WHILE the practical advantages of carpet tile installations are obvious, such as the ability to replace them as and when needed, clients are increasingly demanding floors which offer more than just functional benefits. In professional working and learning environments, flooring is also expected to offer inspiration for its users by being colourfully creative in its patterns.

Case study: The Charter School
In one example, iFlor Flooring Contractors LLP was commissioned to install a bright combination of Paragon and Balsan carpet tiles in the sixth form study room at The Charter School in south London, helping create an inspiring learning environment for school students.

The school’s new campus occupies a former hospital site, and serves the communities of East Dulwich and South Camberwell.

Using grey-blue and grey-pink carpet tiles, contractors created an attractive checkerboard formation in the study area, with solid colour tiles also used sporadically throughout the floor for added interest.

F Ball and Co’s Styccobond F41 carpet tile tackifier was used to install the tiles, providing what the company describes as a permanently tacky film that prevents the ‘looselay’ carpet tiles from moving laterally under normal foot traffic, while allowing individual tiles to be quickly replaced if they become damaged or worn – an ideal option in a busy secondary school.

Says F Ball: ‘An acrylic polymer emulsion adhesive, Styccobond F41 is fast-drying and can be used for securing a range of dimensionally stable ‘flat-lay’ carpet tiles backed with bitumen/felt, non-woven fabric, PVC and other polymer backings.

‘It can be applied over Stopgap levelling compounds, Stopgap waterproof surface membranes and a wide range of absorbent and non-absorbent subfloors, including structurally sound, smooth and dry concrete, sand/cement screed, plywood, raised access flooring panels and terrazzo. Styccobond F41 is also approved for use in marine flooring installations and is suitable for use over normal underfloor heating systems. The adhesive can also withstand normal wet cleaning techniques.’

Before work began, a moisture test determined subfloors were sufficiently dry to proceed with the installation without a moisture management solution in place. The contractors proceeded to apply a levelling compound over the subfloor to create a smooth, level surface onto which the carpet tiles were then installed.

Once dry, the tackifier’s solvent-free properties enabled the area to be reopened shortly after its installation, ready for students to begin learning again.

Adam Couch, owner and director of iFlor Flooring Contractors LLP, commented on the project: ‘Once again, F Ball products have played a significant role in completing a successful installation. They can be trusted to provide the high standard of results needed and the client was pleased with the outcome, which is set to inspire students for years to come.’
www.f-ball.co.uk