Portraited profiling

The choice and success of profiles is often questioned. Richard Bailey, managing director of Floorwise, ponders profiles and tells us there is plenty of performance to be had.

Even something so apparently simple as profile can vary dramatically in quality and durability and hence suitability for the task at hand. An inadequate profile could quickly make an otherwise first class installation look tarnished and only through the correct selection of material, application and finish will the profile succeed in its duty.

The biggest single factor affecting a profile’s performance will be the materials used in its construction. Poor quality material, or indeed not enough of it, is the profile’s Achilles’ heel and this is the most likely cause of premature wear. As the cost of unprocessed aluminium continues to rise, it is tempting for manufacturers to reduce the weight and thickness of metals to provide increased margins. However, the flip side of this is a reduction in the durability and strength of the profile.

At Floorwise, we are maintaining the amount of metal in our Max Duty range of contract-specific profiles to ensure that quality is not compromised. This means that every profile will bear the same performance as it always has done and contractors can have every confidence that their installation will remain looking good.

With feet and even wheeled traffic constantly on profiles, far more than they would be in any home, profiles suitable for use in contract installations must also have a finish suitable for the task at hand. Anodising is one of the toughest finishes for aluminium, but here too quality can be compromised. Anodising can vary in quality and the thinner the anodising the more easily scratched it becomes and the bare metal underneath becomes exposed.

Floorwise’s Max Metal profiles use anodising of the highest quality to ensure the SimBrass, SupaChrome and SupaBrass finishes that are available resist the daily onslaught of both feet and wheels. Even the polished aluminium finish has been double polished to ensure maximum durability.

By their nature, one-for-all profiles are ultimately compromised and therefore can not deliver the optimum level of performance that is demanded by contract applications. While many manufacturers offer do it all profiles within the contract line-up, Floorwise’s Max Metal range contains no such product, instead bringing contractors application specific products designed to handle one task to the highest possible levels of performance.

From single-edge profiles where carpet meets vinyl and linoleum, to double edge where carpet meets carpet and extra wide cover strips, the Max Metal range has one task in mind, to do its job to the highest possible standard.

Yet the Max Metal range is not the end for Floorwise’s contract specific range of finishing products and we also apply the same principles to stair nosings, PVC skirting and trims. Manufactured to strict quality standards our stair nosings and covings are available in standard and heavy duty varieties to ensure maximum performance.

At 5mm thick, our heavy duty aluminium stair nosings are designed to meet the most demanding of contract applications. Available in a standard mill finish, alongside satin bronze, satin gold and SupaChrome, each product has been designed to deliver maximum durability. Importantly, each profile features PVC anti-slip inserts that are available in a wide selection of colours. Vital in meeting DDA requirements, these inserts can be used to contrast with floor coverings and we even feature a hazard style insert to create maximum impact.

However, while the standard products are ideal for the majority of staircases, there are times when there is a need for a bespoke nosing and rather than carry a formable on-site product that ultimately has compromised performance, we offer a bespoke service. This allows contractors the ability to work with a curved, mitred or welded nosing that they can have every confidence in. This is the true goal of any profile or stair nosing. To provide the contractor with complete confidence through a purpose designed product that will deliver longevity and performance for their contract installation.