HOTEL & LEISURE FLOORING
HIGH STANDARD HOTELS
Appearance and functionality are paramount to the impression that guests will form when visiting a hotel. For flooring contractors, this means that the floor must not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also possess durability, longevity and safeguard the health of staff and visitors. We get expert technical advice from our bimonthly columnist, F. Ball’s Stephen Boulton, about the key to success in hotel flooring projects.
When beginning a new flooring installation or refurbishment, F. Ball advises contractors to take the time to understand the requirements of the setting and floorcovering to maximise the floor’s potential lifespan and optimise its finished appearance. Thoroughly assessing the composition and condition of the subfloor, as well as specifying the correct subfloor preparation products, will help to avoid the common pitfalls that can lead to a substandard floor finish.
Managing moisture
and contamination Subfloor areas must be clean, dry and free from contaminants or laitance before installing any subfloor preparation products. In the case of hotel refurbishments, existing floorcoverings and any adhesive residues must also be removed by mechanical means, unless a floor smoothing underlayment is being applied that has been specifically developed for
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direct application over adhesive residues.
A visual inspection of a subfloor is inadequate to check for the presence of moisture, so contractors are advised to use a calibrated digital hygrometer to measure subfloor moisture. If the relative humidity levels are 75% or above (or 65% or above in the case of wooden floorcoverings) then a waterproof surface membrane should be applied before the installation continues. Applying an epoxy resin waterproof surface membrane offers a highly effective way of suppressing moisture in most situations. When installing flooring in a working hotel, however, where time is a limiting factor, F. Ball recommends the use of fast-curing additives and accelerants to dramatically reduce the curing time of epoxy resin systems. When working with heritage floors, such as might be found in a hotel refurbishment, an impervious loose lay
isolator membrane can also act as physical barrier between any moisture and a floorcovering.
Planning for the
long term The condition and composition of the subfloor, combined with the type of floorcovering to be installed and expected loads of traffic, must be considered before selecting a smoothing underlayment. Heavy duty smoothing underlayments will be particularly suited to hotel settings, where guests will inevitably create high levels of footfall.
adhesives will ensure that carpets do not present trip hazards by lifting around the edges. Alternatively, surface tackifier adhesives are also recommended for carpet-tiled areas, such as lobbies, that receive heavy traffic, because they remain permanently tacky and allow worn carpet tiles to be easily lifted and replaced.
“When installing flooring in a working hotel, F. Ball recommends the use of fast- curing additives and accelerants.”
An adhesive must be chosen that will accommodate the requirements of both the floorcovering and its environment. Carpets and carpet tiles are used frequently in hotels to provide guests with a feeling of comfort and high-bond, instant-tack
Ensuring that a floor installation is completed to deadline is crucial in hotel settings, but the durability and appearance of the installation will also be essential to impress visitors in the long term. Taking the time to assess the moisture levels, condition of the subfloor, the flooring types to be used and environmental
requirements of the setting before beginning work, will all ensure that the finished floor meets the highest standard of quality.
www.f-ball.co.uk
www.tomorrowsflooring.com
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