FLOORING & FLOORCARE
Laminate continues to be a strong driver for growth in UK wood flooring
Laminates continue to drive growth Growth in the UK wood flooring sector in 2015-16 has been relatively strong at around 4% per annum, with total sales now worth over £300m at manufacturers’ prices. Laminates continuing to be a strong driver for growth due to increased use in the student accommodation and private rental sectors in particular – both sectors which DIY outlets can exploit. Vinyl sales are currently outperforming
all other product sectors in the UK floorcoverings market, with demand driven largely by the rising popularity of LVT, as indicated above. Demand from the contract sector has continued to underpin growth, with safety flooring a particularly strong area of focus, with tiles increasing share in recent years. AMA estimates that the market for ceramic, porcelain and natural stone floor tiles is worth around £200m underpinned by strong growth in
the kitchen and bathroom sectors, as well as strong demand from contract sectors such as transport, retail and entertainment. Import penetration into this sector is high, estimated at around 70-75% in recent years. This is due to the small number of large volume UK ceramic tile manufacturers and the relatively high profile of European producers who have progressively taken share in the UK market. Key sectors for natural stone floor tiles include upmarket homes and residential developments, hotels and spas, and commercial buildings. Underlays are a low-key but also a surprisingly large sector, with a high level of carpet and laminate flooring installations requiring underlay to enhance the quality and lifespan of the product. Distribution routes are also likely to be impacted by the structural changes currently occurring in the retail sector, with many channels now offering multi or omni-channel services as well as “click and collect”. Ultimately, floorcoverings are a mature sector and sales volumes will depend upon levels of consumer and business confidence, as well as household spending and
moving levels. There are a number of positive indicators for growth in the floorcoverings sector, including the government’s stated commitment to further development and growth in housebuilding, and ongoing improvements in both housing and construction output. Growth in the private rental and social housing sectors will also boost the use of both carpet and laminate flooring, though not necessarily at the higher end of the market.
The market for ceramic, porcelain and natural stone floor tiles is worth around £200m, according to the AMA
PRODUCT NEWS
DRAPER TOOLS has just introduced 5m Flooring Tie Down Straps to its range. These brand new strap clamps are ideal for joining laminate and hardwood flooring without damaging the boards. Smart flooring, whether it’s laminated or wooden, is all about precision, accuracy and a professional finish. It requires smooth straight lines, even distances and no gaps or breaks. That’s why the new Draper Tools Tie Down Straps are an absolute essential for anyone installing flooring. Designed to ensure tight and secure flooring with no gaps, they’ll really help to make light work of laying flooring. Durable and easy-to-use, the Draper Tools Flooring Tie Down Straps are perfect for keen or experienced home improvement enthusiasts as well as the professional’s toolbox.
www.drapertools.com
SAINT-GOBAIN WEBER has been making improvements to its weberfloor flex with Low Dust Technology (LDT), resulting in improved set-time by as much as two hours. Established as one of Weber’s top selling floor screeds and winner of ‘Best Internal Product’ at the Housebuilder Product Awards 2016, the set-time for light foot traffic following application has improved from two to four hours down to one to two hours, allowing fastest possible access for other trades. Weberfloor flex with LDT is a high-performance, cement-based, self-smoothing and self-levelling screed. It is used for correcting irregularities on difficult surfaces including concrete slabs, pro- cast elements, wooden flooring and existing ceramic and rigid plastic tiles. It is also suitable for floating floors and floors with under-floor heating, and will cover flexible coverings, parquet flooring and certain floor paints. It can be build up to a maximum thickness of 50mm and its fibre-modified formula increases strength and resilience. This screed offers the added benefit of improved bond, although the rapid setting performance was designed to satisfy the challenging requirements of the housebuilding industry, property owners and professional applicators. The addition of Low Dust Technology, already present in selected best-selling products in Weber’s tile fixing range, significantly reduces airborne dust created during the pouring and mixing processes without alternign the premium characteristics of the product.
www.netweber.co.uk
www.diyweek.net
COO-VAR acrylic floor paint is selling well, as it is a high quality product with many benefits, according to the company. These include it being easy to apply, fast drying and having low odour. It is suitable for interior and exterior use, and is designed to withstand foot and light truck traffic. It comes in six colours as standard, but is also available in special colours – contact Coo-Var for a quote and have it in stock ready for when it is needed. Acrylic floor paint is just one product in the Coo-Var floor paints range. 01482 328053
www.coo-var.co.uk
20 JANUARY 2017 DIY WEEK 25
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