Safety flooring slip ratings explained Slip resistance is the whole point of a safety floor and it is measured, not guessed. In the UK the headline figure is the Pendulum Test Value, or PTV, from the pendulum test (historically BS 7976, now within BS EN 16165), backed up by the R rating from the German […]
Author Archives: Surface Specialists
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Wood-effect safety flooring: the look of timber with commercial grip Wood-effect safety flooring is slip-resistant commercial vinyl printed with a timber design, so an area can have the warmth of a wood floor while keeping the wet grip and durability of safety flooring. It is chosen where a space needs to look welcoming rather than […]
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Stair nosing explained: types, contrast and rules A stair nosing is the trim fitted to the front edge of each step and on a commercial stair it is one of the most important safety details there is. It grips the point where a foot lands, protects the step edge from wear and, in a contrasting […]
Polyflor vs Gerflor vs Altro: safety flooring brands compared Polyflor, Gerflor and Altro are three of the best-known names in commercial safety flooring and buyers often ask which is best. The honest answer is that all three manufacture products independently tested and classified to the relevant slip-resistance and product standards, so for most commercial areas […]
Flooring for social housing: a specifier’s guide Flooring for social housing has to be durable, slip-resistant, easy to clean and cost-effective across a lot of space, from communal stairwells and corridors to sheltered and supported schemes and the void properties turned around between tenancies. The priorities are safety, longevity and low maintenance rather than showpiece […]
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Flooring for hotels and hospitality: a guide Hotels and hospitality venues face a split brief: front-of-house areas have to look good, while kitchens, spas, pool areas and back-of-house have to be safe and hard-wearing above all. That means no single floor runs throughout and a hotel is specified area by area with slip-resistant safety flooring […]
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Flooring for care homes: a buyer’s guide Choosing flooring for a care home means balancing several things at once: slip safety for residents who may be frail or unsteady, hygiene and infection control, dementia-friendly design and a warm, homely feel rather than a clinical one. No single floor is right for every room, so a […]
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Antimicrobial and antibacterial safety flooring Antimicrobial safety flooring is slip-resistant commercial vinyl with an antimicrobial treatment incorporated into some product ranges. Separately, welded and coved sheet vinyl provides a hygienic sealed finish that supports effective cleaning, because a floor is hygienic when it is cleanable rather than because it is antimicrobial. It is specified where […]
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Chemical Resistant Flooring: Systems, Resins and How to Choose Chemical resistant flooring means a resin system whose chemistry is matched to the specific substances the floor will face, at the concentrations and temperatures they occur. There is no single “chemical proof” floor: epoxy handles a broad range of everyday chemicals, polyurethane screeds excel against organic […]
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Epoxy Floor Thickness: How Thick Should a Resin Floor Be? Epoxy floors range from around 0.3mm for a thin coating to 9mm or more for a heavy duty screed and the right thickness depends on what the floor has to survive, not on picking a bigger number. A light duty coating suits foot traffic and […]