COMPANY FOCUS: ABACUS ADDING UP THE
where a tiled look is required. Pattison isn’t saying that it’s unique; there are other similar systems on the market. Rather, he points out that it does offer extra benefits.
W “
hile traditional ways of doing things have their supporters, new, added value solutions can bring benefits, including adding
margins for merchants.
That’s according to Abacus Manufacturing Group managing director Ian Pattison, who believes the company can bring an element of added value to homeowner, installers and merchants.
“The UK bathroom market still is fairly traditional, in that most bathroom walls are tiled onto plasterboard and timber. Get any moisture behind the tiles and it goes into the substrate and causes problem as it builds up,” he says. “Even if you use some kind of a waterproof board, it still gets drilled to the wall and that creates a weak point where moisture can penetrate.”
Abacus’ Elements system is a complete wet room and water-proofing solution, for anywhere
The UK bathroom market still is fairly traditional, in that most bathroom walls are tiled onto plasterboard and timber. Get any moisture behind the tiles and it goes into the substrate and causes problem as it builds up.
” February 2019
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
“Elements is a cement board that also includes lightweight foam and because of that it gives an additional uValue to a room which, in turn, reduces condensation. This obviously is a big benefit in a bathroom.” Reducing condensation will ultimately extend the life of the bathroom, Pattison says, because condensation is the big enemy when it comes to bathrooms. “In the UK, because of our temperature variation, tiling onto block and plasterboard walls tends to cause condensation because that outside wall is colder so you get condensation forming. That’s what reduces the life of an expensive bathroom. So our message is that using our Elements solution to line the room, will enhance the life of their bathroom.” Elements also has anti mould properties in the polymer cement that it’s made from, reducing the likelihood of mould forming in the bathroom.
He adds that Elements also comes into its own when responding to the trend to use the increasingly fashionable large format tiles, which look amazing but weigh a tonne. “It has a very strong adhesive grip, so we can hang up to
BATHROOM BENEFITS Bathroom styles and tile designs change over the years, but one element remains: the fact that bathrooms are wet, warm places which can throw up all sorts of problems if they are not tackled properly to begin with.
62kg a sq. metre from it. You can also use it on the floor, especially where there is underfloor heating because it reflects the heat back up through the tiles making the system more efficient. You use less heat to get the same level of warmth.”
Elements also comes in a range of widths and thicknesses from 6mm, 1200mm by 600mm mini-board right up to 12mm thick 2400mm by 1200mm extra wide board. “We also offer professional wall kits which feature 10mm or 12mm boards, board fixings, waterproof tape and Pro Seal sealing compound. Similarly, we offer professional floor kits.”
Most merchants will already sell a tile backer board of some description, Pattison says, adding that where Elements differs is in the fixing. “We tape the joints and the fixings up with our Pro Seal sealant and neoprene waterproof tape. Other systems that are fixed to the wall with screws can compromise their waterproofing, as soon as the screw goes through. When you are creating a wall that is going to get sprayed with water every day needs to be very waterproof. Any water that hits our waterproof barrier simply can’t go any further,” he says.
Elements can also be used for building steam rooms, which Pattison describes as “the ultimate aggressive wet room”. He says: “If it’s going to be suitable for a steam room then it’ll be eminently suitable for a domestic bathroom.” Elements comes with a range of point of sale merchandising options for merchants, Pattison says. “It’s important that we have ways of showing merchants and their customers the benefits of the system rather must explain them. So we use a lot of video work with Roger Bisby, a former builder. It’s important that we can explain and demonstrate to the merchant why they should be selling it and, likewise, their customer needs to know why they should use it.” In terms of pricing, Pattison says that the good news is that this sort of product has come down in price over the past few years; it’s not really an expensive option. “Prices have come down because there are more volumes being sold. Ideally, though, I’d love to see a product like this being part of the building legislation because it has so many benefits to end-users, installers and merchants.” BMJ
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