ADAPT TO Ian Spreadborough, Co-Founder and Director at IOBAC Ltd looks at how flexible f
Sustainability. It’s all around us, influencing our day-to-day lives more than ever before. Whether it’s reduced energy consumption, choosing sustainable suppliers and greener equipment, or raising awareness among employees, everywhere we look businesses are implementing more sustainable working practices. But what if they’re missing an opportunity right under their noses?
BIG COMMITMENTS NEED
BIG IDEAS First, let’s set the scene. The UK is the first major economy to commit to net zero emissions by 2050, while the world and UK Green Building Councils, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, have stated that all new buildings will need to be net zero by 2030 and all existing buildings by 2050.
These are bold yet necessary ambitions that we can’t afford not to achieve, and that will change the way buildings are designed and built forever. Flexible, sustainable flooring is up to the task and can play a central role in fulfilling these commitments.
FLEXIBLE FLOORING FOR FLEXIBLE
WORKSPACES Co-working, serviced or managed offices; whatever the set- up, flexible workspaces have ridden the crest of a wave for the past five years with global demand increasing by 50%. In the UK, research from global surveyors, JLL, predicts that
28 | SUSTAINABILITY
flexible office space will account for over 8.5% of total office stock by 2023. That’s an increase of around 5% from 2020 and represents one of the highest penetration rates globally. To facilitate this step change, contemporary flooring needs to be as flexible as the workplaces into which it’s being installed, whether that’s for a new-build or refurbishment project.
Flexible or modular flooring solutions provide a healthy, sustainable flooring choice, offering design agility through fast, hassle-free installation and easy access and maintenance. How’s it done? The first step is to install a magnetically receptive base, with the options including a dry-laid acoustic underlay, using the existing metal raised access floor, or a fast- curing resin. In most cases, this requires minimal preparation and no sealants, primers, or plywood bases. Often, it’s even possible to go straight over existing flooring with no uplift required. Then, with the magnetically-receptive base in place, you’re free to install your choice of top surface tile, including standard carpet and luxury vinyl tile using IOBAC’s MagTabs, or magnetic timber, ceramic and LVT direct.
WHAT’S SO SUSTAINABLE
ABOUT THAT? Well, there are a number of facets to this; flooring waste being one of the most troublesome. Traditional floorcoverings are notoriously difficult materials to recycle and even 100% recyclable products can run into difficulties when they’re installed using adhesive-based methods. This is because,
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