What are the Main Characteristics of Industrial Flooring?

Any industrial unit in Glasgow must have a specific type of floor in place. There are no limits on what flooring you can have as long as it fulfils a few basic requirements. Granted, you will not find any Amtico flooring in Glasgow in an industrial unit. It is not about stylishness; it’s about practicality.

In this article, we are going to show you some of the main characteristics of industrial flooring. This will help you to see what sort of flooring you need to be looking at when outfitting an industrial unit in this part of the world.

Durability

Most industrial floors have a surface that is not easily damaged by anything heavy dropping on top of it or something scratching across it. The surface will normally be reinforced underneath to make it ‘bounce’. If you used a conventional residential floor, a heavy object on top of it would cause it to crack and splinter. This is exactly what you do not want.

There are multiple types of durability, though. The floor also needs to be able to absorb a heavy amount of shock. Surfaces will take most of the impact of something heavy falling on it. If it did not, it could well transfer to the joists and make the whole floor collapse.

Anti-Slip Surface

All industrial floor units must be anti-slip. They need to have a coating that does not allow shoes to slip. This is why if you look down at an industrial floor you will often see it has a texture in place. In units with heavy machinery, this is crucial. One slip could lead to a serious accident, especially if it involves multiple people.

Resistant to Staining

Although you will not see many elegant designs in a factory, you will always see a floor that is not covered in any number of suspicious stains. All industrial floors are stain resistant. This is important for any business looking to make the right impression.

No company wants to find themselves in a situation where they welcome a client to a shop floor filled with staining. It is only going to give off the impression that the workers are sloppy and prone to dropping things. Obviously, there are different levels of tolerance depending on the industry you are working in.

Legal Not Aesthetic

All industrial flooring in Glasgow is designed to function as a way for a company to stave off the threat of legal action. The main problem companies such as this face is someone being injured and suing the company. Due to potentially dangerous machinery in the vicinity, when something does go wrong it goes very wrong.

By installing the right type of flooring, companies increase the level of health and safety and reduce the chances of an accident.

Furthermore, health and safety authorities demand it. You can sustain heavy fines if a health and safety inspector discovers you do not have the right flooring in place. You will have to review the condition of the floor regularly. If it needs replacing, it will have to be done straight away. This is one area of work safety you absolutely cannot compromise on.

Smart Tips for Preparing to Install Plastic Laminate Flooring

Plastic laminate flooring appeared just before the turn of the century. For a while, it was considered a gimmick and nothing more. Most builders would not take it seriously. All that has changed, though. Now it is one of the most popular forms of flooring in the world.

If you are working with one of the flooring companies in Glasgow, you should always use them for a more professional installation. In the event you want to go at it alone, here are some smart tips for installing plastic laminate flooring.

Remove the Shoe Moulding

If there’s some shoe moulding running along your baseboard, this should be removed. Leave the baseboard moulding alone, though. It is what always should be done with any floor, including Karndean flooring in Glasgow.

Remove the shoe moulding using a pry bar. This shoe moulding will be replaced during the installation. When you do put it back, it will cover the expansion gap between the baseboard and the planks of laminate.

Undercutting the Casing

One challenge any flooring installer has is making sure their flooring fits around doorways. You will have to trim and undercut the parts of the floor that go close to the doors. This is especially true with door casings and side jambs, where the flooring will have to slide underneath.

Make this easy on yourself by putting a piece of rubber underlay in front of the casing. Put a scrap piece of floor on top. This will demonstrate how high the cut needs to be. Use a saw or oscillating multi tool to cut across the top of the floor scrap and the casing. This tactic can be used to cut any other casings and side jambs you need.

The Subfloor

The subfloor is the floor underneath the floor you normally walk on. Prepare this floor by knocking down any nail heads you come across.

Walk through the room and listen for any squeaks. If you hear any, it means something has come loose. When you get to a squeak, take a two-inch screw, and drive it into the subfloor. If you get it on the right spot, this will stop the squeaking.

It works best when putting the screws through any joists.

Measure the First and Last Row

Installers of Amtico flooring in Glasgow know they have to make the floor balanced by getting the same width for the first and last rows. Remember, you can only split planks in half. You cannot split them down any further.

Measuring this is easy. First of all, subtract the expansion space where you will have the small gap between each wall from the room’s total width.

Divide the width of one plank by the calculation you got from the room’s width minus the expansion space. Now you have how many full-width planks you need to cover the floor. Anything after a decimal point is a fractional width. If the width left over is less than half of a plank, rip down the first row and you will get a last row that has at least half a plank in it.

Quick Tips for Preserving Laminate Flooring

Preserving laminate flooring is important for keeping it looking in the best condition possible. It is not difficult to do this. Anyone can implement the following tips. Keeping away some of the more difficult stains that can get onto office flooring make things a tad more difficult.

With the help of Glasgowflooringservices.com, we have come up with a few quick tips for preserving your laminate flooring.

Preventing Scratches during Cleaning

There is more to your room than the floor. So many cleaning guides spend so much time on not scratching the floor they forget about the rest of your furniture. In the case of TV stands and coffee tables, place felt pads around their legs.

Most people prefer to do this with all furniture, just in case. Do this and you will not accidentally chip something off while you are scrubbing away.

High Traffic Damage

The danger of high traffic is a regular danger, yet few people know how to do something about it. No, the best option is not to tell people to just not walk on the floor. There are better options. An easy way to do this is to add an area rug to a high traffic area.

How do you find a high traffic area, though?

Simple. Look for places where people regularly sit. For example, in a residential setting someone may put a rug in front of the couch. It is where feet regularly rest, so naturally it’s going to put extra strain on the floor. Not only is it stylish, but it also stops your laminate flooring from having substances spilled on top of it.

Furniture Moving

Every so often, we might decide to move furniture around. This is where carpet and flooring in Glasgow commonly becomes damaged. When you are moving furniture around, lift the pieces up. Never slide them around. If you must slide them, you can get sliding pads that fit under them. They work by putting the furniture on top and then dragging one corner around with you.

Nail Polish Remover

If you have someone in the vicinity who loves to use nail polish, you know how difficult it can be to get rid of it when it hits laminate flooring. It is one of the worst stains you can have. A mop and bucket will not be able to get rid of it. Instead, pick up an acetone-based nail polish remover. This works very much like the red wine white wine trick for getting red wine off carpets.

Beware of Commercial Cleaners

People who have warranties on carpets and floors need to be careful of commercial cleaners. Warranties often state what cleaners you can and cannot use on a specific floor. This is just a money-spinning venture by the manufacturer to make you buy their branded cleaners instead. Although it would be exceedingly difficult to prove you used a different cleaner, it is not worth the risk.

Stick to plain old water or the cleaner listed in your warranty if you want to stay protected in a worst-case scenario.

6 Things You Didn't Know About Radiant Flooring

Radiant flooring is the new hot thing in flooring now. It uses the various wires and pipes beneath your floor to remove that horrible 'ice cold' feeling you get when you step onto a wooden floor during the winter months.

Many flooring companies in Glasgow have decided to transition into installing this type of floor. If you have never heard of it before, or you just want to find out more, read on to discover what you did not know about radiant flooring.

1. Three Types

There are three different flooring types available for you to use. You have hot air, electricity, and hot water. These are all different ways of making sure the floor stays warm at all times.

For the purposes of this section, we will take the hot water floor as an example. In this case, hot water is pumped through flexible tubing in contact with the underside of the floor. Naturally, the heat transfers so you have a warm and toasty floor to stand on.

2. Efficiency

It has been ranked as one of the most efficient heating systems you can have in your home. It was ranked far above forced-air systems, as well. This means you can keep your heating bills down and do your bit for the environment.

3. The Noise

Most baseboard heating systems will make noises whenever they are switched on. Forced-air systems are probably the worst of all, as they sound like hair dryers whenever they are switched on. Radiant heating differs because it is almost silent. You can tell that it is there, but it will not distract you from anything.

4. Even Distribution

Radiant flooring is a type of contract flooring that distributes heat evenly. You will not have to worry about where you step on the floor on a cold morning. By distributing heat evenly, you also get more efficiency. Not all the heat is concentrated in a single area unnecessarily.

5. Cost-Effective

You will always save money on your heating bills with radiant flooring. Many people use it instead of over forms of heating. Overall, you are always going to save money simply because of the way the heating works. With other heating systems, you need to heat water to extremely high temperatures of about 140. With radiant flooring, it can work with water at much lower temperatures (around the 100 mark).

6. Allergens

Heat attracts dust and dirt. For people with allergies, this can make a heating system like this a real problem. Forced-air heating systems are known for causing allergies to flare up. They are also known to cause problems for householders who suffer from asthma.

Flooring contractors in Glasgow will tell you these floors suffer from no such problems. They do not release any harmful allergens and any dust can easily be cleaned without affecting the heating system underneath.

Overall, radiant flooring has a number of differences that separate it from other forms of heated floor. It deals with many complaints people had about other heating options. With a high level of efficiency and its ability to not disturb those who suffer from allergies, it's no surprise to see this quickly becoming one of the most popular types of flooring available.

5 Ways you're Ruining Your Hardwood Floor without Realising It

Flooring companies in Glasgow regularly find themselves having to replace floors that have not received the care and attention they deserve. Although over a long period you can expect your floor to decline, you can do something about it. You can extend the life of your floor.

In this article, we are going to introduce you to some of the common mistakes people make with their hardwood floors.

1. No Welcome Mat

A welcome mat is not there to welcome people to your home. It is supposed to get people to wipe the grit and grime off their shoes. Let us say someone has stepped over a puddle of rock salt in the winter. This is an abrasive material. Without the welcome mat to wipe it on, it is going to rub into the floor and cause scratching.

Always encourage people to use the welcome mat. This can be either an outdoor mat or an indoor one.

2. Forgetting the Furniture Pads

Furniture pads are those things that go under couches to stop them from moving around. They also take some of the shock of a heavy objective driving into your hardwood floor. All carpet and flooring in Glasgow will wear away over time where the bottom of heavy furniture is.

Some two-inch furniture discs under the couch will keep the feet off the floor and reduce the amount of wear. Over time, a heavy couch in regular use can actually dent the planks.

3. Bringing the Outdoors Inside

Hardwood floors are particularly susceptible to water damage. This is why you have to be particularly careful about bringing the outside inside. If it is a rainy day, take shoes off before you step onto the floor. If you happen to have a pool, make sure everyone dries off outside. Dog bowls are another major offender. A lapping dog can send puddles of water all over your hardwood floor.

Be vigilant when it comes to water damage. If you let water seep under the floorboards, it can cause long-term rotting.

4. Using the Wrong Cleaners

Commercial flooring in Glasgow that uses the hardwood material will always have a specific cleaning regime. The cleaner will go through a specific step-by-step process when cleaning everything up.

What many households do not know is how to clean their hardwood floor. Certain chemicals and cleaners will damage the finish, or allow a build-up of wax. It can lead to the floor becoming weaker, or it can even void your warranty.

Always get expert advice on what sort of cleaners you need to be using on your floor.

5. Letting it Lie

Never let your floor remain in a bad state for too long. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is not cleaning your floor on a regular basis. This is not much of a problem for the low traffic area. You can get away with cleaning these parts once every six months. High traffic areas will sustain the most punishment. This can steadily remove the finish.

As soon as you notice scratching, you must refinish the area in question. Failing to do so can cause permanent and irreparable damage to the floor.

Revealed - What are the Different Types of Commercial Carpet?

Commercial carpets sound like an easy subject to get to grips with. What many people do not know is there are many different types of carpet. Commercial flooring in Glasgow has many different types just based on the way they are constructed. They all have different advantages and disadvantages. This is why you need to know about the main types before you buy.

In this article, we are going to show you some of the different types of commercial carpet on offer.

Cut Pile

Cut pile carpet has loops cut into the carpet’s weaving. These loops are uniform and stand out slightly from the rest of the fabric. They are designed to offer a more cushioned feel whenever someone steps on them. This is why flooring contractors in Glasgow often find these being chosen for low traffic areas, where businesses want visitors to feel as relaxed as possible.

Level Loop

Level loop carpets have loops of the same height placed throughout the carpet weave. They are uncut to give a smooth surface. These strong loops make this one of the most durable carpets, and therefore ideal for high traffic areas.

Another advantage is the tightness of the loops. They stop dirt from getting into the surface of the carpet, which makes it easier to clean with conventional vacuum cleaners. Level loop carpets help businesses reduce cleaning costs.

Cut and Loop

The cut and loop carpet is a combination of the previous two carpets. Cut and loop offers a medium level of durability, but offers far more in terms of decorative options. The cut and loop style allows for decorative designs and multiple colours, which you simply cannot get with other types of carpet.

They are often chosen for formal areas because the use of different carpet fibre heights makes it easy to hide dirt. You will not have to clean this carpet often because it will stay looking fresh for many months.

Broadloom Carpet

A broadloom carpet is created using a large loom. Most commonly, you will see it used as wall-to-wall carpeting. It tends to be nailed or tacked onto the floor to stop any movement. The lack of a seam means dirt finds it difficult to penetrate the surface. This helps to keep the carpet looking clean.

The problem with a broadloom carpet is you cannot clean it through conventional methods. Its size means you need to pay a professional to clean it.

Carpet Tiles

Carpet tiles are small squares of carpet. They are about one square foot, but they can be made larger. They are fitted together like building blocks to form a full carpet and are a great alternative to bigger carpets because it is possible to simply remove a worn tile and put another one in. You do not have to replace the whole floor.

These are an ideal long-term cost cutting option. Furthermore, there are no limits on the styles and designs you can make using them.

Overall, there is no ‘best’ option. It all depends on your business venue, the amount of time you want to dedicate to maintenance, and how much you want to spend. Evaluate your needs before buying.

Smart Tips for Preserving Your Business's Waxed Floor

Every business knows the importance of a waxed floor. The shine and the way light bounces off the surface make it a thing of beauty. Within weeks, though, that shine has gone after hundreds of pairs of feet have stepped over it. You want to make sure your floor stays in great condition. In this article, we are going to show you how your industrial flooring can be kept in tip top condition.

Neutral Floor Cleaners

Every cleaner is different. What works on amtico flooring in Glasgow will not work for another floor from another brand. In the case of waxed floors, the polymers in the wax are sensitive to strong chemicals. They are especially sensitive to cleaners that are too acidic or too alkaline.

What you need is a neutral floor cleaner. It is easier than it looks. Most floor cleaners will tell you whether they are suitable for use on waxed floors. Get this wrong and you could be doing the waxing all over again.

Use a Burnishing Machine

Professional looking results can only be achieved by using professional techniques. Unlike with commercial carpets, you have to take the time to care for your floor. A burnishing machine can work wonders. These machines enhance the look of a waxed floor. If you are not willing to pay for one, there are plenty of rental machines available.

When you do use a burnishing machine, make sure you use the right pads. The correct pads will make sure the wax is heated to the correct temperature. The wrong burnishing pads will leave swirl marks, instead of that glossy sheen. A professional will be able to help you with your decision.

Understand When You Need an Overhaul

One of the biggest mistakes businesses with commercial floors make is assuming they need to completely overhaul the floor each time it loses its finish. The truth is a quick clean and a new coat of wax could be all that is needed. Before you start planning on a big investment, try the clean and the wax first.

Keeping Cleaning Costs Down

You will have to spend money on cleaning equipment. The trick to keeping costs down is to spend the time to take care of this equipment. Keep the items clean and stored in a cool, dry location. This will keep those costs under control and demonstrate that you are the professional organisation you are trying to be.

Microfiber Cleaning

Microfiber cleaning is a concept most of us have never heard about. There are two primary benefits to using these materials in your cleaning equipment. The first benefit is studies have shown them to be able to pick up larger amounts of dirt and debris. This already demonstrates they are worthwhile.

As an added bonus, they have increased absorbency. This sort of absorbency means you will improve the air quality indoors. In a commercial or industrial environment, this is crucial for the welfare of the people working for your company.

By improving worker welfare, you reduce the number of sick days your workers take, and therefore reduce sick pay and improve productivity. What could be better?

How to Wax Commercial Floors

Flooring companies in Glasgow will always tell you the key to prolonging the life of a commercial floor is to wax it. It is one of the easiest ways to increase its lifespan. Whatever material a floor is made out of, it is always going to be designed to be extremely tough. This is because commercial venues have to deal with thousands of pairs of feet walking over it every week.

In this article, we are going to show you how you should go about waxing your floor.

Do You Need a Professional for the Job?

Waxing is a job anyone can do. Commercial flooring in Glasgow is always waxed in exactly the same way. It does not matter if your floor happens to be made out of linoleum or rubber. As long as your usual cleaner has been trained in the proper waxing procedure, there is no need to spend extra money on bringing in a professional.

Your cleaner should be trained in handling chemicals. If they are not confident using potentially hazardous substances, do not be afraid to outsource.

Prep the Floor

Start by prepping the floor. Waxing is not about cleaning the floor. It is about making it more durable and making sure the next scuff does not ruin it. Start by giving the floor a thorough clean.

Start by sweeping to remove any loose dirt. If there is anything embedded into it, as may be the case when you are using industrial flooring in Glasgow, get a scraper to take it off before waxing. Do not make the mistake of assuming the waxing process will do this for you.

Strip the Floor

Take your favourite stripping solution and mix it with warm water in a bucket. Take a cotton mop and dip it into the mixture. You should wipe the whole floor with this. This will strip the floor entirely and ensure it is in the cleanest condition possible.

With the wax residue in place, you should scrub the edges of the floor and use a putty knife to start scraping the wax off these areas. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining residues. Complete this part with a clean water scrub and wait for the floor to dry before moving to the next step.

New Waxing Solution and Final Coatings
Prepare your new waxing mixture in a bucket and begin mopping the floor with this solution. Apply the wax to small sections of the floor and work your way across. Each time you finish waxing, you will need to wait for it to dry. Depending on the type of floor and the type of wax used, it may take up to six coats of wax to finish the job.

Take the Time
Take note, this is a process best carried out on a weekend or bank holiday. It will take at least 24 hours to complete. Attempting to do this during the working day will cause significant disruption, and may lead to your business losing money, as well as causing an unnecessary amount of stress for your employees.

How to Create an Estimate for a Commercial Flooring Job

With any commercial flooring job, you'll have to create an estimate first. Most flooring companies in Glasgow will provide a free estimate for a job. This prevents the customer from being backed into a corner and forced to make a decision on the spot. It may take time away from other projects, but it's necessary for providing good service.

In this article, we are going to focus on how you should begin creating an estimate for a commercial flooring job.

Attend the Scene

Always attend the work area first. You cannot tell how big a job truly is from the blueprints or a few pictures alone. You never know when there are additional obstacles, such as little alcoves and uneven walls. An experienced contractor will always walk through the scene to understand the true extent of the project in question.

The Material and the Size

With contract flooring, you could find yourself working with a range of materials. You will not have the same price for each one. On the contrary, you can expect to have entirely different prices for every material and every colour. Will it cost you more if you have to order a specific colour or pattern in especially for this job? Questions like this need to be answered.

When you've done that, measure the area you are working on. This will give you a rough idea as to what the customer can expect to pay to have the job carried out.

Establish the Supply

Most industrial flooring in Glasgow has to be ordered in from a supplier. After taking down the requirements of the project, perform a supply check. You do not want to end up in a situation where you have to tell the customer you cannot get the material they want after providing them with an estimate.

Consider Your Costs

Take all your costs into account. So far, you have only taken into account the actual materials and the square footage of the room(s) you'll be working in. You also need to consider how long it is going to take you to complete the project and the impact of any additional costs.

The main cost you will have to consider is labour costs, fuel costs, and any extra deliveries you might have to pay for. It all adds up, and you do not want to affect your profit margins by forgetting to take these into account.

It's Okay to Negotiate…Sometimes

So you've come up with a price and the customer wants to negotiate. This is where you have a decision to make. Experienced contractors understand the buyer wants to make savings. This is why they quote slightly above the price they want. When they reduce it, this will normally be enough to sway the customer.

Always have limits. If the price the customer wants is completely unreasonable, do not be afraid to walk away. Yes, you will have lost all that time spent compiling a quote for no reason, but it is better than leaving yourself out of pocket on a project that is going nowhere. Professionals always know when to walk away.