Richard Renouf takes us through the first part of how the finalists progressed during this year’s thrilling Fitter of the Year competition at The Flooring Show
THE floorlayer of the year competition is run by the NICF to identify the best floorlayer from all the entries received. The competition alternates between carpets (2024) and LVT (2025). Entries are open to any floorlayer and this year’s process started with a questionnaire covering British Standards requirements and best industry practices for installing LVT.
The top 12 entrants are invited to fit a competition platform which is then assessed by a panel of judges. The top five semi-finalists from this group are invited to compete at The Flooring Show in Harrogate. This year for the first time the semi-finals were held at the Installer Show at the NEC in June so the finalists already had experience of doing their work under the scrutiny of show attendees as well as the judges.
If you want to participate in this competition, you can register your interest with the NICF here: www.nicfltd.org.uk/FOTY-Competition/
The challenge at this year’s final contained four different LVT elements. The first was a hexagonal shaped area to be installed with a Kraus Herringbone click tile provided by Roberts QEP. The second was to install Textures Elements basketweave, splitting the area in half so one side was done as straight lay and the other on a 45deg angle in mahogany and white ash. The third element was to install herringbone with a border using a new dry-back SPC product from KC-CP in a beautiful honey oak colour. The fourth element was the feature step which was also fitted with the honey oak in the matching plank option and a Bendybull profile supplied by Stairrods UK.
Our blow-by-blow account of how the competition unfolded will be presented in three instalments, between January and March issues. This month will deal with straight and diagonal basketweave; February will look at herringbone; and March will scrutinise the curved step and click flooring,
as well as a look at the winners.