Bostik the complete solution for Lincolnshire Flooring in Healing School project
Bostik, a global leader in adhesives and sealants, has been chosen by flooring specialist, Lincolnshire Flooring, to provide all sub floor preparation and adhesive products for a landmark £3m project at Ofsted’s ‘outstanding’ rated Healing School in Grimsby.
JemBuild was taken on as the main contractor for the science academy’s three-story development, who then sub-contracted the 2,500 square metres of flooring required. The project provided Lincolnshire Flooring with some challenging demands, on account of the site’s anhydrite screed alongside the need for luxury vinyl tile, slip-resistant vinyl sheet and carpet tile finishes.
Seven Bostik products were deployed for the operation, including the Laybond Screedmaster Universal Primer, Epoxy Primer, Carpet Tile Tackifier, Vinyl Adhesive, HT Adhesive and Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, plus the Screedmaster Flow.
Bostik’s wide product and service offering, including analytical support and on site testing, was seen as a key driver in winning the project. With the scheme running from mid June to the end of July 2015, timely execution was also essential.
Steve Horton, Contracts Manager at Lincolnshire Flooring, commented: “Being a world leader in flooring adhesives, we were aware of the wide range, quality and competitive pricing of Bostik’s products. However, it was the company’s complete solution offering that really made the difference for this diverse and challenging job.
“Even before the contract was signed, Bostik’s team of technical experts was pro-actively offering the ideal product package, technical advice, measurement surveys and on-site services. The value added by these additional practices cannot be underestimated, especially as this was our first job partnership with the main contractor, JemBuild.
“Another benefit was that, by using a single brand’s products, we had the added confidence that product compatibility would not be an issue. You know what to expect and how the different substances will work with each other.”
One of the biggest challenges faced on the project was the anhydrite screed subfloor accompanied by the under-floor heating on all three levels of development. Whilst the thinness and spread of the calcium sulphate screed is positive from a builder’s perspective, the moisture suppression presents both technical and working difficulties for the floor laying.
Steve added: “The drying aspect of the anhydrite sub-floor will always provide a test, as it is imperative that we only apply the primer once the correct relative humidity (RH) is achieved. Inevitably, managing the school’s under floor heating makes the testing process more complex. Bostik’s moisture testing service was a real asset in this regard, as it gave us an added sense of security as to when we could proceed.”
Bostik’s specialist products were another key part of the project’s solution. For the vinyl areas, Screedmaster Flow was deemed the most appropriate smoothing compound offering exceptional flow and curing characteristics to give a superior finish on which to bond vinyl. However, due to the nature of the anhydrite screed it was necessary to utilise a high performance barrier primer, Screedmaster Epoxy Primer, prior to applying the Screedmaster Flow to prevent interaction between the subfloor and the smoothing compound.
The Vinyl, HT and Pressure Sensitive adhesives offered Lincolnshire Flooring the correct products with a high level of tack, as well as good resistance to plasticiser migration and high temperatures in the various vinyl sections.
For the carpet tile areas, which made up 1,500 square metres of the project’s total flooring, the Screedmaster Universal Primer was used to prepare the floor to receive the Carpet Tile Tackifier adhesive, making it an efficient procedure.
For further information on the extensive range of subfloor preparation and adhesive products available from Bostik, please visit www.bostik.co.uk or call 01785 272625.
