Flooring Dec 2020/Jan 2021

December 2020 / January 2021

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Contents

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vol 38 no 6

News

Editor’s Note

4

The benefits of FCIA Membership

Spotlight On 10

Small town values equals big growth for flooring retailers

Technical Bulletin 12

Digital printing – driving flooring onto new realms

Welcome to the December / January issue of Flooring Magazine. Inside this issue you will find our Feature on All Things Carpet. Where we look at the Carpet Institute of Australia’s comprehensive study on the environmental impact of carpet and indoor air quality then explain the key issues affecting your health and wellbeing. As well as the importance of carpet maintenance and the top five installation tips.

In this month’s Technical Bulletin, the experts at Forbo Flooring Systems explain how the adoption of upgraded digital printing technology is driving flooring into new realms, customisation and of course installation.

Feature 18

All things carpet

Talking Business 35

RLA Polymers – from strength to strength

Safety 38

The bold brass comeback

The team at Flooring Magazine wish all our readers a safe and happy 2021. Please feel free to contact me directly regarding any news or product information that you would like us to publish by email at – michelle. cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au Don’t forget to join our online community and visit us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Software 42

Improve your business – Back costing for fun and profit

Until next time, enjoy your read.

Michelle Cammiade

Design & Trends

Editor

46

Dulux Summer 2021 colour predictions

Flooring Magazine is now on: @flooringmagazineaustralia

Front Cover

@flooringmagazine

Andersens Floor Coverings www.andersens.com.au

@flooringmagazine

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

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News

4

The Benefits of FCIA Membership

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Industry engagement Through the FCIA, Members gain access to peers, industry leaders and influencers. FCIA is affiliated with the Australian Industry Group Training Services and collaborates with National and state-based flooring associations in the pursuit of industry excellence.

ake advantage of the only Association which was established to provide a voice for every sector of the flooring industry. We represent the interests of Manufacturers, Suppliers, Retailers, Commercial Contractors, and individual installers to government, industry, training providers and stakeholders in the Building and Construction sector.

A sustainable workforce Relax knowing that FCIA is future proofing the industry by addressing skills shortages though our unique apprenticeship programs, apprentice workshops, recognition of experienced installers, and current, industry endorsed learning resources. We source candidates to take up apprenticeships in Flooring Technology. FCIA also offers incentives for installers to become qualified trainers and mould the next generation of skilled layers.

Member support services Gain access to a wealth of information and expertise regarding industry best practice in resilient, timber, and carpet installation; updating current skills, participation in technical advisory panels and working

groups on quality assurance for the flooring industry. Our team of independent consultants can provide expert advice and insights into flooring failures, moisture problems, and Australian Standards.

Influence Key policy decisions Help overcome decades of government indifference to the flooring industry by gaining access to the state and commonwealth government policy makers and regulators, industry stakeholders, and funding agencies that should support our unique industry. FCIA works tirelessly in making submissions on Members’ behalf to key government funding bodies and industry reviews that relate to the Flooring.

We have established a national “learning community� comprising schools, careers networks, TAFE and private training providers, Apprenticeship Network Providers, leading charities, and government stakeholders to drive innovation and quality in the training and recognition of flooring installers FCIA Membership offers you a one-stop shop in strategic advice, best practice solutions, skills development and products and services designed to make your business competitive, 6 successful and compliant.

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FCIA Apprentice Workshops The FCIA is lifting the profile and reputation of the flooring industry. To drive relevant, up to date flooring installation skills, FCIA coordinates intensive industry workshops which assists first- and second-year apprentices in the progression towards their qualification in Flooring Technology.

The FCIA also gives back to the community by targeting these workshops to refurbish the floors of community buildings, charity organisations or other deserving groups.

These workshops bring together FCIA members, RTO trainers and assessors, experienced installers and industry technical experts to provide apprentices with an intensive, practical experience in all aspects of flooring installation. This includes moisture testing, grinding, floor preparation and levelling, plus essential elements of resilient, carpet, timber and floating floor installation.

These workshops enable the apprentice to: • • • • •

Capture evidence required for their training for example, photos, videos, work diaries Support their training and skills with accessible and current online learning Receive practical assessment of a range of skills on site (as identified by the RTO assessor) Benefit from personal tuition in areas / skills in which the apprentice may be struggling Learn specific laying techniques from product specialists and industry experts

Residential Detail Dates

Duration Venue Employer Costs Further information

A residential is held each month in a different state.

For the dates relating to your apprentice and business location, please go to www.fcia.org.au/events 1 week (Sunday to Friday inclusive) This will vary depending on your state.

Please go to www.fcia.org.au/events $1,500 plus GST, covering accommodation, transport, and catering (this could be tax deductible - seek confirmation from your accountant) FCIA National Training Manager, 0407 295 149 fwischnewski@fcia.org.au

News Overview of Member Services

6 Full Associate Members Members

Member rates apply

Products and Services Industry Trade Card Program

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Industry best practice publications

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Regular Newsletters and industry advice

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Flooring specific insurance packages

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Technical advisory panels (carpet, timber, resilient)

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Expert advice on sub-floor preparation and installation issues

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Participation in Standards reviews and related committees

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Consulting Services Independent investigations into flooring failure

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Skills and Training Workforce development and funding advice

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Access Industry driven, workplace-based apprenticeships model

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Participation in our unique residential apprentice workshops

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Advice on apprentice wages and conditions

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Information on employer incentives and subsidies for training

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Skills recognition for existing installers

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Product installation Masterclasses and professional development

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Leadership and Small business training programs

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Incentives to become a flooring trainer and assessor

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Nationally recognised online learning resources

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Apprentice recruitment support

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Policy and Influence Eligibility to nominate / vote for FCIA board Directorships

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Participation in Annual General Meetings

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Access to FCIA submissions and policy papers

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Australian Standards reviews and technical working groups

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To find out more call +61 3 9822 6163, email info@fcia.org.au or visit the website at www.fcia.org.au

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

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Product Update Innovative technologies at Polivac

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020 has been overwhelming for all of us. We have built resilience in the face of adversity. The team at Polivac have been taking measures to help promote workplace safety especially during these difficult times and will continue to work closely to support the local and international community in 2021.

Polivac is a proud Australian manufacturer of cleaning equipment and major exporter of cleaning technologies worldwide.

Their machines are specially designed with innovative technologies to deliver performance and productivity that exceeds industry expectations. They believe in conducting research and development to build the perfect machine for changing market requirements. With over 70 years of knowledge and expertise, the team at Polivac have created the ideal machines for heavy duty sanding and carpet steam cleaning.

The Polivac sanding range is designed for tough sanding jobs. Currently they have five Polivac sanding machines with functions and features that vary depending on the operator’s requirements. The sanding range includes the Oscillating Polivibe sander, Supervac SV25 slow-speed and SV30 high-speed vacuum sander and Sandivac SV25 slow-speed and SV30 high-speed vacuum sander.

All their machines are manufactured in accordance with ergonomic design suggestions which improve efficiency and reduces operator’s fatigue.

The Oscillating Polivibe Sander is a new generation sander, powered with a 1.1 kw motor and provides an oscillating speed of 2850 oscillations per minute. It is equipped with pivot point design for better distribution of weight and fitted with additional weight for increased downward pressure that provides improved sanding efficiency.

Polivac Slow-speed SV25 Supervac and high-speed SV30 Supervac Vacuum Sanders are equipped with a 400-watt long life motor which is fitted into the vacuum canister along with a by-pass dust separator for superior dust extraction.

Making it super easy to separate and remove dust as compared to standard sanders. Now no need to vacuum after your tough sanding job, these machines clean the indoor dusty mess for you. The slow-speed SV25 Supervac Vacuum sander is powered with a 1.1 kw, 4 pole motor and 188 rpm pad speed. The high-speed SV30 Supervac Vacuum sander is powered with 1.5 kw, 2 pole motor and 364 rpm pad speed.

Polivac Steam Carpet Extraction machines include the Terminator, Terminator Plus, Predator MK1, Predator MK2 and Predator MK3. These versatile and powerful machines have been designed to provide solutions for small, large scale carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning.

The Terminator and Terminator Plus are compact sized carpet extraction 8 machines that fit into the back of

Product Update

8 The Predator range includes the MK1, MK2 and MK3, the diverse range is fully packed with features that deliver performance depending on the different requirements. Predator MK1 is equipped with an 800 PSI max rated pump, factory set to 500 PSI. Predator MK2 2000 psi max rated HYPRO pump driven by a 0.56kw (0.75hp) REGAL motor. Predator MK3 2000 psi max rated HYPRO pump, driven by a 1500kw (2 HP) REGAL motor.

most station wagons. The Terminator Plus is equipped with a 600 PSI pump (Factory set to 500 PSI), that gives you the power and performance of a large machine in a compact body for maximum manoeuvrability.

Floors for paws Carpet Court’s new paw-fect pet proof flooring options Pet ownership comes with numerous considerations, many of which relate to the interior and exterior upkeep of your home says Carpet Court Ambassador, Darren Palmer. From plush living rooms, restful bedrooms through to townhouse courtyards, Carpet Court’s new pet proof flooring options allow pet parents to welcome their fur-babies into every part of their home.

“In the past, the question of ‘which flooring is most suitable for pets’ would have had a limited answer,” says Darren. “Now, there are innovative solutions such as stain resistant carpets, water and odour resistant underlay, hybrid floors and outdoor synthetic grass that give homeowners the freedom to inject style into their home while allowing for life’s little mishaps caused by pets.”

“If you love the look and luxurious feel underfoot of carpet, you cannot go

past Carpet Court’s new UltraPet ranges comprising of ten colours and three pile types – Birman, Basenji and Akita. Created with cutting-edge technology, these ranges come with a 15-year guarantee for colourfastness, durability, and stain resistance. This can be extended to 25 years when you pair with the UltraPet Underlay.

Best of all, pet ‘potty’ mishaps can be cleaned easily using cold water given the carpets repel liquids from penetrating the fibres.

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

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Product Update

9 Something in the middle of the spectrum will have the best chance of disguising individual hairs, though regular vacuuming is always recommended,” says Darren.

In a robust household, using the right carpet underlay is a must. “Carpet Court’s new UltraPet Carpet Underlay has been engineered to protect against common household spills and pet stains thanks to its protective barrier, StainShield. It is also treated with a proven antimicrobial which helps to prevent lingering odours, mould, mildew and dust mites - providing hygienic freshness for your home.”

Darren recommends that your pet’s fur colour should factor into your colour choice.

“Light fur will show up on dark floors, just as dark hair will show on light floors.

For a more traditional approach to pet friendly floors Darren recommends hard flooring. “Tiles and timber can be quite unforgiving in a household with pets; tiles absorb the cold (which no pet or human

likes!), and timber, although the most natural of the bunch, requires a degree of care to maintain.

“Carpet Court’s Hybrid flooring, Stainmaster PetProtect, is well suited to withstand the wear and tear from furry family members.

With eight contemporary colours, it is designed to resist pet stains, odours and scratching, as well as has anti-skid technology,” he says.

Homeowners no longer have to sacrifice style for durability thanks to Carpet Court’s fetching new pet-friendly ranges. Carpet Court’s UltraPet Carpet is priced from $42$52 per square meter; Stainmaster PetProtect is priced $59 per square meter; Carpet Court LuxTurf is priced from $59.95 per square meter (all prices are supply only, excluding installation costs).

BE ACCURATE, BE EFFICIENT, BE PROFITABLE MEASURE MOBILE • Draw Scale Plans • Add, Delete and Move Seams • Include Doorways and Stairs • Calculate Material Quantities • Create and Email Quotes • Take Signed Acceptance on Tablet • Take Payments

NOW INTEGRATES WITH

Australia: 1800 229 427 New Zealand: 0800 643 012 www.rfms.com

salesau@rfms.com

Spotlight On

10

Small town values equals big growth for flooring retailers

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ndersens Floor Coverings have a long and rich history in Australia. Founded on country town values, and the principles of integrity, honesty and respect, the brand continues to grow nationally with new stores already planned for 2021 in NSW, Victoria and South Australia. Franchisees Glen and Kristy Shepherd, in the Newcastle region are the embodiment of these values, which go hand in hand with Andersens longevity and expansion in the industry.

Glen Shepherd explains, “I’d been subcontracting as an installer for several Andersens stores in South East Queensland, between 2007 and 2017, and during that time I got to know their business and became passionate for what the Andersens brand stands for. So, in January 2017, when Kristy and I were looking to start something for ourselves, we saw Andersens as the perfect opportunity to own our own flooring business.”

“We knew the history of Andersens, how it had started as a family business in a small country town 90km west of Brisbane. When you look at where it came from to where it is now – being the most trusted name in floor coverings - it really shows you what’s possible. We felt very comfortable getting on board and joining the Andersens family.”

“Initially we were operating as a mobile flooring shop, that was our entire business we were a flooring company on wheels - but, as the business started to grow, and there was opportunity for business growth and increased customer demand, we decided the time was right to open a retail shop.”

“We chose Warner’s Bay at the northern tip of Lake Macquarie on the very busy Hillsborough Road. There was this great little retail and

on customer experience, it will have a Hampton’s style and deliver a welcome and homely feel. We’re all very excited for the launch, and Andersens has committed to supporting the store opening with a local marketing campaign.”

Since Glen and Kristy started operating in the Newcastle region, turnover has continued to grow year after year. Glen explained, "Andersens has been great with supplying products that meet and exceed customer demand and expectation, and excellent support from the entire team.”

services complex there with a Swimart, a Wattyl Paint Shop, a barber, childcare centre, CBI Blinds and several other family services, and we thought that an Andersens Floor Coverings shop would fit right in.”

Regarding the Covid situation, Glen said, “Perhaps it isn’t the best time to open a shop, some people might think, in the middle of a global pandemic. But it really wasn’t so bad. We had a lot of support from Andersens during the entire process.

We had weekly Zoom meetings, additional stock was made available, and when other competitors were withdrawing from the market, Andersens stepped up with a boost in marketing activities. It was great.”

“But it wasn’t just the marketing that they helped with, they were supportive of the site we chose and assisted with negotiations of the lease. They were able to work with the landlord and their agent and secure a market leading incentive. It’s all very exciting.” Glen continued, “This Warner Bay store will actually be the first of the new Andersens store design. Focusing

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

“Looking to the future we want to see a continued increase in turnover and grow our team so that we can continue to support our customers and ensure every customer interaction and shopping experience is positive and unmatched as far as competition goes. And we really think, with the Andersens brand behind us, our future plans are very achievable. Andersens have dedicated trainers who assist with staff training in store, as well as the online Andersens Academy to ensure that the customer experience is consistent.”

Andersens is looking to talk with existing flooring stores, installers looking to open their own store or even complimentary businesses looking to expand their business into flooring, window furnishings, shutters and blinds. Existing stores converting to Andersens are offered financial incentives and support, whilst maintaining their local brand identity and legacy.

Contact Dean Lightfoot for more Information to join the Andersens Family Mobile: 0408 067 439 Email: dlightfoot@ andersens.com.au

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The Respected Name in Floor Coverings for over 60 years

Technical Bulletin

12

Digital printing – driving flooring into new realms Brought to you by Forbo

D

igital transformation has allowed us to replace conventional manual processes and often go beyond what manual printing processes could ever think of achieving. Digital printing is not new to the flooring world, however, was rather clunky in the early days. The adoption of upgraded technology is now driving flooring into new realms, customisation and of course installation.

Forbo Flooring invested in digital printing some time ago and have continued to expand capabilities and grow technology across different formats. It is now possible to print in photo like high definition on 4m and 2m wide project vinyl, safety vinyl or acoustic vinyl. In textile, Flotex provides a perfect base for printing.

Design options can include altering generic timber/ stone designs with geometric overlays or picking your own highlight colours for a terrazzo visual that matches the interior décor. Then there is the complete bespoke option where a client can personalise their floor from a photo or drawn graphic they have created and are only required to order 12m2 as min for vinyl. The process is affordable and waste free. Inserting social distancing markers on the floor is now easy and no stickers or individual cutting in is required. Logos and emblems are simple and easy to print and combine with standard flooring.

There are some pointers to be aware of with digital flooring and this relates mainly to the initial setup with image files supplied for printing and then once printed, the installation.

Some key points to note: • Images always need to be copyright free.

• Image resolution should be a minimum of 72 – 120 DPI and ideally in Tiff/EPS format (JPEG and PDF possible). 150 dpi for Flotex.

• Scaling of images needs to be communicated and dimensions of the space shown to all parties especially the installer.

• Pure solid colours are hard to achieve with all printing. Solids are often achieved in a slight textured pattern of multiple tones.

• Allow extra material around perimeter for walls and odd building shapes as filler pieces are not possible in single print images.

• Maximum roll lengths are 25 metres.

• Lead times will be a little longer than standard material due to the printing process.

• Make sure floor prep is correct and as per Australian standards AS1884:2012.

Installation Guidance Note: Noviweld 671 cold weld for PVC Floor Coverings General Advice

Noviweld 671 is a solvent based cold welding system that can be used to provide a seamless appearance for PVC floor coverings. It can be used as an alternative to hot welding systems and is particularly suitable for graphic based, wood and stone effect finishes such as Forbo Eternal. Noviweld 671 is suitable for installations with few seams and moderate commercial use.

Very heavy commercial areas such as schools, hospitals, aged care and wet areas 14 should still be hot welded.

Seams and joining large images perfectly: • A print overlap of the image on each sheet needs to be included if multiple sheets are running side by side for the installer to trim and match onsite.

• The installer needs to be aware of the overlap and double cut seams accordingly, budgeting for the overall width of the image and space.

• Often hot welding is not used rather cold seam (chemical) welding with Noviweld 671 so as not to distort the design.

Below is a specific guide to the cold weld process.

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luxury vinyl tiles & planks made with passion We are excited to release our NEW Allura luxury vinyl tile collection with contemporary designs in wood, stone, marble and terrazzo and available across multiple product constructions. Allura Flex, a popular format in Australia and New Zealand, is a high quality, dimensionally stable LVT with an acoustic comfort backing and leading impact sound reduction result.

Unique and matte embossing structures ensure realistic wood visuals with low repetition across planks in each box. There are 50 Flex designs all exclusive to Forbo, stocked locally and ready to go.

For more information visit, www.forbo-flooring.com.au/allura.

creating better environments

Technical Bulletin

14 We expect digital floors will only continue to evolve and become a living part of a building, whether it be to guide users through a space, educate and interact or simply convey amazing images and internal moods.

Procedure

Seams in sheet products should be cut as normal to produce a neat butt joint. As with hot welding the welding process should not take place until the adhesive used for the floor covering has dried.

• The seams to be welded should be clean and dry. Pull a lino knife through the seam to remove any possible adhesive residues in the seam.

• Cover the seam to be welded with a smooth masking tape press the tape well onto the floor covering to ensure full adhesion. Cut through the tape tracing the seam below with a sharp straight blade.

The floor covering can take light foot traffic after approximately 30 minutes. It should be protected for several hours from heavy foot traffic across joins.

• A 40 ml tube of Noviweld 671 will be enough for approximately 25 lineal metres of seam.

As for all products and projects always contact the manufacturer and product specialist who can walk you through the process. Digital options can add real impact and create unique and creative interiors that go beyond convention.

• Alternatively, masking tape can be applied either side of the seam as close to the seam as possible.

• Place the needle of the nozzle into the seam. As soon as the liquid starts to flow out pull the nozzle along the seam with a slow smooth movement, ensuring an overspill of about 1 mm onto the masking tape.

• Once the weld is dry remove the masking tape. Any spillages onto the floor covering should be allowed to dry and removed with a sharp knife.

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

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by Kenbrock

Elevate any space whether it be home or office with allure and warmth. This striking collection was crafted using authentic Australian timbers including Spotted Gum and Blackbutt. With its long plank format and commercial grade quality, it really can be installed almost anywhere. It is phthalate free with no harmful fillers nor harmful plasticisers, giving it a low environmental impact and making it safe for the whole family.

The perfect combination of durability and extravagance.

www.kenbrock.com.au

Retailer of the Month

The Complete Package Story by Philip Ashley

16 steadily grow the business since then. It really is a team effort and together they have built a reputation for service locals describe as exceptional. Joining Leigh in Devonport are Michael, Martina, and Jonathan in sales, with Ian running the warehouse.

As store manager, Leigh is still involved in sales. He loves the challenge of that environment and enjoys finding flooring solutions for his clients. It is genuinely important to him that his clients experience with Choices Flooring is a positive one and he can be relied on to follow through with after sales service. He takes ownership of his sales; often checking on site in his own time to make sure a particular job is running smoothly. Leigh builds relationships with his clients which results in referrals and repeat business. He says, “We’re very good at looking after our Mum’s and Dad’s.”

L

esley and Chris Smart own and operate two Choices Flooring stores on the North Coast of Tasmania.

Their business is built on the quality and service Choices Flooring Group is wellknown for, and that personal touch that only a community-based business can deliver. Lesley said, “We concentrate on the whole customer experience. Tasmania is a small place, and the personal touch is still especially important to our clients.”

Above: (L-R) Leigh, Ian, Martina and Jonathan Leigh Mitchell heads up the smaller team at Choices Flooring Devonport. He has a wealth of experience as an installer for the store and joined the sales team in 2008, taking on the manager’s role in 2016, the same year he won the Choices Flooring Store Person of the Year (Tasmania) award. Leigh has been instrumental in helping Lesley and Chris

The Devonport store services the Northwest coast of the state, a beautiful but sometimes remote part of Australia. Their clients are mostly residential customers with new builds, renovations; insurance work and some commercial jobs, mostly in the education sector. They get a good number of new residents seeking a sea-change, with the low cost of housing and building incentives currently in place. To keep pace with current industry trends, the Devonport store recently underwent some refurbishment to create a contemporary showroom with plenty of light and space.

Choices Flooring Launceston has been part of Lesley and Chris’s life since 1991 when they started working for Chris’s father, Rodney Smart. Rodney had started the store in the late 1980’s and was one of the founding members of the Carpet Choice Group, later to become the Choices Flooring Group. Lesley and Chris became managers of the Launceston store in 1998 and purchased the outlet from Rodney ten years later, about the time Rodney established the store in Devonport. In 2013 they bought the Devonport store when Rodney retired.

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Retailer of the Month

17 “This year people have invested in their homes and we see that in future, working from home might continue that trend. We still feel the personal touch of good people and well-presented stores backed up by the high standards of Choices Group are essential to providing customers with the ultimate retail experience.” Leigh adds, “We were doing very well in March before COVID and after that, online enquiries increased.

There’s a greater awareness of social media and we think this will continue.”

Team spirit is important to Leigh and his team at Devonport, not just on a store level, but as part of the business as a whole. Lesley and Chris organise social / team bonding events and social club weekends away which includes staff from both stores. In mid-April, a Coronavirus outbreak in the area forced the closure of the Devonport store for a few weeks and that opened up a new and different sales and service dynamic for the flooring outlet.

Leigh said, “It’s a great community, it’s been tough for a lot of people this year, but we’ve seen local people supporting local businesses. Where there’s been a chance to support someone, local people have just got in and done it. I’ve been involved with the Devonport store for eleven years now and for the last couple of years the team and morale

we have here; the quality of the people we have here; I’ve never seen it so good. We have an amazing team here in Devonport; we ride the highs and lows together and if something needs fixing, we rally round and get it done for our customers.”

Lesley said, “The two stores keep us fairly busy.

They are about 100 kilometres apart, but we have a combined team of 23 really good people that keep things running smoothly. Devonport is the third largest city in Tasmania and while Choices Devonport is a smaller store, the area is still especially important for our business. The team there, headed up by Leigh do an excellent job so we’re not traveling there too often. The team in Devonport are equipped with the local knowledge, work force and services to manage any project from start to finish. They are highly efficient project managers and provide our customers with the complete package.”

Lesley, Chris, and Leigh see a positive future for the flooring industry in Tasmania. They invest in their success with an apprentice training program and tradespeople in addition to their subcontractors. Lesley said,

Look what’s NEW! Welcome to Airstep Online Ordering, where you can now order both Underlay and Hard Flooring products at your convenience, 24/7.

We invite you to register using the link below: https://eorder.airstep.com.au/Account/RegisterAir For more information, please contact your Airstep Account Manager.

www.airstep.com.au 1800 803 545

www.imaginefloors.com.au 1800 803 545

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Feature

All Things Carpet Indoor air quality Brought to you by the CIAL Australians typically spend 90% of their time indoors - so indoor air quality is an important factor in protecting health and wellbeing.

The main factors that affect indoor air quality are: • Inadequate ventilation which may occur if heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems (HVAC) are ineffective • Chemical contaminants from inside and outside the building – these include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) • Biological contaminants e.g. bacteria, moulds, pollen Extensive research is being undertaken to evaluate the effects of products on indoor air quality. Many countries have instituted standards and voluntary codes of practice that set guidelines for indoor air quality.

The Carpet Institute of Australia Limited is conducting a comprehensive study of the environmental impact of carpet, and indoor air quality is part of this investigation. Here, we cover the key issues.

VOC Emissions VOC emissions consist of a range of volatile organic compounds which at room temperature may be released from materials or products in the form of gases. Some of the common sources of VOCs in the indoor environment are cleaning agents and polishes, cosmetics and deodorants, dry

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

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Feature

cleaned clothing, building materials (e.g. adhesives, laminates, caulking compounds, medium density fibre board), furnishings (furniture, drapery and floor coverings), office equipment (e.g. photocopiers and laser printers), cigarette smoke and air drawn from outside.

The health effects depend on the specific composition of the VOCs present and the length of human exposure. Build-up of VOCs in indoor environments have been associated with sick building syndrome.

Carpets and VOC Emissions As part of the manufacturing process, carpet is generally baked in a finishing oven at 150°C to 170°C. This drives off most of the volatile chemicals including solvents in adhesives and raw materials, leaving a product with a low remaining VOC content.

The VOC most commonly associated with new carpet is 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PC) – a by-product of the manufacture of synthetic latex. 4-PC has a low odour threshold (0.5 parts per billion) so its presence can be detected at extremely low concentrations when the carpet is first laid.

19

When compared to other building materials with significant indoor exposure, carpet is a minor contributor to VOC emissions. Approximately 90% of all VOCs discharged from carpet dissipate within 2 days of installation.

With good room ventilation, new carpet VOC emissions will drop below most indoor air quality criteria within a few days.

New carpet VOC emissions are approximately 3 milligrams per square metre per hour (mg/ m2.h). After 96 hours, carpet VOC emissions fall to less than 1% of the initial value.

In addition, carpet has a purifying impact on indoor air quality by absorbing some

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

toxic VOCs and trapping particulates present in indoor air. For example, carpets irreversibly remove VOCs, including the toxics formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide and nitric oxide.

Carpets and Airborne Particles Carpet also has a beneficial effect by trapping small particles in the fibre mass and removing them from the air we breathe.

A recent scientific study found that carpet reduces dust in the air to half of that found with hard flooring systems.

Carpet made in Australia and New Zealand generally meets Australian requirements for indoor air quality including the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission occupational limits and the National Health and Medical Research Council Interim National Indoor Air Quality Goals.

Importance of Carpet Maintenance Frequent vacuuming and periodic deep cleaning by a trained operator is essential for ensuring carpet stays in good condition.

The Standard – AS/NZS 3733:2018 Textile floor coverings – Cleaning maintenance

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Feature

20 • Vacuum the floor after the old carpet and underlay have been removed.

• Operate the ventilation system at the normal room temperature for 72 hours after installation. If possible open windows and doors to maximise fresh airflow.

of Residential and Commercial Carpeting provides guidance for good cleaning practice.

For a referral to a trained operator, contact SRCP (Specialised Restoration & Cleaning Professionals) Free Call 1800 621 872 or https://srcp.org.au A properly maintained carpet should have only positive effects on Indoor Air Quality.

Installation Tips • The area should be ventilated with fresh air during installation to avoid re-circulation of air. Most emissions dissipate quickly with adequate air exchange and ventilation.

• If carpet adhesives are used, ask for a low VOC emitting water-based adhesive.

• If you are sensitive to VOC emissions, leave the premises during and immediately after carpet installation. web www.carpetinstitute.com.au

Manufacturing Robotics – Man and Machine Together Futureproof manufacturing with BBS – Australia’s local carpet installation accessories maker

over half of all British jobs by 2040. That will mean the automation of 15 million existing jobs through robotics.

It is certain that robots and intelligent machines will replace a greater number of human manufacturing tasks in the near future. Indeed, this process is already well underway in Australian factories as well as in our everyday lives.

In America the Boston Consulting Group predicts that within 5 years robots will perform 25% of all American manufacturing.

The rise of the machine has long been predicted in science fiction, and is having a growing impact in Australian manufacturing. Outside the factory it doesn’t take imagination to realise that the driverless cars and drones that are being tested today will be the delivery and transport systems of the future.

In Britain the chief economist at the Bank of England forecasted that robots could take

In my experience this won’t happen. We need to take a deep breath and relax - the situation for manufacturing workers is

In this climate it is natural to fear that machines will one day take everyone’s job. If we let then robots serve as firefighters, policemen, cooks and taxi drivers will humans end up serving machine overlords?

And more specifically what will happen to factory workers when as robots arrive in greater numbers in our workplaces? Are we heading for human obsolescence?

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

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21

not as dire as it sounds. Instead of stealing human jobs artificial intelligent systems and robotics are more likely to help the factory workers of the future to do their jobs better.

It is more likely that that humans will end up working with these machines, rather than being replaced by them. We might even become their colleagues. In this future the workers who prosper will be the ones who cope best working alongside machines.

Australian is an open market for the supply of goods where only the competitive can prosper. Open competition creates a pressure for us all to be more productive, and to be more efficient we will need the latest technologies – in this case robots - working alongside us.

And while most jobs have repetitive or strenuous tasks that will be chopped away by robotics, we should expect new jobs created at the same time.

These smart machines should be recognised as new tools in the hands of skilled workers rather than the dystopian overseer that some fear. After all, jobs don't get replaced by robots or other cognitive technologies, only tasks do.

This is because our robotic systems need humans too. Each generation of machine technology needs to be installed, modified, programmed, run and maintained. And this can only be done by a new generation of smarter Australian workers.

At BBS we have been investing in robotics for many years to eliminate repetitive and strenuous tasks from our carpet gripper and tape production lines. Our success at automating repetitive tasks has improved our competitiveness and the quality of work for everyone. Through this approach we can be relatively optimistic, though not complacent, about the future of robotics and manufacture here in Australia. web www.bbscarpetgripper.com.au

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22

Long lasting comfort with Redbook

W

hether replacing old, out of date carpet, buying for the first time or just giving their home a colour makeover, there are many things for your customers to consider when selecting carpet.

Which rooms of your home will be carpeted and how much foot traffic is likely? Do they have children and/or pets? What is your dĂŠcor style? Considering these factors will help to decide on the best carpet for a home. As a rule, they should seek to purchase the highest quality carpet that they can afford, so they can continue to enjoy it for years to come.

The longevity, appearance and texture of a carpet is largely determined by its fibre type. Many Redbook carpets are durable, stain resistant and fade resistant, so Redbook carpets can provide long lasting comfort in the home. Carpet performance is related to the amount and quality of fibre in the pile. The higher quality of the fibre and the denser it is packed, the better the performance.

Colour is one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing carpet as it impacts the ambience of a room. It can help alter the appearance of a room’s size and shape and makes the most of natural and artificial light. When selecting new carpet, your customers should take home a sample (or order one online at www.redbookcarpets. com) and view it in their home at various times of the day, as the colour can appear different under varying lighting sources.

Darker, multi-coloured, and patterned carpets are especially effective at hiding soiling compared to solid shade, lighter carpets.

Texture is also an important consideration.

As well as providing visual appeal, carpet texture adds dimension to a room. Carpets with soft, lustrous, long pile can be susceptible to tracking (flattening), while plush and twist carpet constructions can show pile reversal (commonly known as shading or watermarking) characteristics which are a matter of personal taste and should be taken into account when selecting carpet. Textured and loop pile carpet offer a more uniform finish.

Carpet is a substantial investment and requires proper care to keep it attractive over time. Customers can protect their investment and prolong the life of their carpet by establishing a regular maintenance schedule.

Carpet fibre types explained Finding new carpet is simple with Redbook.

Easily compare fibre types across a wide range of colours and styles to select the perfect carpet. Your customers can browse with confidence, knowing that Redbook carpets are made to the highest standards in Australia.

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

Triexta is the top performer across the board with superior built-in stain resistance, easy maintenance (cleans with just water), durability and softness. Recognised as one of the most trusted accreditations, Redbook triexta carpet is officially certified Australian Made. Redbook triexta carpet is also certified Declare Red List Free. Certified Red List Free products provide complete ingredient disclosure, that reveal zero Red List chemicals for peace of mind in selecting a healthier floor covering.

Solution Dyed Nylon (SDN) is durable, versatile and available in a wide range of styles. This is a popular fibre that is resilient and easy to clean.

Polyester provides great value all-round.

It provides a balance between comfort and durability. With wear, stain, and fade resistance, polyester offers a stylish look for less.

Polypropylene carpet is a great value option. This entry level carpet is anti-static and resistant to moisture and mildew.

Redbook now offers a free online sample service, with take home carpet samples sent directly to customers. They can select up to three samples from the Redbook carpet ranges online. web www.redbookcarpets.com

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

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24

Carpet – the King of floorcoverings

I

f 2020 has taught us anything, we have learnt that things can change very quickly. Normal is suddenly not what it once was, and the importance of having some consistency in an ever-changing world is now more important than ever before.

sound and reducing it from bouncing off the floor surface, but carpet also traps dust that would otherwise circulate in the atmosphere contaminating the air we breathe.

In recent times, Beaulieu Australia have become part of the Beaulieu International Group (B.I.G) a vertically integrated company that not only produces semifinished and finished floorcoverings as well as fabrics but is also established in the chemical supply chain. B.I.G have over 5000 employees, have 47 plants and offices and operate in 17 countries, a great resource for Beaulieu Australia to drawn upon.

Carpet has been a proven constant in our lives as it has been around in one form or another for many thousands of years.

Starting out as hand crafted rugs and evolving into the broadloom machine tufted carpets of today. Carpet is the largest selling floorcovering by volume in history.

Flooring trends come and go, with the current flavour of the month being vinyl planks. There is no doubt that this new trend has had a major impact on carpet sales, not only in Australia but around the world. It is now more important than ever; we draw on all our experience and expertise to create carpets that represent value for money with new innovative features and benefits to ensure carpet remains the King of floorcoverings well into the future.

Beaulieu Australia are proud producers of locally made high quality tufted carpets.

Produced in their 5 Star, Greenstar environmentally friendly state of the art production facility in Yatala, Queensland.

The staff, many of whom have been part of our Beaulieu family for over 20 years, are highly skilled in their roles and take pride in knowing the products they produce are going into Australian homes and businesses making them a more comfortable space to inhabit and work. Carpet is in their DNA, with their Executive Management team alone having over 150 years combined experience in the carpet industry.

With the use of advanced technologies, they can now produce carpets that are not only visually appealing and durable but are safe for consumers and the environment.

Beaulieu research and development has led them to create products that debunk all the myths surrounding carpet contributing to some common respiratory and allergenic conditions.

Carpet not only reduces noise by absorbing

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

Beaulieu’s goal, is to continue to explore and push the boundaries of sustainability in all aspects of their production processes. 2021 will see the introduction of carpets with new and exciting environmental credentials in both their residential and commercial ranges.

With the latest styles, colours and innovations, Beaulieu have a carpet to suit every situation. Whether it be the lounge room, bedroom, classroom or the office they have a product to suit your space.

To explore the possibilities and find where you can inquire about their ranges, please visit their website or contact one of their friendly customer service staff for details. web www.beaulieu.com.au

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Carpets made in Australia,

by Australians, for Australia’s future.

Beaulieu Australia is the premier producer of environmentally friendly textile floor coverings in Australia.

Select carpets have been approved by the National Asthma Council Sensitive Choice Program.

Activecare Exclusive.

Proudly Investing in Australian Manufacturing Since 1973 www.beaulieu.com.au Sales

1800 777 007

Beaulieu of Australia Pty Ltd PO Box 6160 Yatala DC, Qld 4207

The self-renewing odour destroying carpet treatment

5 STAR GREEN STAR RATED BUILDING

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26

5 Wonders of Wool Carpets

O

ffering a combination of luxury, longevity and aesthetic value – wool carpets can take homes from stark to inviting almost instantly. Flooring Magazine explores its many benefits.

1 - High on style and personality Wool carpets feel naturally soft and luxurious – making it ideal for introducing comfort and character into any home.

Naturally curly, they also bring in a textural element, elevating a home's overall appeal.

Signature offers a choice of high-pile loop or sisal-wool carpets across 4-metre widths.

This makes it perfect for covering large indoor spaces. The chunky loops on the top layer lend smoothness while also offering extra spring and cushioning in the yarn.

2 - Durable, safe and long-lasting A naturally resilient fibre, wool has better crush resistance and can retain its original appearance compared to other fibres. This ensures carpets bounce back into shape even after being crushed.

Signature's wool carpets are not only durable, withstanding daily foot traffic in busy households, but with a little love and care, can easily last decades. They are also naturally soil-resistant, preventing dirt from getting entrenched in the carpet's fibres. From a safety perspective, wool exhibits excellent flame resistance and is difficult to ignite.

With their ability to minimise slips and trips – there is a lower likelihood of injuries from falls, making it a safe flooring choice, especially with children.

3 - Ideal for all-year comfort Signature's wool carpets offer thermal insulation in cold weather – ensuring a warm feel indoors. During summers, wool feels breathable and has a cooling effect.

Thanks to its anti-microbial and antibacterial properties – the carpet also inhibits the growth of mould and mildew, making it the right choice of flooring in humid and damp weather. Low on toxins and odours – Signature's wool carpets make for a healthier flooring alternative indoors and are naturally hypoallergenic.

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

4 - Creating quiet indoor spaces Owing to its fibrous nature, higher weight and pile density, wool carpeting improves a room's acoustic performance, reducing impact sound, airborne noise and sound transmission compared to rugs made from synthetic fibres.

5 - Good for the environment As a 100% biodegradable, renewable and sustainable material – wool is kinder to the planet compared to several other synthetic fibres. In landfills, wool piles tend to decompose without leaving any harmful residues.

Many of Signature's high-end European wool carpets are crafted entirely of undyed wool using premium wool yarns. Carpets are available in multiple weights, constructions and colour options ranging from deep charcoal to light and milder tones. With maintenance, wool carpets will stand the test of time – automatically maximising the return on the customer's investment. web www.signaturefloors.com.au

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Customer carpet regrets and how to avoid them

A

s any good retailer will know, looking after the long-term interests of customers and the products they have bought can reap huge ongoing benefits, not only by reducing the number of call-backs and complaints but by building customer satisfaction and gaining repeat sales. In the case of carpets, providing advice on care is an important part of the sales process and should include guidance on which vacuum cleaner is best suited for the carpet purchased.

SEBO is no ordinary vacuum cleaner supplier. Their niche is the ability to identify and provide vacuum cleaners with specific features best suited to particular carpet types and fibres, it is referred to as ‘Pairing’.

If your sales staff are nervous to provide vacuum cleaner recommendations, let SEBO guide them with these top Pairing tips.

100% wool loop care Suction only… it’s not that simple

Not all suction vacuums are suitable for wool loop carpets. Kristine Collins, Product Manager for SEBO Australia explains: “Some suction only vacuum cleaners available in the market can damage the loop and cause fuzziness across the carpet surface due to the poor design of the combination head and coarse retracted bristles.”

A powerhead for 100% wool loop carpet?

Are you crazy?

SEBO’s good vacuum design and correct carpet cleaning knowledge is behind the technology capable of maintaining 100% wool loop pile carpets in accordance with a carpet manufacturer’s recommendations.

expertise. With large wheels, glide plates, efficient air flow, height adjustable brush rollers and high-performance filtration, SEBO premium vacuum cleaners are the gold standard in debris removal and can remove up to 92% of soil from carpets.

First impressions last Flooring appearance is vital for first impressions in a healthcare setting, according to SEBO, who says there is nothing worse than walking into a hospital foyer and seeing that the carpet is worn, dirty and covered in debris.

“This is usually due to using the wrong cleaning equipment,” said Collins.

Carpet manufacturers recommend the SEBO K3 Premium Barrel (9682AU) and SEBO Felix Premium Upright (9809AU) vacuum cleaners with specially designed SEBO ET1 powerheads (pictured) which allow the user to switch the brush roller off for straight suction cleaning and 4-level brush height adjustment with uniquely crafted optional delicate brush roller (5010GE) for gentle and effective removal of loose fibres and fuzz from the looped surface.

Heavyweight cut pile Twist / Plush SEBO X7’s vacuuming success when others fail

Not all vacuums can handle heavyweight cut pile twist or cut pile plush carpets. Collins explains, “Vacuums with concentrated or very sealed suction can prove difficult to operate on cut pile twist or cut pile plush carpets.”

SEBO X7 BOOST Automatic Upright – Gold Standard Made in Germany, SEBO is the market leader in commercial upright vacuum cleaners and their domestic range benefits from this

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

“Regular vacuuming is recommended by most carpet manufacturers as the best way to care for carpets correctly, yet the majority of consumers purchase the wrong kind of vacuum for the maintenance of their flooring product.”

Recommend SEBO vacuum cleaners to your customers for the correct care and maintenance of their flooring investment, your flooring manufacturer does. Better yet, save your customers time and money from purchasing the wrong vacuum cleaner, supply a SEBO BS Series Twin Motor or SEBO Professional G5 single motor vacuum cleaner with your modular carpet tile package.

SEBO – Sensitive Choice Partner Not only do SEBO vacuums clean the floor, they also enhance the air by removing maximum debris and filtering allergens from the air expelled.

The equation is simple Carpet + SEBO Vacuum = Better Indoor Air Quality. web www.sebo.com.au

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

E a s yVACUUM CLEANER SOLUTIONS

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Customer Problem Current vacuum cleaner has concentrated suction, is hard to push or cuts-out when used on Cut Pile Twist or Cut Pile Plush.

Solution SEBO X7 Boost Automatic Upright (91542AU) Features high filtration, large wheels, glide plate, full air flow, adjustable brush height.

Result

Customer satisfaction, correct carpet care.

SEBO X7 BOOST BEST FOR CUT PILE TWIST Customer Problem Pilling or fuzzing of 100% Wool Loop Pile.

Solution SEBO

SEBO Delicate Green Brush Roller (5010GE) used with either: SEBO K3 Premium Barrel (9682AU) SEBO Felix Premium Upright (9809AU)

Other

Both vacuums feature height adjustable brush roller and suction only vacuuming.

Result

SEBO FELIX BEST FOR 100% WOOL LOOP

Improved appearance, customer satisfaction, correct carpet care.

Dense and often with impervious backing - there's a SEBO commercial vacuum cleaner to suit any carpet tile, premise size and operator type.

Twin Motor - SEBO BS Series SEBO Dart Series Single Motor - SEBO Professional G5 SEBO Automatic XP Series

Result

Better Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), 100% lint pick up customer satisfaction, correct carpet care.

Trusted.

Approved.

Recommended.

SEBO COMMERCIAL FOR CARPET TILES Improve customer satisfaction and speak with SEBO today:

Ph:1300 697 326 support@sebo.com.au

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GH Commercial have you covered

G

H Commercial is committed to designing, creating and supplying beautiful, high-quality and sustainable floorcoverings around the world, with a dedicated focus on Australia and New Zealand. Through their local design, manufacturing and distribution facilities they provide locally based support on their client’s project journey with passionate in-house designers and knowledgeable sales teams.

made wool products. These true commercial broadloom products bring superior durability, practicality as well as texture and patterning to add comfort to your space. This range of wool and wool blend carpets offer a hard wearing and naturally insulating solution for all year-round comfort. Available in multiple carpet styles and earthy tones, the wool carpets are the ideal foundation for your interior space.

As a group, they have been the longest serving and largest carpet manufacturer in the region, so you could say they know a thing or two about carpet. As a full-service solution provider with an extensive carpet portfolio, they have you covered in all areas of carpet: including carpet tiles and planks, commercial and residential broadloom, Designer Jet sheet and woven carpet.

Designer Jet Sheet – Precision Dye Injection Technology First in the southern hemisphere, Designer Jet is a world class custom carpet technology for creating an infinite array of colours and bespoke designs you would have never thought possible in a carpet. At the forefront of custom carpet creation, Designer Jet works by taking any striking pattern, drawing or image and using precision engineering to inject dye into the carpet, offering a flexible, creative and performance driven solution for your next project. With short lead times and small minimum order quantities, these 1.96m wide rolls work perfectly in narrow installations, are easier to manage and have less wastage than traditional broadloom carpet.

Carpet Tiles and Planks Amongst their carpet tile and plank products, they offer a large range of solution dyed nylon, Designer Jet and Pattern Perfect products; designed to cover all budgets and all areas of installation. The Designer Jet tiles and planks are made with the latest precision dye injection technology, offering a large array of patterns, style, colour and custom capability. Our Pattern Perfect carpet tile and plank products are made from cutting edge tufting technology. With greater pattern and pile height capability as well as colour placement, this innovative manufacturing technology delivers leading flooring solutions, made right here in Australia.

Broadloom Carpet Included in the GH Commercial product portfolio is a range of commercial and residential broadloom carpets, along with high quality Australian and New Zealand

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

Woven Carpet Made for luxurious environments, their woven carpet will be sure to add a wow factor to any project or home. The GH woven carpets are made from a rich blend of premium, wool blend fibre where traditional weaving meets cutting edge technology. The pile and backing are interwoven, locking each yarn into place for extra stability. The thick pile and high density of their woven carpet offers exceptional comfort underfoot, available in 4 different qualities depending on your foot traffic requirements.

Sustainability Sustainability is at the core of the GH product decision making process. They strongly believe that material health – making products healthier through using non-toxic ingredients – and product transparency – being open and upfront about what goes into their products, gives them a competitive edge.

All their carpet tile, carpet plank and Designer Jet products are Declare Red List Free certified, the highest certification you can achieve within the Declare program. The program produces a ‘nutrition label’ that shows where a product comes from, what it is made of and where it goes at the end of its life. Declare reflects their commitment to material health, product transparency and creating healthier interior spaces for future generations to enjoy.

All our products are also independently tested by the Carpet Institute of Australia’s, Environmental Certification Scheme (ECS) providing peace of mind and maximum points for GreenStar projects. web www.ghcommercial.com

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Broadloom Carpet

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Carpet Acoustic Comfort - Fact Sheet

E

xcessive indoor noise is a major problem in the community.

Unwanted noise can:

• Cause stress and affect human wellbeing • Impair productivity in the workplace and the classroom • Affect patient outcomes in hospitals and aged care facilities A range of factors contribute to the increased level of concern about acoustic privacy and these include: • Open plan offices and homes • A large increase in the number of people living in town houses and apartments • Inadequacy of existing impact sound insulation regulations Carpet can significantly improve the functionality of indoor spaces by reducing unwanted noise.

Floor Impact Noise Carpet virtually eliminates floor impact sounds such as noise produced by footfalls, chairs scraped across the floor, and objects dropped onto the floor.

According to acoustical consultants, Graeme E Harding and Associates (GEHA): “The installation of carpet or similar types of floor covering is the only method available for eliminating excessive noise generated by floor impacts. Carpeted floors can result in a reduction in noise of over 20 decibels.” This is particularly important in schools, busy offices, health care facilities and in the home with children, where floor impact sounds can contribute greatly to ambient noise levels.

Reverberation Control The pile structure of carpet also helps to control reverberation. A material’s potential for reverberation control is quantified by its Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) and/or by its Weighted Sound Reduction Coefficient,

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

αw (pronounced ‘alpha w’). A typical broadloom carpet has an NRC of 0.35 and will absorb approximately 35% of sound that strikes it. The NRC rating of carpet is directly proportional to the thickness of the floor covering. If the carpet is installed with an underlay its NRC rating will almost double.

NRC ratings for common room finishes are provided in Table 1.

Table 1 Noise Reduction Coefficients (NRC) Material

Noise Reduction Coefficients (approx.)

Carpet with underlay

0.65

Acoustic ceiling tile 0.55 to 0.95 Carpet

0.35

Timber floor

0.09

Plasterboard

0.07

AS/NZS 2107:2016: Recommended Design Sound Levels and Reverberation Times for

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34

A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY AWAITS YOU...

2021 Partnership Benefits We warehouse our products, not the manufacturers Low monthly fees 100% used and returned to the members, not management Exclusive products in Carpet, Timber, Grass and Rugs An opportunity to grow together Fully run by like-minded members with common goals A network of support of store owners with a great culture Freedom to trade independently with manufacturers and suppliers

LEARN MORE NOW! Contact Mark Hodgson for a discreet conversation on 0401630630 or mark@carpetworld.com.au CARPET WORLD HEAD OFFICE (03) 5975 0900 I info@carpetworld.com.au I www.carpetworld.com.au 187 Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Mornington VIC 3931

Feature

Building Interiors provides recommended reverberation times (T60) for a range of indoor environments in order to ensure good speech intelligibility, control of noise and a degree of acoustic privacy. Recommendations for common spaces are shown in Table 2.

Table 2 Recommended Reverberation Times Type of occupancy

Noise Reduction Coefficients (approx.)

Design reverberation time (T)

General office areas 0.4 to 0.6 seconds Executive offices

0.4 to 0.6 seconds

Primary school classrooms

0.3 to 0.7 seconds

Domestic living areas

Less than 0.8 seconds

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Reverberation times for common spaces with and without carpet were calculated by GEHA using CSIRO test data commissioned by the Carpet Institute. In all cases, installation of carpet and underlay was predicted to bring excessively long reverberation times down to acceptable levels.

Impact Sound through Floor / Ceiling Systems Noise from footfall in the apartment above is a common source of complaint among modern apartment dwellers.

The NCC incorporates Deemed-to–Satisfy provisions for impact sound insulation of floor / ceilings separating apartments.

The Carpet Institute commissioned CSIRO acoustical laboratories to test a range of carpets for impact sound insulation in accordance with the NCC requirements. All

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

floors tested with carpet were found to easily pass the NCC criterion for impact sound.

Noise attenuation is another reason why carpet is the best floor covering choice where functionality and fashion are important.

Carpet is the most effective and practical option for protecting residents of multi-storey buildings from impact generated noise from occupancies above.

About the Carpet Institute of Australia The Carpet Institute of Australia Limited (CIAL) is the lead industry association for Australia’s $1.6 billion carpet industry. CIAL represents carpet manufacturers accounting for 95% of Australian carpet production, as well as retailers and suppliers of goods and services to the industry. web www.carpetinstitute.com.au

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Talking Business

35

RLA Polymers – from strength to strength

R

LA Polymers Pty Ltd (RLA)’s longest servicing Sales Manager Brent Cartwright, shares a snapshot of the past, present and future of RLA.

Half page ad

RLA’s history spans some 54 years and is recognised as a pioneer in the field of carpet backing compounds. Throughout our history, RLA has continued to diversify its flooring product range offering by acquiring many iconic flooring adhesive brands including; Roberts, Polymer Engineering, Atlas Adhesives, Holdfast Adhesives, Brooks and Morgan’s Adhesives.

RLA’s parent company Nan Pao encourages growth via unlimited diversification in the

T A E H E H T BEAT sive tile adhe & k n la p l viny perature

m T High Te H 0 8 2 s t ber Using Ro

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www.rlapolymers.com.au

Another innovative solution from the team at

Talking Business

36 pioneer low VOC products and launch Australian firsts with safer hybrid moisture cured adhesive systems.

greater building and construction industry.

Our product portfolio includes; construction mortars and grouts, curing compounds, sealers, landscape binders and sealers, epoxy coatings, sealants, silicones, pipe cements, construction adhesives, water proof membranes, PVC filter compounds, carpet backing compounds, ceramic tile adhesives, flooring adhesives, carpet seaming tapes, engineered self-levelling compounds and other industrial adhesives.

Our global reach allows RLA and other Nan Pao subsidiaries to market and sell our product range in most continents across the globe. Along with our market leading brands, we produce adhesives and compounds for multiple global construction products and floorcovering manufacturers.

It’s also comforting to have such a supportive flooring team at RLA. Craig Hildebrand joined the business as our Flooring Business Manager in 2019 and has over 30 years’ experience in Flooring Adhesives and SLC’s. Craig’s leadership style encourages a collaborative approach in his pursuit to develop and launch innovative products that create solutions and challenge market boundaries. RLA has also recently welcomed Warren Furlong as our Queensland Flooring Manager and Tim Parsons as our NSW Sales Manager. Both Tim and Warren each have over 25 years’ experience in the Adhesives and Flooring industries.

Davide and his innovative team, including Richard Clinch our flooring R&D Technical Manager have designed, developed and engineered adhesives and Self Levelling Compounds (SLC’s) that provide ground breaking solutions to fast track installations,

As we aspire forward, the future of RLA is in safe hands with Troy Hogan our dynamic Managing Director. Troy’s level of commitment to invest in major capital works projects, people and processes shows his strategic intent to improve the performance of the business. Troy’s vision is delivering higher levels of customer retention and satisfaction.

And to this last point, on behalf of RLA, I would like to thank all our loyal customers and we look forward to sharing the power of our brands for many years to come.

One of the many RLA achievements I’ve witnessed was the opening of our Technical Centre of excellence in Kilsyth, Victoria. Since it’s opening, I’ve seen rapid technological advances in both organic and inorganic technologies. At the beginning of 2019, RLA welcomed Davide Caprotti as our Group Technical Director. Davide’s career spans over 30 years and is classed as a European expert in the field of inorganic and organic technologies.

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

A once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase a flagship store with QLD's largest and most respected flooring retailer is now available!

Located on the corner of James & Prescott Street, Toowoomba, this established, high volume, diversified business is uniquely suited to reward the discerning long term entrepreneur.

Andersens offers extensive support and training for new owners of any background. This is an exclusive invitation for only the highest calibre candidates to apply for an information memorandum.

For more information, please call Dean Lightfoot on 0408 067 439 or email dlightfoot@andersens.com.au

Safety

38

The bold brass comeback

I

ntroducing the new classic Tredfx stair nosing range in solid brass. A bold step up from the rest, the not so new brass stair nosing trend is here to stay.

Gleaming a rich, lustrous golden hue, brass pays ode to a sophisticated trend that pervades time. Crafted from copper and metal, this durable alloy is farreaching with its decorative potential and architectural metal design versatilities.

Adding a soft warmth to both contemporary and traditional applications, brass is often beautifully used to create a focal point in any space or building. From door handles to safety finishes, it is a striking design choice when paired with neutral colour palettes.

Delivering more than head-turning aesthetics, brass also serves up plenty of functional benefits. Built to withstand sustained, heavy use, it is a building professional’s go-to for timeless function and form. Holding its ground against heat and moisture, its robustness ensures longevity.

Architectural Group is excited to announce the launch of their Classic Tredfx Solid Brass stair nosing. Unlike brass-coloured aluminium and its treated cousins, they mean it when they say it is solid brass.

A thoughtful, premium stair nosing that makes your staircase safer and more visible, Classic Tredfx’s new solid brass range is made to last – it is a cut above the rest.

With people and operations throughout Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, the Classic Tredfx Solid brass stair nosing range is available Australia-wide.

Easy on the eyes and practical, brass is an all-round winning solution that ages gracefully.

Meet the Classic Tredfx Solid Brass range A natural beauty in both looks and purpose, to say that we love brass is an understatement. Which is why Classic

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Safety • Available in various profiles to suit all application types, including surface mounting, rebated, vinyl and rubber • Options to suit both interior and exterior use • Wide variety of stair nosing insert material and colour options, including carborundum insert and ribbed polymer insert • High slip resistance ratings • LRV Values and Fire Reports are available upon request • Australian Standards compliant • Lifetime Warranty • Proudly Australian-owned Readily available to complement your new stair nosings, Classic also supplies and installs solid brass tactile indicators for the perfect finishing touch.

39

As always, you can trust the team at Classic to deliver seamless experiences and solutions at every touchpoint.

For your peace of mind, the Classic Assurance plan gives you the certainty you need for your fit-out requirements.

1. If a project is delayed, Classic will hold your allocated stock with zero fees, zero charges.

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Safety

40

CleanSpace Respirators – your protection against Crystalline Silica

S

tonemasons, amongst several other industries including construction and mining, still need protection against crystalline silica dust, however, the current COVID-19 crisis has made it increasingly difficult for many to source N95 disposable masks.

CleanSpace Respirators are reusable, which means industry can continue to operate safely and efficiently, without supply shortages that could cripple operations or put workers in danger.

Silica dust is harmful when inhaled into your lungs. It is 100 times smaller than a grain of sand, so small it can be inhaled without knowing. Respirable crystalline silica exposure can cause silicosis, a debilitating and irreversible lung condition that can cut short careers, reduce quality of life and lead to death. Respirable silica is also linked to lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease.

When looking to protect yourself or your staff from any airborne contaminants, Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs), offer high and reliable protection, far exceeding disposable masks. CleanSpace Respirators are a revolution in the area of respiratory protection because while they provide all the protection of a PAPR, they a free from belts, battery packs and hoses making them more comfortable and easier to deploy.

• High protection • Lightweight 500g / 1.1lb

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Safety

41

• No hoses, belts or waist mounted battery packs • Easy one button operation • Up to 8 hours run time • Smart Air Sensit Technology • Soft silicon mask Global Demand for masks has created short supply. Look to reusable systems today.

When used in hot or humid conditions, CleanSpace Respirators provide cool, clean air to the user and eliminate fogging and moisture. CleanSpace Respirators are light, easy to put on, reliably safe and comfortable.

These smart powered devices are easily operated using a one-button smart system.

These unique features mean more workers wear these respirators for a full shift every time. CleanSpace assists their clients to be safe and compliant when working around silica dust.

CleanSpace Respirators are light, easy to put on, reliably safe and comfortable. These smart powered devices are easily operated using a one-button smart system.

Compared to disposable masks, CleanSpace Respirators are high protection reusable devices with economic advantages, as the annual cost of replacing disposables stacks up. Disposable masks are well-known for causing fogging and discomfort, leading to low compliance, frequent stopping or mask changes.

To guard against silica exposure, State regulators have moved to recommending staff wear powered respiratory protection using a minimum of a P2 filter. CleanSpace Respirators meet and exceed these requirements with a P3 filter.

Regardless of whether you see the dust or not, silica is a hazard you cannot afford to ignore. Under the Standards, all worn tight fitting respirators, (regardless of whether it is a disposable mask or powered respirator), must achieve a correct fit to ensure the wearer is protected. Facial hair, including stubble, beards, moustaches and sideburns, between the edge of a tight fitting facepiece and the face will prevent the respirator from sealing properly.

CleanSpace offers both half face and full face masks. The full face mask also has a high impact rating. CleanSpace Respirators are compact systems that have up to 8 hours run time and fast/top up charging.

“The feedback we get from teams wearing CleanSpace ULTRA, full face mask for mining activities, is that the mask is comfortable to wear all day, and the cool fresh air on the face is a dramatic improvement on disposable or reusable half

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

masks,” said CleanSpace CEO Alex Birrell.

“They have also told us there is no fogging or hot moisture on their face.”

CleanSpace Respirators are available in different models with a range of particulate and combination gas filters depending on the task requirements. CleanSpace EX is intrinsically safe approved and can be worn in potentially explosive environments.

CleanSpace ULTRA is IP rated 66, making it water tolerant and CleanSpace2 is the standard model suitable for those that do not require the aforementioned features.

The newly launched CleanSpace HALO is designed specifically for healthcare, laboratories and testing facilities.

CleanSpace Technology team of product specialists can assist with on-site product training, fit testing, trouble shooting and instructions on maintenance. With the renewed focus of regulators and the industry on silica, it is a great time to reevaluate your sites respiratory program and equipment.

Request a demonstration, contact us at sales@cleanspacetechnology.com. For more information on CleanSpace Respirators, visit www.cleanspacetechnology.com

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Software

42

Improve Your Business – Back costing for fun and profit Story by Chris Ogden

O

kay, I lied about the fun part, but if we want to ensure our profit is not shrinking between quote and completed sale, we absolutely should back cost our jobs. Unfortunately, depending on our systems, back costing can be a painful and inexact process. Given that back costing takes some work, why would we do it? In my experience, the difference in margin between quoted sales and delivered sales can average between 2% and 4%. Every 1% is worth $30,000.00 on the bottom line of a $3m business, so back costing is worth the effort.

Of course, it starts with knowing how much profit is in a job at the time you quote it and win it. It should go without saying that every element of a particular job should be costed, and then based on those costs, the salesperson should know how much profit they have in the job. Understanding our margin is fundamental to understanding how much we can move if pressed for a discount, and to understanding and influencing our conversion rates. While we want to maximise GP, our market affects how high we can go before we lose so many sales that we aren’t writing enough business. 44

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

…the difference in margin between quoted sales and delivered sales can average between 2% and 4%. Every 1% is worth $30,000.00 on the bottom line of a $3m business, so back costing is worth the effort.

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Business Management Software Solutions For Your Flooring Business

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Australia: 1800 229 427 New Zealand: 0800 643 012 www.rfms.com

salesau@rfms.com

Software

44 Visibility is important so we can identify sources of frequent errors and eliminate or minimise errors on future jobs.

…we shouldn’t assume that because we sold the job at 30% GP that we will achieve 30% by the time the job is completed.

When we have made the sale, our interest in margin doesn’t end; we shouldn’t assume that because we sold the job at 30% GP, we will achieve 30% by the time the job is completed. In fact, the best-case scenario is 30%; more likely we will experience GP shrinkage.

The most common causes of shrinkage are costs overlooked at the time of quoting, mistakes, and installer extras. Let’s have a look at all three.

Costs Overlooked. From job to job, salespeople have to keep in mind all the

variables for all the different types of products they quote. Then they have to consider the variables that apply to each job; things like floor prep, adhesives, trims, labour, are just a few of the things salespeople can overlook in the rush to get a quote out. In the flooring business, something will inevitably be missed, particularly on large, complicated jobs, but the problem can be minimised if salespeople use quote templates. Whether the template is in the quoting module of your business management system or it’s a laminated sheet of paper, templates are a prompt for salespeople to think about everything that might go into a project.

Mistakes. It might be a quantifying error, or product cut incorrectly by the installer.

Whatever it is, they need to be visible to us so we can manage and record the additional cost against the job. Visibility is important so we can identify sources of frequent errors and eliminate or minimise errors on future jobs.

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

Installer Extras. We are talking here about those costs that could not have been anticipated, or where the customer might not have shifted the furniture or lifted the carpet as agreed. If we let the installer go ahead and incur these costs, we are reducing our profitability. What do you expect your installers and salespeople to do in these circumstances? Best practice is to require installers to get approval before they undertake any work not specified on their worksheet. It allows the salesperson an opportunity to contact the client to approve the additional cost. In most cases, we will get approval on the day of installation, whereas it will be unlikely once the job is done.

As an aside, many flooring businesses build some overhead into quotes to cover unexpected costs. It might be a flat fee per job or a percentage of the cost of the project. This is good practice to help maintain margin.

Your ability to back cost completed projects and to automatically build in an overhead factor will be limited or enhanced depending upon your business management system.

If you would like to see how RFMS makes back costing an inherent part of the sales management process, let me know, and I will be happy to show you.

Chris Ogden is a consultant and Managing Director of RFMS Australasia, a supplier of IT solutions specific to the flooring industry. Chris has an extensive background in all aspects of the flooring industry, and he can be contacted at cogden@rfms.com.

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Design & Trends

46

Dulux Summer 2021 colour predictions Flooring Magazine recently asked the team at Dulux to talk us through their 2021 colour predictions.

When the world outside is challenging, let your home tell a different story. “Colour and mood are intimately connected so it’s important to surround yourself with colours that help you feel positive,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux Colour and Communications Manager.

“Changing the colour of your walls might seem like a fairly insignificant thing, however it’s all part of self-care and surrounding yourself in uplifting hues to help you feel secure and comfortable during difficult times.”

Bree Leech chose brighter and uplifting colours from the Reset palette for her room makeovers. “I wanted to show how you can create an entirely new look with little more than a paintbrush,” Leech explains. “The colours in the Reset palette have a fun, retro feel that’s perfect for this 70s family home.

“This light-filled house is brimming with character features, including a pitched, timber-lined ceiling and arched doorways.

Whilst the all-white interior was neutral and unassuming, adding colour helped highlight the home’s best features and really brought the rooms to life!” Leech says.

“Using the new wall colours as inspiration I added a few décor items to complete the

“For the dining room, I chose a beautiful deep blue-green, Dulux Wash & Wear in Daintree. This dramatic hue gives the room a distinct mood and enriches the space.

The features of the room, such as the rustic brick wall, archway and timber lining, are all amplified through the use of colour and a backdrop is created to contrast against the crisp white pendant light. We painted the inner part of the arch in a neutral white, Dulux Wash & Wear in Snowy Mountains Half, to further accentuate the curve.

“The blue-green backdrop is punctuated with invigorating pops of melon and chilli in art and accessories. We carried the colour scheme through to the adjoining hallway with artwork and a comfy bench seat. Little touches such as a round blue-green cushion

The Dulux colour team created the Dulux Colour Forecast 2021 based on extensive virtual research into global design trends.

The three tonal palettes convey reassurance and comfort, whilst reflecting our desire for a brighter future. Colours are drawn from nature, including brighter, oceanic shades of bluegreen and coral, muted botanical greens, warm whites and soothing mauvegreys.

To show what a huge impact colour can have on the look and feel of a space – and how little time and effort it takes – stylist Bree Leech introduced bold colour to a predominantly white 1970s home. “Whites and pale neutrals might feel like the safe choice, but they might not always be the best choice,” says Lucena-Orr. “Richer hues can add depth and interest to a space and make a house feel like home. And if you want a different look or feel down the track, it’s easy to change.”

colour story, such as accessories, stools, sofa and rugs. I loved the warmth of the timber detailing and selected colours to complement it.”

Dulux Summer Forecast 2021 | Stylist: Bree Leech, Photographer: Lisa Cohen, Painting

by Elle Burguez, print by Stacey Rees. Colours: Dulux Daintree, Snowy Mountains Half

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

48

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Design & Trends on the bench seat that matches the dining room wall create flow of design between the two areas,” Leech says.

48 “The living room needed an injection of colour but to create a relaxing and casual feel, I used a gentler hue as the feature. The shelving unit is the hero of the space, so I highlighted it by painting the wall behind in subtle green, Dulux Wash & Wear in Light Ceramic. I then dressed it up with a combination of artwork and vessels in tonal shades of peach and terracotta, with pops of red and green that relate back to the dining room palette.

helps zone the living area in this open-plan space,” Leech says.

“A plump, vintage velvet sofa adds curves and a touch of retro cool to the space. A patterned rug adds softness underfoot and

“Painting the feature brick wall in Dulux Wash & Wear Gold Pheasant added that extra warmth I was after without taking away from the best feature - the oven. The accents on this wall didn’t need to contrast, so I painted the shelving to match the wall and added an eclectic display of artwork and vessels in tonal shades.

“The kitchen is extraordinary, with high ceilings and warm timber cabinetry. I wanted even more warmth in this room and was inspired by that chilli red oven. I saw this space as an inviting place for the family to gather and selected a warm palette, giving it a different mood to the adjacent rooms.

“To soften the contrast between the feature wall and the white in the room, I opted to paint the rangehood a gentle blush – Dulux Wash & Wear in Treeless. This colour also sits beautifully against the brass tap.”

“I completed the look by swapping out the black timber bar stools for seating in aubergine and blush. I chose styles with soft cushioned seats to encourage those in the household to sit, linger and connect in the kitchen,” says Leech.

“The simple use of Dulux colour has a lot of power, as these three looks highlight,” says Lucena-Orr. “You can use colour to make your home whatever you need it to be, whether that’s refuge, relaxation or nostalgic memories of past adventures. There are no rules – just follow your instincts!”

Dulux Summer Forecast 2021 | Stylist: Bree Leech, Photographer: Lisa Cohen, Artwork LHS by Ria Green, artwork RHS Taj Alexander. Colours: Dulux Light Ceramic and Snowy Mountains Half

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

Summer styling tips • Give rooms their own mood: Use different colours in the various rooms of your home to suit their style and function. For example, consider warmer hues for rooms where you want to relax or socialise, such as bedrooms and

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Design & Trends

49 dining rooms and lighter, energising colours in practical spaces such as laundries and bathrooms.

• Consider sightlines: When you’re decorating a room, don’t just work on the one you’re in, but also any adjoining rooms you can see into, such as the hallway next to a living room. Ensure there is cohesion between the two.

Dulux Summer Forecast 2021 | Stylist: Bree Leech, Photographer: Lisa Cohen, Artwork RHS by Ju Atkinsondunn, artwork LHS by Mark Alsweiler Colours: Dulux Treeless, Gold Pheasant, Snowy Mountains Half

Flooring December 2020/January 2021

• Tell a cohesive story: In an open-plan space where one room flows into another, look at colours side-by-side to ensure they harmonise or complement.

• Contrast is key: In a room with curved features or furniture, such as this dining room, create an eclectic feel by adding in a few angular lines in picture frames and accessories.

www.flooringmagazine.com.au

Advertisers Index Airstep Underlay

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Andersens Floor Covering

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Australian Flooring Supplies

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BBS Flooring Products

21

Beaulieu Australia

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Carpet World Mornington

33

Classic Architectural Group

39

CleanSpace

Inside Front Cover

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