FOCUS FLOORING
FROM THE FLOOR UP
3aul 5ogers, Technical Services Manager at $mtico, discusses the role fl ooring plays in helping
keep buildings clean and safe, while improving the overall look and feel of a space
Redesigning the o ice
environment is no easy
feat, and facilities managers
now face a complicated array
of considerations. Creating a
clean and safe space is always
the priority, but it also has
to be welcoming and have an
inviting feel. Choosing the most
suitable flooring can help with
the maintenance and cleanliness
of a building and contribute to
occupants’ wellbeing. However,
the type of flooring used in
o ice environments can o en be
overlooked, despite it playing an
incredibly important role.
THE FIRST STEPS
With maintenance and cleanliness
higher on the agenda than ever for
facilities managers, flooring needs
to deliver on many levels. However,
the first few steps people take
into any building are critical to the
performance of the flooring. This
is because there is a tendency for
people to instinctively wipe their feet
before stepping onto the floor when
entering a premises. That’s where
40 AUGUST 2021
entrance matting can help keep the
building clean, while also enhance
the aesthetics and practicality of the
flooring.
Entrance matting is designed to
o er hardworking functionality and
understated style. It has a tough
and resilient barrier, protecting
the surrounding floor by trapping
excess dirt and moisture at the door.
Not only does this safeguard the
aesthetics, it also plays a critical role
in terms of safety and helping to
reduce slips and trips. The matting
features reinforced scraper fibres
which remove excess grit and
moisture from shoes as visitors enter
a building, protecting the adjoining
flooring from potentially damaging
particulate matter.
DESIGN MEETS FUNCTION
Beyond the entrance, Luxury Vinyl
Tiles (LVT) lead the way, o ering a
solution that is available in a wealth
of colour palettes and patterns.
Indeed, LVT is one of the most
popular types of flooring due to its
versatility and hardwearing surface,
presenting a commercially attractive
alternative to other flooring
materials. It also meets a multitude
of requirements throughout a
building while providing a cohesive
look, for instance, non-slip, safety
designs in the reception area, to
products with noise-reducing
backing layers in work spaces. This
versatility helps meet the demands
of the space, and its occupants,
without compromising on design.
SOUND AND COMFORT
In open-plan workspaces, sound
disruption is arguably a pressing
issue for occupants, indeed, FMs
might consider flooring options that
o er enhanced sound reduction
benefits and contribute to a peaceful
and productive environment. At
Amtico, we understand the need to
reduce noise without compromising
design aesthetics, so we developed
Amtico Acoustic, an enhanced 1mm
PVC foam backing layer that works
across standard planks and tiles
in our Signature, Form and Spacia
collections. It enhances the LVT to
reduce sound transmission by up to
19dB between floors.
HYGIENE BENEFITS
The process of changing flooring can give
a space a new lease of life, but the latest
developments in floor coverings can also
help with the control of bacteria. For
instance, Amtico’s Signature 36+, Spacia
36+ and Form LVT collections encompass
antimicrobial technology. Such a feature
has been scientifically proven to resist the
growth of potentially harmful bacteria
and fungus between cleaning schedules.
This built-in hygienic protection has clear
benefits, not least of all improved wellbeing
for a commercial building’s occupants,
but also the additional ability to improve a
building’s hygiene levels.
When it comes to LVT cleaning procedures,
there is the potential for confusion, so it’s
important to note there is a di erence
between ‘day-to-day’ and ‘deep’ cleaning.
The product’s hard surface makes it easy to
remove loose dirt or debris, while liquids are
unable to permeate the tiles and planks as
easily as other materials, such as laminate,
ensuring it is less susceptible to mould
and bacterial growth. Daily sweeping or
vacuuming should be incorporated into
floorcare routines, including areas with
entrance matting, as a simple way to ensure
hassle-free day-to-day maintenance.
This can also be paired with occasional
manual mopping using a neutral cleaner.
For larger or more open spaces such as
reception areas, using a scrubber dryer can
be more productive and cost e ective for
soil and light mark removal; at Amtico, we
recommend fitting the scrubber dryer with
a red or blue 3M nylon scrubbing pad (or
equivalent).
When it comes to flooring, the choice is
varied. However, by taking a fresh approach
to the specifications available and opting
for LVT, o ice buildings will not only benefit
from superb slip resistance, ease of cleaning
and improved hygienic benefits, they can
also adopt improved aesthetics from a
variety of planks and tiles in a wide range
of colours and finishes. The right choice of
floor product – provided with a generous
commercial warranty – goes a long way in
terms of meeting the practical needs of the
o ice and its occupants, while ensuring
durability, long-lasting performance and,
importantly, comfort.