Here, Oscar Peralta, territory sales manager at surface preparation expert National Flooring Equipment, shares his insights on the flooring trends for 2019.
TOP TRENDS FOR 2019
By tapping into the latest trends, flooring can be unique. Of course, to achieve the perfect result for your application, careful and proper surface preparation is essential.
METALLIC EPOXY Epoxy has traditionally been a popular floorcovering in industrial settings, but its demand is now increasing in residential and commercial applications. Metallic epoxy, which contains a metallic pigment, can achieve a stunning three-dimensional effect on a floor. The surface can have a colourful, smoky appearance that is completely unique. Because of the aesthetic of the end-result, metallic epoxies will be a popular flooring choice for 2019.
To ensure surfaces are ready for the popularity of metallic epoxy flooring, contractors and rental companies should purchase a grinder to prepare the substrate before the coating is applied. Shot blasting may be inappropriate for a thin mill epoxy system, as the profile left on the floor can impact the aesthetic of the result. In these instances, a grinder would be the best option for the contractor. However, it is a fast and efficient method to prepare for epoxy flooring in general.
WOOD VENEERS Rather than applying a wood print to floating floors, the industry is beginning to apply wood veneers to achieve a much richer, truer and individual finish. Additionally, using just a thin wood veneer reduces the amount of wood required to complete the floor, when compared with a completely wooden floor, which has an environmental benefit. By applying wood
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veneers, companies and homeowners can have beautiful, unique floors.
The floor must be prepared to be completely flat in order to ensure a successful floating floor project. Contractors can achieve this using grinding, shot blasting and scarifying, which greatly reduces the amount of time required to complete a project compared with manual, uneconomical methods.
CERAMIC TILES Another trend for the new year is ceramic tiles with a wood look — while not a new trend, this is certainly growing. Popular in homes and in commercial applications, wood-look tiles are a durable and low maintenance option. To prepare a surface for this type of flooring, it’s important to thoroughly remove the remnants of the previous floor. A grinder can be a great edition to your armoury to prepare the floor for a new ceramic tile, epoxy or other surface.
To ensure these popular covering types are robust and long lasting once installed, contractors must prepare the floor effectively. Using the correct surface preparation equipment is an essential part of this. By using a ride-on floor scraper, contractors can efficiently remove the previous covering, saving time and money. Choosing the right scarifier, grinder or shot blaster for your application can be a daunting task, so if in doubt, contact a surface preparation equipment manufacturer, such as National Flooring Equipment, who can give you advice and guidance on the best way to prepare a floor for the coating.
www.nationalequipment.com SPOTLIGHT | 13
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