How to achieve flawless renovations every time

RENOVATIONS are among the most common types of flooring project. However, traditionally, flooring contractors have been expected to solely rely on standard subfloor preparation when renovating buildings – as if there was no difference between an upgrade and a fresh installation.
It’s an oversight that has meant many renovations have gone less smoothly and successfully than they could have. But with Bostik’s RENO range of subfloor repair solutions, this is thankfully now a thing of the past.

Here’s a look at some key products from the range, and how they can help you on your next renovation project.

Bostik RENO C700 FEATHERING FINISH
Most renovations involve dealing with small imperfections in the existing subfloor. Whether gouges, ridges, trowel marks, or visible joints, they all have the power to compromise the final floor covering and lead to inconvenient call-backs.

Bostik RENO C700 FEATHERING FINISH is a single-component, rapid-drying patching compound that smooths such imperfections quickly. It can be applied from a true feather edge up to 3mm in one coat, or 12mm in layers, requires no priming, and has a walk-on time of just 15 minutes. This keeps projects moving while delivering an ideal base for resilient and textile flooring.

Bostik RENO P520 EASY
The older subfloors seen in renovations are prone to cracks and shrinkage joints, which can lead to movement and noise if not treated during the renovation. Bostik’s RENO P520 EASY solves this problem in the simplest way. A solvent-free, two-component resin, it is specially designed for repairing non-structural cracks and filling shrinkage joints quickly and effectively – restoring stability to the subfloor and creating a stable base for further subfloor preparation.

Bostik RENO E742 STRUCTURE
When the cracks in the concrete or sand/cement screed are more serious, a stronger solution is required. This is particularly key where movement, heat, or load are involved, as defects can transfer through the smoothing compound and floor coverings and cause major floor failure.

Bostik’s RENO E742 STRUCTURE is a solvent-free, two-part epoxy resin that repairs cracks, fills joints, and consolidates friable substrates. Fully compatible with underfloor heating, it can be used alone or with glass fibre mesh for wider cracks.

Bostik Rapid Repair Mortar
In some cases, the subfloor will have larger defects, in the form of holes, cracks, and damaged steps. Standard products can be slow to cure or difficult to apply to such areas, which, if not properly addressed, can cause major issues with the finished floor.
Specially formulated for this exact issue, Bostik Rapid Repair Mortar is an ultra-fast curing, sag-resistant patching compound that can be applied at any thickness, horizontally or vertically. This makes it ideal for repairing steps, cracks, and uneven concrete or screed, for which it delivers rapid strength and a reliable build-up.

Bostik 3070
A common issue with subfloors in older buildings is movement at floor perimeters and between different flooring materials, which can cause cracking and lifting of the floor coverings. This is especially problematic where the floor is subject to temperature and humidity changes, and where expansion gaps have been poorly filled in.
Bostik 3070 is a cork-based perimeter sealant designed to fill expansion joints up to 5mm wide between ceramic, parquet, and laminate flooring. It seamlessly accommodates natural movement and helps prevent cracks and deformation, as well as offering effective sound and thermal insulation around window and door frames and partition walls.

Bostik REINFORCEMENT MESH 100
Another solution to subfloor movement caused by weak junctions between substrates or unstable control joints is mesh. Bostik REINFORCEMENT MESH 100 is a fibreglass-reinforcing mesh designed for use with all Bostik professional flooring systems on cementitious and calcium sulphate substrates. It helps to distribute pressure evenly, reinforcing adjoining substrates, and stabilising control joints.
Standard subfloor preparation products are still required for the bulk of the work on any flooring renovation project. However, you will not be fully prepared until you have an arsenal of specialist renovation products in reserve, ready to tackle the inevitable issues that come up in older buildings.

Find out more about the RENO range from Bostik.

bostik-profloor.co.uk/products/floor-repair

Adam Jones is technical consultant at Bostik Professional Flooring