floors & floor coverings
Floorings have been developed to reduce common new-build, post-installation issues such as lifting and curling
can also be easily taken up for refurbishment and, if in good condition, re-laid. Far from a short-term solution, some high quality vinyls with durable, thick wearlayers and can remain in-situ when white goods need replacing. In addition, as textile-backed floorings generally eliminate adhesive, glue degradation will not affect them as it might an adhered flooring. Glue degradation plays a major role in the life cycle of a flooring as adhesive can begin to break down in as little as two years. Adhesive-free floorings can therefore contribute to longer-term cost savings on replacement budgets.
Damp conditions
On the whole, textile-backed, loose-lay floorings will tolerate damp conditions better than glued products, which can result in damp and condensation being trapped between the flooring and the subfloor. They offer a solution where faults in the damp proof course occur or a damp proof membrane (DPM) has not been installed in older properties. As damp can have adverse effects on the health and well-being of
occupants, it is prudent to install a vinyl with an in-built waterproof layer within its specification. Some vinyls are up to 90 per cent RH resistant and can be laid where new subfloors have not fully dried out or where damp conditions prevail. Those with anti-mould treatments will also help prevent bacteria and mould.
Lower remedial work
Conventional, foam-backed, traditionally adhered residential vinyl is commonly used in new build housing. However, this vinyl type is prone to lifting, bubbling and curling when problems such as moisture, which is inherent to concrete subfloors, has not sufficiently dispersed and movement in new properties occur. Between 50-75 per cent of foam- backed vinyl installations typically require remedial work, whereas loose-lay, textile-backed floorings encompass technology that helps to eliminate these failures. Their use can reduce the number of post- installation issues significantly.
Whole-life specification
When it comes to selecting flooring, it is worth considering the longer- term implications and the ‘whole-life’ cost of the product, and not simply
the price per square metre. A higher price flooring could result in better value. Plus, as today’s floorings are developed for distinct areas within housing,
it is worth consulting with a flooring specialist in the planning stages of a housing project to ensure the best outcome. Therefore, from dedicated flooring solutions for living areas to decorative, slip-resistant, easy- maintenance vinyl floorings for heavy traffic communal areas, the right product can be assured for each role.
Navjot Dhillon is marketing manager at Gerflor Limited.
“Pressure has been placed on housing providers to provide a mix of refurbished and new build social and private rental homes to meet the needs of both short and long term tenants”
44 | HMM July 2016 |
www.housingmmonline.co.uk
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