EDITOR’S VOICE & CONTENTS


COVER STORY


12. BEST OF THE BEST It’s time to unveil the products and services you selected as the winners of the Tomorrow’s Contract Floors Awards 2026.


REGULARS


04. WHAT'S NEW? The latest company news and product launches from across the flooring industry.


SMOOTHING COMPOUNDS


14. BUILT ON PERFORMANCE Tremco powers a major student accommodation renovation in East London.


18. A SMOOTH MOVE The experts at Kerakoll explain how to achieve a flawless surface finish whatever the substrate.


UNDERFLOOR HEATING


24. HANDLING THE HEAT F. Ball technical service officer Chris McQuade advises on installing floorcoverings where underfloor heating is present.


26. RAPID HEAT Contractors can achieve a fast fit and guarantee energy savings with Mapeheat system, says Mapei.


TOOLS & ACCESSORIES


28. A NEW ERA Husqvarna Construction is set to revolutionise the surface preparation industry with the unveiling of its highly anticipated self-operating floor grinder.


30. A PERFECT MATCH The difference between a great floor and a perfect room is in the details, says Ksenija Diukic, product manager for accessories at Bjelin.


RETAIL INSTALLATIONS


32. FLOOR COUTURE Bespoke Engineered Wood Flooring from Parador enhances Manolo Blahnik's new Los Angeles boutique.


Hello and welcome to the April issue of Tomorrow’s Contract Floors.


We begin this month by celebrating excellence as we unveil the winners of the Tomorrow’s Contract Floors Awards 2026. Selected by you, our readers, these standout products and services represent the very highest standards in performance, design and reliability. We received thousands of votes this year and it was a close contest right to the end. Turn to page 12 to find out which companies came out on top.


Performance remains a central theme throughought the issue. Our smoothing compounds feature underlines the importance of preparation and product selection in delivering long-lasting results. In East London, Tremco demonstrates its capabilities on a major student accommodation refurbishment, while Kerakoll’s specialists share practical guidance on achieving flawless finishes across a range of substrates.


Creating environments that support wellbeing is another key focus. Forbo’s contribution to The Nook mental health hub in Glasgow shows how thoughtful flooring choices can help foster calm, welcoming spaces, while Altro proves that safety and style can go hand in hand in a busy Same Day Emergency Care facility.


With underfloor heating continuing to grow in popularity, we explore both the challenges and opportunities it presents. Expert advice from F. Ball and innovative systems from Mapei provide valuable insight for contractors looking to balance efficiency with performance.


Elsewhere in our tools & accessories section, Husqvarna Construction introduces a game-changing development in surface preparation technology, and Bjelin highlights how attention to detail can elevate a project from good to exceptional.


We hope you enjoy the issue and that it inspires your next project.


Sarah Robinson, Editor


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