floors in africa journal 7'2010
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VOL 28.7 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010 R38 incl. VAT
IN THIS ISSUE: Ceramic, Porcelain & Stone • Below the Surface • Luxury Flooring
Cersaie Review • Upcoming Events • Specification Considerations
Nouwens Commercial products forOffices • Executive Commercial • Churches • Shops • B&B’s
Visit our website at www.nouwens.co.za for further Nouwens Platinum Partner and Nouwens Appointed Dealer listings,
COlOurS
Colours
Nouwens easicarpet introduces a totally new quality culture in polypropylene fibre carpets. Colours was designed as a superior entry-level, commercial carpet alternative for those installations which for some reason or another do not qualify for a more costly investment.
According to the current South African grading systems, a polypropylene tufted carpet cannot achieve higher than a light commercial rating, but given the exceptional value-for-money benefits, the popularity of Colours for all kinds of commercial applications, has continued to grow since its introduction in 2006!
Track record says it all, and the super performance features of Colours once again highlight the skill of the Nouwens carpet craftsmen – they have engineered the high-twist, heat-set yarn to optimise the performance of easifibre, whilst the sophisticated multicolour effect naturally enhances serviceability. Unique Nou-wens mill-applied and heat-cured “easi-care” carpet protector also forms an invis-ible, durable shield around each fibre to help against everyday spills and soiling.
Colours comes with a Five-Year Quality Guarantee as well as a Ten-Year Wear Guarantee.
Nouwens “easi carpet” introduces Colours – a polypro-pylene fibre carpet – designed as a superior entry-level, commercial carpet alternative for those installations which do not qualify for a more costly investment.
*** Thisproducthasbeenstyledforspecificcommercialuseandwillperformthesameasorbetterthanotherlocalcommercialtuftedpolypropylenestyles.
For extra peace of mind, every easicarpet is endorsed with a 5 year quality guarantee, as well as a special 10 year wear guarantee.
usEClAss*** HeavyDomestic/lightCommercial*TYPE Cut/loopPilePIlEFIBrE 100%EAsIFIBrE–withEAsICArE soilresistantTreatmentWIDTH 3.66mAVAIlABIlITY 9standardColoursENDsper10cm ±40sTITCHrATEper10cm ±52TuFTs/looPsper100cm² ±2080PIlEFIBrEMAssgramsperm² ±1050ToTAlMAssgramsperm² ±2230PIlEHEIGHT ±6mmToTAlHEIGHT ±8mmPrIMArYBACKING WovenPolypropyleneTapesECoNDArYBACKING ActionBac
Copenhagen
Madison Square
Kirman
Contracta Spec
Twenty Ten
every Hotels • Lodges • Boutiques • General Commercial • Airports
or contact Nouwens Carpets direct at the following numbers 0117965180, 0214472856 or 0315025730.
C O V E R S T O R Y
ACCESS FlOORing & CAblE MAnAgEMEnTBates Access Flooring p62
AdhESiVES / COATingSa.b.e. Construction Chemicals p40FloorworX p97Smoothedge p27
CARpETSBelgotex Floorcoverings p2Nexus (Belgotex Floorcoverings) Front Cover, p32 - 33, p78 - 79Nouwens Carpets Inside Front CoverTuntex p89Van Dyck Carpets p6, p12 - 13
CERAMiC, pORCElAin And STOnEFerreiras Decor World Inside Back CoverKenzan Quality Tiles p9Tiletoria p91
ClEAning & MAinTEnAnCEFloorworX p45Matco Marketing p31Numatic International p15Tile & Floor Care p29
From corporate logos to tailor-made
patterns and textures, Nexus’ Custom-
X which includes sublimation print-
ing, SDX yarn technology as well as
needlepunch, offers design freedom
on any carpet tile for areas from 100m²
upwards, and this has been the pre-
ferred choice of African Bank for the
refurbishment of their premises in
Boksburg.Custom X is about working
with the Nexus design team and creat-
ing a carpet that meets the require-
ments of the client. It can be whatever the client wants – a certain
pattern, colour and/or yarn.Read the story on pages 32-33 of this
issue for details of the Nexus service that is causing architects and
designers to take another look at floor tile design.
bAnking On nExuS
Topage5
41 57 73VOLUME 28 .7 • OC TOBER NOVEMBER • 2010
G u I D E
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34
WOOd, lAMinATES & bAMbOOBarrow Flooring Back CoverBedson Flooring and Décor p77Eco-logic Bamboo Flooring p5Elastilon p36 - 37FloorworX p85Rhoms Timberworld p86 - 87Teragren p36 - 37Tiletoria p91
ACCESSORiES And OThERBelgotex Floorcovering p67Comfort Creations p88Domotex p20Frame Fibres p65, p66Genesis p30, p35Kirk Marketing p17, p19, p21, p23Pretoria Institute for Architecture p100Revestir p8The Office Plant p99Transiton Transport (Transportation) p94 - 95
Note: Editorials excluded,
listed in alphabetical order
continuedfrompage3
ExTERiOR FlOORing & pAVingBelgotex Floorcoverings p2
induSTRiAl, RESin & COnCRETE FlOORinga.b.e. Construction Chemicals p40Cemcrete p83Concrete Laser Flooring p39, p56Flowcrete SA p69
RESiliEnT FlOORingBelgotex Floorcoverings p2FloorworX p4Transit Floor Tiles p16Traviata Flooring Systems p82Wonder Flooring p25
SEAMlESS FlOORingQuartz Carpet p3
G u I D E
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Roxanne Mancini
BUSINESS UNIT MANAGER
EDITorIAlCoMMENT
In line with the company’s ongoing commitment tooffer more sustainable products, Van Dyck Carpetsis proud to announce the official launch of Florpoint/ Graveltex Earth during October. Everyone in theflooring industry in South Africa knows the popular,well established Florpoint / Graveltex range, as theseproducts have been tried, tested and trusted for over15 years.
The “Earth” version of these products is a “greener”version of these two stalwarts, engineered in sucha way as to introduce recycled content without losingthe overall look and performance of the originalproducts. If anything, thanks to their intelligentdesign these products will perform even better thanthe originals. Read more about the environmentalbenefits of these new products on pages 12-13.
Another green product launched by Van Dyck Carpetsalmost a year ago is our environmentally friendlyEco-lay range of underlays. Made from 100% recycledpost-consumer rubber, Eco-lay underlays areengineered in such a way that they have an increasedlife span of 10 years (double the average life spanof most other underlays). The success of the Eco-layrange has been overwhelming and shows once againVan Dyck Carpet’s commitment to environmentallyfriendly flooring solutions. Read more about theseproducts on page 70-71.
And it won’t stop here. Keep on the look out formore product re-engineering to come as our greenjourney continues. And please remember it is notjust any green carpet ... it’s a Van Dyck Carpet.
Residential Carpets • Commercial CarpetsRugs • DIY • Sport & Leisure Grass • Underlays
TOLL FREE: 0800 CARPET (0800227738)www.vandyckcarpets.com
SA
The latest tiles from italyMedia in Africa visited the popular Cersaie exhibition in
Bologna, Italy, and brings you the latest in international
trends and technologies for Ceramics, Porcelain and
Stone.
We also take a look at the basic requirements for a
successful tile installation and highlight defects often
found in Natural Stone.
Fashion meets performance and products are manu-
factured to last. Read more about this exciting industry
from page 41.
nothing but the best!Perhaps we should have called this Luxury
Floorcoverings feature Floors for Special Buildings
because, although not all the floorcoverings are excep-
tionally luxurious, the projects on which they have
been used certainly are.
We have featured a selection of very special local and
international buildings and their flooring, including a
wood floor that is still going strong after 115 years; a
great hotel penthouse refurbishment; two 5-Star hotels
in Africa being built by a local architect; luxury khayas
at a top game reserve; South Africa’s latest airport
building; and a revelation in hospital floor design.
Read more from page 73.
below the surfaceEveryone is keen on floors that look good, but what
happens underneath is of prime importance. Get it
wrong and the floor will lose its appeal, and even
fail. In this issue we have taken a look at floor slabs,
screeds, moisture, underlays, and floor heating
Find out when to use what for the various types of
floorcovering – refer to our informative feature from
page57.
The flooring industry is alive with great product
launches and offerings! Enjoy this brilliant issue of
FLOORS!
Floorfully yours,
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, adhe-sives 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 neces-sarily 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: floors@mediainafrica.co.zaPO 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 VenterNews Editor: Dave Soons Tel 012 807 7012Business Unit Manager: Roxanne Mancini Cell 082 779 5751 Business Unit Co-ordinator: Madelein Smith Sales Executive: Styart HarveyCell 072 997 8940 Design and Layout: Jakolien StrydomFinancial Manager: Sietske Rossouw Proofreader: Signa Evans & Hesca JoubertREPRO & PRINTING: Business Print Centre
Liezel van der Merwe
In appreciation of the support afforded us by this sector, we would
like to invite architects and designers to participate in our magazine,
so that we can contact you for comments on certain issues. You may
even like to become contributors to FLOORS.
AninvitationtoarchitectsanddesignersFloors in Africa has attained the highest circulation
figures of any magazine in the Architectural section
of the latest Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) report
with a distribution of 5 722 copies of each issue.
We would also be interested in receiving details of recently complet-
ed or current projects where the flooring played an important role in
achieving the overall design concept.
Anything we write would be cleared with you before we go to print,
and full details of your practice or company given in each case. This
will provide you with the opportunity of extensive free publicity,
highlighting your creativity and architectural prowess.
Contact Roxanne Mancini on 012 347 7530 for further information,
or send us an e-mail at floors@mediainafrica.co.za with the project
details that we can start on.
Inthenextissue…
Don’tmissthenextissue!Takealookatthemainfeatureswewillbecovering:
Successful projectsLast year everyone wanted to talk about
the truly outstanding projects they
were involved in and why their prod-
ucts or systems were used, so we are
repeating it this year to give every-
body the chance to tell the world
how good they are once again! This
is your chance to be in this exciting
feature if you missed it last time!
Adhesives & installationSpecifiers cannot be expected to keep
up with all the developments within the
floorcovering industry, and yet this impor-
tant sector is one of the most hi-tech, with
fast-moving developments and improve-
ments in application and performance
characteristics a regular occurrence. We
look at the latest developments and tech-
niques to keep them up to date.
Townhouse livingAnother new feature that will look at the
flooring requirements with the current trend
of living in security complexes, upmarket
(and even golf ) estates, and everything in
between. We will talk to developers, estate
managers, architects and others to find out what
is favoured, both indoors and out.
Roxanne Mancini roxanne@mediainafrica.co.za Stuart harvey stuart@mediainafrica.co.za Tel: +27 12 347 7530
OOP
otteryHypermarketchooses Italianclass!
“Budget price is always an issue; forgivingly based
on the quantum we required, we were able to afford
an excellent quality Italian floor tile from Kenzan
Tiles. It was essential that the tile would withstand
the high-traffic volumes which this Hypermarket
enjoys.” - Sean Hayden of KMH Architects
Fa s h i o n & D e s i g n
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These are the words of Sean Hayden of KMH Architects. This
celebrated practice formed in Cape Town in 1912 is currently
handling the refurbishment of the Ottery Hypermarket, where the
new mall tiles have already been installed and are looking great,
but there are still more aesthetic changes to come.
The flooring component of the project was a challenge for the
architects. Nothing about the building at the Ottery Mall was
conventional. A typical example is the shop fronts, which are void
of any consistency and are neither aligned nor matching in height.
In order to accommodate the variation at the shop face, a perim-
eter border tile was introduced which in turn featured a piano-key
pattern in the middle.
Sean Hayden said, “We are familiar with who has what type of floor-
ing products on the market, we were specifically looking for a Grade
One tile, which was calibrated and rectified (same size and thickness)
to ensure that it would survive the foot traffic of a busy centre.”
“Kenzan were professional, there were no hiccups and
they were always at our beck and call, which we valued
throughout the project,” says Sean.
Nathalie Glenn from Kenzan provided further detail on the project.
“It was a very technical project, with a number of challenges,” she
says. “But our Italian factory gave us the backup and outstanding
service that we needed. They have extensive knowledge and experi-
ence, excellent products, are flexible, and honour all their promises.”
“It is nice to know that the new flooring can confidently take the
Ottery Mall into its next 20 years,” she concludes.
Kenzan Quality Tiles
Cape Town: 021 510 8310
Johannesburg: 011 467 8533
Port Elizabeth: 041 373 6456
Fa s h i o n & D e s i g n
When choosing floorcoverings, the options are
many and varied. Visitors to BAU 2011, which is
claimed to be the world’s leading trade fair for
architecture, materials and systems which takes
place from 17 to 22 January 2011 at the New
Munich Trade Fair Centre, will be able to review the
whole spectrum of materials, colours and designs
currently available on the world market in floorings.
Floorcoverings:Theagonyof
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Fa s h i o n & D e s i g n
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
choice
Fa s h i o n & D e s i g n
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Resilient coverings (linoleum, PVC, rubber, cork) and textile floor-
ings will be on show; laminates and parquet flooring are also
on display; and tiles and ceramics will be exhibited. Here leading
manufacturers from all over the world will be showcasing their lat-
est creations for the design of interiors and exteriors.
Architects and interior designers are increasingly discovering
floors as being an important element in the overall design. They,
their customers, and the flooring specialists that advise them and fit
the products, are confronted with a very wide choice.
The advantages of traditional coverings such as wood, stone and
tiles are their robustness and timeless quality. New formats and new
surface structures have emerged, and wooden floorboards, wood-
blocks, stone slabs and hand-painted tiles have enjoyed a renais-
sance in recent years.
Modern materials are often a mix of natural and synthetic – and
here, too, the choice is broad, from textile floorings made of natural
and man-made fibres to resilient floors of linoleum, PVC, rubber
and cork.
Colour and surface design or structure are just two of the factors
to take into account when choosing a flooring material. Others
include: What will it look like in several years time? How does it feel?
Does it smell? How do you use it, what can it withstand and what is
it meant to prevent? How long should it last, how do you clean it,
and what is the budget?
Also, it must be remembered that floorcoverings play a part in the
overall architectural design, so questions as to whether they should
harmonise or contrast with it also need to be addressed.
One important trend when it comes to sustainability is recycling,
not just in the case of resilient floorings such as PVC or linoleum,
but also carpet tiles. Some manufacturers are now taking their
products back after use and recycling them into fibres or backings.
Carpet tiles have other advantages too – they act as sound insula-
tion, are very robust even under frequent use, and can easily be
replaced as required.
In textile and resilient floorings in particular a whole host of new
products has been developed. These range from new ways with nat-
ural, renewable materials such as cork, hemp, wool and leather, and
products made from natural and synthetic base materials, such as
rubber (also called elastomeric), through to purely synthetic fibres
and plastics (vinyl floorings) and coatings of epoxy resin.
Added to this are more unusual choices such as strongly struc-
tured or even flocked textile coverings, alongside exotic options
such as those made of paper, seagrass and pineapple fibres. Visitors
can look forward to an exciting display at BAU 2011 where over 1
900 exhibitors from more than 40 countries are expected to take
part, and more than 210 000 visitors from around 150 countries.
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P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Customising
Delivering value to its clients forms a core part of
Numatic’s product offering. As one of the largest suppli-
ers of exceptional cleaning solutions, Numatic has identi-
fied an emerging trend in clients’ cleaning demands. In
response, the cleaning giant now customises the colour of
its products to suit the corporate identity of its customers.
–respondingtomarkettrendscorporatecolours
Janine Botha, National Sales & Marketing Manager for Numatic,
says, “Historically, cleaning equipment and the cleaning process
itself was considered to be a function completed behind closed
doors. However, as business requirements evolved a new trend has
emerged. Cleaning and the equipment used is becoming a vital part
of a corporate institution’s image.”
Most businesses, offices, banks, shopping centres and airports have
no option but to clean their premises during normal office hours,
bringing this process into the public eye.
Business owners are becoming increasingly aware of how clean-
ing equipment can be used as an opportunity to subtly portray their
corporate identity, while sending a positive and hygienic message to
the market.
Botha continues, “Providing companies with technologically
advanced cleaning equipment branded in their corporate colours
demonstrates that the company cares about the finer details and
their customers’ wellbeing.
Numatic’s process of developing branded products starts by under-
standing the client’s corporate identity. Once this has been achieved,
Numatic’s media division in the UK produces a graphic which the
client signs off before the colours are mixed and the purchase order
is put through for production. Delivery takes place within eight to 12
weeks from the date of order.
Numatic has produced branded cleaning products for a number
of respected companies in South Africa including SAFIC, Prestige
Cleaning Services, Supercare Services Group, the Red Carnation Hotel
Group and selected Holiday Inn Hotels.
For more information on Numatic’s service offering to corporate cli-
ents, visit www.numatic.co.za.
P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s
1�F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
GreatGolfDayforNumaticA full field of golfers enjoyed the 2010 Numatic
Golf Day held at the Eagle Canyon Country Club,
Honeydew, on 9 September which saw some great
weather, some even better golf, and a great day
had by all!
With a 4-ball alliance competition (two scores to count), the win-
ning combination was Alan Wintermeyer, Dale Cowley, Erik
Smith and Warwick Mills of Supercare. Customers from as far afield as
Botswana took part, as well as visitors from the Numatic International
Head Office in Chard, Somerset, England.
The prizes were presented by The 40 Year-old Rookie golf profes-
sional Michael Schultz, who was also the MC and guest speaker,
entertaining the guests for over an hour with golf tips and quips for
the occasion.
He also conducted an auction at the event that raised R20 000 for
Friends of Rescued Animals (FORA) which is a shelter for homeless
dogs and cats, opened in August 2003. It is a non-profit organisation
run by a dedicated team of volunteers.
The shelter, based in Luipaardsvlei, Krugersdorp, accommodates
600 dogs and 200 cats, and is a safe haven for homeless and abused
animals to live whilst awaiting adoption or, failing this, to live out the
rest of their lives in a safe environment, in keeping with FORA’s ‘No
Kill’ policy.
Now in its 16th year of operation in South Africa, Numatic
International started in southwest England, and from humble begin-
nings in 1969 has grown to be one of the foremost cleaning and
floorcare companies in the world, with subsidiary companies in France,
Germany and The Netherlands in addition to its Johannesburg office.
Numatic South Africa is serving the cleaning industry with a wide
range of quality vacuum cleaners, mopping units, janitorial and
hotel trolleys, and floor machines of all descriptions, and offers a
comprehensive sales, support and training service for its entire sales
programme.
The company is committed to support and comply with B-BBEE
standards, and feels that its success in this country is due to its
emphasis on job creation, the sharing of knowledge and expertise,
and its investment in people.
With product development and customer care high on Numatic’s
future programmes, South Africa can expect the high standards set
by the company to be maintained.
Numatic International
Tel: 0861 NUMATIC (686284)
Website: www.numatic.co.za
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P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
6 different patterns 8 standard coloursComplete Stair SystemEnhanced abrasion resistanceSuperior chemical resistanceJumbo Tiles – a ‘look-alike’ ceramic tileConductive floor tiles for electronically sensitive areas also available
Tel (011) 397 3330 • Fax (011) 397 3810 • e-mail: transitf@mweb.co.za • www.transittiles.com
Elevatingthefloors!Take a look at the floor the next time you get into
a lift. If it has a raised pastille pattern the chances
are that you are being transported on a high-qual-
ity PVC studded tile floor manufactured by Transit
Floor Tiles.
You might also be admiring the quality workmanship of JD
Installations – a company in Pretoria West that specialises in
the complete refurbishment and modernisation of lifts – offering a
complete re-fitment service for every lift manufacturer, and a keen
customer of Transit for their fit-and-forget floor tiles.
Owner José Dias says he uses Transit for over 80% of the new lift
floors he provides because these can be readily installed with a
contact adhesive to steel or wood subfloor platforms, some with
Masonite sheeting over them, and he has no problems with their
quality and dimensional stability.
One of the favourite tiles in the Transit sales programme for these
applications is the 8x8 which has an improved pastille design, and
another is the New Quadra Super, which has a gloss base and the
radiused curve to the top of each pastille allowing for easier cleaning.
The 8x8 tiles are 300mm x 300mm with a base thickness of 2,20mm,
a stud height of 0,80mm, a total thickness of 3mm, and feature eight
rows of 8 round studs each 25mm in diameter.
Aesthetically Transit has the edge on many other products in these
applications as they have been in business for 25 years and, in addi-
tion to having a modern and hi-tech appearance, Transit Tiles are
extremely robust, dimensionally stable, extremely durable and ideally
suitable for elevators or other applications where a high degree of
traffic is expected.
Transit Floor Tiles
Tel: 011 397 3330 Fax: 011 397 3810
P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s
17F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
PVC concave edge trimAluminium Formable square edge
Brass round edge trim Stainless steel listello
GAUTENGTel: +27 11 444 1441 Fax: +27 11 444 1165
E-mail: sales@kirk.co.za Website: www.kirk.co.zaCAPE TOWN
Tel: +27 21 949 2226 Fax: +27 21 949 4531KWAZULU NATAL
Tel: +27 31 564 1175 Fax: +27 31 564 1143PORT ELIZABETH
Tel: 0860 547573 Fax: 086 688 4980
Structural movement and expansion joints for floors, walls, columns, ceilings, roofs, car garages,
bridges. Fire Barriers also available.
M Trim is a brand of PVC, brass, aluminium,stainless steel and anodised profiles used for
tiles, carpets, vinyl and laminate floors.
Quality Profiles for wood and laminate floors.
Quality Tile Cleaners,Strippers and Sealants.
PVC curvable profiles for multi-shaped flooring. Commercial and domestic applications.
TrimsprovidetheperfectfloorfinishKirk Marketing is a leading Southern African supplier of trims and
top-quality accessories to the flooring industry. With a superior
range of products and branches situated throughout the region,
Kirk prides itself on its extensive experience and knowledge
gained through combined 50 years in the industry.
Stainless steel quadrant edge
Brass elite straight edge
Aluminium elite straight edge
PVC round edge
With this considerable expertise, training and product knowledge, the Kirk Marketing
design team has developed the superior and highly functional M.Trim collection, used
extensively for tile, carpet, vinyl, wood and laminate flooring.
These trims have been produced specifically for the market throughout Southern Africa
whilst being professionally designed and manufactured to international standards.
In application, trims are used for the final finishing of tiled floors and walls, with the prima-
ry elements being aesthetics (listellos, corners, edges, etc.), functionality (ramps, gap fillers,
shapes, corners, stairs, etc.) and the protection of tile edges.
The four most widely used materials for tile trims are PVC, aluminium, brass and stainless
steel, but they can also be manufactured in zinc, copper, mild steel, recycled materials and
more, depending on the requirements of the project. However, it should be noted that PVC
is not designed for floors other than its use in stair nosing applications.
Brass is a popular choice for use on floors and walls. It is a heavy-duty and resilient prod-
uct, and although tarnishing can occur in some corrosive environments, this can be easily
polished to revive the shine.
Aluminium trims is available in natural finish, anodised colours and powder-coated in any
colour, quality products such as M.Trim are recommended if the floor is to look and perform
as expected.
Stainless steel is tough, hardwearing, and suitable for all conditions depending on the
Grade used. Several grades and surface finishes are available, and trims in this material
can also be custom-designed to meet any requirement, making it a popular option with
specifiers.
For your final tile trim solution, or technical advice on any application, contact the M.Trim
experts on the following numbers.
Kirk Marketing Head Office: 011 444 1441 Helpline: 086 110 2165
Cape Town: 021 949 2226 Durban: 031 564 1175 Port Elizabeth: 0860 547 573
Email: sales@kirk.co.za Website: www.kirk.co.za
WhO dO YOu Think iS ThE biggEST CERAMiC TilE MAnuFACTuRER in ThE WORld?
Sitting down? According to Ceramic World Review magazine, which
is devoted to ceramic tile and sanitaryware production technologies,
the answer is UAE-based RAK Ceramics.The Ras Al Khaimah company
dominated rankings of the top 25 ceramic tile manufacturers in 2009 with a total produc-
tion output of 115-million m² from 15 manufacturing facilities located in six countries;
and a US$1-billion global revenue with exports to over 150 countries. Two years ago RAK
Ceramics was ranked fourth with a production of 106-million m², but has expanded and
increased its production facility even during the recent economic slowdown.
FlooringsolutionsforGreenNutFarmMapei South Africa, part of the global Mapei
Group and an industry leader in the supply of
building materials, has supplied Green Nut Farm,
based in Hazyview, with epoxy flooring solutions.
Mapei South Africa supplied Mapefloor i 300 Sl, a two-com-ponent, multi-purpose, neutral-coloured epoxy floor surfac-ing treatment, for green nut Farm, based in hazyview.
Green Nut Farm, a macadamia nut grower, has had the flooring
solution applied to its packaging, production and receiving
areas, and the final floor finish has been implemented over an area
of approximately 800m2 by Maroda Concrete Preparation – a local
flooring applicator.
Mapei has supplied Mapefloor I 300 SL a two-component, multi-
purpose, neutral-coloured epoxy for industrial flooring treatment.
According to Garth Meyer, product manager (Flooring), the prod-
uct can be applied at a thickness of up to four millimetres and is
ideal for applications in environments such as the food industry,
pharmaceutical applications, shopping centres, and the chemical
and automotive industries.
“Mapefloor I 300 SL is a strong, durable product which has high
abrasion resistance and aesthetic appeal. The product can be
applied as a self-levelling system, which results in a seamless floor
surface,” he says. “This product is also available in a non-slip option.
Mapei has developed the product without using solvents or nonyl-
phenol, which makes the product ideally suitable for applications in
the food processing industry as it does not present any risk of food
contamination.”
In order to lay the new floors, Green Nut Farm’s processing equip-
ment needed to be removed from its production plant, and a contrac-
tor was hired to perform this task, but as a result of the high mass of
the processing equipment, the existing floor surface was damaged,
making it unsuitable for the application of the Mapefloor I 300 SL.
To overcome this challenge, Maroda Concrete Preparation used
Mapei Ultraplan – a cementitious, polymer-based, self-levelling sys-
tem. The product exhibits ultra-fast hardening properties and was
applied at a thickness of ten millimetres.
Once the original floor surface was repaired, Maroda Concrete
Preparation used Primer SN – an epoxy-based primer to seal the
floors and prevent any risk of delamination between the freshly
repaired floor surface and the Mapefloor I 300 SL.
Mapei has also supplied Mapefloor I 500 W, which was used for the
washbay area. This is a two-component, epoxy resin-based treatment
in water dispersion, which is permeable to vapour for industrial floors.
Meyer notes that the product is water-based, and is safe for the
environment and applications which require a vapour-permeable
floor coating. “Mapefloor I 500 W is a fantastic product, which has
been developed in Mapei’s development laboratories. Even though
the product is water-based, it is not subject to shrinkage,” he says.
“The product offers resistance to chemicals and abrasion and can
be applied to concrete after only four days of curing. After applica-
tion, the system offers a seamless, aesthetically appealing appear-
ance with high abrasion resistance.”
Feedback from the customer has been positive for the product as
well as for Maroda Concrete Preparation’s knowledge and expertise
in completion of the project.
Mapei
Tel: 011 552 8476
E-mail: info@mapei.co.za
Website: www.mapei.co.za18
P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s
1�F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
GAUTENGTel: +27 11 444 1441 Fax: +27 11 444 1165
E-mail: sales@kirk.co.za Website: www.kirk.co.za
CAPE TOWNTel: +27 21 949 2226 Fax: +27 21 949 4531
KWAZULU NATALTel: +27 31 564 1175 Fax: +27 31 564 1143
PORT ELIZABETH
Tel: 0860 547573 Fax: 086 688 4980
React 100
React 300
React 1000
Structural movement and expansion joints for floors, walls, columns, ceilings, roofs, car garages, bridges.
Fire Barriers also available.
M Trim is a brand of PVC, brass, aluminium,stainless steel and anodised profiles used for tiles,
carpets, vinyl and laminate floors.
Quality Profiles for wood and laminate floors.
Quality Tile Cleaners,Strippers and Sealants.
PVC curvable profiles for multi-shaped flooring. Commercial and domestic applications.
specifyexpansionjointswithconfidence!
Kirk Marketing is proud to be the sole South African agent for
Vexcolt Expansion Joints since 2003, and has been successful in
specifying them for numerous prestigious South African projects
by offering a wide range of options that are aesthetically pleasing
and effective.
Vexcolt is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of expansion joints, movement joints
and fire barriers. Its expansion joints are designed to accommodate the needs of the
flooring industry, regardless of the floorcoverings being used.
In South Africa the Vexcolt range has become extremely popular – with a portfolio of archi-
tectural expansion joints to meet any flooring requirement and covering joint widths ranging
from 25mm to 600mm depending on the application and the need, in addition to which
these products are all provided with the Vexcolt 10-year manufacturing guarantee.
To ensure that the designer’s problems or requirements for expansion joints are adequately
and professionally solved, Kirk Marketing is involved with the design team in selecting the
correct system to suit the building specifications, offering on-site technical advice and training.
Specifying the correct expansion joint is vital for any application, and the technical team at
Kirk Marketing is actively involved from the beginning of the project with the selection and
installation of the expansion joint systems to avoid failure of the joints, which can be costly in
terms of time and money.
Kirk Marketing has specified Vexcolt expansion joints successfully into many South African
projects nationwide, including Gold Reef City Casino (Johannesburg); the Gautrain (Gauteng);
Golden Horse Casino (Pietermaritzburg); The Grove Shopping Centre (Pretoria); Hemingways
Mall (East London); Loch Logan Shopping Centre (Bloemfontein); Palms Retail Centre (Lagos)
and University of the Western Cape, to name but a few.
Kirk Marketing Head Office: 011 444 1441 Helpline: 086 110 2165
Cape Town: 021 949 2226 Durban: 031 564 1175 Port Elizabeth: 0860 547 573
Email: sales@kirk.co.za Website: www.kirk.co.za
glueless Carpet tile
Beaulieu Canada and TacFast Systems International say they have formed a partnership
to provide a totally adhesive-free, free-floating carpet installation system.
Beaulieu Canada will market and sell TacFast LocPlate products that feature a free-float-
ing substrate and carpet products with a loop fabric covering the underside. The floor-
ing surface attaches to the hook substrate by engaging the hooks and loops creating a
mechanical bond that holds the flooring surface in place securely, yet is releasable.
The LocPlate product line is a modular floor that can be installed over any subfloor, with-
out any attachment to the subfloor and supports the installation of a variety of flooring
surfaces, making it a universal subfloor system, the companies said.
“Adding a loop to the underside of our carpet broadens our product offerings as we will
offer our entire commercial broadloom line with TacFast,” said Marcel Poirier, Beaulieu
Canada’s vice-president of commercial business.
Floordaily.net
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F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
EpoxyflooringsystemfortwonewDurbanbeachfacilitiesAn epoxy flooring system from a.b.e. Construction
Chemicals was used to provide the flooring for two
new facilities on the Durban Beach Promenade.
The company’s abescreed epoxy flooring system was used as the
flooring system for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup Media Centre
on the South Beach Promenade, as well as for a new World Cup res-
taurant and its kitchen, ablutions and boat room on the North Beach
Promenade. Both have now become public entertainment facilities
on the revamped promenade.
Brad Hunt, a.b.e. Technical Sales Consultant in KwaZulu-Natal, says
abescreed was applied to a minimum thickness of 6mm over a 625m²
area at the Media Centre floors. The specialist flooring applicator was
Inter Civil Projects, and the main contractor G. Liveiro & Son. The proj-
ect/building was designed by Jay & Nel Architects.
The same thickness abescreed system was applied for the floor-
ing of the new restaurant opposite Durban’s Mini Town. “The a.b.e.-
approved applicator, Seal Con Systems, first applied a coat of a.b.e.
flooring resin and scattered a.b.e. Silica Sand number 1 coarse silica
sand, followed by 6mm thick abescreed coating, which was then
sealed with two coats of a.b.e.’s abecote PU water-based clear matt
coating,” Hunt explained.
Design Workshop were the architects appointed by the City of
Durban to handle the design and help oversee the construction of
the building.
abescreed is a four-component, solvent-free flooring system com-
prising a clear resin and activator blended with a pre-packed graded
aggregate and coloured pigment.
Hard-wearing and chemical-resistant, abescreed is a decorative
mortar that provides seamless flooring surfaces. The product is slip-
resistant and ideal for areas subjected to heavy mechanical wear. “The
flooring system is ideal for restaurants, schools, factories, laboratories,
food processing plants, supermarkets and garages,” Hunt states. “It
provides far longer life than unprotected concrete floors and requires
low maintenance.”
a.b.e. Construction Chemicals
Tel: 011 306 9000
Website: www.abe.co.za
part of the durban beach promenade facilities for which a.b.e.’s abecote flooring system was used.
P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s
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Grout & tile cleaner Water based Tile sealant
Multi pupose cleaner Colour sheen enhancer
GAUTENGTel: +27 11 444 1441 Fax: +27 11 444 1165
E-mail: sales@kirk.co.za Website: www.kirk.co.za
CAPE TOWNTel: +27 21 949 2226 Fax: +27 21 949 4531
KWAZULU NATALTel: +27 31 564 1175 Fax: +27 31 564 1143
PORT ELIZABETH
Tel: 0860 547573 Fax: 086 688 4980
GAUTENGTel: +27 11 444 1441 Fax: +27 11 444 1165
E-mail: sales@kirk.co.za Website: www.kirk.co.zaCAPE TOWN
Tel: +27 21 949 2226 Fax: +27 21 949 4531KWAZULU NATAL
Tel: +27 31 564 1175 Fax: +27 31 564 1143PORT ELIZABETH
Tel: 0860 547573 Fax: 086 688 4980
Structural movement and expansion joints for floors, walls, columns, ceilings, roofs, car garages,
bridges. Fire Barriers also available.
M Trim is a brand of PVC, brass, aluminium,stainless steel and anodised profiles used for tiles,
carpets, vinyl and laminate floors.
Quality Profiles for wood and laminate floors.
Quality Tile Cleaners,Strippers and Sealants.
PVC curvable profiles for multi-shaped flooring. Commercial and domestic applications.
Qualitytilecarechemicals
Marketed in South Africa exclusively by Kirk Marketing, M-Chem
is a comprehensive range of quality tile care chemicals, devel-
oped through extensive market research and tests that allow Kirk
Marketing to introduce these unique high-quality products with
confidence for cleaning, stripping, sealing and maintaining floors,
covering almost every eventuality and tile type, and specialising in
full specifications on the entire range.
Kirk Marketing provides a comprehensive sales and delivery service, product training and
technical information that enable tile and hardware retailers to provide the best product
and advice, thus giving complete customer satisfaction. A chemical specialist within Kirk
Marketing is available for site inspections, to offer further assistance and will inform on best
product to use.
A lot of new developments are using a wide range of natural stones which have now
become available. It is imperative from an architectural viewpoint that M-Chem chemicals
are specified for these jobs, and specifications are all available on Autospec. M-Chem is
locally manufactured.
Apart from a qualified sales team, Kirk Marketing also has a national distribution network
with offices in Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town – each carrying stock,
enabling Kirk Marketing to provide a superior customer service. M-Chem products are all
individually colour-coded, so one can tell from a distance the product being used, thus elimi-
nating any confusion.
M-Chem is continually developing new ideas for the tiling industry, and the latest product
M-Clean is a scented lime/lemon multi-purpose cleaner and available in a 750ml spray bottle.
It is pre-diluted at 1:5 and has 1-litre concentrated refills available. All the necessary markings
are on the bottle to ensure that the end-user is able to refill and dilute to their required need.
In respect of the chemical range, Kirk also supplies a range of application tools.
Kirk Marketing Head Office: 011 444 1441 Helpline: 086 110 2165
Cape Town: 021 949 2226 Durban: 031 564 1175 Port Elizabeth: 0860 547 573
Email: sales@kirk.co.za Website: www.kirk.co.za
ThE gREEkS hAd A WORd FOR iT!
Did you know that the word ceramic is derived from the
Greek word κεραμικός (keramikos)?
(and we bet you thought it was Italian!)
22
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F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
InnovativesolutionsinhealthcareIn hospital environments floors must be closely controlled as
they can transfer bacteria and transmit diseases to patients. With
over eighty years of experience, Forbo understands that hygiene
is a major concern for hospitals and has developed Sarlon Tech
Sparkling – now being marketed in South Africa by FloorworX.
STAPHYLOCOCCUSAUREUS
ESCHERICHIACOLI
PSEUDOMNASAERUGINOSA
S. AUREUSMRSA
R R R R
sArloNTECHsPArKlING 5,0 6,1 5,5 4,7
MArKETProDuCT1 0,5 -0,2 -0,9 2,1
MArKETProDuCT2 1,8 1,4 -0,6 4,1
MArKETProDuCT3 5,0 2 0,9 4,7
MArKETProDuCT4 5,0 4,8 0,5 4,7
R > 2 = Antibacterial performance is effective
R < 2 = Antibacterial performance is not effective
This innovative product offers Bacteri’Protect – the most effective antibacterial treat-
ment available for hospitals; Stain’Protect – the first treatment on the market that is
resistant to Betadine and Eosin; and the best indentation performance of acoustic certi-
fied products; in addition to being a totally eco-friendly product.
Antibacterial performance tests performed by CIBA laboratory in compliance with the JIS Z
2801 standard protocol.
In line with current sanitary requirements, Sarlon Tech Sparkling is tested by
accredited laboratories and assists in the fight against nosocomial infections, and
Bacteri’Protect is a new antibacterial treatment using silver ions, tested and approved
by the Pasteur Institute in Lille, France. It is also effective against the Pseudomonas
Aeruginosa strain.
The ion solution in the varnish and the wear layer of the floorcovering guarantees
permanent and constant action which strengthens durability over time, unlike chemi-
cal additives. It also guarantees a product that is totally innocuous for the surrounding
environment. In addition, Sarlon Tech Sparkling has the highest ranking of the VOC
Indoor Emissions standard, and is recyclable.
Finally, the Stain’Protect feature of this product provides a genuine shield against
stains, with a high resistance to standard products used in hospital environments.
It is also effective against chemical products such as ammonia, white spirit and ace-
tone and domestic products such as bleach.
In the current climate of sanitary challenges, Forbo reflects its solutions through
the development of new eco-friendly solutions by increasing both private and public
awareness and, in turn, this is replicated by the inclusion of Sarlon Tech Sparkling in the
FloorworX sales programme – which already finds favour in a myriad of South African
healthcare programmes.
FloorworX Marketing
Tel: 011 406 4146
Fax: 011 406 4205
www.floorworx.co.za
P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s
2�F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
GAUTENGTel: +27 11 444 1441 Fax: +27 11 444 1165
E-mail: sales@kirk.co.za Website: www.kirk.co.zaCAPE TOWN
Tel: +27 21 949 2226 Fax: +27 21 949 4531KWAZULU NATAL
Tel: +27 31 564 1175 Fax: +27 31 564 1143PORT ELIZABETH
Tel: 0860 547573 Fax: 086 688 4980
Aluminium foiled Multifloor transition
Aluminium Multifloor expansion
Aluminium foiled Clipper Finish Aluminium Stepfloor
Structural movement and expansion joints for floors, walls, columns, ceilings, roofs, car garages,
bridges. Fire Barriers also available.
M Trim is a brand of PVC, brass, aluminium,stainless steel and anodised profiles used for tiles,
carpets, vinyl and laminate floors.
Quality Profiles for wood and laminate floors.
Quality Tile Cleaners,Strippers and Sealants.
PVC curvable profiles for multi-shaped flooring. Commercial and domestic applications.
Uniquelaminatefloorprofiles
Two of the major elements of the Kirk
Marketing sales programme are the Bendi
quality profiles that are ideal for curved floors,
and Dural – offering an extensive range of
profiles for wood and laminate floors.
Square end coverExpansion cover
Bendi Transition Clip
The Bendi range of curvable profiles marketed by Kirk
Marketing is extremely popular in South Africa. The Bendi
Transition clip is a curvable profile used as a transition cover
for multi-shaped floors or different levels such as laminate to
carpet, wood to laminate, and laminate or wood to tile.
Other curvable profile used are the Bendi Ramp clip, the Bendi Cover clip and the Bendi
Square clip. These curvable profiles are used as a ramp cover , an expansion cover and an
end-cover respectively for multi-shaped flooring on different height floors or on same-level
flooring or against the wall or border. All the above Bendi profiles allow for movement of
your laminate or wood flooring and the Bendi Clip system can bend on a radius of 80cm.
Laminate flooring is predominantly fitted as a floating floor and will generally experience
expansion and contraction in the South African varying climate environment, and Kirk rec-
ommends aluminium-based profiles as the most suitable for these applications.
Aluminium is the most popular, and the Dural range of profiles (manufactured in Germany)
provides solutions to accommodate expansion, transition, finish, end, step and adaptable
shapes to solve expansion and gaps against sliding doors, large floor areas, staircases, transi-
tion between different flooring types, or finishing for a laminate floor to a screed or vinyl and
curvable floor types.
Dural’s quality Multifloor range is also ideal for retrofit situations where a profile has been
forgotten, and is available in 92cm and 270cm lengths – ideal both for contracts and DIY.
Kirk Marketing offers a comprehensive sales, delivery and technical advisory service for any
flooring profile.
Kirk Marketing Head Office: 011 444 1441 Helpline: 086 110 2165
Cape Town: 021 949 2226 Durban: 031 564 1175 Port Elizabeth: 0860 547 573
Email: sales@kirk.co.za Website: www.kirk.co.za
interiors 2011
This major exhibition for the construction and building industry held every year in the
UK will include a new flooring section – showcasing the latest developments, trends,
products and technologies to over 38 000 anticipated visitors.
This expo takes place at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham from 23 to 26
January 2011, and anyone wishing to know more should contact Sunny Patel at +44
207 921 8415 or by e-mail sunny.patel@ubm.com.
FLOORS in Africa will follow up after the event to bring you all the latest news.
NewshowroominWestlakePreviously situated in the Steenberg Village
Shopping Centre at Tokai, Gill Mackintosh
Flooring has moved into new retail premises at
the Westlake Lifestyle Centre in the southern
suburbs of Cape Town.
Established in 2003, Gill Mackintosh Flooring offers Sisal, Coir,
Hemp, Seagrass, wall-to-wall carpeting, resilient vinyl, and lami-
nate and engineered wooden flooring, together with high-quality
design, advice and personalised service, which includes an installa-
tion team offering expert installations.
All installations are fully supervised, and Gill offers complimen-
tary overlocking of off-cuts as well as ensuring that comprehensive
instruction is given to the client or staff of the installed product.
The new showroom can be found at 14A Westlake Lifestyle Centre,
Westlake Drive, Westlake, and contact can be made by telephone:
021 702 2208; Cell: 072 487 0053, or e-mail GillMac@telkomsa.net.
P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s
DecorativeandaffordablevinyltileoptionsWonder Flooring, the exclusive dis-
tributors of Armstrong and Wonstep
vinyl flooring ranges throughout
Southern Africa, have found unprec-
edented demand from architects,
interior designers and building and
flooring contractors for these superb-
ly versatile vinyl tile ranges.
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P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Apart from the favourable price, a few of the
other motivating factors towards this trend
among specifiers are as a result of the unique fea-
tures of these ranges.
These include through-grain chip construction,
which means the tiles retain a consistent appear-
ance even in areas of differential wear. Also, the
marble effect on the tile renders a quality finish
– if the grain is laid in the same direction, the tile
appears as a sheet product. This effect is obtained
through the manufacturer’s unique cutting process
P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s
2�F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
and the resultant squareness of the tile.
Some other features and benefits include a heavy-
duty formulation; high rolling-load integrity mak-
ing it ideal for wheeled traffic such as trolleys; easy
installation, economical options compared to other
flooring types; and textured tone-on-tone mottle
that masks traffic damage. Also, the low emissions
of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) with these
ranges will inhibit ‘sick building syndrome’.
These tile ranges are available in 2mm and 2,5mm
thicknesses, and comprise exciting and varied
colourways. They have been extensively used in
retail chain stores, factories, educational institutions
and prisons.
Some of the projects that our vinyl tile ranges
have been successfully used in include Game
Stores; Checkers Hyper; Kokstad Prison; Durban
International Airport; Diepkloof Prison; and various
public and private Schools.
For further information on these exciting floor
ranges, contact Wonder Flooring at the numbers
shown below, or visit the website.
Wonder Flooring
Tel: 0860 29 80 80
E-mail: info@wonderflooring.com
Website: www.wonderflooring.com
Going greenwithflooringadhesiveWith worldwide ecological and environmental
issues bearing down hard on the flooring industry,
all aspects of flooring materials in terms of manu-
facture, supply and installation now come under
close scrutiny by architects, designers, contractors
and end-users as they all seek to ‘go green’.
26
P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
In terms of installing carpet and resilient floorcoverings, perhaps
the biggest challenge has been in providing environmentally
friendly adhesives, an area that has regularly used alcohol, glycol,
methanol, ammonia (with their associated hazardous vapours) in
their manufacture.
This problem has now been solved by Smoothedge with the
introduction of its Earthbond range, comprising a revolutionary sol-
vent-free acrylic bond adhesive that contains only very low levels of
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and none of the above harmful
substances; and Earthtac PSA – a pressure-sensitive adhesive with
the same beneficial qualities.
Earthbond offers a total solution to the potential hazards com-
monly associated with traditional floorcovering adhesives; it does
not contribute to sick building syndrome and is suitable for hospi-
tals, retirement homes, hotels, office blocks and restaurants where
hazardous vapours may present potential health risks.
Local adhesives are solvent based and contain very high quantities
of Volatile organic compounds – ±140grams of VOC for solvent-
based adhesives. Earthbond is the only water-based adhesive for
carpet and vinyl installations in South Africa.
Use of this adhesive improves air quality, causes fewer health
problems (if any) and emits very little odour during installation,
becoming odourless when dry. As a water-based acrylic adhesive,
Earthbond is totally solvent-free, and provides outstanding adhe-
sion to the substrate.
Smoothedge is a member and keen supporter of the Green
Building Association and it is interesting to note that several major
banks aiming to achieve ‘Green Building’ status have specified and
used Earthbond.
To complete the range, Earthtac PSA has been developed as a
pressure-sensitive adhesive with low VOC content which is manu-
factured to the highest quality standards and enjoys all the ‘green’
features and benefits of Earthbound adhesive.
This high-quality adhesive has been used extensively in South
Africa in heavy commercial applications such as banks, furniture
stores and exhibitions centres. In use, it can be brushed or rolled on
and it remains permanently tacky after flash-off, as well as providing
an excellent hold.
Established in 1966, Smoothedge has vast experience in meeting
the needs of the flooring industry, and has gained an exemplary
reputation throughout the trade with superior products such as car-
pet grippers, aluminium edgings and flooring tools.
In 1986 Smoothedge took the decision that adhesives were an
important growth area and, having carried out extensive research
into the design and manufacture of specialised flooring adhesives,
has also developed new formulations for outdoor use with contact
adhesive including a non-flammable contact.
It is this diligent investment in development programmes aimed
at meeting the requirements of its customers and end-users that
has led Smoothedge to the provision of the Earthbound and
Earthtac PSA adhesives.
Providing a broad range of customers with solutions for all their
fitting needs is the main aim of Smoothedge, and this continued
research and development, resulting in innovative solutions to
everyday installation problems, will ensure that the company will
remain firmly established as a reputable and innovative supplier in
the forefront of the South African flooring industry.
Smoothedge
Tel: 011 555 5360
Fax: 011 555 5378
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P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Coolcrete concrete stain is manufactured and
marketed for the decoration of concrete floors in
South Africa by Tile & Floor Care (TFC), which is
one of South Africa’s leading floor care specialists.
The product is styled as being a (genuinely) pen-
etrating concrete stain, because the liquid pen-
etrates into the concrete and a chemical reaction
takes place that permanently changes the colour
of the concrete. It does not peel, crack or flake.
Bringingblandcementfloorstolife!The stain can be applied to old or new cement. The cement
must be unsealed, unpainted and porous, so that the stain
can penetrate and react. Once the stain is applied and penetrates
into the pores of the cement, the metallic salts in an acidic water-
based solution react with the calcium hydroxide (free lime) in the
hard cement and yield insoluble permanent colours.
Coolcrete stain is available in four colours, namely: Riverstone
(brown), Cobblestone (gold), Limestone (green), and Soapstone
(blue) and is presented in 1-litre, 5-litre and 25-litre packs.
The stain works very well as a stand-alone decorative finish or it
blends effectively with natural finishes such as sandstone, slate,
travertine and marble.
One of the many advantages of this product is that you are lim-
ited only by your artistic flair, because the colours may be used
together to create any type of pattern or shade. Your cement
floor will be seen to be beautiful, like never before.
The use of Coolcrete has clear advantages for several reasons.
For example, TFC knows and understands porous flooring sub-
strates, and thus has provided a performance-tested product.
The stain will be protected by tried-and-tested TFC sealers, thus
providing stain resistance and longevity.
The product is aimed at the DIY consumer, and thus is pro-
duced to be very user-friendly, plus the fact that it is a very
cost-effective decorative application that provides a fashionable,
natural choice of finish.
Coolcrete is available nationally through all TFC distribution
centres, which means that it is readily available anywhere. This
also means that the product is backed by the TFC support infra-
structure and experience.
Tile and Floor Care
Tel: 011 822 6901
Toll-free: 0800 00 6173
Fax: 011 822 6902
Website: www.tfc.co.za
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ProtectionofyourfloorsstartsoutsideTwenty years ago, access matting options were
pretty well cut-and-dried with only a couple of
varieties to choose from. Today, improved tech-
nologies, extended durability and improved func-
tionality have been incorporated into the variety of
access matting types now available.
Traditionally, there are vast reasons why a facility manager
would consider implementing a matting system. Some might
consider it a safety factor or use mats to display logos, while others
comment that mats are a necessity that help improve cleanliness
throughout the facility. In reality, there is no one right reason why
matting is important. There are actually a variety of benefits to its
implementation.
High-performance matting systems help to stop dirt and water at
the door, minimise the tracking of soil and water into the facility, and
protect floors, as well as providing a safe surface that is slip-resistant.
Reduction of fatigue is also a factor which is often overlooked.
Picking up dirt can be a nuisance. It can also be pricey. By install-
ing a suitable matting system, the cost of manpower and need for
cleaning chemicals are reduced.
It takes just one phone call to Matco – one of South Africa’s fore-
most experts on all types of access matting – to get the informa-
tion you need on the style of matting you require – based on the
volume and type of foot traffic expected. In addition, location of
access matting plays a very important role.
The answers to these questions will determine what type of mat-
ting is required, as well as whether the matting needs fitting into a
recessed well or laying on a prepared surface. In this latter case it
is important to use bevelled edging to keep the mat in place and
reduce the risk of tripping. However, mats laid in recesses have three
times the lifespan of a loose-laying mat, and never get misplaced.
Matco is an importer and manufacturer of matting for all applica-
tions, with a knowledge of matting coupled with years of experi-
ence and an extensive sales programme that has been the core of
the company’s success in meeting any entrance matting require-
ment – selecting the right size, the correct materials, and the per-
fect installation techniques to keep the flooring looking as good as
when it was first specified.
Matco Marketing
Tel: 011 452 7961
Fax: 011 452 7965
E-mail: sales@matcomats.co.za/jean@matcomats.co.za/
calvin@matcomats.co.za
Website: www.matcomarketing.co.za
Nexus (the commercial division of Belgotex
Floorcoverings) is currently supplying a total
of approximately 7 000m² of custom-made
Shadow SDX floor tiles for the refurbishment of
African Bank in Midrand.
Custom-madetilesforAfricanBank
In collaboration with the experienced Custom-X design team from
Nexus, Lily Theron of African Bank was able to create a nylon car-
pet tile that represents a significant change from the needlepunch
tiles previously used.
Emphasising the merits of Nexus Custom-X designs, marketing
services manager Helen de Villiers says, “Flooring is a fundamental
element to define your style – it communicates the company philos-
ophy and reflects the corporate identity, so it should entail collabo-
ration between client and designer to marry performance demands
with design imperatives.”
“We’ve noticed a definite move towards modular carpet tiles
where broadloom carpets once accounted for 60-70% of sales,”
noted Frank Moffat, CEO of Belgotex Floorcoverings.
“Architects, designers and consequently clients are more confident
about moving away from trusty needlepunch ranges to more excit-
ing tufted tiles,” he added.He attributes this trend to improvements
in both yarn technology and greater colour and design possibilities
Incorporating a subtle geometric square design, Shadow SDX pro-
vides an excellent choice for heavy commercial applications such
as this project, where the need to disguise soiling is essential to the
purchasing decision.�2
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
P r o j e c t s
Nexus (division of Belgotex Floorcoverings)
Tel: 033 897 7500
Fax: 033 897 7700
E-mail: nexus@carpet.co.za
upgrading project.”
Informed by international design trends, the plush comfort and
variety of Nexus’ stock or specially tailored carpet designs (Custom-
X) are well suited to the creation of a hushed warmer atmosphere
that will stand up to the rigours of commercial and industrial
applications.
Modular tiles from Nexus allow the replacement of worn pathways
without affecting the rest of the room. Colour-matching concerns
are a thing of the past with the development of exacting colouring
techniques and advanced SDX fibre technology that allows a fabu-
lous variety of subtle and bold patterned carpets that effectively
hide soiling.
High-traffic areas such as entrance halls or passages need durable
carpets. Nexus offers a variety of fashionable or traditional colour-
ways, patterned or plain, and textures that can be combined for
dramatic effect or matched to any corporate identity.
The SDX carpet ranges are stainproof needing only a mixture of
50% bleach and 50% water to remove the most stubborn of stains
that occur in an office environment returning them to their original
condition and with simple vacuum cleaning, it is all the mainte-
nance normally required.
Made from 100% Stainproof SDX (Solution-Dyed Nylon) fibres
which means that they are both stain-proof and UV-resistant, these
50cm x 50cm tufted level-loop-pile tiles are of Heavy Commercial
grading, and incorporate a NexBac backing system.
NexBac is a premium, multi-layered, bitumen-based backing sys-
tem developed specifically for tiles, combining superb dimensional
stability with superior lay-flat characteristics, and eliminating fray-
ing, buckling and bending in tile installations.
“We selected a durable, attractive finish in black and tan for use
throughout the building that achieves the result we were looking
for,” says the Revamp Team of African Bank, “and we are confident
that this will provide us with excellent service for at least another
seven years.”
The installation of the new floor is under the initial contract of
Linka Flooring, who also had the task of stripping out the old Berber
Point tiles previously used. “We then prepared the subfloor to
accept the Shadow SDX tiles, which are being installed using a pres-
sure-sensitive adhesive,” says Linka Flooring’s managing director,
Denis Peche.
Linka has been in operation for ten years, based in the 5-Star
Business Park in Honeydew and, although the company has worked
with Nexus before, this is its first contract for African Bank.
It was planned that the installation of new tiles throughout the
entire building should be achieved with a minimum of disruption
to the existing operation – about a third of the floor area has been
installed already, with the work still proceeding.
Mark Orton of Nexus Johannesburg says, “This installation is
going well and, as the largest carpet manufacturer in the Southern
Hemisphere – with a factory that is certified and compliant with ISO
9001 and ISO 14001 – Belgotex Floorcoverings and Nexus are proud
that African Bank has selected our product for this prestigious
P r o j e c t s
��F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
�4
P r o j e c t s
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
One of the wonderful aspects of this
home is its natural character, which
is defined by the Table Mountain
Sandstone on the walls. This was
handcrafted by the original builder.
The sandstone forms a magnificent
backdrop to the living areas.
Abeautifulhome castinstone
Flow and form were extremely important
as the owner wanted to create a tranquil
space where he could come home to relax and
unwind. Quartz Carpet’s seamless, uncomplicat-
ed flow provided the perfect solution as it could
also accommodate the underfloor heating.
However, another reason for this flooring
choice was that Quartz Carpet was able to
accommodate and flow into the non-uniform
edges of the sandstone walls. As the family had
young children, the floor also needed to be
soft, stain-resistant, durable, hygienic and easy
to clean and maintain.
The original home had slate floors, but
because of the visual heaviness of the stone
walls, the flooring needed to be a lighter, more
modern and uplifting material to complement
and contrast.
Jeremy Stewart from Quartz Carpet says, “The
home has a definite Eurocentric feel, but with
a touch of Africa infused. It has a warmth that
makes you want to stay inside just that little bit
longer.”
Quartz Carpet
Tel: 086 178 2789
Fax: 021 7974743
Website: www.quartzcarpet.co.za
UniquefloorcoveringsforoysterBoxrefurbishment
Having undergone a major refurbishment that
took over two years to complete, the celebrated
Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga now boasts over
400m² of Synergy bamboo floor provided by
Teragren South Africa, installed with the use of
Elastilon Strong self-adhesive underlay.
Formed in 1994, Teragren is a US-based manufacturer of fine
bamboo flooring, panels and veneers, and its Synergy strand-
woven bamboo flooring with Xcora technology is manufactured
in a process that fuses bamboo fibres with an environmentally
safe adhesive under extreme pressure to form homogeneous,
high-density sheets that are sliced and milled into flooring planks.
As a result, Synergy technology is much harder than red oak,
�6
P r o j e c t s
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
making it perfect for high-traffic areas in both residential and com-
mercial settings. Synergy is also FloorScore-certified, one of the most
rigorous air quality standards in the world.
Of the four distinctive blends of bamboo strands available,
Chestnut colour was used for this project.
Elastilon Strong underlay is marketed in South Africa by Suntups,
and this patented revolutionary peel-and-stick membrane has a per-
manently elastic cross-linked, closed-cell polyethylene construction
with a non-toxic, self-adhesive upper surface that bonds directly with
the hardwood, creating a solid, inseparable floor – making it ideal for
use with bamboo flooring.
While sealing the underside of the boards, Elastilon allows for
natural expansion and contraction inherent in hardwood floors with
humidity changes, which helps to eliminate cupping.
This project was completed under the control of y2k Architects in
conjunction with Giuricich Bros, the main contractor, and highlights
the successful installation of two quality branded products in a 5-Star
beachfront hotel environment, where the floor enhances the overall
ambience of the décor and caters for the high-traffic requirement.
Teragren South Africa Elastilon South Africa
Tel: 082 928 0393 Tel: 011 610 1700
P r o j e c t s
�7F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
AddinglustretoconcretefloorsAlthough Concrete Laser Flooring in Durban has
only been in existence for a little over three years, it
has already established a firm reputation for quality
workmanship and attention to detail.
These are the qualities that have already enabled CLF KZN to suc-
cessfully complete many major projects – including the exten-
sive polishing of concrete floors at Moses Mabhiba Stadium, Moses
Mabhiba People’s Park, and the Orchidea Hotel in Johannesburg.
The work carried out at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium – built
to accommodate 70 000 spectators at matches for the FIFA 2010
Soccer World Cup – entailed CLF KZN completing 10 000m² of con-
crete polishing in front of the retail area. Concrete polishing was also
used as the preferred method of aesthetic finish on the recent beach
front promenade upgrade including 2km of precast covers, 7000m² of
concrete bands and 1 000m² at the new restaurants.
At the adjacent Moses Mabhida People’s Park, CLF KZN were respon-
sible for placing and polishing over 24 000m² of concrete surface
beds. 12 000m² track around two football fields – a total length of 1,1
kilometres were placed to falls and densified to withstand the high
amount of foot traffic.
“By placing and polishing the concrete ourselves we eliminate split responsibilities and achieve an optimum aesthetic finish,” says CLF
KZN director Nic de Carvalho. “On these projects it also enabled us
to provide a consistent high quality and to meet the extremely tight
time constraints.”
Internal floors are placed using the laser screed method in areas
exceeding 2 000m² per day, and this wide-area pour method ensures
that far fewer construction day joints are required on any project.
The CLF KZN branch provides a professional, high-quality concrete
placing and polishing service throughout South Africa, and one of its
recent successful contracts was completed at the Orchidea Hotel in
De Korte Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
As part of the ongoing Johannesburg CBD refurbishment pro-
gramme, Southpoint Properties renovated this hotel, creating 60
rooms, and renamed it The Lamunu Hotel. On this project CLF KZN
polished and dyed the floor, thus allowing the architect/designer to
add a creative touch to the polished concrete.
“In applications such as this, the concrete can either be dyed during
the polishing process or an integral colour concrete can be used as
was the case for the Moses Mabhiba commuter station, depending
on the design requirements,” says De Carvalho.
“Polished concrete is an exceptionally functional floor; it is harder
and stronger than other floor finishes, and in comparison with
unfinished concrete it has 40% more abrasion resistance, 20% better
impact resistance, and a 30% increase in ambient light reflection.”
“It also provides a more level surface, lower maintenance cost with
less wear and tear on cleaning equipment, and lower lifecycle costs
based on the cost of the initial installation,” De Carvalho concludes.
Concrete Laser Flooring (CLF) Durban
Tel: 011 323 2900 Tel: 031 705 2388
Fax: 011 823 2103 Fax: 031 705 1614
E-mail: peter@concreteflooring.co.za Email: nic@floorcon.co.za�8
P r o j e c t s
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Concrete Laser Flooring was established in
Johannesburg during 2004. Following its success
in providing quality industrial flooring from its
Gauteng base, together with the acquisition of
Norton Construction products that enabled CLF to
provide an exceptional turnkey service for new or
the renovation of existing floors – it was a natural
step to offer these services in KwaZulu-Natal with
the opening of a facility in Pinetown.
Qualityconcreteflooringandpolishingthe Moses Mabhiba Stadium and the adjacent People’s Park (a total
of over 36 000m²); the successful completion of warehouse flooring
for Pepkor (22 000m²); Unilever (45 000m²), Grindrod (9 000m²); and
Heneways (9 000m²).
CLF KZN director Nic de Carvalho says, “The formation of a branch in
KwaZulu-Natal not only enables the company to provide a full service
in Durban and the coastal areas, but it adds another element to our
overall sales programme, because with the use of state-of-the-art
equipment from various international suppliers, CLF KZN can meet
the increasing demand and any requirement for high-quality polished
concrete throughout Southern Africa.
Years of contracting experience combined with world-class prod-
ucts and equipment has resulted in CLF becoming one of one of
the world’s finest industrial flooring contractors, having gained an
enviable reputation for the contracts it has successfully completed
throughout Southern Africa, and its capability of supplying quality
flooring products throughout the world.
Concrete Laser Flooring (CLF) Durban
Tel: 011 323 2900 Tel: 031 705 2388
Fax: 011 823 2103 Fax: 031 705 1614
E-mail: peter@concreteflooring.co.za nic@concreteflooring.co.za
This led to the formation of CLF KZN (Pty) Ltd in 2007, and since
then this venture has never looked back in meeting the demand
for concrete placing and floating; concrete grinding and polishing;
and floor coatings throughout the Province.
With the ability of offering a one-stop shop from layerworks to final
coating and joint sealing, CLF KZN has already added a host of top
companies and organisations to its satisfied customer list, including
Coca-Cola, Massmart, Barrows, Unilever, SAB, Unitrans, Midas, and
major property groups such as Collins and GrowthPoint.
Amongst the high-profile projects recently completed are the
extensive concrete placing and polishing contracts carried out at
P r o j e c t s
��F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
sealantfornewcommunitysportsstadiumsa.b.e. Construction Chemicals supplied the con-
struction sealant for two sports stadiums in
KwaZulu-Natal which, after being used as training
venues for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, are
now important community facilities.
a.b.e. Construction Chemicals sealants were used on the pre-cast concrete elements of the new uMhlathuze Stadium in Richards Bay.
Deon de Kock, technical sales consultant for a.b.e. in Durban, says
the company’s Dow Corning 813C silicone sealant was applied
to seal all the joints on the precast concrete seating elements of the
upgraded Sugar Boy Xulu Stadium in Claremont, Durban; and the
new uMhlathuze Stadium in Richards Bay.
As part of the upgrading of the Sugar Boy Xulu Stadium – named
after a soccer legend of the 1960s – the seating capacity was
increased from 1700 to 6500. uMhlathuze Stadium is a new 8000-seat
facility that forms part of Richards Bay’s Veld-en-Vlei Sports Complex.
De Kock says Dow Corning 813C is a low-modulus, neutral-cure sili-
cone sealant which can cope with exceptionally wide joints and well
as joint movements of up to 50%. “The joints sealed at the stadiums
were, on average, between 30 to 50mm,” he stated.
Dow Corning 813C sealant provides exceptional unprimed adhesion
to both porous and non-porous substrates, and is resistant to ozone
and UV radiation and temperature extremes. “The sealant can be used
on concrete, stone masonry, brick, aluminium, plastic, wood, as well
as glazed surfaces. It requires no maintenance and provides long ser-
vice life,” De Kock added.
For the Sugar Boy Xulu Stadium, the sealant was applied by
approved a.b.e. applicator Inter Civil Projects; while the applicator for
the uMhlathuze Stadium was the new KZN branch of Ultimo Seal of
Gauteng.
a.b.e. Construction Chemicals is the local distributor of the Belgian
Dow Corning sealants which hold European Technical Approval
through independent testing to European Technical Approval
Guidelines (ETAG002).
a.b.e. Construction Chemicals
Tel: 011 306 9000
Website: www.abe.co.za
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P r o j e c t s
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
CERAMIC, PORCELAIN & STONE
featureFloor tiles are available in a wide variety of
colours, shapes, sizes, textures, and features,
providing unlimited design possibilities, and
apart from being able to be used almost
anywhere, they will last for a very long time,
when these are properly looked after and
maintained correctly.
F e a t u r e : C e r a m i c , P o r c e l a i n & S t o n e
41F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Basicsofgoodtileinstallations
Floor tiles are available in a wide variety of colours, shapes,
sizes, textures, and features, providing unlimited design
possibilities, and apart from being able to be used almost
anywhere, they will last for a very long time, when these are
properly looked after and maintained correctly.
42
F e a t u r e : C e r a m i c , P o r c e l a i n & S t o n e
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
F e a t u r e : C e r a m i c , P o r c e l a i n & S t o n e
4�F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Tile choices are numerous, and architects, interior designers,
developers or property owners can choose from ceramic,
porcelain, stone, terracotta, marble, or slate tiles, in colours to
complement any décor.
Ceramic tiles can be used on floors, walls, countertops,
ceilings, pools, showers, outside walls, but the tiles must be
properly selected and properly installed for each individual
application. Substrate selection and preparation for flooring
applications are also important.
Many people don’t realise the environmental aspects of using
tiled floors. Firstly, most modern tile factories are energy-effi-
cient, and with hi-tech recycling techniques there is little or no
waste discharge.
In addition, many overseas manufacturers are investigating
the recycling of scrap tiles into new production, and technol-
ogy is being developed to use scrap glass and municipal waste.
(Most factories already use broken or scrap material which they
grind down and re-use.)
Also, tile is made from naturally occurring minerals that are
extremely abundant. There is no shortage of clay worldwide,
and tile lasts a very long time. Unlike other materials that are
replaced every 7 years or so and dumped in a landfill, tile,
stone and the exotic hard floorcoverings can last for centuries.
Screeds are an important aspect of any flooring installation.
Any type of floorcovering requires a smooth, level, dry, clean
surface on which to install the flooring, and anything less can
result in cracked and broken tiles, uneven surfaces, and even
floor failure – but these are covered in the Below the Surface
feature in this issue.
However, to get the full functionality of a tiled floor, as well as
adding the essential finishing touches that enhance its appeal,
you need to use the right accessories and pay attention to the
grouting, sealing and cleaning of these floors, so this introduc-
tory article will concentrate mostly on these aspects.
Despite the fact that ceramic tile is a very durable floorcover-
ing, tile edges are brittle and prone to cracking and chipping
when left unprotected; the answer is to use a trim of the cor-
rect profile.
TrimsThere are proprietary trims available for any tile or stone
floorcovering, including expansion and transition joints, trims
for finishing, ends, steps and adaptable shapes used to solve
expansion and installation gaps at the junction with sliding
doors and staircases – and for the protection of the tile edges
at the transition between different flooring types, screeds or
curved surfaces.
Sloped profiles are available to address height differences
between the tile layer and other floorcoverings – particularly
important in applications that need to accommodate wheel-
chairs or people with disabilities. Trim profiles may also be
used to provide decorative features or accents within the floor.
Tiled floors are easy to clean and they promote a hygienic
environment, but poorly designed transitions between floors
and walls can collect dust and dirt and are difficult to keep
clean.
Where hygiene is of the utmost concern, such as in hospitals, com-
mercial kitchens and bathrooms, coving is often required in specifica-
tion documents. Coving is a ceramic base that provides a rounded
transition between the floor and wall, making cleaning easier.
Structural, movement & expansion jointsIf your need is for a large ceramic tiled floor – such as in a large, open-
plan office – the tiling must be divided into sections and movement
joints placed about every 5-10m in either direction.
Care must be taken to ensure that movement joints in the tiling
relate to, and are continuous with, the structural movement joints of
the building, although they will be formed separately – preferably iso-
lated by a PVC sheet or other suitable material. Any movement joints
within the substrate should be followed through to the surface.
Movement joints are also necessary where tiling is laid over the
abutment of different materials or where abnormal stresses, vibra-
tions or thermal movement is likely to occur. Drying and settlement
of the substrate should also be considered and accommodated at the
design stage.
There are numerous specialist suppliers of trims and joints in South
Africa, and the most reputable of these will provide technical infor-
mation and advice on their use and installation. All the major tile
manufacturers and suppliers will also be able to help in this respect.
groutWhen choosing a tile, pay particular attention to choosing the right
grout to accentuate the look and life of the tiles. Not only will the
right type of grout protect the life of the tiles, but a great grout
colour can turn an ordinary tile installation into a great one, and
really enhance the design of any tiled floor. Before purchasing grout,
decide whether you need cement-based or epoxy grout, and pick the
required colour.
Of the three basic grout types the most common is Portland
cement-based grout, which is available in sanded, unsanded, and
latex-modified varieties. Sanded and unsanded cement-based grouts
are the least expensive and the easiest for DIY enthusiasts to work
with. They are readily available in home improvement stores, and
come in a wide variety of colours.
When choosing sanded or unsanded grout, think about the size
of the spaces between tiles and the tile product you are using. Sand
makes grout more durable and resistant to cracking or shrinking, and
should be used if the joints or spaces between tiles are larger than
3mm. Sand is abrasive, however, and should not be used on polished
tiles or marble unless the tiles are protected with tape.
Modifying cement-based grout with latex makes the grout more
water-resistant than other cement-based grout products. Some
cement-based grout mixes include latex, or it can be added during
the mixing process. Latex additives have the additional benefit of
making grout colours more vivid. Latex additives also help in resisting
fungus growth in wet or damp areas such as showers.
Occasionally, a tile project will require the use of a specialised epoxy
grout. These grouts are more expensive and more difficult to install
than cement-based grout, but have the benefit of being resistant to
damage by chemicals.
If you are installing tile in an area where you need an extremely
strong or water-resistant grout, epoxy grout may be a good choice.
44
F e a t u r e : C e r a m i c , P o r c e l a i n & S t o n e
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
It is available in sanded or unsanded
varieties.
One of the first things to do before
grouting is to choose the right grout
colour. The tiles could look terrible if
the right grout colour is not selected.
You can, of course, use grout as part
of the overall design, by having a
carefully selected and different colour
grout to enhance the tiles and match
your decorative scheme.
Consider where the tile will be used.
Light-coloured grout is impractical
for areas that get dirty quickly, such
as entryways. For high-traffic areas,
choose a colour that won’t need to be
scrubbed daily to maintain its look.
For bathrooms, consider grey or light-
brown grout; white grout will ‘yellow’
in wet areas.
Next, consider the tile itself. Light
colours draw attention to the tile and
are a good choice if you really want
to showcase the tiles. Light grouts are
also good at hiding imperfections in
tile spacing.
Darker colours, in addition to being
highly stain-resistant, draw attention
to the pattern of the tile. If you’ve
worked hard to lay your tiles in an
unusual pattern, consider a darker
grout.
One final word about grout. If you
are renovating an existing floor, there
are specially formulated chemicals
and treatments available to clean old
and dirty grout and restore it to its
original colour, although it is recom-
mended that a grout sealer is applied
once it is clean.
Cleaning and maintenance Most ceramic, porcelain and natural
stone tiles have factory treatments or
at least manufacturer’s or supplier’s
recommendations in terms of special-
ist items such as anti-stain and anti-
slip treatments, polishes and sealants,
but one also needs to pay full atten-
tion to the general cleaning require-
ments of these floors.
In general, these floors tend to be
water-resistant but any stains or spills
should be attended to immediately.
The use of a mild detergent is essen-
tial if there is any grease or oil on the
CE
RA
MIC
A S
AN
T’A
GO
ST
INO
F e a t u r e : C e r a m i c , P o r c e l a i n & S t o n e
4�F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
floor; using just water alone, whether it is cold or warm,
is not effective in removing this kind of spill.
But the supplier’s or manufacturer’s instructions
should be followed carefully, because a solution that is
too strong can be as ineffective as one that is too weak.
Also, the detergent must be left on the floor long
enough to allow effective removal of grease before rins-
ing. Scouring or brushing can increase the effectiveness
of detergent.
If the stain remains stubborn, try to loosen the spot
with a soft brush or synthetic scouring pad, but avoid
steel wool or metal brushes as these can scratch the
surface of the tiles. Mildew is a common problem with
ceramic tiles and this can be tackled with a solution of
equal parts water and ammonia, together with a soft
brush.
Care should be taken to ensure that water used to
clean the floor is effectively removed, or there is a risk
of slipping. The use of a dry mop after washing will
reduce the drying time but will not eliminate the slip
risk – you should ensure that the floor is left to dry
completely.
With natural stone floors it pays to take advice from
your supplier, because each stone has its own level of
porosity which makes some stone floors more suscep-
tible to staining than others, and he will know if sealing
the stone is an option to consider. In this case, the seal-
ing should be performed by a reliable professional.
This article provides you with the basics of selecting,
laying, grouting, and cleaning of tiles, but you should
seek the full advice of experts for each aspect of the
purchasing and installation of the materials if you wish
to achieve the results you are looking for.
Acknowledgement and thanks are given to the following
websites for information used in this article: www.wfca.
org; www.ceramicworldweb.it; www.flooringknowledge.
com; www.archrecord.construction.com.NATURAL STONE WAREHOUSE
Internationaltradeinceramictile
With most countries showing an increase in
export sales during the first six months of
2010 (Italy had an increase of 3,5% for a total
of 147,2 million m²), showing a slow recovery
from what was regarded as a very difficult
year for the ceramic tile industry during
2009, it is interesting to note the state of play
regarding the main players in the market.
46
F e a t u r e : C e r a m i c , P o r c e l a i n & S t o n e
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
CERAMICHE SUPERGRES:PAVIMENTI
CERAMICHE SUPERGRES:PAVIMENTI LEA
is discovered. From a total value of €10,17 million (R97,6 million),
China achieved only 19,7% of the grand total, Spain 16,5%, and the
remainder (excluding Italy) were all considerably less.
Italy achieved 32% of the total value, which means that they are
demanding premium prices for their high-quality tiles, and the mar-
ket is responding favourably, with nearly 57 million m² exported to
France; 41,3 to Germany, and 40,8 to the USA.
This disparity in value seems to indicate that China and Spain are
undercutting price in order to gain or maintain market share, which
might imply to the trade that their products are cheap or inferior,
which is debatable.
Ceramic Tiles of Italy
F e a t u r e : C e r a m i c , P o r c e l a i n & S t o n e
47F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
For decades Italian and Spanish manufacturers ruled the roost in
export markets, but with China increasingly entering the market
since the turn of the century, the international situation now looks a
lot different.
The market reached a total of 1 720 million m² by the end of 2009,
and whereas Italy and Spain used to dominate the statistics, they rep-
resented just 30% of the market last year (Italy 16,3%; Spain 13,7%).
The biggest performer was China (28,7%) and all other countries
formed the balance of 41,3% – from Europe, South America and
others – but none of these countries achieved 5% of the total.
Turkey was closest with 4,8%.
However, it is interesting to compare the total square metres
involved with the total value attained. Here a different scenario
LEONARDO CERAMICA
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Beawareofthedefects!
The website www.findstone.com/defects.htm (to
which acknowledgement and thanks are given)
provides a wide array of information on natural
stones, including the following defects that buyers
(and specifiers) should be aware of:
Shade variationSlabs and tiles should be sorted to ensure uniformity of shade.
Normally, any colour can be sorted into three shades. Sorting is
simple – just lay all the material on the floor and look from differ-
ent directions. If you intend to buy the entire quantity over a period
of time, then you should make a point to know from which specific
quarry the material will be supplied, as there will always be a differ-
ence between quarries.
grain variationIf the grain varies between fine and coarse, these tiles or slabs should
also be sorted uniformly by grain size. Sort this the same way as for
shade. The further you see it from, the easier it is to sort.
OilingMany black granites are light black. To make them temporarily look
blacker, industrial oil is rubbed on after polishing. This oil evaporates
after some months, leaving the slab looking very shabby. Test with a
burning match; this will heat an oiled surface and the oil will rub off
on your finger.
ColouringSimilarly, red oxide is put on red granites to make them look redder
and to fill cracks. To check this, rub the surface hard with your finger
and see if some red colour rubs off. By wetting the sawn surface (the
back side of a polished piece), you can see the true colour and nature
of any granite.
Colour patchesThese are darker or lighter patches or bands of single colours due
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to mineral localisation; in black this occurs as ‘oil patches’ – patches
which look as if oil has been spilled. These are actually permanent
patches, and you should pay less for such materials.
After laying and seeing from different angles, it is easy to see which
pieces have these defects. Tapping with your fingernails or a spoon
may give different sounds on these patches compared to the rest of
the granite.
double colourSometimes two different grain sizes occur in the same slab, giving the
appearance of a double colour. Pay less for such materials.
Cracks Test by pouring water, wiping and letting dry. Water that goes into a
crack evaporates last.
StainingMany granites stain. Test before buying with wet spices or oil kept
on it for a few minutes. Even if staining is not your worry, if you are
going to wash the surface frequently, then check how long tap water
remains absorbed. Some granites change colour when wet. Since dry-
ing is a slow process, the surface looks unattractive during the interim
period when part of it is wet and part is dry.
holesSome crystallic granites do not have a smooth surface. The surface
chips or there are pin-holes. Avoid this type for horizontal applications.
Having decided on a particular granite, it is important to note that
shade and grain should be as uniform as possible in the entire lot;
there are natural colour variations in granite, as with any natural
stone, but this does not mean that the stone is defective.
It is important that sufficient tiles are obtained to complete the job
as there can be shade variations between batches; however, natural
stone is still probably the easiest material to match up after many
years as Mother Nature never discontinues a product line, as can hap-
pen with man-made materials.
Lastly, it should be stressed that all natural stones should be sealed
to prevent staining. It is important to use a penetrating sealer, as this
does not change the appearance of the stone, nor does it give a var-
nished effect (although colour enhancing and “wet” look sealers are
also available) but it protects the stone from the inside. This will gives
far more time to wipe up accidental spills, as any liquid will pool on
the surface and not be absorbed by the stone.
Thanks is also given to Natural Stone Warehouse for additional infor-
mation used in this article.
NATURAL STONE WAREHOUSE
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FlooringtrendsatCErsAIE2010
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FLOORS in Africa was there, represented by Marlene van Rooyen,
editor of our sister publication WALLS & ROOFS in Africa, and all
the aspects of the greening of this sector of the flooring industry
that were encountered at CERSAIE are discussed in a separate article
in this issue, entitled It’s ‘Green for Go’ in Flooring. That leaves us free
to bring you the latest trends and innovations that were on display.
The environmental issues that the world faces were
highlighted throughout CERSAIE 2010 as ceramic
and porcelain tile manufacturers all vied to pro-
duce even more eco-friendly products using the
whole gamut of ‘green’ processes.
By far the greatest number of new ideas and designs were related
to wall tiles this year, with floral patterns, embossing and faux
embossing, the creation of mock wallpaper looks, wood, glass and
special effects well to the fore, and large-format wall tiles well rep-
resented – even to the extent of using them as sliding doors! Self-
cleaning wall tiles also attracted a lot of attention.
As in recent years, large-format floor tiles are still popular, par-
ticularly when laid with others of varying size to create special floor
effects; slabs 2m long in various widths; tiles of 80cm x 80cm and
bigger seemed to be in everybody’s sales programme, and porcelain
tiles of this size installed to provide a seamless appearance create a
feeling of spaciousness not usually associated with a tiled floor.
They are particularly effective when using tiles with a wood or nat-
ural stone look. In fact, they even seem to have even more power to
LEA
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deceive than the vinyl and lami-
nate floors that started the whole
trend in look-alike flooring.
Very little in the way of floral
patterns or bright colours in
flooring was seen this year,
following the emphasis on
appearing like wood and stone,
but muted colours were appar-
ent when used with florals that
give an overall embossed look.
There was also a high percent-
age of all-white and solid black
floors that look stunning in the
right application, and other
finishes that were selected to
match rather than complement
the tiled walls, often custom-
made. Following the same
theme, there was one manufac-
turer that had produced its own
paint range to match its new
floor tile ranges.
Other new ideas that were
noticed included glitter tiles; glit-
ter grouting; glass mosaic inlays;
natural stone mosaics; emboss-
ing or relief effects that go right
up to the edge of the tile; and
custom-made tiles and mosaics
(mostly for walls) that depict the
picture or photograph of your
choice, using digital printing
technology.
Another design that caught the
eye was large-format tiles with
ribs or raised designs that pro-
vide a matt top surface but with
a background that is ‘polished’.
Specialised tiles for swimming
pools and other wet areas were
featured – one range termed
as ‘aerated’ floor tiles because
they act as pavers but have
holes drilled in them (similar
to the traditional airbrick) to
reduce the weight when trans-
porting or installing. ‘Grating’
tiles were also on display that
enable water runoff in these
applications.
One of the world’s leading
manufacturers of adhesives
and sealants has introduced an
innovative soundproofing sys-
tem for buildings that is applied CERAMICHE SUPERGRES
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directly under tiles.
Comprising thin sheets made
from recycled cork and rubber
bound with a high-quality poly-
urethane composition, this new
system is laid directly on any
type of substrate, including old
floors, before laying any type of
flooring material. It is also suit-
able for use with heated floors.
Easy to install, and ideal for
new buildings where it can be
laid directly onto concrete floor
slabs, this nnovation makes
considerable reductions to
sound transmission, and also
provides a certain amount of
thermal insulation.
Finally, it had to happen! One of
Italy’s oldest and most respected
manufacturers has introduced
a new dry-fixing system that is
said to revolutionise the laying of
cement tiles – Clip Tile.
Practical, hygienic, easy to
lay and reusable, Clip Tile is a
porcelain stoneware tile that
makes flooring easy in just a
few simple steps, thanks to its
plastic frame that has an auto-
matic coupling system.
It is this automatic hooking
with its mechanical precision
that enables the tiles to be laid
without glue and joint fillers,
and there is neither inconve-
nience, dirt, excessive noise,
nor fumes when installing. It
also decreases the transmission
sound, and is suitable for fitting
with heated floors.
This article manages to touch
on a selection of new ideas that
featured at this year’s CERSAIE
exhibition. The amount of new
development and technology
that was on display, coupled
with the keen attention being
paid by manufacturers to the
environmental issues (reported
on separately in this issue),
underlines the fact that the
ceramic tile industry continues
on a path of customer service,
innovative design, and social
responsibility.CERAMICHE SUPERGRES
It’sgreenforgoatCErsAIE!
Unlike many alternative floorcoverings, ceramic
and porcelain tiles do not carry the same public-
ity impact as the more obvious ‘green’ products
(bamboo, cork, linoleum, and others) – except that
the basic raw materials are in almost inexhaustible
supply, and the installed tiles can last for several
lifetimes – but this sector of the industry is certainly
not standing still in meeting their eco-commit-
ments.
The main precept is to produce floorcoverings that present no
harm to man or the environment.
The majority of exhibitors at Cersaie 2010 were keen to broadcast
their environmental and social responsibility programmes and, in
line with most other industries, there is great emphasis placed on the
greening and improvement of the manufacturing plant efficiencies.
In a nutshell, this involves reducing the consumption of energy,
water and non-renewable raw materials, increasing the logistical
performance to reduce CO2 emissions in transportation; reducing
waste generation on the job site; reducing the weight load on the
buildings; taking less storage space; and making the optimum use
of recycled materials.
This also entails the use of the waste generated by the production
processes themselves, together with the first objective to save energy
and to develop ways of producing at a lower financial and environ-
mental cost.
Bearing in mind that 40% of Europe’s carbon dioxide emissions
come not from cars but from buildings and their heating and air-
conditioning systems, this means that the architectural profession
is under considerable pressure to provide environmentally friendly
buildings.
Legislation is being passed in almost every country to incentivise
the use of green and sustainable materials and systems – often
through the establishment of national Green Building Councils
– and tender documents often stipulate the level of ecological input
they expect.
Therefore, floorcoverings play an important role in ensuring these
objectives are met, because designers and contractors are assessed
on the greenness of the products they use and the companies that
provide them, together with the manner in which they are installed.
The lightweight larger-format porcelain tiles on display at Cersaie
made great play of the fact that they are easy to transport and han-
dle, save time in installation because they are easier to cut and drill,
and they reduce the number of joints which use less material.
Some porcelain stoneware slabs boast a unique new feature: the
application of micrometric titanium dioxide powder which turns slabs
into an eco-active ‘super material’ with concrete anti-bacterial and
anti-polluting properties that help to improve the environment. One
manufacturer claims to have demonstrated that 1000m² of their por-
celain flooring material cuts nitrogen oxide levels to the same extent
as 20 timber trees!
The US Green Building Council’s LEED green building certification
system holds a lot of sway in Europe, and in Italy in particular. Hence,
the Green Building Council of Italy is an emerging member of World
GBC, with more than 330 members, all leaders in different positions of
the Italian and international building sectors. More than 70 projects
are registered in Italy, and there are around 100 LEED Professional
Credential holders.
Also, many ceramic flooring manufacturers look to comply with the
requirements of the European Ecolabel system. This is a voluntary
scheme, established to encourage businesses to market products and
services that are kinder to the environment.
Products and services awarded the Ecolabel carry the flower logo,
allowing consumers – including public and private purchasers – to
identify them easily.
However, the environmental criteria of this system are tough, and
only the very best products, which are kindest to the environment,
are entitled to carry the EU Ecolabel.
The criteria are agreed at European level, following wide consulta-
tion with experts, and the label itself is only awarded after verifica-
tion that the product meets these high environmental and perfor-
mance standards.
In the next issue of FLOORS in Africa we will be running a main
feature on Contributing to Sustainability where we will be studying
the main eco-friendly products and processes outlined in this article,
along with other floorcoverings.�4
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CERAMICHE SUPERGRES
Available in a wide range of colours, Interbau tiles provide cre-
ative, attractive and technically safe solutions as well as good
quality characteristics throughout the range with absolute resis-
tance against frost.
An experienced and qualified consulting team allows for individual
planning of logistics for any pool according to customers’ requirements.
Tile Africa Contracts also supplies and fits tiles and bathroomware on
a national scale and offers an invaluable service to architects, contrac-
Qualityswimmingpooltilesavailable
Tile Africa Contracts supplies Interbau swimming
pool tiles to private, hotel, spa, leisure and public
sports pools.
tors and specifiers.
In addition, Tile Africa Contracts provides on-site technical advice
as well as an aftercare service and its methods of installation and the
materials supplied are in line with local and international standards.
Thanks to the support of a chain of 37 retail stores located coun-
trywide across all nine provinces, Tile Africa Contracts guarantees a
national footprint, with retail stores that not only offer inspirational
lifestyle displays and quality products and service to consumers, but
also serve as an offset point for contractor projects and as a boardroom
for architects and specifiers to discuss their requirements with the
Contracts Division.
For more information on Tile Africa Contracts contact them at: 011 970
2124 or visit the website: www.tileafrica.co.za.
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BELOW THE SURFACEfeature
Everyone is keen on floors that look good,
but what happens underneath is of prime
importance. Get it wrong and the floor will
lose its appeal, and even fail. In this issue
we have taken a look at floor slabs, screeds,
moisture, underlays, and floor heating – to
find out what and when to use for the vari-
ous types of floorcovering – although this
introductory article deals mainly with floor
slabs, screeds and toppings.
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Everyone is keen on floors that look good, but
what happens underneath is of prime importance.
Get it wrong and the floor will lose its appeal, and
even fail. In this issue we have taken a look at floor
slabs, screeds, moisture, underlays, and floor heat-
ing – to find out what and when to use for the vari-
ous types of floorcovering – although this introduc-
tory article deals mainly with floor slabs, screeds
and toppings.
Belowthesurface
WARMUP
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The general requirements of substrates for floors
include the need to provide a clean, sound,
rigid subfloor to support the floor and any antici-
pated loads without distortion or movement. The
floorcovering also needs to be securely fixed and
applied onto a dry, mature and stable subfloor
of acceptable smoothness and flatness to ensure
long-term performance from the floor.
Before any screed or floorcovering is applied,
these concrete bases must be allowed to dry to
an acceptable moisture level of 75% RH or less
– determined with the use of a hygrometer. If 75%
RH cannot be reached, a moisture barrier must be
used – either plastic sheet or a surface-applied liq-
uid membrane.
The concrete on which the screed or topping
is to be laid should be hard and strong (with a
characteristic strength of at least 20 MPa). Weak,
friable concrete is not suitable as a base for a
screed or topping as the achievement of adhesion
between such material and the screed or topping
is not possible.
The base concrete should be free of random
cracking. Floor screeds or toppings are unable to
bridge over cracks in the base and such cracks will
in time reflect through the screed or topping.
On many projects precast concrete bases are
used in slab form, and these are subsequently
screeded.
Screeds and toppingsScreeds and toppings are commonly used as a
means of providing smooth flat floors in residential,
commercial and industrial buildings. Toppings may
also be used to increase the structural depth and
strength of the base slab.
In the case of surface-important floorcoverings
such as vinyl sheet or tile and others, a proprietary
self-levelling screed is often preferred to ensure
that the screed will not ‘grin through’ the finished
floor.
A screed is in effect a layer of well-compacted
material (commonly a mixture of cement and
fine aggregate) that is applied at the appropriate
thickness to a base that has a surface suitable for
receiving a floor finish, and is not to be confused
with topping, which is a layer of high-strength
concrete designed to provide a dense, abrasion-
resistant surface on a concrete base, or to increase
the structural depth and strength of a base slab
(structural topping).
Screeds are generally not suitable as wearing sur-
faces in commercial buildings, schools, or in indus-
trial premises. Preferred methods of floor construc-
tion for such premises are full-thickness, trowelled
concrete or a topping on a concrete base.
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FibresSynthetic fibres specifically engineered
for concrete are manufactured from
man-made materials that can withstand
the long-term alkaline environment of
concrete. Synthetic fibres are added to
concrete before or during the mixing
operation, and benefit concrete in both
the plastic and hardened states. Some of
the benefits include reduced settlement
and shrinkage cracks at the plastic stage;
lowered permeability; and increased
impact, abrasion and shatter resistance.
Originally steel fibres were mostly used
as a substitute for secondary reinforce-
ment or for crack control in less critical
parts of the construction, but today steel
fibres are widely used as the main and
unique reinforcing for industrial floor
slabs, and other concrete products.
Concretes containing steel fibre have
been shown to have substantially
improved resistance to impact and great-
er ductility of failure in compression,
flexure and torsion.
MoistureExcessive moisture in concrete floor slabs
and screeds can lead to a host of prob-
lems in all types of floorcoverings, such
as: adhesive degradation, delaminating
of the floor covering from the slab and
within itself, condensation, blistering,
movement and deterioration of the
covering.
For most types of floorcovering except
ceramic, porcelain and natural stone,
excess moisture can lead to swell-
ing, cupping and movement of the
floorcovering which in turn may result in
floor failure and even structural damage.
This is particularly critical with wood,
laminate, bamboo flooring or resilient
floorcoverings.
Excess moisture in floor systems can
also promote mould growth. Most of
these problems can be related to the
floorcovering being installed on a sub-
floor that is not sufficiently dry. It is
therefore important to ensure that the
floor slab or screed is sufficiently dry to
accept a covering or coating.
With floor screeds, the standard of
materials and workmanship will greatly
affect the quality of the final material.
The technical aspects of concrete bases,
MA
PE
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screeds, toppings, and moisture are legion, and anyone in doubt or
seeking information should view the website where a considerable
amount of the above has been obtained – the Cement & Concrete
Institute website www.cnci.org.za – or get in touch with their tech-
nical staff personally on 011 315 0300.
Finally, perhaps the two most common ‘below the surface’ items
used with any finished floorcovering are the underlay and floor
heating, which we will deal with briefly.
underlaysModern underfelt has moved on apace with the accent on recycling
of old waste and textile material to produce underfelts that are dust
free, have no impurities, are inexpensive, and are environmentally
friendly due to saving these materials from ending up in landfills.
They are also in great demand by consumers and contractors alike.
These days there are specialist underlays for all types of
floorcoverings. They can act as a cushion between uneven sub-
floors and the underside of the floorcovering; they can assist in
reducing pressure on the interlocking mechanism of a floating
floor which in turn improves their structural integrity, and some
underlays are additionally designed to prevent moisture penetra-
tion from the subfloor below.
Others can provide insulation or sound dampening services
between floors; and some simply act as a cushion to make standing
and walking on the floorcovering a more enjoyable experience.
One thing all underlays have in common: they all provide addi-
tional comfort in some form and add considerably to the overall
performance and lifespan of the floorcoverings.
ECHO FLOORS
CYBER FLOOR
9 Voyager Street,
Linbro Park
Tel: +27 11 608 4270
Cell: +27 82 604 5242
Fax: +27 11 608 4278
E-Mail: jbates@mweb.co.za
www.batesaccessflooring.co.za
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Floor heatingThe term underfloor heating has largely gone out of common use,
as have considerable systems that induced the terminology. These
systems were installed in a concrete screed of some thickness, which
meant that they were expensive to run because they didn’t start heat-
ing the room until the ‘slab’ on top of the heating wire had warmed up.
Although there are several different systems available today, the
accent is on installing immediately under the floorcovering regardless
of what type of floor is being used.
To avoid excessive cost the floor heating systems for ceramic, porce-
lain, natural stone, and resilient sheet or tile floors will essentially need
to be positioned at the time of installing the floorcovering – retrofitting
is not an economic solution in these cases.
However, there is a floor heating system suitable for every type of
floor, and they can even be supplied as a loose-lay fitment under car-
pets or rugs on hard floors.
Modern technology has provided systems that are fully programma-
ble, entirely safe, energy-efficient, unobtrusive, and that add comfort
and value to any building.
Access floors and cable managementOne of the most important features of modern office building and
layout is the need to accommodate the myriad cabling and other
equipment necessary to meet the requirements of computer and com-
munication technology in use today – and this is adequately catered
for below the surface with the provision of a quality access floor and
cable management system.
A raised access floor conceals all cabling while allowing easy access
for maintenance or changes and the floor voids can also be used as
plenums for air distribution.
Access floors provide maximum flexibility for the modern office and
enable office churn to be accommodated for any company or their
existing and new tenants.
Raised access floors have been installed and used successfully in this
country for decades with no serious repercussions or major failures,
and the easy way to obtain a trouble-free installation is to use a proven
system that has been designed and installed by a reputable and expe-
rienced contractor.
In fact, if you have a requirement for any of the materials or items
mentioned in this article, it pays to consult an expert and to ensure that
the installations are carried out by a competent, reliable company.
Acknowledgement & thanks are given to the websites www.cnci.org.
za and www.concretenetworks.com for information contained in this
article.
These quality products can be expected to give many years of
service with the minimum of maintenance and can handle the
heaviest of traffic, and these desirable features of Cemcrete’s flooring
products are limited only by the quality of the preparation before
application and the nature of the substrate to which they are applied.
In a desire to deliver quality finishes to customers and the indepen-
dent applicators and contractors that apply these products, Cemcrete
offers comprehensive training in assessment of existing substrates
and preparation for successful application of floor coatings.
In addition, the three-day course covers the design and laying of
new floor screeds as well as providing practical tips for solving on-site
problems. The course is conducted by an in-house technical trainer
who has many years of contracting experience.
Courses are held at Cemcrete’s training facility in Industria,
Johannesburg, and incorporate both theory and ‘hands on’ practical
training. Due to the practical nature of the training, the number of
attendees is restricted, so early booking is essential.
Bookings can be made by phone at 011 474 2415 or on the website
www.cemcrete.co.za. The course fee of R1 710 (VAT included) cov-
ers the three-day course and training materials, as well as lunch and
refreshments.
Trainingforinstallingqualityscreeds
Specifically designed in its own laboratories to be
‘fit for purpose’, Cemcrete’s floor coating products
are manufactured to the highest quality.
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savingtimeandmoneybycheckingthesubfloorThe most common subfloor encountered in South Africa is
concrete, although occasionally the flooring contractor may
have to install on a wooden or metal subfloor.
Whichever subfloor is encountered, it should always be thoroughly examined
before any installation work is started. Subfloors must be hard, dust-free, smooth,
level and dry, and no flooring must be laid until all faults in them have been repaired.
Any dampness, moisture or water will affect the adhesive and the flooring will
eventually curl at the edges or even lift off the
subfloor. A dirty subfloor or one that has patches of
grease or paint on the surface will also prevent the
adhesive from bonding to it.
An uneven subfloor will not only result in a rough
floor, but also loss of bond will occur since the
flooring will follow the contours of the substrate.
It is generally accepted that the specifier and
main contractor must ensure that the subfloor is
acceptable in respect of level, smoothness, sound-
ness, dryness and cleanliness before any resilient
flooring specified can be laid.
If the subfloor is not acceptable, the flooring con-
tractor should inform the main contractor in writ-
ing of the situation at hand.
To remove dust or dirt, sweep or vacuum the
floor thoroughly. If the subfloor surface remains
dusty after sweeping or vacuuming – perhaps due
to over-trowelling on the concrete, it is advisable
to seal the surface with a coat of primer. If the
subfloor seems porous, it should also be primed,
and the primer should be allowed to dry before the
floorcovering is installed.
Grease or oil patches and/or paint can be
removed by using paint strippers, although larger
areas may require a degreasing compound. The
subfloor should be washed to remove the stripper
and oil/paint residue, and allowed to dry.
Sometimes the subfloor needs repairing before
installation of any floorcovering can start. The most
common method of obtaining a good surface is by
the use of a smoothing compound, and FloorworX
recommends that Pavelite is used.
Pavelite is a cementitious compound for repair-
ing damaged, uneven or rough screeds prior to the
installation of floorcoverings. Its rapid-drying prop-
erties enable the flooring contractor to lay floors
soon after application, saving time and money.
Pavelite gives a fine smooth finish which
improves adhesive coverage; applied with a
straight-edge steel trowel in a smooth layer up to
12mm thick in one application. Trowel marks and
high spots must be removed with coarse sandpa-
per or a carborundum stone when the screed is
dry. Leave the screed to dry for at least 3 hours. If it
is thicker than 5mm, leave overnight to dry.
If Pavelite is applied correctly, it will not craze and
is resistant to rising alkaline moisture. Rigid process
control ensures consistent high quality, enabling
the flooring contractor to use the product with
confidence.
For more information, contact the FloorworX
National Call Centre on 0860 346 679.
FloorworX Marketing
Tel: 011 406 4146
Fax: 011 406 4205
www.floorworx.co.za64
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long-lastingunderfelt
Double Life Underfelt is manufactured by Frame
Fibres from 100% recycled textile waste at its state-
of-the-art manufacturing facility in KwaZulu-Natal.
Frame Fibres is ISO 9001 and ISO 14000 accredited.
The manufacturing process starts with textile waste that would
normally end up in landfill sites being regenerated into fibres
through a tearing process. The fibre is then blended, de-dusted and
cleaned to remove any impurities and, through a carding and needle-
punch process, converted into underfelt.
Double Life Underfelt is available in 35-linear-metre rolls and widths
of 3,5 metres in weights of 600g/m² (for Light Domestic applications);
800g/m² (for Medium Domestic); 1 000g/m² (Heavy Domestic/Light
Commercial); 1 200g/m² (Commercial).
The major characteristics of Double Life Underfelt are that it is long-
lasting, dust- and odour-free, of consistent quality, strong, resilient;
and competitively priced. It is also available at all major carpet whole-
salers countrywide.
Frame Fibres
Tel: 031 710 7722
Fax: 031 710 4497
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laminatefloor?Keepitsilent!Silent Floor is manufactured by Frame Fibres from
80% recycled textile waste. It was developed
with input from the laminate flooring industry as
an economical sound dampener for this type of
floorcovering.
In its manufacture Silent Floor uses a thermobonding process which
creates a uniform, non-collapsible and easy-to-install product, and
it significantly reduces the noise associated with people walking on
laminated flooring. In addition, it has high insulating properties, and
can be installed with underfloor heating.
As a lightweight product, Silent Floor is easy to transport and install,
but 200-micron HDPE plastic must be laid between the screed and
Silent Floor to prevent moisture migration from the screed.
Silent Floor is available in 35m x 1m rolls in a 3mm thickness, and is
distributed through laminate flooring wholesalers or through Frame
Fibres head office at the contact numbers shown below.
Frame Fibres
Tel: 031 710 7722
Fax: 031 710 449766
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The key to a strong, reliable and sustainable floor is
a quality screed product that will smooth out any
lumps or bumps on the surface of the structure
prior to the installation of final floor finishes.
Deliveringitslevelbestinhidden strength
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Manufactured and marketed by Flowcrete, Isocrete has been the
market leader in floor screeds internationally since 1969 and
has been involved in some of the largest and highest-profile screed-
ing contracts to date for clients including Dubai International Airport
and Larnaka International Airport, Cyprus.
Known in the industry for delivering ‘the level best in floor screeds’,
Flowcrete’s award-winning cementitious screed system, Isocrete K-
Screed, combines high strength, rapid installation and excellent mois-
ture control with compatibility to a number of bolt-on subfloor systems.
Containing the innovative K-Additive, a plasticising and accelerating
admixture used to modify and enhance the performance of sand and
cement-based screeds, Isocrete K-Screed is chosen for its ability to
deliver a strong level platform on which to lay a host of floor finishes,
including tiles, carpet, wood, vinyl and resin, on the fast track.
Flowcrete completed a major installation at Dubai International
Airport in one of the largest assignments undertaken by the com-
pany. A selection of Flowcrete’s specialist systems – including screeds,
car park decking, hygienic and fast-track floors – has helped the new
Terminal 3 and Concourse 2 developments to take off in style.
For the final deck coating in the multi-storey car park, Flowcrete’s
flexible waterproof Deckshield system was specified, with some
110 000m² installed on all five levels, including the top deck.
For the multi-storey car-park facilities, the entire area was first
installed with Isocrete K-Screed. Some 40 000m² of the same system
was also installed beneath the external tiles at the passenger set-
down area in the Departures Hall.
Flowcrete has also been involved in a high-flying flooring project at
Cyprus’ new hub for international travel, Larnaka International Airport
– representing one of the largest infrastructure projects ever under-
taken on the island.
With a total footprint of over 100 000m², the ultra-modern airport,
which opened its doors in November 2009, has the capacity to handle
passenger traffic of up to 7,5 million people annually with a provision
to extend this to nearly 10 million when the need arises.
Flowcrete has supplied more than 40 000m² of its fast-drying screed
material, Isocrete K-Screed, which has been installed across the dual-
level facility in both Departures and Arrivals.
Despite being hidden from view, Isocrete K-Screed has a proven
track record across the globe. The system is known for its ability to
deliver environmental and performance benefits that greatly out-
weigh those of traditional concrete.
Flowcrete South Africa has branches in Johannesburg, Durban and
Cape Town, and for more information contact Verity King at the num-
bers shown below, or visit the website.
Flowcrete SA (Pty) Ltd
Marketing Services
Tel: 031 461 3411
E-mail: verity.king@flowcrete.com
Website: www.flowcrete.com
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Theultimateeco-friendly
Van Dyck Carpets is proud to
announce the first anniversary
of Eco-Lay TM – its own brand of
environmentally friendly flooring
underlays, manufactured from
the finest quality recycled rub-
ber granules that are bonded
together using synthetic rub-
ber binders to produce a firm,
comfortable, high- performance
crumb-rubber underlay. Apart
from using recycled materials,
Eco-Lay is in itself recyclable at
the end of its useful life (a truly
cradle-to-cradle product).
The benefits of Eco-layEnvironmentally friendly Made from 100% recycled rubber and fully recyclable at the end of its lifetime
low VOC levels Conforms with the VOC levels required for Green Star rating
Saves Energy Superior thermal insulation keeps rooms cool in summer and warm in winter.
Absorbs noise Densely packed rubber reduces noise levels by up to 40%
increases floorcovering lifespan By absorbing indentations caused by constant foot traffic.
100% Rebound Never collapses in high-traffic areas.
Added Comfort Smooth, soft rubber construction provides excellent underfoot comfort and excellent anti-fatigue properties
high performance 10 year guarantee
improves Vacuuming By improving air flow
non-absorbent Does not absorb water or any other fluids
Anti-microbial and anti-allergy Does not rot or harbour infestations of fungi or house mites
Stick-down Compatible Double- and single-stick applications produce perfect finishes every time.
under-Floor heating Insulates heating pads from the underlying concrete – saves energy and increases heating speed
underlayIdeally suitable for every carpet, vinyl, wood
or bamboo floorcovering, even in heavy-
wear applications and high-traffic areas,
Eco-Lay is a proven material in prestigious
applications, worldwide.
A quality underlay has a direct influence on
the lifespan of a carpet and can increase its
life by up to 40%, as well as assisting with its
appearance retention.
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Van dyck Carpets buys RubberlayVan Dyck Carpets is proud to announce that they just bought the plant and machinery as well as marketing and brand names of Rubberlay, and by doing so they will become the sole manufac-turer and distributor of rubber underlays in the South African mar-ket. All these rubber underlays products will be commercialised under the name Eco-lay, a well-established brand name for over one year now. This acquisition will enable Van Dyck Carpets to improve the overall service levels of the Eco-lay range and bet-ter cope with the ever increasing demand for environmentally friendly flooring solutions.“Insurance for your carpet, silence for your wood, use the greener option and keep your flooring looking good”And always remember it’s not just underlay, its Van Dyck’s Eco-lay.
It does not rot or harbour infestations of fungi or house dust mites,
and therefore can also help to reduce allergens that are common in
modern households.
Once installed, most underlays collapse over time, which has a sig-
nificant impact on the floorcovering by losing its support. This may
be particularly pertinent with laminate floorcoverings, because these
floors do require an underlay to support the joins, and underlay col-
lapse can cause floor failure in these applications over time.
Eco-Lay products are not air-filled and therefore do not collapse;
their unique compound formulation ensures that the individual rub-
ber granules are kept in close physical contact with each other to
provide a strong lattice structure that is bonded to a non-woven poly-
propylene scrim.
Most underlays are highly absorbent when it comes to fluids and
spillages of any kind, which means that musty and unpleasant odours
in rooms emanate mostly from the underlay and not the carpet.
The Eco-Lay rubber underlay is not affected by spillages in this way.
In fact it is totally non-absorbent and unaffected by moisture – even
to the extent that flooded rooms can be dried in situ without the
need for removing the underlay.
The smooth, soft rubber construction of Eco-Lay also provides con-
siderable anti-fatigue properties and excellent underfoot comfort.
In all applications of Eco-Lay the subfloor must be level, smooth, dry
and dust-free. The installation of Eco-Lay is relatively simple, and can
be achieved using stretch-fit, single-stick or double-stick installation
techniques to provide perfect finishes every time, although these
may vary slightly in relation to the type of floorcovering being used.
Full installation guidelines are available in hard copy from Van
Dyck Carpets or can be requested in digital format via the website:
www.vandyckcarpets.com
Amongst its technical attributes, Eco-Lay absorbs noise, providing
up to 25dB (or 40%) noise reduction. It also has a thermal resistance
(R) value of up to 1,25 Togs, which is in the top echelon of thermal
insulation for underlays in the country.
It can be used safely and effectively with floor heating pads as it
thermally insulates the pads from the underlying concrete slab. This
also saves energy and increases the heating speed.
The environmental benefits of Eco-Lay are legion: it is made from
100% recycled rubber (mainly car and truck tyres) which reduces
the impact on landfills; it is fully recyclable at the end of its lifetime
(making it a cradle-to-cradle product) which once again reduces the
impact on landfills.
Eco-Lay also has a Total Volatile Organic Compound emission rate of
0.1 mg/m²/hr (24 hours) and a 4-Phenylcyclohexene emission rate of
<0.01 mg/m²/hr (24 hours), which means that these products easily
pass the requirements for Green Star rating.
Because of its excellent thermal insulation properties the product
keeps rooms cool in summer and warmer in winter, bringing signifi-
cant energy savings and reducing your carbon footprint.
Fully tested and approved by independent international test
centres, Eco-Lay is guaranteed for 10 years against manufacturing
defects, despite the fact that most underlays do not carry any perfor-
mance guarantees.
The current Eco-Lay range comes in three different thicknesses,
being 3mm, 5mm and 6,5mm, making it extremely suitable for any
kind of floorcovering, application and budget.
Eco-Lay is manufactured by Van Dyck Carpets and is one of the
many environmental product ranges offered by the company.
Van Dyck Carpets
Tel: 031 913 3800
Toll free: 0800CARPET (0800227738)
Website: www.vandyckcarpets.com
InternationalpedestalcompanyopensinsouthAfrica
Since 1987 Buzon Pedestal International has been
one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of screwjack
polypropylene pedestals, now exported through-
out the world.
Used in a variety of applications, their infinite height options and
slope correction ability enable project designers to create a flat
floor surface in almost any environment.
Since 2005, Buzon Pedestals have been used throughout South
Africa on numerous prestigious projects. Resulting from this success,
Buzon International is proud to announce the launch of its regional
office, Buzon South Africa, based in Johannesburg in order to better
serve all the current projects throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Buzon South Africa was launched in September 2010 and will work
with local agents in all major centres in the region. A full technical
design service is offered and full installation training will be provided
to ensure installations all conform to sound engineering design prin-
ciples and Buzon standards.
The reputation of Buzon pedestals is the result of extensive project
experience and a willingness to satisfy the needs of architects, speci-
fiers, quantity surveyors and construction professionals. A team of
designers and engineers is ready to provide immediate support for
any project – wherever required.
Buzon South Africa is a licensed regional distributor for Buzon
Pedestal International, and is a wholly owned division of Richard
Bentley Consulting (Pty) Ltd.
Director Richard Bentley introduced the Buzon pedestal to South
Africa in 2005 as a lightweight deck support solution for a heritage
restoration project that was being undertaken.
Since then, Buzon has been used throughout South Africa in a wide
variety of different projects, some of which can be seen on the local
applications gallery page on the website: www.buzonsa.co.za.
Richard Bentley
Buzon Southern Africa
Tel: 011 463 7324 / 083 399 5174
E-mail: info@buzonsa.co.za
Website: www.buzonsa.co.za72
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LUXURY FLOORINGfeature
Perhaps we should have called this feature
Floors for Special Buildings because, although
not all the floorcoverings are exceptionally
luxurious, the projects on which they have
been used certainly are.
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In this article we have featured a selection of very special local and
international buildings and their floors, including a wood floor that
is still going strong after 115 years; a great hotel penthouse refurbish-
ment; two 5-Star hotels in Africa being built by a local architect; luxu-
ry khayas at a top game reserve; South Africa’s latest airport building;
and a revelation in hospital floor design.
We originally intended to highlight South Africa’s most expensive
Perhaps we should have called this feature Floors
for Special Buildings because, although not all the
floorcoverings are exceptionally luxurious, the proj-
ects on which they have been used certainly are.
Nothingbutthebest!
home – a penthouse that sold fairly recently for R110-million, but
this proved not to be possible. However, what better way to start
an article on luxury flooring than by featuring one that is not only a
luxury floor, but that has stood the test of time since 1895 despite
considerable abuse!
Built by the Herold Family in Cleveland, Ohio, this building was
sold by them in 1914 to Simon Hattler, a German immigrant, and
this family lived in it for 65 years, which is why it is known today as
The Hattler House.
The home has many beautiful features that attracted the current
owners to purchase it, first of which is the intricately detailed wood
flooring. These floors had been covered in soot because Rose, the
final Hattler family member to live in the home, had been burning
FRONTIER LODGE
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trash to keep warm after the furnace stopped working!
The next owner, Benny Bonanno, uncovered these floors as he was
preparing to lay down carpet, and brought them back to their origi-
nal superb condition and design.
A worthy start to our Luxury Floors feature, and anyone that wants
to know more about this interesting house should visit the website
www.clevelandareahistory.com (to which acknowledgement and
thanks are given).
The 5-Star Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town, which is part of Meikles
Ltd, is situated on the iconic V&A Waterfront with its own jetty, offer-
ing generously proportioned guest rooms with great views of Table
Mountain and the harbour.
The 120 luxury rooms include stylish loft rooms, single, two and
three bedroom apartments, and two 80m² penthouse suites with
generous lounge and dining areas; each has its own 45m² private ter-
race, a garden and outdoor jacuzzi.
Each room of the hotel is custom-designed with unique and refresh-
ing décor, following a recent refashioning process completed last year
throughout the hotel by well-respected Cape Town interior designer
Kathi Weixelbaumer, which included the complete refurbishment of
all the floors.
Every carpet in the hotel was replaced with custom-designed
broadloom provided by Nouwens Custom Weave to Kathi’s design,
using an 80/20% wool/nylon weave with a different colour styling for
the rooms on each floor.
Carrara marble was used for the refurbishing of the bathrooms. This
was imported from Italy, and supplied and fitted by Marble Mill of
Diep River, Cape Town, which has been established since 1988.
Marble Mill supplied and fitted the Carrara marble floor tiles, vani-
ties, bath surrounds and wall cladding slabs in the bathrooms, and
the restrooms in the public areas were done in a mix of Grey Bardiglio
and Carrara marble slabs, sourced from a specialist supplier in Italy.
The renovation of the bathrooms was done floor by floor without dis-
rupting the operation of the rest of the hotel.
Commenting on this project, Marble Mill director Dennis Gardiner
says, “Renovating the hotel on a floor- by-floor basis has not been
done in this country before. This experience will stand us in good
stead in projects of a similar nature and everyone at Marble Mill is
very proud of what we achieved at the Cape Grace Hotel.”
It is interesting to note that the Cape Grace is a member of the
exclusive Leading Small Hotels of the World (a brand extension of the
internationally recognised and respected organisation The Leading
Hotels of the World) which is dedicated to luxurious, boutique 5-Star
properties that are fast becoming the preferred choice for upscale
travellers who look for charm, uniqueness, personalised service and
guest recognition in their accommodation.
Whilst on the subject of hotels, Francois Pienaar (Co-Arc
International Architects, Johannesburg) – the internationally cel-
ebrated architect that designed such iconic buildings as the Nelson
Mandela Square in Sandton, together with Legacy’s Michelangelo
Hotel (which is also acclaimed as a member of The Leading Hotels of
the World) – is currently working on the designs of new 5-Star hotels
in Ghana and Nigeria – The Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, and The
Wheatbaker Hotel in Lagos.
Unfortunately we were not able to obtain the flooring information
before we went to print, so we hope to run these projects in a future
issue of FLOORS in Africa to emphasise the architectural, design and
project management expertise that is available in South Africa.
The world-renowned MalaMala Game Reserve, which has been in
existence since 1927, offers a range of accommodation across three
camps to appeal to every type of traveller: the MalaMala Main Camp,
Sable Camp and, featured here – Rattray’s on MalaMala – which is
the crème de la crème of the luxury safari industry.
Opened in November 2005, Rattray’s is the latest addition to the
MalaMala portfolio, portraying an elegant reflection of a colonial
era and providing the ultimate exclusive safari in style, privacy and
sublime comfort through eight luxury khayas accommodating a
maximum of 16 guests.
Each khaya (Zulu for ‘home’) overlooks the Sand River, and has
rooms totalling 128m², together with a verandah and pool deck. The
khayas have hardwood floors with underfloor heating for the winter,
together with concrete tinted screeds in the bathroom areas.
The wood is Rhodesian teak laid on a concrete surface bed,
supplied and installed by Krombou Konstruksie of Hazyview, and
oriental carpets for each khaya were supplied by Paco Rugs of
MALAMALA
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Greenside, Johannesburg.
The architect for this project was Barry St. Leger Denny of
Durban and, when asked what regular treatment or special clean-
ing requirements were used on the floors, he said ‘the architect’s
secret blend of water, meths and Cobra polish’ is used!
The FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup has come and gone, but it left
behind some magnificent new stadiums and several other edi-
fices that South Africa can be proud of – none more so than the
sparkling new King Shaka International Airport north of Durban,
that was officially opened by President Jacob Zuma on 8th May
this year.
Designed by Osmond Lange Architects and Planners to accom-
modate an anticipated 7,5 million passengers per annum, this
impressive new facility boasts a Terminal Building with a floor
area of 103 000m². Surely this represents the largest tiled floor of
the year?
A total of 55 000m² of imported, full-bodied Italian porcelain
tiles in Iridium colour were used for this project, supplied by
Rudolph & Van Vuuren of Johannesburg, who also shared the
installation contract with Durban Tiling.
Rudolph & Van Vuuren was formed in 1965, although in 1979 its
profile was changed from construction to tiling contracting for
the corporate market, but now also includes homeowners and
private businesses on its client list.
The ground floor contains three interesting and specially
designed circles in the Arrivals section. Designed by Osmond
Lange Architects, they comprise granite supplied by International
Slab Sales of Durban in nine different colours interlaid with grade
316 stainless steel rings, all cut by water-jet machines by Tile
Styles Aqua Water Cut in Durban to provide 3m, 16m, and 20m
diameter circles – all very big and impressive designs. The thick-
nesses of the granite slabs were a combination of 20mm and 30mm.
Water-jet cutting is computer-generated precision cutting for
natural stone tiles and slabs, porcelain tiles, glass and most metals
with very quick turn-around times, minimal wastage on material, no
heat transfer when cutting, and extremely precise cutting, which is
evident from the intricate and appealing designs at the airport.
Tile Styles was formed in 1990 by Marc and Sue D’Offay and under
Marc – a master contractor with a background in art and design
– it has branched out with great success into the world of artistic
design, leading to the formation of Tile Styles Water Cut twelve
years ago, specialising in water-jet cutting of flooring materials for
the residential and commercial sectors, both locally and in neigh-
bouring countries.
Apart from the main tiling contract, Durban Tiling also completed
the installation of these outstanding designer circles that provide
such an attractive and welcoming feel to the Terminal building.
Having started this review of luxury floors with a beautiful old wood
floor in the USA, we are ending it with a ceramic floor also from North
America. Looking for exciting floors for this introductory feature
article, we stumbled across an award-winning ceramic tiled floor
designed specifically for a hospital. Not a luxury floor you might
mutter, but take a look at these beautiful floors installed just a few
years ago. (From the website www.onedreamdesign.com/humanspace/
tile.shtml to which acknowledgement and thanks are given).
When Adam Rubinstein was hired to design the interior of the Heart
Hospital & Heart Institute of the Desert in Rancho Mirage, CA, he
looked for an entirely new approach.
Rubinstein was of the opinion that hospital design had been tre-
mendously hampered by ultra-conservative administrators afraid of
anything but routine, sterile, white or bland colouration and, in his
view, it is this white colouration that becomes easily soiled, dirty-look-
ing and, over time, depressing to look at.
Following this precept, he set out to help foster wellness by lifting
patients’ spirits with colour and exciting surroundings throughout the
entire hospital.
Ricchetti tiles were used in the hallways and the 12 intensive-care
suites, laid in fanciful patterns in complete contrast to the seamless
one-colour floors so often used in these applications.
The lobby floor, consisting of terrazzo, marble and granite tiles, was
cut with a wet saw on a jig to create one equilateral triangle, two half-
triangles and a 25mm x 25mm strip. The tiles were then arranged in
hexagons that radiate from the centre of the room.
As a result, the Association of Italian Ceramic Tile Manufacturers
selected Rubinstein and his One Dream Design as the recipient of
its Sixth Annual Assopiastrelle Design Award – which recognises an
American architectural or interior design firm that has enhanced the
image of Italian ceramic tile in the United States – and well worthy of
a mention in our feature!
In compiling this introductory article, it proved to be extremely dif-
ficult to feature a wide variety of high-profile buildings, mostly for
security or confidential design or facility management reasons, but
those that have been featured underline once again the versatility
and high standard of workmanship available in this country, from
design through to eventual use of the buildings, and the durability
and innovation of various floorcoverings used in other countries. The
luxury flooring industry is in good shape worldwide!
KING SHAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
LUXURY LEISURE LASTING VALUE
SOLID Timber DeckingMaximising the use of your social areaBedson Decking as the seamless transitionbetween indoor and outdoor living
www.bedson.co.zawww.mesopotamiaflooring.com
gauteng: Pretoria 012 803 4376kZn: Hammarsdale 072 622 7400
BELGO NEXUS
New BerberPoint Eco from Nexus, the commercial
division of Belgotex Floorcoverings, is the green
alternative for architects’ first choice in carpeting.
TheGreenFlooringAlternative
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EVEREST 50 AlpS 50
TundRE 20iSlAnd 50
glACiER 20
AnTARCTiCA 20
pRAiRiE 20
AndES 50
Offering all the outstanding specification and performance char-
acteristics of BerberPoint 920 but with the option of recycled
content, BerberPoint Eco provides a foundation for specifiers and
designers to build their green credentials.
The structured needlepunch range is made from Stainproof Eco
Fibre comprising recycled polyester made out of PET plastic bottles
combined with a polypropylene blend to produce an eco-friendly
top-cloth. Recycling one tonne of plastic bottles saves one and a
half tonnes of CO2 versus landfills and incineration.
F e a t u r e : L u x u r y F l o o r i n g
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Modelled on the top selling colours of BerberPoint 920, eight best-
selling colourways are available, each with a predetermined per-
centage of recycled content in the top-cloth ranging between 20%
- 50% from lightest to darkest tones. ToPCloTH
BITuMENBlEND-INCluDEsrECYClEDCoNTENT(FlY
AsH)AsPArToFTHECoMPouNDMIX
FIBrEGlAsssCrIMrEINForCEssTruCTurAl
sTABIlITY
BITuMENBlEND-INCluDEsrECYClEDCoNTENT(FlY
AsH)AsPArToFTHECoMPouNDMIX
sECoNDArYBACKINGProVIDEsANEATAND
AEsTHETICAllYAPPEAlINGFINIsHANDIMProVEsTHElAY-FlATCHArACTErIsTICs
oFTHETIlE
ture to produce an environmentally friendly backing with proven
low VOC levels.
The NexBac Eco production process can save up to two hundred
tonnes of fly ash from landfill sites and reduce consumption of
an equal amount of calcium carbonate (a natural resource also
known as chalk).
BerberPoint Eco backed with NexBac Eco results in 27% to 34%
recycled content overall, depending on the recycled content of
the top cloth chosen.
All Belgotex Floorcoverings’ products bear the Environmental
Choice logo for environmentally friendly initiatives and processes.
For further information on BerberPoint Eco or any of Nexus’
other Eco Collection ranges, please visit the website: www.nex-
uscarpets.co.za or call Belgotex Floorcoverings at the numbers
provided below.
Nexus (division of Belgotex Floorcoverings)
Head Office: 033 897 7500
Johannesburg: 011 788 3450
Cape Town: 021 907 3400
Durban 031 313 9600
E-mail: nexus@carpet.co.za
BerberPoint Eco extends the company’s renowned Eco Collection
and is manufactured according to stringent ISO 14001 environ-
mental standards. It is available in either modular or broadloom
options. A selection of optional backings for modular carpet ranges
including either ResinBac, NexBac or new NexBac Eco is available on
request.
For the ultimate eco-friendly carpet solution, select a green backing
alternative too:
New NexBac Eco is a green backing alternative available for any
Nexus tile range and contains 35% recycled content. It is produced
using post-industrial waste fly ash derived from an industrial steam
generation process which is blended with the normal NexBac mix-
Luxuryvinylflooringwidelyaccepted
Since its introduction earlier this year, Traviloc luxury
vinyl flooring has been widely accepted by the
specifying community.
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F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Traviloc’s aesthetics, maintenance and hygiene benefits have seen
it used in sport, leisure, retail and upper-end domestic projects.
It has been specified in new hotels and major refurbishments in
KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape – most notably the revamp of the
President hotel in Bantry Bay in Cape Town where some 13 000m2 of
flooring is already underway.
The waterproof characteristics of Traviloc have recently been instru-
mental in the product’s acceptance in one of the country’s major
gymnasium groups. Having started in four of the flagship operations,
Traviloc will be used on an ongoing basis.
The luxury vinyl wood plank’s hand-scraped finish, quietness under-
foot and the fact that no expansion joints are required have to date
ensured that it has been favoured for applications in numerous upmar-
ket houses, such as the Serengeti Golf estate outside Pretoria that has
seen its first floors completed, together with other developments that
have been completed. Traviloc’s versatility has also seen it used in a
large number of smaller residential refurbishments.
The hygiene and maintenance benefits of Traviloc have seen it
installed in a major oncology centre on the East Rand, following simi-
lar applications in medical suites in Fourways and at the OR Tambo
Airport clinic.
For the retail market, the Uniclic locking system gives a truly unique
advantage. The ease and speed of the Uniclic system allow landlords
and building owners to complete new tenant installations noise-free,
dust-free and odour-free. No glues or underlay are required at all.
In line with the manufacturer’s sustainability commitment, Traviloc is
produced from 100% virgin vinyl. This means it complies with the strict-
er European norms and is completely DOP- and formaldehyde-free.
Based in the USA and with 23 manufacturing facilities across the
USA, Canada, the UK, Asia and South America, the manufacturer of
Traviloc is a global player in flooring. As such they submit to Social and
Environmental Responsibility audits by ITS, are ISO 14001 certified and
carry other accreditations for VOC emissions, indoor air quality and
packing materials.
For further information contact Traviata Flooring systems at the num-
bers shown below, or visit the website.
Traviata Flooring Systems Cell: 082 595 2061 (Hugh Krog)
Tel: 011 453 0296 E-mail: sales@traviata.co.za
Website: www.traviata.co.za
F e a t u r e : L u x u r y F l o o r i n g
8�F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
The concept of luxury has been present in
various forms since the beginning of civilisation.
Throughout the years, many attempts have been
made to define luxury using the price-quality
dimension, stating that higher-priced products in
any category are “luxury”.
LuxurywithaconscienceSimilarly, researchers have also used the uniqueness aspect of
luxury. Prof. Jean-Noel Kapferer, takes an experiential approach
and defines luxury as items which provide extra pleasure by flatter-
ing all senses at once.
FloorworX offers you accessible luxury with a conscience.
Design trends are constantly changing and choosing material can
be difficult when thinking long term, but one thing is certain – the
use of sustainable and healthy products is here to stay. As a result,
top industry professionals and design-savvy consumers not only
want a product that says “luxury”, but also ones which are environ-
mentally responsible.
Wood floors offer both. Your interior settings can change many
times over the years while your floor remains timeless, only adding
value to your new design. Wood floors conform to their environ-
ment and add value with age.
Most architects and designers agree that wood will be the pre-
ferred building material of the future. An increase in the use of
wood will stimulate the planting of new forests, resulting in a
reduction of carbon dioxide. If using wood can reduce the amount
of pollution in the air while creating an upscale feeling in even the
smallest setting, why choose any other material?
More reasons for choosing wood include its being sustainable and
strong; versatile and beautiful; biodegradable; and it is part of our
cultural heritage. Wood also stands for quality and hence it is a very
aspirational floor to own.
Quality is something that has been on top of the Kährs agenda
right from the start. All the production units within the Kährs
group have implemented quality and environmental management
systems according to ISO 9001 and ISO14001 and are registered
under EMAS.
During the last five years, the availability of wood floors of differ-
ent colours and species has increased enormously internationally as
wood has become the floorcovering of choice in hotels, luxury item
retail stores and designer homes.
Choosing a wood floor is an investment. Now you can own a Kährs
floor too.
FloorworX Marketing
Tel: 011 406 4146
Fax: 011 406 420584
F e a t u r e : L u x u r y F l o o r i n g
F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Everyone’s favourite floors...
Solid WoodEngineered and Laminate Floors
Decking
complete wooden floor solutions • floor & deck maintenance • professional advice and designs
0861 TIMBER • 011 465 4150
www.rhomstimberworld.co.za
NATURALLY, YOU PREFER QUALITY!
CARPET TILES LIKE NO OTHERelegance design quality style
CapeTownBranch:AdelammersFax: +27 86 627 4725Cell: +27 82 888 0596Email: adelammers@telkomsa.netstevenTrollopeCell: +27 72 722 7072Email: s.trollope78@gmail.com
ContactDetails:Headoffice:JaniceHanscombeOffice: +27 11 873 4582Premi cell: +27 82 887 1683Fax: +27 86 542 1079Cell: +27 72 839 9539Email: tuntex@tuntexsa.com
www.tuntex-carpet.com
Well acceptedattheGreenBuildingCouncilConferenceTuntex Carpets SA – the South African subsidiary of
the well-respected Sunhou Tuntex Fiber & Carpet
Company – took an exhibition stand at the Green
Building Council Conference held in the Cape Town
Convention Centre in September 2010, where its
sales programme was well accepted in terms of
design, quality and dimensional stability of the
backing.Tuntex Carpets has the following certifications:Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) – Green Label Plus Certification ISO 9001:2000 – Quality Management System CertificateISO 14001:2004 – Environmental Management CertificateMember of The Green Building Council, South Africa
This was the ideal showcase for Tuntex products as the attendees
were from the building industry and related professions, and
from discussions with visitors to the Tuntex stand is was clear that the
pricing of the polypropylene and Nylon 6.6 ranges meets the budget
rates for the various quality and design requirements of architects,
designers and relevant specifiers.
With an in-house design department Tuntex offers the service of
custom designing in various qualities and with the option of either
500mm x 500mm or 609mm x 609mm tile sizes. A minimum quantity
of 3500m² is required.
Tuntex nylon carpet tiles comply with a Class 2 Fire Rating in accor-
dance with SANS 10177 Part 4, which makes the range acceptable for
use in any office installation.
In addition, the Tuntex sales team in conjunction with Tim Donkin
from Invista Antron – the nylon suppliers for Tuntex – can assist with
all technically related questions in terms of quality and wear of the
Tuntex Nylon 6.6 ranges. Tuntex also offers a 10-year guarantee on all
its nylon ranges.
Tuntex SA – Head Office Fax: 086 542 1079
Premi Cell: 082 887 1683 E-mail: tuntex@tuntexsa.com
Cell: 072 839 9539 (Janice Hanscombe) www.tuntex-carpet.com
F e a t u r e : L u x u r y F l o o r i n g
8�F L O O R S o c t o b e r N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0
Introducingtheoriginoftrue beauty
The Poliface range of high-quality laminates
includes ranges that are suitable for all types
of residential and commercial applications
and meets the current trends in interior
design, enabling the architect, designer,
developer or end-user to match the floor
perfectly with the taste and identity of each
installation.
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As part of its development and growth programme,
Tiletoria has recently been appointed as the sole dis-
tributor for the proven Poliface laminate flooring collection
– encompassing the whole of the African continent.
The impressive Poliface range has advanced technical char-
acteristics, including excellent impact and abrasion resistance;
colour fastness; resistance to fire, burns and stains; anti-aller-
genic properties; and improved sound reduction.
Poliface laminates are also very easy to install with the
unique, glueless Inloc Clic fixing system, which allows the floor
to be used immediately after it has been installed.
Available in a wide variety of wood grain colour and finishes,
these systems include matching skirting and mouldings to pro-
vide the perfect detailing of the floor.
The latest member of the Poliface laminate family is Poliface
Origo – a beautiful concept originating in pure wood. Because
wood is durable, renewable, natural and resistant it is the per-
fect solution that needs to be seen and touched.
Origo recaptures the ambience of old-style comfort, beauty
and charm in the interior decoration of the most sophisticated
spaces, and is available in three styles – Savannah, California,
and Columbia.
Low in maintenance and easy to clean, Origo Poliface is the
perfect solution to flooring at its most beautiful.
The Poliface range is provided with a 15-Year Residential
Guarantee that the decorative laminate surface will not wear
through, the floor will not stain and it will not fade due to sun
or artificial light.
Manufactured in accordance with EN 13329:2007, and classi-
fied at AC4/32 for domestic and commercial use, Poliface Origo
is also available with the Silent sound insulation system on
special request, in keeping with all the other products in the
Poliface range.
For further information contact Tiletoria at the numbers
shown below and let the experts assist you.
Tiletoria
Tel: 021 511 3125
Fax: 021 511 3119
E-mail: sven@tiletoria.co.za
Nouwens–Theteambehindthebrand
At Nouwens it is about a culture, an exclusive
brand and the people who make it happen. We
take pleasure in introducing the team more directly
responsible for customer service and communica-
tion, but we cannot go without saying that there
is a very loyal and committed factory team in the
wings who ensure the ongoing quality and avail-
ability of the product around which everything
revolves! Collectively the staff has just under 2000
years of experience and service at Nouwens.
Nouwens Johannesburg Sales office operates from Northlands
Production Park in North Riding. Front row are senior sales con-
sultants Barbara Ryan, Gary Johnson – Branch Manager, Clive
Brinck and Lenie Grobler. Back row is sales consultant Shane
Groenewald, Deena Moodley and Xolani Jadezweni both on
reception / internal orders and senior rep Ronald Harvey.
Mohamed khan –
customer service and
senior sales consultant
consultant
Nouwens Cape Town Sales Office is located at the Waverley
Business Park in Mowbray. Front row are Rozanne Kennedy – cus-
tomer service consultant, Dorothy Botten – receptionist / inter-
nal sales, Lynne Stevenson – admin. The four gentlemen sales
consultants are Jason Page, Matthew Nefdt, Len van den Bergh
– branch manager and Kevin de Coriolis who is based in PE to
cover the Eastern Cape area.
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The Nouwens Head Office Team – from left to right Lianne van Coller on orders /
admin, Gloria Monareng – on creditors / admin, Bel Brooks – financial mange-
ment, Johannes Msibi – filing clerk, Mandy du Plessis – CEO, Cheryl Bam – Debtors,
Beverley Clarke – orders and Elise Bence who is helping out till year end.
Nouwens Carpets National
Management Team – As Luci
Nouwens prepares to go into
semi-retirement and Pieter has
moved into full time manage-
ment of Nouwens Custom Weave,
they have appointed a top profes-
sional management team to take
over their executive functions at
Nouwens Carpets – from left to
right: Mandy du Plessis – Chief
Executive Officer as from September
2010 and based in Harrismith. Oscar
Grobler – Chairman of the Board of
Directors, John Faul – Production
Manager since April this year, based
in Harrismith and Luci Nouwens
– Director also based in Harrismith.
Nouwens Durban Sales office operates from fresh new
premises in Fish Eagle Park at Mount Edgecomb. Graham
Blair is the branch manager assisted by senior rep Tracy
Muller. As from the beginning of October, new admin
/ receptionist lady Melissa Naidoo, holds the fort when
Graham and Tracy are doing their rounds.
The Nouwens Carpets Branch Managers, Graham Blair
– Durban, Gary Johnson – Johannesburg, Len van den
Bergh – Cape Town.
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Owned by Johan Jansen van Vuuren and Sven Viljoen, Transiton Transport is now in its 10th year of busi-
ness since it reverted to its own name following the liquidation of Roadcorp in 2000.
Operating from the same premises, Transiton enjoys
the support of its major clients such as Belgotex
Floorcoverings, Nouwens Carpets, Crossley Carpets, Fotakis
Brothers, Wonder Flooring, Carpet Brokers, MF Wholesalers
and Selborne Carpet Wholesalers, and provides a deliv-
ery service to an area that encompasses the whole of
South Africa and stretches into neighbouring countries
– Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Deliveringagreatservicetothecarpetindustry
Deliveringagreatservicetothecarpetindustry
Asked why Transiton finds it necessary to have a specialist
flooring delivery operation, Johan says, “Carpets have spe-
cial requirements; for example, they are difficult to handle
without special equipment, and it is not possible to load
anything else onto a truck with carpets – such as spices or
oil – as the smells will be absorbed by the carpet.”
In recent years Transiton has found that its major clients
are now selling floorcoverings other than carpet, and this
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times with credibility, honesty and integrity; to maintain
the highest levels of professionalism in all its dealings; to
be innovative, flexible and adaptable in a continuously
changing environment; to train, develop and provide equal
opportunity for its staff; and to strive for excellence in
safety, health and environmental matters.
Finally, Transiton is very proud of the fact that due to its
‘just in time delivery’ service, once again the company
scored an average of 99,3% on TIME-EFFECTIVE DELIVERY
this year, and wants to thank all its clients – factories and
wholesalers for their support over the past decade. “We
look forward to living our vision of continually striving to
be the best road freight transporter for our customers into
the future,” concludes Johan.
Transiton Transport
Johannesburg: 011 915 2222
Pietermaritzburg: 033 397 9904
Cape Town: 021 905 9117/8
TRANSPORT
This article is brought to you with the sponsorship of Transiton
Transport – South Africa’s foremost specialists in the transportation
of flooring materials to the trade.
has extended the service that it provides. “Transiton is
in essence the distribution arm of the clients – not just a
transporter,” says Johan. “We are part of the clients’ offer-
ing to their customers – getting products to clients more
quickly and effectively. In this manner Transiton provides
the way to get product sold to customers quickly and
safely.”
In relation to this, Transiton has become an essential part
in growing and maintaining the market share of the carpet
industry. In addition, its customers have no need to hold
stock, as deliveries from wholesalers or manufacturers are
quick and effective. Customers can now provide a better
service to their clients by meeting the strict deadlines that
are commonplace in the construction industry.
From the start Transiton experienced an existing demand,
but has since developed the market by instituting more
direct deliveries, servicing the outlying areas, and deliver-
ing to neighbouring countries.
Transiton sees its future as continuing to be the distribu-
tion arm of their clients and, apart from remaining cost-
effective and efficient, the company will develop with its
clients and continue to meet their needs. “We aim to part-
ner with our clients to provide the transport solution for
their operations,” Johan states.
As the company’s Mission Statement avows, through its
professional, experienced and dedicated staff Transiton
Transport is committed to creating value for all stakehold-
ers by providing the highest levels of service and support
to its customer base by having the right product at the
right place at the right time.
This is reflected in Transiton’s core values: to deal at all
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Competentfemalesitesafetyofficers
Women make competent safety officers on building sites
because “safety is part of a woman’s daily routine – whether
at home or work”, says Lizzie Peterson, the Gauteng Master
Builders Association’s top Health & Safety manager for 2010,
speaking at the annual Health & Safety Awards function held by
the Gauteng Master Builders Association (GMBA).
Peterson, Health & Safety Manager at Ambient Contracting
Services in Edenvale, says the construction industry is now rap-
idly moving away from the perception that building is a male-
dominated industry. “Women are beginning to make their mark.
We are already there in the safety field – and it’s just a stepping
stone towards getting our hands on other duties.”
She believes women succeed as safety officers because “our
approach is tough yet softer and, above all, showing respect for
our fellow workers comes naturally”, she says.
But it is not easy for a female safety officer to promote health
issues, such as AIDS- prevention on site. “Most men do not
like discussing sexual issues with women who are not part of
their family. This is where a humble and professional attitude
is required – female health and safety guardians should put as
much emphasis as possible on the dangers involved instead of
preaching to the workers. We also need to show empathy with
those who are HIV-positive,” she adds.
Peterson says workers on a building site tend to appear
strong and healthy but, because of the environmental hazards
– such as cement dust, fuel, and toxic chemicals – they are
exposed to on site, the preservation of the workers’ health is a
major challenge.
Last year’s top student, Sebenzile Magugu, was one of the top
three performers in the GMBA’s 2010 Award for Best Site Safety
Officer. Magugu was honoured for her work on Giuricich Bros.
Construction’s new Toyota Dealership site in Rhodesfield.
Christelle van Rooyen has been appointed as Office Manager/
Administrative Assistant for the Free State Institute of Architecture as
from 01 September 2010.
The previous incumbent, Anja van der Merwe of Jan Ras
Argiteksgroep BK, says that although they are still sharing offices with
the FSIA, she is now working full-time for the practice again.
“Thank you to all at SAIA and Regional Institutes for 11 years of your
support and co-operation. It was a pleasure being part of the SAIA
family,” she says. “We wish Christelle every success and all the best for
the new position.”
NewofficemanagerforFsIA
Mohawk is expanding on its Ricky the Rhino promotion from
last year and this time will let six African elephants at the
Dallas Zoo test the performance and stain resistance of its
SmartStrand carpet.
For two weeks, the animals will be turned loose on the
Mohawk carpet.
Mohawk is also introducing a new Human Habitat element
to the challenge, where zoo guests can visit four different
household situations: a living room, kitchen, bedroom and
foyer.
Each living situation will incorporate Mohawk flooring
products – carpet, laminate, ceramic and Mohawk’s brand-
new strand woven bamboo – with visitors allowed to interact
with the exhibits.
“We have an extraordinary product and we’re challenging
it in an extraordinary way to prove the unmatched durabil-
ity of SmartStrand with DuPont Sorona,” said David Duncan,
Mohawk’s vice-president of marketing.
FloorDaily.net
TheBigsix!
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Nexus, the commercial division of Belgotex Floorcoverings, recently
completed a nationwide launch of its new BerberPoint Eco carpeting
that provides a comprehensive green alternative for architects and
designers.
To introduce this exciting new development, events were held
in Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Port
Elizabeth, and all were well attended by the professionals – archi-
tects, designers, and specifiers.
BerberPoint Eco provides a superb green alternative for specifiers
TheGreenFlooringAlternative
and designers, offering all the outstanding specification and per-
formance characteristics of BerberPoint 920 but with the option of
recycled content in its manufacture.
Available in modular or broadloom options, BerberPoint Eco is
part of the company’s Eco Collection as a structured needlepunch
range made from Stainproof Eco Fibre, comprising recycled polyes-
ter made out of PET plastic bottles combined with a polypropylene
blend to produce an eco-friendly top-cloth.
NewcarpetmuseumfundedbylotteryThe UK-based Carpet Museum Trust has been provided with a R20-mil-
lion fund to establish the centre in Stour Vale Mill in the West Midlands
of England which was built in 1855 and was originally itself a carpet
factory.
A vintage working loom from the Victorian period will be one of the
features of the museum, which will focus on Kidderminster’s role in
Britain’s carpet-making industry.
Floordaily.net
gET pACking!
For those of you that plan well in advance,
now is the time to start considering your trip to
Stone+tec Nürnberg 2011, the International Trade
Fair for Natural Stone & Stone Processing Technology
– it takes place in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 22
to 25 June 2011.
Full details on next year’s event can be obtained by visiting
the website: stone-tec@nuernbergmesse.de.
Representatives from FLOORS attended an international product fair
showcasing the finest equipment and technology in the building
sector, which was successfully hosted by Pan Mixers South Africa
(PMSA) – one of Africa’s leading manufacturers of concrete block,
brick and paving machinery.
The fair, which was held on 15 and 16 September 2010 at PMSA’s
factory in Graniet Street, Jet Park, featured a range of new products,
including a European-manufactured Fiori self-loading concrete
mixer that has an on-board weighing system.
Following the success of last year’s event, PMSA hosted the fair for
a second year running to provide industry with the perfect opportu-
nity to learn more about new trends and technology in the industry.
PMSA director Walter Ebeling says: “We feel that it is our responsi-
bility as market leaders to showcase the technologies that are avail-
able to our customers. Last year’s fair was a great success, with more
than 400 people attending the two-day event. We have made this
year’s event bigger and better, with additional exhibitors, product
launches and demonstrations.”
Guest speakers at this event included Clem Sunter, a world-
renowned global strategist and scenario-planner, who held an
intriguing talk on the future of the South African construction
industry, and Jean Tresfon, who gave a presentation on ‘green’ build-
ing and how the concrete industry can capitalise on this growing
trend.
Attendees were also provided with tips and advice by numerous
experts in their respective fields, including a talk presented by the
Cement and Concrete Institute (C&CI) on the sustainability of the
concrete industry.
Established in 1976, PMSA is a leading manufacturer of a wide
range of concrete block, brick and paving machinery, turbine and
counter-current pan mixers and batching plants for the Concrete,
Refractory and Ceramic industries.
PMsA’sinternationalproductfairbackbypopulardemand
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“Last year, Chryso expanded its product range to include
cementitious products such as grouts, repair materials, water-
proofing and other construction products. This move has been
extremely successful and the a.b.e. acquisition will accelerate our
growth into these market sectors.”
“Future plans for a.b.e. include reinforcing the management
team, upgrading the production facilities, and strengthening the
research and development programmes while using existing a.b.e.
channels into the market to intro-
duce new products that further
enhance the a.b.e. current product
range.”
“I am extremely excited about this
deal and see benefits for Chryso
and a.b.e. as well as for suppliers
and customers,” Seymore adds.
Chrysoacquisitionofa.b.e.ConstructionChemicalsThe complex process of Chryso Southern Africa acquiring a.b.e.
Construction Chemicals, which started in February this year, has
now reached its final stages. The move will result in a.b.e. delist-
ing from the JSE, with Chryso taking ownership and manage-
ment control of the company by the end of September 2010.
Norman Seymore, the current managing director of Chryso, will
be CEO of both businesses after the acquisition is completed.
“Initially, a.b.e. and Chryso will run independently from one
another while integration possibilities and opportunities are
studied. However, there will be strong cooperation between all
the departments and divisions of the two companies,” explains
Seymore.
“Chryso Southern Africa has established itself as a major sup-
plier of concrete and cement admixtures in South Africa due to
its investment in plant infrastructure and new technologies as
well as technical and customer support. a.b.e. provides specialised
construction products to the building, civil engineering and main-
tenance industries, and is a long-standing and successful business
with a large network of branches and distributors,” he says.
Norman Seymore, MD of Chryso, will assume the posi-tion of CEO of both Chryso and a.b.e. Construction Chemicals, after the Chryso acquisition is completed. >>
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ECOnOMiSing!
An elderly man in Mumbai calls his son in New York and says, “Hate to ruin your day, son, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are getting a divorce; 35 years of marriage... that much misery is enough!” “Dad, what are you talking about?” the son screams.‘We can’t stand the sight of each other any longer,’ the old man says.‘We’re sick of each other, and I’m sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Hong Kong and tell her!’Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone.‘Like heck they’re getting divorced,’ she shouts, ‘I’ll take care of this.’She calls Mumbai immediately, and screams at the old man, ‘You are not getting divorced. Don’t do a single thing until I get there. I’m calling my brother back, and we’ll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don’t do a thing, DO YOU HEAR??’ and she hangs up. The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. ‘Okay’, he says, ‘It’s all set. They’re both coming for our anniversary and paying their own airfare.’
FLOORS recently visited the Teragren South Africa Head Office in
Durban and established that we will be spearheading the marketing
of Teragren’s exciting new Portfolio range which will be available in
South Africa next year, along with its other quality ranges of solid
bamboo flooring and panels.
Formed in 1994, Teragren is a US-based manufacturer of fine bam-
boo flooring, panels and veneers that believes in providing both
high-quality products and excellent customer service together with
environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing and business
practices.
Teragren South Africa is headed up by Sean Howell, who has good
experience with solid flooring and engineered panels. He is very
excited about the role that the Southern African Wood & Laminate
Flooring Association (SAWLFA) is playing in regulating an industry
which sorely needs a shared knowledge base from which to draw on,
whereby the public can enjoy the benefits of solid flooring and pan-
els knowing they are dealing with credible suppliers and installers.
Bamboobrandisgrowing
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Sika has introduced the Sikalastic 800 Series of highly impermeable
membrane products distributed by Sika in South Africa.
The Sika 800 Series comprises a range of new products with product
characteristics that include being highly impermeable; elastomeric –
which provides their load-bearing and impact-resistant qualities, and
well as being creep-resistant; tough in terms of being shear- and tear-
resistant; abrasion- and erosion-resistant; and seamless – even when
complex curves and bends are required. They also have the capability
of bridging and spanning across cracks and joints.
Easy and fast to apply, (gel 3-11 seconds, dry in one minute); these
membranes provide strong adhesion to the substrate, have no vola-
tile organic compounds, and the final finish avoids the need for a
protective screed.
Full information on these new products can be found on the web-
site www.sika.co.za.
New rangeofmembraneproducts
Carpet and Rug Institute President Werner Braun says California’s AB
2398, Carpet Product Stewardship Bill, could “usher in a whole new
phase of carpet recycling”. The bill represents new thinking in the
area of product stewardship in that it incentivises carpet recycling
by rewarding those entrepreneurs and inventors who produce mar-
ketable products made from post-consumer carpet.
The bill, which has been passed by both houses of the California
Assembly and is awaiting the Governor’s signature, generates rev-
enue through an initial assessment of 5 cents per square yard of
carpet sold in California.
Further, manufacturers, either singly or as a group, will be required
to establish a stewardship plan with the state for implementing car-
pet recycling. Stewardship plans will encompass consumer educa-
tion efforts, the assessment of fees, and progress measurement and
reporting.
To develop their required stewardship plan, manufacturers will
work with California regulatory agencies with the help of the Carpet
America Recovery Effort (CARE), which was founded in 2002.
“There is nothing else in the sustainability arena that compares
with this Carpet Stewardship Bill,” said Shaw Industries’ Rick Hooper,
who served on the CRI committee tasked with negotiating the bill
with California legislators.
CRI News
GroundbreakingCaliforniaCarpetrecyclingBill
Autumn-winterceramictilecollectionsnowonlineThe Product Gallery, a web page containing the autumn-winter 2010-
2011 collections of Italian ceramic tiles and ceramic sanitaryware
produced by Confindustria Ceramica member companies, is now
online. More than 250 new images can be viewed in the gallery at
http://products.italiatiles.com.
Together with the previous five six-monthly collections, this brings
to more than 1 500 the number of high-resolution images present,
making this the largest multimedia site in the world for these indus-
trial design products.
The Product Gallery is designed to provide rapid information on all
new products in two different ways: via the individual product sheets
complete with technical characteristics; and via vignettes illustrating
products in some of their possible applications. Floor and wall tiles
and ceramic sanitary articles are presented in a range of materials and
both modern and classic colours.
Kirk Marketing was established in 2002 and its initial products were
tile trims designed by a team with more than 11 years experience
in this sector of the flooring industry.
To facilitate the distribution of its product ranges throughout
Southern Africa, Kirk established its head office and main ware-
house in Gauteng, followed quickly by warehouses and offices in
Cape Town and Durban. In 2006, to cover the Eastern Cape, a sales
office was opened in Port Elizabeth with a warehouse following in
2008.
Now, as the company celebrates its 8th Anniversary, Kirk
Marketing has opened a new showroom at its head office in
Johannesburg that will enable its full sales programme to be
displayed and demonstrated, including high-quality trims, tools,
chemicals, laminate flooring and accessories
FLOORS in Africa attended the official
opening of this extensive
showroom which
now allows
Kirk
Birthdayopeningfornew showroomto encourage retail customers, architects, designers, quantity
surveyors and contractors to visit and see the actual products on
display – which includes its proprietary M.Trim range; M.Tools, a
comprehensive range of tiling tools; and M.Chem, a user-friendly
quality range of tile care chemicals.
Kirk Marketing also enjoys distribution agreements with major
international manufacturers including BENDI quality profiles ideal
for curved floors; DURAL – offering an extensive range of wood,
laminate trims and quality tile trims; RUBI – superior electric and
manual tile cutters; and VEXCOLT, one of the world’s leading sup-
pliers of structural movement joints. All these ranges will also be
found on display in the new showroom.
Kirk are primarily wholesalers for the bulk of their products, and
with over 600 customers throughout Southern Africa the full range
of products is distributed to the whole of South Africa and neigh-
bouring countries including Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, and
Angola. Additionally, Kirk exports worldwide from the Gauteng
office and warehouse.
Kirk’s mission statement is simple: “Kirk Marketing is dedicated to
be the leader in our industry through commitment to our products,
clients and staff with integrity and without compromise.”
With priority goals of having the correct products and
solutions for the market place; the insistence on hav-
ing an unequalled service ethic; and the aim of
setting and maintaining a high standard of
product, support and expertise to the
flooring industry, Kirk is geared to
supply you.
You should take the oppor-
tunity of contacting the
numbers shown below
to obtain a conducted
tour of the new
showroom,
together with
obtaining full
technical
informa-
tion. It
is well
Kirk Marketing Head Office: 011 444 1441 Helpline: 086 110 2165 Email: sales@kirk.co.za Website: www.kirk.co.za
Cape Town: 021 949 2226 Durban: 031 564 1175 Port Elizabeth: 0860 547 573
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CAn i uSE A STEAM ClEAnER On MY lAMinATE FlOOR? Wow! Certainly not! Basically, your laminate flooring is relatively
simple to maintain. Regular sweeping and/or using a vacuum
cleaner should be sufficient.
You can occasionally clean with a mop slightly moistened with a
cleaning product recommended by your supplier or installer, but
make sure you mop up any spills quickly. Like wood floors, you
should never flood a laminate floor with water. And, don’t use
soap-based detergents, abrasive cleaners, scouring powder, wax or
any type of polish.
iS iT RiSkY TO ChOOSE TilES bASEd On phOTOS in A CATA-lOguE RAThER ThAn On TilE SAMplES? The short answer is yes. The printed colour, although very similar,
will almost invariably be different from the real thing, and even
gloss finishes or textures may not be effectively portrayed by the
printed version. So, you can use a catalogue to make a preliminary
selection of several tiles, but then use samples of the tiles to make
the final decision.
Another important point concerns the batch of tiles you receive.
Make sure the tiles all come from the same production batch to
ensure colour consistency. Large areas of tiling may require tiles
from several different production batches, and these may have
slightly different tones.
Although it is the same tile and colour, these tone differences are
an inevitable result of the technological characteristics of the pro-
duction process.
Take advice from your supplier or installer; it may be necessary to
mix the tile boxes to spread what will be miniscule differences in
colour throughout the area to be tiled.
dO i hAVE TO hAVE An undERlAY WiTh MY CARpET?No. It’s your choice! However, although it is perhaps not quite as
necessary in a low-traffic area such as a bedroom, a good qual-
ity underlay will enhance the feel and the service life of even the
cheapest carpet, and is well worth the extra expense.
Don’t accept the old ‘give-away’ underlays that seemed like (and
probably were!) waste material; today’s underlays are selected
for their performance in defined areas, and will really contribute
towards underfoot comfort, appearance retention and a longer life.
Other benefits of using a decent underlay are: the provision of bet-
ter acoustic performance; improved thermal insulation; and better
impact resistance.
WhAT iS A ‘RESiliEnT’ FlOORCOVERing?Resilient flooring means materials that have a relatively firm sur-
face, yet characteristically have ‘give’ and ‘bounce back’ to their
original surface profile from the weight of objects that compress
their surface.
Resilient flooring materials are made in various shapes and sizes
including both tile and sheet form. Common types of resilient
flooring include: vinyl; vinyl composition; linoleum; rubber; cork;
and PVC – available in tile form only.
In residences, resilient flooring is commonly used in kitchens, bath-
rooms, entryways, family rooms and increasingly in other areas
of a house or apartment where rugs are used in conjunction with
resilient flooring.
Epoxy floor screeds used in the decorative industry
Last month I wrote about the main differences between epoxy screeds and polyurethane screeds and their role in the food and beverage industry. Strangely enough, the main difference if we were to talk Rand values is the lack of knowledge of the polyurethane system, which is why the epoxy screed is still so popular and why it sells so well.
This month I am writing about epoxy screeds again, not for industrial use but for the decorative market. I have been very busy assisting in developing the first 3mm thick epoxy screed system in Africa, using imported coloured stone aggregate.
It is being launched, sold and marketed exclusively through the largest paint/flooring franchise group in Africa. This type of flooring system has been in existence for several years overseas and has seen widespread global success.
Last year I was involved in applying this system (which is in keeping with international standards) at the 1 400m2 Multichoice Customer Care Centre in Gauteng. The success of this project made us think about fast-tracking it into the South African market, where there is a massive gap in the market for this floor type.
The market has always craved quality seamless flooring finishes and the only real options are pigmented cementi-tious floor screeds, which are not uniform in colour or appearance.
Shrinkage cracks can develop easily in these cementi-tious systems. However, epoxy screed floors are incredibly hardwearing, impact-resistant, stain-resistant, chemical-resistant, jointless, anti-slip, hygienic, underfloor-heating compliant, colourfast and easy to clean and maintain.
The floor colour is consistent throughout, which makes it a suitable companion for many different housing and archi-tectural styles, from classic to modern to contemporary. Should you be interested in contacting me in this regard you can e-mail me at jer-emy@seamlessflooring.co.za.
Q&A
Jeremy StewartFlooring specialist and owner of Quartz Caret102
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CREATIVE CONSULTANTA fresh approach to visual solutions
Agatha Romanos: 082 453 4617agatha.romanos@gmail.com
Author George Pendle, a frequent traveller, has
developed a website that depicts airport carpet he
and others have seen on their travels. His website,
carpetsforairports.com, recruits travellers to take
photos of carpets and send them in.
CarpetsforAirportswebsite
“Trapped in an airport? Bored out of your skull? Become an Airport
Carpeteer”, the website suggests. “All carpets gratefully received.
All photographs fully credited.” The site also provides opinions, many of
them humorous, about carpets designs and their surroundings.
Pendle said he prefers carpets in airports because they are more wel-
coming than other surfaces.
In a profile by the Los Angeles Times, Pendle said, “Flooring is consid-
ered mundane. We’re all too busy looking at the sky and the planes to
look at the ground beneath us. So I thought it would be a fun experi-
ment to compare and contrast airport carpets from around the world.”
Floordaily.net
FLOORS found the website interesting with not much in the way of tech-
nical information and other detail, and a bit slow to traverse the globe!
However, it does have a certain appeal.
In this issue we bring you the last of the views and opinions (on renovations and conversions) expressed by speakers at the contractworld.congress held in conjunction with Domotex Hannover 2010 earlier this year.
STRAngE FORMS OF liFE
In Portugal, we are often confronted with the job of converting an existing building. However, we
have a relatively neutral attitude to this idea. After all, the old is not necessarily good only because it
has been re-designed, and it cannot therefore be guaranteed to last forever.
Converting a building only makes sense if it seamlessly joins up to the here and now of the pres-
ent. A reconstruction merely for the sake of the past is of no benefit to anyone and, in the end, even
harms that which one actually wants to preserve.
Or, as John Ruskin aptly said 150 years ago, “So-called preservation can be the worst kind of destruc-
tion.”
SpATiAl pROCESSES
When we want to convert an old building for modern use, it is important for us to preserve at least
part of the physical traces of the building’s past. Clients often see things differently – they basically
want a new building.
But an architectural process that concerns existing buildings is not a form of new building construc-
tion but the architecture of the palimpsest. What already exists or has half disappeared is overlaid
with layers of the present. Part of the architecture is already there.
In principle, the aim is to understand what the existing structure lacks in order to function well
today under completely different conditions and then to add what is lacking to that which exists.
ARquiTECTuRA COnCRETE
If you take a particular letter out of all the words of a text, it is usually still possible to read the text
and understand it. This perhaps means that the missing letter was superfluous. Pieces of archi-
tecture of the past that continue to exist in the form of ruins are such texts with missing letters.
Nevertheless, they still have meaning for us.
If we are asked to partially convert preserved historical buildings, we are therefore not interested
in putting all the missing letters back into place. The gaps in the text are important places for our
imagination in order to credibly measure the distance between the past and present.
Nuno Griff
Embaixada, Lisbon,
Portugal
Enrique Subejano
Nieto Subejano Arquitectos, Madrid,
Spain
Claus Anderhalten
Anderhalten Architekten, Berlin,
Germany
FoundationFoundation
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