Main image: MAPEI – Floor requirements differ across sites

Selecting a suitable flooring solution is far more complex than just aesthetics. This is where mistakes are regularly made on construction or renovation sites.

The operational space – the floor

“The floor is fundamentally the ‘operational’ space of all buildings and needs to be able to deal with the requirements placed on it. It doesn’t help if your floor looks fantastic and adds to the aesthetic appeal of a space, but cannot cope with the rigours and demands of that space,” argues Louis Visser, Product Manager for Mapei South Africa.

What to consider when choosing a flooring solution

Many variables need to be taken into account when considering flooring solutions and neglecting to do so could compromise all efforts, leading to unhappy customers or building owners – and applicators carrying the costs. It’s vital to consider the following points.

1. UV stability – The South African environment is harsh and its impact on flooring cannot be underestimated. UV light can result in colour fade leading to inconsistencies in the applied floor.
2. Chemical resistance – This is how the floor will hold up against exposure to chemicals that will be used in that environment.
3. Abrasion resistance – One needs to consider what machinery/equipment is going to be operating on the floor and how the floor will stand up to consistent pressure caused by movement on its surface.
4. Impact resistance – How will the floor hold up to sudden impacts on it from people or machinery operating in the space?
5. Lifespan – Flooring is costly, especially industrial flooring in large spaces. Whichever solution is selected, it needs to have a lifespan that meets the customer’s needs.
6. Budget – This is imperative as every project has a budget. The solution chosen needs to work within the budget of the owner/ developer.
7. Maintenance – It is often forgotten that floor costs don’t end once it’s applied. A well-kept floor always needs maintenance and these costs need to be factored in.

Advising the end user

“Considering the above points is vital and agreement is required from both the applicator and the end user or homeowner.” adds Jacobus Pretorius, Technical Services Manager for Mapei South Africa.

Approved applicators crucial

“As a leading flooring solutions provider in the market, MAPEI places great emphasis on ensuring the applicators who use our products are properly trained. We also ensure that the solutions selected are fit for use in the selected space and provide full technical support when selecting flooring solutions,” claims Jacobus.

For more information, contact MAPEI:
Tel: +27 11552 8476
Email: g.green@mapei.co.za
Website: www.mapei.co.za

If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our newsletter: https://www.buildinganddecor.co.za/

Subscribe to our free magazine on http://tiny.cc/fwsubs or join other discussions like these on http://www.facebook.com/buildinganddecor, http://www.twitter.com/buildingdecor and https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/10172797/