Floors & flooring From the floor up…
Richard Sutton of Horbury Property Services considers the options available when refurbishing floors in housing
the building and its occupants, it could prove to be more expensive in the long run. That is why it is worth considering the lifetime cost of the flooring choice, rather than the initial cost of purchase.
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DURABILITY For many housing projects, durability of the material is the biggest factor in a floor covering - those materials with a longer lifespan usually offer better value for money. Although the initial outlay may be more, this can pay back many times over the lifespan of the building. Flooring therefore needs the durability to withstand the volume of traffic using it each day, otherwise it will start to lose its aesthetics and its lifespan will be greatly restricted. Higher traffic areas, such as lobbies and hallways, require greater durability
in a floor covering than an individual living space. Flooring should always be selected that has robust certification and has undergone rigorous testing procedures to withstand the rigours of that environment.
SLIPS AND TRIPS In a worst-case scenario, wrongly specified flooring can cause severe injury by introducing slip and trip hazards into high footfall areas. Floors that do become worn inevitably pose more of a health and safety risk.
Slips, trips and falls are often caused by moisture and dirt being brought into buildings on footwear. Entrance matting is one of the best ways to prevent this and many entrance matting products these days have the ability to remove water and grit from shoes, and therefore prevent slip hazards. As inferior floor coverings age and start to deteriorate, they are more
likely to cause slips, trips and falls, especially if entrance matting is not cleaned and maintained properly. There are a number of excellent choices for entrance matting, which should be selected according to the design and use of the building. The traction of a flooring material is especially important in high traffic
areas. It is advisable that floor coverings are tested to offer anti-slip properties, as part of reducing health and safety risks.
REFURBISHMENT & REPLACEMENT Another factor to take into account when it comes to selecting a flooring material is that certain types of flooring are easier to repair than others. Carpet and vinyl tiles can be replaced individually, and solid hardwood flooring can be sanded down if damaged. The cost of works associated with removing a certain type of floor
covering should also be taken into account when specifying. The durability of a material has to be balanced against how easy it is to remove and replace. Carpet, for example, wears out faster in high traffic applications, yet it is relatively inexpensive to replace. It is worth considering at the outset how often you would be prepared to replace the floor covering and how much cost would be involved if you decided to completely change the material specified. Some companies may provide a flooring refurbishment and maintenance
service, or even advise on floor suitability and longevity, as part of its overall project management service.
hoosing flooring for an apartment block or housing project is a decision that should not be taken lightly. If the properties and performance of the floor covering do not match the requirements of
Wrongly specified flooring can cause severe injury
INSTALLATION And, while specification of a floor covering that is fit for purpose should be a priority, installation is equally important. A poorly fitted floor covering can be a major source of issues. It is important to select a flooring installation or refurbishment partner that
has experience working with the type of material specified. Ask for references from other customers to demonstrate that they are skilled in delivering flooring projects of that type to a high standard. The installer should also be able to advise on the suitability of the flooring substrate, as it may be the case that the current substrate is not suitable for the specified flooring, or could shorten its lifespan. This could also be checked with the floor covering manufacturer, if in any doubt, to ensure you receive the performance you expect. The preparation of the substrate is therefore really important as its condition needs to be pre-determined. The reason is that remedial work may need to be carried out before a new floor covering is put in place. An incorrectly prepared substrate can affect long term performance, which
is difficult to spot following installation, so the skill and experience of the installer needs to be evaluated beforehand. Again, working with a flooring installation company with a wide experience of different materials is preferable. Failing to install flooring to manufacturers’ guidelines runs the risk of shortening the lifespan of the flooring and almost certainly invalidates any manufacturer’s guarantee. Issues that can occur with incorrect installation include, for example,
underlay being wrongly specified, as it can create unsightly humps across certain areas of the carpet. This, again, can be a trip hazard and usually only
36 | HMM November 2017 |
www.housingmmonline.co.uk
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