FFI 60 May 2013

INTERNATIONAL trade journal for import, export, distribution and laying of parquet, laminate, cork flooring and related products

industry news

N° 60, May. 2013 - Price: €8 - Published 7 times a year - (Feb, March, May, July, Sept, Nov, Dec) Office of delivery 9099 Ghent X, P911092, BC 31359 — Responsible Publisher: Filip De Ridder

SPECIAL MALAYSIA Special New trends in vinyl, LVT and PVC

MALAYSIA: Natural Beauty, Durability, Reliability.

Aftershow Domotex Asia Special PU adhesives Special Producers of style panels

Special Terrace renovation machines

Special Parquet, laminate, vinyl, LVT and PVC in hotels

MTCS-certified and PEFC-endorsed suppliers available

“MTC Business Missions and Seminars on Malaysian Timber Legality Assurance Systems (MYTLAS) JUNE 2013” Special Producers of wooden frontage covering

Hamburg Tuesday 11th June 2013 - Berlin Wednesday 12th June 2013 Paris Thursday 13th June 2013

For more information, please contact: Malaysian Timber Council, 24 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP

tel: +44 (0) 207 222 8188 fax: +44 (0) 207 222 8884 email: council@mtc.co.uk

Bona Oils for Unique Expressions The all-new Bona Oil System The all-new Bona Oil System brings out the true character of wooden floors. The innovative range’s 2-dimensional design effects create stunning expressions through highlights and stark contrasts.

From design and protection to maintenance and care, this complete system is all you need for a long-lasting, beautiful oiled wooden floor with low VOC levels over its lifetime.

bona.com/bonaoilsystem

Special New trends in vinyl, LVT and PVC

MALAYSIA: Natural Beauty, Durability, Reliability.

Aftershow Domotex Asia Special PU adhesives Special Producers of style panels

Special Terrace renovation machines

Special Parquet, laminate, vinyl, LVT and PVC in hotels

MTCS-certified and PEFC-endorsed suppliers available

“MTC Business Missions and Seminars on Malaysian Timber Legality Assurance Systems (MYTLAS) JUNE 2013” Special Producers of wooden frontage covering

Hamburg Tuesday 11th June 2013 - Berlin Wednesday 12th June 2013 Paris Thursday 13th June 2013

For more information, please contact: Malaysian Timber Council, 24 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP

tel: +44 (0) 207 222 8188 fax: +44 (0) 207 222 8884 email: council@mtc.co.uk

Floor Forum International, N° 60, MAY ’13 Photo Malaysian Timber Council

4 Inside News 8 Aftershow Domotex Asia 11 Special Producers of wooden frontage covering 14 New trends in Vinyl, LVT and PVC 19 Company profile: Stauf (D) 20 Special Terrace renovation machines 22 Special PU adhesives 26 Project Elyseum Fertigparkett (RI) 28 Special Producers of style panels 33 Special Parquet oil 38 Special Parquet, Laminate, Vinyl, LVT and PVC in hotels 42 Company visit: Kunzle & Tasin (I) 44 Industry news 46 Special Malaysia 50 Product news

Subscriptions to Floor Forum International: Mail to info@media-pact.com

Editorial “New oil system proves Bona’s efforts in corporate social responsibility.”

Mrs. Kerstin Lindell and Mr. Björn Saalbach from Bona

The Swedish-German parquet chemical specialist has led the market in parquet varnishes for years. The completely new Bona Oil System means a real innovation on the parquet oil market. Moreover, according to Kerstin Lindell (President and CEO of Bona) and Björn Saalbach (Senior Vice President for Product Management and Professional Marketing), it also sets new standards in other areas. This launch proves that Bona’s new corporate philosophy still reflects its commitment to sustainable development and corporate social responsibility in its product innovation.

Kerstin Lindell explains: “We’re living in hard economic times, but at Bona we’re convinced that innovation is the way ahead. That’s why we’ve pressed on and launched the completely new Bona oil system. This launch shows everyone that Bona looks at more than just product performance. We also consider other matters such as the ecological and social impact of our products, and these things are an essential part of our product development. In this respect Bona has taken a big step towards becoming a fully sustainable enterprise. In particular, we’re proud that our new oil products contain very few VOCs and that we’ve made remarkable progress with our products as regards their impact on the health of professionals and the indoor air quality for the entire life of our products.”

Björn Saalbach is product development manager at Bona. He told us more about the new Bona oil system: “It’s a complete system which professionals will like for all sorts of reasons. For example, the new system has aesthetic possibilities thanks to its unique two-dimensional effect which the optional products Nordic Tone and Richt Tone create. They ensure that every line, wood knot and contour in the wood comes to life in combination with the desired colour. We’ve also carried out a full lifetime analysis of our products and the results mean considerable progress for our industry. In particular, the extremely low VOC content of the care and maintenance products (below 8%) stands out strongly. The integration of the finish, repair, and maintenance of the floor offer professionals in one system possibilities as regards customer loyalty via the sale of our maintenance products.”

Editing & advertisements

Advertising & subscriptions

Production:

FFI bvba PO BOX 29 9870 Olsene, Belgium Tel: +32 (0)9 385 80 40 Fax.: +32 (0)9 385 88 85 sales@media-pact.com www.floor-forum.com

Adriana Dascalu info@media-pact.com Hilde De Ridder floorforum@telenet.be Filip De Ridder sales@media-pact.com

Lowyck - Oostende

Publisher

Jean Paul Talbot Ludwig Janssens Filip De Ridder Jacques Legros

Filip De Ridder Lay-out:

Be-able Communication www.be-able.be

Translation:

Michael Robinson Floor Forum International is a publication of FFi bvba

Editors:

The copyright of Floor Forum International and the articles appearing herein are retained by the publisher. By agreeing to publication of an article in this journal, the author assigns to the publisher the irrevocable and exclusive right under Copyright law to collect charges due from third parties for copying said article and to undertake legal or other action for this purpose.

Editorial and advertising copy in this issue have been carefully checked and Floor Forum International bvba cannot accept any responsibility for any errors.

Contents, Colophon & Editorial

N° 60, May. 2013 - Price: €8 - Published 7 times a year - (Feb, March, May, July, Sept, Nov, Dec) Office of delivery 9099 Ghent X, P911092, BC 31359 — Responsible Publisher: Filip De Ridder

SPECIAL MALAYSIA

www.floor-forum.com

industry news

Visit us at the NEW

INTERNATIONAL trade journal for import, export, distribution and laying of parquet, laminate, cork flooring and related products

Inside news

> Inside news Bona presents the all-new Bona Oil System with optional 2-Dimensional Effect The brand new Bona Oil System is fully integrated and offers design, protection, maintenance and care in combination with cutting edge technology.

As a world’s first, Bona has created a unique 2-dimensional effect that highlights every line, knot and contour of wood, while having the base wood colour as a stark contrast. To create this exceptional 2-dimensional effect the Bona Oil System offers two optional lye colouring products that are to be applied on the floor after sanding: the Bona Nordic Tone and the Bona Rich Tone. (Lye colouring is a traditional method that wood flooring craftsmen have used to change and enhance the colour of wood). The Bona Craft oil in the desired floor color can easily be applied afterwards. The result is an abundant offer of variations in tones, whether dark,

Floor Forum International 60

Correction on the February edition of Floor Forum International: Special Outdoor Flooring/Ravaioli Legnami In the February issue of our magazine, the picture of the company Ravaioli Legnami in the above mentioned Special, wasn’t published properly.

Herewith the correct version :

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brown, warm, light or grey… Bona claims that the complete range sets new standards for sustainability with an exceptional low VOC level under 8% across the floor’s lifetime. To accomplish this, Bona lowered the VOC levels of both the Bona Craft Oil and the maintenance and care solutions and guarantees the system offers the same robust wear, water and chemical protection of old systems. This means that the working environment will be greatly improved and that the wooden floors will be safe to live on over its entire lifetime.

For places with an expected heavier wear, the floor can be finished with the optional Bona Hard Wax Oil that strengthens the wood from within en increases the water resistance.

Bona also promises unique performances for it’s new care and maintenance products. Pre-cleaning with Bona Power Scrubber and Bona Deep Clean Solution results in a remarkably clean surface, which can be easily applied with Bona Care Oil to restore the floor’s protection and beauty. The entire process can be completed in an instant and leaves a fantastic and lasting end result.

Ciranova-Team is expanding more and more !

Because of its growing interest in Ciranova products worldwide, Ciranova recruited 3 new persons to reinforce the Ciranova team!

Lawrence De Bruycker and Ann Geysens join since March the Ciranova team. Ann will replace David Verrue, who’s job has developed after two and a half years from internal sales to sales responsable for some parts of Europe. Ann will follow up the internal sales and marketing for Ciranova.

Lawrence has more then 15 years of experience as total designer

operates according to eco sensitive criteria supplying sustainable products and woods coming from FSC certified and controlled forests.

Ravaioli Decking Building Relying on its 30-years-experience in the wooden solutions for the building sector, Ravaioli Legnami keeps growing: over 10.000 sq. facilities, more than 50 employees, 1 headquarter, 2 commercial branches and a national sales network. During the last years it has developed new markets in Europe and various Mediterranean Countries.

Ravaioli Legnami acts as a leader in the wooden profile market as one of the biggest italian manufacturers and retailers. It is now introducing Ravaioli Decking Building, a new way of conceiving decking that overcomes the classical design rules from the horizontal to the vertical dimension, from the outdoor to the indoor applications, from the interior design to the large scale landscape design projects.

Ravaioli Decking Building means: selected planks, and preassembled tiles in exotic wood, Heat-treated Ash Wood, Kebony, Bamboo X-Treme™ and deck tiles; Woodwrap, ventilated and also insulated façades or coverings; Perlage, colored according to customer’s likes; sunscreens, overshadows and brise-soleil; wood engineering for urban design, solutions for landscape design, for land recovery and land restoration. The Company

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> Inside news in building construction and the finishing industry and has a lot of affinity in the world of the interior decoration. He will advise and assist the clients in a professional way and will develop further the dealer-network.

Inside news

Lawrence De Bruycker

Marc Primerose

Marc Primerose reinforces since April the technical / commercial team. He will give technical and commercial support for Ciranova and the industrial business at Debal Coatings.

Marc has a lot of experience in the field of lacquers and coatings and had his own varnishing company, for finishing of furniture.

The last 10 years he was working in the coating industry as technical and commercial responsable.

Martens Hout

Martens Hout – the specialist for all your hardwood terrace boards and exterior wall cladding. Martens Hout is one of the major importers in Europe of Brazilian ipe and Canadian western red cedar and offers you a wide range of sizes, which can also be planed into your chosen profile. Very strict sorting and careful packing ensure that a Martens product sells itself. Martens Hout means TOP quality. For all your (price) enquiries: info@martenshout.be

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Proline PROSECUREfibretec – The problem solver Critical substrates overcome! The PROSECUREfibretec reinforcement and decoupling mat from PROLINE Systems forms a secure

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connection to the substrate in conjunction with a suitable adhesive and reliably keeps deformation forces in the substrate away from the covering. This reinforcement and decoupling mat impresses by a high load capability of up to 30 KN/m² as well as a

high compressive and flexural strength which, in this way, enables it to compensate for cracks extremely well. With a thickness of just 1.5mm, PROSECUREfibretec is extremely thin, easy to work with and can be cut to size simply using a craft knife.

Rubio Monocoat Expanding RMC UK Because of strong demand for Rubio Monocoat in the UK, our sales team has been expanded with two highly motivated RMC representatives Mr. Daniel Barrell and Mr. Denis Meehan. Each is responsible for a different sales area. This will help them build up a strongly personalized support, by allowing them to fully focus on providing advice to existing and prospective customers. Customers may also contact them for information on our latest developments. Daniel and Denis Welcome to the Team! www.rubiomonocoat.com Wintersteiger presented new DSB Twinhead NG XM at LIGNA At LIGNA in Hannover, Wintersteiger showed its new thin-cutting band saw: the DSB Twinhead NG XM which impresses with its modular design and expansion capacity up to a maximum of six saw units in a modular twinhead layout. The machines handles also extremely high capacities up to 12,000 m2 in single-shift operation and convinces with very fast adjustable block dimensions and lamella thicknesses. Wintersteiger also introduced the TRC systems, which stands for “Timber Repair & Cosmetics” and offers automatic filling machines which are used to repair wood surfaces. Another innovation is the carbide-tipped and Stellite® saw blades developed and manufactured by WINTERSTEIGER. This saw blades are able to produce extremely thin kerfs starting at 1.1mm, and offer outstanding precision and clean surfaces too.

Last but not least, Wintersteiger also showed the large variety of BANSO saw blades which are used as joiner saws, saws for mobile sawmills, resaw and log band saws.

BLACK LINE & TUSCANY LINE PROGRESS PROFILES: Two new product lines are available in the already rich range of finishing for the Progress Profiles’s products: the Black line and the Tuscany line. The Black line includes anodized, brightly, brushed and crepé finishing for any decorate need with different variation on the black theme. The Tuscany line includes three new rustic-modern finishing: Tuscany gray, Tuscany Beige and Tuscany Bronze, able to satisfy any need for the country style.

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Pedestals deck sytems for sloped roofs

THE ULTIMATE GENERATION OF HIDDEN DECK FASTENERS WITH STAINLESS STEEL REINFORCEMENT

Timber decking systems Using the joist cradle attacment to locate timber or aluminium joists, timber decking can be simply and safely supported.

Timber decking & cladding Architects

Specifiers

Contractors

Landscapers

Roofers

Builders

Buzon Pedestal International s.a./n.v.

Z.I. des Hauts Sarts, Zone 1, Prolongement rue de l’Abbaye, 134 – B-4040 Herstal, Belgium Tel : +32 (0)4 248 39 83 Fax : +32 (0)4 264 82 38 Email : info@buzon-world.com Flash it and visit www.buzon-world.com our web site

info@hardwoodclip.com +32 (0) 474 49 49 99

www.hardwoodclip.com www.progressprofiles.com

studioverde

Masterpieces to highlight

With a glance always oriented to the future.

Skirtings and Trims

Only Progress Profiles offers you a full range of skirtings and trims meeting every single need.

When beauty makes the difference.

New series have enriched our wide range of finishes: black line, with anodized, polished, brushed and crepè finishes and tuscany line, dedicated to modern country style.

Eye-catching details, it’s difficult to overlook them.

Progress Profiles SpA

Certificated company UNI EN ISO 9001:2008

Exposure for show room

DOMOTEX ASIA/CHINAFLOOR GOES ON GROWING

Aftershow Domotex Asia

A QUALITY SHOW WITH AN INTERNATIONAL IMAGE Anyone who says ‘floors’ thinks of ‘Domotex’. The story began years ago in Hanover. The show grew and grew until it was ripe for export. Domotex has now conquered Russia, the Middle East, and Asia. Furthermore, those other flagships which support Domotex are steering a steady course. The figures from the latest Domotex Asia/Chinafloor speak for themselves: growth on all fronts with regard to both quality and quantity. The organisers are already looking forward to the next edition which will take place on 25-27 March 2014.

2013: growth is assured The organisers were once again satisfied with the 2013 show. The growth which was once again recorded says a lot about future prospects on the Asian market. When the construction industry flourishes, this stimulates the economy in general. There was visible growth as regards both visitors and exhibitors and in terms of both quantity and quality.

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Some testimonies : Amorim Revestimentos SA

Visitors The number of visitors rose sharply. All together, 42,165 professionals visited Domotex Asia/Chinafloor. As far as Chinese visitors were concerned, there were 30,786 of them, whilst the visitors from abroad numbered 11,379. This gives us a ratio of 73% from China and 27% from abroad. In 2012, the proportion of visitors from abroad was 25.1%. Various techniques enabled the organisers to show that there was an increase in both the quantity and quality of the visitors. This information can be learnt from precise onsite events geared to specific visitor profiles, database development, and hosted buyer programmes.

Exhibitors In 2012, there were 1,112 exhibitors, but in 2013 that number rose by 10 extra exhibitors to 1,122. The exhibitors included a good number of the biggest companies in the floor industry worldwide. The range in the carpet industry and the various types of technology in the industry was on show spread over four halls, each of which was 10,000m². Flexible floor coverings accounted for two halls, whilst wooden floors and floor technology took up four halls. The latter relocated from the eastern halls to the larger northern halls in the SNIEC.

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on the show floor and to pick up some ideas outside the stands.

The InnovAction Flooring zone was housed in Hall 1. Even if it was the launch of this campaign, nevertheless no fewer than 179 companies took part in this premier. Definitely a success!

Some successful innovations Every now and then, a show which is in full bloom/development has to provide some innovative ideas to show some respect for itself and the exhibitors/visitors. At Domotex Asia/Chinafloor 2013, the organisers did so with gusto. The show was noticeably more accessible and the new campaign ‘InnovAction Flooring’ was generally appreciated.

InnovAction This 15th edition immediately gave the opening shot for a brand new campaign. The intention was to give visitors a top quality show and give exhibitors the chance to highlight their latest products.

InnovAction Flooring makes it easier to find the latest innovations

Like forgoing years, Amorim R e v e st im e nto s SA the world’s largest cork flooring manufacturer, was also present at the 2013 edition of Domotex Shanghai.

This year Amorim focused on the presentation and introduction of the new Wicanders collections Artcomfort, Corkcomfort and Vinylcomfort to its existing and new customer structure in China.

Since many years China is an important growth market for Amorim, a market with a gigantic potential for green Cork Flooring and Cork building materials. In addition to the many visitors from the Asia-Pacific region, Amorim noticed this year as well a considerable number of visitors from the USA, Canada and Europe.

Floorservice At a well attended Domotex Shanghai Floorservice presented an addition to the Prime Design Line: Prime Colors! With this primer, in combination with our 33 colours of Hardwax-oil, many new and surprising effects for the wooden floor are possible. Patterns in the wood will be extra highlighted.

Choosing one of our metallic or expressieve colours will allow for

visit the new www.floor-forum.com

> continued from page 8

Kaneka opened their own booth on a bigger scale compare to last year. They introduced MS Polymer technology and showed the samples of MS Polymer based parquet glues, both imported and from local formulators. Kaneka had many opportunity to meet lots of flooring and interior construction companies. Through the PR activity in 2012, Kaneka is sure that environmentally friendliness of MS Polymer, such as extremely low VOC, odorless, non-solvent and non- isocyanate will be welcomed by Chinese users in the near future. Famous developers and big flooring manufactures are also interested in MS technology currently and actual sales by MS suppliers are gradually increasing. The people in China don’t feel safe outside because of air pollution, so they need safety space at least in their home, MS Polymer technology can contribute and meet their demand at this point.

Küberit The German manufacturer of flooring accessories Küberit presented its flooring profiles made of aluminium, brass and stainless steel as well as its skirtings made of aluminium and stainless steel at the Domotex Asia in Shanghai, China.

Made in Germany The complete production range “made in Germany” was successfully shown on the 40 m² Küberit booth.

It was the intention to present the Küberit 2013 novelties to potential customers from Asia as well as the possibilities of recently acquired digital printing technology for customized surfaces on the flooring trims.

The booth attracted many visitors not only from Asia but also from Australia and USA. The visitors could get an overview of the wide product range as well as practical demonstrations of bendable profiles.

Osmo develops his position in the Asian market The DOMOTEX ASIA / CHINAFLOOR 2013 - the biggest and most important exposition of the flooring branch in the Asian region - took place this year from march 26 to 28 2013. The company Osmo Holz und Color GmbH Co. KG presented itself and its products for the 5th time in the Chinese metropolis.

Focus on Color and industrial finishing The Osmo trade fair stand exposed mainly color products and products for the industrial use. The open stand not only offered

Picture signature: The DOMOTEX Asia / CHINAFLOOR 2013 in Shanghai is one of many international fair participation of the brand Osmo with an export rate in Color of more than 50%.

Rubio Monocoat This year’s edition of Domotex Shanghai has demonstrated again the large number of professionals who know that RMC products simply do what they promise to do.

This time, most of the focus was on the RMC FR Oil System. It goes without saying that this product is perfect for the Chinese market, where project development is playing an increasingly important role. Both existing and prospective customers were impressed with the strict quality standards which this revolutionary fire-retardant system meets! Rapid developments in the sector have given rise to a rapidly increasing interest in the RMC products, having effectively confirmed their reputation as reliable and easy-to-use products. The extensive color palette and the industrial pre-coloring and finishing options were also greatly appreciated. An excellent trade fair, in which our booth attracted the interest of many relevant professionals in the industry. www.rubiomonocoat.com Sihe Wood Figures and perceptions can obviously differ. At the Sihe Wood stand they had fewer clients from abroad, but those people who did come to the stand were certainly specific. They also felt a reduction in the number of exhibitors in the parquet world in the areas of solid wood, engineered floors, and laminate. What was noticeable was the large range of panel parquet on several Chinese stands. Sihe Wood, too, developed a completely new collection

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Aftershow Domotex Asia

Kaneka

many visitors from all over the world a perfect space for the communication but also provided space for the Color presentation and live demonstration. This 5th participation at the DOMOTEX ASIA / ASIAFLOOR has shown that the brand Osmo is becoming more and more renown in the Asian market. “Many interested visitors asked specific questions to the team and informed themselves thoroughly about the products and applications of Osmo finishes. Asia is an important growth market for us especially in the range of wood protection and colours” resumed Jorge dos Santos (Export Director).

Floor Forum International 60

the most stunning results. There also was a lot of attention from international visitors for the wide range of Floorservice Hardwaxoil colours and the product for an aged look Prime Old Grey.

Overmat looks back on an effective fair with many good (new) contacts.

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> continued from page 9

Wintersteiger excites customers with new Timber Repair technology The TRC (Timber repair & cosmetics) systems developed by VAP are a brand new addition to the WINTERSTEIGER product portfolio and were very well received at this year´s Domotex exhibition. This technology helps our customer save manpower, time and money at a classic bottle-neck process: Wood surface repair. Knots, cracks and other surface damages are filled semi- or fully automatically with special thermo-plastic material. When it comes to high quality thin-cutting of wood, we have now finally entered the era of the DSB Bandsaw; also in China. At the exhibition, WINTERSTEIGER was able to secure additional projects for this technology, which means that the top-players in high quality engineered flooring are, again, counting on cutting-edge machinery from WINTERSTEIGER.

WOCA WOCA Denmark was again an exhibitor at the Domotex Asia/China Floor exhibition in Shanghai together with their longstanding partners Xinjing Coatings. This year, WOCA showed the Chinese market “live on stage” how to produce a ready oiled finish using the unique oiling line from Soest BV in the Netherlands.

The fact that we could demonstrate the optimal industrial application procedure in front of the clients created an enormous interest in the WOCA Industrial products. WOCA was showing the new generation of oils and ran a lot of new exiting contemporary colours and special effects from the line.

The novelties included the WOCA Industrial Colour Oils in the 2000 series which dry extremely quickly, and drying times are a very important feature for the Asian factories. There was also a lot of interest in the WOCA penetrative UV-Oils, that provide the look and the design of traditional oiled floors, but benefits from the instant curing of UV technology. This is because they base their UV Oils on real oil components according to sales director Jesper Froekjaer-Jensen from WOCA Denmark. A lot of the factories are now also testing the new 1500 series that have the latest updated water repellence technologies inside. The 1500 series have been known in the industry for decades and WOCA is now out with a face lifted version called 1503 and 1593 and the market is taking them on board very well. Finally, we took the whole concepts one step further by introducing the online after care guide http://guide.wocadenmark.com/?mode= maintenance. This new online tool enables factories to educate their clients in the simplicity of the on-going after care of a factory-oiled wooden floor. All in all, it was a fantastic show for WOCA and its partners.

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Aftershow Domotex Asia

of panel parquet at the end of 2012, namely the Manoire collection or the Manor House collection, based on the style of a number of Scottish Manoire houses. It is proving to be an emerging trend with scores of possibilities in which primarily oak is used, but combinations are also possible of oak with tropical wood sorts. See the Sihe Wood catalogue on the web site.

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New stainless steel profiles · available as cover profile, angle edge, corner protection and skirting · in polished and brushed · drilled, undrilled and self-adhesive

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www.kueberit.com

THE BENEFITS OF TRADITIONAL BUILDING AND THE WARMTH OF WOOD People will surely have noticed from previous editions of Floor Forum International that the market for wood for outdoor applications is no longer a niche. On the contrary, it is an emerging market with potential for a lot more growth. The editors have included wooden outhouses, especially pool houses, as specific topics in their planning. Is the writing on the wall? And whilst we’re on the subject of walls, we must point out that wood is also in increasing demand for exterior wall cladding. How come? The answer lies in its technical qualities, durability, natural and renewable character, and, especially, its warm and aesthetic look.

Exterior wall cladding Those who choose traditional stone (or concrete) can still obtain the look of a wooden home by covering the outer walls with wooden planks or sidings. These planks can be used for the entire building or parts of it. And so, exterior wall cladding is not a wood construction, but a finishing method.

Suitable wood sorts The choice of wood sort is prompted by various factors: - Budget: this is inevitably limited and prices can vary considerably between the various sorts of wood.

- Look: wood sorts can differ considerably in design and colour.

Naturally, this has a big effect on the look of the home.

- Durability: this determines the lifespan of the exterior wall cladding.

Strictly speaking, we can say that wood sorts in durability classes 1 to 3 are suitable for exterior wall cladding without the use of additional protection. The following sorts of wood are used

a lot: African padauk, basralocus, purpleheart, sapupira, bosse, sweet chestnut, European oak, cumaru, framire, ipe, iroko, jarrah, kapur, louro gamela, makore, merbau, moabi, niangon, sapelli, sipo, tiama, tola, panga-panga, wenge, jatoba, itauba, afzelia, afrormosia,tatajuba, movingui, and western red cedar. For outdoor use with no contact with the ground, preserved larch and oregon are also suitable or even less durable wood sorts such as pine and deal, provided that they undergo some form of preservation (e.g. chemical modification or thermal treatment).

Some people claim that wood modification reduces the mechanical properties (support function) of the wood, but this is not a relevant point for exterior wall cladding and the improved stability is of more importance.

Fitting exterior wall cladding Wooden exterior wall claddings are usually fixed to strips of wood against the wall. The Belgian Building Research Institute (BBRI) recommends that wooden exterior wall claddings are at least 18mm thick. Leaving sufficient space behind the solid wood planks ensures good ventilation. Therefore, the wood dries faster after rain to extend its lifespan. A damp-open and waterproof screen helps to keep out moisture. The choice between horizontal or vertical fitting is not only an aesthetic one. Vertical planks allow rainwater to drain faster, yet there is a risk of water absorption in both cases. The only way to protect your wall against this is a good finish on the cross-cut wooden side (e.g. with roof eaves or profiles).

Arrangement of the wooden planks Apart from the choice between vertical or horizontal assembly, the wooden planks can be arranged in three ways: - Overlapping: the boards must overlap each other enough to allow the wood to swell and shrink as a result of fluctuations in moisture content in the wood. The width of a single overlap varies depending on the type of exterior wall cladding and is usually between 8 and 12% of the standard board width (with a minimum of 15mm in order to make it possible to cover the fastening system).

- With tongue and groove: the length of the tongue has to be more than or equal to 10% of the standard board width. It is

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Floor Forum International 60

Wood as a building product Wood has long since proved its suitability as a building product without a shadow of a doubt. Wood is a durable material, which is perfectly capable of withstanding the ravages of time. A striking example of this is the house of the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. This wooden jewel has stood on a rock amidst the Norwegian fiords in the city of Bergen for over 400 years. It has withstood the onslaught of blustery weather conditions, including wind, rain, snow, and extreme differences in temperature. The city of London provides another example. In the 17th century, this city consisted almost entirely of wooden houses.

Then there is the 300 year-old oak masterpiece of the Palace of Versailles. Furthermore, the half-timbered houses in the region of Malmedy and Stavelot are in good condition and have been occupied since 1750. Then there are the wooden houses from the seventeenth century in Bruges and Ghent. All these are fine examples of the durability of wood. To express it simply, wood is found in construction in three distinct ways (we are talking here about the building itself, not decoration): in the form of solid wood construction, as wooden structural work, and as exterior wall cladding.

Special Producers of wooden frontage covering

WOOD CONQUERS THE OUTER WALL

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Special Producers of wooden frontage covering

> continued from page 11

advisable to allow for at least 2mm of leeway so that you don’t endanger the dimensional fluctuations of the wood.

- Open work: This is far and away the most suitable method since it allows for efficient ventilation at the rear of the exterior wall cladding. (source: BBRI) New! Clip systems In line with the invisible fastening systems for wooden terraces, sophisticated clip systems for exterior wall claddings are also appearing to aid the rapid and qualitative fitting of outer wall planks. These systems have the advantages that they absorb the movements of the wood, provide good ventilation, and do not require screws or nails in the wood.

What’s on the market?

Archi Wood/ Hardwood Clip® Demand for the various sorts of outdoor wood and the various types of profiles is increasing here too. In particular, demand is growing in connection with the construction and renovation of homes, but industrial buildings, too, are increasingly being furnished with wood. The most important wood sorts are cedar, mélèze, thermowood and other thermally treated sorts, afror mosia, ipe, padauk, accoya, and such like. The invisible fastenings Hard Wood Clip® and Soft Wood Clip® (thermally treated wood) are also deployed for 7mm and this makes it possible to guarantee the perfect distance between the planks, depending on the sort of wood.

At the same time, the planks can more or less be adapted according to aesthetic preference. Two groove profiles are available: TWIN is a standard profile, reversible, and symmetrical (3-7mm). DROP is a newly certified profile for closed planks, semi-open, or open.

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Bois Rahuel

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At Bois Rahuel, too, they have noticed an increase in the use of wood in construction in general and for exterior wall cladding in particular.

Both project managers and architects are opting increasingly for wood. This trend is especially noticeable in the construction of private homes and industrial premises. Bois Rahuel was formed in 1921. The company specialises in chestnut wood, a sort which it first launched on the market about 15 years ago and which can withstand the climate of Western Europe. Fitting such exterior wall cladding is not a problem, certainly not for professionals, as long as they stick to the French DTU rules and the prevailing standards. Chestnut wood can be left untreated. It belongs in class 2.

B-Fix B-Fix reckons that there is a lucrative market in exterior wall cladding which is growing strongly.

This field is witnessing the emergence of several new items in the areas of finish, wood sorts, fastening systems, and profiles. One interesting aspect of these products is the fact that the planks can be fitted in various corners, depending on the desired result. B-Fix doesn’t sell any ready-to-fit kits since it does not sell any wood. Instead, the company Works together with its partners to design and develop solutions. Nowadays, B-Fix presents three different profiles (Classic, Plus, and Premium), which can be used in various applications for exterior wall cladding.

Milling has also been developed for different profiles. For exterior wall cladding finishes, B-Fix works together with Durieu, which offers an extensive range of products to protect, treat, and maintain exterior wall wood.

DeckWise DeckWise has noticed a shift from the synthetic look of vinyl and aluminium to natural materials, which are resistant to extreme conditions. Hard wood exterior wall cladding complies perfectly with this trend. The most important profile in wooden exterior wall planks is the Rain Screen profile.

This profile no longer requires any pre-drilling and it is not necessary to insert screws into the planks. Moreover, this considerably reduces the amount of water that seeps in. Hard wood cladding can be used for all outdoor applications. The density and strength provide a superior dimensional stability. The Rain Screen profile is popular for both private and commercial projects because the installation is very quick and the fastening is invisible. Popular sorts of wood include ipe, massaranduba, and cumaru. The DeckWise Hidden Siding Fasteners are available as a complete kit in various quantities (50, 175, 300, and 1,050). Each kit includes a set of instructions. The sorts of wood mentioned above can be left untreated with no problem at all.

Martens Hout Martens Hout is a family business through and through. Even different employees in the company have succeeded their father or grandfather. Tradition and modern technology go hand in hand.

Exterior wall cladding, together with terrace planks, is the speciality of Martens Hout. Years of experience (the company has been in existence for over 105 years) in both products and an extensive range make Martens Hout the market leaders in the fields of IPE terrace planks and Cedar exterior wall cladding all over Europe. Martens Hout concentrates primarily on quality. The planing for both products is done by specialist companies, which

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apply very strict sorting rules in collaboration with Martens. This means they remove planks of poorer quality and planks which have been planed incorrectly so that they can offer their clients products of the highest quality. The company endeavours to ensure that for clients the name of Martens Hout is synonymous with immaculate quality. Service is a second point of attention at Martens Hout. Employees make a point of always replying to all client enquiries, including price enquiries. A representative of the company says: “We always try to give our clients the right marketing information, even if this is not in our favour.” They ascribe the fact that wood is being used more and more in construction partly to the unrelenting efforts of the sector to purchase solely legal wood from sustainably managed forests, preferably with certification. A huge amount of wood is also used for exterior wall cladding. After all, subject to the right choice of wood sort and correct fitting, a wooden exterior wall cladding is a risk-free purchase. The best sort of wood for exterior wall cladding by a long way is western red cedar. This magnificent sort of wood is absolutely ideal for this end use and takes on a very attractive shade of silver-grey in the course of time. Cedar also requires no maintenance or treatment and is naturally resistant to decay.

Other wood sorts which are requested regularly are impregnated pine, thermally treated pine or deal, and larch. All these sorts of wood are included in the Martens Hout range. As regards design, Martens thinks along with the clients: “At the request of our clients, we can plane an exterior wall profile with some fastening system of other. Usually, however, clients choose a normal profile with the option of invisible nailing. At Martens, clients choose their own profiles and we design them.”

is the Rhombus profile. These profiles are used mainly for exterior wall cladding, but Osmo also offers solutions for garden fences. Important wood sorts are Norwegian spruce, larch, and European douglas. The most important products in this connection are the Cono profile and the Rhombus profile, finished with Osmo Country Colour or Osmo Natural Woodstain. Wood sorts such as larch and douglas can be left untreated due to their typical properties. © Outdoor Wood Concepts ® At ©Outdoor Wood Concepts® (B) they have noticed a tendency towards vertical fitting and the use of moulded profiles instead of profiles which are planed flat. The main areas of application are homes and offices. Number 1 in wood sorts is still western red cedar. In addition, padauk and afrormosia and thermowood are becoming more popular and they are also seeing a number of projects in Siberian larch. ©Outdoor Wood Concepts® offers a full system which is ready for fitting and has invisible fastening. The company provides clear assembly instructions with each order. For the finish ©Outdoor Wood Concepts® works mainly with Woca Exterior Oil, Cabot Oil (anti-ageing product), and sometimes Rubio Monocoat.

Special Producers of wooden frontage covering

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Vandecasteele Houtimport For applications in exterior wall cladding Vandecasteele Houtimport recommends various sorts such as larch, red grandis, cedar, red louro, iroko, afrormosia, ipe, bilinga, padauk, guariuba, basralocus, itauba, cumaru, teak, and luna wood. These wood sorts are used for various applications in construction. Strictly speaking, all these wood sorts can be left untreated.

At Osmo they have noticed that more and more building contractors, owners, and architects are concentrating on finding creative solutions for wood in construction. As a natural material wood offers creative and technical possibilities with the additional advantage that it is also attractive. In particular, pre-finished and coloured exterior wall wood is very much in fashion. A new trend

Yepp At Yepp they have noticed an increased use of wood in construction for both rural country style and the more rigid design style.

The chief applications of wood at Yepp are for homes and pool houses. The most important wood sort deployed for this purpose is oak, but exotic wood sorts such as padauk, cedar, lapacho, afzelia, thermally treated okoume, thermally treated pine, and such like are also suitable. Professionals can choose their own profiles. Furthermore, Yepp also offers all components for giving an exterior wall an attractive finish. A finish is usually applied with oils and a product to speed up the ageing effect. In both cases the exterior wall is protected against deposits, moss formation, and such like. If they are not treated, they remain unprotected against the ravages of moisture and moss.

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Osmo

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Special New trends in Vinyl, LVT and PVC Floor Forum International 60 14

VINYL AND LVT CROSSES THE PATH OF LAMINATE SYNTHETIC FLOORS WITH CLICK SYSTEM AND WOOD DECORS It is still too early to say what impact the new generation of synthetic floors will have on the flooring market. One thing is for sure: they are advancing at top speed. In the past, these floors appeared mainly in rolls, sometimes fully glued or glued at the edges and used rather more often for large-scale projects than residential applications. However, for a few years now, these floor have been emerging in tile or plank form, fitted with a click system for floating fitting. The trend? Wood decors, of course, in all species and colours. Luxury vinyl tiles and luxury vinyl planks have crossed the path of laminate.

Let’s explain Obviously, vinyl, PVC, and LVT are not new. What is new, however, is the form in which they have appeared on the market in recent years. With the designs in tile and plank form, makers have provided more competition in both the commercial and residential floor markets. Although people have known about these products from way back, we think it would be useful to put them in the right context. Here are some technical details on these products.

PVC Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), subject name polychlorethene (PCE), is a frequently applied thermoplastic which is created after polymerisation of the monomeric vinyl chloride (VCM). Since PVC is cheap and easy to process, it is used a lot for all sorts of jobs in industry to replace materials such as wood and concrete. PVC is also an excellent material for producing floors. The material is resistant to moisture and therefore suitable for damp rooms. 100% PVC floors are even suitable for use in showers. Its durability is largely thanks to the PU coating reinforcement. Nowadays, PVC floors appear in all sorts of decors. In recent years, we have also seen them emerging with click systems so that these floors can be fitted floating quickly and easily. We call this type of system Click PVC. Vinyl A vinyl floor is a springy synthetic (PVC) floor covering consisting of several layers: the bottom layer or back, a protective glass fibre layer, the design, and the top layer. The durability of vinyl depends on the thickness of the top layer and the solidarity of the base structure. An extra protective layer increases the floor’s resistance to scratches and wear and tear. The range includes big differences in quality and price. Don’t forget that the quality of the floor is adapted to its usage. Floors subjected to heavy punishment require stronger and thicker quality than floors used less intensively. There are also woven vinyl floors on the market. These consist largely of vinyl and a small quantity of polyester. Woven vinyl is highly durable, has a long lifespan, is affordable, and is easy to maintain.

Luxury vinyl tiles The above information provided clarification of a number of floor sorts which have been on the market for several years. Below we devote considerable time to a new type of floor which is actually

a compilation of these types of technology. LVT and LVP, luxury vinyl tiles and luxury vinyl planks, are conquering the market. Here there is a good deal of cross-fertilisation taking place.

Whereas laminate emerged from nowhere a few decades ago and made unprecedented strides, vinyl and linoleum have been around for much longer, but they are ‘stealing’ the principles of laminate. The aim? To conquer a large market. Vinyl, PVC, and linoleum have proved hugely popular on the project market. By appearing in the form of tiles (LVT) or planks (LVP) with click systems, they have all the ingredients to win over the private market.

Whether or not that will happen is not clear at the moment. What we can state with certainty is that by concentrating on wood decors, these floors provide an alternative (read: a competitor) for laminate. Moreover, they owe their success to their outstanding mechanical qualities (see below).

Features of LVT In the rest of this article we focus on LVT floors. We look at the strong points, technical properties, and scope of application.

Applications We have learnt at least one thing from our enquiries amongst various producers: LVT floors can be used for everything. Whether we are talking about commercial or residential use, big projects or private home constructions, establishments, or public buildings, this floor is suitable. Depending on the application, these floors also have to belong to a certain class under the standard EN-685. It is the thickness of the vinyl wear layer which determines the class (as a reminder: class 23 for private use, 32/33 for commercial use, and 42 for industrial use). Moreover, these floors can be used in all rooms, even damp rooms (see below).

Moisture resistance One of the biggest strong points of these floors is their moisture resistance. They can be fitted perfectly well in damp rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, and public rooms which are cleaned with water. We have to exercise some care with the interpretation of the expression ‘damp rooms’: in permanently wet rooms (e.g. saunas and swimming pools) it is only possible to use 100% solid PVC floors. In other damp rooms it is possible to fit all synthetic floors i.e. also the so called hybrid PVC floors which consist of several layers.

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Decorative? Wood, of course!

The aesthetic/decorative possibilities of LVT floors are actually infinite. All styles are possible: even or hybrid, brightly coloured or sober, tile decors, marble and natural stone, or modern or classic. Nevertheless, as with all imitation floors, wood decors are extremely popular. Here the producers of LVT floors have served their apprenticeships with laminate makers (if they don’t produce both). The wood decors are extremely natural and the structure is also tangible thanks to embossing. In other words, history is repeating itself. Some producers mention that ‘rustic decors’ are noticeably popular. And so, vintage wins here too!

and LVP over the last five years, Amorim introduced various new LVT floors in the Vinyl comfort en Design comfort collections. All vinyl floors produced by Amorim are fitted as standard with an extra intermediate and bottom cork layer for better sound insulation and extra walking comfort. Wicanders Vinyl comfort collections are supplied in a Vinyl-Cork-Click design in plank format and a Vinyl-Cork-Glue design in strip format. The real star product at Amorim is the new ‘Authentic’ collection, which is available in Century, Arcadian, Castle, and Sawn. This is a new and exclusive collection with ‘In-register-Embossing’ technology. The result is a high-quality floor where the natural textures can hardly be distinguished from real parquet or stone floors.

Fitting When we look at the entire range on the market (limited to the information which we received in time), we can divide LVT floors into two sorts. Some of them are equipped with a click system and therefore are fitted floating, whilst the others consist of strips to be fully glued. Full glueing immediately yields a noticeable acoustic benefit, whilst click floors have the advantage of quick and easy fitting.

What’s on the market?

Amorim Producer Amorim, with its premium Wicanders brand floors, has been launching floors on the market with vinyl and/or PVC finish since the 1980s for both residential and commercial applications.

In 2009, partly due to the growing demand for LVT/PVC floors

Special New trends in Vinyl, LVT and PVC

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Honey

Nougat

Product Advantages

Virgin PVC • clic system Reinforced with fiber glass for a better structural stability Soundproof

PlyQuet Holzimport GmbH E-Mail: info@plyquet.de • Tel. : +49 421 34 888 10 • Fax: +49 421 34 777 11

www.plyquet.com

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Cla s s 3 3 Cla s s 4 2

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Stylish Vinyl Tiles from Elegant Living

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Special New trends in Vinyl, LVT and PVC

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Armstrong Armstrong recommends vinyl, LVT, and PVC for all applications where the high durability, easy maintenance, and attractive design are required. Furthermore, these floors also meet a number of special requirements with regard to acoustics, slip resistance, and conductivity. The DLW vinyl floors from Armstrong are waterproof and can therefore also be fitted in damp rooms. As regards decors, wood is the trend. Wood decors in DLW LVT are extremely realistic and provide a pleasant atmosphere. The embossing of the planks makes the similarity even more striking.

DLW Vinyl and DLW Luxury Vinyl are ideal for commercial applications thanks to the qualitative PUR Coating. Armstrong offers both floors to be glued (DLW sheet and LVT Range 100/55/40) and LVT with click systems (Click Comfort Range).

Moduleo

Parador Parador, too, regards vinyl floors as suitable for all applications.

Parador offers two distinct types of vinyl floors (floors fitted to an HDF panel or floors in 5mm solid material. The solid design is recommended for damp rooms. As in all floor branches, the main trend here is towards oak wood with a stress on rustic and darker shades. Parador presents vinyl floors with a click system for a quick and easy fitting. The star product is undoubtedly the long plank on an HDF pedestal with dimensions 2200 x 216mm.

These planks give the room a spacious and modern dimension.

Quick-Step Quick-Step Livyn is a solid, practical, and layered floor with a printed surface in a variety of colours. Thanks to a synthetic core of high quality, Livyn is waterproof and sound insulating.

Moreover, Livyn floors feel very warm and soft and can be fitted on existing level floor coverings thanks to their extraordinary thinness. A Livyn floor consists of four layers. The protective top layer of PU protects the Livyn floors from dirt, stains, and scratches and makes them easy to clean. The extra matt gloss gives Livyn floors their genuinely authentic look. The transparent wear layer gives maximum protection against wear and damage. For commercial applications Quick-Step has developed the Essential Pro range, which has an even thicker wear layer. The decor layer is available in 15 varieties (wood decors) and is also suitable for commercial or industrial use. Top quality printing techniques ensure an elegant and extraordinarily realistic effect. The waterproof and sound insulating core provides comfort and durability. If you choose for an Essential Click V4 floor, this layer also includes glass fibres for extra stability and the patented Uniclic system ensures fast and handy fitting without the use of glue.

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Kurkfabriek Van Avermaet The emphasis with the sale of these floors at Van Avermaet is on the wood decors, partly due to the true-to-nature imitation which LVT technology makes possible. This means it is not always easy for laypeople to distinguish the copy from the original.

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Moduleo design floors offer a range of modular design floors in wood and stone decors. Due to the unique composition, the floors can be used for all indoor applications, even for damp rooms such as bathrooms, rooms subject to intensive use (e.g. kitchens), and verandas. The wood decors are very important to the Moduleo design floors range. This is why the brand also offers a wide choice of classic, neutral, more distinctly rustic, and/ or modern and in a wide range of colours. Thanks to its design and the 0.55mm wear level, the Moduleo Transform collection is perfectly suitable for commercial use. Amongst other things, these floors are waterproof, sound insulating, and very low-maintenance. Moduleo design floors make it possible to transform a room completely for a completely acceptable price. The simple fitting with a click system and the low construction height ensure that Moduleo is an ideal renovation product without a lot of demolition work (which is often expensive and time-consuming). This makes Moduleo a highly competitive range. The floors are available in both a click version and a version for glueing. A recent innovation in the Moduleo Transform range is the XL plank (24.1 x 149.4cm). This floor makes small rooms visually bigger and shows even better the unique quality of our wood designs. At Moduleo they use a unique high definition technology, which ensures that decors can hardly be distinguished from real ones.

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At Van Avermaet they are of the opinion that the market share of (veneer and solid wood) parquet and even laminate is certainly under pressure as a result of the introduction of LVT. These floors are ideal for projects. A company representative comments, “In particular, floating floors with a very durable LVT top layer are being fitted more and more in hotels. This type of flooring is ready for use immediately and does not need to be glued. This largely eliminates complications and damage during the work.” It is certainly the floating fitting on an HDF pedestal with a click joint which is the most popular, although a glued fitting for large surfaces does have its advantages. The star product from Van Avermaet in this segment is the Wicanders Vinyl Comfort Alaska Oak (1220 x 185 x 10.5mm), which costs €33.02 per square metre (not including V.A.T.) for private clients.

Windmöller Floors in hotels have to be decorative, but also hygienic and quiet. The best product solutions from Windmöller are laminate flooring, DESIGNline planks for gluing and our DESIGNline CONNECT flooring with its adhesive-free click-in connection. The DESIGNline CONNECT collections offer a choice of 52 decors.

An important innovation is PURLINE eco flooring, which is free of hazardous substances and made predominantly out of renewable raw materials. PURLINE eco with class 43 is extremely durable and very easy in terms of its cleaning and maintenance characteristics.

they are hugely popular. Most Fatra floors are glued, but the company also has floors with the patented Uniclic system Fatra Click. The latest product is the Fatra Imperio, floors which are produced from ecological raw materials without harmful softeners. Stability is achieved partly through the use of thermo-stabilisation technology.

Haro Vinyl, LVT, PVC and other synthetic floors such as PUR or PET are suitable for both residential and commercial use. The fully synthetic floors are moisture-resistant to a certain degree. Haro can also confirm that wood decors are conquering just about all floor segments. The DISANO Design Floor, in different wood decors, is also a living testimony to over 150 years of experience in making wood and 60 years of experience in the production of multi-layer parquet. The DISANO Design Floor offers wood decors which cannot be distinguished from real wood. Rustic designs in oak are the most popular decors. The long planks and the four chamfered boards reinforce the look of real parquet. These floors are perfectly suitable for projects for floors with medium traffic such as hotel rooms, meeting rooms, or offices. The floor is fitted floated with the Top Connect system. Thanks to innovative raw materials and other materials, DISANO is also an extremely ecological floor (Blue Angel eco label and ECO certificate).

Special New trends in Vinyl, LVT and PVC

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NIEUW: Nature Protect At last: a product that remains the natural colour and look of wood, without the visible building of layers.

But with the best protection possible!

. Unfinished effect . No building of layers . Ultra matte look . Protection against scratches Fatra Fatra is a Czech producer. Fatra vinyl floors can be seen in shopping centres, vestibules of public buildings, corridors and offices of institutions, companies, and organisations, hotels, and restaurants. Thanks to their vast durability, these floors can even be deployed in (light) production rooms. And so, these floors are suitable for residential use in private homes. All collections (LINO Fatra, Thermofix, and Imperio) are suitable for use in damp rooms. All Fatra collections include wood decors simply because

discoloration Perfect maintenance with

Nature Care!

Overmat Industries b.v. | Scharlo 11 | NL-5165 NG Waspik | The Netherlands Tel. +31 (0) 416 31 77 88 | Internet: www.overmat.nl | E-mail: info@overmat.nl

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Floor Forum International 60

and lines

. Protection from yellowish

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HARMONY & NATURE

www.mardeganlegno.com info@mardeganlegno.com export@mardeganlegno.com

STAUF: Range of finishes, oils and care products for wood surfaces

Contact: Phone.: +49 (0)2739 301-0 - Fax.: +49 (0)2739 301-200 www.stauf.de - info@stauf.de

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Floor Forum International 60

Based on the quality of our adhesives, we also provide joint filling binders and primers, waterborne and conventional finish systems as well as oils for sealing and cleaning. Together with our cleaning and care products we cover practically the entire range of products that are required for producing exceptional and attractive surface finishes. We sell high-quality products complying with the latest environmental standards for a durable result which not only preserves your new or refurbished wood flooring surface but also ensures a healthy living environment. Various STAUF adhesives and surface treatment products are currently in the test processes for the GEV EMICODE (GEV = Association for the Control of Emissions in Products for Flooring Installation) EC1 licence and for the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) certification . The relevant preliminary tests to meet the admission requirements, especially the emission tests of the German AgBB (Committee for Health-related Evaluation of Building Products), have now been completed and all STAUF products submitted passed with top marks. All STAUF surface treatment products are free of NMP (N-Methylpyrrolidone) and our oils are completely free of cobalt siccatives for drying acceleration.

With traditional cleaning and care methods involving the application of several layers, often of various different products, the treatment must be reapplied again and again at fixed intervals and very costly and time-consuming cleaning is necessary. With its “aqua Easy Clean” and “aqua Protect & Clean” products, Stauf now offers a completely new type of system that is much more practical and easy to use, even for end-consumer. The gentle, wood-conserving method of application, using just two products, can be used universally on all types of wooden surface independent of the surface treatment. The special formula of the products dispenses with the need for layer formation. Whether the surfaces to be treated are varnished, oiled wooden surfaces or prefabricated parquet floors, the alternate application of the two STAUF products is all that is required to ensure the cleaning and care effect. The wood no longer disappears slowly under a dull and often milky coating, but is allowed to gleam permanently, maintaining its original appearance right from the start. With STAUF Easy Clean and STAUF Protect & Clean, it is the user who decides at what intervals to reapply the products.

Company profile Stauf (D)

German flooring specialist STAUF has recently established in the market a range of professional products for the surface treatment of wooden floors. With a small but high-quality range of “finishes and oils” for the professional and durable treatment of surfaces and a unique cleaning and care system, the company is pioneering new approaches for preserving the appearance and value of wooden surfaces.

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Special Terrace renovation machines

RENOVATION MACHINES FOR WOODEN DECKINGS AN INVESTMENT WHICH PAYS FOR ITSELF It is quite normal for floor fitters to have access to a reliable sanding machine. Many floor fitters even have their own real collection of sanding tools, including the various types of parquet sanding machines. Sanding in different phases and in different ways is a vital part of fitting (unfinished) wooden floors. Thankfully, the time will come when the floor fitter can pick up a sander again to sand that same floor. For wooden terraces, too, the day comes when renovation is necessary. That means a nice little extra earner, if you are well equipped.

A terrace for life Until a few decades ago, consumers settled for the limited lifespan of a wooden (bangkirai) terrace. Each year, cautious owners of such terraces would clean them thoroughly early in the summer and perhaps again in midsummer. A thorough clean with traditional detergents or javel was often enough to expunge the traces of winter. Yet the day came when all cleaning or repair work was in vain, so the only option then was a new terrace.

Thankfully, that scenario is now a thing of the past. Wooden terraces have become more durable over the years and nowadays might even last a lifetime, subject to proper maintenance.

Durable wood sorts In recent years, the number of available wood sorts in the highest durability class has risen considerably. Apart from the traditional bangkirai, the following sorts of wood are also available and suitable for wooden terraces: ipe, merbau, robinia, chestnut, padauk, teak, massaranduba, belinga, and many others. The combination of new high-tech fitting systems and the high durability class means that terraces nowadays have a much longer lifespan.

Floor Forum International 60

Invisible fastening The invisible fastenings, which have been causing a furore for some years now, have much more than just an aesthetic function. Not only do most systems prevent local damage since it is not necessary to fasten screws into the wood, but they also provide excellent ventilation and absorb the natural movements of the wood. The fact that with some systems there is no contact whatsoever with the (wooden) base also contributes to a longer lifespan.

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Just like parquet The term ‘outdoor parquet’ is quite justified. We take just as much care of outdoor terraces as indoor parquet and make the same demands. The life cycle of a terrace is similar to that of indoor parquet, apart from the sandpapering which indoor parquet needs. Outdoor floors, too, need regular maintenance and periodic cleaning until a full renovation is needed.

The enemy of parquet We ourselves are actually the biggest enemy of a parquet or wooden floor in the home. A parquet floor can be fitted and finished in line with the rules of the trade, yet still be threatened by

the use to which it is subjected. Proper maintenance and the required caution will keep the floor in good condition until the time comes to erase the normal traces of that use. Then the floor is sandpapered, treated once again, and it’s brand new.

The enemies of outdoor parquet Enemies of outdoor floors are totally different. Whilst indoor parquet has to face some climate conditions, that’s nothing compared to the outdoor weather which terrace floors have to withstand. Bigger fluctuations in temperature, more intense and direct contact with water, and the presence of scores of living organisms form the main threats to wooden terraces.

Traces on the surface The biggest traces of terrace wear and tear are found on the surface and/or just below. For example, if the wood turns grey, this is a sign of decay in the top layer caused by the effects of UV light. Moss formation comes from a combination of damp and living organisms. To remove these signs of wear, chemical makers offer a full range of products. ‘Anti-ageing’ products erase decay in the wood caused by sunlight. Terrace cleaners remove moss, and you can use them on almost all sorts of wood. To stop the penetration of dirt and damp, you clean the wood completely and treat it with terrace oil. This impregnates the wood and saturates the pores. However, the day still comes when the normal remedies fail against the obstinacy of the enemies. Then, as with indoor parquet, the only solution is a general renovation. To this end, various manufacturers have designed special terrace renovation machines. The result of such renovation is the same as with indoor parquet, namely a new floor.

Big Business The boom in wooden terraces has drawn masses of floor fitters to work outdoors. This is logical, since this market offers lots of opportunities for them to raise their turnover, apart from the initial fitting. Maintenance products and accessories are good examples. Today’s terrace renovation machines make terrace renovation child’s play which is entirely within the floor fitter’s range of skills. Since these machines have been launched on the market only recently, we may assume that there is an extremely big market waiting out there.

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What’s on the market?

Bona presents its Bona Deep Clean System, a professional, powerful, and deep cleaning system for varnished and oiled wooden floors. This system can be used for both indoor and outdoor wooden floors. The Bona Deep Clean System consists of a professional compact scrubbing-suction machine, the Bona Power Scrubber, and the powerful cleaning product, Bona Deep Clean Solution. The Bona Power Scrubber is equipped as standard with two white contra-rotating cylinder brushes, which are specifically for treating indoor wooden floors. To use this machine on outdoor wooden floors, you simply replace these white cylinder brushes with red cylinder brushes, which are specially designed to clean outdoor wooden floors. Consumers who cannot face the thought of far-reaching renovation work can call upon the services of a professional to freshen up their indoor and/or outdoor wooden floors thoroughly using the Bona Deep Clean System!

FG Maschinenbau GmbH

terraces! Apart from these machines, Overmat also offers the Multi-talent Airtec ES-200. The various brushes ensure there is a solution for just about any sort of job. Apart from terrace renovation, this Swiss quality machine can be deployed for jobs such as roughening up concrete, stripping epoxy, removing coating, sawing parquet and wood, and fine-milling smooth surfaces.

WOODCARE- WOCA

Brushing machine for the easy, efficient and soft cleaning of deckings. Dirt and grey wood layers are thoroughly taken away.

The floor is perfectly prepared for oiling. Powerful motor, sturdy construction in aluminium, easy use. Integrated vacuum cleaner for efficient containment of the hazardous tropical wood dust.

Easy transport with chassis, also on stairways. Hand-brushing machine for the easy, efficient and soft cleaning of edges and corners of wooden deckings. Dirt and grey wood layers are thoroughly taken away. The floor is perfectly prepared for oiling.

Powerful motor, sturdy construction, easy use. A connection with a vacuum cleaner for the efficient containment of the hazardous tropical wood dust is indispensable.

Overmat Overmat’s Terrace Renovator is a machine which renovates and maintains wooden terraces. Terraces can be sandpapered very lightly using the Renovation Roller in this machine. This Renovation Roller is designed in such a way that it can even clean terrace sections with a groove. The machine then spreads oil onto the terrace boards via a pressure can and ensures that the oil is spread into the

The ‘natural choice’ is the basic principle of WOCA’s new concept for renovating and freshening up outdoor wooden terraces. The idea is quite simply to ensure that the wood surface is stripped and cleaned in such a way that the subsequent and reinforcing oil treatment can penetrate deep into the wood so that the surface gets saturated. In other words, it is ‘back to basics’ and back to the idea that wood is a living material with naturally built-in protection. Our new concept is based on the highly innovative WOCA silicon carbide scrubber, which fits any common 16” single disc machine. This disc, in combination with the unique WOCA Exterior Cleaner is the key to success. The WOCA silicon carbide scrubber is very flexible. In the course of time, old wooden terraces are no longer 100% flat. The scrubber is designed in such a way that it simply absorbs the differences in height. Moreover, the special hairs make sure that the scrubber continues to work effectively, even in profiled terrace boards. WOCA Exterior Oil is available in natural and an extensive range of exclusive and trendy colours. The oil differs from other oils due to its built-in UV filter, which dulls the paling effect of sun rays.

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Bona

Special Terrace renovation machines

wood with a special brush. Overmat also has the Terrace Edge Renovator. This hand sander is specially for renovating, cleaning, and treating smaller or inaccessible sections of wooden

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PU: THE UNIVERSAL PARQUET GLUE

Special PU adhesives

STILL THE FAVOURITE OF MANY FLOOR FITTERS We have often given a potted history of parquet glues in this journal. It is a segment characterised by constant innovations over the years. Within existing adhesive technology researchers are constantly searching for improvements, but at the same time new technology is being developed. Science is being converted into practical serviceable products! In the adhesive world there is one type of glue which stands out somewhat, namely polyurethane parquet glue. Whilst with most glues some sort of restriction is mentioned with regard to the scope of application, this is not the case with PU. PU is good for everything in all situations.

My preferred glue When a woman goes in search of a ‘partner for life’, she could do worse than to look for a parquet floor fitter. Floor fitters are a separate breed. They are utterly faithful. They are faithful to the working method which they have learnt and applied meticulously for many years, they are faithful to their wood suppliers, in whom they have complete trust, and they are faithful to the products and accessories which they use to complete their work.

This character trait is just as applicable to the choice of the parquet glue. MS polymer glues and other silane adhesives have finally carved out a niche for themselves in the seemingly impenetrable parquet market, but not without a struggle. Moreover, they have emerged as an ‘additional solution’ and not ‘instead of something else’. One thing is sure: polyurethane glues or combinations with polyurethane (epoxy PU) are still as solid as a rock in the world of parquet. Many floor fitters regard PU as the ‘most reliable’ solution.

Floor Forum International 60

Applications for PU adhesive If we take a look at the instructions with the PU adhesives of the various brands, one thing stands out: the long-winded summary about the applications. Quite simply,there are no limitations.

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All parquet and wood sorts PU adhesives are suitable for all types and sorts of parquet. They are used for all sorts of solid wood parquet and solid wood boards. They can also be used for multi-layer parquet (engineered) and for both unfinished and pre-finished floors. Then you have the most critical applications: due to their outstanding tensile strength and the very stable adhesive grooves, PU glues can also be deployed for glueing wide planks (XXL), even for critical sorts of wood. As far as the sorts of wood are concerned, there are equally few limitations. Domestic sorts, tropical sorts, and wood sorts which require a certain caution such as beech and ash.

All substrates and conditions Adhesion to virtually all wooden materials is excellent. Suitable substrates are cement covering floors, subfloors with a levelling agent at least 2mm thick, anhydrite screeds, poured asphalt, and fibre plates (V100). PU glues are a safe solution for glueing mosaic subfloors onto screeds and glueing strips (traditional parquet)

onto the mosaic subfloor. Moreover, they can also be used for glueing on top of floor heating, as long as the standard rules are followed.

The magic behind PU How does it work? Traditionally, PU adhesive thanks its adhesive strength to a combination of isocyanate and alcohol. The adhesive compound is created through the reaction of the surrounding moisture and the urethane compounds. The properties of polyurethane adhesive come forth from the build up of the substance. PU is a co-polymer which consists of hard and soft segments. These segments are created by the reaction of urethane and isocyanate, form a long chain, and alternate with each other.

The hard segments tend to crystallise and form a hard material.

The soft segments, viewed separately, would form a syrupy fluid.

The combination of both segments ensures that the best properties of both join together. This is why PU adhesive is very strong, but nonetheless elastic.

One or two components With PU adhesives the resin eventually performs its task through the operation of the hardener. The hardening is the result of a chemical reaction. With separately packed components (2K) we get a chemical reaction between the components themselves.

With the pre-mixed version (1K) both components react to the air humidity. In other words, even with ready-to-use adhesives there are reactions between different components or different components support each other in a reaction with air, moisture, or both.

The biggest advantage of ready-to-use adhesives is the dosage.

Better packaging The dosage is determined in the factory in a scientific and industrial manner and is therefore always identical. This is precisely why professionals advise us in the case of separate packages not to use opened tins. This is also why they endeavour to put both components in one box in order to ensure that nothing goes wrong in the event of ‘excess pouring’. In recent years, various makers have adapted the packaging of these glues so as not to bring the dosage in jeopardy. By packing the hardener and the glue in one bucket with two sections in which the hardener sits in the top section and ‘runs off’ into the bottom section with the glue, they ensure that the dosage is always correct.

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Processing conditions As with all parquet glues, certain demands are made of the usage which are virtually the same for the various makers. The demands relate to surrounding conditions, the substrate, and the final fitting.

Anti-UV Colourless Protector for Decking and Horizontal Woodwork : long-lasting invisible protection for exterior woodwork

Surrounding conditions The surrounding conditions relate to air humidity and temperature. These can vary slightly between the different producers. At all events it is advisable to allow the glue to acclimatise to the room in which it will be used before it actually is used, as is the case for parquet strips. For the fitting the makers recommend the following (average) climate conditions: the air temperature needs to be at least 18°C, whilst the floor temperature should be 15°C (or 20°C if the room has floor heating). The relative air humidity must be higher than 79%.

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Photo credit :©Studio E. Saillet - Architectes : P. Meie

The substrate Substrates must comply with the requirements of ATV DIN 18 356 ‘Parquet work’, BS CP 8201 & 8204, or comparable national norms. The substrate must be compression resistant and keep its shape, flat, constantly dry, absorbent, clean, and free of substances which could reduce the adhesion. Cement and calcium sulphate bound covering floors must be sandpapered carefully and vacuum cleaned. Layers which reduce adhesion and weak layers such as residue from glue, levelling agents, and floor coverings must be removed using steel brushes, sandpaper, or shot blasting. After that, vacuum clean thoroughly. In many cases absorbent and porous substrates need to be treated first with a primer. For glueing on uneven substrates, it is necessary to level these substrates first.

Anti-UV Colourless technology with two Anti-UV agents is now available for decking and horizontal woodwork.

Decking Protector is a real colourless protection made Completes the with unique water-repellent Anti-UV colourless system for claddings resins designed to preserve and horizontal the original tone and colours woodwork of each species of timber. It even works effectively on difficult to protect wood species like red cedar, teak or ipé for instance. This new Anti-UV system increases the protection of decking by two compared to other products available on the market.

Blanchon Anti-UV Colourless system: Anti-UV Colourless ConditionerTM + Anti-UV Colourless Protector for Decking and Horizontal Woodwork.

Who offers what?

Adesiv Adesiv offers various polyurethane adhesives. The PELPREN PL6 is a 2-component epoxypolyurethane glue, which does not contain any water. It has been developed specially for glueing wooden floors on any sort of concrete substrate or existing non-absorbent floors (marble, tiles, Palladian, or wooden substrates). EURO F1 is a 2-component epoxy-polyurethane glue, which likewise contains no water. It is used for glueing wooden floors on concrete sandcement covering floors or existing non-absorbent floors (marble, tiles, Palladian, or wooden substrates). In addition, Adesiv has the PELPREN PL 60-E, also a 2-component polyurethane glue, and the ADESIVO WB 2C, a 2-component epoxy-polyurethane glue.

More information on www.blanchon.com

Bona In its range of PU adhesives, Bona presents the R770, the R777, and the R778. The R770 owes its adhesive bond to a chemical reaction.

The glue contains neither water nor solvents. The glue’s high tensile strength makes it ideal for glueing

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Special PU adhesives

extra wide floorboards. Its adhesion on virtually all wooden materials is outstanding. Moreover, the glue also offers a very stable adhesive groove. Suitable substrates are: a cement covering floor, subfloors with a levelling agent which is at least 2mm thick, an anhydrite screed, poured asphalt, and fibre panels (V100). R770 has a very long open time. Bona R777 is a 2-component polyurethane parquet adhesive for parquet and solid wood floorboards in line with EN 14293 (hard). This glue sets by means of a chemical reaction without shrinking. It contains neither water nor organic solvents. Bona R778 is a 2-component polyurethane parquet adhesive in line with EN 14293 (hard). It contains neither water nor organic solvents. This glue sets by means of a chemical reaction without shrinking. Bona R778 is ideal for moisture-sensitive wood sorts and for substrates which absorb little or no moisture.

Chimiver ADESIVER 327 PU is a two components polyurethane adhesive without any epoxy modification, fully water and organic solvent free, formulated without the use of aromatic or aliphatic amines. ADESIVER 327 PU has been formulated to answer the needs of those workers that do not want

TIMBA & MINITIMBA

The complete system for wooden floor treatment!

to renounce to the typical characteristics of adhesives with 100% of non-volatile matters, but are allergic to epoxy adhesives. 造 Destinations: ADESIVER 327 PU is suitable for all wooden floors and in any size including strips, without requiring the pre-laying of wood fillets/battons. It is furthermore recommended, since water free, in laying pre-finished parquet, and pre-calibred one.

Emfi Emfi parquet PU Mono R800 is a single component parquet adhesive based on polyurethane which sets through contact with the air humidity. The EC1 classification guarantees very low emissions of volatile organic compounds. This glue has been specially developed for full surface glueing of solid wood or multi-layer parquet, varnished, or pre-varnished and in all wood sorts. This adhesive can also be used to glue raw parquet and acoustic subfloors. The glue guarantees outstanding adhesion on most substrates. The glue stays flexible after polymerisation. And so, it can also be deployed on floor heating and at the same time improves acoustic comfort.

Henkel/ Thomsit From Henkel we present the Thomsit P625. The Thomsit P625 is a dual component polyurethane parquet adhesive (for glueing

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Two components water-based finish for treatment of wooden sport floors.

It meets the slip resistance required by EN 14904 standard

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Dust Extractor

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Pallmann Pallmann P9 is a 2-component PU adhesive in line with DIN EN 14293.

It is for all sorts of parquet, especially for moisture sensitive sorts of wood and formats and for glueing on parquet-compatible UZIN underlays. Pallmann P9 is a pasty polyurethane parquet adhesive which does not contain any solvents or water. It has no effect on the swelling of parquet since no moisture is extracted from the wood. This glue is suitable on substrates with sufficient strength such as sand-cement, calcium sulphate and poured asphalt covering floors, chipboard, suitable UZIN underlays, and on hot water floor heating.

Soudal Soudal PU-20P is suitable for glueing solid wood planks directly onto a screed suitable for that purpose. This product is also the logical choice for exotic wood sorts, strong-swelling and shrinking wood sorts such as beech, maple, cherry, and larger sizes.

The dual component technology ensures rapid setting so that the

Sika Sika has two types of mono-component PU glues in its standard range: Sikabond 54 Parquet (in pails of 13kg, bags of 6kg, and bags of 700ml ) and Sikabond 52 Parquet (in pails of 13kg, tubes of 600ml for glueing a cordon and tubes of 1800ml). Due to its exceptionally strong adhesion and elastic properties, Sikabond 54 Parquet can be used on all substrates, including a floor with floor heating and difficult sorts of wood. Sikabond 52 Parquet is a more solid glue which is designed for dispenser and cordon glueing. Due to its more solid structure, it has strong levelling properties. In its solid form, this type of glue can also be used on every possible substrate and wood sort. Sikabond 52 Parquet and Sikabond 54 Parquet have been strong brands in the Sika assortment for several years. Since recently, the formula has been adapted to meet the EMI code EC1PLUS so that the glue is virtually odourless. This is unique on the parquet adhesive market.

Special PU adhesives

Lecol Lecol offers two polyurethane-based glues for Belgium and the UK. The Wakol PU 225 Parquet adhesive (2K) is suitable for glueing 22mm solid wood parquet (thick strips and wide boards) only onto a wooden subfloor (chipboard, mosaic, etc.) in combi nation with blind clips. The hardener is mixed into this dual component glue mechanically.

The adhesive can withstand wheelchairs and is suitable for use on floor heating. The packaging of the PU 225 consists of a bucket with a hollow cover which contains the hardener.

This simplifies the operation and reduces the risk considerably of the glue being processed without a hardener or with the wrong hardener. Wakol PU 215 Parquet adhesive (2K) is identical to the Wakol PU 225 Parquet adhesive, but has an open time of two hours in contrast to one hour for the PU 225.

parquet can be sandpapered 24 hours later and finished quickly.

Once Soudal PU-20P has set (within about 24 hours at 21째C and 50% residual moisture), it forms a hard-elastic and shrink-free adhesive film which fixes the parquet strongly in place. As regards ease of use, the PU-20P is similar to a single component system. Soudal PU-20P is activated by mixing the B component with the A component. You do this for at least two minutes using a drill with a mixer extension. Note: once PU-20P is mixed, it must be used within 50 minutes or else the glue will harden in the bucket.

Stauf We present two PU adhesives from Stauf: PUK 450 and PUK 445. PUK 450 is a hard-elastic polyurethane adhesive for glueing wooden floors. This is a readyto-use premium product which is suitable for glueing all sorts of solid wood planks. There is no risk whatsoever of the subfloor or finish being damaged by softeners. PUK 450 does not contain water or solvents and bears the Emicode EC1-R (very low emission). PUK 445 is an extremely elastic polyurethane glue with a very resilient adhesive groove which is easy to spread. This glue can be deployed for just about all sorts of wooden floors, including pre-finished floors. This glue guarantees very high dimensional stability and helps to reduce tension. A coloured version is available for darker sorts of wood. The PUK 445, too, does not contain water or solvents and bears Emicode EC1-R (very low emission).

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Floor Forum International 60

mosaic, strip, and solid wood parquet, exotic wood, wood-engineered parquet, cross-cut wood, and pre-finished). This glue contains no solvents and has few emissions. It is ideal for glueing critical sorts of parquet with high water absorption and for the chip-proof glueing of large-size parquet in particular. Thomsit P625 guarantees rapid initial adhesion and is suitable for floors with floor heating. The Thomsit P625 is suitable for glueing on both absorbent and non-absorbent substrates.

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Project Elyseum Fertigparkett (RI)

Oiled wenge parquet for modern luxury home in Prague

Three-layer engineered parquet on hevea base for stability in combination with floor heating

Floor Forum International 60

This edition takes us to an attractive and unusual project in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic and certainly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The centrally based district of Barrandov houses a modern building with a splendid new ELYSEUM wenge floor from the Indonesian quality producer Forestry Timber Export. The darker colour and exclusive look of wenge go together nicely with the modern furniture and white walls and stairs.

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Barrandov The district of Barrandov lies on the banks of the River Moldau and also accommodates the world famous Barrandov film studio. According to Roman Polanski, this is the best film studio in the world (recent blockbusters such as The Bourne Identity, Casino Royale, and Mission Impossible have been filmed here).

Furthermore, Barrandov is also a very trendy district with a mix of attractive modern homes and older buildings.

300m² of wenge This building has a wenge parquet floor, which is spread over different floors and covers a total surface area of about 300m².

The design of the building (with lift) is modern and stylishly austere and the wenge parquet contrasts magnificently with the white wall colour and the wooden wall (presumably palisander or American walnut) next to the stairs.

Forestry Timber Export and Empiri Wood For the completion of the floor the owner called upon the services of Empiri Wood Design, which is based in Prague. This wood and parquet specialist has been a partner of the Indonesian parquet manufacturer Forestry Timber Export for over five years, and both partners are completely satisfied with this arrangement. And so, Empiri Wood Design was the obvious choice to supply the exotic floor for this project.

The floor was a single-strip wooden floor with planks 14.5mm thick and 145mm wide. The planks have a top layer of 3.2mm and a V-groove on the four edges. They used an oil from Klumpp for the parquet finish. They chose these planks due to the nicely suitable width and the V-grooves on each side of the magnificent plank floor. The owner decided not to opt for oak wood, which is also very popular in the Czech Republic, apparently due to the suitable combination with the colour of the walls and style of the furniture.

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Three-layer wood-engineered parquet with hevea base The wenge parquet is a three-layer engineered parquet on a hevea base. Obviously, Forestry Timber Export chose hevea because it is the most ecological wood sort. The hevea or rubber wood tree (‘Hevea Brasiliensis’) yields natural rubber for 25 to 30 years and, when that ceases, the tree is finally cut down and the wood is used for furniture, parquet, and such like.

There have been several well managed rubber plantations on Sumatra for over a century, so the factory conveniently has local access to hevea wood.

Since hevea wood has the same density as oak, for instance, and the counter layer of Indonesian hardwood veneer, the produced parts are highly stable, partly due to the artificial drying up to about 7% M.C., and this is ideal for the stability of these ELYSEUM parquet floors.

Floor heating They used a BOSTIK PK ELASTIC parquet adhesive to glue the floor onto an anhydrite subfloor, which also had floor heating.

The correct choice of glue and the very high stability of this threelayer parquet floor made this a reliable choice.

Brands Forestry has four officially registered brands : Timber Top , Floor Art , Woodline, and Empiri Wood work with Elyseum.

Floor Forum International 60

Kindly visit our website for more information: www.timbertop.eu

Project Elyseum Fertigparkett (RI)

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Floor Forum International 60

Special Producers of style panels

THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS ORDINARY PARQUET – ONLY EXTRAORDINARY!

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STYLE PANELS AND MARQUETRY CONTINUE TO CHARM In current building trends we can identify two extremes: on the one hand there is the yearning for simplicity, evenness, and modernism, whilst on the other hand there is a general sense of nostalgia. The common factor in both extremes is a return to natural materials.

This return is a result not only of a growing environmental awareness, but also, and especially, the need for peace and quiet in busy and stressful times. Wood gives a sense of peace and quiet. At the same time, personalisation is emerging as a strong trend. We want our interior to be a reflection of our personality, so we go off in search of something ‘unique’.

Parquet hierarchy Generally speaking, parquet and wooden floors have the big advantage that they fit into any surrounds. In a classic interior a wooden floor may often seem a logical choice, but wood also adds an extra dimension in a smooth and modern setting.

Similarly, parquet has few restrictions when it comes to the purpose of a building. Indeed, people are increasingly opting for the most noble of all floors for residential dwellings, offices, public places, and even in airports. Let’s be honest: wooden floors do always have a touch of something ‘exclusive’. We usually find them very charming when we enter a room and feel their warm and homely character as well as their durability. In this respect you can never refer to a wooden floor as ‘ordinary’. What we can say is that there is a considerable difference within the range of wooden floors, depending partly on the wood sort used. An oak floor is guaranteed to command a certain respect, but a parquet or wooden floor in wenge also gives a wow effect. Then there is the difference between solid wood and multi-layer, between floating and glued, and between varnished or oiled. However, the most visible difference between various parquet floors, apart from the type of wood, is still the fitting method. The fact is that the fitting pattern of the strips dominates the look of the floor.

Really exclusive Some clients impose few limits when it comes to budget. Of course, these clients are not in a majority, but they do exist.

They go in search of something ‘extraordinary’. Wooden floors in herringbone, Hungarian point, end grain blocks, or cross-cut floors, for instance, have that little extra. Within that niche we are once again seeing the re-emergence of style panels and marquetry. They’ve never been away, but interest in them is now growing. The exclusivity of these floors lies not only in the fact itself that panels are being used, but also, and especially, in the way in which those panels are designed (the pattern within the pattern).

Apart from style panels, it is also possible to give parquet certain highlights via marquetry. Here, too, the possibilities are virtually endless, ranging from a simple edging around the room to installing a company logo. The sky is the limit.

Style panels Style panels are actually large wooden ‘tiles’ with an outside edge which, as it were, ‘frames’ the wooden floorboards in a particular fitting pattern. The sections are usually glued to each other along the sides (solid wood 6 or 10 mm), but in recent years these panels have also appeared in multi-layer in which the solid wood pattern is glued onto a (plywood) subfloor. As regards the preferred patterns, just about all producers are seeing the same trends, namely distressed panels and, in particular, ‘old fitting patterns’.

Hungarian point and herringbone Hungarian point is one of the oldest parquet patterns. This pattern is normally fitted ‘separately’, but it can be applied in panel form. In this pattern the herringbone design strips are fitted against each other at an angle of 30 to 45°. Sanding the planks creates a subtle difference in colour to give a three-dimensional effect. People sometimes mistake Hungarian point for herringbone. The latter, too, is a classic fitting method for parquet and it can also be the pattern for a panel design. The slats are fitted in herringbone, the tops directly opposite each other to create a zigzag pattern. A good way to remember the difference between herringbone and Hungarian point is to be aware that with a herringbone pattern every strip is a geometrical right angle, whereas with Hungarian point each strip is a parallelogram (mitred).

Versailles – the king The most popular panel of all without any shadow of a doubt is Versailles panel. The Versailles panel looks like a diagonal interweaving framed by a square edge of parquet strips. Naturally, the name is derived from the splendid palace of Louis XIV. The panels in the palace are exactly 1m² (100 x 100cm). They are separated by three strips of 8cm which converge in a corner to form a point. Today, Versailles panels are available in various dimensions and are adapted to the room in which they are fitted (see below). Another pattern also used in the palace is the Chantilly pattern. Chantilly is a somewhat complicated variant, which consists of several small panels which form an interweaving. In the palace this is in panels, but it can also be extended to the width of the floor.

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Marquetry Definitely as exclusive as panels is marquetry in parquet. Some panels are even supplied as marquetry (i.e. separately) to allow the floor fitter to make adjustments here and there during the fitting. This is sometimes the case, for example, with cube patterns.

Whenever marquetry is supplied separately, it is possible to get it pre-sorted with a foil to hold the sections together. Everything is possible with marquetry, ranging from intricate and demanding rosettes from times past to a simple highlight. The extensive possibilities are partly a result of the development of laser cutting technique whereby drawings or patterns can be cut out with the utmost precision. With both marquetry and patterns oak is still the preferred sort of wood, but it can be combined with other sorts such as mahogany, teak, wenge, and such like. For making marquetry, it goes without saying that the differences in colour between the sorts of wood are useful.

Fitting panels The floor fitter’s basic knowledge is enough to fit panels. As with all parquet floors, the preparation of the substrate is important.

An important point for attention is measuring the room before the sizes of the panels can be determined. Measuring precisely means it is possible to make the panels perfectly tailor-made so that sawing is not necessary anywhere. We picked up an interesting tip at BJ Parket, one of the major specialists in the trade: “When you fit style panels, and especially with interweaving patterns, you must make sure that the pattern on the panel runs over the entire floor surface. This means that some patterns in style panels have a fitting direction and cannot be rotated even by a quarter. It is also advisable to use important targets (e.g. hearth and door opening) to line up the panels.” For glueing it is generally advisable to use an elastic adhesive.

A selection from the range BJ Parket BJ Parket still makes its style panels in the traditional way i.e. solid wood on 10 or 6mm. The panels are either glued sideways or put together with a special removable foil on the top. Some panels (e.g. cube parquet) are supplied separately for practical reasons so that the floor fitter can still make sufficient adjustments during the fitting. Since many architects take the view that only composite parquet should be installed with floor heating (something which BJ Parket and many others dispute), BJ Parket nevertheless takes advantage of this trend in order to glue style panels to plywood as well. The panels are then sawn from 6mm solid wood and put together and glued onto 15mm plywood. This is the correct ratio between base and top layer. BJ Parket can now also offer lasered style panels and boards. Most of their panels are still produced in European oak, sometimes with highlights of other wood sorts (mahogany, teak, wenge, maple, and many others). For the English market walnut

B.J. Parket BVBA I NDUSTRIESTRAAT 44 9240 Z ELE – BELGIUM TEL: +32 52 44 45 57 FAX : +32 52 45 06 71 E MAIL: INFO @ BJPARKET.BE WWW. BJPARKET. BE TRADITIONAL PARQUET MANUFACTURER

Style panels, end grain, distressed floors (different ageing techniques ‘sanded, brushed, tumbled, smoked and structured’)

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is especially popular. Since the choice of wood for panels has stayed virtually unchanged, the choice of quality has moved on from extra to rather a b or rustic choice.

Lalegno

Design Parquet makes special style panels in solid wood or multi-layer. All wood sorts and thicknesses are possible here, as are all patterns.

Design Parquet can make identical reproductions, but is equally capable of converting an attractive design into a panel floor. They always adapt the sizes to the dimensions of the floor, with or without the provision of a peripheral frieze. The sections are fitted with a traditional tongue and groove. And so, there is no need for any glueing. Here, too, oak is king, often combined with highlights in other more rare sorts of wood such as teak, wenge, and walnut. As far as the fitting is concerned, each panel is about 1.2m². This ensures rapid fitting, but the preparation does take more time.

Lalegno has also recently started trading in multi-layer parquet solutions for style panels. The herringbone pattern is traditionally one of the most well known and most popular styles for fitting parquet floors. At the start of this year, Lalegno started to include a multi-layer parquet with herringbone pattern in its range, namely the 15-ABC-122-BRUT-VG. This alternative to solid wood herringbone floors has been equipped with tongue and groove and can therefore be fitted quickly and easily. The 15mm thick planks with a 4mm top layer on a plywood base have a set length of 610mm and are 122mm wide. They have also launched an attractive new design floor with a look very similar to that of cross-cut wood. For the 15-CLASSIC-180-BRUT-BARN-DESIGN and the 15-CLASSIC-180-NOV-BARN-DESIGN blocks of cleaved oak (90 x 90mm) have been glued under high pressure onto a plywood bottom layer to obtain planks of 1260 x 180mm. The result is

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Special Producers of style panels

Design Parquet

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Mardegan Legno

Mardegan Legno produces various types of panels with marquetry. The company offers 13 different designs. The most popular ones are the Cavallar (no. 2) and Brindisi (no. 3). The most popular sorts of wood for these applications are oak, walnut, and cherry. These products are mainly geared to the market for the restoration of castles or other patrimonial estates with large rooms. Fitting these panels does not require special training.

Basically, the fitting is fairly simple. The panels have to be glued with a 2-component adhesive or an equivalent. Floating fitting is therefore not possible. These products are also a niche market for Mardegan Legno.

D E S I G N® PA R Q U E T

Parqueterie Janod Parqueterie Janod has been based in Doucier (Jura), France, since 1930. Today, this family business is led by the fourth generation of the family. Tradition and quality constitute the leitmotif of the company’s history.

Parqueterie Janod specialises in customised work. The company produces all sorts of traditional parquet in an extended range of wood sorts. To make style panels, they use mainly oak, walnut, and wild cherry. The floors can be supplied for glueing or on panels. The floors have to be fitted using a spatula adhesive. The most prominent patterns at Janod are Versailles design, Aremberg, or ‘Croix de Savoie’.

PlyQuet Holzimport GmbH Teka Parquet produces completely finished panels/tiles in the sizes 14 x 390 x 390mm with a 3mm thick top layer. These tiles have been given the brand name Teka Design. These panels are produced in Indonesia. They fit perfectly in all other 14mm Teka panels with tongue and groove. Once again, the most prominent sort of wood is oak. Due to the three-layer structure of the Teka Design floors, the fitting is the same as for any other

Special Producers of style panels

unique, very stylish, and, moreover, easy to fit thanks to a tongue and groove system. This was on show at the DOMOTEX Floor Forum stand in hall 7 as well as at other events.

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F r a n c e

Loft Pro 180/295 mm

Width 180/220/295 mm, thickness 16/20 mm, length 1500-2200/3000 mm, 2 layers, top layer 4,5/5,5mm, Birch plywood base for a better stability of the floor Unfinished, matt varnished, Natura oiled, brushed varnished or brushed Natura oiled, Roc varnished or even with the finishing colorless varnished or oiled.

Species : Oak, Wenge, Bubinga, Doussié, Walnut...

www.designparquet.fr

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Floor Forum International 60

Semi-solid wood flooring “TERRA COTA”

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Special Producers of style panels

pre-engineered parquet floor. Distressed floors are the major trend. The most important designs are Teka Design Concorde, Grand Palace Old Style, Imperial, Montana, Villa, and Royal Star.

Sihe Wood

Yepp

At Sihe Wood they work with a 2.5mm oak top layer, the various pieces of which are first glued to each other and then pressed onto a full eucalyptus middle layer with a counter in poplar underneath. The most popular sort of wood is oak. For fitting these floors the floor fitter has to take particular care on the frame of the entire floor at the edges. In China the floor is framed; this means that first of all a strip of engineered parquet is laid at the edges of the room before the panels are fitted. The panels are glued using normal adhesive such as that which is used with engineered parquet. In our parts of the world, the most important trend is oak with a distressed look. In other markets such as China, India, and Russia they work with combinations of oak and exotic wood sorts or entirely with exotic wood. There they prefer bigger panels such as 600 x 600 or 900 x 900mm.

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Versailles Parket In bygone days, Versailles Parket started with marquetry and inlay parquet. For some time now, however, the company has also

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been producing Versailles panels, usually 6 or 9mm in thickness.

Oak is still the most popular sort of wood. With Versailles panels, the panels are delivered as a whole unit. The boards are taped to each other on the upper side and the panels are glued preferably with a dual component adhesive or an MS glue. The major trends are ‘distressed’, oiled ready for use, and finished with or without white oil or any colour according to choice. The special tape which is used makes it possible to deliver ready for use. This can easily be sanded and does not leave any marks. The expertise built up over many years by Versailles Parket and the company’s small scale operation mean they offer panels at competitive prices. A standard Versailles design, untreated, taped, and panel size 82 x 82cm is available from € 55.00. Distressed, smoked, oiled, taped, and size 82 x 82cm is available from € 68.50. If necessary, floors can also be delivered separately.

W O O D C O AT I N G S

Yepp offers mainly panels.

Marquetry is not its speciality. Yepp can also supply boards in combination with the decorative panels. As far as the wood sorts are concerned, here, too, we find the same well known preponderance: 90% European oaks with possibly wenge or afrormosia edgings.

Depending on the system of panels (already pre-assembled or not), the fitting takes more or less time. The floor fitter has to work more meticulously and calculate more precisely in order to achieve a good end result. The proportions in the room have to be correct. For the glueing Yepp still recommends a 2K PU adhesive. As far as trends are concerned, the most popular ones are oak (finished or unfinished), distressed, and, at present, even in multi-layer with reclaimed oak top layers. The main patterns here are Versailles, castle, renaissance, and empire.

Durante Vivan A

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www.sirca.it

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OIL IS BACK IN FAVOUR A CROSSROAD OF THE NATURAL AND THE TECHNOLOGICAL

‘Natural’ is in Oil products are most certainly natural, even if they are sometimes part of a ‘processed’ end product. Obviously, oils such as tung oil, castor oil, soya oil, and linseed oil cannot be used as a floor finish unless they are processed. They are modified. The most popular ingredient in modified oil is urethane. This ensures faster drying and better scratch-resistance and reduces the risk of discolouration. Obviously, environmental legislation also applies to oil finishes and, for a few years now, this has had the effect of putting waterborne oils at the forefront of the range.

These waterborne oils are usually created by emulsion whereby an emulsifying agent ensures that unmixable fluids (such as oil and water) can nonetheless be mixed into a uniform and stable product.

Why oil?

An oil finish means lots of advantages for both floor fitters and end clients. One of the arguments which end clients definitely appreciate is the fact that oil is a natural product. Oil in combination with wood, another natural product, is undoubtedly an ecological choice.

Benefits for floor fitters Floor fitters are happy that an oil finish is relatively easy to apply without leaving streaks (something which is not the case with varnish finishes). The oil is usually applied with a spatula. Surplus oil is removed. With a number of oils (certainly colour oils) the floor has to be polished afterwards. Many producers claim you only need to apply one coat of their oil to provide sufficient protection. Another big advantage is the fact that most oils dry very quickly. It is possible to walk on and use some oiled surfaces within just a few hours, something which is virtually impossible with a varnished floor.

Benefits for end users For end users the natural look of an oil floor is certainly the main argument. An oil finish preserves the colour and the feel of the wood like no other. After all, an oil finish does not leave a film ‘on top of’ the wood. The look is one argument, but an oil finish also provides outstanding protection. Seeing that the oil impregnates the wood (i.e. it fills the pores of the wood), a floor treated with oil can withstand moisture and dirt. Scratches on an oiled floor are always possible, of course, but they are less noticeable than scratches on a varnished floor.

Benefits for floor fitters and end users An oil finish also has a number of other benefits which are alluring to both floor fitters and end users. An oiled floor is easy to maintain. Moreover, maintaining the floor with maintenance oil ensures that the floor is nourished constantly. Moreover, an oiled floor has the big advantage that it can be repaired (read: reoiled) in patches. When the floor is ready for a thorough ‘refreshment’, there’s no need to sandpaper it first. By contrast, with a varnished floor you have to empty the room and sandpaper the entire floor to remove all the old varnish. An oiled floor can be renovated without sandpapering and, if necessary, this can be done in phases.

A selection from the market range Various makers offer a combination of an oil product as a finish (protection) and a complementary oil product for regular maintenance. Below we give a summary of the information which the editors received in time.

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Floor Forum International 60

The floor fitter’s favourite How much say does the end client have when it comes to the finish applied to a wooden floor? There was a time when the client had no say at all. Floor fitters simply told clients as cool as you like that they had given the floor this or that finish. Strictly speaking, there’s nothing wrong with that since floor fitters are perfectly aware of the products on the market and the one which they believe provides the best solution. There was also a time when there was simply no choice. Parquet and wooden floors, like wooden furniture, were finished and maintained with beeswax – a real chore which demanded concerted efforts from both the floor fitter and the end client. The transition to liquid wax represented a step in the right direction. The combined application of (firstly) oil and (then) wax eventually resulted in one product which contained a mixture of wax and oil. Nowadays, we speak of hard wax oil. However, the biggest dilemma confronting end clients is the choice between oil and varnish. Varnish held the upper hand for a long time for its low maintenance and was given a further real boost when makers launched matt varnish. Today, however, oil is making a comeback: the mere fact that it is a ‘natural product’ appeals to consumers.

Special Parquet oil

Time was when real beeswax was the only possible finish for parquet. Today, however, we are blessed with a sumptuous choice of finishes for wooden floors. These two situations are separated by a long road of over a century of research and development, experiments, refinements, and more refinements. It is no longer appropriate to ask which parquet finish provides the best protection because all finishes provide good protection. And so, the choice of this or that finish will be decided by other attractive features. Oil scores highly within the entire range due to its natural look.

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Adesiv System based on natural oils and waxes for impregnation treatment of smoothed wood floors. WB OIL is water and walking resistant. Apply directly two hands of product without any primer. WB OIL give a brightening effect to the wood fibers, making your floor more pleasant over the time. It’s for internal use only. These essences are available: neutral, white, grey, teak, cognac, wenghè.

technology) which makes it possible to impregnate a parquet or wooden floor very quickly without any primer. It dries in barely two hours! This oil bears the European Eco label.

Bona Bona all-new oil system is a completely integrated system that brings both finishing, care and maintenance solutions. The system innovates with an optional 2-dimensional effect using Bona Nordic Tone or Rich Tone, two optional products to be applied on the floor after sanding. They create stunning 2D effect with shades on the floor, while maintaining the wood’s natural appearance. Bona Craft oil in a large variety of colors can be applied afterwards. For places with an expected heavier wear, Bona offers the optional Bona Hard Wax Oil. The oil system sets new standards for sustainability with an exceptionally low VOC level across the floor’s lifetime, without any compromise on the performances. Bona claims it lowered the VOC levels of the Bona Craft Oil and the maintenance solutions under a remarkable 8%.

Ciranova has an extensive range of oils and hard wax oils. We will consider the latter in another edition. As far as the oils are concerned, they have the Basic Oil, Ecofix, Ecofix Wood Look, and a new oil Roller Oil. The Basic Oil is a primer oil based on urea-alkyd and is highly durable. This oil is particularly suitable as a primer on parquet or a floor which is to be treated later with parquet wax. Basic Oil can be applied with a roller or brush. Then you clean the surface with a cloth. Ecofix is a waterborne ecological impregnation oil for parquet and wooden furniture. The wood retains its original untreated look. Ecofix is applied with a roller or brush, preferably a varnish roller or mohair. Ecofix Wood Look is also a waterborne ecological impregnation oil for parquet and wooden furniture. Ecofix Wood Look ensures that the wood turns a little pale so that it retains its original appearance longer.

Finally, the new Roller Oil is a parquet oil based on vegetable and natural oils and waxes and is highly durable. Thanks to the oil’s special composition, the wood is protected both on the inside and out. Roller Oil does not leave a layer of film, but forms an extra protective and breathable surface. The oil is ready for use and does not have to be diluted, but only well shaken before use. For maintenance Ciranova offers the Maintenance Oil, a universal and fast-drying maintenance oil which can be used on all sorts of oiled floors, both on UV and oxidative dried floors.

Ciranova

Chimiver

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Blanchon

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The Blanchon range includes three oils based on the traditional formulations (with vastly improved oxidative drying) and one waterborne oil, which also has certified ecological properties. Parquet Oil from Blanchon is an extremely hard oil due to the fact that it’s urethane-modified.

This oil is ideal for very high traffic rooms such as shopping galleries, theatre stages, shops, multifunctional rooms, and all public areas. This oil is hydrofuge and dustproof. The oil’s ease of application is appreciated as much as the exceptional matt look. As regards maintenance, Blanchon Parquet Oil scores very well. As well as that oil, Blanchon also presents a number of products or systems which contain oil, such as Wax Oil or Solid Oil. Parquet Oil Environment is a waterborne oil (it deploys emulsion

Lios Bioil Natural is a completely natural oil treatment for indoor wooden floors based on a mix of natural oils. Lios Bioil Natural has been developed for those who love the natural character of genuine wood and the warmth of any oil treatment.

The range of Lios Bioil Natural treatments includes 15 different standard colours and maintenance products.

Lios Soft Balm or Lios Kronos for cleaning and maintaining your oiled wooden floor. The consumption is very low. In fact, with 1 litre of Lios Bioil you can stain between 45 and 60 square metres. The treatment obtained by application of Lios Bioil can be protected with natural Lios Balm Fissativo, urethane based lacquer Oil Wood Traffik, Hard Wax Bioil 90 or new Lios Hard Wax Bioil 3D.

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Lecol The Lobasol® Markant/Markant Colour is an impregnation oil based on natural oils and waxes. The treatment leaves the floor scratch-resistant, waterproof, and dirtproof. This highlights the natural colour and structure of the wood.

Lobacare Wax Cleaner makes maintenance and cleaning a lot easier.

This oil can be used for wooden floors and cork. It yields the perfect colour, even in just one coat. The coloured version is a ready-to-use product which is available in six modern colours and a transparent version.

Osmo Polyx®-Oil Original Perfectly trimmed for wooden floors – an easy to clean and aesthetic surface!

• Clear, matt (3062) or satin-matt (3032), for interior use • Especially recommended for solid and plankwood flooring, blockstrip, OSB and cork floors • Polyx®-Oil - the original Hardwax-Oil retains the natural character of wood whilst increasing the durability, it is water and dirt resistant and extremely hardwearing • Number of coats: 2 coats on raw wood. For renovation, 1 coat applied to a clean and dry surface - no sanding necessary!

Special Parquet oil

Floorservice /Overmat Floorservice offers oils for parquet and wooden floors for both manual and industrial application. For manual use the Floorservice Hard Wax Oil Classic and Floorservice Colour Hard Wax Oil Classic are absolutely ideal. This two-coat system has now built up an outstanding reputation for high durability, water repellence, and anti-slip properties. As a one-coat system, specially for professional floor fitters, Floorservice offers the solvent-free Hard Wax Oil Pro and Colour Pro. Naturally, this product also has the same properties as regards durability, water repellence, and anti-slip. The oils are available in 27 trend colours.

For manual application you should apply the Hard Wax Oil with a spatula, brush, roller, or mop. It is not necessary to polish it in with a machine to obtain the required effect. If you use a Colour oil, however, it is necessary to polish it in with a single disc machine. The Floorservice Colour Hard Wax Oil can also be applied manually with a spatula, brush, roller, or mop, and then it has to be polished in using a single disc machine such as the Wood Boy.

UVP color +

Decking oil 2c

VOC-free color primer and oil Natural colouring by nanopigments Additional UV absorber against yellowing Excellent protection & durability in only 1 coat.

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More information and an application video of UVP Color and UVP Decking Oil 2C, can be found on our new website: www.ciranova.eu Industrieweg 29 - 8800 Roeselare - T +32 (0)51 30 11 40 -ciranova@ciranova.be

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• Available in 0.375, 0.75, 2.50, 10 and 25 litre drums • 1 liter covers approx. 24 m² with 1 coat Polyx®-Oil Tints All the renowned properties of Polyx®-Oil - tinted for individual creativity • Transparent, satin-matt, for interior use • Especially recommended for wood and cork flooring as well as furniture and edge glued panels • Polyx®-Oil Tints are water-repellent, dirt-resistant and durable.

The surface is pleasant to the touch, has an even and harmonic optic and is based on natural, renewable raw vegetable materials • Number of coats: For a transparent optic, apply thinly along the wood grain and brush out thoroughly. A maximum of two coats can be applied to raw surfaces, only 1 coat for wooden flooring. After drying apply a final coat of one of the Osmo clear Polyx®-Oils • Polyx®-Oil Tints is available in 0.75, 2.50, 10 and 25 litre drums • 1 liter covers approx. 24 m² with 1 coat

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Plastor Plastor has in its range various oils, depending on the application. There is Huile Pur-T3 oil for busy residential buildings or public buildings, whilst for extremely high traffic areas there is Huile Pur-T4 oil. Huile Pur-T3 oil reacts with water. The oil binds with the wood and protects it. This oil is based on natural tung oil. It is suitable for all sorts of indoor wood: new wood, old wooden floors, with anti-oxidants or ship deck joints. Obviously, the wood can still breathe. The Huile Pur-T4 is a 2-component oil. The hardener improves the oil’s resistance even more and means that you don’t have to maintain the floor quite so often. This oil, too, is based on tung oil. Plastor oils offer an unrivalled resistance to water. This oil penetrates into the wood without forming a film and without the wood forming bubbles.

Rubio Monocoat

Pallmann Magic Oil 2K is a natural, solvent-free oil-wax combination, which ensures a porous and breathable surface and gives the wood a natural aspect. The wax factor makes the surface smooth matt and like velvet. The hardener gives Magic Oil 2K a rapid and unique drying process. This rapid drying makes it possible to renovate very high traffic rooms (e.g. restaurants, hotels, shops, and offices) in a short space of time, without limiting the mechanical and chemical resistance after drying for one night. The improved

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contrary, maintaining a Magic Oil 2K surface is comparable to maintaining a varnished parquet floor.

cross-linking protects the surface even better from water and dirt, something which is not achieved with a single component parquet oil. The scant absorption of dirt is comparable to that of a varnished floor. Moreover, the well known tiresome maintenance of parquet oil does not apply to Magic Oil 2K. On the

Rubio Monocoat offers a range of oils with an answer to Every required application. For finishes on site and especially in the project market, Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C is the recommended product for professionals, who wish to provide a durable, economic, and ecological finish. This product can also be used industrially. Here, they have noticed a clear trend towards alternative and individual finishing methods with which projects can be fully personalised. This need is met by the 14 contemporary Rubio Monocoat Pre-colour Easy tints, which are catalogued under the Creative Zone. This pre-treatment is always finished with a colour from the Rubio Monocoat Oil range, which offers a choice from a colour pallet of over 40 tints. This combination makes it possible to experiment infinitely with colours and effects and you obtain an end result which meets the client’s individual requirements completely.

Irsa The best selling product at Irsa is the classic and colourless Irsa Natural Hard Oil. However, colour is still very much the trend par excellence and this can be seen from the oils which Irsa offers. Irsa Design Colour Oil is a colour oil for wooden floors and parquet, cork, and other absorbent indoor floors. This oil is

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Stauf STAUF Oil in One: Naturally drying oil for wood floors in residential and commercial areas, oil is based on Vegetables.

Multi-functional oil witch opened a pore surface and enhances the natural wood color, it can be sealed. The oil must be stirred well before use. Quickly and evenly apply the oil using a stainless steel trowel avoiding puddles.

Woca The star oil product from Woca is the Woca Diamond Oil Natural, White, and Colour. The oil penetrates into the wood and forms a hard surface to make the floor highly waterproof. The oil is easy to apply using a roller or spray gun.

This oil is an ecological product, based on natural raw materials. The solvent content is below 5% and the product does not contain any VOC. Woca Diamond Oil dries extremely quickly, has a low viscosity, and penetrates well. This oil is compatible with all Woca maintenance products. It is best to apply the oil with a buffing machine.

After the oil treatment, you apply maintenance oil or paste either manually or also with the buffing machine. The Natural Soap or Oil refresher is recommended for cleaning.

Easy and effective. Naturally

®

EXTERIOR CLEANER

For the deep cleaning of all outdoor wood – deckings, furniture, fences etc.

Our new concept is based on the very innovative WOCA Silicium Brush that fits any regular 16” floor polishing machine on the market. This equipment, combined with the unique WOCA Exterior Cleaner is the key.

After

The WOCA Silicium Brush is very flexible. Where you have old decking, over time the boards are no longer 100% level, the brush compensates and still works at various levels. Alternatively, if you have profiled decking the special hair allows the brush to work into the grooved channels too.

Before and after – wet

• Removes moss and algae cover, protects against resettlement • For wood decking’s, concrete and tiles

NEW

After

Before

Before

Before and after – dry

WoodCare Denmark A/S · Tværvej 6 · DK-6640 · Tel.: +45 99 58 56 00 · info@ttwoodcare.com · www.wocadenmark.com

Special Parquet oil

produced on a base of natural raw materials such as vegetable oils and resins. Irsa Design Colour Oil is supplied in ready for use in liquid form. The colour oil is available in various colours. This oil regulates the moisture, repels dirt, has good penetration, is UVresistant, and is odourless. It gives the floor a certain gloss. You can use a primer in advance such as the Irsa Basic Colour to make the colour even more intense. In addition to the Design Colour Oil and the Irsa Natural Hard Oil, Irsa also has the HP Oil High Protection, which provides protection for wood, bamboo, cork, and cotto. Using this HP Oil High Protection makes the colour of the wood slightly more intense.

Special Parquet, Laminate, Vinyl, LVT and PVC in hotels

Parquet, Laminate, Vinyl, Lvt and Pvc in hotels: WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? PARQUET SECTOR NEEDS TO PROMOTE ITS BENEFITS Everyone agrees that you can’t make a first impression twice. The first impression counts.

And if there is one floor which is capable of making an overwhelming first impression and dominating the look of an interior, it is certainly parquet. Even the most expensive natural stone or a sublime Italian tile floor do not give you the overwhelming feeling which a wenge, panga-panga, or merbau immediately evoke. Laminate has inherited that power from wooden floors through its ability to imitate immaculately. In this article we consider the benefits of parquet and laminate for catering establishments. It’s up to floor fitters to sell them! Various plus points also apply to vinyl floors, which are also making great strides on the market.

The importance of the interior How important is the interior of a hotel? As with the design of all buildings, a whole series of questions precedes the drawing up of the plans. In the case of a hotel this list of questions is certainly a good deal longer. What style does the hotelier want? How many stars is he or she aiming for? What will be the price class of a stay? Who is the main target group (tourists, business travellers, or both)? Depending on the answers, the architect has to strike a balance between functionality and (decorative) appearance. The choice of floor plays a vitally important part here. Obviously, the look of an interior is the sum of different elements, but the sort of floor does have a huge impact on the above-mentioned ‘first impression’. It is the first element which we look at. In the interaction between functionality, technical aspects, and decorative appeal, wooden (and wood-related) floors in oak score very highly at all events.

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Decorative aspects Many people tend to regard parquet as ‘stylish’ and ‘rather expensive’. The wood sort is certainly not the decisive factor here, but it does have a certain influence on the perception and degree of ‘stylishness’.

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Oak and exotic Most people can recognise oak and they regard it as a luxurious type of wood. Apart from that, the darker the floor, the greater its appreciation. This is a result of the fact that people tend to regard the darkest sorts of floor as ‘exotic’ and therefore more expensive. This assessment is not always correct, since dark oak is perfectly comparable to some tropical sorts.

A natural product It is also the fact that wood is a natural product which immediately commands respect. People soon feel ‘at home’ whenever they step on a wooden floor. That is partly due to the natural warmth

which a wooden floor radiates: wood invites us to walk barefoot because it is cosy and comfortable. It is the combination of this natural and inviting warmth with the expensive look which causes hotel guests to stand back and admire.

Technical and functional aspects Beauty and cosiness are important, but it goes without saying that both hotel guests and hotel managers expect other things from a floor. For example, they expect a hotel floor to be clean (see below), that it does not spread allergies, and that it does not interfere with computer and telephone appliances. A number of other qualities of parquet and laminate are of a technical or functional nature.

Acoustics Obviously, the acoustics in the different rooms of a hotel are extremely important. In the rooms themselves there is a big need for sound insulation towards adjoining rooms and in the room itself. A fully glued floor scores the highest marks in this area.

Since the floor structure forms one whole (concrete + screed + subfloor + floor), it provides the best sound insulation towards adjacent (downstairs) rooms and sound insulation in the room itself. This absorption of the sound also applies in shared rooms to ensure that the sound of steps (e.g. in corridors) or sliding of chairs (bar + stools) does not inconvenience other hotel guests.

Laminate can provide similar acoustic comfort if the subfloor provides good insulation.

Durability It goes without saying that a floor in a public building such as a hotel or restaurant has to be able to take some knocks. That is the reason why for a long time people chose not to fit wooden and wood-related floors in such buildings. Nowadays, parquet and laminate have proved their durability and scratch-resistance beyond any doubt. For the corridors, the hall, the bar, or the

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Maintenance Obviously, a hotel has to look clean and tidy all the time. When the building is designed, architects and others take account of the maintenance which the materials require. Maintenance-friendly materials means that these materials can be cleaned ‘quickly and easily’. The time which maintenance staff spend in the rooms has to be short. Both parquet and laminate can meet this requirement. They can be vacuum cleaned or dusted or mopped with a slightly damp mop.

Renovation A typical feature of commercial buildings is that owners like to modernise the interior from time to time. This is not necessarily the result of wear and tear, but can equally be because of the look. Hotel owners like to give their clients a new look from time to time. The advantage of floating floors is that they can be removed and replaced in no time at all without too much inconvenience. Strictly speaking, this can be done zone by zone or floor by floor without the hotel having to close completely. The same applies to the sandpapering and finishing of solid wood parquet.

The suction quality of sanders nowadays means that this can also be done without much inconvenience. Fully glued, solid wood floors are not exactly the cheapest solution as regards the fitting, but the renovation cost is quite acceptable.

Ecological solution Is this important or not? Of course it is! About 10 years ago, the vast majority of people would have reacted with a questioning look to the term ‘ecological’. Terms such as ‘sustainable construction’ or ‘sustainable forest management’, certified wood, FSC, and such like were new and largely unknown. Over the past decade, the wheel has turned full swing. Nowadays, the general public are increasingly aware of the need to use materials which cause as little harm to the environment as possible. Awareness of the ecological footprint is no longer the preserve of the ‘militants of the green barricades’, but is now accepted general knowledge.

The use of sustainable materials is often a requirement for applications in public buildings. In government buildings the request for FSC wood (or wood with a different certificate) has been common practice for some time. Nowadays, private clients are also adopting this requirement.

An attractive chore?

How attractive is the assignment of fitting parquet or laminate in a hotel? Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages which may vary depending on whether we are talking about a new construction or renovation.

Job security The attractive aspect of working at a newly built hotel is that it always more or less involves great volumes of work on one and the same completely open site. This makes it fairly easy to divide up and plan the deployment of the employees. Major projects always offer job security for a certain period of time. With renovation it sometimes happens that the hotel stays (at least partially) open during the work. In such cases you rarely have a completely open site. The work is usually done in phases, often at

inconvenient hours and under even greater time pressure. If the building is emptied as a result of a complete renovation, then the latter does not apply, of course.

A good reference Since major assignments are often awarded to bigger firms of architects, contractors, or project developers, such projects can often lead to more assignments in the future. In other words, those who do a good job are invited again in the future. Moreover, a lot of people visit hotels. This is undoubtedly a form of free advertising for the floor fitter.

Financial aspects There is also a financial side to all this. Since huge volumes are involved, a hotel assignment will often yield a good turnover. A possible disadvantage with such assignments, especially the first time, is that they are often put out to tender so that the price is usually very sharp. Moreover, the floor fitter has to pre-finance the materials up to the completion.

Comments from the sector It will be clear from the above that parquet, laminate, and several other types of floors such as vinyl or PVC floors, which are in the floor fitter’s range, are perfectly suitable for use in a hotel. How important is this market? How profitable is it for floor fitters.

Below we give some concise reactions from within the industry.

Amorim In recent years, Amorim has seen a considerable rise in sales within Europe of the Wicanders Vinyl finished floors within the hotel and restaurant sectors. They comment, “It is abundantly clear that the vinyl product category (LVT – luxury vinyl tiles and LVP – luxury vinyl planks) are taking more and more of the market share of laminate floors.” This product category has grown strongly in recent years in the fields of design possibilities, surface/relief technology, including In Register Embossing, and a range of new formats in tiles-strips and planks. The Vinyl Click version, which has been on the market for about four years now, has certainly delivered the final blow in this success. Wicanders Vinyl LVT floors (both glued and click design) are available in four usage classes. According to EN-685, these are the classes 23, 32, 33, and 42. The latter class (i.e. 42) is suitable for application in industrial use. Attractive projects with these floors include the Titanic hotel in Berlin and the Hyundai hotel in South Korea.

Balterio According to Franky Terrijn from Balterio, it is difficult to say if it is a big market and certainly whether or not it is a growing market. He says, “There are no figures or studies at hand such as those of Nielsen.” As a laminate producer, Balterio is concentrating more and more on private clients. One problem for Franky Terrijn is the price comparison between laminate and wall-to-wall carpet in which the latter often wins the day for its acoustic comfort. For hotel applications Franky Terrijn recommends class 33, although class 32 is usually sufficient.

BJ Parket At BJ Parket they have seen an increase in the use of wooden floors in projects such as hotels, restaurants, and such like.

Floor fitters who want to offer an attractive range of multi-layer parquet will certainly find something to their taste at BJ Parket.

Amongst other things, BJ Parket is agent for the splendid Solid

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Special Parquet, Laminate, Vinyl, LVT and PVC in hotels

restaurant you can choose laminate in class 33. Laminate in a slightly lower class would even be possible in bedrooms. In such cases a suitable finish is applied to give wooden floors (parquet or veneer floors) their durability.

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Floor collections and also sells the more affordable Calista range from Solid Floor. Furthermore, BJ Parket also offers the range of Europlac-Cabannes, an attractive French product which is sold in a pleasant manner thanks to its à la carte selection system.

For more sober or minimalist interiors BL Parket recommends its own Best Selection range, available with AB wood selections.

Finally, the company also has a semi-solid range in French oak premier bis and rustic choices up to 225mm in width.

Design Parquet Design Parquet has witnessed a clear increase in sales of parquet and laminate. The reason for this is the fact that parquet is ecological, pleasant, and very popular at the same time. For a long lifespan with these applications the finish is obviously important.

This is why Design Parquet recommends the Varnish Roc finish, an extremely strong finish for use in high traffic rooms. The wood has to be FSC or PEFC approved for projects, and this inevitably affects the end price.

Xx Xx

Europlac At Europlac they have seen an increase in the use of parquet in hotels, especially in the top segment. Someone from the company told us, “That’s the result of hoteliers’ efforts to stand out through the decoration of the rooms, which often has to be personalised. The fact that wood creates a homely atmosphere is a strong argument.” According to Europlac, the floor itself often lays the foundation for deciding on the rest of the interior. As regards quality, specially for use in places such as hotels, Europlac has developed a solid wood parquet in 14mm in class 34. Are these projects profitable for floor fitters? “Often, the price is so sharp that only big fitting companies can land those contracts.”

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Lalegno At Lalegno they have noticed a significant increase in the use of Lalegno multi-layer parquet for high class projects, top class hotels, and restaurants. One of the reasons is that a parquet floor is a high class product, which makes it easy to design an interior in a stylish manner and create a look and feel of luxury and generosity. Moreover, it goes without saying that both clients and project managers are looking for strategic solutions which are also sustainable and ecological. Wood (as a natural product) in general and multi-layer parquet in particular (because it treats the wood ecologically) are in this respect obviously ideal for such applications. As a final major parameter it is often the price which proves decisive for top class projects. There, too, multi-layer parquet is sitting very comfortably. Hoteliers often choose 21mm floors because the top layer (6mm thick) of these floors is the most resistant to the busy life of a hotel, but increasingly we are also seeing that 15mm floors (with a top layer of 4mm), especially those with trendy colours, are the preferred choice of some hoteliers. As a finish they often choose a very matt UV varnish.

Lamett Lamett has definitely noticed an increase in the use of hard floor coverings in the project sector. Carpet is increasingly being replaced by more low maintenance products such as laminate and vinyl. One of the reasons for this is the growing range in parquet, laminate, and LVT. The decors are becoming more and more unique and the design is of an outstanding quality. With some laminate floors it is even true to say that you can’t distinguish them from a genuine oiled parquet floor. We see a good example of this in the Blue Woods Hotel in Deerlijk. The public areas have been furnished with the vintage laminate Classica. The Classica collection is a 12mm laminate which is the perfect alternative to a real wooden floor. Classica has large cracks, gnarls, and a

sawn effect and cannot be distinguished from a real oiled parquet floor. The 12mm thickness means that the floor is easy to fit and this thickness provides maximum reduction in the sound of footsteps. Moreover, the surface is very durable.

Moduleo At Moduleo they have certainly seen an increase in the use of LVT in hotels and project use in general. One of the reasons is that, especially in hotels, people periodically want to replace the old carpets, which are dirty and unhygienic. LVT provides an affordable and low maintenance solution. The ease of use of LVT is a major advantage because the floors can be cleaned with water and can be fitted in damp rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens. Moduleo design floors also have high dimensional stability, a big advantage as compared to other floor options. These advantages play not only a big part in hotel use but also generally for project applications. Furthermore, the fact that LVT is perfect in combination with floor heating and is therefore being used more and more as an ecological solution makes Moduleo a popular choice for projects. The scratch-resistance and durability are also excellent: Moduleo Transform collection, which is used for projects, belongs in class 33/42.

Parador At Parador they attribute the clear increase of parquet, laminate, and synthetic floors to the fact that hotel guests do not like wallto-wall carpet for reasons of hygiene. Parador started with vinyl in 2012 and after just one year has seen a growing demand due to the properties of the product (acoustic and waterproof). For the cult hotel nhow in Berlin, Parador has developed three laminate floors with designer Karim Rashid, in each case in the colour

Antique smoked & ivory oiled

of the hotel section: pink in the east tower, blue in the west tower, and a discreet grey for the upper tower. The Parador laminate Identity is perfectly suitable for the completion of such extraordinary projects since the digital printing process Art Print makes it possible to produce unique items in outstanding quality print and fascinating colours. Moreover, Parador also supplied the accompanying substructure ‘Akustik-Protect 100’, which guarantees good acoustics in the room, something which is not unimportant for a ‘musical hotel’.

Windmöller The best product solutions from Windmöller are laminate flooring, DESIGNline planks for gluing and our DESIGNline CONNECT flooring with its adhesive-free click-in connection. The DESIGNline CONNECT, developed and patented by Windmöller, is perfectly suitable for use in hotels. The CONNECT system even makes it possible to carry out renovations at night without interrupting operations. The DESIGNline CONNECT collections offer a choice of 52 decors. The laminate floors are FSC and PEFC certified and bear the Blue Angel label.

Hotel floors have to be hygienic, quiet, and decoratively perfect.

An important innovation is PURLINE eco flooring, which is free of hazardous substances and is made predominantly out of renewable raw materials. PURLINE eco with class 43 is extremely durable and very easy in terms of its cleaning and maintenance characteristics.

Multiplank Knotting Hill & Antique Natural rough appearance with knots and cracks (KH) Untreated natural shrunken knots (KH) Visible stripes from the band saw (KH) Hand-carved surfaces and chamfers (A) Particular rustic appearance with knots and cracks (A)

Antique burned & brushed

Ask for the wide range of Heywood Vloeren, wholesaler / manufacturer of all kinds of wooden floors.

Knotting Hill characteristic knot

Scheldestraat 30 | NL 5347 JD Oss | +31(0)412 - 65 74 28 | www.heywoodvloeren.com

Heywood Vloeren

Special Parquet, Laminate, Vinyl, LVT and PVC in hotels

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Company visit Kunzle & Tasin (I)

Künzle & Tasin: reliable and innovative parquet sanding machines Since 1946, Künzle & Tasin (K&T) is a reference in sanding machines for wooden floors, building up a strong reputation in Italy all over the world. In 2010, the company became part of the Biffignandi Group, which includes the mother-company sia Biffignandi s.p.a., the exclusive Italian importer of the Swiss-made flexible abrasives by sia Abrasives GmbH (a company of the Bosch Group). Together with the mother-company, K&T is committed to finding new, efficient and innovative solutions for the flooring business. conveyed items. All models, maintenance free, ‘self-cleaning’ and also suitable in wash-down areas are ideal for furniture, domestic applications and many industrial applications and processes.

Range of machines Any professional and DIY users will surely find a sanding machine matching with their desiderata.

Here below, what K&T can offer to customers:

‘Made in Italy’ for the world The entire range of K&T products, suitable for professionals and DIY users, is fully manufactured in Cinisello Balsamo (near Milan) in a plant of 4000 m² and is the result of the expertise that Künzle & Tasin has gained in almost 70 years. Nowadays, the brand is distributed in over 60 countries worldwide and very appreciated for the very efficient and comfortable products.

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Innovation A close cooperation between the company and its customers helps K&T in increasing the know-how. More than ever, Künzle & Tasin is focusing its activities on a renewed and active R&D Department for innovative and efficient solutions.

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Omnicaster In late 2012, together with the British partner-company Omnitrack (leader on the market for omni-directional moving solutions), Künzle & Tasin has set up a new company called OMINICASTER LTD for production and international distribution of a new line of castors OMNICASTER (previously known as Spherical Wheel).

These patented castors are a real dynamic innovation in the world of wheels and have been already adopted on some models of K&T range (such as on the Gemini 100 steering sander or, by an upgrading kit, on Vega and Pegasus). Full information at www. kunzletasin.com. These ball castors, with near-instant directional change, allows conveying reducing ‘trails’ and gliding effortlessly on fragile, uneven or soft materials without damaging floors or

- Classic drum sanders: Orion and Sirio Customers used to a traditional sanding way can choose between the two classic drum sanders Orion and Sirio. The first has a 250mm drum whereas the second works with a 200mm drum.

Both machines have a weight of 85 kg, are available with a 4hp motor (single- or three-phase), 2 working speeds (1850rpm for grinding and 2050 for fine sanding) and can increase the drum pressure up to almost the half of the machine weight.

- powerful and precise Belt sanders: Taurus and Aries Taurus, well known worldwide, stands out for its precision in sanding. This belt sander, top of the range from K&T, weighs 85kg and is available in four versions (3,5hp / 4hp -single phase/ 4hp –three phase- and 5hp). It works at 1850 and 2050rpm for the best job and has an efficient system for increasing the drum pressure up to almost the half of its weight. Equipped with metal and tynex brushes, it can be also used for distressing processes on existing wooden floors either indoor or on ship decks.

Aries, a compact belt sander (it weighs only 60kg), is equipped with a powerful 2.2KW motor and works at 2400rpm. Aries also allows to set the sanding pressure up to almost the half of its weight. Both machines can be dismantled easily and fast, be transported by one single person without trouble and have a patented self-positioning tensioning system for the sanding belt.

Dust collection on both machines can be made by using a fabric dust bag, disposable paper dust bags or by connecting the machine to an industrial remote vacuum unit.

- DIY sanders: Scorpion and Qx45 Scorpion (1500W / 45kg) is the most popular wooden floor sander in the Hire market worldwide thanks to the smart solutions adopted: - in addition to the standard classic, easy-fit and straight-cut expansion drums, this model has an effective and exclusive

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Qx45 (1300W / 43 Kg), launched in 2001, has been the first sander on the market with a vacuum unit for a NO-DUST sanding.

The 1200W vacuum unit can also be removed from the machine frame and used for separate, connected to the edger or the steering sander so to make your sanding job very easily DUSTFREE. Both machines are perfect for DIY projects and small indoor floor renovation projects.

www.kunzletasin.com - info@kunzletasin.com

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- Edgers and steering sanders (for difficult edges and corners, near walls, stairs or under radiators) Pegasus and Vega edgers have a 1250W motor with 309mm (Pegasus) and 65mm (Vega) sanding arms. Both models are available in two versions, with standard or Omnicaster castors.

Pegasus is the right choice for working under radiators, while Vega (that has recently become very popular in the Hire market) is more suitable for working in very narrow spaces.

Nova is a very versatile edger (1150W-3300rpm-7.9/8.4kg), available with two “plug-and-play” sanding arms (Nova 2 at 130mm and Nova 2L at 330mm), can be used with velcro-fitting or standard sanding discs and be connected to a remote vacuum unit or with fabric dust bags. From March 2013, it is also available with a LED lightening system (to be asked for separate).

The Gemini 100 steering sander (1150W-4200rpm-11kg) is the latest offspring in the R&D of Künzle & Tasin. The two counterrotating discs and the single Omnicaster castor are the real innovation: professionals will particularly appreciate the easy and comfortable steering (with no need of adding pressure during the job), the unequivocal efficiency and the reliable power of this machine. The contra-rotating discs combined with a high operating speed give extra stability whilst sanding. Compact dimensions and LED working area lightning offer an exceptionally pleasant and agile working experience.

- Single disc machines for finishing: RT58, New Golia and New Golia PLUS, The single disc machines offered by Künzle & Tasin can satisfy any possible requirements coming from customers. All the three models are available at 1500W-150rpm, 1850W-150rpm or 1500W-250rpm and, thanks to a huge range of accessories, are suitable for every treatment on various floors (wood, natural stones, concrete, ceramics, PVC, resin, etc). RT58, produced since 2001, is the ultimate in the RT single disc machines family.

Professionals can count on an extremely reliable and powerful machine, capable of high performances that grant excellent results on the floor. The key technical solutions adopted (the single frame aluminium handle, the die-cast aluminium basement and the metal motor gear dipped in oil) make this machine one of the strongest on the market. The New Golia single disc machine, launched in 2007 in order to bring back the myth of the Golia family (the model that made the history in K&T), despite the “traditional” looking, still grants excellent results on every kind of floors. The last born New Golia PLUS single disc machine, produced since beginning of 2012, is the perfect merging between the two models mentioned before. The pluses of this version can be noted at a glance: a traditional and reliable design, combined with a more sturdy aluminium single frame handle (which makes it an “off-road” machine) together with an additional handle on the base that can help whilst carrying the machine.

Company visit Kunzle & Tasin (I)

so-called “smile-cut” Expansion drum.

- this machine is probably the safest sander you can find on the market thanks to its dead-man handle and to additional fool-proof devices.

- the possibility of using disposable paper dust bags as an alternative to fabric dust bags supplied with the machines.

- can be equipped with metal and tynex brushes, for distressing processes on existing wooden floors either indoor or on ship decks.

visit the new www.floor-forum.com

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Floor Forum International 60

Industry News

> Industry news

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Egger NEW PREFABRICATED COMPONENT LINE FOR BÜNDE EGGER invests in production line with laser edging technology.

The Tyrolean family company has invested in a state-of-the-art prefabricated component line at its plant in Bünde (Westphalia/ DE) to replace an existing line.

Production of pre-fabricated furniture components commenced in February 2013. The company has invested in double-sided edge processing using laser technology to produce a jointless edging look. The new line also supports the classic EVA or polyurethane bonded edging. “With the modernisation of our plant, we are expanding our range of products and services,” explains Ulrich Bühler, Managing Director Marketing and Sales EGGER Group. “This gives our customers the opportunity to explore the new laser edging technology without having to make investments themselves.” The line is capable of processing components with a length of 280 to 2,800 mm (11.02” to 110.24”) and a width of 236 to 1,300 mm (9.29” to 51.18”). Thick edging up to 3.0 mm (0.12”) is supported. The minimum order quantity is twelve full boards per decor and 100 pieces per format. The line equipped with a diode laser on four sides also includes a state-of-the-art edging post-processing unit.

This ensures the precise, stable and reliable processing of edging.

EGGER has been producing components for the furniture industry at the Bünde plant since 1994, and is one of the leading suppliers of pre-fabricated furniture components in Europe.

“Hidden Champion“: A new award for Küberit As one of the 105 most successful companies in South Westfalia, Küberit has been awarded to be a “Global Player” in its specific field of activity.

The most successful companies in the region have been chosen by the three Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Only companies that hold a leadership position in sales or are a technology leader in their field were added to the list of “world market leader and best performance of the industry in South Westphalia”. The timing couldn’t have been better for Küberit to awarded since the company is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Founded in 1863, Küberit is now the market leader in the production and development of high-end profile systems for hard floors as well as for profiles made of aluminium, brass and stainless steel for textile flooring. The company distributes its products worldwide. They can be found in luxury cruise ships of the AIDA line, as well as in the worlds’ tallest building at 828 meters high, Burj Khalifa. Frank Sondermann, Managing Director of Küberit Profile Systems GmbH & Co. KG, and Dr. h.c. Hans-Peter Rapp-Frick (right) presenting the brochure “Hidden Champions” at the company’s headquarters

in Lüdenscheid. Küberit distribute their innovative products worldwide. They can be found in the iconic Burj Khalifa, the worlds’ largest building at 828 meters high.

MMFA with seven new members The MMFA – Multilayer Modular Flooring Association, which had been founded at the end of 2012, is taking up its operational work full of vim and vigor. Seven new members were welcomed during a meeting in Munich in late February. As at Domotex 2013 the MMFA counted eight ordinary members: Akzenta, Hamberger, Kronoflooring, Li&Co, Meisterwerke, Parador, Skema and Windmöller. Now the number has risen to 15: Amorim Revestimentos joined the MMFA as an ordinary member, as extraordinary members approved were Homag, Interprint, Schattdecor, Selit, Sekisui Alveo and Surteco. MMFA is eager to bring all relevant European players on board as soon as possible, and thus establish a strong network within the sector and actively shape the successful development of the products. One sphere of action of the MMFA will be the implementation of regular sales statistics in several categories. In Munich the members agreed upon a collection in this regard.

Proline Success in North Africa and Near East The German producer Proline Systems reports strong increasing sales in North Africa and Near East for the first quarter of the year 2013. “In these countries quality and innovation is what counts. With our products we can provide both”, explains Mohamed Belbaz, the responsible Sales Manager for these countries. Recently Proline convinced for three new Business Towers in Riad to be fitted with stainless steel profiles – the first deliveries are on their way.

Rubio Monocoat - Sint-Lodewijk High School opts for Rubio Monocoat flame-retardant system to finish 13,000 square feet of oak Every day and several times a day, a whopping 1,400 students change classrooms in this prestigious new building.

Although a parquet floor was not an obvious choice in this kind of development project, all parties were convinced that the quality of both the parquet floor and the finishing product would be able to withstand this heavy usage.

After stringent comparative tests, the Rubio Monocoat fire-retardant system was opted for as finish for the reception hall, the multifunctional meeting room, the director’s offices, and the library, because it meets all requirements: - The natural look and feel comes very close to the envisioned look - The proven ecological factor ensures a sustainable building management, and contributes to the general wellbeing of its users Its low consumption, easy one-layer application, and legally required flammability certificates were additional decisive points.

The extensive color palette was also a plus. The color of choice for floors, staircases, and doors was ‘Mist’. The wall of the open study center has been finished in ‘Chocolate’.

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Pedestals from SOLIDOR will make difference Les Plots réglables de Solidor ferontthe la différence

pour ajusterthe la hauteur deyour votre terrasse ! to adjust height of terrace!

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TEL.: +32 (0)56 41 35 70 - FAX : +32 (0)56 40 37 68 www.SOLIDOR.BE

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POP COLOURS! www.rubiomonocoat.com

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Solidor Rubber & Products bvba LAUwBERgSTRAAT 124b B-8930 LAUWE - BELgiQUE

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MALAYSIA MANAGES ITS FORESTS SUSTAINABLY

Floor Forum International 60

Special Malaysia

MASSES OF NATURAL RESOURCES

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In recent years, the economy of Malaysia has been one of the tiger economies and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Low unemployment (3.1% in 2011) and a well trained workforce are major factors here. Moreover, the country has excellent infrastructure at its disposal and makes every effort to ensure that the country is attractive to foreign investors. Policymakers are aiming to make the country a fully industrialised nation with a dynamic economy by 2020. Obviously, the country’s wealth of natural resources has a big contribution to make here, not least the vast supply of wood.

Talking of variety The Federation of Malaysia is a country in the south-east of Malaysia. It consists of two separate parts which are separated by the South Chinese Sea: West Malaysia or Malakka, which borders Thailand in the north and Singapore to the south, and East Malaysia, the most northern part of the island of Borneo, which borders Indonesia in the south and surrounds Brunei in the north.

The western part consists of about 40% of the country’s surface area, but no less than 85% of the country’s population lives there. Malaysia lies between one and seven degrees latitude and has a surface area of about 330,433 square kilometres.

Varied landscape In the Eastern Malaysian states of Sabah and Serawak we encounter longer rivers and higher Mountains than on the peninsula. The River Rejang in Serawak and the River Kinabatangan in Sabah are both 563 kilometres long. The inland of Eastern Malaysia is extremely mountainous and the highest peak is found in the Crocker Massief in Sabah. This is the Kinabalu, at 4101 metres the highest mountain in Malaysia and the highest peak between New Guinea and the Himalayas. The vast majority of the coastal plains and the rolling hills along the west coast are covered with rubber trees and oil palms from big plantations. Today, Malaysia is the biggest rubber producer in the world. The east coast is less developed than the west. It looks like time has stood still in certain places. White sandy beaches, bordered by casuarina trees with a small fishing village between the palm trees. Off the coast you find islands surrounded by coral reefs and covered with a dense tropical rain forest, where high mountain peaks jut out.

Varied population Malaysia has a population of almost 34 million people (2005).

The population density is about 72 inhabitants per square kilometre. The natural population growth is 1.8 %.(2005). The birth rate is 23.01 per 1000 inhabitants (2005), whilst the mortality rate is 5.06 per 1000 inhabitants (2005). Life expectancy is 72.2 years, 69.6 for men and 72.2 for women (2005). The Malaysians constitute the biggest people group (50%). For the rest, there

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are groups of Chinese (24%), Aboriginals (11%), Indians (7%), and various smaller groups. The official language is Malaysian (Bahasa Malaysia). Apart from that, several Chinese dialects are spoken, as well as Tamil and English. There are various religions in Malaysia and the division is approximately as follows: Muslims (55%), Buddhists (19%), Christians (7%), Hindus (7%), Chinese religions (11.6%), and others (0.5%).

Varied vegetation About 80% of Malaysia’s surface area is covered with tropical rain forest. The vegetation changes according to the height of the ground. The rain forest consists of freshwater swamp forests

Special Malaysia

Varied climate Malaysia is a hot and humid country. Throughout the year, temperatures fluctuate between 20 and 30°C. The climate of Malaysia is controlled by the north-easterly and south-westerly monsoons, which blow alternately. The north-easterly monsoon blows approximately from November to April and the south-westerly

monsoon between May and October. The north-easterly winds cause regular flooding and heavy rainfall on the east coast between December and February. During this same period, Sabah and Serawak also have their wettest seasons. The south-westerly monsoon ensures drier weather, but you can expect a storm every day in a tropical country. The highest temperatures occur in the course of the afternoon, after which heavy storms ensure a fresher and cooler evening. The upland regions are cooler. Since there is no really dry season, Malaysia is always green.

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www.good-for-wood.com

EXTREMELY

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> continued from page 47

Special Malaysia

with mangroves and nipa palm trees in the alluvial coastal regions, dipterocarp forests in the lowlands, and heath and mountain forests in the hilly and Rocky regions, especially in Sarawak and Sabah. The jungle in Malaysia has a wealth of various sorts of trees. It is estimated that at least 2,500 trees are found amongst the eight thousand sorts of plants. The rafflesia, the biggest flower in the world, and the nepenthes raja, the biggest example of the nepenthe, are both found in Malaysia. Malaysia has varied flora, including acacia, banana, hibiscus, mangrove, oil palm, orchids, and sago palm.

All the forests belong to the state Malaysia is rich in forests with about 60% coverage (just like Indonesia). On the Malaysian peninsula, Sarawak, and Sabah, the forest shows a lot of similarities as regards structure and tree genus composition. Three quarters of the forests are designated as ‘Permanent Forest Estate (PFE)’, which is managed sustainably. Most National Parks and nature reserves do not come into this category. Over three million hectares of forest are destined for conversion, to be felled eventually to make room for other land use. Malaysia has 1.7 million hectares of wood plantations.

35,000 hectares of new plantation are laid each year. Rubber is the most important sort of plantation (85%). All the forests in Malaysia are owned by the government. The country is one of the biggest producers of tropical hardwood. The wood processing sector produces mainly timber, veneer, and plywood. Malaysia is also the biggest exporter in the world of (sawn) tropical hardwood and second biggest exporter of plywood. There is a well developed furniture industry, which mainly uses a lot of rubber wood. The most well known sorts of wood originating from the forest are meranti, balau, ramin, merbau, kapur, nyatoh, and jelutong. About 20% of the wood produced in Malaysia is used as firewood.

Its own management system 1998 was a milestone in the development of sustainable forest management in Malaysia. That year witnessed the formation of the Malaysian Timber Certification Council. Various sectors have a seat in this organisation, which are involved directly or indirectly in sustainable forest management: research, government, industry, environmental organisations, and social organisations.

The organisation is responsible for the development and management of a reliable national system for sustainable forest management. The MTCC certification system has been in operation since October 2001. The standard for sustainable forest management in Malaysia is set out in the Malaysian Criteria and Indicators.

These criteria and indicators are, in turn, based on international guidelines for the sustainable management of tropical forests of the ITTO (International Tropical Timber Organisation), agreements from the UNCED environmental Summit at Rio de Janeiro in 1992. This standard was accepted by the Malaysian parties in 2004 as a replacement of the previous criteria. The assessment criteria now include FSC principles and criteria. The MC&I have been created in Malaysia via a very broad participation process.

Moreover, the standard has been tried out in practice in various field tests, including on the peninsula and in Sarawak and Sabah.

Other certification initiatives In the area of sustainable forest management Malaysia is looking to associate with other major systems. In the development of its MC&I system, Malaysia has taken account of elements such as the Dutch minimum requirement for sustainable forest management and certification. A number of MTCC certificates are recognised by the Dutch Keurhout Foundation. Malaysia is also a member of the PEFC (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes). The FSC, too, is interested in the Malaysian certification model. After all, the country is an important exporter of panel material, sawn wood, and garden wood. FSC certification of forests and plantations can give producers several advantages. For example, FSC certification ensures an improvement in Malaysian forest management and gives the country access to new markets. At present, some plantations are already certified.

Floor Forum International 60

Sustainable management from times past Malaysia has paid a lot of attention to sustainable forest management since the 19th century. The country consists of a federation of states and the Malaysian constitution places the land and the forests under the jurisdiction of the rulers of the state in question. Each state makes its own forest laws (Forest Enactment and Forest Rules) and formulates its own forest policy. Since the National Forestry Council considered that this forest legislation did not say enough about forest protection and forest management planning, a National Forest Plan was worked out in 1978.

That led in 1984 to the proclamation of a National Forest Act, which was designed to harmonise the various forest legislations of the states. This National Forest Act was revised thoroughly in 1993 to give greater powers to tackle illegal occupation of forest areas and illegal cutting.

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Launch of Malaysian timber legality assurance system (MYTLAS) Malaysia continues to negotiate a FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the EU. Due to the fact that Malaysia is yet to conclude a FLEGT VPA with the EU, FLEGT-licensed timber is not yet available for export from Malaysia to the EU. Since the coming into force of the EUTR in March this year, Malaysian exporters have to provide evidence of the legality of wood products exported to the EU so that importers are able to fulfil the due diligence requirements of the EUTR. To ensure an uninterrupted flow of wood product exports to the EU until a VPA is concluded, the Malaysian government has launched its Malaysian Timber Legality Assurance System (MYTLAS) as a credible domestic system to verify the legality of Malaysian wood products. Though based on the Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS) developed under the framework of the FLEGT VPA negotiations with the EU, MYTLAS and its implementation is a Malaysian initiative without linkage to the EU FLEGT VPA.

The MYTLAS Licensing Authority for exports from Peninsular Malaysia is the Malaysia Timber Industry Board (MTIB) while the MYTLAS in Sabah will be implemented by the Sabah Forestry Department.

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datin Paduka Nurmala Abdul Rahim, announced on 28 March, the formation of a MYTLAS Advisory Group comprising forestry experts and key MYLAS implementing agencies.

Nurmala said “the advisory group will consider all aspects in the implementation of MYTLAS and measures to improve it taking into account feedback from stakeholders, market response and capacity building needs”.

Special Malaysia

The Implementation of MYTLAS falls within the remit of 7 implementing agencies and is subjected to a third party annual auditing to ensure its credibility and acceptance by EU operators in meeting the EUTR due diligence requirements.

STAUF new finishes for wooden floors Professional products

Unique maintenance system

Compact range

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Floor Forum International 60

Your next order:

www.stauf.info

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> Product news Blanchon Anti-UV Colourless Protector for Decking and Horizontal Timbers Timber decking is gaining momentum and proven to be a real success. But the original colour fades quickly due to the weatherings ending with a grey tone.

That is why Blanchon has created a unique colourless UV-Protection to finish and maintain deckings.

Colourless Anti-UV system is made of two complementary products to create a colourless protection: Anti-UV Colourless ConditionerTM and Anti-UV Colourless Protector for Decking and Horizontal Timbers.

It gives a real and long-lasting protection on each wood species, it even works effectively on difficult to protect wood like larch or douglas. This new System penetrates deeply into the wood and ensures good protection (water-proof effect).

For an easy maintenance: 1 coat of Anti-UV Colourless Protector.

Product news

Martens Hout Martens Hout, the number one specialist in hardwood terrace boards and exterior wall cladding is currently highlighting the very attractive western red cedar. This splendid wood sort is without doubt the very best on the scene for exterior wall cladding. A big supply in all standard sizes makes Martens Hout the benchmark in cedar. All profiles are completed on request. The wood is dried carefully, planed on the most efficient and professional machines, and packed in plastic film. Even the very highest quality, namely the #2 clear, is sorted again. This means that clients receive a product which borders on perfection. Please do not hesitate to contact us: info@martenshout.be

Proline — Greenbox inspires customers In addition to the new Proline Counter-Top-Display the sturdy Proline Greenbox convinces by easy and clean handling.

The printed high gloss box consists of an outer and inner part that can hold up to 15 boards. These showboards A4 show the product’s benefit, advantages and the field of application, supplemented by technical drawings and glued on original pieces that are approx.. 50mm. The showboards for the Proline Greenbox are put together individually according to the demand of the customer.

Tover — TINTORETTO DESIGN Tover presents a brand new solution to color the wood: a ready to use sealer available in 27 different shades. This product has to be applied like an oil and it is overcoatable both with water-based and solvent-based lacquers granting the wood a natural aspect.

Being very easy to spread, it enables to color large surfaces without any risk of overlapping even working alone.

Rubio Monocoat

—

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Precolor Easy range

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introduces the RMC

In need of a personalized look for your project?

The RMC Precolor Easy series allows you to create unique colour effects. These pre-colours are designed to be used in combination with our oil finish. As a consequence, the molecular bonding of the oil remains guaranteed, providing maximum protection of the wood. The option to choose a combination of no less than 14 different RMC Precolor Easy shades with a finish in one of the 40 colours of the RMC Oil Plus 2C range allows unlimited creative possibilities. And for those wanting to stretch their creativity even further – all colours with¬in the RMC Precolor Easy series can be mixed together.

14 contemporary RMC Precolor Easy shades + 40 appealing RMC Oil Plus 2C colours . The only limit is the one of your imagination!

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®

HIDDEN

DEck FASTENERS

crafted from hardened stainless steel, and high quality polymers, DeckWise® Hidden Deck Fasteners create a sleek and upscale look. Perfect for both residential and commercial applications. for more go to : www.DeckWise.com/hidden-deck-fasteners

You may be familiar with the hidden fastening and deck building products we manufacture under the trade names, Ipe Clip®, Hardwood Wrench™, and Ipe Oil™. Now, our innovative products are available throughout Europe under one label, DeckWise®. Join our global network of dealers for factory direct pricing.

.com Hardwood Wrench Hardwood Oil End Grain Sealer

Hidden Deck Fasteners

patented

Hardwood Deck Tiles

Deck Tile Connectors

Hidden Siding Fasteners

Colormatch Stainless Steel Screws

Deckwise INternational B.V. • Nijverheidsweg 60-2 • 3812 PM Amersfoort • The Netherlands • phone: + 31 33 4691037 DeckWise USA : The Ipe Clip Fastener Co., LLC • 2111 58th Avenue East • Bradenton, FL 34203 Phone: 941-896-9851 web: DeckWise.com email: sales@deckwise.com

MS PolymerTM Your Premium Polymer of Choice! for producing sealants, adhesives, coatings,...

Unique properties and outstanding performances.

Broad range of grades available.

Widely recognized by formulators, applicators, designers and engineers throughout the world.

Large variety of markets: construction, industry, transportation, flooring, waterproofing, DIY and many others!

Our science makes wishes come true www.kaneka.be