Help and advice
Advancements in kneepads
Consistently utilising kneepads on the jobsite is one preventative measure that can help this issue,...
Fast fit flooring: refurbishing schools for the new academic year
Lewis Cooper explores how adhesive-free floorcoverings can aid in flooring solutions that can be installed...
Is your LVT floor dementia-friendly?
Flooring is unlikely to attract the attention of visitors in care homes but for residentsit...
Considerations to remember when installing LVT
Gary Haigh looks into the key considerations Ardex considers which contribute to a seamless LVT...
LVT acclimatisation: What’s it all about?
Rob Mitchell gets into the nitty-gritty about what LVT acclimatisation is all about.
MOST of us...
Maintaining your flooring fleet
Tom Griffin explains the importance of maintenance in avoiding unexpected equipment issues.
JUST like a car...
Dealing with uncommon subfloor types
Chris McQuade advises on identifying and working over less familiar types of subfloor.
REGULAR readers of...
Obey the chef
An angry French chef tells Richard Renouf what he should write about. And it has...
And taking the gold…
Hardwood flooring is probably the flooring industry’s champion choice in the face of global warming,...
The US steals a march on the UK flooring industry with DCM ban
Congratulations to the tradespeople of America on winning a small victory against DCM, says Rachael...
Think things through
When building your flooring systems, Paul Sycamore says you should rememberwhat the project is going...
How to make a success of being a show off
Lauren Murphy gives flooring companies hints on how to make the most of their exhibition...
Work safely in the sun by wearing the right clothes
DRESSING right for the working environment you’re in is very important – not only for...
Leading by ‘exSample’
Andrew Biss, director of Strippers Flooring Ltd, explains why it’s important to invest in the...
Manufacturing with design and sustainability perspectives in mind
Ravi Bains elaborates on how design and sustainability initiatives are important when designing wood floors.
ENGINEERED...
Don’t forget the basics of safety with Knee protection
Lee Richards discusses the importance of knee protection and how it prevents and preserves knee...
The resurgence of teak
Lloyd Wilson explains the benefits of teak.
AFTER the devastation of forests in the 1950s and...
The importance of keeping wood floors clean
Richard Aylen provides steps on how to clean a wood floor effectively.
HARDWOOD flooring is very...
Maintenance matters: effective wood flooring care and damage prevention
Tim Huffadine shares tips on how to maintain wood floors and prevent damage.
When you’ve invested...
Do I need to check the subfloor?
Alec Stacey explains the importance of checking subfloors before installation.
I WAS recently reminded that issues...
Designing for the future – the opportunity of hardened wood flooring
Emanuel Lidberg talks about where his design inspiration comes from and how hardened
wood flooring allows...
Crossing the threshold: making a statement at the entrance
Entrance flooring systems can now serve a more aesthetic purpose too, helping convey or reinforce...
This LVT mistake could cost you thousands
How do you save money when it comes to installing LVT? Gill Finch has the...
Herein lies the truth
Being dishonest on a CV can be a costly mistake for all concerned as Sarah...
A picture is worth a thousand words
Richard Renouf relates an amusing (well, for the reader) story about the importance of photos...
What is LVT?
Rob Eckersley explains what LVT is, its benefits, and provides a guide for those who...
Is the stability claim a myth?
Everybody knows engineered wood floors are more stable than solid ones… don’t they? Richard Aylen...
Heavy-duty solution
Using a real-life example of advice provided by F Ball’s technical service team on the...
As sharp as you like
It’s not just the French revolutionaries who favoured a guillotine blade, explains Tom Dunn.It’s handy...
Floor preparation in newbuild projects
Starting in 2025, the way flooring is installed may change with government’s decision on how...
Securing your next job
As a recruitment consultant and careers advisor, Jerry Wood explains how to find the perfectrole...
How specialist flooring contractors can make marketing work
Marketing is a crucial tool for any flooring business. Barry Ashmore explains how you can...
Implementing the use of digital in flooring spaces
Louise Walters talks about the digital world and how the flooring industry should seek to
include...
Visual tools that increase product sales
Jayne Adamson elaborates on the importance of visual tools and how they can help increase...
Five reasons the construction industry should embrace digital
Sinead Morgan talks through five reasons why construction industry should explore and embrace digital media.
THE...
Technical services away from sites
Stephen Thornton conducts a behind-the-scenes tour of some of the lesser-known work
the technical services teams...
VAT mistakes that could land your business in trouble
Making a VAT-related mistake can be costly – HMRC will expect outstanding VAT to be...
Heavy-duty inspection
Richard Renouf gives us an exclusive peek inside his inspection kit, which is heavy enough
to...
Not just another spray
Compatibility and suitability are things you look for when selecting a flooring adhesive,
and a flooring...
Installations in marine and offshore environments
John Green advises on ensuring compliance while achieving a high-performance, aesthetically pleasing flooring finish.
WHEN installing...
Address modern office design needs with carpet tiles
Donna Hannaway discusses how carpet tiles meet the functional requirements of an office as well...
Adhesive-free flooring: A modern method of Installation
Ian discusses the importance of improving the circularity of floor coverings, and the crucial role...
What’s key when installing LVT
Martin explains what the key aspects are when installing an LVT.
THE Creation LVT range from...
LVT acclimatisation – What’s it all about?
Rob Mitchell provides information on LVT acclimatisation.
MOST of us are familiar with the idea that...
The importance of adhesive selection
Neil Sanders on the importance of carefully considering adhesive selection when installing LVTs, including checking...
Using technology to convert more sales
Richard Davison explains the benefits of technology for businesses.
FOCUSING on a more accelerated pace of...
Considerations to bear in mind when installing LVT
Gary Haigh provides a guide and the steps that need to be considered when installing...
The benefits of safety flooring in healthcare environments
Daniel Wetzels explores how contractors can combine functionality, performance and aesthetics when looking at safety...
How to decide which adhesive to use
Shane Moore provides tips on how to decide which adhesives are most suited for your...
Ensure you have the correct adhesives when laying LVTs
Stewart goes into detail about the importance of ensuring you have the right adhesives.
Choosing the...
Perfect preparation prevents poor performance
I’ve mentioned how I apply the ‘5ps’ when approaching installations: perfect preparation prevents poor performance,...
The unsung hero: Flooring underlayment deserves recognition
Adam explains how underlays should receive more credit when it comes to flooring installations.
IN the...
Designing safety into surface preparation
Operators benefit most when manufacturers consider safety. Connie Johnson explores how equipment manufacturers can learn...
Domino dancing
James explores how the dominoes are slowly falling as we head towards a distressed UK...
Dealing with lignite
Using a real-life example of advice provided by F Ball’s technical service team on the
best...
Not fit-for-purpose?
In an urgent inspection, Richard Renouf deals with an installation where the professional
floorlayer comes unstuck...
You say tomato…
At the end of the day, we all want value. But are we all talking...
Are you ready for a new website yet?
Barry Ashmore investigates the point at which it becomes apparent your website is ready for...
Technical services – a testing place to work
Stephen Thornton provides insight into some of the duties undertaken by the technical services team...
Inspire your customers with colour and texture
The creative possibilities which come with modern timber floor refinishing techniques shouldn’t be sniffed at,...
Don’t get caught out by IR35 and off-payroll working
Floorlayers working through their own companies, and the contractors they work for, need to ensure...
Keeping an eye on the fine print
Barry Ashmore explains how contracts should be set up and advises flooring
contractors on what they...
Refurbishments – you never know what you might uncover
Problems on refurbishments can be avoided by doing a thorough and intrusive assessment of the...
Guaranteed deliveries ensure refurbishments stay on schedule
Donna Hannaway discusses how contractors can ensure guaranteed supplies of their
chosen flooring solution.
CARPET tiles are...
Phew! What a scorcher!
Richard Renouf grapples with an inspection where, as happens from time to time, crucial information...
Fast-track smoothing compounds
Many recent developments in smoothing compounds have been driven by the desire to
speed up the...
Carpet tiles, moisture and condensation
Richard Renouf recently inspected new office blocks where carpet tiles were lifting
around the edges. Here’s...
The 5 Ps: perfect preparation prevents poor performance
When it comes to floor preparation and moisture testing in particular, Shane uses the five...
The ways your hardwood floor surface can wear
Richard Aylen investigates the various factors that bring a hardwood floor to the point at...
Are you still working with DCM?
If you want me to stop banging the DCM-free drum, says Rachael Morgan, then make...
Dealing with movement joints
Using a real-life example, Jason Tatton looks at issues arising when installing floorcoverings where movement...
Handling an employment tribunal claim
Adam Bernstein explains why taking legal advice at an early stage will ensure an employer
understands...
Marketing for flooring contractors this year
2024 won’t be so much about doing new things, as building on proven activity in...
What does your construction contract say about insolvency?
Frances Antoniak, Fintan Wolohan and Nicola Deedes discuss the importance of scrutinising your contract to...
Fuzzy side up
Roy Barker looks at how the conceptual minimalisation of flooring is failing the construction industry.
MOST,...
Fire Safety: New building safety regime is now live
Tom Weld elaborates on the final elements of the new building safety regime introduced by...
Oil-treated wooden floors: the full story
Richard Aylen looks at what lies behind the natural beauty of an oil-treated solid timber...
Shining the spotlight on calcium sulphates
Paul Sycamore talks through some facts when dealing with calcium sulphate screeds, including the properties...
Talking away trouble
Using examples from the flooring industry, Adam Bernstein outlines why more employers are looking to...
Swallow your pride and do a deal
There are definitely times when it’s better to settle the matter and put it behind...
A safe bet
Mark Hoskins considers one of the most common dilemmas faced by hospital estates managers and...
Fighting the spread of infections using flooring
As one of the largest interior surfaces in any building, there’s no better place to...
Why green issues need to get the gold treatment
Flooring manufacturers across the world are companies just like any other and
need to take ownership...
A laser-like focus on measuring
When it comes to measuring, Richard Renouf advises you to use whatever’s best for you,...
What are you doing to improve your installers’ work environment?
Whether you are a national contractor or a local carpet shop, the safety of your
installers...
Handling the heat
Chris McQuade gives advice to floorlayers wishing to install floorcoverings where
underfloor heating is present.
FLOORING installations...
Overcoming delays on construction sites with on-time deliveries
Andrew Tavener explains how to take advantage of proven software solutions such as accurate delivery...
Tooling trials
To help contractors expand their tooling portfolio and achieve effective surface preparation, Becky Duncan highlights...
Smoothing compounds selection – it’s right for you, but is it right for the job?
Adam Jones talks through the different types of smoothing compounds manufacturers such as Bostik have...
The power of the PDF for sharing and lead generation
Barry explains how the humble PDF can play an important role in sales and marketing...
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...
