Preparing a subfloor effectively is key to the success of a
flooring installation. To maximise the appearance and durability of a floor,
all of the flooring components should be carefully selected, according to the
specific needs of a project. Neil Sanders, technical manager at F. Ball and Co.
Ltd., offers some advice on choosing a preparation system for an individual
project, as well as examining the importance of smoothing underlayments in a
flooring installation.
When selecting products for a floor, contractors should
ensure that the chosen subfloor preparation systems address the specific
demands of the floor. Without due consideration to the requirements of a
project, the appearance and long-term performance of a floor may be
compromised, leading to remedial work, or even failure of the floor.
Subfloor preparation products, for example smoothing
underlayments, should be selected according to the levels of traffic and the
loads that will be applied to a floor, as well as taking into account the
composition of the final floorcovering and substrate. In addition, the location
and environment into which a smoothing underlayment will be installed also has
a significant bearing on the selection of the most appropriate system.
The first step in preparation
For example, when selecting smoothing underlayment products
for educational facilities, it is essential to choose flooring systems that
create a level and even floor throughout the building. It is particularly
important to specify products that are safe and durable to ensure the safety of
the teachers and pupils and the longevity of the final floorcovering. High
levels of traffic make educational facilities a demanding environment for
flooring products. As such, specialist high performance water-metered
underlayments are available which can withstand the high levels of traffic
associated with school buildings.
This was demonstrated in an extensive refurbishment of an
existing conductive education centre, where tests carried out on the hall
revealed a high level of moisture in the subfloor. To provide a moisture
barrier to the damp subfloor, a waterproof surface membrane was installed on
top of the subfloor. Highlighting the importance of matching products to the
environment and flooring conditions, the smoothing underlayment that was
specified needed to be compatible with the waterproof membrane, as well as
meeting the needs of the educational environment. Moreover, safety was
paramount as the centre provided educational resources for children with
specialist physical and educational needs, such as Down’s Syndrome or cerebral
palsy.
Following recommendations from F. Ball’s technical
department, a fast-track self-smoothing underlayment was installed in the
education centre. Offering valuable savings on time, as well as compatibility
with the waterproof surface membrane, the selected smoothing underlayment also
provided low odour characteristics and resistance to wear.
Making waves
Where the appearance and finish of a floorcovering needs to
be of the highest quality, smoothing underlayments can be used to eliminate
surface irregularities in the subfloor, maximising the aesthetics of the floor.
Moreover, smoothing out the imperfections on a subfloor surface is particularly
important when installing a vinyl floorcovering, as any imperfections may be
visible.
For specialist luxury areas, such as ocean cruise liners,
the floorcovering needs to be fire resistant, hard-wearing and installed using
products that are approved for marine use. For example, during a routine
refurbishment of the public areas of the Queen Mary 2, the steel decks and
plywood subfloors needed to be prepared effectively to maintain the luxury feel
of the ship.
As the flooring in the public areas of the ship, such as the
corridors, stairwells, atrium and restaurant, would be subjected to high levels
of traffic, the smoothing underlayment selected had to be durable and resistant
to impact. Furthermore, due to the inherent movement of the steel decks and
plywood subfloors on the ship, the specified IMO marine certified smoothing
underlayment also had a flexible fibre-reinforced composition.
The application of smoothing underlayments clearly
demonstrates the importance of tailoring the selection of subfloor preparation
products to the requirements of individual projects. When choosing a smoothing
underlayment system it is important to take into account the composition of the
subfloor, the type of floorcovering, as well as a product’s compatibility with
any damp proofing treatments or additional preparation systems. However, prior
to the selection of a smoothing underlayment, contractors should also consider
the specific demands regarding the location of the floor. For example, the
requirements of different environments, such as schools, hospitals and even
ships, vary in terms of the clinical sensitivity, as well as the traffic and
loads that will be applied to the floor. Taking these additional considerations
into account will ensure that the most appropriate smoothing underlayment is
selected for a floor.
Contact F. Ball and Co. Ltd. on 01538 361 633 or visit
www.f-ball.co.uk
