Make an Entrance with Bonar
A new entrance matting is available that is designed to cope with heavier loads.
From Bonar Floors, the product, Tuftiguard Heavy Duty, can withstand seven times more weight than the standard Tuftiguard.
The matting uses a completely different scraper bar profile. The aluminium structure of the matting effectively forms a box-girder, giving greater strength. The scraper bar is formed from one central H-shaped extrusion and two side sections, assembled to complete the box profile.
‘This assembly technique allows precise and cost-effective production of the finished mat,’ explained Paul France, production manager for Nuway. We believe that this type of construction is unique in the entrance matting industry and are so confident of our new product that we have filed a patent application on the scraper-bar profile.’
The box girder also enables five ridges to be converted where there would typically be one. This increases the scraping area and provides a flatter surface. The original Tuftiguard was developed for supermarkets but was found to be susceptible to heavy duty pallet traffic, in and out of stores, destroying the matting in just four weeks. The new Tuftiguard product has been successfully installed in a supermarket entrance, carrying 600 tonnes over a number of months with no discernible damage.
‘We are now installing Tuftiguard HD into a variety of other areas, ranging from munitions warehouses to railway stations. The matting is about to be used in several entrances at St. George’s hospital in Tooting - particularly appropriate installation in an area where people are taken into the hospital on trolleys and vibration needs to be minimised.’
Tuftiguard HD is available in Plain, Classic, Design and Select formats in 12 and 17mm thickness. Depending on the level of moisture, it can be used with either one or two modules of wiper strips and includes the same range of colours as standard Tuftiguard.
The product will be unveiled at the Contract Floor Show.
Tel: 01773 744121

Tuff Stuff
Bonar Floors launches two new products at this year’s show.
The Nuway family of entrance matting includes Tuftiguard entrance matting, the first reversible matting on the market, and the modular Flexiguard. The first product to be added to the range is Tuftiguard Heavy Duty (patent pending) which is due for exhibition at Stand CSC54.
Eleven new Flotex design ranges will also be launched at the show. These include a range with enhanced soil-disguising capabilities developed specifically for the public sector and Flotex Textura and Geometric, aimed more towards the commercial office sector. All designs hold the British Allergy Foundation’s Seal of Approval.
Stuart White of Bonar Floors, said: ‘We are continually developing and improving our range of products for the contract sector, and the products we are launching at the show demonstrates this. These products have all been developed in response to particular needs in the market and fit perfectly within our current portfolio.’

T: 0800 028 2162
www.bonarfloors.com

‘Back’ Tin International for Success
Tin International introduces the Tin Lifting System. Back strain, damaged floor panels and tools are now a thing of the past. Combining a screwed stud and lifting arm; raised floor panels and manhole covers are easily removed, maneuvered and replaced.
Every year, workers accessing services below the floors damage thousands of Access floor panels. Personal injuries occur every day, most commonly to fingers, backs and legs from people using screwdrivers and other tools to lift panels.
The Tin Lifter is capable of lifting heavy panels quickly and easily without the unreliability and danger of suction devices or carpet grippers.
The tool works with both vinyl and carpet covered panels.
Already proving a hit with commercial clients, the system has been installed in numerous corporate premises. The studs can be fitted at manufacture or retrofitted. The system can be used on vinyl or carpet covered panels. The lifting arm is engaged by 3 turns of the handle. Then the unique pivoting head allows the panel to be easily handled away from the floor opening.
There is already considerable interest from many large corporate organisations. The general feedback from the existing clients is that the system is essential to the safety of the staff and to minimise damage to the panels.A fitting kit is available for self-install and Tin International offers a fitting service throughout the UK.
Tin was established in 2000 to promote inventions; guiding the inventor through the marketing, patents and finance workings of bringing a product to market. The lifting tool is one of a number of innovative ideas being brought to market by Tin International.
For more information visit the Tin website; www.tin-int.com

Suitable Underlay
What Underlay is best under the carpet?
or What Underlay offers the best value for your carpet? -
by Richard Bailey Floorwise.
Different types of underlay can vary greatly in their performance…choosing the right underlay is therefore key to getting real value for money.

Durability
The main purpose of underlay is to help maintain the appearance of the carpet for longer thus increasing its lifespan.
Other key factors in choosing and underlay are:

Underfoot Comfort
The cushion of the underlay provides the initial comfort. Different types of underlay provide varying degrees of comfort dependant upon their core materials, thickness, density and the way they have been produced.

Sound Insulation
This is increasingly becoming more important…not just airborne sound but also sound transmission…especially with new build and refurbishment projects.

Heat insulation
Most underlay save energy, up to 15% with some, but with underfloor heating the Tog rating should of the underlay and the floorcovering does not want to exceed too high a level.

Environmental
There are many types of underlay that are made from recycled materials. Crumb Rubber, Rebond-Polyurethane Foam, various Felt combinations…but the textile felt and jute/hair felts are also recyclable after use.
Potentially reducing the amount of underlay that goes direct into landfill sites.

Double-Stick Installation
To reduce the risk of rucking many commercially fitted carpets are stuck down onto the underlay. New underlays have been introduced to speed up later removal and replacement of both the underlay and carpet. Other factors that may also be taken into consideration

• Suitability for Castors, Wheelchairs etc.
• Flame Retardency
• Absorbs Minor floor Imperfections
• Barrier to stop ingress of moisture

Real value is obviously linked to price…it is therefore important to decide upon a criteria for purchase. The British Standards bs5808 categorises underlay into specific sectors:

Light Domestic Use
General Domestic Use
Luxury Use
General Contract Use
Heavy Contract Use

Companies such as Floorwise have introduced benefit driven icons to make choosing the right underlay easier still.
Tel: 01509 673974