Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/292860
On Solid Ground Hard surface flooring takes centre stage by Laurie Jones Another advantage to the Ditra-Heat system is that it can be installed over plywood that is only a single layer and can go over wider spacing. "The challenge when heating systems are installed is keeping the elevation down so it does not interfere with toe-kicks under cabinets or door thresholds," says Kempster. Stonhard, the industry leader in manufacturing and installing high- performance polymer floors, is a proud partner of the Durham College Centre For Food project. The company applied Stontec EFC and Stonseal GS7 in the atrium, hallways, wine tasting lab, main lecture theatre and washrooms. "By installing Stonseal GS7 clear flat coating on top of Stontec EFC, the flooring system becomes both decorative and extremely functional." says Tim McCulloch, operations & engineering manager, Stonhard and Liquid Elements. "Stonseal GS7, which is a high-performance polyurethane coating, combines superior abrasion resistance with excellent resistance to ultraviolet light." Stontec, a stain and wear resistant vinyl flake broadcast flooring system, pushes the boundaries of design possibilities while offering maximum performance benefits for a variety of settings. Additionally, the flakes are available in multiple sizes. Since 1993, Marr Industrial Coatings Inc. has provided epoxy coatings for industrial manufacturing plants including pharmaceutical suppliers, aerospace companies, warehousing and hospitals. "We work with companies that deal with heavy traffic and chemical spills on flooring," says Frank Marr, president. "Our house brand, Marr M301, was designed about 20 years ago and is our mainstay epoxy. At that time, it was the first zero VOC product anywhere in North America." M301 is placed on top of concrete to act as a protectant and wear surface. It can be custom coloured and adds to the esthetics of a facility. "Our customers, large manufacturers, use Marr M301 to keep dust down and take advantage of its light reflectability," says Marr. "Now, any manufacturing facility that wants a world- class image will have coated floors." Beyond the adhesive component of completing hard surface flooring projects, proper grouting is key for a polished look. "Today there is a new breed of single- component, ready-to-use grout available that makes the job easier for tile-setting professionals," says J.D. Eckmire, director of sales, Western Canada for Mapei Inc. "The key focus of MAPEI's new MAPEI Flexcolor CQ is a water-based styrene acrylic co-polymer with a proprietary admixture package using coated quartz aggregate technology." MAPEI Flexcolor CQ is a professional- class, ready-to-use grout. n T he wide range of hard surface flooring options continues to impress with unique, faux designs and colours to match any décor and adhesives to keep everything in place. Ames Tile & Stone Ltd. continues its popular selection with wood and concrete looks in ceramic tiles, and this year large formats are starting to gain popularity. "The larger sizes have become part of our stocking programme," says Curt Higham, designer liaison and product specialist. "Previously, they were a special order product for commercial projects but are now becoming mainstream items for residential projects." Higham says the company is also seeing more gloss tiles this year with polished or semi- polished porcelain creating a sophisticated look in the concrete and stone visual tiles. "Gloss marble visual porcelain products are making a comeback, but the choices are in the larger formats. With the introduction of the inkjet technology, we are seeing products that are hard to differentiate from the true stone but are much easier to maintain and require no initial or future sealing." With the additions of several stations on the Sheppard Extension of Toronto's TTC rapid transit system, stylish décor has been added to make the stops more pleasing. Gemstar Group Inc. was chosen for three locations to install cementitious terrazzo flooring. "Unlike epoxy terrazzo – which is put down on a thin, one-quarter-inch finish directly on the concrete – cementitious terrazzo is poured to a half-inch finish using a mortar bed combined with a levelling strip to make up the proper height," says Frank Rossi, president. "Small chips are used to create designs using various matrices with colours or textures to achieve a specific look." The typical cementitious application starts with a poly sheet on the bottom, mortar bed on top, then strips in the mortar before curing. Chips are added while the concrete is still soft, then two days later installers grind the floor, twice. This is called a floating terrazzo floor because the floor is not bonded. "It stands up to traffic which is why terrazzo flooring is often chosen for schools, airports and subway stations," says Rossi. Connie Barillari, head of product development at Olympia Tile, says that the trend for natural stones and plank wood replicas is still going strong. "At one of the largest ceramic tile shows we recently purchased a line called Tracks that is produced with high-definition machinery and is available in a matte and structured finish. On the structured surface the appearance comes out so strong, just as in natural stone," explains Barillari. Olympia recently added another line called Montecassino to its repertoire. "Again, it is a replica of a natural stone and each colour is available in vein-cut and cross-cut design. Also popular is wallpaper or fabric look in an ornate patchwork design," says Barillari. Of course, even the most beautiful stone is reliant on the adhesives below to ensure the product maintains its place in any installation. In today's market, the failure of finished floor goods due to moisture vapour emissions has become a hot topic. "Maxxon Corporation is constantly striving to meet the evolving floor challenges facing the construction industry and is continuing this pursuit with two surface-applied moisture vapour barriers," says Nicole Hills, marketing manager. "Maxxon Corporation now offers Maxxon DPM (Damp Proof Membrane) and Maxxon MVP (Moisture Vapor Protection), surface applied moisture vapour barriers that prevent the passage of water vapour and moisture through slabs on, below or above grade." Maxxon DPM and Maxxon MVP reduce moisture vapour emission of up to 25 pounds to three pounds or less, and provide a high alkalinity barrier, preventing the delamination of adhesives, floor coverings and coatings. Floor warming systems have also become very popular. "Ditra-Heat is the first electric floor warming system that directly incorporates essential uncoupling technology into a floor warming system," says Dale Kempster, technical director at Schluter Systems Canada. "This product provides heated floors that are not susceptible to cracking and the heating cables are easily snapped into place on top of the uncoupling membrane with no clips or fasteners." Ames Tile & Stone's Barrique wood-look ceramic tile; suitable for both interior and exterior wall and floor. april 2014 /45 Hard Surface Flooring p44-47Hard Surface.indd 45 14-04-03 11:14 AM