The pressure’s on to fit faster

David Spragg • October 24, 2020
Speed is of the essence! Backlog and boom are driving unprecedented pressure on installers to finish fast on projects that are stacking up in Q4 2020.

Manufacturers of flooring preparations have risen to the challenge with additional product development on materials that offer right-first-time performance which minimise time on site.

“We have designed systems to fast track installation and solve what appears to be insurmountable problems perfect for the backlogs of work we are encountering this year,” says Laura Roberts at Easylay.

Easylay Systems offer a variety of subfloor products for floor levelling and acoustic reduction among which the most popular is the Floorfixx range of floating board systems that combine speed and ease of use, with excellent smoothing capacity and the ability to overcome any  time-consuming difficulties associated with traditional surface preparation methods. 

Floorfixx requires no screeds, glues, nails or other fixings and is ideal for use on both solid and timber floor constructions. It requires no drying or setting time, no priming, no mixing, and has no smell. As it can be overlaid without removing old floor coverings or surface coatings, this means that future removal of both floor-covering and underlay is quick, clean and easy, with no residues or damage to the old floor surface.


Another market leader in optimising installation is Interfloor. Whatever the challenge, Interfloor has a product or tool to make fitting a perfect floor faster and easier, saving both time and money. 


Duralay’s specialist LVT underlays are quick to fit, easy to work with and help reduce the risk of damage to luxury tiles due to uneven sub-floors. The collection includes Multi-Fit, Low-Grab and Dry-Back underlays all designed to maximise underfoot comfort and ensure the LVT looks good for longer.
A perfect accompaniment is Fast Grab Multi-Purpose Flooring Adhesive STK300. This versatile, water-based synthetic latex adhesive has exceptional bond strength, is easy to trowel and is non staining. It can be used on sub-floor types from concrete to chipboard to screed.
When it comes to carpet installations, Interfloor’s Speedcatt, developed by and for master fitters, has revolutionised the trade by speeding up the process of creasing and tucking carpets into place. The perfect partner to the Stikatak Trim Master.

F Ball’s commitment to innovation is demonstrated at its extensive research and development facilities in Cheddleton, Staffordshire. “We have continuously enhanced our products to help flooring professionals meet increasing customer expectations, including working to ever more exacting time constraints,” says F Ball’s sales director Darren Kenyon.


“Combinations of fast-drying levelling compounds, waterproof surface membranes and adhesives mean that contractors can now install floorcoverings in as little as one day, while it would once have taken up to three days,” he added. Waterproof surface membranes are available that can be used to create a barrier against RH values of up to 95% in less than two hours, and the fastest drying levelling compound on the market is ready to receive floorcoverings in as little as 45 minutes after application.


F Ball offers combinations of fast-drying levelling compounds, waterproof surface membranes and adhesives to enable contractors to install floorcoverings in as little as one day which would once have taken up to three days.


The latest advances in adhesives technology have enabled F. Ball to create a moisture-curing, solvent-free adhesive for internal and external heavy-duty applications, including areas that will be subject to heavy loads and high foot traffic, as well as surface water. A one-part adhesive, meaning no mixing and less waste, Styccobond F73 PLUS is also easier to apply and faster curing compared to traditional epoxy and polyurethane alternatives, requiring as little as 90 minutes to secure floorcoverings.


For more information:

Easylay systems  0344 357 3535 www.easylaysystems.co.uk
F BALL 01538 361633  www.f-ball.co.uk
Interfloor 01706 213131 www.interfloor.com
Mapei 0121 508 6970 www.mapei.co.uk
Osmo UK 01296 481220 www.osmouk.com

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