Issue 24 Oct 2013

Specifier Newsroom

Top class finish for top class university

Royal Holloway, University of London is well known as one of the largest multi-faculty colleges and top researchled institutions in the country. Its distinguished history and worldwide reputation attract vast numbers of students every year, so it is essential that the University provides facilities that rival the very best available in Europe. As part of ongoing plans to enhance the outstanding student experience, a key part of the main student union building has recently been refurbished. With image and dcor being key priorities of the redevelopment project, the choice of flooring finish was a critical decision. Taking into consideration the continuous heavy foot traffic, the new floor had to deliver outstanding durability without compromising aesthetics, so the challenge was to find a system that could meet both requirements with equal success.

Following a number of meetings with the project designers, Inner Space Associates Ltd, a decision was made to use the durable, yet highly decorative, Degafloor Flake System, which is increasingly popular in environments where longevity and aesthetics are paramount. To create a striking new look and ensure the floors complemented the rest of the design scheme, three different shades of black, white and grey were chosen to be used in varying ratios across different areas, including the bar, circulation, reception, and auditorium. The total floor area of 500 m2 was demarcated using stainless steel trim to create the complex pattern and colour changes specified, and required a high level of skill to achieve the totally seamless finish.

Based on past success of installing resin floors within student union facilities, specialist contractor The National Flooring Company Ltd was selected to complete the project. Working in conjunction with main contractor, Russell Cawberry, the flake flooring system was installed in just 3 days. This ultra fast installation was only possible due to the unique 2 hour curing properties of the Degafloor Flake System. Use of the Degafloor flake system was critical in enabling National Flooring to complete the project within the very strict timeframe, which was essential as the project had to be completed during a very short time window over the summer vacation so that the union could re-open its doors to students in September. The high class finish achieved really complements the overall look of the refurbished student union and the durability provided will ensure that the new floors will be there for many years to come and for generations of students to enjoy.

www.degafloor.com

Fast curing resin systems for todays demanding world

When ultra fast concrete repair is required, Degafloor has the answer.
Busy operational environments often require ultra fast concrete repairs. Whilst the traditional solutions for fast concrete repair have been epoxy repair mortars or specialised concretes, both have limitations in terms of cure times and the time period after which they can receive floor coverings. Degafloors range of ultra fast curing concrete repair solutions overcomes all of the issues associated with traditional fast cure products. Full cure is achieved in less than 1 hour after which, and because our products do not use water, floor coverings can be immediately installed. Additionally, ultra high strength is achieved immediately, so our solutions can be trafficked and returned to full use as soon as they are cured (less than 1 hour after installation). Degafloor 50/51 repair mortar is a simple bag and bottle system which eradicates the need for measuring out and calculating ratios; just mix the 2 components, apply and in less than 1 hour the floor covering can be installed or area returned to full use. This product comes in a low temperature variant which can be installed at temperatures down to -25 degrees C without any impact on curing time. To ensure maximum cost effectiveness, 50/51 can also be bulked out with natural aggregates to complete repairs up to 120 mm in depth. When very deep repairs are required, Degafloor 510 repair mortar is the answer. This product can be installed to depths of up to 300 mm in one layer, yet cure time still remains at less than 1 hour. To simplify installation, the bulking aggregate required to fill such deep repairs comes pre-blended and pre-bagged. The naturally thixotropic nature of 510 repair mortar makes it ideal for the installation of ramps and falls. These systems are widely used for warehouse, retail, factory, cold store, airport and private road concrete repairs. However, they are also ideal for construction projects where last minute design changes can result in alterations that require concrete repair. In all situations, our products are installed quickly, allowing the area to be returned to full use with minimal, if any, disruption. In addition to repair mortars, Degafloor has also developed a versatile

product called Degafloor Crack Sealer Plus. This ultra low viscosity resin can be applied to badly cracked, friable or low strength concrete to vastly improve the concretes structural integrity. Crack Sealer Plus can also be used as a cost effective surface hardener to reduce concrete dusting and protect the surface from wear and chemical damage. When time is of the essence, Degafloor has the answer. Call us today on +44 (0)1778 342545 to find out more.

Degafloor das Duisburg!

A fast curing Degafloor resin car park decking system has recently been applied in Duisburg, Germany, where a new durable skid resistant finish was required for the Silberpalais office building car park. With a total floor space of 69,000 sqm, Silberpalais is the largest office building in Duisburg and offers the best services and facilities available, however following some harsh winters certain areas of the multi storey car park had fallen below the exacting standards expected. However, Larsen Contracts (Ireland) Ltd of Dublin were well placed to help. As a highly experienced resin flooring, cark park decking and concrete repair specialist, they were the obvious choice to complete the necessary repairs and apply the deck coatings required to return the car park to its former glory. To ensure the residents of Silberpalais were not inconvenienced, all deck coating works had to be completed overnight between the hours of 7pm and 7am and within a very short period of just 2 weeks. Due to the time pressures on site and based on previously successful projects, Larsen chose the Degafloor CP HD resin system for re-instatement of the coatings to the heavily trafficked car park ramps. The ultra fast curing CP HD system is extremely hardwearing and cures fully just one hour after installation, after which it is ready for immediate use. In addition to its time saving benefits, the Degafloor CP HD decking system also provides exceptional skid resistance, crack free performance, and colour stability in all conditions, making it the perfect choice for areas where longevity and outstanding performance is required all throughout the year.

www.degafloor.com

Fast curing resin systems for todays demanding world

Fast cure for new factory floor

The specialist presswork engineers and manufactures, A.E. Oscroft of Redditch, have recently purchased a new factory, however before the company could move in, the significantly damaged existing concrete floor at the new premises had to undergo major repair works. A.E. Oscroft required a hardwearing long lasting flooring system with a tough yet smooth and easy to maintain finish. The contract was awarded to Inca Flooring and Structural Ltd, specialist resin flooring contractors, who were advised the project would need to be handed over and the new floor ready for full use within just two weeks. With speed of installation and durability in mind, Incas immediate recommendation was to use an extremely hardwearing and fast

curing Degafloor Seal resin system, which the contractors have used many a time in the past and knew they could rely upon it completely in terms of quality and lifetime value. The contractors first opted to diamond grind the surface to remove all coatings and contamination before proceeding with repairs using fast curing resin mortar. The prepared surface was then treated with a low viscosity ultra fast curing

Degafloor Seal resin based on Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) technology, which cures in 30 minutes even in sub zero temperatures. The final coat of a clear Degafloor MMA resin seal was applied using the recommended rates and the floor was ready for full use within just one 1 hour after installation with the entire flooring project being completed early and to the clients complete satisfaction.

Degafloor gets a makeover!

Degafloor is pleased to announce the launch of a new corporate identity and website www.degafloor.com, which has been designed to provide a much more user-friendly experience with improved navigation and functionality throughout. The new improved website boasts a modern, colourful design and enables customers to view extensive product information, including colour charts, datasheets and other relevant guides and brochures. The updated richer content will help prospective clients to better understand the full range of Degafloor fast curing resin flooring systems, car park decking, surface marking and pothole repair solutions as well as provide greater insight into the markets in which the company operates.

Included within the new website is also a secured area that contains MSDS sheets, installation manuals, specification support tools and an abundance of other useful details aimed at specifiers and installers who will be able to access it upon registration.
Visitors to the new Degafloor website will benefit from richer and easier to navigate online content, be able to browse through archives of relevant case studies and stay up to date with the latest companys news as well as join Degafloor on various social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

www.degafloor.com

Fast curing resin systems for todays demanding world

Commercial kitchens
Commercial kitchen environments can be incredibly demanding, often with a large number of staff working in a relatively confined space. This high level of footfall, together with a wet and humid environment and the risk of grease and food debris falling onto the floor, means that flooring choice is absolutely essential in the design of a safe and durable kitchen. Traditionally, commercial kitchens have been designed using tiles or vinyl sheet floor finishes. These products have served the industry well, however they do have shortcomings. Tiles offer a highly durable finish when installed correctly, but can and do crack and often become slippery when exposed to grease and food debris. The alternative has tended to be vinyl sheet flooring, but the welded joints fail and, together with general damage, allow water to penetrate to the substrate below destroying the adhesive, resulting in the floor failing. Additionally, it is almost impossible to repair vinyl sheet floors reliably, so once an issue occurs, the floor can quickly deteriorate into a patchwork quilt of repair, none of which ultimately stand the test of time. To overcome these issues, many specifiers and end customers have turned to Degafloor for a fast curing, highly durable and easy to repair solution. In all cases, we have been able to recommend our FB or QTA systems which have a longstanding track record in the food processing industry, so are a natural choice for commercial kitchens. Both the FB and QTA system offer a profiled surface finish that delivers outstanding slip resistance, even at the extremes of operating conditions. The totally seamless nature of these floors eradicate most of the common issues with vinyl and tiled finishes and the chemical bonding process that occurs during the ultra fast 2 hour curing process means that durable and permanent repairs can be achieved in the rare situations that repairs are required. Based on the benefits we have been able to demonstrate, Degafloor resin flooring systems are widely used by a number of major pub and restaurant operators, including IKEA, Burger King, Mitchell and Butlers (Harvester etc) and the two largest pub companies in the UK.

To find out more about the benefits Degafloor systems can bring to your commercial kitchen project, please get in touch.

For further information, please contact:

Degafloor Ltd, Crusader House, High Street, Maxey, Peterborough PE6 9HQ T : +44 (0) 1778 342 545 F : +44 (0) 1778 380 912 E : marketing@degafloor.com www.degafloor.com