor and Art DirectorLucy [email protected]
Contributing writersJane Lawrence, Dave Hayward Randy Flierman, Emma Watt, Chuck Crispin
Advertising salesJane Lawrence phone 02 9440 9999 | fax 02 9440 9066 [email protected]
Production - Pure Graphics Pty LtdGraphic design - Amber HooperPrint management - Bruce Perry
Publisher Australian Timber Flooring Association11 Oleander Ave Shelly Beach QLD 4551ph 1300 361 693 | fax 1300 361 793atfa.com.au | ABN 16 524 524 226
Timber Floors is published four times a year by The Australian Timber Flooring Association.
Timber Floors may not be produced in whole or part without the written consent of the publisher. Views expressed within this publication are not necessarily the opinions of the editors or publisher. Whilst all efforts are made to ensure the accuracy and truthfulness of stories included in this issue, the writers, editors and publisher cannot be held responsible for inaccurate information supplied for publication. Timber Floors also holds no responsibility for any advertisements printed in this magazine that may be deemed inaccurate.
2
ATFA updateTRAINING PROGRAM FOR 2011
ATFA has had a successful training
program this year with a great line-
up of speakers and training events
planned for 2011. Next year’s training
program will include:
• New techniques install and finish
program
• Advanced timber technology
workshops
• Timber grading workshops
• Business tool kit workshops
• Engineered flooring forum
• Tongue and groove flooring forum
• Coatings forum
• Bamboo forum
• Coatings essentials workshop
• Troubleshooting workshop
• Timber flooring for builders
LOSE WEIGHT TO LUXURIATE
The ATFA Shape Up is on now and is
open to all ATFA members. Both the
ATFA CEO and Technical Manager are
leading by example, both admitting
that they are a bit heavier than they
should be and are taking steps to
improve their health. Members of
the board are also joining in the fun
to shed the kilos for the chance at a
great prize. To register, email ATFA at
[email protected] and weigh in at
the nearest weigh-in station (located
at ATFA member businesses in each
state). The member who loses the
highest percentage of weight will be
announced at the ATFA convention
and will receive a $500 luxury
accommodation and spa voucher.
GREAT DEALS FOR ATFA MEMBERS
ATFA is always looking for new deals
for our members. Currently Optus is
proud to offer ATFA members three
months free voice access when two
or more mobiles are connected on an
eligible Optus business mobile plan for
24 months. Existing Optus members
are also eligible for this offer. For more
details call Caitlin at Optus directly
on 0421 992 726 or email her at
All members are eligible to apply
for a Caltex StarCard which entitles
members to a discount of 2.3 cents per
litre off fuel. This card can be used at
over 1800 service stations throughout
Australia. This is a great way to save
money in your business.
ECO-FRIENDLY
RENEWABLE
ECO-FRIENDLY
RENEWABLEWONDERFUL FLOORWONDERFUL FLOOR
ACN: 107 906 374
Wonderful Floor specialises in pre-coated Australian solid hardwood, engineered
floating hardwood and pre-coated bamboo floors.
Our products are environmentally friendly and have been sourced from
sustainably managed forests.
Benefits of using Wonderful Floor
Wonderful Floor (Factory)
62-66 Vallance Street, St Marys NSW 2760Phone 02 9517 4742 Fax 02 9517 2436
www.wonderfulfloor.com.au
8” and 12” belt/ drumcombo sander
Elite 3 edger
GALAXY MACHINESbuy direct from the importers
parts • service • leasing available
[email protected] • www.synteko.com.au
Synteko Pty Ltd.Call: 02 9406 8100
www.galaxyfloorsanders.com.au
37607-1 Armstrong TimberAd AFTA v3_FA.pdf 1 15/11/10 5:42 PM
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE
Other ATFA member benefits
include insurance discounts, industrial
relations and legal services, a number
of free publications and resources,
access to technical hotlines and
discounted training. Members
are listed in the “find a member”
database of the ATFA website which
attracts both consumer and trade
traffic. Members also receive a CD
containing work method statements
and job safety analysis. Next year will
see the development of a number of
initiatives. We are currently working
on amendments to the accreditation
program. ATFA is also working with
the FWPA and Standards Australia on
amendments to the BCA and Natspec.
ATFA FUTURE FUND
The ATFA Future Fund is another
exciting initiative to launch in 2011
which involves working towards
securing donations for ATFA training
premises. The fund would be a long
term investment for future growth
and education of the timber flooring
industry. As a young organisation, ATFA
sees this as the best way to develop its
capacity to provide its own facilities for
vital training functions in the future.
ATFA will contribute annually to the
development of the fund, however
anyone can provide tax deductible
financial contributions. ATFA will
continue to keep members updated
on progress. For more details email
Randy Flierman at [email protected].
WEBSITE ATTRACTS CONSUMERS
The new ATFA website was
redesigned to be more appealing
to consumers and more useful
to our members. It has attracted
a significant rise in traffic since
the new site went live in January
2010. Over 1500 individual visitors
come to atfa.com.au every month
with over half that figure heading
to the “find a member” section.
Traffic has been increasing by
5-10% each month. The next most
visited pages are the consumer
services pages. This indicates
that much of our traffic is from
potential customers for our
members. Great news!
4
Member Profile: Sika Australia
Sika is an independent Swiss Company with a
worldwide network of subsidiaries, founded in Zurich
in 1910 by investor Kasper Winkler. Celebrating its 100
year anniversary this year, the company now focuses
on construction chemicals as its core business and on
technology-related industrial adhesives.
Sika Australia was established in 1976 and employs over
130 personnel, with offices, warehousing and technical sales
staff located in all states of Australia. Sika’s four business
units - Concrete, Contracting, Distribution and Industry -
work closely with the market to provide process technologies
for innovative system solutions.
Sika’s core competencies include sealing, bonding,
dampening, reinforcing and protecting of structures in
construction and industry.
Sika’s specialty product range includes concrete and
mortar admixtures, surface treatments, floor treatments and
toppings, structural strengthening, protective coatings and
impregnations, cementitious and epoxy repair, grouts and
anchors, joint sealants and adhesives, waterproofing and
roofing solutions.
In the flooring industry Sika manufactures surface hardeners, dust proofers, acrylic, epoxy and polyurethane floor toppings for commercial and industrial applications, crack repair and concrete remediation systems, cementitious levelling compounds as well as moisture barriers, acoustic and flexible adhesive systems.
A Silver Foundation member of ATFA, Sika has an
experienced technical team, available to provide expert
advice and tailored solutions to meet a variety of timber
flooring needs for all ATFA members.
Sika’s timber flooring systems include SikaBond-T55(J)
and SikaBond-T53 one-part polyurethane adhesives for direct
elastic bonding of timber floors. Sika’s products also include
SikaBond-T55(J) the easy flowing timber flooring adhesive
with excellent bead and trowel notch stability, used for elastic
bonding parquetry and timber strip floors to concrete, timber,
solid acoustic underlays or existing tiles. SikaBond-T53 is
a thixotropic timber flooring adhesive used with the Sika
AcouBond system. Both products emit well below the Volatile
Organic Compounds (VOC) criteria set by the Green Building
Council of Australia (GBCA).
Sika Primer MB is a concrete primer and moisture barrier
which can be used after Sikafloor-81 EpoCem, Sikafloor-
Level-25 and SikaLevel-300 levelling compounds. These
products also exhibit VOC emissions below the thresholds set
by the GBCA.
With plans to introduce VOC-free timber flooring adhesive
systems in Australia in the near future, Sika offers timber
flooring professionals a comprehensive product range for
domestic and commercial applications. f
5
The Super 7R Edger is a powerful, versatile and easy to use wood floor edging machine that has earned its reputation as an industry leader. With a dust pipe design, quick release dust bag and the ability to attach directly to a vacuum, this edger continues to exceed expectations.
Rotating dust pipe allows the dust bag or hose connection to move freely during operation. The pipe rotates 210°
The channel feaure in the dust tube securely locks the dust bag in place
Bag is equipped with zipper for quick removal of dust
Powerful 1hp motor•
Polished aluminium alloy housing•
Precision balanced sanding pad •producesfinerfinish
Rotating dust pipe swivels 210 •degrees to allow access to tight spaces
Quick release dust bag that slides •on and off with a simple twist and pull
Vacuum ready dust pipes•SUPER 7R EDGERhas earned its reputationas an INDUSTRY LEADER
1300 556 710
6
Species feature: Sydney Blue GumSydney Blue Gum is a large fast growing hardwood which
occurs naturally in moist forests on fertile, well drained soils
along the east coast of Australia from Batemans Bay in New
South Wales to southern Queensland. There are occasional
occurrences further north. Sydney Blue Gum is usually found
within 160km of the coast, from sea level up to 300m above
sea level in the south and 1200m elevation in the north, in
mostly warm, humid climates. The species’ common name
comes from its pervasiveness around the Sydney region
together with the bark’s bluish tinge. Sydney Blue Gum is not
closely related to the blue gums of Victoria or Tasmania but
is closely related to Southern Mahogany and Rose Gum.
Sydney Blue Gum can grow to a height of 60 to 70 metres
and two metres in diameter. It generally has a straight
trunk with no branches for half to two-thirds of its height.
The upper bark is smooth and bluey-grey in colour with a
stocking of persistent brown or grey rough bark for one to
two metres from ground level.
Sydney Blue Gum is also planted in Western Australia and
Victoria as a species with saw log potential and has been
grown extensively in plantations in South Africa and South
America. It grows extremely rapidly in those conditions, with
the timber being of a much lower density than the mature
Australian material. Sydney Blue Gum can also be found
in New Zealand where, interestingly, it has experienced
declining growth rates and a reduction in popularity lately.
The heartwood is dark pink to reddish brown while the sapwood is paler.
The sapwood of Sydney Blue Gum is susceptible to lyctid
borer attack and therefore has to be treated with approved
preservatives before it is sold. The texture tends to be
moderately coarse and even and the grain is usually straight
but may be interlocked. Gum veins are common. The timber
dries easily but tangential surfaces tend to be susceptible to
surface checking.
Sydney Blue Gum is easy to work with both hand and
power tools, is easy to sand and accepts finishes well. It is
highly sought after because of its rich, dark colours and is
popular in a variety of applications, including flooring, joinery,
furniture, panelling and boat building. It is also effective
and durable in outdoor landscaping applications and makes
excellent firewood! f
Physical properties of Sydney Blue Gum
Botanical name Eucalyptus saligna
Family Myrtaceae
Dry density 1070kg/m2
Janka (hardness) 9
Photo courtesy Hurford Hardwood
hardwood.com.au
Photo courtesy Whittle Waxes
whittlewaxes.com.au
77
Offering great service at the most competitive prices, Embelton Flooring is your one stop shop – drop by for a visit!
Major distributor of Australian species solid timber and parquetry including Blackbutt, Brushbox, ySpotted Gum, Tas Oak, Syd Blue Gum, Chestnut and more.
We stock all leading brands of adhesives, coatings, abrasives, machinery, equipment, moisture ybarriers, underlays and all kinds of accessories.
Leading supplier and distributor of high quality parquetry in Australia. y
1800-339-638 www.embelton.com
Head Office – Victoria 147-149 Bakers Road Coburg VIC 3058 Tel: (03) 9353 4811 Fax: (03) 9353 4855
Victoria 1/72 Fenton Street Huntingdale VIC 3166 Tel: (03) 9545 6499 Fax: (03) 9545 6599
New South Wales 3/100-108 Asquith Street Silverwater NSW 2128 Tel: (02) 9748 3188 Fax: (02) 9748 3122
Queensland 44 Millway Street Kedron QLD 4031 Tel: (07) 3359 7100 Fax: (07) 3350 3382
Western Australia37 Sundercombe StOsborne Park WA 6017Tel: (08) 9204 1300Fax: (08)9204 1311
Proud supporter of the ATFA.
Serving the trade for 40 years
8
ATFA Convention: Sydney 2011The ATFA Convention is on again
and this year’s event promises to be
the biggest yet. The 2011 convention
is running with Flooring and Finishes
and co-located with leading furniture
show the Australian International
Furniture Fair (AIFF) and top interior
products fair, Decoration and Design.
Flooring and Finishes with ATFA will
take place at the Sydney Exhibition
Centre at Darling Harbour from 2-4
February from 10am until 5pm each
day. Flooring professionals, builders,
architects, manufacturers, retailers
and tradespeople involved in the timber
flooring industry all stand to benefit
from the program of events scheduled
for the three days.
Once again there will be a program
of demonstrations and presentations
from an impressive line-up of timber
flooring professionals as well as a
wide range of exhibitors, showcasing
the latest in product innovations from
the best in the industry in Australia
and around the world. An exhibitors’
cocktail party and ATFA awards dinner
will be event highlights and will provide
an excellent opportunity for relaxing
and networking.
The team at the Australian Timber
Flooring Association would like to
extend an invitation to all timber
flooring professionals to come to
Sydney to participate in what promises
to be an outstanding event.
WHERE TO STAY
There are a number of hotels located
at Darling Harbour, including Hotel
Ibis, Novotel Rockford, Radisson Hotel
and Suites Sydney, Oaks Harmony
and Medina Grand Harbourside. For
special deals, ATFA recommends the
Lido Group. Visit lido.com.au or phone
1800 817 339.
• Singlebeltdriveformorepower
efficiency
• Adjustablehandlesuitingyourheight
• Newcontrolpadwithemergencystop
buttonandvoltindicator
• HeadLightfordarkareas
And much much more…..
Frank-Wolff floor Sanders
To find your local stockist contactAustralia 08 9309 2991 | [email protected] New Zealand 09 424 0366 | [email protected]
TRADITIONAL
10” PYTHON
STILL AVAILABLETHE NEW COBRA. SIMPLY THE BEST SANDING MACHINE AVAILABLE
For a full range of timber floor sanding machines and stripping machines see us at our brand new website
www.timberfloorsanders.com.auwww.wolff-tools.com
COMBINING THE EXPERIENCE OF FRANKWITH THE INNOVATION OF WOLFF
wwww.timberfloorsanders.com.au
9
Phone 02 6562 6839 Fax 02 6562 8302 www.astfloors.com.au
Strong HighlandCharacter
Discover the original character and excellent durability of AST Golden Oak.
Golden Oak pure wood flooring is unlike any other because it is skilfully crafted by combining specially selected Australian hardwoods into unique, country style colour tones of golden yellow, husk brown and cream accented by distinctive wide grain patterns.
AST Golden Oak captures the spirit of a highland landscape with layers of harmonious colour and hardwearing character machined with precision into high quality tongue & groove solid floor designs.
Australian Solar Timbers is committed to environmental sustainability by using all natural and renewable resources.
HOW TO GET THERE
The Sydney Exhibition Centre is centrally located less
than five minutes from the Sydney central business
district, in close proximity to the airport and well served by
public transport.
For those choosing to drive to the venue, access to the
Exhibition Centre car park is via Darling Drive. There are
also 5,000 car parking spaces surrounding the Sydney
Exhibition Centre, including the Entertainment Centre car
park and Harbourside car park. For current rates visit
scec.com.au or phone 02 9282 5000.
Both the monorail and light rail provide a scenic link
between Darling Harbour and hotels, shops, restaurants,
museums and cinemas in and around the city centre.
The closest train stations to the Sydney Exhibition Centre
are the Light Rail Exhibition Station and the Monorail
Convention Station. Please refer to the Metro Monorail
and Lightrail website at metromonorail.com.au for further
information, including timetables and maps.
There are also ferry, bus, train, taxi and water taxi
services in Sydney. For more information on public
transport around Sydney visit 131500.com.au or phone
131 500. Alternatively, follow the links on the Flooring and
Finishes with ATFA website at
flooringandfinishes.com.au for further details. f
10
Flooring demonstrations and industry speakers
SEMINARS
The program will include a range
of seminars designed to provide
delegates with knowledge and skills to
help grow their business. The series
of five seminars will be conducted by
leading presenters from Australia and
overseas.
Daniel Boone, Everwood Floors (USA)
A Perfect Installation
A third generation flooring expert
from the USA, Daniel is highly skilled
in the manufacture, installation and
finishing of hardwood flooring and has
extensive qualifications in the technical
aspects of product development,
completing numerous successful
installation and finishing projects. Join
Daniel at this seminar as he discusses
the details of preparation, planning
and job management skills, as well as
the vital decisions that lead to a perfect
installation.
Christine Coates, Coates & Ass. (USA)
International Timber Flooring Trends
Join Christine Coates, a third
generation hardwood flooring
specialist, as she explores recent
timber flooring trends in Europe, the
US and Asia. Discover what these
trends mean to your business and
how they will lead the way to more
profitable sales.
Phil Holgate, TAMSA Consulting
Surface Coatings and their Properties
on Timber Floor Covering Options
Reviewing the chemical nature
of surface coverings, Phil Holgate
will share the importance of their
performance, life expectancy, toxicity,
VOC and carbon footprint, along with
refurbishment considerations and
maintenance issues. Join Phil as he
uncovers the current and emerging
technology trends and how they will
impact the way you conduct business.
Daniel Boone, Everwood Floors (USA)
A Perfect Finish
Daniel has completed a multitude
of successful flooring projects. Join
him at this seminar as he explores
the professional approach to creating
the perfect finish to a project. With
emphasis on personal responsibility,
Daniel will focus on the need to utilise
all technical information, skills and
equipment available in order to create
the perfect finish.
David Hayward, ATFA
Locality and Building Design
Considerations
As building locality and design
influence the performance of timber
floors, David Hayward, ATFA’s
Technical Manager, will explore where
particular consideration to detail is
needed and uncover what influences
floor performance in order to achieve a
successful result.
Once again there will be an excellent
line up of practical and informative
demonstrations and presentations from
an impressive group of timber flooring
professionals from both Australia and
overseas.
The program of demonstrations will
be directed by lead instructor Tony
Powell from Floors by Powell and will
include the following demos:
• Board bending with Robert Clague,
Northern Suburbs Timber Flooring
and Barry Olszak from Abcor
• Medallion inserts with Chris Hunter,
HQ Flooring
• Board replacement with David
Stringer, Stringer Custom Floors
• Staining with David Meyer, Lagler
Visit the website at
flooringandfinishes.com.au
for the latest demonstrations
schedule
11
12
Advacoat Australia
Armstrong Flooring
Australian Solar Timbers
ATFA
BASF Construction Chemicals
Big River Timbers
Bona Australia
Bostik Australia
Carver SRL
Clarke American Sanders
Clever Bamboo Australia
Dechen International
Deck-Max
Eletile
Embelton Flooring
Floor Coverings Association Of NSW
Floorwood Designer Timber Flooring
Gerflor Australasia
Golden Field Corporation
Hermes Abrasives Australia
Hiretech
Holdfast Adhesives
Hurford Hardwood
Husqvarna
Icon Carpets
Ideal Distributors
Innovation Coatings International
Intergrain Enviropro, Feast Watson
and Toby
Ironwood Australia
Kronotex Australia
Lagler Australia
Livos Australia
Loba Australia
Mariposa Timber Flooring
Market Timbers
Melbourne Floor Direct
Mirotone Group (Polycure)
Nobow
Nolan.Uda
Peerless Jal
Polyflor
Protect Crete
Regupol Australia
Saint-Gobain Abrasives
Seamless Surfaces
Selleys
SIA Abrasives
Signature Floorcoverings
Sika Australia
Style Plantation Holdings
Synteko / Galaxy Floor Machines
The Moisture Meter Company
Timber Floors Magazine - that’s us!
Timber Flooring Systems
Timbermate Products
Topdeck Flooring
Tramex Moisture Meters
Urethane Coatings
Whittle Waxes
Wolff Frank Sanding Machines
Wonderful Floor
Correct at press time. Please check
flooringandfinishes.com.au for the up
to date exhibitor list before the show.
Flooring and finishes with ATFA
Exhibitors
Era PolymersExcellence in Polyurethane Chemistry
A NEW ERA IN FLOOR COATINGS HAS ARRIVED!
Era Polymers floor coatings are a real alternative for timber and concrete floors. With technologies that are of world standard, we can offer the flooring Applicator and End User the best quality coating at a realistic price.
Era Polymers supply modern coatings technologies and a product portfolio that will lead the way for others to follow.
To find your local stockist contact our head office on +61 2 9666 3788.
For general enquiries please contact Craig Kennedy on 0412 183 375.
25-27 Green Street, Banksmeadow, NSW 2019, Australia | P +61 2 9666 3788 | F +61 2 9666 4805 | www.erapol.com.au
The best suppliers, manufacturers and distributors in the timber flooring business, all under one roof for one time only in 2011.
13
THE WORLD FAMOUS HUMMEL 8” BELT SANDER• Used by thousands of professionals
Australia-wide• Simple ergonomics, easy to use• Perfect finish• Low-maintenance, superb value
SYNTEKO CLASSIC, JOIN THE REvOLUTION...• Easy to use • 2 coat system • Fast drying• Superb, smooth finish• Rejection proof Exclusive in victoria to LAGLER AUSTRALIA
SUPERHUMMEL 12” BELT SANDER• Big power and speed for big jobs• Convenient single phase power• The grunt for rough sanding and the finesse for
finer finishing• Low maintenance and the best value-for-money big
machine on the market
TRIO 3 DISC SANDER• Unique planetary motion, more power and
pressure producing a superior fine finish sooner• Time saver, easy to use• Parquetry or strip flooring - the best finishing
machine on the market
Head Office: 28 Parkhurst Drive, Knoxfield vIC 3180 | Branch Office: 15A Allied Drive Tullamarine vIC 3043 with distributors in QLD, NSW, WA, SA and TAS.
Freecall 1800 880 888 | www.lagler.com.au
Annual ATFA convention dinnerATFA invites you to the annual
convention dinner and awards
ceremony on the final evening of the
Flooring and Finishes Showcase.
Winners of the 2010 Floor of the Year
Awards and Awards for Excellence
will be announced during a three
course dinner at one of Sydney’s
premier harbour-front venues.
The ATFA awards dinner is a not-
to-be-missed industry event and is an
opportunity to network with colleagues,
customers and industry experts.
Our Master of Ceremonies for the
evening is Andrew Daddo. Andrew is
an author, columnist, corporate coach,
radio broadcaster and TV presenter
who is an entertaining speaker with a
great sense of humour. f
CONVENTION DINNER EVENT DETAILS
Friday 4 February 2011, 7pm
Doltone House
South Pier, Piers 19-21
L3, 26-32 Pirrama Road
Pyrmont Point NSW 2009
Tickets $145 per person including
three course dinner and drinks
Tables of ten $1375
To book your tickets phone ATFA
on 1300 361 693 or email
The annual ATFA convention and awards dinner is sponsored by Embelton Flooring.
14
Featured exhibitorsSYNTEKO
Synteko Natural Oil is an environmentally-sustainable floor
finish with zero VOCs and 100% solids. Synteko Natural
penetrates the surface of the timber floor, drying hard in
the grain of the timber without leaving any visible film build
up on the surface. This product emphasises the natural
appearance of timber and because it isn’t an artificial
coating, it leaves the surface feeling like timber underfoot.
Synteko Natural is extremely durable and is especially
suitable for commercial applications. It is economical to
apply and maintain and very easy to repair. The basic colour
of Synteko Natural can
be modified by adding
a range of pigmented
tints to the oil. For more
information call Synteko
on 02 9406 8100, visit
synteko.com.au or see
Synteko at the ATFA
Convention.
Why is Australian-made Timbermate winning so many awards in America?
Timbermate Woodfiller...• Never shrinks, sinks, cracks or falls out
• Is 4 products in 1 - Wood Putty, Grain Filler, Crack Filler & Edge Filler
• No latex. No acrylic. No solvent.
• No waste - use to the last drop
• Takes any stain evenly
Others...• Shrink, sink, crack or fall out• Have limited uses and short shelf life• Contain latex, acrylic or solvent• Dry out in the tub - very costly• Won’t mix with all tints or stains• Don’t take stains evenly
Simple
Timbermate - So good you’ll never
know it’s therewww.timbermate.com.auToll Free: 1 800 354 811 (Except Mobiles)
Melbourne: (03) 9873 4811 Sydney: (02) 9983 9906
WHITTLE WAXES
PNZ Hardwax is a commercial grade finish, ideal for high
traffic areas, as it can be replenished at any stage in the
future. It is economical as application is one coat rolled on
and the second coat buffed on. Comprised predominantly
of re-grown plant oils and waxes, with the cleanest solvents
available, PNZ Hardwax is a healthy alternative to all
other plastic coating systems. With an on the floor cost
of approximately $4.00 per metre it is an economical and
environmentally sound option. PNZ Hardwax oil meets the
European standards applicable to timber floors. For more
information visit whittlewaxes.com.au or see Whittle Waxes
at the ATFA Convention.
15
GOLDEN FIELD
Green Earth’s HD-Laminate Flooring from Golden
Field is not only hard wearing; it features vivid colours
and textures, especially in the award winning HD-High
Definition laminate range of Australia hardwoods. Their
products are also ecologically sound, manufactured
from renewable resources and are available in a range of
beautiful Australian hardwood timber species. For more
information phone 1300 866 800, visit goldenfield.com.au
or see Golden Field at the ATFA Convention.
PALLMANN MAGIC OIL 2K FROM BOSCH
This solvent-free oil-wax combination leaves an open,
breathing and diffusive surface finish for timber floors.
Magic Oil is available in three styles: Magic Oil Ergo, which
is recommended for larger projects, Magic Oil Spa which
has been specially formulated for timber floors in wet areas
such as bathrooms and a standard trowel-on two-coat
system. For more details contact Bosch Timber Floors on
08 9309 2991, [email protected] or visit the Bosch
team at the ATFA Convention.
Tel: 1300 22 33 48 www.sika.com.au
3 key advantagesA Sika flooring installation means no compromise on the final result.
Sika AcouBond® SystemSAcoustic MattFull Surface Bonding
Proven reliability Ease of application Sound reduction
101117 Sika Timber Floor Ad.indd 1 5/11/10 12:19 PM
16
Floor of the Year 2010sponsored by Boral Timber
Entries have closed for this year’s Floor of the Year awards
with the standard very high in all categories.
“The response this year has been better than ever and we
have received some exceptional examples of timber flooring
workmanship,” said Randy Flierman, ATFA CEO.
Floor of the Year continues to set the benchmark for
excellent workmanship in the timber flooring industry. The
competition rewards tradespeople within the timber flooring
industry by providing them with an opportunity to present
their workmanship to the entire Australian timber flooring
industry and to receive recognition for that work.
Tradespeople who are ATFA members and have completed
either a commercial or residential flooring project between
October 2009 and November 2010 were eligible to enter.
Entrants will be judged by their peers, with voting open to
ATFA members only in an online voting system. The floor with
the most votes in each category will be awarded the title of
Australian Floor of the Year for that category. Winners will
receive a great prize pack as well as coverage in the next
issue of Timber Floors Magazine, due out in March 2011.
Boral Timber has sponsored Floor of the Year for a
number of years. “Our business is proud to be involved with
this initiative by the Australian Timber Flooring Association
which promotes high quality and innovative timber floors
in Australia,” says Clinton Skeoch, National Market
Development Manager, Boral Timber. “Every year the quality
of entries continues to impress and I’m sure this year will be
no exception!” f
ATFA members visit atfa.com.au to vote!
Floor of the Year continues to set the benchmark for excellence in workmanship in the Australian timber flooring industry
17
Brushbox 175mm
Boral Silkwood is a prefinished engineered hardwood flooring product that needs no acclimatisation. Just open the box and start laying. It can be glued down or floated directly on a concrete slab, plywood, tiles or existing timber flooring.
Boral Silkwood can be installed and walked on within a matter of hours - no down time for sanding, finishing or curing, a lot less mess and fewer fumes. Lay it right at the end of the project to ensure that it’s a perfect floor at hand-over.
Boral Silkwood engineered hardwood flooring
www.boraltimberflooring.com.au National free call 1800 818 317Boral™ is a registered trademark of Boral Limited or one of it’s subsidiaries.
0546
2_S
ilkw
ood
Nov
2010
BORAL TIMBERBuild something great™
6T_05462_Silwood_ad_v03.indd 1 26/11/10 3:12 PM
18
Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
Sponsored by Oakdale Industries
This award enables employers to
nominate outstanding apprentices
and trainees worthy of receiving
an award which reflects skill, work
output, training and ingenuity as
well as commitment to quality and
excellence, industry and product
knowledge, career progression and
aspiration, communication skills,
leadership abilities, teamwork abilities,
time management, use of technology,
accuracy and quality of work.
A tall order!
Employee of the Year
This award enables employers to
nominate outstanding employees
worthy of receiving an award which
reflects skill, work output, training and
ingenuity.
ATFA Contractor of the Year
Sponsored by Lagler
This award enables contractor
businesses to nominate themselves
(though others may also nominate
contractors) in an effort to recognise
the outstanding service and quality of
workmanship provided to clients.
ATFA Showroom of the Year
This award enables retailers to
nominate themselves (though others
may also nominate showrooms) in an
effort to recognise the outstanding
effort that timber flooring businesses
put into their retail spaces and
showrooms. Timber flooring
showrooms are judged on a number
aspects including the following:
• Customer information and displays
for consumer interaction
• Visual showroom layout with creative
use of species and products
• Client satisfaction and testimonials
2010 Awards for Excellence
“Winning Contractor of the Year has been great for our business as it meant that we have been recognised by our peers and have been given more credibility with our customers.” John Elasi, Floormania, ATFA Contractor of the Year 2008 and 2009
19
Why nominate?The ATFA Awards for
Excellence provide an opportunity
for you and your colleagues to
be recognised by the timber
flooring industry. It is also a way
to recognise people within your
organisation who have done
a great job. Previous winners
have also benefited by being
promoted through Timber Floors
Magazine and other publications
widely read within the industry.
As previous winners will agree,
this is a fantastic opportunity to
obtain significant promotion for
your business at no cost.
All of your indoor and
outdoor flooring needs covered
Gunns Timber Products stocks a large range of Strip, Overlay,
Parquetry and Sports Floors available in Jarrah, Tas Oak, Vic Ash, Myrtle and
Blackwood, all backed by Chain of Custody certification.
Jarrah and Treated Pine Decking products are also available.
Visit www.gunnstimber.com.au P 1800 088 135 F 1800 337 104
Architect: Maria Gigney ArchitectsPhotographer: Matthew Newton
Indoor and outdoor flooringNovember10.indd 1 28/10/2010 8:54:33 AM
ATFA Sales Representative of the Year
This award recognises the
outstanding service, knowledge and
commitment of the industry’s sales
representatives. All nominations
should be made by submitting the
ATFA Award Nomination Form together
with a written submission outlining the
following career and skills information
about the nominee:
• Training undertaken
• Commitment to quality and
excellence
• Industry and product knowledge
• Career progress and aspirations
• Communication skills
• Teamwork and time management
• Testimonials
ATFA Distributor of the Year
Sponsored by Selleys
This award is judged on operating
methods, quality systems, customer
information, staff training,
distributorship presentation, client
satisfaction and innovation. f
Nominations for the 2010 ATFA Awards for Excellence are open until Friday 14 January 2011
20
David Hayward, ATFA Technical Manager highlights some
important technical aspects to consider when staining
timber floors for a successful result and a happy customer.
In today’s market there are a number of trends which
create technical demands on the timber flooring contractor.
These include:
• Changing the natural colour of the species for dramatic
effect. Some desire having whiter timbers made whiter
still through lime washing. At the other extreme, some
designers are specifying opaque black floors.
• Enhancing the timber’s natural grain patterns, such as that
present in oak flooring.
• Matching a new section of floor to an existing floor
The staining of floors can however be met with some
reservation by contractors. Reasons for this include difficulty
in matching or duplicating the colour required by the
customer, patchiness of the applied stain or stain rejection
at board edges which can cause a distinct colour difference.
There are however some procedures that can be followed
that will assist in achieving the desired result.
When attempting to colour match it is prudent to carefully gauge what the client is really looking for. With this in mind, make up stained samples of the species and have the client agree to and then sign off on the sample before proceeding with the job.
When undertaking the job, provided the samples were
fine sanded similar to the floor, it is then just a case of
duplicating this process over a larger area. Once the colour
is agreed on, keeping the colour consistent across the floor
is the next challenge. Colour intensity varies depending on a
number of factors. Spirit based stains are generally added to
a carrier or reducer which also has the benefit of maintaining
the wet edge longer for a more even appearance. However,
the amount of reducer used will influence the intensity of
colour. The colour is also affected by how thickly the stain
is applied and how long it is left on the board or floor before
the excess is wiped off. It should also be noted that direct
staining has advantages over adding stain to the final coat
in that there is greater control over the final colour and its
intensity.
Reapplication of the stain to achieve a darker appearance
is a more consistent path to greater colour intensity. This
is particularly so in the higher density hardwoods where
penetration can be limited, excess stain can effectively ‘sit’ on
the flooring and may become soluble again under some top
coats. With an opaque look it can be up to 48 hours of drying
time. In instances where the stain is not sufficiently dry when
top coating, delamination can result.
Remember that help is at hand. ATFA holds trade nights
in all states conducting staining demonstrations. ATFA also
runs training programs where flooring contractors can see
the basics of staining demonstrated by industry experts.
In addition, particularly with our US instructors, new and
interesting methods of staining and coating floors can also
be learnt at ATFA training days. For further details on training
with ATFA visit atfa.com.au. f
Staining floors: technical issues to consider
Staining to highlight the natural features of timber has become popular with consumers
21
There are a number of issues that can potentially arise
when applying the finish to a timber floor. We asked a few
ATFA members with expertise in this field to discuss some
of the problems associated with staining and finishing and
to offer practical advice for avoiding common pitfalls.
One of the most important aspects of any timber flooring
job, according to Brett Scarpella from Loba Australasia,
is sanding and finishing. “It is the grand finale or the final
step in the whole flooring process,” says Brett. “And it’s the
coating that enhances and beautifies timber flooring and
gives it the protection it needs to survive daily wear and tear.”
Brett, who looks after the ATFA coatings hotline, says that
it is important to remember that coating is merely a mirror of
your preparation. “It won’t hide much, so be sure the floor is
ready to go before you start applying the finish.”
It is also really important to properly understand the
product you are using and Brett’s advice is to speak to the
manufacturer or your distributor when using a new product.
“Manufacturers can only fit so much on a label and it’s
possible they might have some valuable information that will
help you achieve the desired result,” says Brett. “It’s also
important to use the recommended application system and
technique as different coating products can vary greatly in
performance depending on the application process. There
is no ‘one size fits all’. This applies to rollers, brushes,
abrasives and to following instructions on coverage rates and
drying times.”
Brett advises using a spotter if there is more than one
person on the job. “A second pair of eyes can pick up a miss,
or a fly or a hair in the finish, which are better avoided in the
first place than having to be repaired later.”
Brett also recommends the use of anti-rejection additives
6735 Envirostain Advert_HR.pdf 1 29/10/10 10:42 AM
Tips and tricks for a perfect finish:from the manufacturers
22
to reduce the effect that site contaminants or oily timbers
may have on the final coating. Brett cautions that these must
be used as per manufacturer’s instructions as incorrect use
may cause problems.
If a silicon or wax based rejection has occurred, Brett
suggests washing the affected area with a degreaser such
as turps or white turps, prior to a meth wash. “Turps has a
better chance of removing the contaminant, whilst metho
will clean up the oily residue from this practice. It sounds
like hard work but rejection is hard to overcome once it has
occurred. If you experience rejection with a solvent-based
coating it can sometimes be more successful to restart
the process using a waterborne product as these don’t
necessarily reject from the same contaminants.”
It can be overwhelming to keep up with all the new
products and associated techniques that are continually
hitting the market, says David Meyer from Lagler Australia.
“Firstly, there are spirit/ethanol-based dye stains that
have been quite popular for a number of years,” says David.
“With these stains, the sanding needs to be very even with a
minimum of a 120# screen finish to avoid scratches showing
up in the end result. Originally these stains were used for
‘tint’ staining where the contractor would put up to 10% stain
in his second coat of solvent-based poly. This method served
its purpose at the time but with more advanced products
on the market, is outdated now. These stains are still very
popular among contractors but are mainly used directly.
They can be wiped or rolled straight on, then wiped off. Most
contractors using these stains today will be using some
kind of solvent or wet edge extender that will allow them to
just roll it on and leave it, this by far being the most popular
method with such ease of application.
Some of the pitfalls of this method can be extended drying
times along with the washing out of some colours, depending
on the amount of thinner/reducer used. With blacks in
particular, the more they are reduced, the more they begin to
appear purple, straying from the desired black.
“Next we have the oil-based pigment stains,” says David.
“These stains have been around for a number of years,
growing more in popularity in the last five or six years. With
these stains you have to be very particular with your sanding,
finishing up to a 150# screen, and being careful not to leave
any sanding scratches in the floor.”
Before applying, “water pop” the grain with water and
PRIMATECHwww.primatech.ca
PNEUMATIC TOOLS FORSOLID AND ENGINEERED HARDWOOD FLOORING
THE PRIMPACT ENGINE:THE HEART OF THE P250 / Q550
offers reliability, extended performance andan unequaled smoothness of operation.
• Reduced wear effect andquick interchangeability
of PRIMPACT engines betweensame generation units.
• High-speed action and few moving parts,for a powerful yet soft stroke,
a shorter air-saving cycleand increased precision.
• Short nose and compact valve designprovide an all-around striking surface
and enable the nailing ofmore boards (4 1/2” closer)
to the end walls.
• Finely threaded screw-incartridge assembly for precision,
easy on-site dismantlingand durability.
NEW
Prin
ted
in C
anad
a 0
7-22
Q550 type 18 gaL
3/8 - 5/8"
P250S
type 16 ga
LT
type 16 ga
type 15 1/2 ga
5/8 - 33/32"
Perfectly adjustable tothe width & height of the tongue
No shim required
Eco-friendly with zero VOC’s•
Extremely durable (100% solids)•
Economical with coverage of •30 - 40m2 per litre
A natural product that enhances •thenaturalbeautyoftimberfloors
Distributed by Synteko Pty Ltd. call 02 9406 8100 www.synteko.com.au [email protected]
23
Give us a call for a brochure pack on
1300 326 929www.whittlewaxes.com.au
Whittle WaxesThe Australian
experts in ecologically
harmonised finishes for naturally
beautiful timber
methylated spirit, which allows more pigment to penetrate the grain for a
darker end result. Some contractors will apply these with a slow speed buffer,
which helps on large jobs, while most jobs can be ragged on and ragged off.
Angela Petruzzi from Livos Australia says that some of the issues that
may occur if sanding and oiling are not carried out to specifications include
the appearance of chatter marks or swirl marks, highlighted by the pigment.
“If excess oil is not removed, the floor may become sticky or tacky. Further
problems may occur if the floor is completed too early in the building or
renovation stage and becomes scratched or damaged.”
To avoid and rectify these issues, Angela has the following recommendations:
“If the oil has been left on too long, apply more oil to the floor, work it in with
a white pad and remove the excess with a cloth underneath a Canterbury or
Polyvac. If the oil has been left overnight or longer, go over the entire area with
a maroon pad and re-oil, remembering to wipe off the excess. If it is necessary
to complete a stained floor prior to other trades having finished, cover the floor
area with POP paper or reschedule to do the floor last.”
“The third common group of stains are the water based stains,” says David
from Lagler Australia. “These can be dye stains, pigment stains or a mixture
of the two, and have been around for just as long as the oil based pigment
stains, if not longer. They were first used in the flooring industry six to eight
years ago and have gained in popularity over the last few years. The sanding
requirements for these water based stains are much more forgiving than the
previous finishes mentioned. Even with an 80# screen finish, minor sanding
marks don’t show up at all. Different methods are used for the application of
these stains, ranging from rolling on, rolling on and padding off, pad on and
leave, pad on and pad off, or rag on and off. Drying times are much quicker with
these stains, with most being recoated within 2 – 4 hours.”. f
Tips and tricks to remember• Coating is a mirror of preparation so take care with preparation
• Speak to the manufacturer if you are unsure about a product
• Always apply coats as close as possible to the manufacturer’s
recommended coverage rates
• Where possible use a spotter to make sure nothing has been
overlooked
• If you have to load up a floor with a thick coat only risk it on the first
coat allowing a couple more coats to make amends if required
• Don’t be afraid to use additives provided by the manufacturer
• When applying satin coatings or tinted stains, use a wet edge extender
and coat along the boards from skirting to skirting where possible
• If you have a silicon or wax based rejection, wash the affected area with
a degreaser such as turps or white spirits prior to a metho wash
• Always observe the recommended dry times and allow extra time in
colder weather
• Vacuum after using a tack rag as part of preparations for the final coat
24
If there are any rules for designing wood floors, I’m sure
I’ve broken every one. The only rule I really love at this point
in my floor designing career is: Be ruthlessly original! And
by that I don’t mean, “Paint outside the lines” or “Run with
scissors.” Rather, be ruthlessly original by finding a new
way to express a design idea that complements the space
it occupies. As another author has expressed (in a different
context): “Rules are made to be broken, carefully.” Here are a
few of the rules that I consider breaking every time I design a
new project.
Rule #1: Space Mood
The first consideration for any design should be contextual.
Floors should belong in the space they occupy. If the
architectural style is “traditional,” eg, English Georgian
or Tudor, French Country or Empire, American Colonial
or Prairie, it is easy to find a book and see the kinds of
flooring that were typical to those architectural forms. If
the architecture is “transitional,” or a mixture of a variety
of architectural forms, the rules regarding style are more
relaxed. In contemporary buildings, flooring patterns
should complement or reflect the dominant mood of the
space, which is another way of saying: “The only rule is to
intelligently blend with the other architectural elements of
the space.”
Rule #2: Focus on the Virtual Center
Usually the first principle of beginning a layout is to find
the centre of the space. In a square or rectangular room,
this is easy: Draw two lines from the opposite corners, and
For more information and to download the complete brochure range go to www.hardwood.com.au
Available from Hurford Hardwood
Postal Address PO Box 6366, South Lismore NSW 2480, Australia
Phone +61(2) 6621 9886 Fax +61(2) 6621 7680
Email [email protected] Website www.hardwood.com.au
FOREST RED GUM CHERRY MAHOGANY GREY GUM
A vibrant, lush red species, Forest Red Gum is a timber that is quintessentially Australian. With a beautiful, full bodied red palette, Forest Red Gum does not just have a striking appearance, it is a highly durable species with an extremely high density that sees it well suited for all flooring applications. Forest Red Gum highlights a tight interlocking grain with its rich colour.
Cherry Mahogany is a large Australian hardwood that grows to around 35 metres in height and is a limited edition species with subtle red undertones. Cherry Mahogany is a high density hardwood that shows interesting gum vein features, which, combined with a tight interlocking grain, make it sought after for both domestic and commercial projects.
With its ruby red colour, Grey Gum is a stunning timber species with a cathedral grain pattern and exquisite natural features. Grey Gum is amongst the hardest timbers available in the world, making it ideally suited for flooring in both busy households and high traffic commercial applications. Grey Gum grows typically in the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales.
Elements of designConsider these rules when designing a floorBy Chuck Crispin, as published in Hardwood Floors Magazine, USA
25
• Provides a stable substrate that will not delaminate, buckle or bow a hardwood tongue and groove strip floor
• Manufactured in a T+G profile for use over bearers and joists or square edged for use over concrete
• Manufactured to F14 stress grade so it is less likely to develop substrate interaction noise when walked on, compared to lower grade products
• Marine bond is heat, cold and water proof
• UnderPly is rated at E0 for formaldehyde emissions (the lowest rating possible) and will not release formaldehyde under normal service conditions
• 40 year warranty on lamination
• Economical to use
• Available with H2 GlueTreat technology that is warranted for 15 years against termite attack
• Boral RV4 is the recommended underlay for installations
• Australian made
For more information phonefree call 1800 773 596email [email protected] www.boralplywood.com.au
Boral PlywoodBuild something great™
UnderPly
AFS/01-31-21
BCC 05490 12.10
the point where the lines cross will usually be the visual
focal point of the room. In irregular spaces, determining
the centre can be tricky. If there are round or elliptical
spaces involved, start by finding the centre of those
spaces. Then have a look at how the radial elements are
resolved within the whole space. All of the architectural
components should be considered in determining the
“centre.” Columns, built-in cabinets, offsets in the wall line
and other architectural elements can influence where the
“virtual centre” of the space is.
In some patterned floors, the virtual centre can
be appropriately used as the focal point of the entire
installation by placing a star, a geometric shape or a
striking curvilinear figure there that the rest of the room
radiates from. More often, though, the virtual centre should
be a reference point from which other dominant features
are deployed, because the centre of a space is frequently
occupied by furniture or rugs. Which brings us to …
Rule # 3: Utility
The way a space will be used is the most important
element of design. Louis Sullivan, a mentor of Frank Lloyd
Wright’s, famously said “Form Follows Function.” Design
decisions should be predicated on the way a space will be
used for two important reasons. First, the flooring product
selected should complement the flow of traffic through the
space. Second, the pattern should enhance an observer’s
visual appreciation of the space by creating harmony with
the vertical architectural spaces and the furnishings.
In most of his homes, Frank Lloyd Wright chose to
make all of the flooring spaces monolithic. His favourite
material was 3.8cm white oak strip. Wright’s admirers
dominated 20th Century America, and until the 1990s,
strip flooring was dominant. Just before 1990, the NWFA
started the Floor of the Year Contest (now the “Wood Floor
of the Year” contest). In less than 10 years, there was a
remarkable revival of traditional design and new forms
began to emerge. Some of the early products of the contest
received positive attention for being visually stimulating,
but negative reviews for being ill-suited to the space.
The learning curve in rediscovering traditional forms in
26
contemporary installations has many of the same challenges
as inventing new design forms.
Rule #4: Symmetry
Creating symmetry, or balance, in design can be as simple
as drawing a line down the centre of a space and mirror-
imaging the design elements. This is pretty simple if a room
is square or rectangular. These spaces are usually easily
divided into halves, or quadrants, or six or more equally
numbered parts. The parts do not necessarily all need to be
equal in size to create symmetry, but there must be some
balance from side to side or in the repetition of divisions.
There can be symmetry using an odd number of divisions if
the odd number is centred and there is balance left to right.
When a space is irregular, symmetry becomes a matter of
balancing the visual “weight” of the components.
I recently looked at a picture of a herringbone floor going
down a curved hallway with stone borders, a blind interior
wall on the left side and floor-to-ceiling windows on the right.
The installer/designer is one of the most respected artistic
talents in our business. He chose to divide the hardwood
floor “field” (the centre of the hallway) into five picket units
instead of four or six. To my eye, the asymmetry spoiled the
installation. When I asked him why he made that decision,
he said, in essence, that the distortion in the visual weight
of the elements is balanced from side to side because the
light source is only from one direction, accentuating the
luminescence of the grain of the wood nearer the windows.
After that we had a brief discussion about who was in his
right mind, and I became convinced that he is a genius, but
if you ask me, his floor is lopsided no matter which direction
you look at it from.
Rule #5: Boundaries
Skirting, feature strips and ornamental borders have been
used for centuries. Patterns were originally cut by hand,
and still can be. Or, specialty manufacturers can supply
them. What they probably will not be able to help you with is
choosing the right design, where to use it, and how to size it.
The best way to see if a design will work in any given
space is to draw it to scale using AutoCAD or one of the
other computer drawing programs. This allows a review
of the scale of the design and how it works with the other
architectural features, how the corners are turned, etc.
A border can serve as a visual boundary for a space, or it can
serve as a bridge between one region of a space and another,
or it can do both. What a border cannot do is relinquish
its claim on the territory it possesses. It can very seldom
wander off or disappear around a corner without seeming
incomplete.
There are a few simple layout rules that apply generally
to all border installations. The dominant pattern repeated
or used as a constant should be centred on the space it
occupies. If corner blocks are used, the figure should be
mirror imaged going into and coming out of the corner as
often as possible. Some traditional border patterns present
interesting challenges. The Greek key can be mirror imaged
perfectly in three corners, but can never be perfectly resolved
unless all of the border runs are exactly equal in length.
Some patterns can be mitred or the figure can be altered
imperceptibly to allow turning the corner without a corner
block. The “rule” for turning a corner without a corner block
is to preserve the integrity of the figure without disrupting
its pattern. Another cardinal rule is to centre the figure
on doorways. This is especially important when there are
patterns in place in the field of the floor on both sides of the
doorway.
27
For more information andspecification sheets contact
Tel: 02 9418 1002Fax: 02 9498 8576
Email: [email protected]
Moisture testing Equipmentfor the Flooring and
Restoration industries.
Check timber, concrete, any materialinstantly. No probing, no drilling -
absolutely no surface damageand no waiting for results.
The meters pay forthemselves within days.
Contact us now for details ofour range of reliable moisture meters
and hygrometers for relativehumidity testing.
Don’t TakeRisks!
Avoid ExpensiveProblems!
TEST FIRST!quickly and easily with
a TRAMEX Moisture Meter.
Check Concrete
with the CME4
No Drilling
required!
tramex_60x270_0709 2/7/09 3:09 PM Page 1
Rule #6: Conventional Applications
As with borders, the decision to use which parquet effectively in a given
space will depend on a variety of factors. A common departure point is to
consider whether the basic design element is a small, medium or large
format. Most herringbone, chevron, basketweave, fingerblock, running bond,
Haddon Hall and Monticello patterns are typically built on a small enough
scale that the pattern can be used repeatedly in small spaces without
seeming too “busy,” provided they are properly scaled. The size range of small
format is typically 23 to 46cm square. Medium formats usually have more
design elements to form a pattern 46 to 82cm square. Canterbury, Brittany,
Luxembourg, Bordeaux and Marie Antoinette are usually best presented in this
scale. Large formats usually have even more design elements combined up to
122cm square, and technological innovations are revolutionizing our capacity
to produce larger patterns. At some point in contemporary pattern fabrication,
we cease to talk about parquetry and begin talking about something new,
something that requires transcending conventional fabrication and installation
techniques. Maybe we should call it …
Rule # 7: Transcendental Flooring
Implementing Genius is the art of breaking all of the rules carefully and
tastefully to invent a new art form. What do you think? Are we there yet? Can
we run with lasers and still paint inside the boundaries of good taste? f
Chuck Crispin is president at Chicago-based Birger Juell Ltd.
The 2009 Floor of the Year was an exercise in symmetry,
designed by Chris Stringer.
28
Tips from the trade
WRITE TO US AT TIMBER FLOORS MAGAZINE AND BE REWARDED!
• Easy handling and maintenance
• Compact, ergonomic and powerful
• 30L container volume
• Auto on/off for electrical power tool
• Big and practical tool deposit
• Multifit accessory system for the
ultimate in task flexibility
• Featuring Xtreme Clean
We’d like our readers to provide the content for this page with tips from the trade, learned from the front lines of the
timber flooring industry. Write us a letter and the published letter judged as the best contribution will win an
Attix 30 dust extractor from Nilfisk-Alto valued at $1230! Send your tips to [email protected] or fax 02 9440 9066.
A fully automatic filter cleaning system takes
care of filter cleaning every 30 seconds without
interrupting your work.
Add the Attix 30 dust extractor to your kit
ATTIX 30VALUED AT $1230
SOLVING A COMMON SANDING PROBLEM
Too many previously polished floors I’ve seen have a dip around the edge of the floor,
usually about 100mm from the wall. This is usually due to the floor sander stopping the
belt or drum sander on the floor before lifting on the clutch, meaning the sander is still
sanding momentarily in one spot.
However, there is another reason why floors can be uneven around the edges.
Supposing the belt sander runs right up to the skirting board with each grit of abrasive
used. The edging machine may make only one pass to the belt sander’s two or three.
The result can be that the flooring rises where the belt sanding stopped. This may not be
obvious when you’re sanding, but after you coat your floor, the higher the gloss the more
this problem will stand out. A discerning client will not be impressed.
The answer to our first problem is to begin easing up on the clutch just before reaching
the wall. This will ensure a ditch doesn’t develop, but the second problem can be a little
more sticky. The solution I have found to work fairly consistently is to stop at least a couple
of inches short of the wall on the first [coarse] run with the belt sander. Edge out to meet
the end of the belt-sanding, then on the next run with the belt sander go closer to the
wall. That way you won’t be stopping in the same spot all the time and the transition from
belt sanding to edging will be a lot smoother.
George Smith, Thunderball Floors, Victoria
Thanks for your tip George - we’ll be sending you an Attix 30 for your winning suggestion.
CLAD YOUR IPHONE IN
PARQUETRY
The wood pattern on this
wood decal iPhone cover
is a must for those with a
soft spot for Herringbone
parquetry. This novelty
phone cover, perfect for
timber flooring enthusiasts,
is $US19.95 and is available
at javoedge.com.
29
ATF
A ATFA ConventionSydney, 2-4 February
Floor Inspectors’ CourseSydney, 22-24 February
T+G Timber Flooring ForumGold Coast, 8 March
Timber Grading WorkshopBrisbane, 16 March
New techniques: install and finish programPerth, 13-15 April
flooringandfinishes.com.au
Visit the exhibition website for
up to date details on exhibitors
and the final demonstrations
program for Flooring and
Finishes with ATFA in Sydney
during February 2011.
atfa.com.au
ATFA members should sign in
and cast their vote in the Floor of
the Year Awards. Only one vote is
allowed for each ATFA member in
each of the flooring categories. May
the best floor win!
websitesPaid Parental Leave (PPL) is a
scheme funded by the Australian
Government designed to provide
paid leave to parents when they
have a baby or adopt a child. The
scheme will come into force on
1 January 2011 and will provide
parents with up to 18 weeks’ pay
at the minimum wage, which is
currently $570 gross per week.
Leave is actually provided by the
National Employment Standard
– eligible employees are entitled
to up to 52 weeks of unpaid leave,
and may request up to another
52 weeks of unpaid leave. The
scheme then provides payment for
a portion of that leave. Employees
may also choose to take paid leave
entitlements such as annual leave
or long service leave, as well as
receiving PPL payments.
In order to access PPL, claimants
need to satisfy a work test, an
income test and a residency
requirement. The leave must be
taken in one continuous period. The
parent who is on leave is entitled to
‘keep in touch’ with the workplace
for example, by attending staff
meetings, but may not work as
such.
When an application for PPL
has been accepted, the Family
Assistance Office will pay the
money to the employer, who is then
required to pass on the money to
the employee nett of any income
tax. Employees can submit a claim
for PPL up to three months prior
to the birth or adoption of a child.
Employers will then be required to
register with the Family Assistance
Office to receive the payment.
Visit familyassist.gov.au for
further information.
Emma Watt specialises in advising small to medium sized businesses in
the timber and furnishing industries. She offers ATFA members two free
telephone calls per annum for help on IR/HR issues.
Phone 03 8822 3712 Mobile 0411 708 073
Email [email protected]
ir talk with Emma Watt
30
Product snap shotsBOSTIK
Ultraset SF is a one-part flexible polyurethane timber
flooring adhesive formulated to adhere most types of
timber, parquet and strip or sheet timber flooring systems
to leveled concrete or timber substrates, including over
existing floors. It is recommended as a flexible adhesive
for bonding parquetry, strip flooring and Bostik-approved
acoustic Underlay, prior to application of timber or tiled
flooring systems. An ATFA endorsed adhesive, its main
feature is that it has zero VOCs. Bostik Ultraset SF is easy
to spread, has excellent acoustic properties, is flexible,
non flammable and Australian made. It is tested to ASTM
C794 for peel adhesion to various species of Australian
Hardwood and will not re-emulsify when in contact with
moisture. For more
information call
1300 723 522,
visit bostik.com.au or
see Bostik at the ATFA
Convention.
PANELWOOD FROM BORAL PLYWOOD
PanelWood is a quality V-grooved pine panel product
that is used for interior finishes for ceilings and walls
as well as for cabinet lining and furniture making.
PanelWood can also be used in structural applications,
providing structural flooring or additional wall and roof
bracing. The V-grooves are 3mm deep at 100mm spacings
with a deeper groove on the edge profile. Thicknesses that
are 10mm and thicker have a tongue and groove profile
design. The product has very high impact strength perfect
for school halls and hospital hallways or any place that
has a risk of being struck by heavy objects over the life of
the building. For more details visit boralplywood.com.au
or phone 1800 773 596.
AUSTRALIAN SOLAR TIMBERS: PANACHE
Panache timber floors have been developed by AST
as part of a new recycling initiative where discarded
boards from within the milling process are reclaimed and
precisely machined to create durable solid wood flooring
at surprisingly economical value. Panache comes in an
collection of distinctive timber colourations named Bronze,
Pumice, Tropic, Pecan and Russett. The range is available
in 80 x 19mm and 130 x 19mm solid boards, designed for
installation over a flat sheet or concrete subfloor. AST’s
precise tongue and groove machining and end-matching
means ease of laying for the most exacting of applications.
For more information phone 02 6562 6839 or see the
Australian Solar Timbers team at the ATFA Convention.
Bronze
GUNNS SUPASTAIR STAIRCASE COMPONENTS
Gunns Timber Products has released a range of SupaStair
Staircase Components. Included in the range are stringers,
treads, posts, rails, risers and landings available in
Victorian Ash, Tasmanian Oak and Jarrah. Each is available
in a variety of sizes, lengths and profiles. Gunns’ large
species range means that you can buy a species to match
an existing floor or a contrasting species to add character.
By mixing species you can turn an outdated staircase into
the focal point of the design. For more information visit
gunnstimber.com.au, phone 1800 088 135 or see Gunns at
the ATFA Convention.
31
Walk safe with Bona
When you are coating a floor, are you sure the finish meets the required slip resistance standard?
With the increased focus on slip resistance levels in public areas AS/NZ Standard 4586 requires finishes to be R10 rated when used on staircases, ramps and in food courts, cafes, foyers or any area where spillage might occur.
Bona Traffic is the world’s biggest selling waterborne 2-pack used on more than 100 million m² of commercial and high traffic domestic floors. Traffic Anti Slip combines the proven performance of Bona Traffic together with anti slip properties to meet the R10 standard for slip resistance.
More information at www.bona.net.au
Bona Traffic Anti Slip
32
Project feature: Award winning floor
The winning project in the best use of timber flooring
category at the 2010 Timber Design Awards sponsored
by ATFA was this striking apartment in Albert Road,
Melbourne.
“The initial discussion with project architects Jolson
Architecture involved finding a timber floor that would
allow the overall aesthetic of the space to remain open and
light, whilst complementing the other finishes selected
for the apartment,” says Kurt Beyer, Architectural Sales
Consultant from Market Timbers, who supplied and
installed the timber flooring. “The firm also wanted a floor
that would be durable in terms of maintenance as well as
easy to live with.”
The timber selected was prefinished engineered
European Oak, 190mm x 15mm, wire brushed and treated
with a natural white oil/lime treatment. It was installed
using a glue down method with both the flooring and
acoustic underlay laid using Selley’s Direct Stick adhesive.
“The flooring is prefinished, but maintenance applications
of the same treatment can be carried out onsite,” explains
Kurt.
“The hardest challenge for our installation team was to
install the floor to match the radial structural grid of the
base building,” says Kurt. “In essence, we had to rotate
sections of the floor to match the grid, which was no easy
task!”
What makes this project so striking is that the flooring
was also used in other applications throughout the
apartment. “The flooring was used for a feature wall, and
the bed frame in the master bedroom,” explains Kurt, and
in the master bathroom in conjunction with natural stone
benches and wall treatments. The dining room table in the
apartment was wrapped in this flooring, and the joins in
the table align perfectly with the flooring below to create
the illusion that the floor goes up, and over the table, then
continues down on the other side. The matt sheen and
white oil effect allow the floor to project a contemporary
soft light feel, while absorbing harsh light that streams in
through the windows that front this stunning residence.” f
33
34
Top Related