Floors in Africa - January/February 2010

VOL 28.1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010 R38 incl. VAT

IN THIS ISSUE: Ceramics, Porcelain & Stone • Meeting the Hospitality Requirement

2010 Update • SA Architects at Marmomacc • Renzo Piano at Cersaie 2009

chenille recolour!

Read page 22 & 23.

�F L O O R S J a n u a r y | F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 0

Union Tiles ad


LInn

ea W

alnu

t

“No imitation can beat the beauty and glamour of a Kährs genuine wooden floor.”

Nature provides the beauty

JOHANNESBURG The Kloof Centre, 19 Kloof Road,

Bedfordview

Tel: [011] 455 2975

Fax [011] 455 2976

PRETORIA Mooikloof Village,

Cnr Garsfontein Rd and Jollify Ave,

Mooikloof

Tel: 012 480 0486

Fax: 012 480 0487

DURBAN 62 Marriot Road,

Essenwood,

Durban

Cell: 083 325 2468

C O V E R S T O R Y

AdhESiVES / COATingS

Bona (Interior Wooden Floors) p99

Chryso p48

Loba (Zimbo’s Trading) p12

TAL (Norcros SA) p29, p93

CARpETS

Belgotex Floorcoverings p16 - 17

Masland Contract p27

Nexus (Belgotex Floorcoverings) p34, p78 - 79

Nouwens Carpets Inside Front Cover

Van Dyck Carpets p6, p8 - 9

CERAmiC, pORCElAin And STOnE

Ferreiras Decor World p4

Italtile p63

Johnson Tiles p65

Lacotta p67

Tile Africa p60 - 61

Tilespace p69

Union Tiles p2

Quartz Carpet is claimed to be the

fastest growing flooring system in the

world. Its massive widespread suc-

cess and popularity are driven by its

unique visual appeal and low-mainte-

nance functionality.

Find out more by seeing pages 5 and

59 in this issue.

SuRROund YOuRSElf wiTh ThE flOORing YOu lOVE

To page 5

45 71 83VOLUME 28 .1 • JANUARY | FEBRUARY • 2010

G U I D E


Ferreiras


Note: Editorials excluded, listed in alphabetical order

continued from page 3

ClEAning & mAinTEnAnCE

Matco Marketing p75

Numatic International p25

PSST Group p49

Safic p91

Sebo p28

CORk flOORing

MJO (Global Stream) p15

flOORing COnTRACTOR

Glowbal Flooring p33

induSTRiAl, RESin & COnCRETE flOORing

Cemcrete p90

Flowcrete SA p42 - 43

Sika SA p77, p87

Verni p24

RESiliEnT flOORing

FloorworX p7, p91

G U I D ESEAmlESS flOORing

Goosebumpz Coloured Rubber Flooring p19

Quartz Carpet Front Cover, p5

wOOd, lAminATES & BAmBOO

Envirodeck p82

Floors Direct p35

Interior Wooden Floors p3

Oggie Flooring (CarpetMax) p11

Pergo (Barrow Flooring) Back Cover

Quick-Step (FloorworX) p31

ACCESSORiES And OThER

Genesis p38 - 39

Kirk Marketing (M.Trim) p13

Pretoria Institute for Architecture p102

Rubberlay p81

Siyasebenza Siyabonga (Transportation) p44

The Office Plant p101

Transiton Transport (Transportation) p96 - 97

FLOORS is about ceramics, carpets, vinyls, wood, laminates, marble, granite, cement, stone ... any floor you can think of. It is also about accessories like rugs, adhe-sives and tools. Readers are welcome to contact us for any information. FLOORS is published six weekly by Media in Africa (Pty) Ltd. The views expressed by contributors are not necessar-ily those of the editor or publisher. We accept no responsibility for information published. PUBLISHER: Media in Africa (Pty) Ltd. Contact information: Tel (012) 347 7530 Fax (012) 347 7523 International: +27e-mail: [email protected] Box 25260, Monument Park, 0105; Republic of South Africa Unit G, First Floor, Castle Walk Corporate Park, Cnr Nossob & Swakop Streets, Erasmuskloof Ext. 3, Pretoria, RSAFounder: Schalk BurgerEditor: Liezel van der Merwe Cell 082 7700 799Financial Director: Fanie VenterNews Editor: Dave Soons Tel 012 807 7012Editor’s Assistant & Sales: Madelein Smith Sales Manager: Roxanne Mancini Cell 082 779 5751Sales Executive: Margaux Brink Cell 083 283 1116 Design and Layout: Margita ThieleFinancial Manager: Sietske Rossouw Accountant: Jacoline de Jager Proofreader: Signa Evans & Hesca JoubertREPRO & PRINTING: Business Print Centre

36-37

CERAmiCS, pORCElAin & STOnE COnTinuE TO gROwAlthough they’ve been used as quality and long-lasting

floorcoverings for decades, ceramic and porcelain tiles are

still some of the most favoured types of hard floor, with

literally millions of square metres installed every year for

a wide variety of applications.

By virtue of their continuing popularity, it’s clear that

the industry has not only met the demand but it also

ranks amongst the market leaders in terms of innovation

and design.

Although natural stone is a small part of the overall

market share, there always seems to be an air of exotic

mystery about natural stone.

Our annual feature will take you to Italy to showcase the

latest trends and educate you on the technical basics of

these floorcoverings.

mEETing ThE hOSpiTAliTY REquiREmEnTThe recession has hit the hospitality sector fairly hard in

the UK, Europe and the USA, who all seem to paint a grim

picture, albeit with a change in accommodation demand.

In South Africa the statistics for August 2008 to August

2009 also don’t look very good as the recession bites.

However, the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, taking place

in South Africa, should provide a considerable lifeline

for the local floorcovering industry (if it hasn’t already)

as people and companies seek to build new premises or

refurbish existing property to attract the anticipated mil-

lions of soccer enthusiasts that will descend on the coun-

try in the middle of next year.

We hope you enjoy this feature on one of the most

important South African business sectors.

gOAl!All the stadiums for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup are

now either in operation or close to being finished, and in

our feature we spoke to the local architects and designers

involved in the six newly-built venues to find out what

floorcoverings were used in the VIP lounges, hospitality

suites and boxes, change rooms and other areas that are

behind the scenes.

Wishing you the best for 2010! Be sure to celebrate your

success and achievements this year!

Liezel van der Merwe


Van Dyck ad


Van Dyck ad

10

Fa s h i o n a n d D e s i g n

F L O O R S J a n u a r y | F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 0


The foyer of the world-famous Academy, founded in 1822,

has been totally refurbished and House of Mosaics was

approached to replicate a previous floor mosaic in marble

across the 170m² area.

The project involved design, specification, liaison with other con-

tractors and installation of the new marble mosaic comprising around

120 000 individual pieces laid in peacock fans within bordered areas

New mosaic floor for Royal AcademyHouse of Mosaics, the UK’s largest commercial mosaic specialists (www.houseofmosaics.com),

designed and installed one of the largest hand-cut floor mosaic projects this summer

in the foyer of the Royal Academy of Music on London’s Marylebone Rd,

and all within the eight-week summer recess.

– but it had to be completed by the time the 700 students, 300 pro-

fessors and 100 Academy staff returned after the summer break.

Pete Smith, estates manager for The Royal Academy of Music, com-

mented, “Everyone here is delighted with the new lobby, and in par-

ticular the mosaic floor. House of Mosaics provided an outstanding

service in design, specification and delivery. They hit the deadlines and

enabled us to open the doors this term to a chorus of approval.”

11F L O O R S J a n u a r y | F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 0


An intriguing development for Oggie Flooring occurred

when their hardwood flooring was used everywhere in the

new curio store Out of this World – on the floors, the walls, and

even on the extraordinary ceiling – under the guidance of Philip

Stiekema, a partner at Team Architects.

Oggie’s unfinished Legno range of engineered Oak hardwood

planks was ideal due to its exceptional stability, which was partic-

ularly important for the suspended ceiling. An added benefit was

the large variety of sizes stocked by Oggie, as this project needed

four different widths of the same plank.

The design concept is that of a wooden shipping container

just arrived from far-away lands, filled with lots of exciting and

unusual objects.

Using Oggie’s rustic distressed oak together with specially

selected oils enabled Philip to give the planks the look and feel of

sun-bleached driftwood. The shop actually feels like an extension

of the Camps Bay Beach visible just metres beyond the doorway.

The hyperparaboloid (a complex geometry formed from straight

lines) on the ceiling was deliberately designed by Philip to add to

the mysterious feel of the store.

“This guy is an incredible architect. His concept of creating this

unusual three-dimensional effect on the ceiling was tricky to execute,

but I found it stimulating working with his creativity,” says Ivon Brown

who managed the Oggie installation, “and I loved discovering the

additional versatility of this product.”

“The choice of finishes, exceptional quality, and breadth of options

of Oggie’s FSC Oak range made it an obvious choice for this exciting

project,” added Philip.

Carpetmax

Nick Gluckman

Tel: 021 510 5311

Cell: 082 555 4611

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.oggie-sa.co.za

12

P r o d u c t s & S e r v i c e s


Water-based coatings with unsurpassed performance

... top-quality preservation of floorcoverings

since 1922 ...

Water-based coatings with unsurpassed performance“There is no doubt that water-based coatings for the long-term

preservation of rubber, PVC, parquet, timber and cork floorcoverings

is seriously underestimated by specifiers and contractors in South

Africa, especially when one considers the additional advantages pro-

vided by those available in the Loba range.”

So says Dave Waddy, managing director of

Zimbo’s Trading in Cape Town, which is Loba’s

national distributor in this country. A quick

check on some of the finishes available locally

certainly confirms this statement.

The Lobadur ranges are two-component,

waterborne finishes based on polyurethane

resins that provide extremely good final hardness and high elasticity,

together with being environmentally friendly and self-levelling to pro-

vide exceptional surface finishes that will withstand heavy foot traffic

and look good for an exceptionally long lifespan.

Take, for example, the Lobadur WS 2K Duo for the treatment of

parquet, cork and hardwood floors – this provides excellent chemical

resistance together with the benefit of an anti-slip (Class R9) feature.

These types of floor (particularly those with a raw wood density of

up to 0,47g/cm3, or non-standard solid wood floors) can also benefit

from the use of Lobadur WS Sealer FR, which not only results in a

perfect finish, but is suitable for floors in which the minimum total

thickness to EN 14342 cannot be achieved (renovation projects). It is

also fire-resistant to EN 13501.

For PVC, linoleum and rubber floors Lobadur WS 2K Ultra provides

a finish with extremely high final hardness, great elasticity and excel-

lent resistance to chemical wear – making it ideally suitable for sports

floors and other high-wear applications.

Finally, there is Lobadur WS 2K Supra which

is ideal for parquet and wood floors and cork

and rubber flooring. It has all the features and

benefits of the 2K Ultra and, in the same way as

that product, provides slip resistance in accor-

dance with DIN 18032.

German-based Loba has been a byword for

top-quality preservation of floorcoverings since 1922 and, since its

introduction to South Africa by Zimbo’s Trading in February 2008, has

been greeted with enthusiasm in the marketplace.

The products itemised here are by no means the sum total of

Zimbo’s sales programme, and further information on the entire

range can be obtained by making contact at the numbers shown

below, or by visiting the website www.loba.co.za.

Zimbo’s Trading

Johannesburg: 011 794 1012 Fax: 086 556 4694

Cape Town: 021 511 4693 Fax: 021 511 4694


Website: www.loba.co.za / www.zimbostrading.co.za



Aluminium retro-fit stairnosing

Aluminium retro-fit stairnosing with carborundum insert

Industrial retro-fit non-slip stairnosing – medium

Industrial retro-fit non-slip stairnosing – fine

GAUTENGTel: +27 11 444 1441 Fax: +27 11 444 1165

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.kirk.co.za

CAPE TOWNTel: +27 21 949 2226 Fax: +27 21 949 4531

KWAZULU NATALTel: +27 31 564 1175 Fax: +27 31 564 1143

PORT ELIZABETH

Tel: 0860 547573 Fax: 086 688 4980

Brass stair nosingStair nosing with luminescence insert

Stair nosing with non-slip insert

Aluminium stair nosing with PVC insert

Kirk Marketing has given the specifier

a large range of retrofit stairnosings to

choose from, making sure they cover

every eventuality, including PVC retrofit

stairnosing for vinyl floors, solid brass ret-

rofit stairnosing for tiles and carpets and a

large range of aluminium retrofit stairnos-

ing with PVC inserts, carborundum inserts,

non-slip inserts and/or non-slip lumines-

cent inserts for tile and carpet floors.

for refurbishments or new buildings

The PVC inserts are available in four colours – Buff,

Brown, Black and Dark Grey. The non-slip and the

luminescent inserts are available in four colours

– Beige, Black, Grey and Brown.

Retrofit stairnosing can be used in refurbishments,

covering chipped tiles or damaged floors, and is also

used for heavier pedestrian traffic, where the double

stairnosing is popular. The non-slip range is very

effective in all weather and underfoot conditions.

Industrial retrofit stairnosing has been introduced

for more severe conditions – outdoors and indoors

– with excellent non-slip qualities used in very

adverse conditions such as oil, grease, fat, dust, liq-

uids and powder.

Kirk has a solution for any stairnosing needs and

for all flooring types. Please consult your closest

Kirk branch and get a Kirk expert to visit and help

you with your requirements.

Kirk Marketing

Head Office: 011 444 1441

Cape Town: 021 949 2226

KwaZulu-Natal: 031 574 1175

Port Elizabeth: 086 054 7573

Wait for it!

Heather Hunter, president of the South African

National Accommodation Association, who lived

through a World Cup in the UK in 1966, is on record

as saying that our locals were not prepared for the

magnitude of the event.

“They don’t know what they’re in for,” she said.



The precious and versatile vegetable tissue known as cork is the outer bark

of the cork oak tree, not the trunk, as people might think.

Cork trees are for our grandchildren

Cork is most easily stripped off the tree in late

spring and early summer when the cells are

turgid and fragile and tear without being damaged.

The tree quickly forms new layers of cork and

restores its protective barrier. No tree is cut down.

This simple fact makes cork harvesting excep-

tionally sustainable, leading to a unique balance

between people and nature.

Cork oak forests support one of the highest lev-

els of biodiversity among forest habitats, as well

as the highest diversity of plants found anywhere

in the world. In cork oak landscapes, plant diver-

sity can reach 135 species every square metre;

many have aromatic, culinary, or medicinal value.

Cork oak landscapes contain more than 30 dif-

ferent brackens, some of them very rare, and cork

oak micro flora as well as many species of fungus.

this makes cork flooring one of the best options available:ECO-friendly – Cork is a sustainable resource; it’s

harvested by stripping the bark of the tree, every

nine years, without cutting down the tree. Cork is

a natural, recyclable, environmentally friendly and

biodegradable material.

Comfort and Safe – Cork is made of millions of

resistant cells filled with a gas

similar to air which gives the

cork its capacity to float, ther-

mally insulate, dampen sound,

vibrations and recover its shape

quickly after compression.

Healthy – 100% natural, hypo-

allergic, easy to clean and main-

tain – Ideal choice for children

rooms, playgrounds, hospitals.

Durability – very resistant var-

nishes.

All of which makes MJO Cork

Flooring the best option for fam-

ily homes, playgrounds, retire-

ment houses, houses of faith,

libraries, museums, concert halls

and hospitals.

Global Stream is the official

agent and distributor of MJO

Cork Flooring. For further infor-

mation, make contact at the

numbers shown below, or visit

the website www.globalstream.

co.za.

Global Stream

Tel: 0861 111 029

Fax: 021 555 2598


Website: www.globalstream.co.za



Global stream ad

Offi cial agents and distributors:

T e l e p h o n e : 0 8 6 1 1 1 1 0 2 9www.globalstream.co.za

CORK flooring is living

Cork fl ooring for kids:• Funny and attractive colours• Soft and safe fl oor, where they can play with no risk• Easy to clean and maintain• Natural fl oor and hypo-allergic• Ecological fl oor

Variety of colours and patterns available

MJO_ad 210x297 Kids 07-09fnl.indd 1 2009/07/10 09:12:44 PM

Green in the factory is



The August/September 2009 issue of the US-based Floor

Focus magazine contained a lengthy article on Sustainability,

obtained by questioning a panel of experts from leading green

flooring manufacturers: Rick Raminez, Vice-President of Shaw’s

Corporate Sustainability & Environmental Affairs;

John Bradford, InterfaceFlor’s Chief Innovations

Officer; Jenny Cross, Mohawk’s Senior

Sustainability Manager; Dave Kitts,

Vice-President (Environment) for

Mannington; and Milliken’s Director

of Sustainability, Bill Gregory.

One question really struck

home, given the quest by archi-

tects, interior designers and their

clients to use environmentally

friendly and sustainable prod-

ucts, and could change the mind-

set of those selling and specifying

these materials. Here is it, (almost)

verbatim:

Q: Do the more visible components of a

company’s sustainability programme (like

recycled or bio-based content) have more of

an impact in the eyes of the client than company-

wide practices like waste reduction and alternative energy

sources? How can you help the client understand the importance of

the latter?

Kitts: Typically, yes. We all tend to have that mindset as con-

sumers or buyers. Someone buying a refrigerator or

a kayak will be most focused on the product

they are buying. They’ll be most interested

in its features because it is what they’ll

ultimately get.

Company practices tend to be

secondary in the buying thought

process (or often non-existent).

How do you help the client

understand the importance of

the latter? Education, general

green awareness, and broader

thinking are starting to change

this behaviour.

Ramirez: That may have been the

case in the recent past and even

today since much of product position-

ing is based on end-product attributes,

but that is changing. Customers and end-

users are demanding not only that the end product

demonstrates environmental performance but that the

manufacturer’s operations also are socially and environmentally

responsible and that there are processes to ensure supply chain

responsibility.

The NSF/ANSI 140-2007e Carpet Sustainability Assessment Standard

reflects this thinking in its certification structure and point system.

Bradford: We think first that claims of what you have done (recycled

content, post-consumer recycled content, or even post-indus-

trial content) are much more powerful than claims of

what you intend to do.

‘Recyclable’ is, after all, just a promise

about the future, while recycled content

shows that choices have already been

made to reduce impacts – especially

if that recycled content is from a

company’s own (old) products.

The LEED rating system puts a lot

of emphasis on single-attribute

factors like recycled content but

not on the whole company foot-

print, so clients that are only rely-

ing on LEED do care more about

recycled content than how the

products are made.

We are always trying to raise our cli-

ents’ awareness that you can’t get a ‘green’

product if it came from a ‘brown’ or polluting

factory. A company’s footprint is embedded in

every product they make; as a company reduces its foot-

print, so the products are more sustainable.

Cross: I see a distinct difference between the commercial and resi-

dential segments for this question. At the present time,

single-attribute or product features are more

impactful in the residential marketplace, in

part because those features are easier for a

salesperson to relay to a consumer than

sweeping corporate practices, but

also because sustainability for resi-

dential is immature.

There is movement toward

multiple-attribute consideration

on the commercial front. Many

of the product features have

become requirements for speci-

fication rather than competitive

advantages.

Specifiers, particularly of large

jobs, demand a more complete pic-

ture of a supplier’s sustainability objec-

tives and deliverables in addition to the

product attributes.

Gregory: As customers become more educated

about sustainability, they take a more holistic viewpoint.

Obviously, education is critical. New customers enter the marketplace

each year and the buzzwords vary. You have to stay informed to help

educate your audiences.



Goozebumps ad

Available in South Africa through approved installers.

Tel +27 (0)21 418 0708 • Fax +27 (0)86 548 1311 [email protected] • www.goosebumpz.co.za

Why?SoftSeamlessNon-slipInterior / ExteriorSafeWide colour rangeDurableCost effectiveDesign friendlyEasy to cleanGood acousticsApplication over tiles or wood

Where?Pool surroundsResidentialGymsChildren’s play areasShowroomsOld age homesRetailCommercial

Environmentally friendly

Rubber flooring designed to fit your lifestyle, seamlessly.

GB Advert_Final.indd 1 11/17/09 8:55:20 AM

Claimed to be the first flooring of its type to be

launched in South Africa, Andrew Hirst, formally

of Quartz Carpet, has brought EPDM (Ethylene

Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber granule floor-

ing to the local market.



New Range of Safety Flooring Available

EPDM samples

Starlight

Branded as Goosebumpz Coloured Rubber Flooring, it

typically comprises a 6mm coloured EPDM seamless

granule top layer, with an optional recycled tyre gran-

ule base, depending on the requirement.

These differential requirements are packaged together in

three separate ranges, namely the EPDM Series (pure colour top

layer), the Starlight Series (percentage of colour in black tyre

recycled granules) and the Recycled Series (purely recycled tyre

granules).

EPDM is solid colour (not coated), clean, easy to maintain and

highly UV stable. It is also totally recyclable and non-toxic – and it

can be applied to sub-strata such as wooden floors, tiles, concrete

or even simply compressed earth, none of which require any key-

ing. Only the binders differ depending on whether the system is

applied internally or externally.

The binder itself is a flexible, single-pack polyurethane and is

clear and non-toxic. The external version is aliphatic, while the

internal is aromatic.

Unlike the binder, which is locally manufactured, the EPDM

granules are imported from Europe. After much sampling of

inferior Chinese, Californian and other products, Hirst decided on

a well-regarded German supplier in order to ensure the highest

possible level of quality. Safety floors start at a thickness of 6mm

and may be as thick as 40mm, after application.

Says Hirst, “Rubber surfacing is fast becoming the regulated

norm for child and adult safety. With the additional colour range



Playground

Playground sample

Outdoors, the surface should be swept and hose-cleaned, when

required, as one does for a tiled surface.

A highly successful recent installation for

Goosebumpz, which involved the safety of

children, was the popular Aquabats Swim

School based in Green Point, Cape Town.

On this project, a brown shade was

selected for the largest area around

the pool, plus a lighter cream for the

pool coping detail – these natural

colours work at bringing the outdoors

in. Goosebumpz was also used for the

change rooms and other wet-dry areas of

the school.

Commenting on this project after the instal-

lation process, David Hall of Livingstone Floors

explained, “The biggest selling point of this particular job

has been that it has transformed the entire indoor pool area

overnight – and it was only a day’s work!”

“The beauty of the system is that it can be laid directly over existing

tiles,” he continued “and the turnaround time is really fast – it took

from Wednesday evening to Thursday mid-afternoon (the Heritage

Day public holiday, when the pool was not in use).”

and decorative appeal, it is certainly an exciting flooring option

for pre-school playgrounds, school pools and change-room

environments, as well as various commercial and

decorative markets.”

Apart from the practically zero mainte-

nance and preparation time required, the

system is super-quick to lay and is traffic-

ready in just 12 hours.

Ahead of the game when it comes to its

ecological advantages, the Goosebumpz

Starlight Range will enable end-users to

reduce their carbon footprint by walking

on recycled rubber – rubber which otherwise

could well finish up in a landfill, with all the

environmental disasters that this entails.

Traditionally one would expect recycled rubber to be

produced as a monochrome black product, but Goosebumpz

rubber flooring has developed a technique of lacing recycled

rubber with high-quality, purpose-specific and stable-coloured

EPDM rubber granules which, when combined with the recycled

material, create a magical starlight effect – hence the name of

their new range.

The remarkably sophisticated result is perfectly suited to hard-

wearing outdoor applications or indoor situations, where the

designer wants to pick out specific tonal elements.

One can choose an accent colour from within a range of

twelve, from earthy shades through to brighter hues. The stan-

dard mix is a 10 percent ratio of coloured EPDM granules to 90

percent recycled tyre granules. In addition, there are bespoke

options such as multiple colours and higher ratios, which are

available on request.

The Starlight range is ideal for children’s play areas, pool sur-

rounds, golf estates, gyms and old age homes and, for showroom

floors, corporate ID and bright colour designs can be added to

the system.

Goosebumpz flooring is a seamless flooring system that is

trowel-applied, and this means that it can mould into the existing

edging detail.

The material is non-slip, resilient and ergonomic, as well as

being eco-friendly and easy to maintain, and it is ideal in areas of

high-slip risk such as pool surrounds, change- and shower-rooms

and school playgrounds.

The system was originally designed for safety purposes but,

because of the wide range of colours now available, it has huge

decorative advantages as well, in addition to which the surface is

anti-allergenic and has been proven to resist fungal growth.

Installed indoors, Goosebumpz coloured rubber flooring is

easily kept clean with a standard mop and vacuum cleaner, plus

the use of a commercial wet-dry machine once in a while.

“A notable advantage is that the client did not have to chop out any

tiles and there was no mess to clean up. All round, a very smooth,

clean process. The wide range of bright, funky colours lends itself to

gyms, playrooms and pool areas like this one, and the design possi-

bilities are endless,” concluded David.

The Aquabats team is delighted with the end result – they have

gained a low-maintenance, scratch-resistant pool-surround surface,

with fantastic colour stability and excellent sound reduction.

Goosebumpz is a highly durable flooring system that should last for

over 15 years even with high traffic, and carries a full guarantee. It is

available nationwide (and in Namibia), and anyone requiring further

information should contact Andrew Hirst at the telephone number

shown below, or find your nearest approved installer by visiting the

website www.goosebumpz.co.za.

Goosebumpz

Tel: 021 418 0708




Colour update for



To wrap up its product development projects

for 2009, Nouwens released an updated Chenille

colour range in November of 2009.

The past year was not ideally suited to

product changes and new releases, so

Nouwens proceeded with caution. Two well-

targeted Easicarpet ranges were successfully

launched in October – these were the heavy

domestic level loop Entertainer and the

high-density cut-pile Twenty Ten, aimed at

the commercial market.

The only other product launch for 2009

was a new colour collection for Chenille.

Being a very popular style for some years

now, Nouwens decided that it was time to

do a colour revamp.

The well-researched colour offering

contains the three favourite old-timers

– Cotton, Suede and Prairie. Newcomers

are Vanilla, Savoy, Oyster, Sushi and Merlot

– the names alone already make one want

to know more!

“Sometimes one tends to forget the major

product benefits when a range has been

around for a while, so we thought it worth-

while to mention the major Chenille features

and benefits,” says Luci Nouwens.

Firstly, it is the product’s appeal – it obvi-

ously looks the part. The carpet is beauti-

fully crafted with a forgiving ‘stepless sax-

ony’ effect.

Chenille is a 100% polyester product – this

fibre has excellent heat-setting characteris-

tics making it very suitable for saxony styles

where a good tip definition is essential.

Besides this, a specific fibre style was

selected for its soft natural handle and a low

lustre to give it a sophisticated ‘wool look’.

Polyester also has permanent built-in

stain resistance which is further enhanced

by the Nouwens Easicare soil-resistant

treatment. Whilst the fibre has inherent

good colourfastness properties, this is

further complemented by the top-quality

imported dyestuffs used.

Finally, the product is well engineered by

the Nouwens craftsmen for lasting good

looks, using only the best materials – fin-

ished off with imported ActionBac second-

ary backing – and endorsed with the stan-

dard five-year quality guarantee.

Nouwens Carpets

Tel: 011 796 5180

Tel: 031 502 5730

Tel: 021 447 2856

Tel: 058 622 1101

Website: www.nouwens.co.za

24



Strength and durability

Designed to withstand the harsh African conditions and

very high ultra-violet light, the Supaflor range of poly-

urethane resin screeds is manufactured and installed by

Verni-Speciality Construction Products, thereby avoiding

any split responsibilities between material supplier and

sub-contractor on guarantees.

Supaflor has three grades: for medium-duty areas the Supaflor SL

(self-levelling) system is applied from 2mm up to 5mm thick. The

heavy-duty Supaflor HD is applied at either 6mm thickness or – for

extreme thermal shock conditions and heavy mechanical damage

and traffic – at 9mm thickness, which will withstand very low tem-

peratures in freeze rooms as well as the extremely high temperatures

experienced by steam cleaning. Vertical surfaces are protected with

Supaflor W (walling grade) at 5mm thickness.

Expansion and construction joints in the concrete are mirrored

through the Supaflor and sealed with a Verni-PU Joint Sealant, so

from the most stringent hygienic environments to heavy industrial

applications, Supaflor provides peace of mind for everyone.

The Verni team provides a complete service from design stage on

Tel: +27 (0) 11 552-8393 • Fax: +27 (0) 11 552-8391 • e-mail: [email protected] • WebsiTe: www.verni.co.za

Polyurethane resin floor screed


Suppliers of commercial and industrial cleaning equipment

Cleancare Floorcare Versaclean Versacare

“Let us assist in keeping your high floor standard”

Numatic iNterNatioNal

tel: 0861 numatic (686284)

[email protected]

www.numatic.co.za

complies with the SaBS standards

new projects – assisting with technical design regarding wall and floor

interfaces, drain channels, falls, expansion and construction joint detail-

ing, pump bases, and selection of the correct grade of Supaflor for each

environment – to the complete rejuvenation of existing floors, includ-

ing breaking out existing, repairing concrete and installation of the

new resin screeds.

Apart from its fast application and the fact that it can be applied

to concrete that is one week old, Supaflor provides numerous other

benefits: resistance to thermal shock – which means it can be steam-

cleaned; it is hardwearing and will withstand forklift traffic; and it is

seamless and easy to clean.

It also has excellent resistance to impact and wear; will not harbour

bacterial growth and, as a food grade material, will not taint food

products. In addition, it has excellent chemical resistance.

Based in Jet Park, Boksburg, Verni undertakes work throughout Africa

and its neighbouring islands. For further information contact Verni at

the numbers shown below, or visit the website www.verni.co.za.

Verni-Speciality Construction Products (Pty) Ltd

Tel: 011 552 8393 Fax: 011 552 8391

Cell: 082 822 9943 E-mail: [email protected]



modular carpet tile patternsFour new


Masland Contracts is the specialist contract carpeting arm of

the mammoth US-based Masland Carpets group (part of the

Dixie Group) – which has recently introduced four new modular

patterns to its carpet tile ranges that are now being marketed

in South Africa.

modular carpet tile patterns

Marketed under the brand name of

Group 6, these tiles are constructed

from 100% Antron Legacy nylon, and

Arrhythmic, Nexus, Delineate, and Intrinsic

are designed to perform in even the most

highly trafficked installations.

Inspired by fundamental design, each

pattern is uniquely styled, but all four com-

bined provide a strongly visual cohesion.

The grouping is highlighted by heavy use

of a matted lustre yarn and a bold playful

colour palette, ranging from shimmering

golds to watery blues.

Arrhythmic, Delineate, Intrinsic and Nexus

contain elements of design that range from

linear to curvilinear – subtle to bold. The

series uses silk and matte lustre levels with

unexpected colour combinations to add

interest.

These colour effects, together with a

strong application of textural interest,

create an exciting product line, with each

style guaranteed to maintain its aesthetics

and perform even in high-traffic installa-

tions.

Each of these high-quality carpet tiles

has its own specific design features.

Arrhythmic: provides strong curvilinear

pattern elements coupled with varying

colour pops to give this product crossover

appeal; Intrinsic: liberal use of the vibrant

yarns makes for a sophisticated look that

uses multiple loop levels to enhance its

texture and scale.

Nexus: has small geometric pattern ele-

ments which provide subtle scale shifts

that make for the right amount of contrast;

and Delineate: is a textural pattern with an

almost organic feel. Delineate is the link

that connects the grouping.

Arrhythmic, Delineate, Intrinsic and Nexus

are NSF Gold-certified products, carry

the Green Label Plus, and are listed as

Environmentally Preferred Products. They

are all available in a standard tile size of

60,96cm x 60,96cm and, apart from being

provided with a lifetime warranty, they all

have a static rating of less than 3,5kV.

They are manufactured with a synthetic

primary backing, a vinyl secondary back-

ing, and are treated with Duratech – a soil-

resistant treatment that is commercially

durable, providing extra protection against

soiling.

For more information, visit the website:

www.maslandcontract.com.

N e x u s

s i m p l e • e l e g a n t • s o p h i s t i c a t e d

G ro u p V I r a n g e

A r r h y t h m i c

D e l i n i a t e

28



• No water, no soap, no shampoo!• Immediate use of carpet

• Cleans most carpet & upholstery types• Kills germs, bacteria, dust mites

• No detergent residue & no shrinkage• No need to remove furniture; cleans stairs• Fibre protector helps prevent future stains

• Do it yourself / Call out Sebo service

SEBO DUO CARPET CLEANING SYSTEM

ThE ONLY CARPET CLEANING SYSTEM ThAT REALLY wORkS

Tel 086 111 4250 • Fax 011 763 4033e-mail: [email protected]

www.sebo.co.za

APPROVED BY

stop dirt in its tracks

Recommended and approved by:

SEBO offers a complete carpet care solution. The

DUO system comprises the Duo Brush Machine

and the Duo-P carpet cleaning powder.

This dry cleaning system is formulated to deep-clean your entire car-

pet or spot-clean stains without soaking it. The SEBO Duo P Cleaning

Powder is made up of granules that are moistened with detergent

and is environmentally friendly and safe to use. The system is highly

effective and leaves your carpet revived, softer and protected.

With the Doppel Duo Adaptor, two standard Duo machines can be

linked together to create a 70cm width applicator. This is ideal for

areas such as conference rooms, banqueting halls, offices, and hotels.

Duo-P carpet cleaning powder consists of hundreds of micro-

sponges which contain a safe solvent for greasy soiling, a neutral

shampoo for non-greasy soiling and an anti-resoilant to delay re-

soiling.



Why use dry extraction? Wet cleaning methods inject hot water

and detergent into the carpet pile under pressure. A vacuum is then

used to extract the liquid and dissolved soil – but it is impossible to

vacuum all the dissolved soil from a wet carpet. Many machines only

remove 50%.

Also, carpets take many hours to dry, and they re-soil quickly.

Dry cleaning is safer for most carpets. Plus, there is no drying time

required, no opportunity for mould or dust to develop and cling to

the carpet whilst damp, and the carpet will not shrink or discolour.

Dry cleaning is easy and extends the life of the carpet. The system

is cost-effective to own, alternatively, there is a call-out service avail-

able that offers a quick and efficient clean for those that don’t own

the system.

Sebo

Tel: 0861 114 250

Fax: 011 763 4033


Website: www.sebo.co.za


Multilayered parquet that is a step apart!


Quick-Step, the world-famous producer of lami-

nate floors that are marketed

in South Africa by FloorworX,

has introduced a new

product range, Quick-

Step Parquet, which

incorporates the

new Multifit laying

system for quick and

easy installation.

This will add a

new dimension to

the FloorworX sales

programme, because the

Quick-Step Parquet range

introduces a new generation

of engineered wood in three collections,

Palazzo, Castello and Villa, that are characterised by

style, size, wood type and quality – thus providing a

total of 47 different styles!

With the use of the revolutionary

Uniclic Multifit installation system,

these floors can be laid easily

– by professional floor fitters

as well as DIY enthusiasts.

Other technical character-

istics that provide consider-

able benefit to the end-user

include a hard hevea core,

Scratch Guard, and seven lay-

ers of pre-applied high-grade

varnish on the top layer that

make Quick-Step Parquet practically

indestructible.

The hard Hevea wood (Hevea Brasillensis)

which is under continuous control by Quick-Step

in its Malaysian production

facility, is a plantation tree

grown for the production of

rubber.

At an average age of 25-35

years the trees are felled and

new ones planted, which

enables the 9mm hard

Hevea core used for Quick-

Step Parquet to be used as a

recycled product. However,

it is not an endangered

wood species.

Once installed, Quick-Step

Parquet can be used imme-

diately, and the pre-applied

varnish layer is available in

matt, silk or satin finishes that

bring out the natural charac-

ter of the wood perfectly, in

all its shades and patterns.

The extra Scratch Guard

protection given to the top

layer of the parquet means

it is wear- and scratch- resis-

tant, anti-yellowing against

discolouration due to sun-

light, and very easy to clean.

Quick-Step Parquet can be

installed using glue, or as

a floating installation, and

underlays specially devel-

oped by Quick-Step provide

the ideal base for a beautiful,

level and quiet parquet floor.

The Uniclic Multifit system

allows the planks to be laid

in a single click, and if you

have a floating floor it is

easily dismantled and re-

laid elsewhere if you move

house or change the room

layout. After re-laying, the

floor maintains its original

durability.

Finally, Quick-Step pro-

vides a lifetime warranty on

the parquet floor and on the

Uniclic Multifit, so you never

need to worry about your

floor again.

For further information

contact FloorworX on

0860 346 679, or Peter

Geyer for trade enquiries

– 083 380 6665.

As a world-famous producer of laminate floors, Quick-Step is really excited about bringing you the latest development in floor-coverings – the Quick-Step multilayer parquet range with the Multifit laying system.

With the brand-new Quick-Step Parquet range, we have devel-oped a completely new generation of engineered wood flooring in three collections that provide you with a total of 47 different styles!

Just look at the benefits the Quick-Step Parquet range offers:• A true-to-life wood look• Surface finish that is wear- and scratch-resistant and is

anti-yellowing• Manufactured with a stable, hard and durable Hevea core • Installed with the fantastic Uniclic Multifit laying system that

provides a seamless, sound-dampened floor, and a perfect finish.

• Provided with a lifetime warranty so you never need to worry about your parquet floor again.

Contact us on 0860 346 679

Trade Enquiries:Peter Geyer – 083 380 6665

Parquet like you have never seen it before!


great customer service

which is about 700 m². They have also done cross border projects

such as the Limbe Musjid in Blantyre, Malawi as well as in Canada.

With quality products and excellent customer service, it is

well worth contacting Glowbal Flooring for your next flooring

requirement or project.

Glowbal Flooring

Tel: 011 830 0552 Cell: 083 264 6643


Website: www.glowbalflooring.co.za

www.glowbalflooring.com


through

Glowbal Flooring in Johannesburg was founded in 1983

(then trading as Glowbal Imports & Exports) with its

core business focused on the wholesaling of flooring

products, which now include rugs, laminate flooring,

tiles and wall-to-wall carpets – including meeting the

requirements of special projects.

Ninety percent of the rugs stocked by Glowbal are imported from

Europe – mostly from Belgium – and are reasonably priced for the

middle- to upper-income groups. All the products in the Glowbal

sales programme are of top quality and able to meet all the flooring

solutions demanded by this important market sector.

To adequately service the requirements of its customers, the compa-

ny has established two outlets – one dealing mostly with the retailing

of area rugs, and the other that focuses mainly on fitted carpets, tiles

and laminate floors – and the company prides itself on innovation

and strives to keep ahead of market trends at all times.

It is this attention to detail and customer care that has enabled

Glowbal to show incredible growth since its inception, and it has

the aim of growing to even greater heights with House & Home

Improvements over the next financial year – having attained a pres-

tigious award from this group in 2007 and 2009 as the best carpet-

ing supplier of the year.

Glowbal Flooring has a goal to offer total solutions for interior decora-

tion, starting from area rugs through to wall-to-wall carpeting, tiles and

laminated floors, as well as catering for special projects and tenders.

For example, Glowbal Flooring has currently installed most of the

Musjid (Islamic prayer) houses throughout the country. This includes

2 500m² carpeting for Mayfair Musjid and 1 000m² at Markas Musjid,

both of which are in Mayfair; the Noor Islam Mosque which is about

2 750 m² (one of the biggest musjid around Johannesburg) in Lenasia;

Crosby Musjid which is about 800m²; and King William’s Town Musjid

For every taste & stylerange • durability • expertise • style

tel 011 830 0552/3 • fax 011 830 0570 • email [email protected] • www.glowbalflooring.com

10 Stellar Road • Crown Mines

l a M i n a t e S t i l e S C a R p e t i n g R u g S

cherry

oak

e-beech

beech

maple

34



Belgo ZigZag



Let every step be a green oneLet every step be a green oneWith the onus on us to better conserve our environment there is no better place to

start than with ourselves, whether this be in the home or at the office. It is with this in

mind that Floors Direct is encouraging South Africans to adopt a greener conscience.

Beyond the regular steps we can take such as recycling, the wood and laminate

flooring giant is encouraging consumers to start selecting flooring products that have

as little impact on the environment as possible.

According to Jose Dos Passos, managing director at Floors Direct, you can start by

selecting alternatives that are harvested responsibly, are made of self-regenerating

products such as bamboo, or that use off-cuts from other wood products such as com-

pacted sawdust.

Another tip is to ensure that the manufacturer supports responsible harvesting,

meaning the process when harvesting trees for use as flooring products which does

not harm the areas around them. This in turn negates the need for mass deforestation.

“Green products are not inferior, and the fact that some still believe they are needs

to change quickly. We have begun sourcing ranges of laminate and bamboo flooring

that are as good quality, as attractive and have little or no impact on the environment,”

states Dos Passos.

Consider a greener lifestyle today.

Floors Direct

Tel: 011 462 1889 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.floorsdirect.co.za

Keep Fit!

Beaulieu of America has been recognised by the

American Heart Association’s Start! Fit-Friendly

Companies Programme for promoting physical activity

and health in the workplace.

Is there anyone in the South African flooring industry

doing this? Let us know.

Carpet is the green way to go!With the world focus on environmental issues now more than ever before,

it is interesting to note that Van Dyck Carpets is amongst the most active

and progressive companies that is addressing these issues.


36


Firstly Van Dyck Carpets

has a Green Policy and

Mission Statement that

avows their commit-

ment, together with its active

membership of the Green

Building Council of South Africa.

On the manufacturing side the

company is making daily gains

in waste minimalisation, energy

reduction, the reduction of emis-

sions (important to know in this

regard is that the factory has no

carbon dioxide emissions during

normal operation), reduction in

the use of hazardous materials,

and the recycling of produc-

tion waste and old carpets that

would otherwise be committed

to landfills.

Energy saving doesn’t just

apply to the manufacturing

process either, because the

company believes in smart and

efficient energy planning, which

includes installing electricity

sub-meters for each Department

(production and non-produc-

tion) to facilitate ongoing man-

agement of energy consump-

tion – together with making

the maximum use of natural

lighting.

Other areas that have been

addressed are increased man-

agement control to reduce peak

energy demand; reduced use of

high energy-consuming infrared

drying; the installation of mois-

ture measurement equipment

to better control the drying pro-

cess; more efficient use of steam;

and increased effectiveness of

air compressors.

Recycling is an area watched

closely by Van Dyck; all produc-

tion rejects and short ends are

converted into rugs or tiles for

re-use and resale, and yarn creel

ends are used for overlocking of

rugs and samples.

Uplifted carpets are returned

to the factory, cleaned and

either re-used for rugs or donat-

ed to organisations or communi-

How can Van DycK carpets Help your Green star ratinG?

Van Dyck Carpets can help with 19 points out of a total of 154

points available for each project.

IEQ9 - thermal comfort (2 points) and IEQ 10 - individual comfort con-

trol (2 points):

All Van Dyck carpets have built-in thermal properties assisting the

overall thermal comfort of the building with reduced energy efforts.

IEQ12 - internal noise levels (2 points):

Van Dyck carpets have built-in acoustic and noise reduction proper-

ties to regulate and maintain noise levels at an appropriate level.

IEQ13 - volatile organic compounds (flooring - 1 point):

All Van Dyck carpets meet the requirements regarding the TVOC

emission limits outlined in table IEQ 13.3 (low VOC)

IEQ14 formaldehyde emissions (1 point):

Formaldehyde is not used in the production of any of the Van Dyck

carpets, so they do not contain formaldehyde

IEQ15 mould prevention (1 point):

All Van Dyck carpets are treated against mould growth, are anti-

microbial and rot-proof

WAT-3 landscape irrigation (3 points):

The Van Dyck leisure and outdoor carpet ranges eliminate the need

of potable water for landscape irrigation

MAT-3 reused materials (1 point):

All Van Dyck ranges carry a standard warranty of 10 years confirm-

ing the increased useful life of these carpets (extended warranties to

15 or 20 years can be given on request on condition that it is linked

to a maintenance plan).

MAT-5 concrete (3 points):

Van Dyck carpets give a good opportunity to reduce the thick-

ness of concrete slabs or alternative to the use of concrete flooring

applications (eg epoxy flooring) and by doing so it encourages the

reduction of embodied energy and resource depletion occurring

through the use of concrete.

MAT-7 PVC minimisation (1 point):

None of the Van Dyck products use PVC, unlike other flooring prod-

ucts such as certain vinyls and imported carpet tiles. As a result the

use of Van Dyck carpets encourages the reduction in use of polyvi-

nyl chloride (PVC) products in South African buildings.

MAT-11 local sourcing (2 points):

Van Dyck products are manufactured in Durban, South Africa and

therefore qualify for the environmental advantages gained in

the form of reduced transportation emissions by using materials

sourced with close proximity to site.



Gre

en s

tar

rat

inGties in need (broadloom and tiles).

Of course, nothing less is expected of most manufactur-

ers these days, so in effect it all hangs on how these mea-

sures are turned into eco-friendly products and benefits

to the end-user, and one of the general benefits of carpets

is that it includes considerable energy savings thanks to

their thermal properties.

In Van Dyck’s case, the majority of the yarns they use

are either tested for harmful substances and awarded with

‘green’ certification, or use is made of yarns produced with a

high percentage of post-industrial scrap.

Some of the carpet backings used are made of 100% post-

consumer recycled polyester; metal-free and non-metallic dyes

are used; and the sourcing of recycled materials is encouraged

where possible instead of using virgin material.

The VOC (volatile organic compound) ratings of products are

becoming increasingly under scrutiny, but Van Dyck Carpets

are certified in accordance with the requirements of the Green

Star Office, and all their carpets have a VOC emission rate

below 0,20mg/m3/hr VOC levels, which means that no irrita-

tion or discomfort is expected.

No formaldehyde content is used in the manufacturing pro-

cess, and because of their anti-mould growth, rot-proof and

anti-microbial treatments, Van Dyck Carpets have no microbial

VOCs. Specifiers and installers should also check the underlays

and adhesives used with the carpet installation in order to

ensure that the VOC’s remain within the requirements. In this

regard Van Dyck recommends the use of solvent-free adhe-

sives or water-based adhesives with low VOC content and our

Eco-lay underlays which are made from 100% post-consumer

recycled rubber.

It is generally known that carpets are the lowest VOC emitters

of common flooring choices, and also require fewer cleaning

chemicals than other floorcoverings, as well as having the low-

est chemical emissions compared with other common building

products.

The transportation of Van Dyck Carpets also comes under

scrutiny, with a reduction of fuel consumption through careful

planning of deliveries; reducing the number of deliveries by

incentivising bulk or volume purchases; optimising the weight

on its trucks; and the use of lightweight volume trailers.

Van Dyck Carpets’ policy encourages sustainable develop-

ment and eco-production to help improve energy, environ-

mental, safety and health issues, and every member of the

company will be trained in sustainability to ensure full aware-

ness and compliance.

Finally, to reconfirm the company’s commitment to sustain-

ability, it will make contributions towards selected green

projects for each square metre of carpet sold. The Board of Van

Dyck Carpets will decide which green projects will receive this

money and communicate this to all stakeholders.

Van Dyck Carpets

Tel: 031 913 3800

Toll free: 0800carpet (0800227738)

Website: www.vandyckcarpets.com

38



Genesis ad

Toll Free 0800 00 6173 www.tfc.co.za

TFC ad 3 09.indd 2 3/31/09 12:55:01 PM



Genesis ad

Toll Free 0800 00 6173 www.tfc.co.za

TFC ad 3 09.indd 2 3/31/09 12:55:01 PM

40



Performing well in

Genesis South Africa is blossoming against the

trend of the economic crisis, having just smashed

their previous record month (3 of them this year)

by a whopping 25%.

Bloemfontein branch

Cape Town branch

Johannesburg branch

How and why are surely the questions, although the rea-

sons are many and not all can be covered in this brief

article. To find out more, FLOORS in Africa spoke to Graham

Ashley.

How important are the people you employ in the current economic climate? It starts off with the people. We have the right people and

we all work as a solid unit. The loyalty to the brand and the

willingness to make it succeed is evident if you speak to any

one of the people in the company.

But then again it is an easy brand to be enthusiastic about.

It has so many excellent quality attributes that you can be

proud of. The sales people are responsive and responsible

so our clients enjoy dealing with them. Our administration

departments ensure that all runs smoothly in the credit department

and that oils the supply chain.

We have experienced people in the warehouse

and distribution channel that communicate well

with the sales staff and clients. This is a feature of the

company at all its branches (Johannesburg, Cape

Town and Durban) and also the agents that handle

the products in East London, Port Elizabeth and

Bloemfontein. I am very proud of and fortunate to

have such good people in the business.

How well does the product stand up within your sales programme to give you the edge?The Genesis reputation precedes itself. It is the

finest quality available. You merely have to hold it

against its competition and you will know which

product is the Genesis brand.

Making product is pretty standard. Genesis strives

to give the product the finest finish possible.

Innovation – Genesis is constantly developing new



Durban branch

East London branch

Port Elizabeth branch

Namibia branch

profiles in different finishes to inspire the designer and improve aes-

thetics. It’s exciting and therefore a privilege to offer the market.

Two key areas in a depressed market are distribution and availabil-ity. How do you shape on those scores? The product is available nationally via warehouses that hold stock.

Most standard items are available within 24 to 48 hours. This is conve-

nient for our clients as the stocks are readily available and they don’t

have to invest in tons of stock on their floor.

The product is available in warehouses in Johannesburg, Cape

Town, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein and also

via ABS in Namibia and Buildlink in Swaziland.

And on price?Contrary to popular belief Genesis is well priced for a premium prod-

uct and this contributes towards its growth. Think about it – if we

were expensive, would we be growing at the rate we are?

Anybody can make a straight-edge aluminium profile, and make it

cheaper and yet cheaper again – but what do you end up with? Poor

quality. We manage to find the balance between the right price and

the right quality. Pound for pound dealing with Genesis you get the

best deal.

Planning would seem to be of high importance in keeping and gain-ing customers. Your view?

An “insultant” of ours who has many years’ experience and is well

read and well versed in the retail industry (Brian Pitman) has a say-

ing, “If you fail to plan – you plan to fail”. In that respect we are well

organised in dealing with importing products. We invest largely

in stock to support our clients’ needs. Careful attention is given to

“months cover” to support the market as we grow.

How do you view the industry in general? This industry is a great one to be involved in – full of good peo-

ple that want to provide good products and service; people that

want to make it an industry to be proud of; and part of the rea-

son we succeed in it is because we really enjoy ourselves. When

you enjoy what you do it contributes towards that success.

Not everything is easy; if it was then everybody would be

doing it. It is hard work, but hard work never killed anybody,

but the lack of it certainly can.

Who else is marketing the Genesis brand?Nobody. We are the sole distributors of our own brand. But make sure

it is a Genesis product that you are buying.

Do your customers keep coming back for more?Last and most important is our loyal customer base that has stuck with

us and helped us grow. We are very grateful to them. The growth in

customers has been the largest contributing factor to our sales growth.

Genesis Retail

Tel: 011 822 6901

Fax: 011 822 6902

Cell: 082 466 9050

Website: www.tfc.co.za



Ensuring Ensuring Catering for the construction sector’s diverse needs – in both

new build and refurbishment – Isocrete delivers a solid platform

underfoot with a variety of choices in terms of thickness levels, com-

pressive strength and drying times.

Since the 1960s, Isocrete screeds have been the product of choice

for architects and specifiers on some of the world’s biggest projects.

These time-proven systems have been used extensively in areas

including airports, hotels, hospitals, residential sites, offices, shopping

centres, schools, colleges and universities.

Termed the ‘king of screeds’, Isocrete K-Screed is the most common-

ly specified product in the range. It speeds up programme times, with

earlier foot traffic allowing faster time on site for following trades.

Launched almost 40 years ago, Isocrete K-Screed allows for the early

installation of sensitive finishes, while its low-shrinkage formulation

minimises the risk of cracking. It has high-abrasion qualities, offering

excellent impact resistance – qualities that have maintained its

position as the architects’ product of choice over the decades.

Newer additions to the Isocrete range include Isocrete Acoustic

K, the screed and acoustic flooring combination, as well as the

underfloor heating system, Isowarm.

Craig Blitenthall, Flowcrete’s sales director, said, “For many

years, Isocrete has been the trusted name in floor screeds. The

time-proven formula has been at the heart of major construction

projects in the UK and across the globe. The time has come for us

to promote the Isocrete range in South Africa to ensure that our

clients get the best screeds possible.”

“The screeds, combined with Isocrete Acoustic K and Isowarm

underfloor heating, as well as Flowcrete’s range of seamless

floors, have been at the heart of our unique Floorzone concept,

where the entire floor – involving screed, soundproofing, heating

and finish – is designed and supplied by ourselves and installed

by one Flowcrete-approved contractor.”

Other valued prOducts in the versatile isOcrete range include:Isocrete Fast K: A semi-dry, cementitious screed with accelerating,

water-reducing and shrinkage- compensation additives to give

a high early-strength, rapid-drying screed. Ideal for fast-track

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centres, hospitals, schools and retail outlets.

Isogran and Isopol: These are modified granolithic wearing screeds

ideal for heavy-duty use in buildings such as workshops, plant

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Polymer 70, delivers a heavy-duty screed resistant to impact dam-



very high-strength finish.

It is ideal in heavy-use areas such as hospital corridors, providing an

overnight solution to failed cement or sand screeds.

For more details on this extensive range, make contact with

Flowcrete at the numbers shown below, or visit the websites:

www.flowcretesa.co.za or www.flowcrete.com.

Flowcrete SA

Johannesburg: 011 394 1980

Durban: 031 461 3411

Cape Town: 021 797 0214

Websites: www.flowcrete.com

age, surface wear, oil, petrol or grease, and is maintenance-free

apart from general sweeping and washing.

Isopol SBR can be applied at low thickness to produce polymer-

modified wearing screeds ideal for heavy-duty use.

Self Level Renovation: For the renovation of existing floors, this

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and fast- drying, it has been used in buildings such as airports,

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Isocrete 1500: This is a fast-drying, cement-based underlayment,

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ties, Isocrete 1500 is ideal for smoothing floors in a wide range of

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Isocrete Screedfast: A specially formulated, easy-to-use cement

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PHS: This is regarded as the flooring industry’s SOS for damaged

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need to replace the entire screed. It is ideal where work needs to

be completed to a tight deadline. PHS penetrates into defective

screed, filling voids and bonding material together to complete a

44



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into the new YearAs the end of the year is upon us, we can now

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ceramic, porcelain & stone

featureAlthough they have been used as

quality and long-lasting floorcoverings

for numerous decades, ceramic and

porcelain tiles are still one of the most

favoured types of hard floor, with liter-

ally millions of square metres installed

every year to meet a wide variety of

applications.

45

F e a t u r e : C e r a m i c , P o r c e l a i n & S t o n e


Must read article!



Although they have been used as quality and

long-lasting floorcoverings for numerous decades,

ceramic and porcelain tiles are still one of the most

favoured types of hard floor, with literally millions

of square metres installed every year to meet a

wide variety of applications.

By virtue of their continuing popularity, it is clear the industry has

not only met the demand but also ranks amongst the market

leaders in terms of innovation and design – attributes that are well to

the fore amongst the additional articles in this feature.

These aspects are regularly covered throughout the year within the

pages of FLOORS in Africa but, although we have been ‘back to basics’

recently with many other types of floorcoverings, it has been a long

time since we did so with ceramic and porcelain tile. This article aims

to put that right – so enjoy!

Firstly, let’s look at the basic differences between the manufacture

of the two types of tile. Ceramic is made primarily of clay mixed with

various minerals and water, which is then processed with heat to cre-

ate the final solid product.

Because ceramic material is porous, the top surface is usually sealed

with a glaze, and this is often referred to as the design layer as it car-

ries the tile’s finished colour, design and texture.

On the other hand, the main ingredient in the composition of true

porcelain tile is finely-ground sand and, due to this material being

used, the processing of the porcelain composition involves pres-

sure and extremely high temperature, to produce a very dense,

glass-like material with a water absorption rate of less than 0.5%.

Before we get into further detail on these tile types, we feel it

necessary at this stage to introduce a tile material that is akin to

ceramic and porcelain – Terracotta.

Terracotta tiles are ‘full-bodied’ clay tiles, which means that the

colour goes right through the tile, so that if a section of a terra-

cotta tiled floor gets extensive wear in comparison to the rest of

the floor, there is hardly any noticeable colour difference in com-

parison with adjacent tiles.

Although Terracotta tiles are only available in their natural earthy

tones, these full-bodied clay tiles are currently used extensively in

new cluster home developments, providing very long-lasting floors

that will retain their good looks for a lifetime or more.

It is their extremely long service life that accounts for their pop-

ularity on patios, outside entertainment areas and in high-wear

applications such as kitchens.

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CeramiC tilesReferring once again to ceramic tiles, it is important to choose the

correct type or ‘grade’ of tile that suits the intended application.

To assist in this respect, the industry rates them universally in five

groups or classes as a guide to their suitability in terms of quality

and performance. Look for these classifications when buying or

specifying ceramic floor tiles.

Class 1 Suitable for very light traffic, these tiles are usually

restricted to bathrooms where they accommodate bare feet. They

should not be used in heavy-traffic areas.

Class 2 Light traffic – basically for use where soft-soled foot traf-

fic is encountered. Not for use in areas such as kitchens, entrances

and stairs, because these tiles will not perform well against

tracked-in dirt or spilt abrasive materials.

Class 3 Light to Moderate Traffic – used in any residential area

unless extremely heavy or abrasive traffic is anticipated.

Class 4 Moderate to Heavy Traffic – ideal for light commercial or

areas where abrasive or outside dirt could be tracked in.

Class 5 Heavy Traffic – suggested for any application that may

be subjected to heavy traffic.

There is also a Class 0, but these are thin tiles produced specifi-

cally for walls, and must not be used for flooring.

PorCelain tilesPorcelain tiles can be used in virtually any application. They

are made from fine porcelain clays and fired at a much higher

temperature than ceramic tiles, which makes them denser,

less porous, much harder and less prone to moisture and stain

absorption than ceramic tiles, which means they can be used

both indoors and outdoors.

Almost any look can be replicated in porcelain, and porcelain

floor tiles that look like wood have become very fashionable.

Regarding sizes, the traditional 300mm x 300mm tile is still the

most popular in both ceramic and porcelain tiles, but the por-

celain 300mm x 600mm format floor tiles are certainly gaining

in popularity for very large areas, particularly when used with

inserts or tiles of other sizes.

They are also available in long rectangular formats such 150mm x

900mm, which gives the impression of wood strips, and are produced

in variable shades and wood grains that give you the complete range

of wood finishes. Other finishes are also available, including the

increasingly popular ‘leather’ look.

In both ceramic and porcelain tiles, neutral and earthy colours

remain popular, although in South Africa lighter colours remain far

more in demand than darker colours used for floors in the home.

reCtified tileThere seems to be increasing popularity with this type of tile, so it

merits a brief comment. Rectified tile is simply tile that has been

specially cut and machined after firing to achieve a more precise tile

size. This means the tiles edges are straighter and each tile should be

almost exactly the same.

One advantage of using rectified tile is that you can use much closer

spacing between the tiles, and you can also make more complex

designs. Most popular are the larger tiles which are often used in con-

junction with smaller modular sizes to create patterns.

There is no doubt that ceramic and porcelain tiles are becom-

ing the first choice of architects and designers for a wide range of

applications, because they can create or complement any décor, are

extremely hardwearing, easy to install and maintain, and are very

price competitive – particularly if one takes the full lifecycle cost.

natural stoneOften rivalling ceramic and porcelain tiles, despite being inherently

more expensive, natural stone floors are always stylish, fashionable,

and will last for decades, and one of the main reasons for their popu-

larity is that they are all different in appearance, each providing exclu-

sivity within its own intrinsic patterning, colour and appeal – and the

older they get the more character and charm they seem to gain.

A big plus for natural stone is that it will not fade, and the original

material can be matched even after twenty years of service, or more.

Fer

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tile

to Page 48

48



Throughout the world, natural stone floors can be seen that are cen-

turies old, so value for money or return on investment is, as they say,

a done deal.

The most common varieties of natural stone used for flooring are

marble, limestone, granite and slate, although quartzite, sandstone,

and travertine floors are often found in South African applications.

Marble is the generic name given to any limestone or dolomite

material that can be polished, and it is relatively soft and porous,

which means that in most applications it must be sealed. Marble is

heavily veined and grained which enhances its general appeal, mak-

ing it possibly the most sought-after natural stone for upmarket resi-

dential applications.

Granite is available in reds, black, green and a variety of hues and is

often used for surrounds or countertops. It is the hardest of all natural

stone materials, although it can be prone to staining if not properly

treated. Local granite is much in demand because of its high quality

and its attractive flecked and pebbled appearance.

Limestone is a very hardwearing material that has a smooth surface

with hardly any grain or crystalline effect. Some varieties can be pol-

ished, and the colour range available includes black, grey, white, yel-

low, brown, and even an ‘almost’ red.

This stone provides a very hardwearing and durable surface, but

because of its lime content care must be taken with regard to what

chemicals come into contact with the floor because substances such

as most acids will create a reaction.

Slate is a fine-grained stone which may need careful handling dur-

ing installation but can provide an extremely attractive, hardwearing

and durable floorcovering. However, in most cases it will need seal-

ing, so seek the advice of the experts before committing yourself.

However, far from being available only in grey, slate can be obtained

in green, black and almost cream and pink varieties, and is generally

recognised as being the most cost-effective of all the natural stone

flooring materials.

Two more natural stones are always worth consideration as floor-

ing materials: Sandstone is available in light pastel colours, often with

beautiful fossils appearing on the surfaces, and Soapstone is a softer,

dense stone, lighter in colour and yet more resistant to stains.

Finally, Travertine is usually found as a cream or reddish stone. Due to

the fact that it contains many holes in its natural state, it is filled with a

calcite filler during the production of the filled and honed finish. This

filler is generally very durable, although it can dislodge after long use.

However, it is easily replaceable and should not be seen as a flaw in this

stone. It is also available in unfilled, tumbed and antique finishes.

Most natural stones can be supplied with a polished finish, honed (a

satin-smooth finish with little light reflection), quarry face or ‘flamed’

in the finishing process, the two latter finishes providing a rough sur-

face texture.

Natural stone floors are easy to maintain although, because most

have a naturally porous structure, it is recommended to seal these

floors, to make daily maintenance easier and to prevent staining. The

use of a knowledgeable professional in this regard is strongly recom-

mended to ensure the perfect finish for your floor.

There always seems to be an air of exotic mystery about natural

stone, but a visit to a well-appointed natural stone showroom will not

only provide you with any technical advice you may need, but will also

convince you that there is nothing quite like it for your next floor.

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from Page 47



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50

Described as being the world’s largest and most important

dimension stone, marble, stone design and technology exhibition,

the 44th Marmomacc took place during 2009 in Verona, Italy,

from 30 September to 3 October.



51

The exhibition has evolved over the years into a cultural

event which increasingly emphasises style and design.

This year, three South African architects attended the

parallel course Designing with Natural Stone, which forms part

of the Fair of Verona’s Continuing Education Programme.

The architects were Su Linning, the executive officer of the

South African Institute of Architects; Peter Adlard, the principal

of Adlard Architects, Grahamstown; and Devilliers du Toit of

ProjectWorks, Pretoria.

FLOORS asked them for their views on the course.

Peter adlardIn the past ten years automotive fabrication tools have been

modified to carry stone-cutting heads and, along with rapid

advances in diamond and water-cutting tools, the stone clad-

ding industry has boomed.

Finishes are now so varied that it’s difficult to know what

sort of stone you’re looking at – flamed, hammered, etched,

lasered, sand-blasted and water-jetted finishes sit alongside the

traditional honed, polished and natural finishes. In addition to

natural stone, there are the engineered stones which are works

of art in their own right.

For examples of the insane product (by insane I mean amaz-

ing and amazingly expensive) take a look at www.antolini.it

(stone suppliers and finishers – see their ‘hydrofinish’ section,

and engineered slabs), www.decormarmi.com for the most

extraordinary wall and floor tiles and slabs, and www.imarmi-

deldoge.com for machined, industrial-designed stone.

For machinery innovation, OMAG are the industry leaders

but they have the industry’s worst webpage, if you can find it!

Rather search YouTube for OMAG, or look for www.qdrobotics.

com, and www.htmgroup.it for robotic arms.

Product produced by these CNC (Computer Numerical

Control) machines is complex and expensive – aimed at hotel

design, wellness centres and similar buildings that have abnor-

mally large interior design budgets.

For a screen wall by the artisans of the Chiampo region, for

example, you’ll pay €5000/m², but then the stones housed in

the Antolini warehouses vary from €5-50 000 per slab.

I was most impressed by the range and colours of translucent

Onyx slabs on display. I guess I have expensive taste!

The course was highly enjoyable, extremely well-prepared

and presented. The groups of artisans around Verona that

hosted us were extraordinarily gracious and generous, and the

material presented was clear and highly informative.

However, I had expected more technical information. We

were taught very briefly by a façade engineer and a stone

installation specialist and the debate and questions that this

short session generated would indicate that many participants

were similarly biased.

The course should be named ‘sourcing, selecting and work-

ing marbles and limestones’ as this was primarily the focus. If it

had been explained that this was what we would be learning

about I wouldn’t have gone, as I don’t generally have any need

to specify stone cladding, but I would have missed out on an

incredibly multi-cultural and fascinating five days.


52




53

We also studied the rich cul-

tural heritage of natural stone

in northern Italy. Raffaello

Galiotto’s “i Marmi del Doge”

installation at Marmomacc rein-

terpreted details of the Ducal

Palace in Venice resulting in

evocative shapes and patterns

that are firmly grounded in his-

tory but only possible with mod-

ern technology.

Attending the Designing with

Natural Stone programme was

without doubt one of the most

enriching experiences of my

career.

su linningSu attended the course, but her

main objective – as the execu-

tive officer of SAIA – was to

formalise an agreement with the

Fair of Verona as a Continuing

Professional Education pro-

vider. The course is already

recognised for CPD purposes

by the Royal Institute of British

Architects, the Royal Australian

Institute of Architects and the

Indian, Canadian and American

Institutes of Architects.

devilliers du toitContemporary architecture has seen a

renewed interest in the material qualities of

buildings. The 2009 Marmomacc Designing

with Natural Stone continuing education

programme aimed to expose a group of 32

architects from across the globe to the world

of natural stone.

The course was held under the able lead-

ership of Vince Marazita. The programme

touched on all aspects of the natural stone

industry, from a visit to a stone quarry,

through the initial stages of processing to the

most recent developments in technology.

The Marmomacc exhibition and our factory

visits opened our eyes to the astonishing range

of materials available. Equally astounding is the

ways in which these materials are now being

processed. At one of the factories we were shown

a modular screening system that can be easily

assembled and disassembled.

I was greatly interested in the “green credentials”

of natural stone. Despite the initial high cost of

using natural stone its durability makes it a very

attractive option. It was interesting to learn that

shipping stone across the globe for processing

is not only less expensive than setting up the

required plants locally but in some cases also has

a smaller carbon footprint.



Architecture, an adventurer’s profession: building is a journey of discovery: This was the title of the keynote

address given by the celebrated architect, Renzo Piano, at the recent Cersaie 2009 event in Bologna. The fol-

lowing is a resumé of his speech.

The architect’s studio is a kind of

atelier where people, tools and

materials are attributed the same

importance as ideas. Because ‘doing

is thinking’, this, in the final analysis,

is what Renzo Piano sees as ‘Creating

architecture’, the title of the confer-

ence organised at Cersaie 2009.

The event saw enormous par-

ticipation by international journal-

ists during the press conference

preceding the keynote address

and attracted an attendance in the

Palazzo dei Congressi that exceed-

ed all expectations.

Attendance was in fact so high that

the entire capacity of the Palazzo dei

Congressi was insufficient to accom-

modate all participants even though

all the rooms in the building were

used, and the event was screened

on closed-circuit television in the

Architecture Gallery and the Press

Office in the exhibition centre.

Renzo Piano’s advice for young

people studying architecture is to

‘live, travel and observe’. Architecture

is the profession of an adventurer,

repeated the famous Genoese archi-

tect several times – a dangerous pro-

fession for those who undertake it

but one that offers the opportunity

to come into contact with different

worlds, people and situations.

It is a profession of art and adven-

ture on various levels: technological,

humanistic – because buildings

are designed and built for human

beings – and the more poetic and

imaginative level.

When architecture responds to

both practical needs and expec-

tations and desires, it becomes

something extraordinary, because

buildings not only meet technical

and technological criteria, but also

celebrate aspirations and desires.

Displaying images of various works



Renzo Piano

New York Times Headquarters

carried through over the years, Piano expounded his idea of archi-

tecture, which appears to merge with his vision of life itself.

In order to create architecture, Piano explained, one can start

out from a vision and progress to the construction, or proceed

the other way round. “My father was a builder so I grew up on his

building sites, and the miracle of building is something that stays

with you,” Piano said. “These are my roots,” he continued, then

went on to stress the importance of being able to listen.

A continual dialogue is essential, not only with the people

involved in the various projects but also with other fields of art

and design to learn from the abilities of others and from other

fields of knowledge and expertise – without shutting oneself off

in a self-referential vision of architecture. For Piano artisan skill

has the same value as science.

Creating architecture also means understanding that all creative

effort must improve, transform and describe the world through

tools and practical solutions that make the concrete realisation of

an idea possible.

For example, creating a work from the observation of places and

nature; discovering how certain geographies and given topogra-

phies or existing materials contain within themselves the seeds of

clearly defined architectural characteristics.

Fundamental qualities therefore include not only a predilection

for observing reality, but also curiosity towards human beings

to transform the world, to create languages, starting out from

contingent needs, which today are those that derive from the

awareness that the Earth is fragile and that it is our duty to

construct buildings with this in mind.

Where possible we should seek to use materials that respect

the environmental balance. One of these is ceramic. As Piano

stressed, it is a material with enormous appeal. “It is ancient, it

comes from the earth and returns to the earth, but above all

it has characteristics of strength, durability, unlimited colour

potential and the capacity to reflect light, making it function-

ally perfect and extraordinary in various situations.”

To illustrate this, Piano mentioned the skyscraper where

the New York Times is headquartered, where white ceramic

elements were used to make optimal use of light and the

sun’s rays.

The challenge is to create buildings that are less violent in

terms of their energy requirements and which are capable

of achieving economies in the use of resources. At the same

time it is essential not to lose contact with human beings and

their requirements.

In other words, the architect is part anthropologist, part sci-

entist and part adventurer. As Piano repeatedly affirmed, the

construction of a building is like crossing the Far West: dan-

gers and unforeseen situations may lie just around the corner,

but the rewards are so much greater if the final result not only

creates something useful but is able to change the world.

The meeting between Cersaie and Renzo Piano, between

Confindustria Ceramica and Fondazione Piano, is part of the

programme of support for young architects which will con-

tinue at Cersaie for three years.

and their way of living, for example in cities; for Renzo Piano the

city is the venue for exchange and creative stimuli, the place

where everything happens.

The city is the result of various stratifications over time, each of

which must lend value to the previous level. The city expresses

the idea of openness and tolerance, the same qualities that derive

from Piano’s life experience. “I graduated just before 1968, a time

of great yearning,” he explains.

This sentiment is reflected in his idea of architecture and in works

like the Beaubourg, a place that for the first time became an acces-

sible place, a factory, in open dispute with those who wanted it to

be a cultural centre that would intimidate potential users.

With Beaubourg the sacred and profane intermingle. The

museum is transformed into a part of the city, itself a collector’s

piece. Architecture is creation and art, but above all the capacity


Cersaie 2009 – with 1 036 exhibitors and 83 137 visitors (numbers only 1,6% down on the

previous year despite the recession) – actually strengthened its position as a major exhibition of

ceramic tiles and bathroom furnishings, particularly as the number of professionals and journalists

increased, whilst the international attendance constituted over a quarter of the total.


CERSAIE 2009 strengthened its positionCERSAIE 2009 strengthened its position

The 27th Cersaie, held in Bologna during September/October

achieved this at a time of great difficulty for the internation-

al economy and real estate market, although the first signs

of recovery are emerging.

Nonetheless, the overall figures confirmed not only the show’s sta-

bility in terms of exhibitors and visitors but above all its international

importance for the represented sectors.

All the exhibition space at Cersaie 2009 was once again sold out.

The total exhibition space of 176 000m² hosted 1 036 exhibitors from

34 different countries, of which 510 were from the ceramic tile sector

and 380 from the bathroom furnishing sector. Also, there were a total

of 241 foreign exhibitors.

In spite of the difficult economic situation, only partly alleviated by

signs of recovery in some countries, Cersaie confirmed its broad mar-

ket appeal with only marginally fewer visitors than in 2008.

The many events held during the show were very well attended, as

were the meetings between the press and companies and the insti-

tutional events such as the Ceramic Tiles of Italy International Press

Conference and Renzo Piano at Cersaie.

The first edition of the cultural project Building, Dwelling, Thinking was

also very well received, featuring as it did the participation of numerous

authoritative speakers. The keynote address was given by the master of

contemporary architecture, Renzo Piano, who received a standing ova-

tion from the whole of the Palazzo dei Congressi di Bologna.

Next year’s event, Cersaie 2010, will be held in Bologna from 28

September to 2 October.


showrooms in South Africa


Italtile has launched a showroom concept that is

claimed will radically redefine bathroom show-

rooms and display in South Africa.

“The Italtile Pretoria showroom extension came about as a result

of investigation into the premium tile and sanitaryware market in

South Africa, which is one-dimensional and focused on either tiles

or sanitaryware, with ineffectual and limited choice for the com-

plete bathroom solution,” explains Sergio Galli, one of the directors

of Italtile Retail (Pty) Ltd.

In collaboration with its European partners – Laufen, Kos,

Zucchetti, GSG, Valli, Roberto Palomba and Hans Grohe – as well

as local architectural firm WMS Architects and local shopfitters

Grainwave, Italtile has refurbished and extended its existing Pretoria

showroom to 2 100m² to incorporate the 1 000m² Bath-shop.

The space has created a unique environment that brings togeth-

er the latest showroom display trends and the latest international

fashions and trends in sanitaryware, baths, tiles, taps and bath-

room accessories.

The internal form of the showroom design emulates the main

building structure by making use of a circular platform with multi-

level walls that allows for ease of movement around the show-

room and at the same time creates an axis for the display area.

The platform showcases the extensive range of the latest bath-

room fashions from Europe – basins, bathtubs, furniture units,

shower cabins, mirrors and other accessories. Each range is tastefully

styled for visual enhancement, as well as design, product and layout

inspiration for the clients.

Flanking the platform are unusual lifestyle displays featuring entire

ranges set into singular rooms, with signature pieces from a variety

of suppliers brought together to create a revolutionary experience of

bathroom living.

Amraj Dursan, Italtile’s in-house architect, said, “The elaborate dis-

play of abundant product could easily have resulted in a mangled

flow. We have succeeded in creating an effortless flow through the

four levels of displays with wide walkways to ensure that clients can

view the products from every angle, and be drawn in to touch, feel

and examine the products further. Or, over a cup of Italian coffee at

our coffee bar, they can sit back and be inspired by the ambience and

surroundings,” he said.

With such an array and assortment of products on display, lighting

for the entire showroom plays a critical role. Lighting designers and

lighting specialists designed lighting not only for each product and

each display, but also to showcase the space and create the right

ambience.

“Italtile is committed to remaining at the forefront of product

styling, fashions and trends, thus proving that as the longest stand-

ing retailer in this market, we are best suited to meet the customers’

needs and, with an investment and commitment of this nature, reas-

sure our customers that we will remain a beacon of trust and consis-

tency while many competitors have come and gone,” says Galli.

58



in ceramic and porcelain floors

Ferreiras Decor World is one of South Africa’s largest importers

and distributors of high-quality flooring materials, and to find

out what makes them so successful, and to gain their views on the

current market situation, FLOORS posed some pertinent questions to

them. Their answers make for interesting reading.

What is your estimate of the total South African market for ceramic tiles?

The South African market total estimate over the last three years was

on average around 50 million square metres per annum.

What is the percentage split between ceramic and porcelain?

Imported porcelain, which includes glazed and polished material,

equates to around 6 million square metres per year, with the year to

date (end October 2009) probably running at around 4.5 million. Red

body imports are around the 7 million square metres per year, and

probably at around 5 million to date this year.

Do you purchase both imported and local tiles?

Yes, we buy both locally and from overseas, although the percentage

split differs from year to year. We source our tiles from Italy, Spain,

Brazil and Indonesia, just to name a few.

What is the biggest project you have supplied?

It depends on what type of project you look at; for example, one of our

National Corporate clients has been supplied with over 135 000m² this

year alone – and this figure continues to grow with future rollouts.

Residential Estates such as Ellisras have been supplied with over

20 000m² on a single development; and individual projects such as

the prestigious Department of International Relations & Cooperation

(previously known as the Department of Foreign Affairs) have recent-

ly been supplied with over 31 000m² of imported porcelain tiles.

How successful is your Architectural Division? Can you give examples?

This department has always been one of our largest contributing

assets in our business and we are very pleased that it continues to

grow and advance as the industry progresses.

The department concentrates on identifying the needs of the client

(not only project-specific) and then to provide deliverable solutions

and services in order to meet those requirements.

The staff also realises that the primary purpose is not only about sell-

ing materials in the marketplace but also being deeply involved in each

project – managing the materials from specification through to site.

This has enabled the company to continue being a preferred and/or

dedicated supplier to various national corporations and numerous

architectural and design practices so successfully for many years.

Do you have preferred installers?

The Company does not have any preferred installers; instead we prefer

to work together with the installers within the industry, especially on

the larger projects where our materials have been specified.

We offer project oversight once materials have been sup-

plied to site and get involved in an advisory capacity in order

to offer better after-sales services to our clients regarding

their investments that they have procured from us.

Anything else about the company or the product range that you

would like to include?

The Company is very excited about its new Design Studio,

which facilitates the complete design and specification process

for all types of residential, contractual and architectural designs.

Our professional team gladly assists clients with alternative

plan layout drawings to optimise bathroom potential; elevation

drawings for tile layout; floor drawings for tile layout; material

schedules for wall and floor finishes; computer aided visuals of

interior designs; and sample/mood board presentations.

The Design Studio boasts two additional services in the

form of an extensive and updated design library and the

hosting of special events for all its members, and also hosts

social and cultural events, a venue for design exhibitions,

products and publication presentations.

The design library’s publications are both historical and

contemporary and provide a service for research, analysis and

relevant documentation on the latest designs.

For more information on how to become a member and

dates on the next event, make contact with the numbers

shown below.

Finally, let our knowledgeable consultants, using computer-

aided visuals, simplify your task and help you to exceed your

clients’ expectations – and remember, site visits are included

in our service offering.

Ferreiras Decor World

Tel: 011 699 3500

Fax: 011 699 3506/7

Website: www.ferreiras.co.za

Flawless flooring –



59

Over the past eight years a trend has

emerged to create clean-looking seamless

floors with no tile joints or dirty grout lines. This

trend has encouraged leading tile suppliers to

market rectified tiles, which are butt-jointed to

create the seamless effect.

The natural stone flooring market in SA has

risen by 14% to capture a considerable propor-

tion of the overall flooring market, with colour

choices steering towards the more organic colour

ranges. These factors are possibly the main rea-

sons for the remarkable growth of Quartz Carpet

in South Africa over the past few years.

The stones used in Quartz Carpet are washed,

fire-dried, have a residual moisture content of

less than 0,2% and are 99% SiO2 graded into the

different stone sizes. The end-product complies

with stringent ISO 9002 and EU regulations.

Quartz Carpet is a seamless natural stone floor-

ing system which is trowel-applied on site, utilis-

ing imported glacial aggregates and clear resin

binders, and available in a range of shades.

These exquisite interior and 100% UV-stable

exterior floor finishes are available in open- or

closed-pore structures, three aggregate sizes,

gloss or satin finish and result in unrivalled aes-

thetics and performance criteria.

The imported alluvial glacial quartz

stone is extremely hard, measur-

ing 7-8 on the MOH (Measure of

Hardness) scale where a diamond

measures 10, and it is impact- and

abrasion-resistant.

Local crushed quartz stone cannot

be used in flooring systems as the

stones themselves are filled with

millions of cracks/fissures caused by

the crushing process.

Products using this type of stone,

without a proven track record or test

results, are destined to disappoint or

fail! Unfortunately, there are compa-

nies out there marketing these so-

called natural quartz floors that are

giving Quartz Carpet seamless stone

flooring a bad name.

Claimed to be the world’s fastest

growing flooring system, Quartz

Carpet (almost 30 years old world-

wide) is now available in over 24

countries. The company has fully

trained and licensed applicators in

Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban,

Port Elizabeth and the Garden Route.

Quartz Carpet is looking to expand

its business locally and throughout

Africa in 2010 and is in the process

of appointing more applicators.

Interested parties are welcome to

apply to become registered and

licensed installers of Quartz Carpet.

Apart from being totally seamless

with unlimited colour combinations

and design opportunities (custom-

ised logos are part of the service pro-

vided), Quartz Carpet is easy to main-

tain and clean (easier than carpets),

relatively inexpensive to install, and is

underfloor heating compliant.

Quartz Carpet is available on

Autospec, or you can visit the web-

site www.quartzcarpet.co.za for fur-

ther information.

Quartz Carpet

Tel: 086 178 2789

Fax: 021 421 1102

Website: wwwquartzcarpet.co.za

“The wonder of Quartz Carpet is the seamless finish that can be created. We are extremely

satisfied with the continuous integration of the floor from outdoors to indoors.”

Greg Wright Architects / SITE Interior Design


Whether you are looking for

flooring solutions for a retire-

ment village in the Western

Cape, hardwearing tiles for

retail stores in Gauteng, or

bathroomware for the public

bathrooms of a shopping

centre in KwaZulu-Natal, Tile

Africa’s Contracts Division has

specified and supplied tiles

and bathroomware for pro-

jects like these and more.

Thanks to the support of a chain of

40 retail stores located countrywide

across all nine provinces, Tile Africa

Contracts guarantees a national

footprint, with retail stores that

not only offer inspirational lifestyle

displays and quality products and

service to consumers, but also serve

as an offset point for contractors’

projects and as a boardroom for

architects and specifiers to dis-

cuss their requirements with the

with a national footprint



National footprint ensures success


61

and specifiers and each site is project-managed by a specialist in the

field,” says Craig Irvine, National Contracts Manager for Tile Africa.

Tile Africa Contracts is available to offer a full circle of services,

from concept to completion nationally. For more information about

Tile Africa’s Contracts Division, call 011 970 2124 or visit the website:

www.tileafrica.co.za.

Contracts Division.

The stores offer a wide array of locally manufactured and imported

products, ensuring the availability of large ranges to consumers

and building professionals, with the methods of installation and the

materials supplied in line with international standards and of the

highest quality.

Tile Africa Contracts enjoys the support of its sister company

Johnson Tiles which produces local tiles as well as the professional

backing of TAL Adhesives, the eldest sibling in the Group that has

been at the forefront of the adhesives industry for 30 years.

“Our success is due to our service delivery on a national scale as well

as our expertise and access to such a wide variety of products. We

offer an invaluable service to architects, interior designers, contractors

Craig Irvine

The Contracts Division of Tile Africa has expanded its client base

from merely 20 national corporate customers in 2006 to currently

servicing over 110 customers.

“The success of our division can be attributed to implementing and

applying various processes and principles to ensure service delivery

to clients, a dedicated team of professionals and a national distribu-

tion of products and services,” says Craig Irvine, national contracts

manager for Tile Africa.

Today, the division services corporate customers such as Mr Price,

Ackermans, Pick n Pay, Famous Brands, the JD Group, Nandos, Beares,

Ellerines and Furniture City to name but a few.

Highlights over the past three years include securing Mr Price in 2007,

supplying tiles to over 20 stores in Maponya Mall in 2007 and tiles for

Greenstone Shopping Centre and Tsakane Mall in 2008. The division

also secured the Famous Brands stable and Steven Dike, managing

director Famous Brands Development is pleased with the division’s abil-

ity to supply and service countrywide. Ongoing projects include Liberty

Life, Momentum and various large national corporate companies.

With a national network of representation through the nearly 40 Tile

Africa retail branches and the backing of sister companies Johnson

Tiles and TAL Adhesives, the division is able to supply specialist prod-

ucts for industrial and commercial applications.

In addition, Tile Africa Contracts

provides on-site technical advice

as well as an aftercare service and

its methods of installation and the

materials supplied are in line with

local and international standards.

“We find that customers are look-

ing for convenience and simplicity

in dealing with one supplier for all

their tiling and bathroomware needs, from cladding and flooring to

wall tiles and decorative finishes,” says Irvine.

The division has seen trends come and go over the years and has

had to keep at the forefront of these. Currently, a popular product

trend is the eco-look with natural finishes and stone textures. In con-

trast to this, the division also needs to specify for the clean minimalist

look that is uncluttered with sharp edges and straight lines.

“We are focusing on growing our supply-and-fit offering into shop-

ping malls and other major commercial projects and will continue to

target the corporate and commercial market with our superior and

consistent service offering through our national footprint,” says Irvine.

For more information about Tile Africa’s Contracts Division, call

011 970 2124 or visit the website: www.tileafrica.co.za.


As one of South Africa’s foremost importers of high-quality ceramic

and porcelain tiles and bathroomware, the Italtile showrooms

now incorporate a new display concept that shows these superb mate-

rials to their best advantage.

As an example of what you can expect to find in any Italtile showroom,

here is a brief look at some of the new floor tiles currently available.

with style and passion


with style and passion

Remix Super Natural D.eva

Misingi

The possibility of creating images with chromatic variables and

nearly unlimited patterns opens new horizons in design, planning

and production of ceramics.

Super Natural is manufactured by Sant’Agostino, Italy, and

exclusively distributed in South Africa by Italtile.

misingiWood, a vital raw material, is at the heart of the Misingi collection

by Ceramica Castelvetro. Its sophisticated, natural spirit creates an

intense living experience.

Misingi is the elegant reflection of a contemporary sophisticat-

ed lifestyle, and puts a new twist on the colours of wood with 13

available finishes, seven that range from classic to contemporary,

three with a smooth-honed surface, and three with an exquisite

metallic finish.

Misingi is a full-bodied porcelain, ideal for floors and walls, as

well as for interiors and exteriors, and is suitable for high-traffic

areas. It is available in rectified sizes of 200 x 800mm and 133 x

80mm. It is exclusively distributed in South Africa by Italtile.

remixThis exciting new glazed porcelain product is created by blending

three different materials: ceramics, metal and resin. Antique yet

modern, Remix is two different styles combined to create new

original options – and one idea… to reinterpret and renew the

past in a new key to obtain an extraordinary unique surface.

Available in 600 x 600mm rectified tiles, the colours are White,

Grey, Black, Sand, Leather, in either natural or honed finish.

Remix is also manufactured by Castelvetro, Italy, and exclusively

distributed in South Africa by Italtile.

Italtile

Tel: 011 510 9000 Website: www.italtile.co.za

d.evaDescribed as incorporating class, elegance and glamour, the D.eva

range of glazed porcelain tiles is manufactured by Castelvetro, Italy,

and exclusively distributed in South Africa by Italtile.

This range has been inspired by sumptuous fabrics, with previous

patterns and refined splendour, dedicated by the manufacturer to the

divine movie stars of yesteryear – Ava Gardner, Anita Ekberg, Ingrid

Bergman, Greta Garbo and Grace Kelly.

Available in rectified tile sizes of 600 x 600mm and 200 x 600mm, and

in five colours named after these stars of the silver screen, the D.eva

collection is sophisticated and exclusive – a sumptuous symphony of

golden tints and soft satin touches, clear signs of a prestigious beauty.

suPer naturalClaimed to be a world first in ceramic tile design, this range uses

a revolutionary digital printing system, specially designed for the

ceramic industry that opens new and exciting possibilities in design

and production.

Super Natural consists of six new tile ranges designed and deco-

rated to bring the touch and feel of nature into the home, while

ensuring the durability provided by ceramics. From natural stone to

fabric and wood, this printing system offers for the first time endless

possibilities of image reproduction, ensuring perfectly natural and

powerful artistic results.

Using this digital printing system, an unlimited number of differ-

ent tiles with the same pattern can be manufactured, completely

decorating them from edge-to-edge, with perfect definition, even on

surfaces with relief areas.

This overcomes the repetitiveness typical of traditional production

techniques: that means almost every tile is different. With only four

colours, subtle nuances can be created, especially shadows or shades,

through three-dimensional reliefs.



Italtile ad

004053

Se la tua passione si affi evolisce con l’eta’, vuol dire che in realta’

non c’era mai stata

Antonio Bertucci, married to Gina since 1969

If your passion diminishes with age,then you never had it in the fi rst place.

RRRRRoooommmmaaaaa ’’’’6666669999RRRoommmaaaa ’’’’6666999 The Style. The Passion.

www.italtile.co.za

004053 Italtile Bath.indd 1 11/23/09 2:10:01 PMProcess CyanProcess MagentaProcess YellowProcess Black

Johnson Tiles has consistently been at the forefront of

introducing cutting-edge technology in order to produce

tiles of international standards here in South Africa.

In the vanguard of ceramic tile manufacture

tYPiCal sPeCifiCation for JoHnson glaZed PorCelain floor tiles

sPeCifiCation iso 13006 : 1998 Jt tYPiCal results

length / Width ± 0.5% ISO 10545-2 ± 0.3%

thickness ± 5.0% ISO 10545-2 ± 2.5%

straightness of sides ± 0.5% ISO 10545-2 ± 0.3%

rectangularity ± 0.6% ISO 10545-2 ± 0.3%

Centre Curvature ± 0.5% ISO 10545-2 ± 0.3%

Warpage ± 0.5% ISO 10545-2 Max 0.3%

Water absorption < 0.5% ISO 10545-3 0.2%

modulus of rupture Min 35MPa ISO 10545-4 > 40 MPa

abrasion resistance PEI 3 – 5 ISO 10545-7 PEI 3 – 5

In the vanguard of ceramic tile manufacture



For the first time, locally produced tiles comply with or

exceed both SABS 1440-1996 and the European EN 177

technical standards. Johnson Tiles takes great pride in being

the first company in South Africa to locally manufacture

both glazed porcelain tiles, and tiles with a PEI 5 rating.

Historically, porcelain tiles were imported because the

technology and skill did not exist in South Africa until they

were developed by Johnson Tiles. Hence the company has

great pride in this locally developed product.

The introduction of Dry Glaze Technology by Johnson

Tiles, using machines imported from Italy, applies glaze

material in dry form rather than conventional wet form,

resulting in the production of very natural stone finishes

on the Johnson Tiles porcelain body.

The glazed porcelains from Johnson Tiles are manufac-

tured on a dark-coloured body, but it is very important to

understand that this in no way makes it an inferior porce-

lain to a white-bodied tile.

With this in mind, the Johnson tile rates against the

European ISO standards for glazed porcelain tiles. In fact,

on every technical specification, the Johnson glazed porce-

lain either meets or exceeds the requirements on both the

European and local standards (see table below).

Johnson glazed porcelain tiles are 400 mm x 400 mm x 8

mm in size, and are deliberately designed to be attractive

to a wide segment of the market, suitable for both domes-

tic and commercial applications. These innovative tiles are

available in a wide range of colours and textures, and can

be purchased at selected tile merchants throughout South

Africa.

Johnson Tiles (a division of Norcros SA)

Tel: 011 316 3133

Fax: 011 316 3278



Johnson tiles ad

Flooring that sets the Standard

Johnson Tiles Sales Office Tel: 011 316 3133

Johnson A4 2 09.indd 1 2/20/09 12:40:37 PM

cement-based products



For more than 25 years Lacotta has been a leader in high-quality

cement-based products for both indoor and outdoor applications.

A trusted household name, Lacotta is at the forefront of design inno-

vation and prides itself on delivering the finest quality products and

workmanship developed over decades of training and experience.

The range of products has evolved over the years and not only

includes tiles and pots that have generated word-of-mouth referrals

but also features cobbles, paving stones, flagstones and cladding,

many of which have featured at renowned projects such as Nelson

Mandela Square, Palazzo Hotel – Monte Casino, The Michelangelo

Hotel and Carnival City. In addition, these products have turned many

houses into dream homes.

Lacotta continues to produce the handmade products that have

made it famous and additional products have been added to meet

the vision of many architects and the requirements of an ever-evolv-

ing market.

As well as an earthy new range of colours, indoor and outdoor tiles

are available in the traditional colour range, allowing the user to carry

out extensions to an existing project without having to replace the

entire floor.

As part of the drive to deliver unparalleled service, Lacotta’s experi-

enced team is also able to meet the needs of architects by developing

a colour and size specific to their needs, allowing a variety of laying

patterns to be used.

These products are timeless, easy to maintain and look better the

longer they are down. The biggest advantage of using a Lacotta tile

is its endless life; ensuring that they don’t need to be replaced and

therefore making them a sound investment.

After installation, the tiles are sealed with a protective sealer that

provides the tile with a longer lifespan. As and when required, the

tiles can be stripped and resealed, giving them a refreshed new look.

Lacotta is fully aware of the impact that all forms of business

have on the environment and, as a result, has recently joined the

Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), with the under-

standing that if, as a supplier of building products, they can make

them as environmentally friendly as possible, the end-product,

whether it be a home, office park or shopping centre, will be as

green as possible.

As a member of the GBCSA, Lacotta’s management has made a

commitment to protect the environment. This will include, amongst

other things, facilitating the implementation of green business prac-

tices and improving the knowledge and skills base in the industry by

enabling and offering training and education on the subject.

Whether you are looking to create a rustic Tuscan feel, the

elegance of Provance, a seaside Bali-styled Villa, the warmth of an

African game lodge or the stylish elegance of a modern home,

Lacotta products are the products of choice.

Lacotta

Tel: 011 609 8771/2 Fax: 011 609 8131

Cell: 082 808 6159

E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Website: www.lacottasa.co.za



Lacotta ad

pavers • cobbles • tiles • pots

Tel 011 609 8771/2 | Fax 011 609 8131 | [email protected] | [email protected] | www.lacottasa.co.za | Showroom & Factory: 45 Harris Ave, Sebenza, Edenvale

Lacotta ad 1 10.indd 1 11/23/09 9:45:38 AM


Tilespace Bathroom + Home is proud to announce the

opening of its Cape Town showroom early next year.

It has been designed as a contemporary specifications

showroom that will undoubtedly differentiate the com-

pany from its peers in the Paarden Eiland district.

The world-class showroom of Tilespace in

Northlands Deco Park, North Riding, Randburg.

Tilespace Bathroom + Home will open its

Cape Town showroom early next year.


pliers to bring to the local market product ranges that are at the

forefront of the latest trends worldwide.

As specialists in ceramic and porcelain tiles for walls and floors,

Tilespace can advise customers on the most suitable tile ranges

for home or office application.

Tiles in smooth, textured, metallic, glazed and polished finishes

in inherent earth colour palettes and bolder, striking shades are

available in a choice of sizes to complement modern contempo-

rary as well as more classic settings.

Tilespace showcases Italy’s finest taps from Cristina Rubinetteri

which impress on the admirer a sophisticated elegance. Form

versus function on the other hand, takes its cue from leading

Italian shower brand, Bossini – also available at Tilespace.

Sanitaryware at Tilespace takes on a new appeal with daring

designs that may even denote a vision of the future to you.

Finally, beautiful bathroom co-ordinates at Tilespace accentuate

and define the ultimate look you want to achieve.

At Tilespace, the objective is clear: to be the preferred brand

of choice with architects, designers and home owners. The com-

pany is already well on its way to achieving this outcome by the

relationships of trust and value which it is building with industry

stakeholders.

Tilespace

Tel: 011 796 5100

Fax: 011 796 5150


Website: www.tilespace.co.za

The showroom will be geared to become an important reference

for home owners, developers, architects and interior designers

who are interested in viewing the latest trends in tile displays, bath-

room fittings and design.

Tilespace opened its first world-class showroom in July 2007 in

Northlands Deco Park, North Riding, Randburg. Since its inception,

the company has grown from strength to strength under the direc-

tion of an experienced team of industry professionals headed by

managing director, Jose Rodrigues.

During Rodrigues’ tenure in the architectural industry, he was

directly involved in supplying prestigious shopping malls and

public spaces including Clearwater Mall; Woodlands Mall; Garden

Route Mall; Greenstone Mall; Johannesburg Railway Station; and

OR Tambo Domestic and International Terminals.

At Tilespace, the showroom and retail arm of the business is com-

plemented by a dedicated projects division. As both spheres jointly

drive the way forward for the company, Tilespace is fast expanding

its presence in the specifications market on a variety of commercial

and residential developments – namely OR Tambo International

Terminal; West Coast Mall, Vredenburg; Dobsonville Shopping

Centre; Morningside Shopping Centre; The Grove, Lynnwood,

Pretoria; and Galleria, Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal.

The almost 1 800m² Tilespace showroom in Northlands Deco Park

reflects a diverse portfolio of local and imported tiles, sanitaryware,

taps, showers and bathroom fittings, with products selected for their

superior quality and striking design features to inspire lifestyle living.

Tilespace has established relationships with key overseas sup-



Tile Space ad

70


Enhance your creativity!


You have a Vision… and with San Marco you

are able to translate it into reality, to allow

you to feel that dream. But to realise that – to

make that dream come alive, you need to

find the perfect solutions.

The warm hug of your bedroom… the relaxing sensation of

your bathroom… the sense of space of your entrance… the

sophisticated feel of your entertainment area. Or the con-

temporary style of your shop, the elegance of your motor

dealership…

All these ideas are achievable if you find the perfect custom-

ised solution. At San Marco Tile Centre, you will find the best

options towards the realisation of your concepts, the best and

customised products to make your ideas happen, and the

sweetness of the service is as sweet as the Italian “caffè”.

You will find a selection of high-quality imported ceramic

and porcelain wall and floor tiles, encompassing the sophisti-

cation and warmth of Italy with a unique South African flair.

A customised solution to suit any style, as well as innovative

ideas, can be found at San Marco. Coupled with this is the

assurance of a stress-free and pleasurable shopping experi-

ence that will provide each client with a comprehensive and cost-

effective tiling solution.

In addition to an impressive list of exclusive cluster developments

and private residences, San Marco Tile Centre also prides itself on

projects such as the Renault, Audi, Honda, BMW and Jeep motor

showrooms.

For further information on the full San Marco sales programme,

contact your nearest branch, shown below, or visit the website: www.

sanmarcotile.co.za.

San Marco

Midrand - 011 3181287

Bryanston - 011 2448300

Boksburg - 0119183800

Xavier - 0116808013


hospitality requirements

featureThe recession has hit the hospitality sector

fairly hard in the UK, Europe and the USA,

who all seem to paint a grim picture, albeit

with a change in accommodation demand.

F e a t u r e : M e e t i n g t h e H o s p i t a l i t y r e q u i r e m e n t




Meeting the hospitality requirements

Must read article!

The recession has hit the hospitality sector fairly

hard in the UK, Europe and the USA, who all seem

to paint a grim picture, albeit with a change in

accommodation demand.

The three key indicators of hotel business – occupancy rates, average

daily rates (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) – have all

been falling steadily across the entire spectrum of accommodations,

which ranges from luxury, upscale and midscale (with or without food

and beverage) to economy and independent guest houses.

In the US, luxury has been the hardest hit, with occupancy rates

down nearly 17% from 2008 so far, ADR 14% down, and RevPAR drop-

ping a massive 28,6%.

Midscale hotels without food and beverage don’t seem to be a con-

cept that has hit South Africa yet, but it has been in a growth mode

for a few years in the U.S. and the current economic slowdown has

had the effect of helping that sector to gain even more market share.

The general formula of these establishments is to provide all the

essential in-room amenities that business and leisure travellers

demand – often technology-based such as internet connection and

so forth – whilst ensuring easy access to restaurants and entertain-

ment at a much more affordable price than hotels that offer

those services in-house.

In South Africa the statistics for August 2008 - August 2009

also don’t look too good as the recession bites – given that

the majority of tourists seeking accommodation are locals

– with occupancy rates running at 57,2% (17,2% down on

the previous year); average daily rates up by 3,2% to R786,35

(probably due to rising operating costs); and the RevPAR

14,5% down on 2008 at R437,65.

Statistics like this do not bode well for the flooring sector if

the hospitality market was to seriously restrict development

as a result.

However, the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup taking place in

South Africa should provide a considerable lifeline for the

local floorcovering industry (if it hasn’t already) as people

and companies seek to build new premises or refurbish

existing property to attract the anticipated millions of soc-

cer enthusiasts that will descend on the country in the

middle of next year.

The South African hospitality industry has some of the fin-

est hotels, lodges, entertainment centres and restaurants to

be found anywhere in the world and this, combined with the

wide variety of natural beauty and wildlife available, means

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73


that visitors expect the very best in design, aesthetics and functional-

ity from these venues.

In terms of flooring, the hospitality sector remains one of the most

important sectors for the industry, with a high demand for materials

of quality, aesthetic appeal and good wear characteristics.

Traditionally, the more upmarket

venues such as the four- and five-

star hotels, the more exclusive game

lodges and world-class entertain-

ment centres such as casinos, confer-

ence centres and theatres have regu-

larly favoured the use of high-quality

carpeting to convey an ambience of

opulence and comfort.

In these cases many venues plan to

replace the carpets simply to update

the décor and maintain a fresh

appearance that will attract and retain guests.

In some instances the architects and designers are looking for alter-

native floorcoverings that may provide a longer working lifespan, and

one can now regularly find quality carpet tiles being used because of

their ease of replacement – another means of maintaining the fresh

appeal of the facility.

In recent projects the use of polished and even coloured cementi-

tious floors have been encountered in hospitality applications, which

not only meets the longevity requirement but matches any

décor and can be ‘fine-tuned’ with the use of areas rugs and

furnishings.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are also increasingly finding

more favour in hospitality applications due to their ease of

installation and maintenance,

long service life, availability

of supply, and considerable

design flexibility. Once again,

area rugs and loose carpets

can be used to provide

underfoot comfort where

needed, and they enable the

décor to be changed almost

at will.

Other hard floorcover-

ings also feature strongly in

modern hospitality designs, with natural stone, hardwood,

laminate floorcoverings, and bamboo each competing for the

attention of the architect or interior designer.

Unlike the residential or commercial sectors of the flooring

industry and, as can be seen from the foregoing, it is almost

impossible to detect the trends in this sector as each venue

strives to find something different to add to its appeal.

However, the accent is always on aesthetic appeal and a

In terms of flooring, the

hospitality sector remains one of

the most important sectors for

the industry...

to page 74

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In thIs feature

pristine appearance to impress

their guests, and in this respect

the hospitality sector needs to

heed the following three items

of advice: (a) make sure that the

floorcovering you select is ‘fit for

purpose’; (b) install comprehen-

sive dirt-trap matting systems

at all entrances to the building

to prevent damage and soiling

of the floors; and (c) ensure that

an effective, regular cleaning

and maintenance programme is

employed.

In this feature we take

a look as some of the

major refurbishments

that have taken place

within this sector

recently, as well as the

new projects handled by

some of our clients that

they are proud of. An

update of the hospitality

market in the USA is also

included.

As the prestigious

event is almost upon

us, we are presenting

our final review of what

is happening at the

2010 FIFA Soccer World

Cup stadiums, with

an overview of their

overall design, together

with details of the

behind-the-scenes VIP

areas, hospitality suites,

change rooms and more.

We hope you enjoy

this feature on one of

the most important

South African business

sectors as much as we

have enjoyed putting it

together for you.

Acknowledgement and

thanks are given to Floor

Focus; Hotel News; and

Stats SA for some of the

information contained in

this article.

from page 73

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[email protected]@matcomats.co.za

continues from the entranceThe hospital-

ity industry

depends very

much on first

impressions,

and a quality

entrance mat

is in effect an

invitation to the

guest. By install-

ing a quality

access mat at every entrance to a building, the internal floorcover-

ing is assisted in retaining its original appearance and increasing

the lifespan considerably, as well as maintaining safety levels.

Quality of manufacture is critical in a product that is specifically

intended to endure hard use and high traffic. Over and above the

practical aspect, the mat should be aesthetically pleasing and be

able to blend in with the overall appearance of the building. In

addition, an attractive and equally effective mat is a unique mar-

keting tool for any organisation.

To promote a company’s corporate identity and create a wel-

coming entrance, Matco can insert a required logo into many dif-

ferent varieties of mats.

But matting does not end at the entrance to the building. Food

preparation areas and behind bar counters equally require matting

to reduce some of the foot, knee and back strain associated with

long standing periods. High-traffic restaurants need to ensure a

slip-resistant floor surface by using matting designed to reduce

worker fatigue, help drain liquid spills, and provide safety traction.

Matco offers a solution to reducing slipping and fatigue in the

workplace. The Flexi-work Grease Mat has superb slip resistance,

excellent drainage and is ideal for use in kitchens, restaurants or

bar areas. In addition to the safety features, this mat also offers

anti-fatigue solutions.

For further information please contact Matco who will provide

an exciting range of flooring solutions.

Matco Marketing

Tel: 011 452 7961 Fax: 011 452 7965

E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Website: www.matcomarketing.co.za


Trends in US Hospitality


The following is an extract from a recent feature

article in Floor Focus on the hospitality sector in

the USA – written by contributing editor Darius

Helm, to whom acknowledgement and thanks

are given.

Sometimes traditional ways of doing things endure simply because

no one has ever taken a close enough look at them. This is particular-

ly true of architectural and design elements. Though some aspects of

architecture have constantly evolved, other elements have remained

the same simply because they were practical or sufficient.

All that has changed in recent decades, as the A&D community has

helped foster awareness about the impact of design on everything

from inspiration, moods and memories to efficiency and even profit-

ability.

Design enables hospitals to provide better healthcare and improve

patient outcomes, it fosters auras of competence and depend-

ability in the corporate world, and in hotels it generates feelings

ranging from awe and excitement to confidence and a sense that

you’re in a place where every need can be met.

As needs evolve, so does design. Recent studies have impacted

the design of hotel lobbies. In the past, lobbies were large open

spaces with check-in counters and other basic interfaces, and

lounges were separate and distinct spaces. Tertiary spaces pro-

vided amenities like food and beverages.

These days all that is changing. Firms like Marriott have com-

missioned studies that reveal a demand for more unified spaces,

with amenities like Wi-Fi service, beverages and social networking

environments.

Lounge areas are merging into lobbies, creating more modular

environments, and instead of large open spaces dominated by

dramatic floor designs, flooring elements are used to break up

the space and signify a range of functions.

For instance, a modern lobby might have a marble floor inset



These days the higher end hotels

that HBA design are even going

as far as shifting the bathroom to

the centre of the room so you’ll

navigate around it.

with carpet here and there in small lounge areas with sofas where

people can sit, chat, have drinks and go online.

Kiosks and touch-screen tour guides add a new level of interac-

tivity. A broader range of flooring materials, including hardwood,

porcelain and area rugs, are used

to create different atmospheres.

Guest rooms are also being

transformed. According to

Meghann Day, a project designer

for Hirsch Bedner Associates

(HBA), a leading hospital-

ity design firm that has a huge

global business, guest rooms are

being transformed in ways never

before imagined. One of the

most fascinating evolutions is in

the design of the bathroom.

Most people don’t realise it until it’s pointed out to them, but

the bathroom has a defining influence on the perception of a

hotel room. For one thing, it’s usually the first thing people see

when entering their hotel room, because it’s often right there at

the entrance, and its bright lighting creates a vivid impression.

If the faucets are unique, you’ll remember them; if the floor

has beautifully veined marble, it will leave a lasting impression;

and if the lighting fixtures are odd and unexpected, they’ll be

etched in your mind and indelibly linked to your impression of the

hotel.

These days the higher end hotels that HBA design are even going

as far as shifting the bathroom to the centre of the room so you’ll

navigate around it.

Traditionally, the floors in hotel

rooms were covered in broadloom.

One recent trend has been to use a

hard surface in the entryway – stone

or porcelain or hardwood.

More tropical climates have tra-

ditionally used hardwood in guest

rooms, and that trend has moved

beyond the tropics to the point where

guest rooms in luxury hotels will often

have hardwood floors highlighted by

area rugs or inset with carpet.

Carpet tile’s role in hospitality is often driven by its green character-

istics, and it is increasingly used in public spaces, though broadloom

remains the dominant carpet.

Carpet tile’s functionality lends itself to use in guest rooms, but in

general the higher upfront cost obviates its use. However, many car-

pet tile producers report that use of their products is on the rise in

the hospitality sector.

Floor Focus

Client comfort on carpets…



Nothing beats the sheer luxury and underfoot comfort, safety (non-slip) and

insulation of carpets in the hospitality environment. Even concerns over clean-

ing and maintenance, durability or design flexibility are less valid with the

advances in fibre technology and continual process innovation producing

high-performance soft flooring that guarantees client comfort every time.

With 2010 just around the

corner, almost every

hotel, casino and restaurant find

themselves upgrading or reno-

vating. Comfort, design flex-

ibility and convenience, backed

by quality guarantees and excel-

lent customer service, are basic

specifications required by the

hospitality industry.

We take a look how carpets

deliver on those factors and

beyond.

performance and economyProducts marketed and sold by

Nexus meet the rigorous perfor-

mance demands of hospitality

environments – from aesthetic

appearance, traffic volumes,

maintenance and soiling to

noise reduction, comfort and

cost.

Nexus offers a wide variety

of carpet tiles and broadloom

ranges that will add favourably to

guests’ experience and meet the

practical demands of different

areas within the establishment.

Proof of performance can be

seen in the fitting, with cut-

pile ranges such as Serengeti,

Cosmopolitan, Baltimore and

Westminster finding their way

into the bedrooms, lounges and

conference rooms of some of

South Africa’s most prestigious

hotels.

replaceable modular floorIngThe current move to tufted tiles

in Europe bodes well for the

commercially rated Time Zone,

Time Square, Rubix Cube and

Baseline ranges, ideal for high-

traffic areas such as lobbies or

walkways to lifts. Tufted tiles

are easily replaced or swapped

around, ensuring even wear and

helping to keep floors looking

stylish and presentable.

Milliken’s practical tiles in a

variety of fashionable colours

and textures can be laid in dif-



79

fresh aIrCarpets trap airborne dust and allergens in their fibres, keeping

air fresh, clean and healthier. Simple daily vacuuming is all that is

required to keep carpets hygienic and tailor-made maintenance plans

are available for customers through the Nexcare programme, under-

written by MilliCare SA.

comfort and safetyOrthopaedic surgeons agree that the soft underfoot cushioning

of carpets will protect your guests’ backs and joints against hard,

unnatural surfaces, while the non-slip qualities prevent slips and falls

or, at the very least, provide a soft landing. In addition they muffle the

sounds of movement across the floor, often an important consider-

ation when patrons disregard other patrons’ need for quiet.

For more information or to request a sample, please contact Nexus

on the numbers provided below.

Nexus (division of Belgotex Floorcoverings)

Tel: 033 897 7500 Fax: 033 897 7700


Website: www.nexuscarpets.co.za

ferent shapes or patterns, broadening the scope of replaceable,

versatile elegance.

style and desIgn flexIbIlItyNo longer restricted by the colour, pattern or design limitations of

tufting machinery and fibres in standard ranges, carpets can now

be customised to individual styles or designs with Nexus’ Custom-X.

From tailor-made patterns or specially commissioned designs

to suit the individual needs of a particular hotel, Nexus is able to

customise ranges and re-colour according to corporate colours

and even logos.

Balsan also offer a variety of patterns and designs with broadloom

for hospitality and if their standard range does not catch your eye,

they have the capabilities to custom-design to your requirements.

Continual investment in the latest hi-tech machinery means

product innovation. ZigZag is the world’s first “non-woven graph-

ics velour” carpet created through a unique production process

that took Belgotex Floorcoverings over three years to perfect.

Named after its herringbone pattern, the design creates an opti-

cal 3D illusion.

Combining all the comfort of a velour with the hardwearing

performance and graphic versatility usually found only in needle-

punch ranges, ZigZag opens a whole new era of sophisticated

geometric design in softer, luxurious finishes.

The range is suitable for commercial, hospitality and corporate

installations in either ResinBac or NexBac modular tiles, and is

made from hi-tech StainProof Miracle Fibre, representing the very

latest in design and yarn technology.

easy maIntenance Hi-tech SDX (Solution Dyed Nylon for X-treme conditions) or 100%

StainProof Miracle Fibre make carpets from Nexus both easy and

convenient to clean and maintain. They are stain-proof, colourfast,

bleach- and fade-resistant and backed with either ResinBac or

Miracle – moisture-resistant, rot-proof and odour-free backing.

Concerns about domestic spills such as neat bleach or other

aggressive cleaning materials on the carpet need not be an issue

if a StainProof SDX (Solution Dyed Nylon for X-treme Conditions)

is fitted – the advanced fibre technology protects the carpet

against bleach, stains or fading. And in the event of those every-

day spills occurring, simply use an equal solution of bleach and

water to remove.

sound and thermal InsulatIonHigh-performance yet luxurious, thick pile carpets offer superior

sound absorption and underfoot comfort in hotel bedrooms, hall-

ways, conference suites and executive boardrooms.

A report from the UK Carpet Foundation showed that “a bare

smooth floorcovering is likely to produce seven to twelve times

more noise than a carpeted surface” (www.allergyconsumerre-

view.com/carpet-air-quality.html)(www.comebacktocarpet.com).

80



Underlays to provide the luxurious finishing touch

Engineered Wood floor Bamboo floor

Russian State Theatre carpeting – Europe

Specifiers and end-users

realise the importance of

having a quality underlay to pro-

vide greater comfort, a longer

lifespan and several other bene-

fits for many types of floorcover-

ings, and this has resulted in sev-

eral quality underlays appearing

on the market.

One such product not only

provides numerous advan-

tages to the end-user, but has

Once fitted Rubberlay will

offer 100% support for the

floorcovering throughout its life.

It will therefore prolong the life

of the carpet by not collapsing

over time and thus remaining a

shock absorber for the life of the

floorcovering.

By prolonging the life and

looks of the floorcovering, the

hospitality area will require less

replacement of flooring, saving

money over the long term.

Has it been used in Hospitality

applications?

Rubberlay has been fitted in

several of the casinos in South

Africa with fantastic results;

churches, airports, the list goes

on. Worldwide, crumb rubber

underlays have been fitted in

every imaginable area from

banks, hotels and embassies to

football stadiums, with perfect

results.

How ‘green’ is it?

If green is defined as using prod-

ucts that would otherwise end

up in landfills, then Rubberlay is

one of the greenest products on

earth, because it is made from

95% recycled tyres and could be

recycled again after use.

Rubberlay

Tel & Fax: 033 397 9190

Website: www.rubberlay.co.za

Is it suitable for a number of floorcoverings?

Yes, Rubberlay can be fitted underneath tufted, woven and

needlepunch carpeting, laminates, solid wood (both engi-

neered and tongue-and-groove systems) if our peel-and-stick

system is used.

In various formulations, crumb rubber underlays have been

used worldwide under ceramic tiles, in screeds as a slip sheet,

under vinyl sheeting, in high-rise blocks for sound insulation

both in the walls and on the floors, and on walls of theatres

for acoustic enhancement.

What benefits can Rubberlay bring to the Hospitality sector?

In any sector Rubberlay’s range of underlays provides a supe-

rior new subfloor for any floorcovering. Hospitality areas tend

to be on the larger side and therefore stretch fitting is some-

times a long hard slog; by using the double-stick installation

method you can all but throw away the power stretcher and

your heat seam iron, although the latter still tends to be pre-

ferred in South Africa.

also stood the test of time.

FLOORS spoke to Brian Bailing

of Rubberlay to find out why he

thinks it is special.

Are there any special or optimum

requirements needed when

installing Rubberlay?

Rubberlay can be fitted on

most subfloors with minimum

preparation; the floor should

be sound, dry and clean as with

any other underlay. There is not

really an optimum – crumb rub-

ber underlays are very flexible in

their usage and serve to prolong

the life of the floorcovering fit-

ted on them; they are not so reli-

ant on subfloor condition.

• Cushioning and comfort for carpeted floors

• Noise reduction and support for wooden floors

• Serves as a healthy and hygienic barrier

• Supremely functional design

• Environmentally friendly and fully recyclable

• Non-absorbent properties that retain no water

• Comparatively more resilient and durable

• Solves stretching problems on large installations

• Overall increased savings

• Proven to prolong the life and looks of your carpet

The cost-effective, long-lasting, water-resistant, hygienic, insulating underlay solution.

Tel: +27 (0)33 397 9190 • Email: [email protected] • Web: www.rubberlay.co.za

Join the installation revolution and fit RubberLay. It’s about time.

wood carpets laminates carpet tiles bamboo

ask for it by name



Experience benefits beyond beauty

Envirodeck

Tel: 011 615 7245 Fax: 011 615 1800


Website: www.envirodeck.co.za

Decking is a firm favourite with game

lodges, golf course developments and

for use in pool and outside entertaining areas.

Decking is also rapidly becoming a growing

trend in the design of outdoor restaurants, to

the point that some existing restaurants are

even retrofitting their outside dining areas to

keep up with the fashion.

There are a number of major reasons for this

development in the outdoor decking market

and apart from the design trends, Envirodeck

products are environmentally friendly and

offer a long-term maintenance-free decking

solution to the local market.

Envirodeck products offer a unique blend of

nature’s beauty and the strength of modern

technology, resulting in a material that offers

an outdoor reflection of your maintenance-

free lifestyle.

A well-designed deck with the natural

aesthetic beauty of wood but without the

hassles is what makes Envirodeck truly

revolutionary. From the wet winters of

the Cape to the harsh dry heat of the

Lowveld, Envirodeck products will outper-

form conventional wood and other

composite products.

The comprehensive product range includes

a variety of decking, cladding, DIY profiles,

accessories and outdoor lighting so you can

design any unique project and we can live

up to the promise that you can spend more

time enjoying your deck than maintaining it,

season in, season out.

Who says modern composite materials can’t

be designed with modern aesthetic designs

and colours in mind? Envirodeck products are

offered in six colours and two different styles

so any design can be fulfilled. Think ahead,

move forward and live green.


2010 updatefeatureAll the stadiums for the 2010 FIFA Soccer

World Cup are now either in operation

or close to being finished, and in this

article FLOORS in Africa spoke to the local

architects and designers involved in the

six newly-built venues to find out what

floorcoverings were used in the VIP loung-

es, hospitality suites and boxes, change

rooms and other areas that are behind

the scenes.

F e a t u r e : 2 0 1 0 U p d a t e


Must read article!

F e a t u r e : 2 0 1 0 U p d a t e


84

All the stadiums for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World

Cup are now either in operation or close to being

finished, and in this article FLOORS in Africa spoke

to the local architects and designers involved in the

six newly-built venues to find out what floorcover-

ings were used in the VIP lounges, hospitality suites

and boxes, change rooms and other areas that are

behind the scenes.

ww

w.du

rban

.gov

.za

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

Moses Mabhida Stadium

F e a t u r e : 2 0 1 0 U p d a t e


Soccer city, Soweto, JohanneSburgTotal seating capacity: 90 000

Architects: Boogertman Urban Edge; in conjunction with Populous, USA

This is not strictly speaking a brand new venue, although everything

except the west stand of the original stadium (previously known as

the FNB Stadium) that was built in 1987 was demolished to make way

for the superb new facility with its distinctive calabash (African pot)

design, at a total cost of around R3,3-billion.

The stadium will boast 190 hospitality suites including private boxes

and VIP suites; three television presentation studios; a soccer muse-

um; and a restaurant.

Gavin Tucker, Senior Associate of architects Boogertman Urban

Edge + Partners, says they developed the flooring specifications over

many months, taking into consideration the costs, ‘fit for purpose’

specifications and longevity of the stadium.

Floorcoverings used include 20 500m² full-bodied porcelain tiles

(supplied by Ceregran and laid by Ohlhorst & Partners); 200m² of

Marmoleum and 850m² of Marleyflex (from FloorworX and laid by

Kevin Bates Carpet & Flooring); Epoxy flooring (from Stoncor and

laid by Floorshield and by Sealcon, who also laid the 16 500m² of

Deckshield (from Deckshield); 850m² Berber Point 500x500mm carpet

tiles (supplied by Nexus and laid by Peter Bates); together with 470m²

of access flooring.

cifically for a World Cup Final and, described as being the crown

jewel of local football, it will host the opening and closing cer-

emonies, and the opening and final matches of the event.

cape town Stadium (initially known aS green point Stadium), cape townTotal seating capacity: 68 000

Architects: Stadium Architects consisting of joint venture compa-

nies Point Architects (Paragon Architects, Munnik Visser Architects,

Comrie Wilkinson, Jakupa Architects and Urban Designers), Louis

Karol Architects Inc; GMP Architects (Germany)

Built at a cost of R4,3-billion, the stadium is situated between

Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean in the corner of Green

Point Common and has a unique roof design, hanging inwards

and supported by an inner tension ring and an outer compres-

sion ring – cutting-edge technology from the US and Germany

that has never been used in Africa before.

The Common comprises an 85ha open space, and this devel-

opment will also include an urban park; a green area; practice

and playing fields for seven different sporting codes; and club-

house facilities.

Ken Webster of Point Architects said that the floorcoverings

(and the contractors) were carefully investigated and specified to

meet the performance, sustainability criteria and budget require-

ments for each area.

To this end Albert Carpets of Cape Town supplied and installed 4

400m² of solid-construction strand-woven bamboo flooring (with a

3mm crumbed rubber underlay) in the VIP and dining room areas,

and 820m² of Interface Furrows carpet in a wheat colour, fitted onto

a 5mm Rubberlay underlay, for the administration offices.

Albert Carpets also laid the FloorworX materials used on this

project, which included 1665m² of Norament anti-skid floor tiles

use in the players’ change rooms and wet areas, and 2660m² of

Marmoleum sheeting in the Press rooms, pause areas and corridors.

Italcotto provided over 4 000m² of Stonehenge Green full-bod-

ied porcelain tiles for the public toilets and ablution areas, and a

further 536m² of black porcelain from Ferreiras Decor World were

used in the VIP bathrooms.

Work started on this project under a furore of complaints from

the environmentalists, but this has been settled amicably, and

Cape Town now has another major tourist attraction to capitalise

on. The African Renaissance Stadium has recently been described

as ‘a postcard opportunity waiting to happen’.

mbombela Stadium, nelSpruitTotal seating capacity: 46 000

Architects: R&L Architects & Interiors

Costing around R1,1-billion, the Mbombela Stadium is the only one

of the new stadiums being provided for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World

Cup that has been totally designed by local architects, and the

giraffe-like structures reaching up into the sky that support the roof

of the stadium provide a truly African ‘feel’ for this impressive facil-

ity – together with the black and white ‘zebra’ striped seating areas.

The stadium precinct is a greenfields project within a rural set-

ting, but still close to the town centre. The area has been identified

as a future sporting hub for Nelspruit, although the stadium team

The porcelain tiles were used in all the VIP areas; the 190 hospitality

suites; 16 lounges; and two new players’ change rooms (which also

used Norament rubber flooring), and the Boardrooms have been

finished with Nexus Berber Point carpet tiles, which were also used in

the 178-seat auditorium in the stadium.

The public concourses on all levels received a non-skid epoxy floor

finish by Sealcon; and the same type of floor (with skirtings) was pro-

vided by Floorshield for the public toilets.

The two warm-up areas inside the stadium and the new West tun-

nel, have BSW Regupol Ever Roll flooring. First aid rooms serving the

public are available on every level, and these, together with the play-

ers’ treatment rooms, have Marmoleum finishes.

Built with six levels, and rated as the fifth largest soccer stadium in

the world, Soccer City is the biggest roofed stadium ever built spe-

Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane


F e a t u r e : 2 0 1 0 U p d a t e

are not directly responsible for all the precinct developments.

As can be seen from the following, a wide variety of floorcover-

ings was used on this project and, according to interior designer

Geraldine Sew, “Although there was a tight budget we managed

to stay within it.”

Floorcoverings used included Superflex fully flexible vinyl floor

tiles in the staff basement dining room and the First Aid and

treatment rooms – supplied by FloorworX; Norament 925 rub-

ber flooring – also supplied by FloorworX for the players’ change

rooms and the Mixed Zone; full-bodied porcelain tiles (and some

mosaics) supplied by Ceregran (who also supplied granite tiles),

Italcotto, and Kenzan Quality Tiles for use in the VIP areas, two

(show) hospitality suites, and the change rooms.

Nexus also provided its Cosmopolitan, Diagonals, and Hercules

brands for the VIP areas, hospitality suites, together with the

Boardroom, the meeting rooms and restaurant on the suite level,

and the gymnasium.

Finally, Albert Carpets supplied Grandeco wooden vinyl planks

for the restaurant; and the Gasket Manufacturing Corporation

supplied Amorim Rubber Sports Flooring for the players’ warm-up

area and the entrance to the field.

nelSon mandela bay Stadium, nelSon mandela bayTotal seating capacity: 46 000

Architects: GMP Architects (Germany); Architectural Design

Associates; Dominic Bonnesse Architects; NOH Architects; GAPP

Architects and Urban Designers

By the middle of June 2009, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was

fully operational – the first 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup stadium

to be officially opened, a full year ahead of the tournament, and

built at a cost of around R2,0-billion.

It has a white sail-like (tensioned membrane) roof in keeping

with its proximity to the sea, which is made of PTFE (Teflon) coat-

ed fibreglass to form the undulating roof design which resembles

a sunflower when viewed from the air. The design architects

(GMP) refer to it as a Protea due to its three dimensional form.

Graham Grant of NOA/GAPP Architects said that the instruction

from the client was for finishes to have ‘zero maintenance’ which

is of course not so easy, particularly as there were very tight bud-

get constraints.

However, Sarah Troh of GAPP architects, guided by Silke

Flaβnöcker of GMP and their design intent documentation, speci-

fied the flooring materials that included 3700m² of ceramic tiles in

various specifications from Buchtal; 3 000m² of 2,5mm Marmoleum

Global 2 sheeting from FloorworX, together with 1200m² of Marley

FloorworX SD non-directional sheeting.

2 600m² of Belgotex Floorcoverings Berberpoint 920 carpet tiles

were also used, 6 000m² of Rich Autumn Natural slate tiles, 40 000m²

of Corobrik Constantia Clay brick paving (including site paving), com-

prising a total floor area of approximately 16 500m² (excluding brick

paving) installed by various flooring subcontractors.

In the VIP areas the entrance foyers are brick paved, the stairs

around the VIP lift cores have Pergo timber treads, and the balance

of VIP lounges, President’s suite and private suites have 400mm x

400mm natural slate (Rich Autumn) tiles sealed with HP Sealer. This

includes 48 new private hospitality suites.

To meet the FIFA requirements, the press rooms and similar areas

were all finished in Marmoleum sheeting, and large areas (740m²) of

this have used a PentaFloor FS 800 access flooring system to accom-

modate all the cabling and communications cabling requirements.

The players’ change rooms and the treatment rooms were also pro-

vided with Marmoleum sheeting with loose-lay rubber matting.

This stadium has already played host to the international rugby tour

match between the British & Irish Lions and South Africa; the Soweto

Derby (Orlando Pirates vs. Kaiser Chiefs); the Eastern Cape President’s

Cup; and the Vodacom Cup match featuring Orlando Pirates and the

UK’s Manchester City – all of which attracted large crowds. The inter-

national friendly between Bafana Bafana and Japan on 14 November

attracted 41 000 spectators.

peter mokaba Stadium, polokwaneTotal seating capacity: 45 000

Architects: Prism Architects in conjunction with AFL, UK.

The design of the largely concrete structure, also estimated to cost

around R1,1-billion, is inspired by the local iconic Baobab tree, with

the steel structure supporting the roof plane gathered together at

each corner of the stadium and supported by giant ‘trunk’ structures

which accommodate vertical circulation ramps and service cores.

Commenting on the floorcoverings used, project manager Jean

du Toit of Prism Architects said, “The floorcoverings were selected to

fit in with the function of each area, and the aesthetics needed. The

VIP areas are fitted with highly finished porcelain tiles and Belgotex

Nexus Serengeti stretch carpets, while the operational areas have 8x8

studded Transit PVC floor tiles, Nexus Berber Point carpet tiles and

Mbombela Stadium Royal Bafokeng Stadium

F e a t u r e : 2 0 1 0 U p d a t e


Finally, if you have any friends coming to the event from

Europe, you can do them a big favour by telling them

that leaving the northern hemisphere at the height of

their summer to come to ‘sunny South Africa’ can pro-

vide a nasty shock if they are not prepared for the night

matches at places like Loftus or Soccer City in tempera-

tures of 10ºC and below in June!

Finally

porcelain tiles.”

“Other specific areas are also treated with the functions and

requirements in mind, like the artificial grass from Fintex in the

warm-up areas – which was also used in combination with porce-

lain tiles in the players’ change rooms – and Superflex vinyl sheet-

ing in the medical areas.”

“We believe that the floorcoverings have been done in such a

way which not only complies with FIFA and the South African

Building Regulations, but also has a unique and aesthetically

pleasing effect,” he said.

moSeS mabhida StadiumTotal seating capacity: 70 000

Architects: Theunissen Jankowitz Architects, Durban, in conjunction

with Ambro Afrique Consultants, Osmond Lange Architects; NSM

Designs, Mthulisi Msimang Architects of iBhola Lethu Consortium;

together with GMP International

Characterised by the breathtaking arch that now dominates

Durban’s skyline, this new R3,1-billion stadium also includes a

cable car and a 550-step staircase and catwalk that make the facil-

ity an event in itself!

Next to the stadium is The People’s Park – a new green space

that will provide pedestrian linkage to the south of the stadium

to facilitate connectivity towards the city centre. The park also

includes two training fields with change rooms and ablutions as

well as a restaurant building that will also house the adventure

walk offices.

Regarding the flooring specifications, Gerhard le Roux of TJ

Architects says, “The material and colour concept was developed

around the vibrant colours found in the KZN landscape and peo-

ple of the region; we looked at international standards for tiling

with the required slip factors for the function of the stadium.”

“The decision was made through several workshops of all archi-

tects and engineers to ensure the most suitable applications in

the various zones of the stadium.”

Amongst the flooring materials used were various porcelain

tiles; carpet tiles; rubber flooring; bamboo flooring; epoxy floor-

ing; polyurethane; micro concrete screeds (some polished); and

vinyl flooring. Porcelain tiles were used in the VIP areas, and bam-

boo provided the flooring for the Presidential box.

Four other stadiums, the Royal Bafokeng Stadium at

Rustenburg; the Free State Stadium, Mangaung/Bloemfontein;

Ellis Park, Johannesburg and Loftus Versveld, Tshwane, will also be

used during the competition, but these were all existing stadiums

that have undergone various refurbishment programmes.


F e a t u r e : 2 0 1 0 U p d a t e

To find out what business conditions we can

expect within the flooring industry during

the coming year, we sought the opinions of a

small number of top executives.

Ian Harrison

Craig Blitenthall

We asked them for their forecast on:

The Business climate for 2010, and what initiatives they are taking

to help their businesses rebound from the recession.

Green: As sustainability and environmental respon-

sibility have never been more prominent issues in

flooring, we asked them what they are doing to

distinguish their operations in these areas.

Training: Because there is a dire shortage of skills

in this country, we asked how their companies

approach training and installation, and what they

are doing to address this area.

theSe are their replieS:Ian Harrison, Managing Director and Craig Blitenthall, Sales & Marketing Director, Flowcrete South AfricaBusiness Climate: The business climate is expected to remain dif-

ficult and challenging in the short term, an aftermath of the global

economic recession. Most of the major infrastructural projects

including the stadiums, airports, hospitals and prisons that are

nearing completion have cushioned the real impact of the

recession in South Africa, sustaining the construction

industry in the 08/09 years.

The impact of spiralling input costs, higher infla-

tion and the global credit crunch will stifle busi-

ness opportunities. The stimuli for 2010 growth

will come from Government initiatives and

growth in major motor industry development pro-

grammes, health sector and infrastructure invest-

ment programmes.

A major growth initiative for the business is the devel-

opment of innovative flooring solutions for the commercial

sector. Flowcrete focuses on the “Floor Zone” and sells a wide range

of products to meet market sector needs.

Flowcrete has also been innovative and instrumental in introduc-

ing resin flooring systems that compete favourably with traditional

floorcoverings that are user-friendly yet high performance.

Green: Sustainability and environmental responsibility is not some-

thing that Flowcrete as a group is implementing only because they

are “buzz words” and also the topic of the day at the moment.

It is every company’s responsibility to manage its business in the

best interests of the environment as a whole and in terms of this we

have a blueprint that we as a company subscribe to.

It has been our policy to pass this onto whomever wishes to inter-

act with our business, from suppliers to installers and end users of

our products. Copies of our Environmental & Health Policy booklet

are available on request.

Training: Skills and qualified people in the specialised field of

resin flooring are difficult to find and Flowcrete SA has

embarked on an ongoing in-house training pro-

gramme for all “approved applicators”.

This is a continuous process towards “raising

the bar” in our industry from worker to owner

level of understanding, and also involves

approved CPD training programmes – an ongo-

ing process within our customer base with

architects and specifying companies.

Donald Platt, Managing Director, FloorworXBusiness Climate: We are already seeing an upswing in busi-

ness activity. The first half of 2010 will be hectic with football

preparation. However, I believe the domestic market will experi-

ence a slow recovery although Government will be under huge

pressure to deliver.

Green: As environmental issues become more prominent, we

are working with our customers and suppliers to ensure

that we stay ahead with developments and chang-

ing requirements.

Training: Our Training Centre is fully utilised to

ensure ongoing practical installation courses

for flooring fitters and aspiring fitters free of

charge.

Steven Suntup, Managing Director, Suntups Wooden Flooring and committee member

of SAWLFA (Southern African Wood & Laminate Flooring Association)

Business Climate: I believe that we must not hold high hopes for

a boom in 2010 after our difficult situation with the recession

in 2009. However, I would say that 2010 will form the road to

recovery and be a better year, although boom times can only be

expected again around 2012/13.

Green: Even though there is a trend towards green products,

not all products are automatically green like Bamboo or

Hevea (Rubber Tree). However, the majority of European and

American hard- and softwoods are all cut from strictly man-

aged plantation forests and are safe, which make up the bulk

of our ranges.

Training: I currently host all solid wooden flooring training ses-

sions for SAWLFA nationally and sponsor the material used in

these training sessions.

F e a t u r e : 2 0 1 0 U p d a t e


Donald Platt

Steven Suntup

Frank Moffat

Guillaume Masson

Frank Moffat, Marketing Director, Belgotex FloorcoveringsBusiness Climate: Although the signs of economic recov-

ery are showing a little and chances of further eco-

nomic contraction are slight, we believe that 2010

will remain a tough trading year.

Residential demand for flooring will remain

relatively low. However, our outlook is that com-

mercial flooring will continue improving through-

out 2010.

Belgotex Floorcoverings has for some time made

many changes to our business that has helped us get

through the last 12 months. These initiatives have included

product diversification (such as sales and marketing of laminate

and vinyl flooring and the manufacture of artificial turf; improved

segment targeting for our large product line-up; better inven-

tory control; investment in more efficient equipment; and

increased recycling of scrap, waste and used material.

Green: As an organisation we have cultivated a com-

mitment to processes that are environmentally

friendly, while producing products of international

standards. This not only sets us apart from other

carpet manufacturers, it also puts us at the fore-

front of cutting-edge technology.

Our Green Journey that started many years ago

has accelerated rapidly over the last 12 months

and has seen our achieving ISO 14001 accreditation;

becoming members of the Green Building Council (GBCSA);

establishment of Environmental Choice: South Africa; compli-

ance of VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions as prescribed

by Green Label Plus and GBCSA for all our locally manufactured

products.

Other green initiatives include reduced water con-

sumption, improved energy efficiency, reduced air

emissions, and waste recycling.

Training: In our continuous efforts to be a world-

class player in the floorcoverings industry, we

at Belgotex Floorcoverings recognise that every

employee has to contribute to make this vision a

reality. We therefore encourage training and devel-

opment at all levels in our organisation.

Our strategy is a bottom-up approach to training.

Training at Belgotex Floorcoverings is aligned to our Sector

Skills Priorities which is aligned to the National Skills Priorities,

thereby addressing the identified scarce skills shortage in the

industry.

Belgotex Floorcoverings, a contributor to the BBBEE

initiative, also recognises Employment Equity and

Affirmative Action legislation to drive our training

initiatives.

Our training amongst others includes: ABET

Programmes; CTFL Industry Learnerships;

Management Learnerships focusing on team-

work; Sales Force Training; IT Programmes;

Technologist Training; Financial / Accounts;

International Trade Procedures; Logistics;

Apprenticeships; Specialised Programmes in Business/

Operations and Production Management.

We have also, over the last five years, used our resources

to train our flooring trade in various aspects of flooring

installation and selling skills through our Carpet Pro

programme.

Our training efforts are geared to adapt to contin-

uous change, which we recognise is what is vitally

necessary to remain at the cutting edge of a grow-

ing and competitive floorcoverings industry.

Guillaume Masson, Managing Director, Natural Stone Warehouse

Business Climate: Our approach has been to focus further on our core

exclusive products offering innovative formats and finishes, giving

the market fresh and superior choices at incredible value.

An array of new natural colours has also been introduced

providing a significantly wider pallet for the professionals

and the homeowners to apply their skills in creating

timeless and elegant living spaces. Of course, prices

have been renegotiated across the board and price

reductions have been applied across the board.

Green: Our choice of suppliers has always been at

the top of our agenda. All our partners and quarries

have stringent rehabilitation polices in place where-

by the land is returned to its original state once the

quarrying of an area is completed, new indigenous trees

are replanted and the footprint therefore reduced.

We also strongly believe in equitable trading practices whereby no

exploitation of labour ever takes place, and regularly inspect quarries

around the world to ensure that the standards are maintained in both

these areas.

In addition, we have partnered with Saloni Ceramica, a

leading European porcelain tile manufacturer which

is heavily focused on producing products in a green

way, unlike most ceramic factories around the

world.

Internally, we continually encourage best prac-

tices and maintain an environmentally friendly

consciousness through our various communication

mediums.

Training: The mere belief that there is a shortage of skills is

at the core of the problem in our eyes. We believe that there is

an abundance of skilled professionals in South Africa. The real test is

how a project is managed.

If a team-like consultative approach is taken from the start and

proper planning and implementation is carried out we are

capable of achieving astounding results that could make

any nation green with envy.

It has been our experience over the last 10 years

that involvement and care in what we do is the

recipe for success. Internally we have stringent

induction programs and continuous dynamic

training programmes that make our staff the most

knowledgeable and helpful staff in the industry. The

key here is to openly share experiences and knowledge

resulting in learning for all.

Cemcrete, the highly regarded manufacturer of a wide range

of cement products (the flooring products in their sales

programme regularly feature in the pages of FLOORS in Africa),

is delighted that its high-quality cement-based wall coating

CemCote was specified for certain wall areas in the prestigious

Moses Mabhida Stadium, now nearing completion in Durban in

time for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup tournament.

Cemcote is a finely-ground mixture of white Portland cement,

pigments and chemicals that is mixed on site to provide a colour-

ful, textured, waterproof and durable coating to the wall. It sets

rock-hard and is unaffected by rainwater and UV light.

The main purpose in the use of CemCote is to provide a tough,

economical coating for direct application to off-shutter concrete

(where it will improve the uniformity of colour), cement plaster,

cement wash, fairface brickwork, and natural stone.

Recommended for use as a two-coat finish, CemCote is ideally

suitable for both interiors and exteriors of houses, factories, out-

buildings and boundary walls.

Guideline prices for this innovative wall coating are R195 excl

VAT for a 5kg container; and R730 excl VAT for the 25kg version;

but these prices are quoted ex-Johannesburg warehouse, and do

not include application. (Regional pricing differs due to delivery

costs to the branches.) CemCote’s coverage is approximately 25m²

– 50m² per 25kg bag per 2 coats, depending on the suction of the

surface it is applied to.

Cemcrete’s director and brand manager, Joanne Bendall, says, “We

are delighted CemCote has been used in this wonderful stadium,

and this is now added to our growing list of prestigious projects that

Cemcrete has been involved with, which includes high-profile venues

such as the Cradle of Humankind.”

FLOORS in Africa is told that a new flooring product, CreteCote is

about to be launched into the South African marketplace, and this

will be reported in detail in a future issue. Watch this space!

Anyone requiring further information on the range of products

available from Cemcrete should make contact at the numbers shown

below, or visit the website www.cemcrete.co.za.

Cemcrete

Tel: 011 474 2415

Fax: 011 474 2416


F e a t u r e : 2 0 1 0 U p d a t e



Cleaning & Maintenance

F e a t u r e : 2 0 1 0 U p d a t e

Because having a correct cleaning and maintenance programme

drastically improves the appearance and prolongs the lifespan

of any floor, SAFIC has shown below the main protocols that should

be incorporated into any structured cleaning programme.

Why must dry soil and litter be removed from the floor before scrubbing?

It is essential that dry cleaning is always carried out before wet clean-

ing. Dry soil and litter is best removed by a dry cleaning method

such as sweeping, not a wet cleaning method such as scrubbing.

Wet floor safety signs:

It is important to always place wet floor safety signs where the

floor is being buffed, burnished, scrubbed or stripped. A pedestrian

could slip and fall on the wet floor. If the pedestrian was injured as

a result of the fall, he or she could sue the cleaning company for

damages. It is also important that people are warned from all direc-

tions of this work being carried out.

Stripping of hard or resilient flooring:

Selecting the correct machine and accessories for stripping is of the

utmost importance; standard-speed single-disc machine (150rpm)

– with a solution tank – is recommended. It should also have a pad

drive, with black pads for wet stripping and brown pads for dry

stripping.

Stripping is the term used to describe the removal of polish or

polymer layers from a sealed vinyl floor. It is essential to use a mod-

ern and well-designed stripping chemical for the process because

an incorrect product used could lead to poor stripping or damag-

ing of the floor surface.

Both these scenarios can have serious cost implications. SAFIC’s

recommendation is to use FloorworX Stripper at correct dilution

ratios for cost-effective stripping.

Rinsing and neutralising after stripping:

On completion of the stripping process it is important to rinse the

floor with an effective rinsing agent to neutralise the active ingredi-

ent on the surface; this will ensure the correct spreading and bind-

ing of the polymer to the floor surface. SAFIC’s recommendation

is to use FloorworX Rinse with colour indicator for correct dilution

ratio as per manufacturer’s specifications.

Maintenance coatings:

The recommended steps to follow in order to prolong the lifespan of

any resilient floor are to protect the flooring with a semi-permanent

protector coating named FloorworX Floorguard.

This will protect the floor surface on the next strip and seal due to

the maintenance polymer which could be stripped if this protection is

not included – the stripper will not penetrate the Floorguard surface.

A good-quality maintenance polymer is essential for containing costs

as it can be maintained for a longer period. SAFIC’s recommendation

is FloorworX Sealer.

Daily maintenance cleaner:

This is essential for extending the life of the gloss finish on a floor and

thereby significantly reducing maintenance costs. Here the product

is essential – a neutral maintenance product must be used; if the

incorrect product is used the life of the coating can be significantly

reduced. SAFIC‘s recommendation is FloorworX Maintain.

Floor Buffing:

Buffing describes the process of removing black heel and scuff marks

and increasing the gloss on the floor using a slow-speed or dual-

speed machine with a pad drive and using white or red buffing pads.

The process will be dry buffing.

Spray Buffing:

Spray buffing increases the effectiveness of the buffing process by

applying a specialist chemical called FloorworX Spray Buff to the floor

during the buffing process.

The spray buffing chemical increases the cleaning and polishing abil-

ity of the pad or brush used as well as replenishing some of the polish

or polymer removed by the wear and tear of foot and trolley traffic.

Conclusion:

By following these simple and correct cleaning maintenance pro-

tocols and using the chemicals recommended you will maintain a

world-class finish on your floors as well as reducing down-time and

costs significantly.

FloorworX Marketing Department

Tel: 011 406 4146

Fax: 011 406 4205

Website: www.floorworx.co.za

SAFIC

Tel: 011 406 4000

Fax: 011 406 4070

Website: www.safic.co.za

Scoring with the

F e a t u r e : 2 0 1 0 U p d a t e


Whether you are a

soccer fanatic or not,

South Africans are

enthusiastically looking

forward to June 2010.

That is when the world’s

media spotlight will

focus on South Africa,

and we will have the

perfect opportunity to

showcase our beautiful

country.

The privilege of hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup has

been huge boost to our economy. The building industry

throughout our country has benefited from the privilege of

hosting the World Cup, with the building of world-class soc-

cer stadiums for the games.

There will be a huge influx of overseas visitors to support

their chosen teams and shout encouragement at the soccer

matches. Although an exhilarating experience, it can also be

tiring, so in between attending the matches the visitors will

also have a chance to sight-see, relax in our upmarket hotels

and, of course, partake in some retail therapy.

New hotels and retail centres have been built and existing

hotels and retail centres have been upgraded for the event,

which has also resulted in job creation for staff at these

facilities.

Although TAL products won’t be visible, overseas visitors will experi-

ence the benefits of our quality products from the moment they land

in our country.

With a track record of over 35 years in the industry, and with over

280 million square metres of tiles successfully fixed with TAL adhe-

sives, TAL (a division of Norcros SA) was an obvious choice when

undertaking tiling at the various soccer stadiums, airports, stations,

hotels and retail centres in preparation for the World Cup.

So although you won’t see us, rest assured when visiting any of

these venues that TAL products have contributed towards making

2010 a fantastic experience that will be enjoyed by South Africans

and overseas visitors alike.

TAL products are formulated in Quality Control Laboratories and are

manufactured and tested to our procedures, which are maintained in

accordance with ISO 9001:2000, which means that the products are

guaranteed to be free from manufacturing defects and fit for design

purposes.

The company not only has a national technical advisory service

which offers free, on-the-job advice on any contract, big or small, but

they have also introduced a Warranty Programme which offers devel-

opers, specifiers and architects a 10-Year Warranty on any tiling instal-

lation, provided certain criteria are met. This will alleviate the risk of

any failures on site.

TAL products have been used for the successful installation of tiles

at numerous prestigious projects throughout South Africa. With over

35 years’ experience in the local market, and with over 280 million

square metres of tiles successfully installed, there simply is no reason

not to use TAL products.

TAL (a division of Norcros SA)

Technical Advice Centre: 0860 000 TAL(825)

Tel: 011 316 3133

Fax: 011 316 3278


F e a t u r e : 2 0 1 0 U p d a t e


TAL ad

Contact the TAL Technical Advice Centre on 0860 000 TAL(825) for advice on any aspect of tiling

The Adhesive Specialists,Guaranteeing Your Installation*

* Terms & conditions apply

TAL SALeS OfficeS: Gauteng (011) 316-3133 | cape (021) 386-1810 | KZN (031) 700-1535

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Taking up the slack!

It was almost inevitable that there would be

some overlap between the Hospitality and

the 2010 features in this issue, particularly as it

seems there is still a long way to go to provide

enough accommodation for the anticipated mil-

lions of soccer fans that will invade the country

in the middle of next year.

Thus, the spotlight will fall on the severe shortage of trans-

port and accommodation, and it is in this latter area that

there is now considerable activity amongst ordinary hom-

eowners throughout the country looking to make a profit

by renting out their homes.

Match Services, the official FIFA accommodation bookings agency,

offers online accommodation in hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses, but

this will not be enough, particularly as many soccer tourists will want

to make their own arrangements.

From estate agents to suburban families, everyone is now taking a

keen interest and, although the larger schemes still prefer the owners

to vacate their premises and hand their entire homes or apartments

over for at least a week, other schemes are emerging that will provide

room accommodation with the owners still in residence.

One such scheme in Pretoria, which is interesting and typical of

what is now happening throughout the country, is organised by

Status Property Trust.

The Trust – which describes itself as ‘the gateway to sporting event

accommodation in South Africa’ – has a signed mandate with Africa

Space Limited (a company registered in England and Wales) that is

a specialist tour operator which creates itineraries to suit particular

needs, and in Pretoria it is moving fast.

The idea is to attract at least 200 homeowners to provide accom-

modation within a reasonable distance of the focus point – in this

case the Constantia Park Primary School – which will become the

hub for bus transport to and from the stadiums and other excursions;

food and drink; and entertainment provided by Africa Space which

includes a sports bar, big-screen viewing, stage entertainment – all

in a secure setting. Other participants include the Oosterlig NG Kerk,

and the local Baptist church.

FLOORS in Africa spoke to Ina Kars of Status Property Services

who says, “People are being asked to provide one or two bed-

rooms in their houses whilst they are still living there, and they

will benefit from the Status Property Trust administration of the

scale of charges that can be made in accordance with the accom-

modation being provided.”

“Joining this scheme absolves the owners of having to advertise

or seek visitors on the Internet, and provides them with a profes-

sional approach, guaranteed results and payments, and all the

fringe benefits such as insurance cover,” she says.

Visitors are collected from OR Tambo airport and brought to

the focus point – in accordance with the nationality of the teams

that are next playing in the local stadium – and that is where the

primary school comes in.

Speaking to FLOORS, teacher Johan Hansen says, “We are excit-

ed about being the focal point for this area; we will be putting up

stands for the local entrepreneurs to sell food and drink, memen-

tos and memorabilia, and we will be catering for the different

cultures that arrive to see the matches.”

“It’s a new venture – nothing like it has happened here before

– and we are hoping to make a considerable amount of revenue

from this event, particularly as we are currently building a new

R4-million centre at the school,” he said. “Apart from that, our

main purpose is to serve the community, involve the parents, and

encourage the small entrepreneurs.”

Bookings are going along steadily at the moment, but things

are expected to hot up once the match draws are made in

December when people will know where their teams are playing.

Anyone wishing to know more should contact Ina Kars of Status

Property Trust on 083 781 1977 or by e-mail [email protected].

F e a t u r e : 2 0 1 0 U p d a t e


Trade insighT


Trade insighT

But that’s the wrong answer. If salespeople don’t know exactly

how many calls it should take to close a sale, and what the

objective of each of those calls is, they’re just fumbling their way

through the sale.

Selling is not hanging around being nice to people. If you don’t

establish a sales strategy and have meaningful customer action

objective for each of your sales calls, you will be wasting your time.

The question is not how long a sale takes, but how many calls.

The answer should be around three…

On the first call you should be looking to qualify the buyer. You

will want to find out whether the company needs the product

and can afford it, and who would make the buying decision.

This is an opportunity, not to show how much you know, but

how much you want to learn so that you can help the customer

achieve his objectives.

During that second call, you can demonstrate what your prod-

uct/service can do for the buyer company. You match what your

product does with what the customer wants.

On the third call, you get a commitment to make a purchase.

These calls may take place over a month or a year; they may

include several meetings to explore and expand on issues. The

key to success is that salespeople should have specific, measur-

able, customer action objectives for each sales call.

This article was reproduced from the Daisho Marketing website

www.daisho.co.za by kind permission of Peter Finkelstein:

[email protected].

How many calls does it take salespeople to close a sale? Most salespeople will tell you

that it depends on the market; the individual customer; the competition;

and many other variables.

What’s the purpose of this call?What’s the purpose of this call?

advert isement

As South Africa’s foremost specialists in the transportation of flooring materials, and with branches

and depots in Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg and Cape Town, Transiton Transport is able

to provide an unmatched flooring delivery service to the trade.

To find out what their custom-

ers think of the Transiton

service, FLOORS in Africa spoke

to two of their most important

customers – Saleem Thokan, of

Wonder Flooring in Fordsburg,

Johannesburg, and Shane

Primmer, of Richard’s Place in

Pretoria to get their views.

Keeping ’em happy!Keeping ’em happy!

N e w s


96

TRANSPORT

This article is brought to you with the sponsorship of Transiton

Transport – South Africa’s foremost specialists in the transportation

of flooring materials to the trade.

Saleem Thokan How has Transiton benefited your business?

In more ways than one. Their service, reliability and professional-

ism are something that fits in with our business ethics.

Can you give an example where Transiton really delivered excep-

tional service?

Just last week I needed an urgent delivery from the factory.

Transiton normally get to us by about 12-noon, so I called and

told them this delivery was quite urgent, and they were at my

place the next morning at 08h00. This was exceptional.

Would you say that they put customer satisfaction first and why?

Yes. The above example proves that their customer is king and

the customer comes first.

Do goods always arrive on time and in perfect condition?

Always. The way they pack the goods shows how professional

they are in making sure the goods come undamaged.

Do they always meet their delivery promises?

In the many years I have been dealing with them I can’t remem-

ber an occasion when they were not on time.

If they experience problems, do they keep you notified?

Transiton is one of the very few exceptional companies that

always keep you informed of the status of the delivery.

What would you say is their biggest contribution to your business?

Their service and professionalism have, without doubt, helped us

to provide a better service towards our customers.

Shane PrimmerHow has Transiton benefited your business?

Nothing is too much trouble for them. We do not have forklifts,

so they actually put those heavy carpet rolls into our store for us,

which they are not obliged to do.

Can you give an example where Transiton really delivered exceptional

service?

Certainly! We needed the Belgotex grass product for the sur-

rounds of a pitch in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, and Transiton offered

to deliver to site. When they got there the access to the pitch was

not wide enough for their truck, so they took it all the way back to

Johannesburg, loaded it onto a smaller truck and re-delivered it. All

at their expense and over a weekend! Beat that for service!

Would you say that they put customer satisfaction first and why?

This question is more than adequately answered by the previous one!

Do goods always arrive on time and in perfect condition?

We have never had a serious problem, but if anything is incorrect,

they do put it right immediately.

Do they always meet their delivery promises? Yes.

If they experience problems, do they keep you notified?

Yes, although if it is a major problem affecting several stores, they

alert the factory to the problem and get them to deal with each

individual company concerned.

What would you say is their biggest contribution to your business?

They have never left us in a ‘pressure’ situation, their people are

so friendly and accommodating, and they deliver door to door.

Wonderful guys to deal with.

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97

98

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At a glittering gala dinner hosted by the South African Bureau of

Standards at Gallagher Estate on Friday, 16 October an award was

made to three companies – including FloorworX – for having had an

association with the Bureau for 50 years.

Picture shows FloorworX managing director Donald Platt receiving a

framed certificate from the SABS to commemorate the event.

Bona is an internationally renowned manufacturer of non-

toxic polyurethane floor finishes that are marketed in South

Africa by FloorworX, and they recently brought the following

news item to our attention.

Several people were taken to hospital and hundreds evacu-

ated from a 14-storey office building in Australia where fumes

from a floor varnish spread through the entire building, pre-

sumably through the lift shaft, originating from the floor of a

café that was soon to be opened on the ground floor.

A Metropolitan Fire Service

spokesman said this was a

warning for anyone using

products that give off

toxic fumes. “Business and

domestic users of these

products should ensure that

they have adequate ventila-

tion,” he said.

Unsafe floor finishes

SABS gives award to FloorworXSABS gives award to FloorworX

advert isement

The international chemical company, BASF, has announced its first

figures for the third quarter of 2009. Sales were €12,8 billion and

thus 19% less than in the same period of 2008 and 2,4% more than in

Sales and earningsthe second quarter of 2009.

The preliminary figure for third-quarter income from operations (EBIT)

before special items was €1,25 billion, 20% less than in the same period

of 2008 and 9,5% more than in the second quarter of 2009. These fig-

ures exceed the consensus analysts estimates available to BASF.

The earnings improvement in the third quarter reflects BASF’s

operational strength. Dr Jürgen Hambrecht, Chairman of the Board of

Executive Directors of BASF SE, said: “We have the right strategy. We

are seeing the effects of the extensive measures we implemented in

good time to adjust capacity utilisation rates and to reduce costs. The

BASF team worldwide has performed extremely well.”

Impulses for growth are coming from Asia, especially China, as well

as from parts of South America. Overall, markets have stabilised at a

low level.

Economic developments in the coming months remain difficult to

predict. “Although the mood is slightly brighter and we are climb-

ing out of the trough, the recovery remains slow and fragile,” said

Hambrecht.

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WhiTe elePhanTS?

Estimates in the national Press say

that it will take 30 000 affluent spec-

tators to fill each of the country’s

new stadiums every week for nine

months of the year for them to be self-

sustainable.

FLOORS in Africa raised this issue some while ago, after it

was reported that stadiums in several countries have been

pulled down after the big event had taken place, rather

than run them at a loss.

JOHANNESBURG The Kloof Centre, 19 Kloof Rd, Bedfordview | Tel: [011] 455 2975 Fax [011] 455 2976 PRETORIA Mooikloof Village, Cnr Garsfontein Rd and Jollify Avenue, Mooikloof | Tel: 012 480 0486 Fax: 012 480 0487DURBAN 62 Marriot Road, Essenwood, Durban | Cell: 083 325 2468

Keep your genuine wooden floor looking beautiful

advert isement

An American company, Dynamic Modifiers, says it has developed a

new product to replace the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in many applica-

tions including floorcoverings.

The company said the polymer, which is now being introduced to the

market, is the first price-competitive replacement material that meets

the technical, functional and aesthetic properties of flexible PVC while

eliminating the chemical and toxic gas issues surrounding flexible vinyl.

The company further said the polymers, which are being produced

domestically, offer ease of processing and the aesthetic look and feel

of flexible PVC and are phthalate-free. They can also be recycled back

into the same products.

FloorDaily.net

Over the years, the manufacturers have become more involved in

training at different levels. By its very nature, individual carpet con-

struction and product training has been pretty well covered, but

there has always been a void in terms of standard training for carpet

installation. There is of course the comprehensive SABS Code of

Practice, but this is difficult to apply for general fitter training.

Over the past few months the four major carpet manufacturers have

collaborated to fund and produce a comprehensive Carpet Fitter’s

Handbook, to be used as a standard guide for the training of carpet

fitters in future. Representing the companies were: Luci Nouwens,

Nouwens Carpets; Frank Moffat, Belgotex Floorcoverings; David

Williams, Crossley Carpets and Bernd de Smedt, Van Dyck Carpets.

The project was facilitated by Eric Goddard, who has worked

extensively in this field for several different SETAs. The manual is a

totally new document with plenty of visuals and is presented in a

way that can be easily understood. Along with this, Eric has also pre-

pared a Facilitator’s Guide to be used in training on from the Carpet

Major Carpet Manufacturers unite to launch another first for the SA Carpet Industry!

Fitter’s Handbook.

The manufacturers have all contributed to the final content and

the manuals have been initially tested in the trade. They include full

coverage of all textile floorcoverings produced in South Africa and

the manufacturers have committed to using this format for all future

fitter training. Naturally there will be co-ordinated updates from time

to time to ensure that the manual remains current.

Different ways of implementation have also been discussed, but this

would be the next phase and would involve commitment and input

from other players in the industry as well.

Although there is not an official Carpet Manufacturers Association,

the four major players have successfully compiled and implemented a

Standard Claims Policy for the industry and is proud of this next joint

project which should make a meaningful difference to training of car-

pet fitters in South Africa.

The manuals are now going to print to be officially launched in

March 2010 – this will be covered in detail by FLOORS in Africa.

100

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The modern lingo

The class had a new English teacher.

“There are two words I do not allow

in my class,” she told them by way of

introduction. “The first is gross and the

other is cool.”

Then a little voice at the back of the class

piped up, “So…what are the words?”

The 28th edition of Cevisama,

the Spanish international expo

for ceramic and porcelain tiles,

will be held in Valencia from

9 to 13 February, 2010, and

many leading international

companies confirmed their

participation in the show as

long as five months ago.

One of this edition’s novel-

ties is the integration of the

Feria Internacional de Piedra

Natural, Maquinaria y Afines, Mármol (Natural Stone,

Machines and other related devices, and Marble International

Show), which will be a strong and important sector at the show.

Cevisama’s aim is to be the world leader in Spanish produc-

tion and thus become the mandatory event for manufactur-

ers, opinion creators and opinion leaders, and wants to create

the most important wave commercial platform within all

international trade fairs.

Anyone wishing to know more should visit the website:

http://cevisama.feriavalencia.com.

Don’t miss CEVISAMA

An increasing number of professionals and building contractors are

striving to increase their knowledge of concrete flooring, according

to the Cement & Concrete Institute’s Education and Training Manager,

Petrus Jooste.

Jooste says that the course, “Practical Concrete Surface Beds”, has

gained in popularity and will be repeated again next year. This one-

day course is aimed at designers, specifiers and contractors seeking

to understand concrete flooring principles.

“The course covers the basics of concrete technology pertaining to

floors, essential properties for specifications, the need for joints, the

achievement of a hardwearing surface, and the design of the requi-

site thickness to transmit the loading to sub-base,” he states.

The flooring course is one of the School’s specialised one-day

courses to be presented specifically next year to help engineers gain

the required Continued Professional Development (CPD) points while

refreshing and expanding their knowledge of concrete technology.

The duration of the School of Concrete Technology’s 2010 courses

will vary from four hours (presented after hours over a couple of

weeks), to a five-day course or a City & Guilds International corre-

spondence course for completion over 9-18 months.

For a free copy of the 2010 SCT Training Programme, contact Cheryl

Naidoo [email protected] or visit the website www.cnci.org.za from

where the complete programme can be downloaded.

Concrete floor training

Training in progress at the School of Concrete Technology in Midrand. The SCT Training Programme for 2010 is now available.

Concrete floor training

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Loba, the German-based company that is one of the

leading manufacturers of floor finishing and floorcare

systems for parquet, wood and cork floors, has intro-

duced a new online facility for specifiers and designers.

Architects who would like to use parquet and hardwood flooring in

buildings with special requirements can now find important informa-

tion about fire protection, slip resistance and staining at the Loba

website: www.loba.de/architekten.

Here, Loba has created a new micro-site for architects and planners,

designed to offer quick and easy navigation. The home page has a

simple design that enables the user to choose from the three types of

floor, which are visually represented as separate thematic blocks, each

specifying the best attainable values for hardwood floors treated with

a Loba finishing system.

For example, Loba’s revolutionary new varnish, Lobaduff WS Sealer

FR, makes parquet and hardwood floors flame-retardant. Accordingly,

when the thematic block ‘Fire Protection’ is selected, the additional

information ‘up to class B1’ (building material class B1 as per DIN EN

13501-1) is shown. When the topic ‘Slip Resistance’ is selected, the

phrase ‘Classes R9 and R10’ appears.

With the aid of this introductory information users can immediately

find the information they need. Data sheets with more detailed infor-

mation on the three subject areas can be downloaded. These include

product specifications, test certificates and floorcare instructions.

Reference projects are also listed for the individual subject areas,

documenting the wide variety of applications for Loba finishing sys-

tems on parquet and hardwood floors in many public buildings, such

as universities, hotels, nursing homes and schools.

Loba is represented in South Africa by Zimbo’s Trading in Cape Town.

OnlInE information for


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advert isement

Whew!! What a year…recession, hikes, more hikes and

still an increase of almost 30% in company profitability!

“The secret,” says owner of Quartz Carpet, Jeremy Stewart, “was

accepting global change, switching our mindset, restructuring of staff

efficiencies, focusing on our core strengths and outsourcing our weak

areas. With this change in corporate thinking and new fundamental

strategies put in place we have survived and maintained our market

share domination.”

“I started Quartz Carpet almost eight years ago in South Africa as

primarily a contracting company in Cape Town but quickly I saw the

opportunity to expand on a national scale. We subsequently started

contracting ourselves nationally from Cape Town to other parts of

South Africa and we were overloaded very quickly with too much work.”

“We then employed flooring sub-contracting companies to carry

out this work but the control of these projects was difficult to main-

tain. We then started training new applicators and selling and distrib-

uting directly to them.”

“This year we closed all of our contracting operations to focus solely

on supporting the applicators and building the brand through adver-

tising, marketing, distribution and applicator training and technical

support as these were identifiable as our core strengths,” says Stewart.

Quartz Carpet is in the enviable position of needing to recruit new

applicators nationally and into Africa to serve its end-customers.

“Our applicators need to source their own work and we rely heavily

on this. However, all leads are forwarded to applicators in the respec-

tive geographic areas from all advertising and marketing efforts.

Applicators are also fully equipped with our sales and marketing

material including samples, colour charts and brochures in order to

help them sell Quartz Carpet,” says Stewart.

In order to uphold the high standards expected from Quartz Carpet,

all applicators need to be trained and registered and so are expected

to undergo compulsory training in order to become licensed applica-

tors of the Quartz Carpet TM Flooring system.

“We have recently held an extremely successful two-day training

course in Cape Town for 26 course delegates. Our next training course

is scheduled for 25/26th February 2010 in Cape Town,” says Stewart.

“We are already accepting delegates for this course. Any interested

parties should register by emailing [email protected].

Please include your full name, a brief CV of yourself or your company

and area of operation,” he says.

Quartz Carpet

Tel: 021 425 6850

Fax: 021 421 1102

Website: wwwquartzcarpet.co.za

sparks need for more applicators

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Great treatment for concreteBefore

Great treatment for concrete

advert isement

Sika supplied high-quality flooring materials for densify-

ing and sealing a polished concrete factory floor at Rehau,

Uitenhage-based manufacturers of vehicle components. Due

to the high wear and tear during the manufacturing process,

the floor needed to be easily maintained and kept clean and

free of dust and spillages.

Some of the advantages of using Sikafloor-Curehard-24 are:

reduced dusting of concrete floors; reduced loss of water of

new concrete while setting; improved cleanability; non-yel-

lowing; good penetration; solvent-free; colourless, odourless

and environmentally friendly.

After

MilliCare keeps carpet cleaner longer, extends the life of any car-

pet, creates a healthier work environment (Indoor Air Quality)

and is environmentally responsible with Green Seal Certification

and significant water and electricity savings.

Carpet is a long-term investment. You need the right partner

throughout the lifecycle to maximise your investment. It is also

a part of your corporate image. It will affect how employees,

clients and guests feel about your workplace. It’s a huge capital

outlay. Maintaining it is a serious business.

But you might be hurting your investment. In reality, improper

maintenance damages commercial carpet. It shortens car-

pet lifespan and may not be environmentally responsible.

Furthermore you will probably replace prematurely due to the

carpet ‘uglying out’. This all costs money.

That’s where technology and ‘e-countability’ come in. MilliCare

is a specialised expert and innovator in the carpet maintenance

field who understands that maintaining carpet, as well as the

company’s furniture and other upholstered surfaces, is a real

part of asset management.

With MilliCare you are dealing with one specialist company

with technology that comes from the largest private textile

research and development centre in the world. You will not find

more expertise, innovation and continuity anywhere.

Don’t just clean it – Care for it!

MilliCare

Gauteng: 011 608 1626

KZN: 086 111 2012

Cape: 021 557 2934


Website: www.millicare.com

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Daniel has been part of the Belgotex Floorcoverings fam-

ily for almost a quarter of a century.

FLOORS in Africa asked him for his views on the past, present

and future of the company.

What are the major changes that happened in the industry dur-

ing your time with Belgotex Floorcoverings?

Having started in the industry in the early 70s when residen-

tial products were the products of choice. We have over the

past 30 years seen the demand for residential product reduce.

This is the major change that has affected our industry.

What influence would you say Belgotex Floorcoverings has had

on the development of the industry?

Belgotex Floorcoverings has had a major influence on the

development of our industry in the areas of product, market-

ing and sales – and we stay at the forefront. We are the lead-

ers and we are the innovators.

We achieve this because we stay in touch with the interna-

tional market. We network with Europe, USA, Australia, New

Zealand, Pacific Rim, South America and Africa, and we stay

up to date with the latest world technology. We attend most

international market exhibitions around the world, and make

a huge commitment to industry development and training.

Finally, it is beyond calculation the extent to which Belgotex

Floorcoverings has influenced the commercial and residential

décor markets in South Africa. Countless millions of square

metres have graced the floors at home, and in Europe,

Australia and New Zealand.

What are you most proud of in your time at Belgotex

Floorcoverings?

Firstly, I need to divide this question into time periods:

early days: That we succeeded against all odds. The major

opposition at the time gave us no chance. They put millions

of Rands aside to get us out of the market.

But we developed product, and gained the confidence of

the customer base. We developed a winning ‘culture’ and we

must be proud of this achievement!!!

I must give credit to the people at Belgotex Floorcoverings.

It is the team at Belgotex Floorcoverings that put Belgotex

where it is today. This was achieved with professionalism,

dedication, and discipline.

I want to come back to the culture of Belgotex

Floorcoverings.

I like how Ralph Stacey defined company cultures in his

excellent book Managing the Unknowable: ‘Culture is a set of

beliefs or assumptions that a group of people share concern-

ing how to see things, how to interpret events, what is valid

to question, what answers are acceptable, how to behave

towards others, and how to do things. The culture of a group

of people develops as they associate with each other. The

most important parts of it are unconscious, and they cannot

be imposed from outside, even by top management.’

And that is what I am proud of at Belgotex Floorcoverings. It

has developed over 24 years at Belgotex Floorcoverings!!

After 24 years at Belgotex Floorcoverings, Daniel Dolpire

has taken early retirement as from December 2009.


105

Today: Zig Zag. The development of this product has taken

over 3 years; it is a ‘world first’ in manufacturing technology

with a patent pending. The recent launch of Zig Zag is truly

one of our proudest achievements

What would you say has been Belgotex Floorcoverings’ greatest

achievement?

Our greatest achievement has been the ability of the manage-

ment and the team to adjust to the ongoing change that has

affected our industry. We have changed our business from

being 100% residential to a 50/50 residential/commercial split.

The development of our commercial business has been a

major adjustment of product offering, which placed huge

demands on our technical team and they have come through

with flying colours.

What would you say has been your greatest achievement?

Let me first say that my greatest opportunity was being offered

the position of CEO at Belgotex Floorcoverings. My greatest

achievement has been working with a team of directors and

senior managers to help make Belgotex Floorcoverings the

‘Number one’ manufacturer in South Africa.

Leadership is an important quality:

‘Great leadership is not about the ability to do it all! It is

about the ability to surround yourself with people who can.’

How would you view the future of the industry?

Change, change and more change. Adjust and change your

business and you will survive.

The residential market will not grow in the wall-to-wall sec-

tor. The rugs in the residential sector will continue to grow.

The commercial (contracting) sector will continue to grow.

Here there are many opportunities for manufacturers and

contractors.

Carpet tiles will be the biggest area of opportunity.

Synthetic grass will continue to grow in the South African

market. At last year’s Surfaces exhibition in Las Vegas a

machine producer predicted the two big opportunity seg-

ments: “Tile and turf.”

What direction do you see Belgotex Floorcoverings taking?

I see Belgotex Floorcoverings following all the areas of oppor-

tunity as highlighted in the previous question – and then

more!!!

The team will continue to stay abreast of international mar-

kets and trends, and strategies will be adjusted accordingly.

Is this the last we will hear of Daniel Dolpire, or will you be acting

in a consulting capacity?

I will be available to Stephan Colle and Frank Moffat should

they need a sounding board during 2010.

But 2010 for me is a new chapter:

To spend more time with my family.

To pursue my passion for photography!

To improve my golf game and become a single-figure

handicap!!


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106

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do i have To have an underlay WiTh my neW carPeT?Not if the carpet is glued directly onto the subfloor, which is com-

mon with needlepunch carpets, otherwise most manufacturers

will say that underlay or underfelt is essential, as it substantially

increases the life of the carpet.

It also provides increased underfoot comfort, acts as a shock

absorber and can reduce the pile-crushing effect of furniture placed

on the carpet. It reduces sound, provides extra heat insulation, and

stops the backing of the carpet from rubbing against the subfloor.

However, you should always use a good quality underlay; in

South Africa fibre underfelt is the most common and cost-effec-

tive underlay which is classified in ranges by the gram/m² of the

material. This is commonly 1000gms, although available in ranges

from 800gsm to 1 400gsm.

Other underlay options are also available, such as foam and rub-

ber underlays, but these will cost more. Ask your retailer or floor-

ing contractor for advice.

doeS Wood flooring go Well WiTh moST deSign STyleS, and hoW doeS one SelecT a ParTicular SPecieS?In a recent survey commissioned by the NWFA in the USA, more

than three-quarters of interior designers find that wood flooring

works well with many decorating styles.

Designers rated natural materials as superior to man-made mate-

rials in beauty, prestige, style, maintenance, and durability. Various

woods and finishes are available to complement the décor and

style of any room.

Choosing a species of wood involves more than selecting a

colour to match décor. Both decorators and installers should be

aware of the basic facts about wood species.

Other appearance-related attributes are important for design-

ers too, such as texture, grain, and colour. Installers will want to

consider mechanical properties like dimensional stability, machin-

ability, ease in finishing, and any specifier will need to consider

availability and cost. Talk to SAWLFA to get the right advice.

Why and Where are movemenT joinTS needed in Tiled floorS? Movement joints are needed to eliminate stresses that can occur

between the substrate and the tile due to differing amounts of

expansion and contraction.

The normal recommendation is to allow for expansion and

contraction in every tile installation. In small rooms, a gap at the

perimeter of the room (often hidden by the skirting) is sufficient.

For larger areas, the movement joints will be visible.

The number and placing of movement joints depend entirely on

the size and usage of the area in question, but movement joints

are placed more frequently where moisture or direct sunlight is

expected. For exterior installations, the range of temperature from

summer highs to winter lows must be considered.

Speak to your tile supplier or flooring contractor to get it right.

Q&A

Jeremy StewartScreed, Resin, and Concrete Expert CEO

– Quartz Carpet, SA

The loWdoWn on ScreedS

There are several new screeding systems

now available which can cut your build

costs and allow for a quicker process.

Traditionally, screed is laid around 40-75mm thick onto a

concrete subfloor. It’s a skilled job, usually undertaken by

plasterers once the walls and ceiling are plastered.

A screed mix is relatively strong, using one part cement

to three parts sand, and when complete it gives a smooth

and level floor on which to lay your chosen floor finish.

You do not have to use a screed. There’s nothing struc-

tural about screeds and some designs do away with one

altogether. However, the floor beneath the screed is usu-

ally not laid to a particularly high standard.

There has been a marked shift towards using ready-

mixed screeds, delivered by lorry at the beginning of

the day. In fact, only a third of sites still use site-mixed

screeds. Ready-mixed screeds come with added retar-

dants to delay the set, so that you can be working all day

with one load.

The process of laying is very different to what we have

grown used to with cement screeds. The biggest factor

is volume of screed used due to increased depths, espe-

cially on irregular sub-bases.

It is not uncommon for a specialist screeding company

to receive an enquiry for a 50mm depth of screed and to

find that it runs from 40mm to 80mm, therefore resulting

in increased unforeseen costs.

Whichever system you use, ensure ample time for dry-

ing out and curing. The rule of thumb is to allow a day for

every millimetre depth, so that 40-75 days is the standard

time recommended.

Finally, there is the issue of structural or shrinkage

cracking. Best practice recommends that to avoid move-

ment issues screeds should not cover an area of more

than 40m² or a distance in any one direction longer than

8 metres.

Expansion joints should subdivide

larger screed areas. Alternatively, you

can place an anti-crack mesh in the

screed or add fibres to the mix itself.

Jeremy Stewart

Flooring specialist and owner

of Quartz Carpet

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advert isement

FloorworX, South Africa’s

largest supplier and manu-

facturer of high-quality

vinyl floorcoverings, held

its first Open Day on 14

October 2009. The focus

was on vinyl cleaning and

maintenance with Safic

floorcare products, vinyl

welding, the introduc-

tion of the new Quick-Step Parquet

range and the ever-popular dust-free sanding of Kährs engineered

wood with the Bona dust care system.

The open day was jointly organised by FloorworX, Interior Wooden

Floors and Safic. In line with their policy of always keeping up with

the latest news and development, FLOORS in Africa staff also attended

the event and sponsored a gift.

More than 200 FloorworX customers – architects, flooring contrac-

tors, government representatives from Infrastructure Development,

Health and Public Works, as well as Eskom decision-makers – enjoyed

this enlightened day with the company.

Highlights of the programme included the closing session during

which a lucky draw for a weekend away and Quick-Step flooring

was won.

Mercy Machiridza from Turner Pierson won a weekend break to the

value of R5 000 sponsored by FloorworX. The prize of a Quick-Step

flooring voucher to the value to R5 000 from Interior Wooden Floors

was won by HJ Mynhart – director of Top Carpets, Potchefstroom.

FloorworX Open Day a

108

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Views and opinions from architects and

designers at the Contractworld Congress

held in Hannover, Germany.

The School aS a living SPace

The school is a living space and every school is individual and unique. This is what we want to empha-

sise in our buildings. Each building has its inner logic and its own structure.

The special thing about the respective schools becomes apparent in everyday tasks. 50% of building

originates from the soul. Merely creating functional buildings for flexible use would be soul-less.

In our buildings we use colours, light and materials to create atmosphere. The architect needs dreams

and utopias, even illusion. This, however, requires an unconditional will to implement them as well.

live SPaceS – archiTecTural educaTion aT School

I teach architecture in courses of studies for the Education Office. Of all the arts, architecture has the

most direct influence on daily life.

What I feel is important is that students discover what is special in the normal. The trail then leads

beyond architecture, as architectures have often been inspired by poetry, philosophy and scientific

theories.

Architecture offers grandiose and sheer unending possibilities of learning and experiencing. Children

and young people must make the experiences conscious in order to be prepared for their future respon-

sibilities in the design of our built environment.

deSigning SPaceS for inSPiraTion

Henning Larsen Architects try to create inspired and, above all, inspiring architecture. The new university

of Reykjavik, for example, was conceived as a city in the city.

This idea was modelled on a city in north Italy which is organised in a circle around a market square.

When we were occupied with the Children Discovery Centre in Damascus, a rose inspired us.

We designed a new office quarter in Copenhagen in such a way that the force of attraction there is so

strong that people do not want to leave the building. To achieve this, we had to copy a village, with bal-

conies, alleys and little shops.

Prof. Tobias Wulf

Wulf & Partner, Stuttgart, Germany

Mette Skjold

Henning Larsen Architects, Copenhagen.

Dr Hannes Hubrich

Bauhaus Universität Welmar, Weimar, Germany

advert isement

In the next issue...

carpets

Skills development & training

The features in the second issue of

FLOORS in Africa for 2010 will look

at two diverse sectors of the floor-

ing industry – Carpets and Industrial

Flooring, and will also cover the topic

of much-needed Skills Development

and Training.

carPeTS There are always so many exciting

things happening in this sector, and

this feature will ensure that the speci-

fiers, designers and developers are

brought up to date with all the trends

and new technologies that are regu-

larly appearing.

induSTrial flooring The availability of so many systems

and types of flooring makes this an

extremely hi-tech and highly compet-

itive sector. This issue will look at the

latest developments, products and

projects in this very important sector

of the flooring industry.

Balta

SkillS develoPmenT & TrainingIt is generally recognised that the

only way forward is via skills and

workmanship upliftment for the

flooring industry in particular and

the country in general. This feature

will look at what the industry is

doing and what skills development

projects, learnerships, regula-

tions and legal requirements exist,

including ontinuing Professional

Development (CPD) opportunities.

industrial flooring

Vern

i

Floo

rwor

x

110

N e w s


Documents

Floors in Africa - January/February 2010