FMJ.CO.UK FLOORING FOCUS
MARCH 2020 37
the o ice. From vinyl to linoleum, carpet tiles
to flocked flooring, flooring manufacturers are
developing solutions inspired by the natural
environment to aid with biophilic design and
reconnect end users with nature.
While a real wooden, stone or
ceramic floor brings a natural
beauty and timeless appeal
to o ice interiors, a hard
floor may not always be a
practical or cost-e ective
option, depending on
the desired application
and use. Loose-lay and
adhesive-free luxury
vinyl tiles (LVT), which are
installed without the need for
a permanent (or any) adhesive,
provide a good alternative, o ering
convincing, authentic visuals and excellent
functional performance for busy o ice spaces.
Technological advances and product
innovation mean the latest LVT collections o er
a wide choice of colours and designs. Beautiful,
realistic wood and stone e ects with natural
colour variation and in-register embossing
structures to emphasise the texture of the
planks help to evoke the beauty of the natural
world.
For areas that require a warmer,
more tactile solution, flocked
floor coverings deliver both
style and performance.
Due to the continuing
strong demand for wood
aesthetics, a wide range
of highly realistic wood
e ects is now available,
cra ed using digital
printing technology. From
traditional timber to more
contemporary shades, along with
new plank structures, there should be
a natural colourway to complement any interior
scheme. (When choosing, always look for
products with the Allergy UK seal of approval.)
Carpet tiles are o en the go-to solution
for o ice spaces. Beautiful products are
available that have been inspired by the
natural environment yet still o er high levels of
comfort and acoustic performance. Many of the
latest designs represent the patterns, textures
and colours found in the natural world, with
colourways mixing complementary shades
to create a varying and seemingly infinite
surface design. A heavily textured composition,
combined with a natural organic design, creates
a warm and inviting surface in line with the
biophilic trend.
Biophilia in o ice design is rising in popularity
for good reason, but this doesn’t mean facilities
managers need to turn their workplace into
a greenhouse. With the latest technological
advances in manufacturing, reflecting the most
up-to-date trends, floor coverings inspired
by the natural environment can contribute
to creating engaging interiors that reconnect
employees with nature, naturally.
MEZZANINE FLOORS
Howard Morris, Managing Director at Trade
Fabrication Systems, explains the benefits of
o site processing for facilities managers seeking
modern and practical mezzanine flooring
Due to the rise of e-commerce and increased
demand for warehousing space, mezzanine flooring
solutions are increasingly sought in commercial
settings. While they are o en a simple way to increase
space, they can be unsightly and arduous to maintain.
Typically associated with large-scale industrial
environments, particle board-covered mezzanine
substrates are being used as a tried and tested
solution on a temporary or long-term basis. While the
primary driver behind specification and installation is
o en space gain, attention should also be paid to the
performance of the floor panels.
Any maintenance or flooring upgrade – particularly
walkways or heavy tra ic locations that are subject
to wear and tear – in a building housing stock or
equipment can cause major logistical challenges.
O site mezzanine solutions, in which pre-finished
overlay boards are delivered to the site for immediate
installation, provide obvious benefits.
Having been processed o site, the solution
arrives pre-finished and coated as specified. Unlike
traditional onsite techniques, the mezzanine panels
arrive dry and ready for immediate installation,
removing the need to wait for a newly applied floor
coating to dry. This saves time and ensures consistent,
longer-lasting quality, since the coating has been
completed to factory standards.
Safety is an important factor, and here again o site
processing o ers benefits. Industry partners can
provide factory-bonded silver or white FR foil facings
to the underside of the board, compliant with British
and Euro standards, to meet fire regulations. Slipresistant
and durable coatings can also be supplied,
ensuring the floor is both decorative and safe.
It’s important to choose an o site processing
partner that works to ISO 9001:2015, with
independent third-party verification of the
performance of the surface coatings.
Biophilia in offi ce
design is rising in popularity
for good reason, but this
doesn’t mean facilities
managers need to turn their
workplace into a
greenhouse.”