The range of products specified for the project included Gerflor’s Olympic pedigree Taraflex^® Multi-Use sports floors, Taralay Impression heterogenous vinyl, Tarasafe Impression safeties, Powershock rubber tiles, together with GTI Max Technical tiles, and Gradus RT247 anodised aluminium ramp edge trims.

Juliette Chapman Specification Area Sales Manager, Gerflor, Northwest and Yorkshire said, “This was a unique project to work on in that it provided cross-selling opportunities where we were able to provide solutions for each requirement within the building project brief, “ Making comment on the specification decision Juliette Chapman went on to expand, “Pozzoni Architecture chose Gerflor products for several reasons when comparing with other manufacturers in the marketplace, Commenting on the development Martin Bransby, Director at Pozzoni said, “Initial feedback from the centre has been extremely positive. We and our Clients could not be happier with the final result, and in fact we presented completion photographs of Mablethorpe to other Clients who immediately said, ‘we want that’.”

Paynters Contract Flooring ensured that the Mablethorpe Leisure Centre would benefit from the specified range of Gerflor and Gradus products in delivering the high standards of installation that the project so demanded. Rob Dixon, Estimator at Paynters Contract Flooring said,” We specify both Gerflor and Gradus on a host of projects as their innovative products are cost effective, work well, look impressive and are easy to get hold of for fast renovations.”

To read the full press release, please click here

Since its formation in 1981, Gloucester-based International Plywood has earned its reputation through a commitment to friendly, informal service alongside delivering professional, high-quality results. International Plywood focuses on supplying customers with the right panel solutions, backed by their extensive industry experience. With consistent growth from a turnover of £14 million in 1998 to over £150 million in 2020, their success reflects the reliability and quality of their products and service.

For this project, Gerflor delivered a comprehensive range of flooring solutions tailored to the needs of the office environment. Central to the design was the seamless integration of Creation 55 Looselay flooring with the Gradus Lunar carpet tiles. Sharing the same thickness, these innovative products enabled a smooth and uninterrupted transition between areas, without the need for joining strips, resulting in a unified and visually appealing finish throughout the space.

Adding a vibrant touch to the back stairway, Mipolam Planet in Aventurine, a bright green shade, offered a durable and low-maintenance solution for this high-traffic area. Safety was prioritised on the staircases, with Gradus XT stair edgings enhancing slip resistance and visibility on the main stairway, while Gradus BasicZ stair edgings provided a practical and cost-effective option for the back stairs.

To further promote hygiene and durability, Gradus SureProtect Pure wall protection was installed in the shower rooms and toilets. Its’ impact resistance and easy-to-clean surface made it an essential addition to these spaces. At the entranceway, Gradus Mat-in-a-Box played a critical role in trapping dirt and moisture, preserving the quality of the interior flooring and ensuring safety throughout the building.

Chris Pursey, Gerflor’s Specification Area Sales Manager – Flooring, explained, “Stanley Partnership Architects approached us to specify flooring solutions that included luxury vinyl tile, safety and homogeneous flooring, carpet tiles, entrance matting, stair edgings, and even hygienic wall cladding for bathrooms. The range of Gerflor and Gradus products were installed across various locations throughout the complex, from offices and corridors to stairs, bathrooms, staff areas, and toilets.”

Chris Pursey, further emphasised the design impact of the materials used. Located on a brownfield site with excellent M5 access, the project allowed for close oversight of the seamless integration of Gerflor and Gradus products. Chris commented further “The Creation 55 LVT Looselay tiles paired effortlessly with Gradus Lunar carpet tiles, eliminating the need for joining strips and achieving a high-quality interior finish. Additionally, the incorporation of plywood alongside these elements contributed a unique and visually striking dimension to the design.”

Ian Cartwright, Gradus Specification Area Sales Manager – Wall Protection, commented, “The accessories we provided, including the stair edgings and wall protection systems, were vital in ensuring the project met both safety and aesthetic requirements. From improved stair visibility to enhanced hygiene in wet areas, the Gradus solutions added long-term value to the space and contributed to the seamless integration of functionality and design.”

Stanley Partnership Architects, who have collaborated with Gerflor on past projects, specified Gerflor’s flooring for its versatility and suitability for multiple spaces. They also desired a complete solution and were looking for specification support on the wall protection and stair edgings requirements for the facility and were pleased to be able to source this from Gradus, which is a part of the Gerflor Group.

Stanley Partnership Architects were founded in 1978, this family-run firm, based in Cheltenham, is a a multi-disciplined practice that provides a diverse range of architectural services. Their national portfolio of services are suitable for both Professional & Domestic clients in Housing, Private extensions/remodelling and also the Commercial sectors.

Director Andy Hobdey of Stanley Partnership Architects explained that the client approached them shortly after purchasing the site, seeking architectural support for planning conditions, building regulations, and the construction phase. With the site intended to serve as the company’s headquarters and main warehouse, the project presented a rare opportunity to create a well-designed, bright, and inspiring workspace for the employees, made possible by the client’s clear vision and commitment.

On specification Andy Hobdey went on to say, “We already had an existing relationship with the Gerflor team and knew immediately that their innovative product ranges would give us the versatility and durability required for the spaces we wanted to create.  There is a wide choice of contemporary finishes that are recognised for their outstanding technical performance especially, when it comes to the safety of users.”

Andy Hobdey further added “It was of immense value to also be able to access and specify the Gradus Wall Protection and Accessory Stair edging products as part of the iconic project, having the relationship with Gerflor enabled us to fast track the project and also include the finishing solutions from the Gradus offer to be a part of the renovation project”.

Reflecting on his experience with the project, Ian Cartwright noted that working with his counterpart Chris Pursey from Gerflor, at the start of the installation phase, highlighted the impressive and diverse range of products Gerflor can supply for commercial interior refurbishment and new build projects.

Ian Cartwright went on to further add “As a combined business, we are able to offer our clients complete solutions ranging from high quality floorings such as LVT, Carpets, Safeties, Homogeneous vinyl’s from Gerflor, alongside our Gradus entrance matting, stair edgings and wall protection systems, this is a comprehensive complete solution which makes specification and purchasing even easier for all our customers.”

Andy Hobdey highlighted that the support provided by the Gerflor and Gradus teams during construction, along with the  finished results, surpassed expectations. Based on positive feedback from both the client and their workforce regarding the completed offices and ancillary spaces, Hobdey expressed confidence in returning to Gerflor and Gradus for future projects.

Andy Hobdey concluded, “The client and our teams are highly impressed with the final interior finish, this prestigious project required careful and thoughtful selection of building construction products, that would seamlessly work with the design vision we wanted to create for the end user. It has achieved this and could not have been possible without the support of the Gerflor and Gradus teams. We would not hesitate to use Gerflor and Gradus again in future specifications.”

Summing up the project Chris Pursey concluded, “Being part of this world class project was incredibly rewarding. The range of Gerflor and Gradus solutions which were installed throughout the facility, showcased our ability to provide an end-to-end comprehensive solution for a variety of applications, resulting in a visually and functionally exceptional finish.”

 Gerflor Company Overview

 Gerflor manufactures a comprehensive range of interior flooring solutions tailored for office buildings, including vinyl, linoleum, carpets, and rubber. Gerflor’s innovative designs enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of office spaces, while providing durable protection for interiors. Their solutions are proven to extend the lifespan of office buildings and reduce long-term maintenance costs. By partnering with office-based clients, Gerflor ensures that work environments are safe, accessible, and appealing for all occupants.

Overview of Gerflor products specified

 Creation 55 Looselay LVT

 The Creation 55 Essential LVT Collection offers versatility with options available in Dryback, and selected references in Solid Clic, Rigid Acoustic, and Looselay formats. The exclusive Protecshield™ Treatment adds an invisible layer that prevents micro-scratches and dirt buildup without altering the collection’s matte finish, ensuring the flooring maintains its appearance while simplifying and reducing maintenance costs. With a durable 0.55mm wear layer, the collection is REACH-compliant, Phthalate-free, formaldehyde-free, and contains recycled content, with the added benefit of recyclability at end-of-life.

A standout feature of the Creation 55 Essential Collection is its Mix and Match capability, enabling specifiers to seamlessly combine, contrast, and blend designs not only within the Creation 55 range but also with the Gradus Lunar carpet tile collection. This approach delivers unique, tailored flooring schemes with remarkable flexibility, offering an almost limitless palette for clients to create customised floor plans that fulfil both aesthetic and functional requirements.

Lunar Carpet Tile

 Lunar is a tufted loop pile carpet tile which can be randomly laid, it is available in eight eye-catching colourways and is on trend. Its unique designs reflect the mountain ranges of the moon. From the ethereal ‘Janssen’ through to ‘Jura’ and ‘Moro’ the myriad of colour choices stimulated in design by our nearest celestial body will both inspire and delight Designers and Specifiers alike. The Lunar carpet tile can also be mixed and matched with the Creation LVT ranges for a bespoke and customised look.

Lunar is perfect for office interiors, a host of education applications and many other contract environments. Lunar is available in a 500mm x 500mm format, it is made using 100% solution dyed nylon yarn, and the bitumen backing contains 75% recycled material providing outstanding levels of performance and comfort.

The Lunar Carpet collection is also available with a 12-year wear warranty and a 10-year anti-static warranty, as standard, a true commitment to its life longevity and quality.

Tarasafe Impression

 The Tarasafe Impression Collection is a visually impressive safety flooring range featuring realistic wood and mineral finishes aligned with contemporary office design trends. Ideal for both refurbishments and new office builds, this versatile floor covering is suited for high-traffic areas where slip resistance is essential. With 18 design-led colour options, Tarasafe Impression is ideal for creating safe, stylish interiors in office spaces, healthcare, education, and public buildings.

Engineered with reliable safety features, Tarasafe Impression is designed for medium- to high-traffic applications, with a compact backing reinforced by glass fibre and a printed design protected by a transparent wear layer. It meets ≥36 HSE guidelines  and has an R11 rating with a 20RTMRz micro surface roughness measurement, ensuring a low slip risk even in wet conditions.

This durable, 2mm-thick flooring includes a 0.70mm wear layer and a revolutionary UV-cured PUR treatment that enhances hygiene and simplifies maintenance. The Protecsol® Control surface treatment further ensures easy cleaning and upkeep, making it a low-maintenance, long-lasting choice for office interiors where aesthetics and safety are equally valued. Developed to leave a strong impression, Tarasafe Impression combines inspired design with superior slip resistance and durability, ideal for both new build and refurbishment office projects.

Mipolam Planet

 Mipolam Planet is part of a versatile range of high-performance homogeneous compact flooring solutions. Treated with Evercare™, an advanced and exclusive surface treatment, this vinyl flooring is scuff-resistant and requires no waxing or polishing to maintain its appearance and colour vibrancy over time. The combination of Evercare™ with anti-bacterial and fungicidal treatments ensures that stains such as blood and iodine can be easily and hygienically removed using minimal water and detergent. This not only reduces maintenance costs but also helps lower the environmental impact.

Gradus Company Overview

Gradus is a leading manufacturer of comprehensive interior solutions for office buildings, offering products such as stair edgings, floor trims, barrier matting, lighting, and wall protection. Gradus innovations are designed to create attractive and functional environments that enhance the aesthetic and safety of office spaces. These solutions contribute to the longevity of a building while helping to reduce long-term maintenance costs. Gradus works closely with office building developers and managers to ensure that spaces are safe, accessible, and well-maintained for all users.

Overview of Gradus products specified.

SureProtect Pure Wall Protection

 Gradus has been manufacturing, supplying, and fitting wall protection systems to the UK and International markets for 25 years and provides one of the most extensive wall protection systems available today.

SureProtect Pure is a hygienic wall cladding system designed for use in shower and toilet facilities within office buildings. It provides superior surface protection, creating an impenetrable barrier against moisture and bacteria, while also offering resistance to impact damage. The smooth, easy-to-clean surface is a perfect alternative to traditional ceramic tiles, eliminating the need for grout that can trap bacteria and dirt.

Available in 21 colours, SureProtect Pure can be coordinated to complement most office interior designs. A variety of finishing options in matching colours are also available, ensuring a seamless, professional look for high-traffic areas like shower and toilet facilities.

Gradus Mat-In-A-Box Entrance Matting

The Gradus Mat-In-A-Box Barrier Matting is a modular barrier matting system, designed to capture dirt and moisture – keeping floors cleaner for longer. Individual sections clip together, meaning quick and easy on-site assembly, minimising overall disruption. Constructed from 100% polypropylene wipers and a black or grey PVC base: incorporating flexible PVC pads for noise reduction.

Gradus XT and BasicZ Stair Edgings

XT Stair Edgings are the ultimate stair edging solutions comprising of bronze, aluminium or PVC-u Hardnose channels. A unique insert design extends around the leading edge of the stair edging to ensure maximum safety underfoot. A choice of pvc inserts are available, as well as a new metal castellated insert for use with XT bronze and XT aluminium channels.

They can be used in conjunction with floorcoverings from all major manufacturers and are suitable for interior use in all commercial and most industrial applications. They are supported by recommendations from BRE and the guidance contained within BS 8300-2:2018 and Approved Document M (ADM) of the Building Regulations 2000. Building owners and specifiers can choose XT safe in the knowledge that these innovations offers the ultimate solution in product design and performance to protect all groups of building users.

BASICZ™ Stair Edgings are renowned for their high quality and are ideal for internal use within most commercial applications. Featuring 2 new wide channel ramp back profiles, there are now 11 profile options to suit the most popular step shapes and common floorcovering types. Gradus have also increased the number of available insert colours to 20, ensuring that clients have an option to suit their colour and LRV needs. Customers can also take the risk out of measuring and book their FREE stair edging measure with the Gradus team of surveyors (UK mainland only).

Contact Details for Further Information

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01625 428 922 , emailing contractuk@gerflor.com, or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest innovations.

Learn more about Gradus solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01625 428 922, emailing imail@gradus.com, or visiting gradus.com for the latest barrier matting, wall protection, stair edgings, lighting, and flooring accessory innovations.

The Creation LVT range from international flooring specialist Gerflor is an extremely well established, credible, world class brand that continues to appeal to Specifiers and Designers alike with a host of vibrant and stunning decors that both inspire and stimulate the senses. The most popular designs and colourways are branded as the ‘Creation 55 LVT Essential Collection’. It’s an all -in -one solution delivering inspirational and exclusive finishes, which for 2023, now includes the stunningly beautiful Herringbone designs. The collection is stocked in UK, for fast delivery, when time is of the essence for building projects.

As a global manufacturer competing in world-wide markets, excellence in design is fundamental to Gerflor floorings. Headed by their Creative Director, Gino Venturelli, their in-house Design and Research team work closely with Specifiers from around the world, studying international design influences and identifying key trends related to the world of fashion, interior design, architecture, and surface finishes. Gino Venturelli commented, “We also draw inspiration from natural materials such as wood, stone, marble and concrete, as well as graphics and architectural forms, whilst adding new colour blends and surface treatments.” Gino Venturelli added, “The results are applied to the creation of our pioneering, design-led, flooring innovations that are tailored to the individual markets we serve. The Creation 55 LVT Essential Collection has been created using this approach to provide the ideal solution for a range of inspirational projects.”

The earliest examples of the herringbone pattern can be seen in the intricate jewellery of the ancient Egyptian elite and in fabric originating in ancient Italy. In the Roman Empire, the herringbone pattern was used in road paving systems to create extremely durable and stable thoroughfares. It has become a popular and contemporary design that is used in building interiors for a unique and distinguished finish. There are four herringbone designs within the LVT Essential Collection, perfect for a vast range of creative briefs which includes Quartet, Ballerina, Twist and Bostonian Oak Beige. All the designs are available in Herringbone Dryback formats and selected references are also available in Herringbone Rigid Acoustic formats,

Hannah Parkinson, Product Manager (Gerflor/Gradus) UK commented,” The addition of the new Herringbone designs in our Creation 55 LVT Essential Collection, provides a further design opportunity for Specifiers and Designers alike. Offering even more striking & beautiful new finishes, is a remarkable enhancement to an already stunning and contemporary flooring collection. Being able to offer increased choices from our Creation 55 LVT range, is where our research and development really delivers more for our customers. It’s a collection that can adapt itself to zoning-out working areas, or to create a feature space within a building environment. An additional bonus is that these references are also stocked in UK, for a fast turnaround.”

Design Collection Overview

The Creation 55 LVT Essential Collection now boasts 21 spectacular finishes comprising of a myriad of design classics.

The Mineral shades embrace concrete and stone effects, which are given a makeover by adopting cruder more natural textures. An example of this is the brand-new Curton Stone Light Grey reference, which combines the brutalism of natural stone and mountain rocks in their purest interpretation.

With Creation 55, the Natural Wood raw and elegant shades adopt darker hues, donning more traditional, contemporary, and elegant shades with an enhanced realistic design. Interiors are now gravitating towards a 100% natural look, free of all varnish and frills. It’s the luscious look of living nature, where you can forget waxed floors, varnished boards, and polished parquets. Examples include, the ever-popular Riverside, Long Board, Rustic Oak, Oxford, together with Ranch and Arena finishes. It’s a tantalising range of colours that will grace any project turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. It’s a spectrum of colour choices for inspirational hardworking interiors.

Exclusive embosses…

Taking the creative process further and for more enhanced designs, the Creation 55 LVT Essential Collection embossing process also allows vinyl to achieve an even more realistic and natural wood or stone appearance. The striking embossed designs to choose from include, Brushed, Stone, Saw Effect, together with Hammered and Natural. This exclusive element of the Creation 55 LVT Essential Collection provides yet another design dimension that truly sets this innovative range apart.

Mixing it up…

When a customised interior is at the forefront of a Designer’s eye, the need to explore the world of possibilities by mixing and matching colours with specific designs really becomes crucial. With Creation 55 LVT Essential Collection Mix and Match options, Designers can combine, contrast, or mix up finishes completely for a unique and customised floor scheme. The options are simply limitless providing a vast palette of incredible choices.

Unrivalled surface treatment …

The Creation 55 LVT Essential Collection also comes with the innovative Protecshield™ Treatment from Gerflor, which preserves the beauty of the floor-covering over the years, preventing dirtying and wear over time and offering overall optimal protection. The exclusive new Protecshield™ Treatment is an invisible film that protects against micro-scratches and dirtying without changing the matt appearance of the coating. In addition to protecting against external damage during day-to-day use, this new system makes maintenance much easier and cost effective.

Formats available…

The collection comprises of references available in the below technology formats:

Dryback which is ideal for new build and has the largest choice of designs and provides the opportunity to mix and match.

Solid Clic with the exclusive Clic System is perfect for renovation projects and provides great acoustic qualities and walking comfort.

Rigid Acoustic is the Ideal choice for heavy renovation projects and comes with an integrated acoustic backing.

Looselay is the ultimate removable installation solution, ideal for raised access floors and also enables Mix and Match designs.

Other Benefits…

Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) are one of the fastest growing trends in flooring. Environmentally friendly, LVT offers improved indoor air quality (IAQ) performance and are the perfect solution for low maintenance and easy installation, together with being a ‘must have’ when a reduction in lifecycle costs is an absolute requirement of the specification process.

Super-quick service…

Gerflor now has an even wider LVT portfolio for the market, in terms of extensive designs, installation methods and accessories, which are all backed up with a customer dedicated package (fast delivery, expert technical service and on-line interior design tools). Over the decades, Gerflor has established itself as a credible manufacturer of vinyl flooring tiles and planks for both professionals and private homeowners. With market demand predicted to be growing, the Creation 55 LVT Essential Collection is held in stock for fast delivery at Gerflor’s brand new modern Winsford distribution centre, providing an ‘essential’ service when fast delivery is required for projects without compromising on quality.

Making a positive mark on the planet…

Gerflor’s’ manufacturing footprint in Europe is rated at ISO 9001, 14001 & 50001 certifications, with the emphasis on using and providing renewable energy solutions where possible. All Gerflor products are 100% recyclable with up to 55% recycled content and always provide adhesive-free solutions with packaging using 100% recycled cardboard. Gerflor are 100% Reach compliant, Phthalate free*, Formaldehyde free and deliver Indoor Air Quality: TVOC

Summary…

The time has come to feel inspired with a vast variety of design possibilities. The Creation 55 LVT Essential Collection from Gerflor which now includes the sensational Herringbone Design offers a raft of boundless design perspectives, delivering first class quality, on trend, fashion-led designs that are made both accessible and incredibly easy.

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01625 428 922, emailing contractuk@gerflor.com, or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest innovations.

-ends –

The new Seymour office refurbishment would need to be sympathetic to the existing building’s heritage, where a certain amount of unique planning and design would be required. They would turn to Windsor-based Blue Jelly to design and complete the transformation of their new workplace.

At Blue Jelly they design and fit-out workplaces, whether refurbishing or relocating their team combine creative design with an established process to deliver exceptional environments. In specifying the all-important flooring aspect of the project Blue Jelly would select some 113m² of Creation 70 LVT flooring from international flooring specialists Gerflor.

Karen Preston, Business Development & Marketing Co-ordinator, Blue Jelly commented, “Rob Ansell our Business Development and Account Manager originally met with Seymour distribution back in 2007. Ten years on, we pitched against one other company before being appointed to undertake the refurbishment in occupation”. Karen went on to add, “We chose Creation 70 LVT in ‘Gilmore’ from Gerflor for the tea-point rooms and their Creation 70 in ‘Oceanside’ was used in the breakout area”. She went on to further say, “Gerflor Creation 70 LVT was also specified for the informal meeting and collaboration rooms”.

Gerflor offer designers a superb range of stunningly beautiful luxury vinyl tile (LVT) solutions with their Creation collection. This amazing range won the 2017 CFJ/CFA Product of the year and their Creation 70 product scooped the coveted Red Dot Design award last year, which is akin to receiving a ‘Design Oscar’. With a collection of vibrant modern designs, Creation 70 is a designer’s dream, providing a tough and durable solution and is available in 58 spectacular designs. Equally stunning in looks is Gerflor’s Creation 55 which is a perfect match for moderate office traffic areas. The sophisticated Creation 70 range offers a brand-new palette of realistic wood and mineral finishes in tile and plank formats with beveled edges.

In addition to this, the looselay Clic System’s unique vertical interlocking format allows this product to be laid quickly over most existing surfaces, with no need to close premises during refurbishments saving customers time and money. The Creation range is also 100% recyclable, REACH compliant and is treated with PUR+ surface treatment, providing excellent cleaning characteristics and improved resistance to scratching.

Commenting further Karen Preston said, “Gerflor products are very easy to work with and offer great colour options for the client to work from, which helps the decision-making process on a fast-moving project like this. The Gerflor products were very forgiving, which means that we didn’t have to apply sub-floor preparation”.

Karen Preston went on to finally say, “our client is extremely happy with the project and we have selected Gerflor products for several of our other projects which we are currently pitching for”.

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01926 622 600, emailing contractuk@gerflor.com, or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest innovations.

The International Design Awards (IDA) fundamentally exists to recognise, rejoice and promote legendary design visionaries. It’s a set of ‘Design Oscars’ that truly celebrates the original and the best work in any given creative field. The IDA draws attention to the iconoclasm of design on a world-wide stage which is conceptualising and producing great work that makes a difference to all our lives.

Winning any award of any kind in any given industry sector is never easy and it’s true to say that a great product has the potential to be life-changing. It can be simultaneously beautiful and innovative, useful and creative, designed to solve a problem, make life easier or simply spread joy. At the IDA, they reward the strategic thinking and imagination which goes into making a product which will be used, valued and perhaps even loved by its target market. The IDA want to seek out new, innovative and ground-breaking products that they can share with the world. It’s this very same ethos that has driven international flooring specialists Gerflor for over 70 years to produce a range of products aimed at delivering high quality, design-led flooring that fulfils this challenge.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that Gerflor’s new Taralay Impression vinyl floorcovering collection has scooped a bronze award in the prestigious IDA product category. Once again, it illuminates Gerflor ability to demonstrate their creativity and innovation in the vinyl flooring sector by delivering a truly stunning set of designs that surpass the expectations of designers, architects and specifiers. Being able to supply a host of ground-breaking designs, effects and textures is key to Gerflor’s success in creating a collection of amazing vinyl flooring products that really have the ‘wow’ factor. There’s no doubt that there is ‘revolution in the air’ as international flooring specialist Gerflor have now unleashed their tantalising brand-new Taralay Impression ranges for 2017.

Gerflor’s overall leadership in the industry essentially comes from its in-house design department. Year on year this highly talented team of imaginative designers demonstrate extremely high levels of creative output where the only limitation is their bold imagination. It’s a department that’s been forging outstanding designs and concepts with flair and freedom to produce some of the best ground-breaking flooring designs the have revolutionised the industry today. New textural effects, mix of colours, extensive research in surface quality, touch and visual impact are the main influences driving the development of this new collection.  For 2017, the Taralay Impression collection offers a new range of designs which revisits the colour spectrum and wood effect flooring designs. It’s a vast choice of colours and textures which includes everything from wood influences through to carpet, metal, kube, mohair and star effects. In particular, their Herringbone design within the wood effect range plays with exquisite chevron patterns superimposed on a parquet effect for a new visual approach to wood and is perfectly in tune with the modern “tattoo” trends we see today.

The Taralay Impression range is a multi-purpose vinyl floorcovering available in 2m sheet format with a Group T wear rating. It’s ideal for a host of heavy traffic environments where R10 slip resistance is a requirement. The 2017 collection displays a wide palette of 21 designs and 83 colours. It’s an amazing array of choices conducive to creating tailor-made spaces; from classical to contemporary and bright, or welcoming and warm. The new collection is a cornucopia of beautiful designs welded to incredible levels of performance, easier long-lasting maintenance AND now with a new patented surface treatment. The latest enhanced matt and embossed designs across the ranges for 2017 now deliver incredibly realistic effects that are producing some simply stunning results.

The Taralay Impression Compact and Taralay Impression Comfort ranges are multi-layered vinyl floor coverings reinforced with glass fibre and a printed design that are protected by a transparent wearlayer of 0.70 mm and 0.65 mm. They offer 8dB and 19dB sound insulation and an indentation resistance of 0.03 mm and 0.08 mm.

In particular, the Taralay Impression Comfort range is perfect for those applications where sound insulation is key to the building. This flooring is suitable for medium to high traffic areas including hospitals, schools and a large swathe of commercial public areas.

The Taralay Impression flooring range is equipped with the brand new Protecsol® 2, patented surface treatment from Gerflor obtained by UV laser cross-linking, offering the best chemical resistance to the main products used in healthcare environments including; betadine, eosin, hydro alcoholic solutions. This treatment avoids applying any acrylic emulsion throughout the lifetime of the product saving on cleaning time and money as it reduces water and detergent consumption.

As part of the 2017 collection there is also the Taralay Uni Comfort range which is an acoustic multi-layered vinyl floor covering which has a Very High Density (VHD) foam backing reinforced with glass fibre and a calendered wearlayer (0.65 mm thick). It offers 17 dB sound insulation and an indentation resistance of 0.11mm. It has a plain coloured pattern, making it ideal for cut design work and is protected by the UV cured patented surface treatment Protecsol®, which enables easy maintenance and eliminates the need for acrylic emulsion. Perfect for normal to high traffic areas including hospitals, schools, retail outlets and public areas.

Taralay Impression is REACH compliant. Its VOC emissions after 28 days (ISO 16000-6) are below detection levels (<10 μg/m3) and this product is classified A+ (the best class).

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01926 622 600, emailing contractuk@gerflor.com, or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest innovations.

As the population grows, the Office of National Statistics predicts that the number of state school places needed could rise by 1 million in less than ten years. Exacerbated by the recent baby boom, secondary school numbers, which had fallen to 2.74m in 2015, are forecast to rise to 3.3 million pupils in England by 2024, along with 4.7 million pupils attending primary schools.

However, the National Audit Office has calculated that £6.7 billion is needed just to bring existing school buildings in England and Wales to satisfactory standards. Plus, the cost of restoring schools is likely to increase as older schools continue to deteriorate. A report by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) found that too many UK school buildings are poorly designed or insufficiently maintained places where children underperform and teachers consider leaving.

Building and refurbishing more schools

Clearly, many new, extended and refurbished schools are required and these schools need to be built, expanded or improved upon as economically and quickly as possible. With the increasing requirement for 21st century learning facilities that meet today’s educational building design and environmental standards, building materials, including floorings, must be dependable. Products that add value, and not only comply but exceed current requirements, will help future proof tomorrow and be in high demand.

Unsurprisingly, educational buildings of modular design are a developing sector. With classrooms pre-fabricated off site using specialist materials under controlled conditions, production is considered to be streamlined and some students have been able to move into new schools or extensions to existing schools more quickly.

Complex buildings

In order to meet changing needs, educational facilities are becoming more complex. For example, a greater number of all-through schools taking pupils from 4-19 years of age are emerging where internal spaces require greater flexibility. This also applies to the shift towards how space is being re-defined in modern school buildings, impacting on floorings which increasingly need to be multi-functional. More than ever, it is important for flooring manufacturers to play a part in the procurement and build process at an early stage to ensure the best possible choice of flooring.

As new style education buildings evolve, added examples of well designed schools, colleges and universities appear. For example, an auditorium in a new, performing arts centre at a Berkshire College doubles as a state-of-the-art theatre and assembly hall. And, as other multi-purpose learning and social spaces are on the increase, flexibility is the buzz word while classrooms adapt to modern teaching styles.

New and remodeled schools therefore tend to have planned, multi-functional areas such as dining areas that open into social space, study or sports areas. Large open spaces also provide access, way-finding and collaborative areas. Such spaces, reflect the move towards naturally lit, well-designed educational environments that encourage motivation and interaction, so high performance, appropriately specified floorings play a vital role.

Floorings that get top marks

Manufacturers that design and develop flooring solutions for education are aware that hygiene, resistance and acoustic qualities are mandatory requirements for the sector. Suitable for heavy traffic, safe, easy-to-maintain and sustainable, floorings must combine technical performance with the highest environmental standards and contribute positively to the health and well-being of the building’s users.

But today’s floorings must also be flexible with properties suited to multi-functional spaces and sport. Point elastic resilient floorings offer comfort, safety and different levels of shock absorbency: P1, P2 & P3. It is therefore possible to match the specification to the need by using, for example, P1 multi-use floorings in primary schools where multi-function rooms are used regularly for different activities like sport and dining.

P2 and P3 floorings are multi-sport floorings. By opting for a P3 flooring, the higher level of protection, it equates to the requirements of an elite indoor sport flooring immediately absorbing impact with the floor. The addition of surface treatments that lower the friction temperature will also reduce the risk of friction burns caused by sliding on the floor. In addition, P3 floorings provide greater protection from long-term injuries.

For general school areas with regular amounts of heavy traffic like secondary schools, colleges and universities, slip-resistant, high quality, heterogeneous and homogeneous floorings are a reliable choice. Modern day wearlayers provide outstanding abrasion and scratch resistance. Plus, as better acoustic values reduce the negative impact on learning and teaching, a 16db, or higher, acoustic flooring will help reduce impact sound transmission.

For improved aesthetics, durable bright colours embodied throughout the thickness of the wearlayer are less likely to fade and vinyl floorings with inlaid, decorative mineral crystal particles and coloured chips without carborundum, remain bright and clear despite heavy traffic. In-built, protective surface treatments also give added resistance to soiling and staining and allow easy cleaning and longer lasting good looks.

Resilient vinyl floorings for education are designed to be hygienic, however the addition of anti-bacterial and fungicidal treatments will ensure maximum hygiene. Resilient vinyl floorings also provide high levels of indentation resistance. Where furniture and educational equipment are likely to be re-arranged, P1 floorings offer excellent resistance to indentation in multi-use areas and P2 and P3 floorings in multi-sport areas.

Dedicated floorings for education are therefore fit-for-purpose and ready to meet the challenges and changing needs of the many different educational establishments ranging from nurseries to higher education.