CONCRETE RESULTS
Self-levelling wearing surfaces have become a popular choice for ambitious modern architectural projects as they have a visually interesting appearance and attractive patina when polished. F. Ball discusses with reference to some stunning recent projects.
Natural-looking floors are fast becoming a top trend amongst architects and interior designers as they are captivated by the varying colours and textures that can be achieved. These include concrete-like flooring finishes, and levelling compounds that are designed to be left as a standalone wearing surface, which have enjoyed increased popularity for their ability to control the appearance of a freshly-laid product. The aesthetic qualities that self-levelling wearing sufaces provide mean that they are considered to be a superior alternative to concrete by some and are used in a variety of settings to meet clients’ briefs, with some stunning results.
28 WELL HUNG, LONDON F. Ball and Co. Ltd.’s Stopgap 800 Wearcoat was used to perfect the urban aesthetic of 28 Well Hung, an organic meat restaurant located in Nunhead, south London. The product is a self-levelling, industrial-grade floor levelling compound used for upgrading and renovating new and existing internal floors in light to heavy-duty applications where floorcoverings are not required to be installed.
Contractors first removed old wood floorcoverings from the 70m2 subfloor and checked that it was suitably sound and smooth. A subfloor moisture test indicated that relative humidity (RH) levels were greater than 75%, necessitating the application of a waterproof surface membrane to provide a barrier against excess moisture and prevent possible floor failure.
Stopgap 800 Wearcoat was then applied over the entire subfloor at a thickness of 8mm. Once it had cured, contractors polished the surface before applying a sealer to allow for easy maintenance by reducing the adhesion of dirt or other debris and to provide the natural, industrial look the meat restaurant required.
LAKESIDE PROPERTY, SUFFOLK Stopgap 800 Wearcoat has also been called on to make a feature of flooring installations in residential settings. This was the case in a newly constructed lakeside property with large floor-to-ceiling windows in Tattingstone, near
16 | SCREEDS, RESINS & COATINGS
Ipswich, where the product was used to create a harmonious transition between inside and outdoor environments.
Before the application of the levelling compound, F. Ball’s Stopgap F77 two-part, epoxy resin waterproof surface membrane was applied to provide a barrier against residual construction moisture or rising damp. The surface was then primed with a single coat of P131 general-purpose primer.
Contractors then proceeded to install Stopgap 800 Wearcoat over the entire floor, including in the entrance hallway, two bedrooms and the living room with large glass windows – a total area of 200m2
. When dry, contractors polished the
surface before applying a sealer to protect the surface from water and other liquids.
EXPRESSWAY WORKSPACE, LONDON Providing for the recent demand for industrial-chic office interiors, Stopgap 800 Wearcoat has also helped to create a stripped-back warehouse feel at Expressway, a London workspace housed underneath Silvertown Way flyover, adjacent to the Royal Docks.
Owing to height restrictions which inhibited pump application of concrete, Stopgap 800 Wearcoat was selected as it can also be trowel applied, whilst meeting the client’s brief of an easy-to-maintain, modern, concrete look that would stand the test of time.
The product was applied at varying depths between 5-8mm, including to fill the channels created by the removal of internal walls to make a larger reception, a total floorspace of 130m2
. A spiked roller was then used to eliminate entrapped
air and smooth out flow lines to give a more uniform surface appearance, before it cured and was finally sealed.
Contractor Glenn Alexander, of M.D.A. Contracts Ltd., said: “The client was over the moon with the final result. They had envisaged a standard, monochrome floor, so they were surprised to see the character and depth of the colour and patterns — they fell in love with it.”
www.f-ball.com
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