TIP OF THE MONTH
TOUGH STUFF
Chris McQuade, technical service officer at F. Ball and Co. Ltd., explains when you need to use a heavy-duty smoothing compound and why.
WHY THEY WORK
Heavy-duty smoothing compounds, such as F. Ball’s Stopgap 300, have an extremely high compressive strength, which is why they are able to deliver heavy-duty performance and cope with high levels of foot traffic.
This inherent strength is also important when installing wooden floorcoverings. Wood expands and contracts as a result of environmental factors (e.g. changes in temperature and humidity). The strength of Stopgap 300 enables it to withstand the stresses and strains exerted by the natural movements of wood floorcoverings over the lifetime of the installation.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
In addition to high compressive strength, certain heavy-duty smoothing compounds offer additional benefits when installing certain types of floorcoverings.
The excellent self-smoothing properties of Stopgap 300, for example, means that the surface finish it creates is extremely smooth. This feature is very important where thin, resilient floorcoverings, including luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs), are being installed. This is because any imperfections in the smoothing compound are likely to show through the floorcovering and compromise the aesthetic appearance of the floor.
The F. Ball technical service department frequently get calls asking us if a heavy-duty smoothing compound is required when undertaking a particular flooring installation. Often this is when the finished installation will be subject to heavy loads and/or high levels of foot traffic.
Not everyone knows that certain formulations of heavy-duty smoothing compound also offer important additional benefits in particular situations, including when installing wood and LVT floorcoverings.
HEAVY-DUTY SITUATIONS
Seeing the product description ‘heavy-duty’ on a smoothing compound is a good indication of where it is intended to be used – these compounds are designed to provide an ultra-strong, extremely smooth base prior to the installation of floorcoverings.
Typically, heavy-duty formulations are required in areas subject to heavy loads and/or high levels of foot traffic. These include hospital corridors, where floors are pounded by heavy medical equipment and hundreds of patients every day; airport terminals with thousands of people passing through them with trolleys full of luggage; as well as schools and busy retail environments.
Lower strength smoothing compounds could start to crack and break up over time when subjected to this continual cycle of movement, which could eventually compromise the integrity of the floor. In these instances, you can sometimes see cracks in the smoothing compound through floorcoverings, not only affecting the appearance but potentially causing a health and safety hazard.
x.com/TContractFloors 15
The ability of the smoothing compound to deliver a super smooth surface finish avoids this problem, which can become a critical issue for the installation of high-cost resilient floorcoverings in prestigious settings. Its superior strength will also ensure a long- lasting professional flooring finish, even when subjected to heavy daily usage. For these reasons, it is part of F. Ball’s ‘System LVT’ range, which comprises waterproof surface membranes, primers, smoothing compounds and adhesives that used correctly and in combination F. Ball guarantees will result in an aesthetically pleasing floor finish that lasts the lifetime of the installation.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The formulation of some heavy-duty smoothing compounds, including Stopgap 300, means that they can be pump-applied up to 1500m² per day, dependent upon manpower, thickness applied and equipment used. Over a large area, such as an airport terminal, a hotel ballroom or a large, open-plan office, this can dramatically cut the installation time.
If you are unsure about whether or not to use a heavy-duty smoothing compound, F. Ball’s technical service department is on hand to answer your questions about F. Ball products and how to use them Monday to Friday, 8.30am–5.00pm.
https://f-ball.com/en
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
