Providing for the
demand for industrial-chic office interiors, F. Ball and Co. Ltd.'s Stopgap 800
Wearcoat has helped to create a stripped-back warehouse feel with a visually
striking floor finish in a unique London workspace.
A self-levelling
floor compound for upgrading and renovating new and existing internal floors in
light to heavy-duty applications, Stopgap 800 Wearcoat is designed to deliver a
standalone wearing surface in industrial settings where floorcoverings are not
required to be installed.
It is also popular
for domestic and commercial projects because of its eye-catching, natural
appearance, and it has been used by contractors from M.D.A. Contracts Ltd. to
create a hard-wearing floor in the reception, coffee bar and flexible work area
at Expressway, a community of business suites underneath Silvertown Way
flyover, adjacent to the Royal Docks.
M.D.A. Contracts
Ltd. Managing Director, Glenn Alexander, explains the choice: "The
client's brief was an easy-to-maintain, modern, concrete look that would stand
the test of time. They'd originally requested a pumped screed, but due to
height restrictions, we suggested Stopgap 800 Wearcoat instead as it's trowel
applied and it's the only product out there that gives a polished concrete look."
Upon arrival, old
carpet tiles and adhesive residues had already been removed, revealing a sound,
and smooth concrete substrate. Dust and debris were then cleared, before a
moisture test was carried out, the results of which showed relative humidity
levels were below 75%. This allowed the contractors to proceed without the
requirement of a waterproof surface membrane to prevent potential floor
failure.
The concrete
subfloor was then primed with two dilute coats of F. Ball's Stopgap P131
general purpose primer, which is designed to prevent the unacceptably rapid
drying of subsequently applied Stopgap levelling compounds and promote their
adhesion to the substrate.
Following this,
the application of Stopgap 800 Wearcoat commenced in the 130m2 space. Owing to the removal of
internal walls to create a larger reception, the product had to be applied at
varying depths between 5-8mm. A spiked roller was used to eliminate entrapped
air and smooth out flow lines to give a more uniform surface appearance. After
the levelling compound had cured, contractors returned to seal the floor for
its protection and to enable easy cleaning and maintenance.
Glenn Alexander
added: "The client was over the moon with the final result. They had
envisaged a standard, monotone floor, so they were surprised to see the
character and depth of the colour and patterns — they fell in love with it.
"We use only
F. Ball products for several reasons, including the fact that they are
guaranteed if there are any issues, and the support you get from their team -
you've got a trusted manufacturer you know you can rely on."
