TOUGH FLOORS OUTDOORS
F. Ball provides expert advice on specifying the correct products to ensure exterior installations can stand up to the harsh elements they will be exposed to.
Weather is an enduring factor that always requires careful consideration when installing flooring in outdoor environments. Exterior and semi-exterior floors, including transitional areas, such as entranceways, can be subject to extreme temperatures and be vulnerable to rain, frost, and snow. This, coupled with high foot traffic, necessitates the use of subfloor preparation and adhesives with heavy duty properties, including the ability to maintain strength over time and withstand exposure to the elements.
For all projects, prior to laying floorcoverings, the subfloor needs to be adequately prepared, usually including the installation of a levelling compound. The selection of the most suitable adhesive will help to achieve a professional flooring finish that has the durability to withstand the environment and traffic to which it is exposed.
EXTERIOR LEVELLING COMPOUNDS External flooring installations typically involve working over concrete or sand/cement screeds. It’s also possible that the screed will be uneven or damaged, particularly if the project is a refurbishment. In most cases, a levelling compound will be required to create a surface that is smooth and level for floorcoverings to be installed. The levelling compound must be weatherproof and able to withstand extremes of temperature.
For example, F. Ball and Co. Ltd.’s Stopgap 850 Exterior is purpose-designed for external use. It is suitable for smoothing and levelling screeds, including those that have become worn, impact damaged or weathered and can be used for patios, walkways, and balconies. Its resistance to water, oil, and grease, once fully cured, also makes it ideal for use in locations such as garages.
Applied in thicknesses between 5mm and 15mm, Stopgap 850 Exterior is resistant to frost and rain when fully cured. As well as smoothing and levelling a surface, Stopgap 850 Exterior can be mixed with aggregate to fill up to 50mm in situations where the concrete is particularly damaged or worn. If desired, the levelling compound can be used as a stand alone exterior wearcoat, for example, over a garage floor, and is also suitable for the installation of artificial grass or for use with vinyl or matting in transitional areas, such as entranceways.
ADHESIVES FOR EXTERNAL USE Once the levelling compound is fully cured, contractors can proceed straight to installing floorcoverings. Again, it’s essential to choose an adhesive suitable for outside use.
The latest advancements in adhesives technology have enabled F. Ball to create a one-part, moisture-curing adhesive for internal and external heavy-duty applications: Styccobond F73 PLUS.
34 | OUTDOOR INSTALLATIONS
The adhesive has been specially developed to provide the high bond strength required to hold a wide range of floorcoverings in place in the most demanding environments, such as in areas subject to surface water, heavy loads and high foot traffic, including in transition areas and entranceways. The adhesive offers high initial grab, and fibres in the adhesive limit lateral movement, an advantage when installing LVTs, for example, preventing them from sliding as the next tile or plank is butted up to the previous row.
EASY APPLICATION Styccobond F73 PLUS is easier to apply and faster curing than traditional alternatives, requiring as little as 90 minutes to secure floorcoverings. Subfloors need not be totally dry however, the surface needs to be visibly dry before application can commence. The adhesive can be trowel-applied to a wide variety of sound, smooth subfloors, including concrete and sand/ cement screeds. Its fast setting properties allow welding of sheet floorcoverings to take place from as little as two hours.
As always, it’s recommended that contractors check the compatibility of particular floorcoverings and adhesives. For these purposes, F. Ball produces its industry-leading recommended adhesives guide (RAG), which lists adhesives recommended for use with over 6,000 floorcoverings, produced by over 200 floorcovering manufacturers. It is available on the F. Ball website and as a free app, as well as a printed booklet. Contractors can also consult floorcovering manufacturers for advice.
Finally, it is common to all projects that the right materials need to be selected for the right environment, to ensure outdoor installations are structurally sound, retain their appearance and require minimal repair work for a considerable time.
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