CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH
Fleur Carson, Commercial Sales Director at Karndean Designflooring, looks at the key considerations when selecting a floor solution to stand up to the heavy demands of a healthcare environment
When specifying flooring for healthcare settings, one of the most important aspects to consider is health and safety. From slip resistance and durability to noise reduction and hygiene, there is much more to think about than aesthetics alone.
With a wide range of realistic wood and stone designs to choose from, it’s easy to recreate the natural look of a wood or stone floor but with all the benefits of luxury vinyl flooring. Karndean flooring offers an attractive look that is highly durable as well as bringing benefits such as a hygienic surface, slip resistance and noise reduction.
Karndean’s Opus Enhance range, featuring a range of wood and stone designs, has been designed to meet slip resistance requirements in health and care environments. This commercial range boasts a result of 40 plus in the Pendulum Wet Test, the highest currently available in the marketplace. Recently extended to include seven wood and four stone designs, Opus Enhance features an enhanced PU coating for added grip without compromising on the authentic finish and is fully HSE compliant with an R12 slip rating.
Karndean flooring can be easily zoned 30 | HEALTHCARE
to facilitate wayfinding, using different shades or a mix of wood and stone designs. To create a personalised design or to identify areas that have different functions, consider incorporating borders or ‘rug’ type features and use a combination of contrasting colours and textures.
Healthcare settings are often busy and bustling, in some cases during both day and night, increasing ambient noise levels which can be disruptive and cause additional stress. In environments where sound reduction is important, Karndean’s easy-fit Korlok and LooseLay products, with incorporated acoustic layers, can significantly reduce noise transfer.
The Korlok range, with its pre-attached acoustic foam backing, provides effective sound reduction with no need for a separate underlay. The ambient sound created by many footsteps, both within the room and transferring to the floor below, can be reduced by up to 19dB. The LooseLay range features an innovative acoustic backing which helps reduce sound by 13dB, creating a calmer and more peaceful environment.
From resisting spills to avoiding dust and mites, Karndean flooring offers waterproof floor tiles and wood
planks which contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment. All Karndean floors benefit from its K-Guard+ surface protection system. Using PU technology, K-Guard+ provides a hygienic and durable finish that will protect the floor for years to come. Meeting requirements for anti-allergen environments, Karndean products have a low volatile organic compound rating and adhesives are free from harmful emissions.
Karndean wood and stone effect floors are designed for a long, low- maintenance life and are easy to keep clean with a brush and damp mop with a pH neutral detergent. High footfall tests the toughest flooring, but our designs are hardwearing enough to withstand the most demanding environments. For any setting, from hospitals, GP surgeries or care homes, contractors can be sure that specifying Karndean flooring will be a practical choice that meets the project’s decorative and technical requirements. Providing a durable and safe surface, a Karndean floor will be easy to maintain and retain its attractive appearance for years to come.
www.karndean.com
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