Help and advice
Exploring hardwood floor installation techniques
Richard Aylen takes a closer look at different installation methods for hardwood floors.
IN my role...
Don’t shoot the messenger
Richard Renouf says he sometimes feels the need for a hardhat when his inspections don’t...
Not your typical winter working warning
Choose the right products, condition and acclimatise the materials in the intended environment, and very...
Balancing price and quality
WITH inflation having a double effect on the flooring business as rising costs squeeze margins...
Giving flooring a sustainable foundation
Sustainability is increasingly popular in commercial and industrial spaces. Jason explains how increasing use of...
A question of money
Let’s review the basics of getting paid, says Barry, in an analysis of choices contractors...
Why resin floors tick the awards box
When resin floors were entered into this year’s CFJ Awards, they won 50% of the...
A right royal resin round-up
Ed Birch looks at resin-flooring projects across the commercial sector.
Flowstone: Hand sanitiser manufacturing plant, County...
What is LVT?
Rob Eckersley explains what LVT is, its benefits, and provides a guide for those who...
Regulations and considerations when fitting LVT transitions
Tim Hayes explains the regulations that must be taken into consideration when fitting LVT transitions.
LVT...
Patio maintenance – staying one step ahead
Keeping on top of patio maintenance can help eliminate issues and ensure outdoor areas are...
Does LVT flooring work with underfloor heating?
Stuart Hicks elaborates on the use of underfloor heating with LVT and its benefits.
LVT is...
Tips for laying tile effect stickdown LVT
Steve Ball shares his top tips for floorlayers when it comes to installing tile effect...
Why LVTs are a versatile solution
Craig Tornhill explains no matter the project requirements or subfloor condition, there are solutions available...
Using adhesives correctly
Steve Thornton explains how to use adhesives correctly when it comes to the installation of...
How to zone specific areas with LVT designs
As wellbeing remains a key design influence, Louisa Eyles shares her expertise on howLVT flooring...
How can ongoing maintenance be improved?
Alec Stacey explains how to simplify the maintenance of LVTs.
LUXURY Vinyl Tiles continue to be...
Carpet tiles provide plentiful options for commercial design
Lewis Cooper explores the benefits of carpet tiles for your project.
IN keeping with the recent...
No! Don’t do it like that!
To help crews overcome productivity barriers onsite, Dave Bigham highlights some bad habits he often...
Igniting a discussion on lignite
Lignite is often overlooked, says Shane Moore, particularly where the installer may not know how...
Cutting corners
The damage that can result from not using the correct specialists at a flooring installation...
Taking the risk out of adhesives
If you change one thing in 2023 let it be your spray adhesive, Rachael Morgan...
Giving flooring a sustainable foundation
Jason McWilliams looks at how sustainable flooring can help reduce a building’s environmental impact.
PEOPLE have...
Refurbishment remedies
Jason Tatton looks at common issues arising during refurbishments and offers advice on how to...
When should flooring contractors compensate in a customer dispute?
Should you pay up or resist compensation when a client is unhappy? Ciarán Harkin gives...
An A-Z of marketing for flooring contractors
Barry Ashmore drills down into exactly how contractors can use marketing to benefitthemselves and their...
Success on large project sites with Recofloor
Are you working with vinyl flooring on large project sites? Carla Eslava explains how the...
Rapid refurbishments with adhesive-free flooring
Karen Wilding explores the benefits of fast flooring for refurbishment projects.
IN the fast-paced world of...
Tailored support
A successful digital strategy needs to utilise a range of digital media to suit different...
Do you have a gap in your knowledge when it comes to floating floors?
It’s essential any product to be fitted as a floating floor must have a minimum...
Choosing a wooden floor: why one type of wood over another?
When it comes to wood flooring, choice is hugely important. Richard Aylen takes a closer...
How do you know that?
This is a question Paul Sycamore asked a lot when he joined the trade, and...
Chipboard challenge
John Green draws on a real-life, timesaving solution for preparing chipboard subfloors.
Continuing the format of...
Employee ownership can solve many modern business concerns
Evidence suggests wider employee ownership offers benefits to employees, businesses and the wider economy, including...
Removing risk from your flooring startup
It may be a risky gambit, but starting a new flooring business from scratch and...
Ignore this article at your peril!
Take action to safeguard your business from the catastrophic impact of delay and disruption.If you...
How to claim cashback
Steve Boulton explains how to claim cashback on all purchases of F Ball and Co’s...
Here’s why screeds fail
Padraic McGrath looks at why some screeds fail and, more importantly, how you can correct...
Transforming electric UFH installations
Alistair Bell explains how the next generation of electric UFH cables can drastically transform installations...
How to bring nature inside to createmore user-focused interiors
Scott Hosie explains why natural floorcoverings can bring a wealth of benefits for all kinds...
You never know what you might uncover during a refurb
Problems on refurbishments can be avoided by doing a thorough and intrusive assessment of the...
Hunting high and low to raise cash
There are many ways to invest, but good advice is key. Flooring companies need to...
Sorry about the mess!
Dave Bigham goes behind the scenes of floor removal to explain best practice and, in...
Copywriting: a short guide for flooring contractors
Barry takes a look at content and how flooring contractors can write good marketing or...
Peter Dumigan on harzards of the job
Professional tradesmen and women know that working onsite can be a hazardous business. Minor injuries...
Floor removal: how much is too much?
Some believe continuous floor removal ruins the substrate, the choice of machine tooling is often...
Sticking to deadlines: how adhesive-free flooring can transform education spaces
Lewis Cooper explains how adhesive-free floorcoverings can help minimise disruption, enabling contractors to meet project...
Dealing with uncommon subfloor types
Chris McQuade advises on identifying and working over less familiar types of subfloor during an...
Fourteen things you need to know about contract programmes
Programmes present many pitfalls for the unwary flooring contractor.So, what should the ‘streetwise’ subbie bear...
Taking the Mick with click?
Richard Renouf attends a complaint where the click LVT was apparently ‘impossible’ to install.The product...
Working over calcium sulphate screeds
Continuing the format of recent articles drawing on real situations as examples of best practice...
Where you’ll need a high temperature adhesive
Matthew explains why, when working in a conservatory, near bi-fold doors or in any area...
Get a grip on slip
Christian Harris explains why flooring businesses need to know (more) about slip resistance.
I’M Christian and...
Embedding health and safety
Adam Bernstein speaks to James Lowe, regulatory partner at Wright Hassall LLP, about the best...
You don’t need millions to market your business
A philosophy known as ‘The Rule of Seven’ is based on the fact each prospective...
Reinforcing brand identity with custom flooring
Karen Wilding explains how bespoke flooring schemes can be created using customflocked flooring.
Flocked flooring is...
The stages of subfloor preparation
Neil Sanders talks through the necessary preparation procedures to achieve a flawless flooring finish.
The application...
Penny Wise, Pound Foolish 2.0– for all flooring contractors
To protect your flooring business, you need good quality, cost effective professional advice, says Barry...
The danger of making assumptions
Richard Renouf elaborates on a case where the biggest single factor that led to a...
Dealing with age
Continuing the format of last month’s article from a flooring expert, Chris McQuade relays project-based...
The future is bright – provided we recognise the value of what we have
Here, in the first of what will be a series of columns for CFJ, Simon...
Selecting the appropriate primer
Priming is, in Adam’s experience, an often misunderstood and under-appreciated aspect of subfloor preparation. What...
Flooring in the changing office
Office design has adapted to new styles of working, with many offices offering employees the...
Flooring installations in dampand humid environments
Neil Sanders discusses the variables to consider when determining how to ensure long-lasting resilient flooring...
Levelling subfloors before applying a waterproof surface membrane
FLOORING contractors are used to applying a waterproof surface membrane before a levelling compound when...
The march away from ‘solvents’
We’re now, for many reasons, seeing an inexorable march away from spirit-based sealers. While some...
Don’t suppress the need to float
Fitting things on top of a floating floor can lead to problems. For some this...
With an eye on the current fashion
How you can stay on trend as a contractor without throwing away a perfectly good...
Raising the level
John Green explains how to raise floor levels quickly and easily with the aid of...
Decisions, decisions
Adam Jones elaborates on what to look at when you’re choosing a single or two-component...
LVT – the key to longevity in leisure and hospitality environments
After a rocky couple of years, many leisure and hospitality firms may be looking to...
Imaginative designs inspire optimism for the future
As we move firmly into a post-Covid world, Fleur looks at how the boundaries of...
Endless possibilities with thePlusfloor Vero collection
One of the many benefits of installing a glue-down LVT system as opposed to click-lock...
LVT, wellness and workplace design
Louisa Eyles discusses the connection between sanctuary spaces, wayfinding and wellbeing.
Wellness is going to be...
I’ve received a claim form because aclient is suing me. What should I do?
All court documents have a deadline for response, so act quickly and don’t put it...
How long will my diamond tooling last?
There’s no definitive answer to tooling lifespan – in reality, job site conditions dictate how...
A customer has asked me for my public liability insurance details as they want to make a claim. Do I have to give them...
Public liability insurance gives you cover for accidental damage and other problems that might arise...
What is the key to installing a spectacular sports floor?
The key to a spectacular sports floor depends on who you ask. With many stakeholders...
Do looselay products in installations represent a challenge to the future of adhesive manufacturers?
Looselay flooring offers additional flexibility to design contemporary interiors in spaces where a glue-down product...
How much should I have in my toolkit?
You never know what’s going to happen, so preparation is key. If you’re not prepared...
When should contractors use glue-less click flooring?
Glue-less click flooring is suitable for many types of installations, especially refurbs and on jobs...
What are the benefits of having your own showroom?
We pride ourselves on offering a personal and tailored service to all our clients, whatever...
Why is polyurethane screed flooring important for the food sector?
Polyurethane flooring systems are the de facto standard for flooring in the food sector owing...
Who is responsible for subfloor preparation?
The simple answer is that it’s the floorlayer’s responsibility to ensure a subfloor is suitable...
When would you use a metal bond diamond instead of a PCD?
Before initial surface preparation, contractors should assess the concrete they’re due to prepare before choosing...
How do you avoid rust outbreaks from ferrous hard stones?
‘Rust or orange-coloured ‘iron break-out’ can appear naturally within hard ferrous-type stone pavers, like sandstone,...
What should a contractor do if he hasn’t been paid for an installation?
A flooring contractor’s efforts to get paid are often thwarted by their lack of attention...
Why does using self-smoothing screed products require less manual correction to a floor level?
Self-smoothing products need less manual correction owing to its flowing liquid consistency. When pump applied,...
Is homeworking killing the office contract flooring sector?
The global pandemic may have changed forever the way in which we work, bringing in...
Why should sustainability influence how carpets are made?
Sustainability and the circular economy will be even more important in 2023 as customers look...
How does a solvent-free repair resin system fix non-structural cracks in screeds?
Cracks will sometimes appear in screeds, either by forced drying, settlement or naturally through the...
How do contractors ensure they are using the best adhesive available?
Choosing the best adhesive is one of the most important decisions in any flooring installation....
Is there a magic formula to winning a big flooring contract?
The way to approach any new tender is to focus on a few different factors,...
Making the right choice
Neil Sanders offers his straightforward guide to contractors with respect to selecting the optimum vinyl...
Fast flooring: The solution for any project
Adhesive-free flooring can be used in various sectors from offices and retail to healthcare and...
When are speciality adhesives required?
Circumstances sometimes dictate more speciality adhesives are required to provide the correct installation integrity and...
The best of both worlds
Connie Hardy explores how the next generation of walk-behind flooring removal equipment can benefit contractors.
WE...
Weighing up the volume
When it comes to determining value for your money when purchasing adhesives, it pays to...
The devil is in the details
What can affect the lifespan of the lacquer finish on your hardwood floor?Richard Aylen makes...
Bouncing back better
By using construction logistics intelligently, we can minimise the impact and deliver construction materials much...
How to maintain your machine battery lifespan
When it comes to selecting surface preparation equipment, Geoff Putz provides some tips about how...
What’s in store – threats or opportunities?
2023 could be a year of great opportunity for your business but first we need...
Changing office trends call for readily available and affordable flooring solutions
As such, flooring contractors may see a rise in office refurbishments and in turn, will...
When your employee suffers a loss
As an employer, it’s inevitable you’ll at some point be faced with an employee who...
The award you don’t want to win
The worst subfloor Richard Renouf has ever come across was in a former Soviet bloc...
Hard goods require heavy duty
Nick White explains how to select the best equipment for hard goods removal and outlines...
Dealing with weak or friable screeds
Jason Tatton relays a solution provided by the company’s technical service teamto avoid completely removing...
Overcoming challenges in educational facilities
David Powell investigates the demands placed on flooring contractors with respect to educational facilities, particularly...
New money for old rope
Barry Ashmore (and Geoff Noake) give the lowdown on what a flooring contractor should avoid...
Restore the floor
Rohit Sharma on how the renewal of sports hall surfaces hits the ground running.
SURFACES in...
Innovations in adhesives
Stephen Boulton talks through some of the latest innovations around continuous advancements in adhesives technology...
Zero hour contracts: getting into the weeds
Tina Chander defines zero hour contracts, explains what you need to know aboutthem and outlines...
Biophilic design can help us adaptto a changing world
Spending time in nature has been shown to have a positive impact on physical health...
Let the creak speak
Whether it’s engineered wood, laminate or anything else, flooring shouldn’t creak and if it does,...
PSAs – when to use, and when not to use
When it comes to PSAs, always follow the flooring manufacturer’s installation guide and the adhesive...
The hazards and pitfalls of incorporation
Company tax law can trip up a firm and its owners regardless of the business...
Heavy-duty solution for a heavy-duty environment
Using a real-life example of advice provided by F Ball’s technical service team on the...
Penny wise, pound foolish
Our headline this month might be an old phrase and/or one that isn’t familiar to...
Staining and colouring methods for hardwood floors
Richard Aylen talks dyes, primers, oils, sheens and vacuum coloured floorboards.
One of the many reasons...
Mix match flooring and oil finishes
Wooden flooring trends, from parquet and plank designs, to ‘outside-in’ trend and oiled floors.
Combining flooring...
Let’s renew, not replace
Are the days of brand new installations floundering in favour of an alternative approach which...
Don’t let safety slip
When it comes to healthcare settings, Craig Thornhill looks at the key areas to consider...
Installing floorcoverings on raised access flooring
During floorcoverings installations, particularly in offices and admin areas, a common substrate is raised access...
Money-saving tax tips for the self-employed
Oumesh Sauba says that the self-employed, by putting aside just a few hoursevery week, can...
Water, water everywhere
John Green shares a fast-track solution for installing floorcoverings as part ofa refurbishment after flood...
Lies on CVs can be costly for all concerned
What are the legalities surrounding dishonesty on CVs? Anna Bithrey evaluates what employerscan do to...
A flooring contractor’s marketing selection box for Christmas
In his final column before Christmas, Barry Ashmore presents a ‘selection box’ of subjectsand issues...
Making office refurbs quicker using new technologies
Ellen Reith discusses how office refurbishments can be completed swiftly and sustainably, thanks to new...
The march away from ‘solvents’
We’re now, for many reasons, seeing an inexorable march away from spirit-based sealers. While some...
Growing pains
It’s impossible to say where Brexit leaves us at the moment, and to an extent...
A curate’s egg?
Has Brexit had a significant impact on the flooring industry? Or is it just a...
When the lights turn green
Do Green Guide ratings still have a role to play in assessing environmental impact?Rob Firman...
When to think about your ink
Although many tradespeople have tattoos without it being an issue, do corporate officeworkers in the...
Contracts under the microscope
Katarina Morgan explains the differences between cancelling and terminating a contract, and why these matters...
Moving and maintaining your flooring machinery
Geoff answers some common questions about loading and maintaining equipment in the flooring industry.
AS Emmert...
Understanding moisture testsfor a successful installation
Moisture tests, a crucial stage in the preparation of a new floor, are often offered...
Dealing with lignite
WHEN undertaking any flooring installation, it is important to ensure the subfloor is free of...
The ins-and-outs of adjudication
Barry Ashmore explains the meaning of adjudication and how it can be used to help...
Keeping retail clean: Entrance flooring systems are the way forward
The coming increase in Christmas shoppers will take its toll on the entrances of retail...
Reading the tea leaves
In the knowledge that many floorlayers, in wanting to measure the moisture that can effect...
Out with the old, in with the new?
Richard looks into whether we should be installing modern floor finishes in heritage buildings.
THERE are...
Flooring: it’s all about preparation
Here Nick explores the importance of efficient floor preparation and its role in the growing...
Have you got the right moves?
Using an example of where F Ball’s technical service department has advised on the best...
How to complete subfloor preparationon timber substrates
The challenges of wooden floors can daunt some flooring installers, but the ideal installation can...
When painting takes the floor
James examines what’s involved when undertaking the painting of flooring in warehouses, workshops, schools, hospital...
Going back in time
Employment status is fraught with danger, says Adam. Those in a position where employment rights...
When feedback gives food for thought
To have any worth, marketing feedback must be both relevant and constructive, says Barry.
I WAS...
Subfloor preparation in industrial settings
Flooring in industrial settings will often be subject to greater stresses and strains than in...
For durability, hygiene and slip-resistance, it has to be resin flooring
Resin flooring is the flooring of choice for industrial and commercial applications whether manufacturing, warehousing,...
Visitor attraction gets the Bostik treatment
ESTABLISHED in 1945 by the University of Manchester, Jodrell Bank in Cheshire is a deep-space...
Debate about workplace temperatures heats up
After the record-breaking 40.3deg C in July, employers and employees are asking questions about the...
Flooring renewal contributes to circular economy
When it comes to sustainability, by changing mindsets and working together we can ensure continuous...
More than one way to skin a cat
Richard Renouf explains that while there are many ways to measure moisture in the air...
The XPS Factor
Rob Firman details how extruded polystyrene insulation (XPS) is made, and explains what gives it...
There’s no one-size-fits-all to tooling
Dave Bigham answers three commonly asked questions about surface preparation equipment tooling, including how many...
Fast-track smoothing underlayments
John discusses innovations around smoothing underlayments, a product category that’s seen particular advancements to help...
How much subfloor preparation productdo you really need?
In this illuminating column, James Rosher answers key questions some contractors ask regarding subfloor preparation.
HOW...
Buy now, pay later: a route to success?
For the moment, BNPL is an option that retailers cannot afford to ignore; if they...
Before you sign on the dotted line…
Entering into a contract is a serious business which requires careful attention to detail.Barry outlines...
Considering more in vinyl flooring
Paul Webb says good vinyl flooring design is not only about the colour and pattern...
Designs to consider for office refurbishments
Ellen Reith discusses the design of offices and what contractors may want to consider when...
Influencer marketing and the flooring industry
Could an influencer help your business?Yes, says Chloe Rushworth.
At Unify, we’re constantly emerged in the...
Creating growth for flooring businesses across the UK
Tom Cockerill explains how digital marketing can help any business out there.
I have been in...
How many words is a picture worth?
The saying goes ‘a picture is worth 1000 words’, and this has never been truer...
The power of social media advertising
Social media is at the forefront of marketing and there is no sign of it...
The role of content boosting in SEO
Ellie Harvey looks at why search engine optimisation is so important.
What was once a small...
Why a well-designed website is crucial
Catherine Spibey discusses some of the most important factors to consider when creating or updating...
Why your flooring business needs social media to thrive in today’s market
While many of us are consumers of social media nowadays, there are certainly fewer amongst...
Why flooring companies should invest in digital marketing
Kay Porter, MD at Smart Marketing Works, explores the importance of digital marketing and discusses...
Ten steps to social media marketing success
Fiona Pavely gives her take on the world of Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Once a simple...
Attacking the algorithms and finding your followers
Tom Bourne, is creative director of Select First, a long-standing media agency specialising in the...
Making your customers’ decisions easy’
Jayne Adamson, product marketing specialist at Plum Product Marketing, has her visuals on the world...
Why branding is important when advertising online
Neil Owen is a designer who has worked on the CFJ and Tile and Stone...
Getting people and projects where they need to be
Mike Orchard explains how resourcing can help busy flooring companies.
The world is changing fast, and...
Social media overview
Harriet Whitaker shines the spotlight on CFJ’s own social media channels.
Facebook: @cfj.contractflooringjournalFacebook plays an important...
The power of ‘PR’
Jeremy Fraser talks public and press relations.
Look, this is not intended to ‘teach Granny...
Designer Contracts’ digital world
Louise Walters, commercial director for Designer Contracts, provides her thoughts on how flooring companies can...
Simple steps you can take to combat cyber crimelines
Did you know that manufacturing, production, distribution, and sales consistently rank in the top five...
VoIP telephone systems vs. traditional phone lines
BT made headlines in 2018 when they announced plans to shut down traditional phone lines...
A good system shortens the road to your goal
To the people out there who want to rely on the cheapest products that arrive...
When homeworking employees refuse to return to the office
As Sophie explains that although there’s a legal right for individuals to refuse to return...
Understanding BES 6001 responsible sourcing certification
A critical part of achieving sustainability in the construction industry is thewidespread adoption of circular...
Sports hall and dance studio floors: What’s the difference?
Are dance floors and sport floors the same? It may depend on who you ask,so...
Flooring failure fix
Using a real-life example, Chris McQuade provides a fix for a flooring failure resulting froman...
Prioritise floorlayers’ health when it comes to adhesives
Brian King reassures adhesive manufacturers that adhesives that don’t need health warnings will be warmly...
The truth behind the ‘super deduction’
In part two of this special financial report, Adam Bernstein examines the ‘super deduction’, a...
The hunt for the right customers
Barry Ashmore provides some perspective on how flooring contractors can find a better class of...
Taking a break from the noise
Most flooring contractors and specialist installers won’t have spent too much time thinking about soundproofing,...
Moisture testing tools to save you time and money
Ever encountered a floor damaged by moisture? If so, you know just how costly a...
The importance of practical aesthetics in education flooring
Flooring in education is becoming a question of aesthetics, with schools and colleges focused on...
Creating a home-from-home for students
Laura Light highlights the trends flooring contractors can expect customers to request this year and...
The simple solution to improving acoustics
Lewis Cooper looks at how the correct flooring with respect to acoustics can contribute to...
This is going to bug you
‘Come and see what YOUR beetles have been doing to my beautiful home,’ said thelady...
We’re all going on (another) bank holiday!
Are employees automatically entitled to additional bank holidays, such as the one we recently enjoyed...
Time to get on top of flooring termsand technical details
Steve Thornton provides a brief and concise overview for some of the more commonly used...
Refurbishment remedies
Using a real-life example of advice provided by F Ball and Co’s technical service team...
The facts about your tax
In the first part of this special financial report, Adam Bernstein looks at how a...
Which way is the wind blowing?
Barry Ashmore explains why you should never just ‘hope for the best’, and outlineshow one...
Wood and laminate market trends
Gail Alcock looks at market trends in the wood and laminate world…
Laminate flooring continues to...
Making a great first impression with bespoke entrance flooring
An effective entrance flooring system improves safety and reduces cleaning costs but can also form...