FLOORING ‘‘


Keeping floors clean while managing wear and tear is a never-ending cycle, and with the advent of having to disinfect more frequently, along with the use of special detergents, some organisations have faced further challenges in finding cleaning agents that aren’t corrosive, toxic, or odorous


there has been a greater level of deep cleaning, which can increase wear and tear, diminishing the floor’s appearance. Keeping floors clean while managing


wear and tear is a never-ending cycle, and with the advent of having to disinfect more frequently, along with the use of special detergents, some organisations have faced further challenges in finding cleaning agents that aren’t corrosive, toxic, or odorous. Significant time and effort are required to maintain hygiene levels, and although heavy cleaning addresses some issues, it also leads to others – such as accelerated wear, seal corrosion, discolouration, and moisture (leading to gaps and bumps). Slippery surfaces post- cleaning can also be a safety hazard.


Budget constraints and disruption One of the biggest barriers to replacing worn, ‘tired,’ or damaged flooring with a brand new product is, of course, budget restrictions – these can be costly projects – while the downtime required during installation generates challenges for patients and staff alike.


Renovation versus replacement With the two main barriers to a new floor replacement being costs and downtime, floor renovation addresses these pain points effectively. Renovation of resilient floors allows the transformation of old, worn surfaces without having to endure the high cost of replacement. The value and cost savings that can be gained with renovation alleviate budget concerns, and the fast installation time ensures that any downtime and disruption are kept to an absolute minimum. In fact, renovation can in some cases take less than 24 hours, compared with several days required to fit a new floor. With poor condition of the surface itself, and health and safety concerns being the primary drivers to replace flooring, resilient flooring has an ability to maintain a superior appearance even in high-traffic areas, as well as to withstand stringent cleaning processes. It provides damaged or worn floors with a new lease of life, and the results are so outstanding that it could easily be mistaken for a brand new floor. For the healthcare sector, using what’s underfoot to reduce wastage and costs is a viable option, delivering clear benefits:


n Environmental sustainability Rather than replacing flooring, which


70 Health Estate Journal February 2023


produces dust and germs, and often sees the used flooring end up in landfill, renovation reduces the environmental impact, avoiding the former steps, as well as removing the need to ever strip the floor again. An IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute Report found that renovating resilient flooring surfaces provides a more than 92% reduction in carbon footprint compared with floor replacement. Equally, durability, and the ability to withstand the demands of a healthcare space, are vital, and resilient flooring has a long lifespan.


n Greater value To secure better value in the choice of flooring, renovation is substantially ahead of its counterpart. It saves time and costs compared with a new floor installation, reducing the initial replacement cost by up to 50%, and also reduces the outgoings associated with tearing out old flooring, installing new, and subsequent upkeep. By extending the life of the floor with minimum maintenance and minimum downtime, and improving durability, it enables staff and patients to get back to their space quickly.


n Healthier, safer floor surfaces Flat surfaces enable a seamless coating that prevents bacteria or germs from hiding in cracks and crevices, thus creating a more hygienic and healthier surface, while the anti-slip, anti-static attributes of resilient flooring protect against slips and falls. The flat surface also requires less time to clean, and fewer cleaning products. Equally, the ergonomic aspects, such as softer surfaces in areas where staff are standing for long hours, enable staff to work in more comfortable conditions.


n A straightforward process Renovation is a much quicker and more simple process, and the perfect flooring surface can be achieved in a matter of hours, minimising the disruption from downtime and noise, and the inconvenience of installing a new floor.


n Short timeframe A very short installation timeframe is needed, with 50% less downtime than replacement, which means less


Rohit Sharma


Rohit Sharma, Resilient Sales manager at Bona, has worked across a variety of sectors, predominantly focusing on flooring and connected industries. He is an established Sales manager with many years’ experience in senior roles, having worked with a number of well-recognised organisations throughout his career. Today, he leads the Sales division at Bona UK ‘to help customers across healthcare choose the best flooring solutions on the market’. Bona said: “He is highly skilled at supporting the unique needs of customers in the sector, and maintaining strong, long-lasting client relationships. His in-depth knowledge of flooring in healthcare has seen him provide expert opinion on a range of related topics, as well as industry insight into the latest developments and trends across the UK flooring market.”


inconvenience to staff and patients, and no need for areas to be ‘out of bounds’ while work takes place.


n Low maintenance Being easy to clean, without damaging the floor, means less labour hours are required to maintain a resilient floor surface. Again, this saves money and time, which can be reallocated elsewhere.


Resilient floor renovation in practice: how it works Initially, old polish is removed and stripped from the floor’s surface; the floor is then abraded and cleaned, before being coated with a new colour or chip combination to make it look as good as new. It is an incredibly simple process, which, although may vary from supplier to supplier, will be quick and easy. To give a better idea on timescales, renovation of a floor surface will take less than 24 hours, and after final application is ready to use within 12 hours. In contrast, fitting a new floor will take several days.


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