Flooring Articles Floors

Flooring Articles Here you can navigate through different flooring types and floor products, do research on floors, their history and other articles about new developments in certain flooring types and products.

View the Menu on the left with its different categories and articles specific to that flooring type under each category.
This page was started during December 2009 and our aim is to build up an informative collection of articles for both the retailer and consumer.

Have flooring related articles to contribute? Then contact us or send the article by email to us on the contact page and we will get back to you.

Laminated Flooring

Laminate Flooring Laminated Flooring was first manufactured in 1977 by a company in Sweden under the name Pergo. They only started marketing their newly invented Laminate Floors during the early 1980's in Europe and then the rest of the Flooring manufacturers and especially wood board manufacturers quickly caught up with this new and very promising type of flooring.

At first laminated flooring planks was manufactured with a tongue and groove fitting system which required the floor boards to be glued together and then strapped for a period of time to ensure neat joints on the floor. This type of flooring installation was time consuming and thus more costly.

Laminate Floors were first introduced into South Africa in the mid 1990’s from Europe with an above average cost compared to other types of flooring, like carpets, vinyl flooring and ceramic floor tiles which were the most popular and cost effective flooring types at the time. Due to the price of laminate floors at this time which was more in the region of some solid wood floors it was a slow mover and sales were below average with only a handful of flooring contractors and retailers specialising in laminate floors.

Laminate Flooring Click System – During the late 1990’s the laminate flooring industry was revolutionised by what is generally known as the click system where 2 floor planks can be joined together without the need for glue or curing time. This meant faster floor installation time, easier installation and DIY flooring which contributed to the mass production of laminate flooring and in turn to a far less expensive laminate floor than what was experienced during the late 80’s and 1990’s.

With the click revolution and increased demand for laminate flooring more manufacturers mostly in Europe and a few in America came on board which meant more variety in colours and textures and better quality finishes for the consumer.

Up to the late 1990’s nearly all laminate floors where manufactured in Europe and a few in America but the laminate flooring industry was in for another revolution after manufacturing of laminate floor boards began in China in 1997. It was only around the year 2000 that Chinese laminate producers started exporting and by the early to mid 2000’s there were about 3000 manufacturers of laminate flooring in China.

With China’s ability to source lower cost raw materials and labour the price of laminate flooring more than halved in some cases but there was a lack of quality in the early stages from most Chinese laminate flooring producers which in turn did not do any favours for the laminate flooring market, specially in South Africa.

Today some of the Chinese manufactured laminate flooring can be compared with some of the European manufacturers. Although there are still some very cheap products on the market that is a lesser quality, laminate flooring has come a long way and taken a big share of the flooring market all over the world.

Compare Laminate Floors, Quality and Price

Laminates Wondering why one laminate floor cost R100m2 while the next floor cost double the price or more, if it is a drastic price difference for the same type of floor board then the chances are good it is because of a quality difference between the products. Below are a few factors that influence the price you pay for your laminate floor and should help you making a more informed decision.

Quality or Grade of Laminate Floors

It is important to compare apples with apples here and there are different grading systems for laminate floors, from AC1 to AC5 or Grade 21 to 33 with the higher number being better quality, this will influence the price you pay, so you will pay nearly double for a AC5 than for a AC3. Below are a few factors that can influence the price of laminate flooring.

Protective Layer: This is what gives laminate floors its surface strength and mostly determine the AC or Grade rating of the laminate planks, see here for more details
Quality and rating of Laminate Floors.
Test done on laminate floors by the EPLF (European Producers of Laminate Flooring) include resistance against Stains, Fading, Fire, Burn and Formaldehyde Emission Levels, for more information about these test and to see who are members of the EPLF click HERE

Surface texture: Textured or wood grain laminate boards which looks more like the real thing is usually more expensive to manufacture, these planks are embossed with a pattern to mimic real or solid wood flooring.

Repeat Pattern: With the cheaper laminates you usually find a 1 in 3 repeat pattern which means every third or fourth laminate plank looks the same which is noticeable after installation where some of the more expensive products you might be looking at a 1 in 8 or even a 1 in 10 repeat pattern.

Locking System: The locking systems of some laminate planks are superior to others and these locking systems are usually patented and thus the manufacturer need to pay a fee to use these locking systems which add to the cost of production. Examples of a superior locking system could be a neater joint and that the boards can be uplifted and re-installed a few times without compromising the locking system. One of the most known patented locking systems are Uniclic

Core Board: The density of the core or laminate board which is about 95% of what the plank is made up of should be HDF (High Density Fibre Board), there are some laminate floor manufacturers that lower their cost by using cheaper board which is usually MDF (Medium Density Fibre Board) or somewhere in-between, these laminate boards dents easier than HDF.

Machining: Some products are machined better than others, make sure the laminate manufacturer or supplier can provide a list which is usually in their catalogue or on the box of the standards they guarantee on their laminate product. All laminate manufacturers differ but usually they have detailed information about the maximum height difference between connecting laminate planks (about 0.15mm), the maximum space difference between connecting boards (about 0.20mm) and the board straightness (about 0.30mm).

Direct Pressure: This is the most common method where the 4 layers that the laminate plank consist of get pressed together under pressure and high heat but then you also get High Pressure Laminates, this method takes longer and thus costs more, the top and bottom layers are done separately and then fused together again, the end result is a stronger and more durable laminate floor.

Other factors that influence the price of Laminate Floors

West or East: It is fairly common knowledge that the East can nearly manufacture anything cheaper than the West, when it comes to Laminate Flooring as specially China plays a major role here. Cheaper labour, energy, raw products, taxes is just some of the factors that can play a role to lower the cost of laminate floor manufactures in the East or China. Furthermore the exchange rate can also play a role here as Chinese manufacturers mostly sell their laminate floors in Dollars and the European manufacturers sell their floors in Euros.

Green Factor: How green the floor is can also have an impact on the cost of the floor as sustainable resources and low emission factories usually cost a bit more to run, make sure there are a “green” label on your laminate floor product. The most well known one when it comes to wood products are the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

Laminate Flooring Accessories

Underlay: There are a wide variety of laminate floor underlays, the most common is the 2mm foam combined with the plastic damp proof membrane, here it is important to make sure that the plastic is made of Virgin material which will be a few rand more expensive per square metre. The reason for this is that plastic bags need to be degradable, this plastic gets back into the recycled plastic and that compromises the structure of recycled plastic and make it unusable as a damp prove membrane.

Profiles: There are a wide selection of flooring profiles on the market with the main difference being what the product is made of, mainly you get wooden, plastic and metal profiles. Metal is always a safe bet but not as attractive on the eye, the wooden laminted profiles has quality differences that you need to watch out for. You get MDF and HDF profiles and most wooden profiles in the South African market at the moment are MDF which is not as good as HDF but again the price of the HDF might be double of the MDF profiles. Some of the good quality profiles have an EPLF rating on it which indicate the quality, it is important to remember that the wooden profiles are not suitable for commercial application and are best suited for residential use.

Skirting: Most laminate skirting is made of MDF (Medium density Fibre Board), Plastic or Solid Wood. With skirting it doesn’t really matter that much as it will not get any traffic on it like the floor and the profiles. The MDF skirting usually match the floor board and are more expensive than your Solid Wood skirting like Pine and Meranti. The MDF and Plastic skirting usually needs to be glued to the wall and thus not suited for very uneven walls, with uneven walls you would be better off with solid wood skirting that can be nailed or screwed into the wall.

The above is a guideline for comparing the different laminate floors on the market.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate Flooring, Pros and Cons

Laminate Flooring has grown much in popularity over the last decade in South Africa and has in many ways nearly flooded the flooring market with a wide range of choices taking into account that there are over a 100 different brand names available in South Africa.

Although most of these floors are good quality and will give you great performance there are unfortunately also some that are below industry standards, generally you get what you pay for so if it’s cheap then make sure to do your homework on the Brand and it is always a good idea to ask for references where the same floor were installed a few years earlier.

Pros

Variety of choice – There are a huge variety of Laminate Floors available in the market from colours, different grains, surface textures, various plank lengths, patterns and new choices are being added yearly by the manufacturers.
Price and Looks – Laminate Floors are very affordable compared to Solid Wood floors, with most of the laminates looking very similar to your more expensive wood floors. This is possible due to the high resolution of print combined with grain and texture effects being applied to the laminate planks, making it look very authentic.
Fuss Free Installation – This is mostly due to the fact that laminate is a floating floor which means it doesn’t get fixed to the sub floor. In turn this makes it a good DIY product but also means that it is fairly quick to install with minimum amounts of dust and fumes and it is easy to remove should you want to replace it in the future.
Durability – Laminate Floors are very durable with features like scratch, stain, impact and fade resistance. Most Laminate Floors comes with an 8 to 15 year guarantee on average and if well looked after it will last even longer. Again you get what you pay for so make sure you buy from a reputable supplier.
Versatile – You can install laminate floors in nearly any part of the house, not recommended for very moist or wet areas like bathroom. It can also be installed on nearly any sub floor like concrete, wood sheets or plywood and vinyl floors, as long as the sub floors is even, low moisture levels and don’t give way under pressure or weight.

pro cons laminate flooring Cons
Like anything in this world each product including flooring has it’s up and down sides and so does laminate flooring.

Moisture – Most Laminate Floors are very susceptible to high moisture or water damage due to the High Density Fibre core which is made from. It is important to make sure that there are no moisture issues before installing a laminate floor and therefore it is not recommended to install laminate floors in bathrooms and care should be taken when installing over existing solid wood floors, as specially not recommended over parquet floors.
Excessive water use for cleaning can also damage laminate floors, it is recommended to only use a damp cloth for cleaning – do not use conventional mops and don’t spray cleaners directly onto the floor but rather onto the cloth and spills should be cleaned up immediately.
Installation – Although laminate flooring are a fairly good DIY product it is difficult for most novices to get a perfect installation and there are a few ground rules which need following otherwise you might end up throwing your money in the water. If you have one and a half right hand then it is recommended to get a reputable installer, www.sawlfa.co.za is a good place to start as they have a list of accredited installers.
Repairing Your Floor – There are two sides here, the first is that due to being a floating floor it is fairly easy to replace a plank if damaged. The down side is that it needs replacing where with solid wood it can be sanded and finished again, you get a laminate repair kit which works well on a one tone colour but if the plank has colour variations then it is usually quite visible.
Expansions – Laminate Floors expand and contract and although not as much as Solid Wood it needs a expansion profile between rooms or if the length or width of the room is more than specified by the manufacturer (Usually between 8 to 12 metres in the length and 6 to 8 metres in the width). So if you have a large area then you might need to split the floor by using an expansion profile and to most people this is an eye sore.

Conclusion
In our opinion the Pro’s outweigh the Cons by far when it comes to laminate flooring and as with most floor coverings each has its down sides. If you decide on laminate flooring then get a quality floor and a good installer, in addition to this it is very important that the correct cleaning methods are used and your floor will be well worth the money.

Article by www.FloorsOnline.co.za

SAWLFA Laminate and Solid Wood Flooring

SAWLFA South African Wood and Laminate Flooring Association

UNDERSTANDING LAMINATE & SOLID WOOD FLOORING

The flooring market is full of terminology and manages to confuse even the most informed people in the trade, SAWLFA thought it would be valuable to you to try and make the process of buying flooring simpler.

Full details of all SAWLFA members are provided on the web site www.sawlfa.co.za. Or by contacting Sandra, the full time secretariat of the Association on telephone 011-4552822 or sawlfa@mwebbiz.co.za

Installing wood or laminate flooring in your home can be a risky business if you choose the wrong supplier or quality. Not all floors are created equal and as these types of flooring has become extremely popular as an alternative to carpets or ceramic tiles, it has become necessary to identify, test and classify floors especially on their resistance to wear and to relate this to recommended usage.

There are well over a hundred different brands of flooring on offer in South Africa. Many of these products are of excellent quality and will last for many years. However there are a disturbing number of instances where products do not meet the advertised performance levels, causing serious problems for the consumer.

Unscrupulous importers inflate their product capabilities. Rogue flooring sales people and installers give verbal guarantees that are seldom honoured and even run away with the customers deposits.

The South African Wood and Laminate Flooring Association was formed in 1998 in an attempt to safeguard the interests of the consumer. It does this in three ways:

All applicants are screened before being admitted. Members are required to meet minimum set performance levels and adhere to a code of ethical conduct.

Importer members are required to provide the Association with detailed product specifications verifying their quality claims. Test results from a bona - fide authority such as the South African Bureau of Standards or a European testing facility such as the EPLF (European Producers of Laminate Flooring) are compulsory.

Installers are encouraged to undergo a SAWLFA competency test to verify their ability. (To check if a member is accredited please ask the installer for his badge, this should have their full name, picture and the SAWLFA logo.

Former SAWLFA Chairman Peter Geyer says that people should be wary of buying the lowest priced product. Your bargain may turn out to be very expensive in the long run!

Several years ago flooring manufacturers in Europe devised a grading system for the different qualities of laminate flooring. Products are primarily graded by their resistance to surface wear caused by abrasion or foot traffic. There are basically five different grades or Abrasion Classes

(AC1 to 5). AC1 being the softest or least wear resistant and AC5 being the hardest/ most durable. One should always enquire about the grade or class of laminate flooring before placing an order. Generally speaking grades 1 & 2 should be confined to areas of low use like bedrooms. Grades 3 & 4 are suitable for use anywhere in the home and 5 is mainly used in high traffic restaurants and busy shops.

Wood and laminate flooring products may also vary in their resistance to swelling and fading their density and joint strength. Reputable suppliers will offer full disclosure on all these product features, in writing.
Most problems with flooring products occur as a result of poor installation. It is worth paying a little more to have your flooring installed by a trained team. SAWLFA, in conjunction with the South African Bureau of Standards, have published standards which deal with the general principles of installing solid wood as well as laminate floors. These guidelines are available to the public and should be strictly adhered to by installers.

Apart from providing consumers with access to accredited members, SAWLFA also offer a consultancy service to assist in disputes that may arise. For a small fee, SAWLFA will conduct a thorough technical evaluation of the problem and provide an unbiased opinion. Members are expected to abide by its findings. At present this service is only available in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban but will be spread to other cities in the near future.

Belgotex Floorcoverings

Belgotex Carpets FUSS-FREE FLOORING

The new generation of stain-proof carpets from Belgotex Carpets - SDX - answer the quest for fashionable, fuss-free floors.

Carpets are back in fashion in a big way – not only for their trendy textures and nostalgic Olde World charm, but also for their eco-friendly energy efficiency and easy-care yarns.

Belgotex Carpets’ latest hi-tech yarn, SDX (Solution Dyed Nylon for X-treme Conditions), produces carpets that are colourfast, UV-resistant and completely stainproof, giving you floors that not only look beautiful, but are easy to care for too!

These SDX ranges – Royal Twist, Westminster and Opulence¬ - are perfect for homes with wide expanses of windows and glass that let the natural light in and reduce the need for artificial light. The natural insulation properties of carpets overcome problems of loss of interior warmth, while improving indoor air quality by absorbing airborne dust and allergens, as well as emitting lower levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) commonly caused by pesticides and glue.

Maximum luxury, Minimum fuss
Colourfast, stain- and UV-resistant to the fading effects of sunlight, carpets made from SDX allow you to enjoy the natural light and warmth of the sun without concerns of your carpets fading. You can also confidently

select that beautiful light shade you just love because it will stay that way! SDX yarn protects the carpet from staining or bleach, and retains its luxurious body. Simple vacuum cleaning at least once a week is all that is required and if necessary, stains can be washed out with a simple solution of household bleach and water.

How does one maintain and care for carpets?

Regular vacuuming to remove dust and allergens and maintain the pile height and fibres – at least once a week for general soiling and daily for high traffic areas such as stairs and corridors
Before trying to remove dirty marks from your carpet it's important to know whether they are stains or 'soiling' - Staining is the discolouration of carpet fibres caused when pigment from a substance like coffee or red wine leaves residue in the carpet. Soiling is caused by dirt, dust, cigarette ash, and other particles that settle on a carpet and if not regularly removed, can cause friction at the base of the carpet and weaken the fibres, causing loss of pile height and density and a dull appearance.
Treat spills or stains on a carpet made from Stainproof Miracle Fibre or Stainproof SDX immediately with an equal solution of household bleach and water and blot from the outside inwards. Never scrub a stain!
Remove stains on other carpets by using vinegar and water
Avoid washing carpets with household detergents such as shampoo and opt for an annual steamclean instead
Stair nosings will reinforce the highest pressure point on stairs and extend the life of the carpet.

Longevity Hints: Installation of the carpet with ORANGE UNDERCUSHION extends the life of the carpet by absorbing impact and improving the efficacy of vacuum cleaning. The undercushion is dust repellent and improves the underfoot luxury and comfort of the carpet.

10 GOOD REASONS TO CARPET YOUR HOME

Enjoy the flexibility of carpeting as a fundamental design element that adds character and comfort, coupled with convenience and health benefits to your home or office.

STYLE ¬– supplied to you in various new ranges to take care of every decorating idea.

Belgotex Carpets’ luxurious top-of-the-range latest collection – Opulence - is designed from the finest stain-proof, colourfast and crush-resistant SDX yarn technology (Solution Dyed Nylon for Xtreme conditions), giving you all the traditional warmth and comfort of carpeting without the practical worries of stains and maintenance. The textured surface of Natural Bark brings Mother Nature’s beauty and perfection from the outdoors in, softly recreating the mottled ridges of a tree’s bark for a more earthy-toned interior.

New DIY Tile from Belgotex Carpets gives you the freedom to create any design and colour combination without breaking the bank. Mix ‘n match boxes of peel ‘n stick carpet tiles offers affordable luxury that’s easy on the pocket – perfect to keep up with the latest trends!

CLEANER AIR : Carpets act like a sponge to trap dust and germs, and with regular vacuuming, can help improve the indoor air quality by keeping the air YOU breathe safe and free of dust and allergens. Scientific studies have proven it’s the allergens IN THE AIR that cause allergic responses such as asthma. Furthermore, synthetic carpets are not appealing “snack” foods for undesirable bugs and “go-go’s”!

EASY CARE : The simplicity of a once over with a reliable, clean-filtered vacuum cleaner beats the sweeping, mopping and polishing of other floorcoverings anyday! A number of carpet ranges from Belgotex Carpets are made from the hi-tech STAINPROOF MIRACLE FIBRE or SDX (Solution Dyed Nylon for Xtreme Conditions), making them easy to clean and supremely resistant to household spills and stains. Carpets bearing these logos are colourfast so won’t fade or discolour and can be cleaned with an equal solution of clear, household bleach. Carpets made from natural wool or nylon should be rinsed with one part vinegar to 10 parts water.

All carpets from Belgotex Floorcoverings undergo the ECOWASH cleaning process (in effect a factory steamclean) to remove the natural lubricants used during the manufacturing process and enhance the colour and texture of each carpet.

ADDED SAFETY : Use the advantage of luxurious, non-slip carpeting underfoot to cushion those first faulty footsteps, whether of a child or an ailing adult.

EASY ON THE POCKET : Advances in fibre technology such as the Stainproof Miracle Fibre or Stainproof SDX provide an attractive alternative that performs better than more expensive, perishable natural materials. Belgotex Carpets offer a variety of ranges to suit any budget.

SPOILED FOR CHOICE : Whether you desire sleek or smooth or rustic and chunky, Belgotex Carpets’ ranges will have exactly what you need, available in the colour of your choice.

COOL OR COSY : Reduce your heating bill and energy consumption this winter and banish cold floors forever! Carpets are warm in winter, cool in summer offering 10% better thermal insulation than other floorcoverings.

BETTER ACOUSTICS : The absorption properties of carpets help reduce noise pollution and improve sound quality by minimizing vibration and reflection – this is the reason for carpeting in our best movie theatres and sound studios.

LUXURY AND COMFORT : Orthopaedic specialists confirm that the superior underfoot cushioning from the soft, shock-absorbent surface of carpeting alleviates stress and fatigue on your back and joints.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED : All carpets from Belgotex Carpets carry a 5 YEAR GUARANTEE of superior material and craftsmanship across every range and a 10 YEAR WARRANTY ON TUFTED CARPETS.

WONDERFUL WOODMARK VINYL

Woodmark, the glossy new cushioned vinyl from Belgotex Floorcoverings lets you
enjoy the warmth and appearance of wood without harming the planet.

Available in a variety of trendy shades and finishes from pale whitewashed
ashes to darker dramatic browns, Woodmark’s cushioning adds softness underfoot, absorbs sound and minimises loss of heat through the floor, significantly reducing energy consumption.

Its hard-wearing surface has a protective wear layer that is hygienic and easy to clean,
requiring minimal water and detergents to retain its smooth, sleek good looks.

What’s more, Woodmark vinyl flooring meets the most stringent emission standards
with extremely low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions, ensuring your
floor will add nothing but style and convenience to your interiors.

How does one maintain and care for vinyl flooring?
• Vinyls can be mopped with normal cleaning agents and water

For further information, please phone Johannesburg (011)7883450, Pietermaritzburg (033)8977556, Cape Town (021)9073400, Durban (031)3139600, Port Elizabeth (041)4051400 or visit www.belgotexfloorcoverings.co.za

Belgotex Green Underlay

BELGOTEX UNDERLAYS PASS VOC TESTS WITH FLYING COLOURS!

Belgotex Green Underlay Blue, Orange and 100% recycled underlay, Green from Belgotex Floorcoverings have passed the stringent tests for VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions with flying colours.

All three underlays met the strict requirements of the Green Building Council of SA (GBCSA) and Australia (GBCA) for Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ13) in terms of the VOC emissions, which is a direct requirement for carpeting and underlay.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) such as Phenylcyclohexene affect the indoor air quality. However, research has proven that new carpet is one of the lowest emitters of VOC’s in the home and office environment.

Both Blue and Orange underlays tested well below the GBCSA Green Star criteria for both total VOC emission and Phenylcyclohexene rates. Blue undercushion is recommended beneath Nexus broadloom or modular carpet tiles for improved sound and thermal insulation in corporate environments such as boardrooms, conference venues and offices. Orange undercushion, used in residential installations, improves vacuum efficiency by absorbing dust and allergens and extends the service life of the carpet by providing better underfoot cushioning.

The Green underlay’s total VOC emission was even lower than those of Blue and Orange, meaning that emissions from all Belgotex underlays are negligible and not considered harmful to indoor environment quality. Green underlay was developed in an effort to use post-industrial waste and is made from 100% recycled fibres and/or yarns from the Belgotex factory.

These results now provide extra peace of mind that Belgotex underlays contribute nothing more than improved comfort, durability and insulation to installations.

To download a copy of the VOC test results go to the Environmental Recognition/Green Building Council section of www.environmentalchoice.co.za or call Belgotex Floorcoverings on (033) 897-7500.

Belgotex Launch BerberPoint Eco

Belgotex Berber Point Eco

BERBERPOINT ECO THE GREEN FLOORING ALTERNATIVE

New BerberPoint Eco from Nexus, the commercial division of Belgotex Floorcoverings, is the green alternative for architects’ first choice in carpeting.

Offering all the outstanding specification and performance characteristics of BerberPoint 920 but with the option of recycled content, BerberPoint Eco provides a foundation for specifiers and designers to build their green credentials.

The structured needlepunch range is made from Stainproof Eco Fibre comprising recycled polyester made out of PET plastic bottles combined with a polypropylene blend to produce an eco-friendly top-cloth. Recycling one ton of plastic bottles saves one and a half tons of CO2 versus landfills and incineration.

Eight bestselling colourways are available, each with a pre-determined percentage of recycled content in the top cloth ranging between 20% - 50% from lightest to darkest tones.

BerberPoint Eco extends the company’s renowned Eco Collection and is manufactured according to stringent ISO14001 environmental standards. It is available in either modular or broadloom options. A selection of optional backings for modular carpet ranges including either ResinBac , NexBac or new NexBac Eco backings are available on request.

Nexus Recycled For the ultimate eco-friendly carpet solution, select a green backing alternative too.
New NexBac Eco is a green backing alternative available for any Nexus tile range and contains 35% recycled content. It is produced using post-industrial fly-ash derived from an industrial steam-generation process which is blended with the normal NexBac mixture to produce an environmentally friendly backing with proven low VOC levels. The NexBac Eco production process can save up to two hundred tons of fly-ash from landfill sites and reduce consumption of an equal amount of calcium carbonate (a natural resource also known as chalk)

BerberPoint Eco backed with NexBac Eco results in 27% recycled content overall.

All Belgotex Floorcoverings’ products bear the Environmental Choice logo for environmentally friendly production processes.

For further information on BerberPoint Eco or any of Nexus’ other Eco Collection ranges, please visit www.environmentalchoice.co.za or call Belgotex Floorcoverings on (033) 897-7500 (H/O), JHB (011) 788-3450, CPT (021) 907-3400 or DBN (031) 313-9600.
Nexus Berber Point

Berber Point Eco Recycled

Turf Out old ideas

Dura Turf Turf out old ideas of high maintenance lawn, extend your living space and create an everlasting “green room” in your garden with new DuraTurf artificial lawn from Belgotex Floorcoverings.

“Modern open plan design and our climate encourage outdoor living with patios forming extra living space,” says Frank Moffatt, marketing director of Belgotex Floorcoverings.

New DuraTurf combines convenience with style, giving homeowners a low maintenance, comfortable flooring that can be used indoors or outside.

Hide ugly bare patches in shady spots, under jungle gyms and swings where natural grass struggles to grow.

Create a city garden on patios and balconies. Cover naked earth under the eaves and make mud splattered exterior walls a thing of the past.

Change an eyesore into a showpiece in enclosed courtyards and along walkways where paving seems the only alternative. DuraTurf comes in four varieties to achieve different effects and wear requirements.

With the look and feel of natural grass even amongst rocks and stones, mixed with flowers and stepping stones, under chairs and tables, DuraTurf is the answer to trouble spots in the garden.

No watering, no mowing and no weeding – just a beautiful green room extension to your home all year round.

Visit www.belgotexfloorcoverings.co.za or call (033)897-7500

Super Engineered Solid Wood Floors from Suntups

THE GREENER FLOOR OF THE FUTURE EQUAL TO THE LIFE SPAN OF A SOLID WOOD FLOOR IN EVERY WAY
Super Engineered Wood Plank

THE SUNTUPS SUPER-ENGINEERED™ SOLID FLOOR

A TROUBLE FREE SOLID WOODEN FLOOR

Suntups Wooden Flooring after being in the full solid wooden flooring for 21 years has now introduced and will only sell SUPER -ENGINEERED™ solid wooden flooring.

Super-Engineered™ flooring is still solid
it still has the same solid wood resurface area/top face above the tongue 4 – 6mm which is equal to a full solid
it is still tongue and grooved
it is still single one strip planks
it is still multiple lengths which give that beautiful staggered floor
the top face is still real solid wood
it is still a floor that lasts a life time and it is still 15 - 21mm thick

Super Engineered Wood Plank So if all these points are the same, then one would ask "what is the difference?" the main difference is that the thickness from the tongue and groove downwards is now constructed using a birch multiply but the re-surface area/top face is still the same real solid wood of a full solid.

There are two main advantages of having a Super- Engineered™ floor in opposed to a full solid wooden floor, one is than now we have a solid wooden floor that is more stable by 70% than a full solid wooden floor. This engineering has finally created a solid wooden floor that is trouble free as it is now stable and will minimize movement during the climatic changes by 70% which is now the biggest win for us as the sellers as we have no more phone calls about problems related to movement caused by relative humidity and also a major benefit to the home owner as now the home owner has a solid wooden floor that will always look good and be trouble free.

Another big benefit to a Super-Engineered™ floor is that now the thickness from the tongue & groove downwards is of plywood which on a full solid wooden floor would have been in solid wood and if a floor is sanded to many times up to the tongue the life of the floor is over whether the thickness is of plywood or of solid wood is irrelevant one cannot sand beyond the tongue, so the benefit of Super Engineered™ is that less exotic wood is wasted purely on thickness which has a knock on effect to the amount of trees that are cut down so for the greeny beanie’s Super-Engineered™ used 2/3rds less trees.

So the bottom line is, if you are looking for a solid wooden floor that is trouble free then it is available in the shape of:

THE SUNTUPS SUPER-ENGINEERED™ SOLID WOODEN FLOOR.

Super-Engineered Solid Wood, Tong and Groove vs Click System

Super Engineered Wood Plank Suntups only do Traditional tongue and groove (T&G) flooring and distance themselves from any click system floor. The benefit of click system flooring lies with the installer and not the home owner. It enables the installer to do a quick click together installation. You will find with click system floors every room has to have a T mould separating all rooms, the maximum width a click floor can be laid is 8 meters and 10 meters in the length. With a Suntups Super-Engineered™ T&G solid wooden floor the lengths is unlimited and we have gone up to 25 meters on the width and no ugly T strips are necessary in any doorways.

The worst possible fault that can happen with a super wide installation using Suntups Super-Engineered™ flooring in conjunction with Elastilon is a bulge, which is unlikely but extremely easy and quick to sort out with absolutely ZERO DAMAGE to the floor at all, unlike the problems that a true solid wooden floor can have in a narrow width installation using the nail or glue down installation methods, when the floor often suffers from virtually extremely irreparable damage with huge repair consequences.

History of Suntups and the move to Super-Engineerd flooring

The Suntups family has been in the timber industry for three generations and Steven Suntup has been in the solid wooden flooring industry for 21 years. Steven heads up the company and has handpicked the Suntups Brand from various flooring factories abroad. Steven also brought the world patented Elastilon wooden flooring installation system to South Africa from Holland. Elastilon is used in 27 countries around the world and now in South Africa there is over 200,000m2 of flooring installed with Zero floor failure. This is a record as often short cuts are taken either on purpose or in ignorance and expensive failures occur. So ensure your installation by using Elastilon as your installation system. www.elastilon.com

Suntups after being in the solid wooden flooring business now for 21 years have come to a business decision that in future will no longer sell full solid timber floor as such. A solid timber floor is generally one species of wood all the way from top to bottom with a Tongue & Groove machined some where in the middle of this solid plank. The section above the tongue is generally called the “Resurface Area" or "Top Face". The resurface area of a full solid wooden floor after it has been site sanded after installation is around between 4 – 6mm.

The problems related to expansion and contraction during the climatic changes of full solid wooden flooring can be drastic as in South Africa the dry seasons can have a relative humidity of around 8% and in the height of our rainy season up to 90%. A swing of 8% - 90% can cause havoc with full solid wooden floors and havoc it has caused many a home owner as wood being hygroscopic by taking in and releasing air moisture and planks expanding and contracting accordingly is often the reasons that we have floor failures from over expansion of full solid wooden flooring during the wet season and then shrinkage gaps between the boards during the dry season. This is a natural phenomena and often not the fault of the installer so the home owner is left with an unsightly floor or expensive repair.

It is for this reason that Suntups Wooden Flooring after being in the full solid wooden flooring for 21 years has now introduced and will only sell SUPER -ENGINEERED™ solid wooden flooring.

Suntups now offer a 5 year guarantee against a full floor failure caused by any humidity climate in South Africa on all Super-Engineered floors installed using the Elastilon Installation system. See website for details

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Contact Suntups on Tel: (011) 610 1700