Category: Commercial Flooring Report

 Volume: 77 |  Issue: 1 |  Download

One who purchases, installs, sells and even produces flooring materials would and should expect them to remain stable and flat on the floor. This isn't always the case and the causes for that are often found in the material itself or in the way the product was installed. Unstable can mean; uneven, unsound, insecure and changeable. In fact this condition is becoming more prevalent and an issue with hard surface flooring materials in particular. Let's take a look at some hard surface flooring materials to reveal the problems that can occur and the causes and cures.

 Volume: 76 |  Issue: 1 |  Download

In every flooring transaction and project every individual be it the manufacturer, sales person, architect, designer, specifier, flooring contractor or installer and anyone in between who impacts the project, has a responsibility.

Thousands of flooring problems, failures and claims occur every year because one or more of the parties involved in a transaction has failed to accept responsibility for some procedural function

 Volume: 75 |  Issue: 1 |  Download

To successfully install commercial floor covering it is important to engage the services of a firm that specializes in this area of the market. Professional flooring contractors are not the same as flooring installers and this is a significant distinction when considering a commercial flooring installation. The more difficult and challenging the installation, logistically complex and demanding a project is, the more you need a professional flooring contractor.

 Volume: 74 |  Issue: 1 |  Download

For the most part the economy is coming back for the flooring industry. Almost every flooring contractor, flooring dealer, installation firm or anyone having anything to do with flooring is telling us business is anywhere from good to them being, using the Southern expression, "covered up." That's a great sign but let us not forget there's another opportunity that exposes itself and that's positioning your business for growth while business improves. When businesses get busy everyone gets excited about it but not all businesses, regardless of what they are, understand that they have to capitalize on the upturn. Relative to the flooring business, this mean strengthening your position and it's not just for the people who put their hands on the products, this is also for designers, specifiers, architects, general contractors, building owners, managers and anyone else who has anything to do with flooring products.

 Volume: 73 |  Issue: 1 |  Download

An interesting question was raised recently about how long a floor should last in a health care facility and if there was a guide or actuarial table for flooring life expectancy in a commercial application.

 Volume: 72 |  Issue: 1 |  Download

As if there aren't enough substrate issues that can compromise the installation of floor covering materials we face one situation that is sure to give the flooring contractor, general contractor and building owner fits and that's the use of abatement chemistry used during the removal and containment of asbestos containing flooring materials and adhesives.

 Volume: 71 |  Issue: 1 |  Download

This issue of the Commercial Flooring Report was written and contributed by Ray Thompson associate of LGM. Ray has over 3 decades of resilient flooring expertise having worked as a trainer/technical expert with both manufacturers and distributors. Ray also has expertise in substrate technology. Also contributing to this article is Tim McAdoo who is the Installation Specialist with J.J. Haines and Company. We are especially appreciative for Tim's photos of resilient discoloration issues.

 Volume: 70 |  Issue: 1 |  Download

Multi-Family housing is described as buildings with more than four residential units. It is primarily residential rental property but also includes townhouses and condominiums. The market itself is fragmented with individuals who own multiple properties, local singleton properties held by one owner, and large complexes owned by larger corporations who also build and operate other commercial properties such as class A, B and C space. In addition companies who build developments of single family homes often own multi-family apartment complexes or townhouses both of which may be co-mingled in the same development. The flooring industry is broken into several segments and the Multi-Family housing market is one of them. The unique feature of this market is that it is serviced by three varying flooring groups; commercial flooring contractors who often have a division for this, retail dealers who participate in the segment, possibly with a Main Street Market (small business) division and true dedicated multi-family flooring contractors who often supply other services such as kitchens and bathrooms. In addition the manufacturers may be selling direct to the large projects.

 Volume: 69 |  Issue: 1 |  Download

For all of the wonderful products and technologies the flooring industry has developed over the last several years and for all the new technology coming down the pike, how can one ask what the industry is lacking? Don't we have beautiful products in both hard and soft surfaces and don't we continue to introduce even more wonderful materials and designs? How can anything be lacking?

 Volume: 68 |  Issue: 1 |  Download

Flooring adhesives are challenged far more than ever to perform and provide maximum bond strength for every flooring product made to be glued down. Flooring adhesives are required to perform over wet concrete sub-floors that have elevated pH/Alkali content. Often these issues
far exceed the calcium chloride test levels for moisture vapor emission
specified by flooring manufacturers' and the pH factor of 9.0 as specified in resilient and carpet installation standards.

 Volume: 67 |  Issue: 1 |  Download

Flooring product failures, or the interpretation of a flooring failure being the reason for a disappointment, are the cause of most flooring concerns and complaints. The scenario typically follows the planning of a project, the consideration of a flooring material or materials, contemplation of the type or types of flooring to use, consideration of samples presented for use, selection of the flooring materials, the decision on what to use, where to install it, when to install it and the anticipation that it will deliver the performance expected of it. After spending a great deal of time and money the worst feeling is to see the total investment taking a turn for the worst within a short period of time after it is put into use. Why does this happen and how can you take precautions so that you aren’t a victim of a flooring failure?

 Volume: 66 |  Issue: 1 |  Download

RH and MVER: Is There a Correlation?
When looking to determine if a concrete slab is dry enough to proceed with a finish, flooring or occupancy, there are several methods commonly specified for testing the relative humidity (or moisture content) of the slab. A dry slab is never at 0% humidity, but determining the level of moisture still held in the concrete can be the difference between a successful flooring installation and a problem-prone floor system.