Help and advice
My one golden tip: test for damp!
Time and again, we’ve seen a damp subfloor causes floors to fail. Regardless of the...
The dangers of going cheap
Sid Bourne was incredulous when, while attending a complaint, the consumer told him she chose...
The correct adhesive is key to a successful stair-nosing
Stair-nosings can be quite a troublesome part of a flooring installation, but choosing the correct...
UFH and floorcoverings: get up to speed
Andrew Coy explains why selecting the right sort of flooring to go with underfloor heating...
New rules for witness evidence in business and property courts
6 April 2021 heralded significant change in the way factual witness evidence is presented in...
Is long Covid-19 a disability?
For those employers in the flooring industry wondering whether long Covid-19 constitutes a disability, Anna...
Carefully does it
Richard Renouf attends a failed flooring complaint and wonders whether the developer will be more...
Why social media is so important for your flooring business
We’re spending so much of our free time behind a screen, which has led to...
Floor the competition with professional marketing
How can a flooring contractor market itself in the most efficient way possible?Alison Relf has...
Build up your troubles in your old kitbag
Adam Fox retells the interesting story of Norm Mason and the invention of the efficient...
A flooring contractor’s guide to Twitter
Twitter may not appear to be as trendy as other social media channels but it’s...
Give laminate the freedom to express itself
Richard Renouf points out that laminate must be free to expand and contract just like...
All the colours of the floor
So, you want to colour your floor? There are many innovative ways to do so,...
Flexible working is the way forward
Flooring businesses must expect more flexible working requests from their employees in the weeks and...
The sound of silence: getting the most from acoustic flooring and underlays
Life can become a lot more comfortable by using acoustic and underlay systems and choosing...
Working over wood and metal
Jason Tatton gives his guidance on preparing metal and wood subfloors ahead of the installation...
Antimicrobial power beneath your feet
Jonathan Clapp gives a detailed analysis on antimicrobial additives and their ability to keep floors...
Build up your troubles in your old kitbag
Neal Inwood delves deep into his casebook for this cautionary tale which warns that it’s...
New working practices set to continue
Jerry Woods highlights interesting trends that have emerged from a detailed survey into the staffing...
Remote but still in touch
As remote working remains commonplace even post-pandemic, David elaborates on connecting with new business prospects.
WHILE...
Making remote working work
Barry recaps on our industry’s experience of remote working and explores how subcontractors can use...
It’s my party, and I’ll ply if I want to…
Neal arrived onsite to find Freddie’s newly-laid LVT floor was failing dramatically - lifting and...
Home away from home
Jerry has compiled his top tips for contractors on how they can inspire their teams...
Tiled flooring: The heat is on
Martin provides advice on how to perfect your tiled floor when warm water underfloor heating...
Ensuring a perfectly smooth subfloor
John details steps for when a flawlessly smooth subfloor finish is required.
ENSURING a smooth base...
Shiny happy people
What do you do if you’re a flooring contractor in the Scottish islands where the...
The plague of ‘invisible’ bullying
For organisations that ignore invisible bullying or don’t take adequate steps to prevent it, the...
Getting in a flap about energy savings
In light of the relentless drive for energy savings, Richard explains why he thinks keyholes...
Playing it safe
Flooring can help prevent industrial workplace accidents and contribute to an overall safer work environment,...
Simplifying construction procurement
Barry explores how software can de-risk and streamline the chaotic world of construction procurement.
FAST-PACED and...
Heads you win?
As the UK slowly returns to a normalised society, Karen elaborates on the importance of...
Filling the skills gap in your team
If you’ve weathered the storm and want to ensure continued growth in the contract flooring...
Online defamation – a growing risk for businesses?
Before you act against someone who’s bad-mouthed your business, remember there’s a very fine line...
The wonderful world of wood
And I mean it, says Neal. Wood is such a wonderful material that if it...
Installing wood flooring – it’s not the same as other floors!
In this detailed column, Martin gets into the nitty-gritty of why the installation of wood...
So, you want good business? Make it about the customer!
How do you ensure your business is successful? James says you should start by enhancing...
Using technology to maximise profit
Using a real project as a case study, Barry explores practical ways software can help...
That don’t impress me much!
THERE are certain phrases I hear regularly which don’t impress me, but there’s one that...
Why temperature onsite is so important
Martin discusses the factors that greatly impact on flooring installations when temperatures aren’t ideal.
A COLD...
Taxing times
Paul elaborates on the plastic packaging tax and the opportunity to help the contract flooring...
Mitigating stress in the workplace as workers return
It’s critical for businesses to recognise that if they fail to act appropriately, they could...
That ole bestseller – great expectations
It’s all too easy to batter Freddie the Flooring Contractor and Young Rodney, says Neal....
Look behind the logo
With respect to environmental product certification and approval, Richard gives an indication of what to...
Transitions: Getting the transition right for flooring
Tim explains why transition profiles are vital in allowing people to safely move between different...
Considering sources of moisture
Tony provides an overview of some of the main issues to consider, and the importance...
Between hell and excess moisture
Jason advises on guarding against floor failure as a result of excess subfloor moisture, including...
Green is the money
Flooring, by virtue of involving a manufacturing process, is a consumptive industry. Whether it’s raw...
Resistance is futile! (or is it?)
Can an employer require an employee to take a Covid-19 vaccination? The answer will surprise...
‘Our new landscape needs a new compass’
How can you become change and innovation ready, so you’re optimised to take advantage of...
Site conditions – what should happen
CFJ received an impassioned comment from a flooring contractor in reaction to Garry’s article on...
Up the creek with updraught soiling
Richard inspects a job with a good standard of workmanship and where, if no steps...
Training: It’s a lifetime thing
One of the most important things flooring contractors can do to prevent their installations failing...
Taking a temperature check on LVTs
Lee takes a closer look at luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) and investigates the common problems...
Practical ways to investigate new technologies
Barry offers guidance on how you can identify which technology will be a game-changer for...
The ins-and-outs of your Ts and Cs
Peter advises readers to review their contractual terms and conditions in the light of the...
All dressed up with somewhere to go
Adam investigates HMRC’s rules when it comes to staff wearing unform and provides advice on...
When nature gets involved in flooring
John advises flooring contractors on the appropriate steps to take when installing nature’s own brand...
Digging deep to get a seamless finish
A well-prepared, solid substrate is the vital element in underpinning a successful flooring installation. Tarjinder...
Sticking with tolerance
TEMPERATURE-tolerant adhesives have been developed for installing resilient floorcoverings in areas where temperatures have the...
Water, water everywhere – but not a sec to think!
Water is utterly essential in many construction processes and products, says Neal. That is, until...
Not all steps are created equal
Lee elaborates on installing stair treads and explains why it’s never been the easiest part...
Let’s look at an underlying problem
Sometimes, says Richard, problems with a particular type of flooring can come in waves for...
Take the guesswork out of running your business
Barry explains how software enables subcontractors to replace gut-feel decisions with informed data-driven decisions.
I WAS...