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Passion for timber floors
President’s
report...
Staff & contributors
Editor
Randy Flierman and Nick Warren
editor@atfa.com.au
Contributing writers & photographers
Clayton Villars, Randy Flierman, Shane
Jones, David Hayward, Finn Collins, Adrian
Silva, Brett Scarpella, Phil Holgate, Phil
Buckley, Nick Warren and IRIQ Law.
Advertising sales
Randy Flierman –admin@atfa.com.au
phone 1300 36 1693
Production & design
Design & print –Bad Betty Creative
jake@badbettycreative.com
With some available time courtesy of a little holiday in isolation in an 18m2
Brisbane hotel room, I took the opportunity to look back over the last 49
issues of the Timber Floors magazine – and I have seen how our association
as well as the publication have developed and grown into what we have
today. It all started back in 2007 with Issue 1 and a very young looking
CEO. Terms like ‘hybrid flooring’ were largely unknown – how much the
timber flooring industry has changed with the demand and the times.
Behind the scenes, the Board and ATFA staff members convened for two
days on the Sunshine Coast for a strategic planning day and board meeting.
We are working on a strategy plan for the next five years, and I would
suggest that there are some exciting times ahead of us.
Being from Kiwi land it’s probably not appropriate to make any comments
on the Australian federal election, but I do hope that the change in
government will allow business confidence to grow and stabilise.
A quick mention about the current situation in Russia and the Ukraine. It
is difficult to know the total impact and repercussions that this may have
on the timber and flooring industry, but we are already starting to see some
effects. I can’t imagine what it would be like living in those regions.
Timber Floors may not be produced in whole or part
without the written consent of the publisher. Views
expressed within this publication are not necessarily the
opinions of the editors or publisher. Whilst all efforts are
made to ensure the accuracy and truthfulness of stories
included in this issue, the writers, editors and publisher
cannot be held responsible for inaccurate information
supplied for publication. Timber Floors also holds no
responsibility for any advertisements printed in this
magazine that may be deemed inaccurate.
With our borders again opening up to the world, I do note that some
members are starting to travel to international trade shows and reconnect
with suppliers, colleagues and friends. This is a very positive sign.
In this issue...
Publisher
Australasian Timber Flooring Association
11 Oleander Ave Shelly Beach QLD 4551
ph 1300 361 693 | fax 1300 361 793
atfa.com.au | ABN 16 524 524 226
New Zealand: ph 0800 453 715 | atfa.co.nz
04
CEO update... a chance to reflect on where
we started and what we have achieved!
06
Project profile... Eleebana
property transfromed.
Clayton Villars | President
Australasian Timber Flooring Association
18
Member profile... WoodCrete.
39
Around the traps.
20
Technical article... A year of floods
on the East Coast of Australia.
40
Helpful websites.
40
ATFA Calendar.
22
Thank you for the support!
42
26
Technical article... Australian
standards on slip resistance.
IR Talk... Recent High Court
rulings deemed “frightening”.
08
Business... Have you been short paid?
10
Business... ATFA Product testing.
12
Case study... My engineered floating
floor squeaks and cracks.
31
Technical article... Beware
of cleaning chemicals.
16
For our Kiwi members... Man vs Debt: the
Bear Grylls survival guide to managing
the risk of head contractor insolvency.
34
Technical article... Q&A on Coatings.
36
Technical article... It’s all just a
little bit of history repeating...
ISSUE 50 | 2022
3
ATFA update July 2022
CEO update...
With this, our 50th edition of ATFA Timber
Floors, is a chance to reflect on where we
started and what we’ve achieved in 17 years.
Randy Flierman, ATFA CEO.
After humble beginnings in mid 2005, it was Winter 2007 when the first edition of ATFA
Timber Floors hit your desks, and that was primarily with thanks to Malcolm Johnston, one
of ATFA’s founding members. Working with our first producer Pure Graphics, Malcolm and
our greatly appreciated volunteer article contributors started a proud history that just
keeps getting better!
The support for ATFA Timber Floors is amazing, and members
•
Organised 3 to 4 golf days per year across Australia and
keep telling us that receiving and having this publication in hard
New Zealand, bringing members together socially, and
copy is a must – there’s nothing like a lunch break and a casual
giving an opportunity for a day off from the rigors of work.
read in the van!
Over the 50 editions of ATFA Timber Floors, we have outlined
many of the initiatives that have seen ATFA grow to an
•
(pandemic times excluded).
•
•
•
Ladies of ATFA Breakfast and a training or forum activity.
•
across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, conducting
within the timber flooring sector.
over 600 inspections per year. Now with over 60% of
Produced over 105 information sheet sets, on a vast array
inspections via insurance companies.
•
•
Produced 50 issues of this magazine.
•
Issued electronic bulletins regularly.
•
Produced and distributed the ATFA Product Buying Guide to
60,000 architects, specifiers and building professionals –
quarterly for all relevant flooring products.
•
Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
•
including Product of the Week despatches and information
Conducted 10 trade nights per year, bringing members
Conducted at least six webinars per year for the past eight
sheet despatches. During COVID, ATFA kept members
abreast almost daily on Government regulations.
•
as a range of online options, the Diploma, online modules
and in-house training – on average providing a selection of
15 options per year.
4
customers, but also containing direct access to important
Conducted a range of training offerings each year,
including one and two-day face to face offerings, as well
Changed member cards to electronic member cards, not
only containing their member details for presentation to
years.
•
Implemented an effective communication strategy that
constantly provides essential information to members,
together to network, learn and liaise with manufacturers
•
Established a strong and professional social media
platform, incorporating Facebook, member only Facebook,
showcasing our industry to the full building industry.
and suppliers.
Operated a market data capture program for the past
12 years, capturing sentiment and product volume sales
Produced templates for all the essential business
compliance needs of small to medium businesses.
•
Established an inspection system, now with 20 inspectors
Created an industry standard manual for every product
of topics.
•
Introduced Timber Flooring Week – not just including the
awards, but also the Flooring Industry Trade Day (FIT), the
organisation of over 900 members – far beyond anyone’s
imagination. Here’s a snapshot:
Conducted the annual industry awards each year
information such as the ATFA information sheets.
•
Created an EMC and basic costing app, available for free
worldwide, on Apple and Android devices.
continued »
ISSUE 50 | 2022
ATFA welcomes the following
Premium Contractor & Patron Members.
New Silver Patron Member:
Imagine Floors by Airstep
At Airstep, we have an extensive range of Australian made carpet underlays and
hard flooring underlays manufactured from a variety of materials. We have a long
and proud history supplying the highest quality foam and rubber underlays to
local and international clients, from private residences to large-scale commercial
projects. And best of all, 90% of our product is manufactured on site at our head
office in Melbourne, Australia.
New Blue Patron Members:
Crows Nest Floorworld
Offering a wide range of carpets, timbers, carpet tiles, oak, laminate, vinyl,
hybrid and bamboo flooring from the best brands in Australia and internationally,
Floorworld has a flooring product to suit any home or commercial space.
Floor Distributors Pty Ltd
Floor Distributors is a 100% Australian owned wholesale flooring company
focusing on the supply of quality flooring products, and related accessories.
Our vast range includes Engineered Oak, Australian Timber, Laminate and
Hybrid Flooring.
Big Panda Flooring
At BIG PANDA, all flooring is professionally selected to suit commercial properties
and residential homes, with a maximum of 25 years warranty provided. BIG PANDA
focus on quality and customer service.
•
In recent years introduced the hugely informative pod/
•
•
•
Operated further technical services including oven testing,
•
some jurisdictions to implement and improve licensing
compliance program, as well as essential research projects.
conditions.
Produced three industry PR campaigns per year (excluding
Provided ongoing support to consumers and conducted
campaigns to promote use of ATFA members.
•
•
Maintained two incredible websites www.atfa.com.au as
well as our consumer site www.floorchoices.com.au
•
Achieved the all important ISO 9001 certification for ATFA
in 2019.
Offered a range of partner services for members that
Naturally, if you’d like to know more about any of these services,
include savings for insurance, medicare, test and tag,
just get in touch with us on 1300 36 1693 or admin@atfa.com.au
and fuel.
•
Represented the industry, working with Regulators in
timber ID, moisture content testing; introduced the product
the pandemic years).
•
Represented the industry in negotiations to continually
improve apprenticeship training.
vodcasts featuring one-on-one technical insights.
Participated in Australian Standards deliberations.
ISSUE 50 | 2022
Members are ATFA!
5
Project profile...
Eleebana property
transformed.
Nestled in the lakeside suburb of Eleebana, in NSW’s Lake Macquarie region, is a now
large family home that underwent extensive renovations, designed to bring it into the
current decade. At the start of their renovation journey, the owners wanted to create
a more modern home with additional space for their family of 5 to live, without having
to knock down and rebuild.
With a wide range of renovations, Bull
the new floors could be installed. Patch
Building completely transformed
work was undertaken on the voids
the home to meet the client’s brief. A
left after the removal of walls and the
primary part of the project saw a second
subfloor had to be repaired in various
story added, the removal of a 90s style
locations. Ensuring a smooth and perfect
kitchen and change in the layout of
base was the first step in the installation
the downstairs living area to create an
process.
open plan space that fitted this family’s
lifestyle.
Shane Jones, Installation and
Technical Co-Ordinator for Havwoods
Havwoods International were engaged
International, installed the engineered
to supply and install the client’s selected
timber boards as per the specified
engineered timber floor. The flooring
glue down method. Using a full trowel
product chosen was Villach from
adhesive system before clicking the
Havwood’s Pure Plank range. Villach
boards into place with the built-in click
is an FSC certified engineered timber
system.
flooring product made from European
Oak and finished with a matt lacquer.
The natural, character grade, oak board
shows the beautiful grain and knots
through the timber and is a versatile tone
that was selected to complement the
new kitchen.
Given the extensive renovations, there
was a lot of preparation required before
6
The new flooring was installed
throughout the downstairs space and
continued up the internal stairs and
through to the main thoroughfare areas
of the second level. Acoustic underlay
was used on the upper level to reduce
noise travelling through the downstairs
ceiling.
continued »
ISSUE 49
50 | 2022
The flooring was able to be laid before the kitchen was
finished, eliminating the need for additional trims. The
kitchen cabinetry was installed straight on top of the floor,
resulting in a clean and modern finish.
Freshly painted skirting was installed on top of the
floorboards, which again allowed for a clean finish for this
renovated home.
The clients were “absolutely in love” with the engineered
timber floors selected and not only spoke highly of their
experience in selecting their perfect floor, but were
delighted with the end result. The supply and installation
of a floor that was warm yet modern, and allowed for a
consistent flow throughout the renovated home, truly
delivered on the client’s brief.
Supplier of flooring: Havwoods International
Installer of flooring: Shane Jones –Installation and Technical Co-Ordinator for Havwoods International
Builder: Bull Building
Photographer: Atelier Photography
ISSUE 50 | 2022
7
Business...
Have you been
short paid?
Randy Flierman, ATFA CEO.
Have you been
Times and people have changed. When it comes to business transactions,short
mostpaid?
consumers
are circumspect at their first encounter with you. Unfortunately, honesty, consideration and
patience all seem lost human traits these days. Every day we take calls from members who
have had that ‘difficult’ customer – you know, the one you had some warning bells go off
about even when you first met them? This article aims to try and help you better protect
yourself, and advise what to do if things do go pear shape.
The first rule of ‘floor club’: Do the job
•
Always do a final job check (do a
•
Should it come to it, the next step
right in the first place (no short cuts;
walk through with the customer);
is a debt collector (or you could try
follow all guidelines and regulations),
take photos and ask the customer to
through small claims depending on
– this will give you a solid foundation
sign off.
the amount). Debt collection isn’t as
from which to deal with any challenges.
Be honest, transparent and constantly
communicating and things should go
smoothly.
expensive as you might think. If the
ATFA has quotation and contract
consumer has lodged a dispute with
templates free to members and a great
a court, tribunal or even sought an
information sheet on deposit laws.
inspection with ATFA, best to hold
Dealing with being short paid or failure
off with debt collection and work
to be paid:
through that process. And if the
•
At the first hint of a problem, put
customer has instigated tribunal
everything in writing – if you have
or court proceedings, please get
a phone discussion, confirm all
legal assistance. A tribunal for
For your protection:
in an email immediately after the
instance, just needs to find one
•
Clarify expectations and factually
discussion. Probably sounds painful;
small thing to tip the proceedings in
provide details on products,
however, this diligence may save you
the consumer’s favour. The ‘balance
ensuring you check on family health
tens of thousands if the situation
of probability’ does not start in your
considerations.
gets out of hand and you end up
favour here, regardless of how right
in court or a tribunal. It’s evidence
you might be.
The key word there was ‘should’. Do
everything right and sometimes things
can still go off the rails anyway, and
that’s where the following is important.
•
Produce a clear and detailed
you’ve tried everything to resolve
quotation so there are no surprises.
the matter.
•
The final straw, get a lawyer
involved – yes that is expensive, so
•
Use a contract – these protect you!
•
If you’re dealing with a builder or
negotiation hasn’t resolved the
company, do a credit check. We’ve
on how much the job owes you.
matter and you’re still not paid, it’s
seen too many members get stung
ATFA has lawyers available in most
time to write a ‘letter of demand’.
for big dollars.
jurisdictions who can provide some
ATFA has a template for this, or you
legal assistance over the phone for
Stick to the regulated deposit
could get a lawyer to do it. This is
no charge (members only).
•
amount and utilise progress
payments in keeping with the job
progress.
8
•
If you’re now at the point where
you’ll need to make a decision based
formally written and doesn’t leave
any doubt that you are pursuing
your payment. Be sure to send it by
registered mail.
ISSUE 50 | 2022
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Business...
ATFA
Product
Testing
Randy Flierman, ATFA CEO.
These days ATFA provides so many
services to members that some
happen without too much fanfare
– such as product testing – yet are
essential to assist the industry
operate successfully.
Oven Dry Moisture Content Testing
While contractors utilise handheld moisture meters to assess
timber onsite, there are many occasions where a more accurate
service can be utilised, and testing using an oven provides a far
more accurate assessment. Testing is carried out in accordance
with Australian Standard AS 1080.1 Timber – Methods of Test.
Oven dry moisture content testing is also the only recognised
method for testing particleboard and plywood subfloors.
Onsite Moisture Testing
Onsite moisture content testing (utilising impedance meters
for concrete and resistance or capacitance meters for timber)
is also a great way to set yourself up well for a job – by getting
independent verification from an ATFA inspector that the job
you’re undertaking is kicking off from a sound footing. Getting
independent input regarding the moisture content of a concrete
slab and checking the timber flooring that’s arrived at site, will
provide peace of mind.
Timber Species Identification
When matching existing timber in a job with the corresponding
same species, or repairing an existing floor, obtaining an
accurate analysis of what the existing timber is, becomes
essential. Trying to determine a species by eye is a lottery –
ask 6 people and you’ll get 6 different answers. ATFA provides
a scientific service (microscopic analysis of wood cells) to
ascertain what the species is.
To utilise the three services above (cheaper rates for members),
please visit https://www.atfa.com.au/moisture-content-testingand-species-identification/
Product Compliance
Finally, manufacturers, product importers and suppliers can
obtain ATFA product compliance status for their range of
products. This provides contractors with some certainty that
manufacturers are responsible in providing a compliant product
to market and data sheets that apply to Australia and New
Zealand. To obtain compliance, a stringent set of specifications
are required to be met. Success results in a listing on the ATFA
website.
While this service is only available to members, you can find
out more on product compliance at https://www.atfa.com.au/
members-services/product-compliance/
10
ISSUE 50 | 2022
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Case study...
My engineered
floating floor
squeaks and
crackles.
David Hayward, ATFA Technical Manager.
Engineered flooring comes with either
a T&G jointing system with the joints
glued on installation or a ‘click together’
jointing system where no adhesive is
needed. Irrespective of the jointing
system we get some floors that crackle
when walked on and others that squeak
when walked on. In this article ATFA’s
technical manager David Hayward will
consider a floor that had both issues.
The flooring product
The flooring had an Oak top surface wear layer (lamella) of
3mm that was bonded onto a plywood base layer. The boards
were 180mm wide and 14mm thick. Boards were profiled with a
click jointing system and the flooring laid on a 2mm thick foam
underlay over the concrete slab subfloor. The underlay also had
a moisture vapour barrier layer.
What is being investigated and why?
With floated floors there will be some vertical movement
when walking on the floor due to floor being floated on a foam
underlay. Because of this, a small amount of noise is common
and to be expected. Concerns arise when the squeaks or
crackling are prominent in the floor, as they were with this floor.
12
ISSUE 50 | 2022
What needs to be considered?
Noise when walking on engineered click system floors is generally due to movement in
the jointing system – when two surfaces rub together, there is potential for noise from a
floor. With this floor (shown in the first photo), it crackled with every step throughout
the whole floor and in a few areas made very loud squeaking noises. The floor had
recently been laid, so the primary cause of the noises occurring from the time of
installation were not considered to be from environmental influences. Subfloor flatness
can result in squeaks, but is less often a major factor regarding the crackling noise. This
is because a subfloor is more likely to only have some areas that are not sufficiently
flat, rather than throughout. As such, the manufacturing tolerance within the jointing
system needed consideration, and particularly the tolerance in the end and edge joints.
Investigation and analysis
It is therefore necessary to consider both subfloor flatness and board machining
tolerances regarding the squeaks; and board machining tolerance regarding the
crackling. In the few locations where the squeaking was present, the flatness of the
floor was assessed and with a straight edge resting on the floor, to one end, there was
a gap of a few millimetres beneath (as shown in the second photo). This is therefore a
contributing factor; but board machining tolerances also needed consideration.
The third photo is a close-up, showing the end joint in boards left over from the job.
The end joint was not a tight fit and permitted both horizontal and vertical movement
when joined. Although the boards along either edge would provide restraint, any
unevenness in the subfloor would also result in some movement in the end joints under
foot pressure. When board ends touch there is squeaking at the end joints. Hence, the
loose fit associated with machining tolerances was also considered a significant factor
contributing to the squeaking.
Lipping
These gaps permit
vertical movement
continued »
ISSUE 50 | 2022
13
Case study...
My engineered floating floor
squeaks and crackles.
continued
In regard to the crackling noise, some companies try to address this by applying wax
to the joint at the time of manufacture. If this is not done, then greater care is needed
with maintaining appropriate tolerances in the jointing system. It has been found that if
the edge jointing system rotates under foot pressure, then crackling noises can emanate
from the floor. When there is no rotation there is no noise.
With this flooring the edge joint was able to rotate. The fourth photo shows the boards
joined to provide a flat horizontal surface. But also note that there is a gap beneath the
tongue as shown by the arrow. This gap in effect will permit rotation of the board joint
when walked on, and result in a crackling noise from the floor. The last photo shows the
rotation that is possible; but, also note that in an installed floor the rotation would be
much less. The arrow in this photo shows the point where rubbing occurs.
jhjkfhkjghfdzv29894043
What can we learn from this?
This article demonstrates the importance of having the jointing profile machined
correctly. It is also quite easy to check at the time of laying – by cutting some small
sections and fitting both end and edge joints. You may ask whether there are jointing
systems that are less inclined to rotate and rub when a floor is walked on. In the
scanned images below are two products with a similar jointing system and with no
indication that noise was an issue with this flooring. With these profiles, it was noted
that the boards either ‘click’ into place rather than ‘sliding’ into place, or the fit could be
described as very slightly loose.
There was also no gap under the tongue and as such no significant joint rotation.
Incidentally, the floor considered in this article was lifted and reinstalled as an adhesive
fixed floor, which resolved the noise problems.
14
ISSUE 50 | 2022
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For further information please contact Loba Australasia
on 1300 PH LOBA or Brett Scarpella 0419 326 976
For our Kiwi members...
Man vs Debt: the Bear Grylls
survival guide to managing
the risk of head contractor
insolvency.
Finn Collins, Partner | Gibson Sheat.
The point about inflation is that rising costs typically
make us all pause and consider spending less.
If petrol becomes prohibitively expensive then as a matter of
signed long before anyone realised the severity of the problem.
logic many of us will become prudent about how much we travel
Let’s look first at the warning signs that you are at risk of not
to reduce the time spent filling up at the gas station, or we will
being paid:
consider alternatives like electric cars. Over time, that reduces
demand and so ultimately – disruptive world events aside – the
•
Rumours in the industry. Sometimes rumours are no
more than that – but it’s amazing how quickly news
price of petrol should come down. So, in effect, the thing that
spreads if a well-known contractor is lurching towards
should kill inflation is inflation itself. But in the interim will that
disaster. Sometimes it’s well-known even before they
same inflation kill off existing and new building contracts and
miss a payment. Keep your ear to the ground and talk to
more importantly building contractors?
your competitors and you may have the opportunity to
On most large projects the contracts are signed months before
do something beforehand – like securing your materials
any real work gets underway. Prices are locked in and there
safely or being cautious not to have any more materials
is limited ability for adjustment. Even in current times where
than you absolutely need on site. A liquidator will put on
cost fluctuation clauses are more common, these tend to only
security guards and keep these materials, unless you have
limit the risk on the cost of certain materials. It is still rare
a registered security interest – but that is something on
that a contract will allow for the entire price to be adjusted for
which you would need to seek legal advice.
inflation by say 4% every 6 months; but, even then inflation is
currently – and in the case of some materials – much higher
•
If your phone calls go unanswered. Liquidators usually
advise directors of a company that is a week or two from
than any arbitrary contractual and commercially acceptable
being put into liquidation, to throw away their sim cards
inflation percentage would permit.
so that they cannot answer calls. Again, think carefully
So, the financial risk for a head contractor on a project of
about where you are with your works on site – dare I say it,
lengthy duration or of medium-term duration in times of strong
but going slow for a week or two, while being a breach of
inflation is enormous. Add to that labour shortages, supply
the contract, may on the flipside reduce the amount of the
chain constraints, delays on and off site and tightened credit
progress payment that will go unpaid.
lending rules, and we have a perfect storm of financial bear
traps that will lead good contractors and bad into an insolvency
situation.
•
Slow payment. If they are known to be slow payers then in
these times – when work is abundant – why are you working
for them? But if it’s out of character for them to be slow
Most lawyers will at this point jump in and advise on all sorts
then push for advance payments, personal guarantees or
of contract and security arrangements that could be made to
other security arrangements – and if they complain that’s
mitigate the risk for a subcontractor concerned about being
not allowed for in the contract then say that slow payment
paid. But, the problem is that in most cases the subcontract was
is not allowed either.
16
ISSUE 50 | 2022
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Contractually, the best thing to do is stop work as soon as you
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have not been paid. But, to do so lawfully needs a clause or a
statutory right to enable you to do so. Here’s an example clause
or tag:
We shall be entitled to, immediately and without notice,
suspend any further work on credit if any payment is not made
by the due date.
In the absence of such a clause you need to think carefully
about the risks of being in breach for stopping work vis-à-vis
the risk of incurring more debt to an insolvent company. Many
savvy contractors will have just enough of a site presence not
to be in breach but without committing and putting at risk
significant expenditure, at least until they are confident that the
head contractor will be able to see the contract through.
In the meantime, on new contracts, insist on larger deposits and,
if you can, balance your risk by being careful by avoiding large
scale projects unless you can contract directly with a principal
that is either a council, a government entity or a developer
known to have a strong balance sheet. My prediction is that
direct contracting between subcontractors and principals – with
the head contractor having just a project management role – is
likely to become more common and there is no reason why
subcontractors can’t ask for that now.
ISSUE 50 | 2022
17
Member profile...
WoodCre
Grant McConaghy and Danny Gleeson are the Directors of WoodCrete and have put
their heart and soul in to making the business well known in their immediate markets.
The hard work has paid dividends as they have now grown to employ 7 staff – not just
experienced but also very willing to help and service our clients.
The staff of WoodCrete possess over 90 years of combined experience. General
Manager, Tony Reed’s 30 years of experience, mostly in adhesives; Darren Bell’s 20
years’ experience, primarily in coatings; and Branch Manager, Paul Robinson with over
15 years of experience with concrete; make this a strong all-round team. Together with
Directors Danny Gleeson and Grant McConaghy with vast experience in both concrete
and timber, there’s an expert to cover every base.
“We are always conscious of how physically demanding the jobs
of our customers are, (Danny was on the tools before starting
WoodCrete) and our intention is to always offer superior service that
makes it easier for the contractor.“
“This also pertains to equipment and machinery. New products
need to meet a certain criteria in offering the contractor a real
benefit – this is no more evident than with Fg Floortec machines that
we import from Germany. They have designed very user-friendly
machinery while offering the power or finesse required to complete
any floor project. We are very proud of our range of machines and are
seeing very high demand currently for the Brand.” –Grant McConaghy
18
ISSUE 50 | 2022
ete
WoodCrete recently reached a major
milestone – over 10 years as a successful
business, supplying to both the timber and
concrete flooring trades and associated
construction industries.
WoodCrete have also launched their own brand of
products suited to both the installation and coating
of timber floors – WoodEze, MS adhesive and 2k
water-based polyurethane in Natural, Matt, Satin and
Semi-Gloss – which have been very well received by
the market overall.
Further to this, WoodCrete are direct importers
of Cork from Portugal and offer a wide range of
alternatives to the Trade – Cork Tiles (pre-glued,
bevelled, coloured and or coated in any combination),
pretty much whatever you want, they have it covered.
With an increased reputation for quality in this area,
Grant comments that “It’s hard to stay on top of at
the moment – with longer time for production and
transport, we are literally selling from the water, as the
stock is in progress to us.”
Offering the best products, service and knowledge
is just part of how WoodCrete can help you with your
next flooring project.
ISSUE 50 | 2022
19
Technical article...
A year of floods on the
East Coast of Australia.
David Hayward, ATFA Technical Manager.
Towards the end of 2021 and through
to mid 2022 we have seen floods
in Victoria, New South Wales and
Queensland. Many timber floors have
been affected and it will be some
time before they are all remediated or
replaced. In this article David Hayward,
ATFA Technical Manager will discuss
the way some floors have reacted in
his home state of Queensland and how
the weather patterns have also differed
from expected.
They also provided this interesting graph from the Bureau of
Yes, I live in Brisbane and have done so for many years, so I
What about our timber floors? Even from just 30 years ago
know that when the summer wet season comes, we are prone
we have seen many changes both in flooring products and
to flooding. At times the wet season really is no wet season, but
installation methods, and seldom with thought of flood in mind.
the 2021-22 wet season has been intense, and it is affecting
But, as indicated in ATFA information sheet No 31 developed
both Queensland and New South Wales. As I watched parts of
after the 2011 floods in Brisbane, things have changed. In
Brisbane go under water, I was tempted to think that this was
summary, this information sheet indicated that the most robust
just a repeat of the past, but I was not the only one to think
timber floor in floods was a solid timber floor installed direct to
this. The ABC News made the comment “What astounds about
joists; although some may disagree, as some full-bed
floods in Brisbane is that they continue to take us by surprise”
adhesive-fixed floors can also take a lot of punishment.
and they accompanied their article with this image from 1893.
Meteorology indicating flood peaks at the Brisbane Port Office.
If we consider moderate to major floods in Brisbane from 1832
to 1900, a period of 68 years, there were 15 events; and from
1900 to 2017, some 117 years, just 4 events. Have we been
spared by climate change from the year 1900?
Brisbane R at Port Office #
Highest Annual Flood Peaks
9
8
Guage Height (m)
7
6
5
4
Major
3
Moderate
2
Minor
1
0
1832
1856
1880
1904
1928
1952
1976
2000
2024
Now, I want to show you two
floors, and with these age
is a benefit as we find that
with age timber floors are
less responsive to
moisture-related expansion.
We are also aware that highdensity species such as
Spotted Gum and Ironbark,
if flooded for a day or so, do
not really absorb that much
water and if we can quickly
get airflow beneath, then
the floor soon starts to dry.
20
ISSUE 50 | 2022
The floor in the first photo is in a
ago they installed a pulley and winch
years. With the high humidity, nothing
low-lying area in Brisbane and close
system to raise the organ console above
wants to dry and many are experiencing
to the Brisbane River. The floor is old,
water level. It can be seen hoisted a
mould growth on soft furnishings. So,
rusticated, has had a torrid history, but is
meter or so up in the left of the first
this becomes our next challenge. And,
still sound. Yes, it shows some cupping
photo. So perhaps some do learn from
whereas in days gone by we would wait
but with good ventilation beneath
the past.
for things to dry, our pace of life and
and enough time it will still flatten
significantly. Now what is interesting,
when talking to the owner, is that this
was the third flood that the floor had
experienced and still has enough timber
to be resanded again. This time the floor
The final aspect I want to discuss is the
out of the ordinary weather pattern we
have had this year. Not only have we had
the summer wet season but continual
wet weather that is still with us in May.
expectations often demand a more
immediate response. We do now have
drying equipment and methods that can
assist, but it would be nice to have sunny
days and lower humidity conditions.
Where are the sunny blue skies that
As for the coming years, well who
Queenslanders expect at this time of
knows? But do be aware that in the
The next two photos are of a church that
the year? Periods of extensive rain and
1800s, the Brisbane River spilled its
one of the other inspectors looked at in
very high humidity are also creating their
banks much more frequently than in the
northern NSW. This timber floor is over
own problems with our timber floors.
1900s. Through the 1900s did we become
100 years old and was submerged by
Floors installed two years ago now have
complacent about the propensity for
about half a meter of water. Afterwards,
expansion-related problems – a
flooding? Even the church floor at 100
it showed little to no cupping. Various
14-year-old floor now showing cupping
years old has only seen a part of this
areas had carpet and other areas the
due to changed conditions in the subfloor
history.
exposed timber floor. Some thirty years
space that had not occurred in preceding
was under water for about 3 days.
Hardwood Timber Specialists
T&G Flooring
Parquetry
Decking
Cladding
Lining Boards
Joinery
Stair Components
Posts
Sawn Hardwoods
& More
Contact our friendly sales team today
Visit www.coffshardwoods.com.au
Phone: 02 66492006
BEAUTIFUL, NATURAL & TIMELESS
ISSUE 50 | 2022
Address: 161 Tallawudjah Creek Road
Glenreagh NSW 2450
Email: sales@coffshardwoods.com.au
21
“Offering the complete
timber flooring
adhesive system”
“In support of rebuilding
the local community”
“Contemporary flooring for
the modern sophisticated
way of life - since 2001!”
“The best you can get
from start to finish”
“Thanks to ATFA for
all their support!
“Community & Spirit
will shine true”
“40 Years of Quality
Without Compromise”
ISSUE FIFTY
“Everything for Surface
Repairs covering timber laminate - tiles”
“Synteko the Swedish finish
thanks the ATFA for their
support to the Industry”
The following companies are proud
to support ATFA and 50 editions of
Timber Floors over the past 17 years!
ATFA thanks all that have supported
the publication during that time.
All proceeds from this centre spread
have been donated to the Qld and
22
Passion for timber floors
NSW flood crisis.
“For Performance, Innovation,
Durability and Quality”
“We’ve got it covered!”
“Leading Wood Floor Finishing
Products since 1926”
“In support of rebuilding
your community”
“Passion brought us here!”
“Polycure Innovative Coating
Solutions, supporting
communities with ATFA.”
ISSUE 50 | 2022
ISSUE 50 | 2022
“Thank you for your
continued support”
“Bona, the No1 choice
for professional flooring
contractors”
“Supporting local communities
through meaningful
partnerships”
23
NEED
THESE
24
“Tools, Schools &
Art of Installation all
bySCRIBED®”
“Flooring Australian Homes
For Over 50 Years”
“Flooring for all your
Residential & Commercial
Projects”
“When Quality Matters”
“Celebrating 20 years in the
timber flooring industry”
“Leaders in floor
sanding machines”
“Thanks for your support
over the 10 years”
“Supporting our members
through tough times”
ISSUE 50 | 2022
ATFA
INDUSTRY
AWARDS
September 9th & 10th, 2022
on the Gold Coast
You loved the Gold Coast so much in
2018, we’re going back! September
2022 will offer some great weather and
an opportunity to link a short holiday.
Let’s make this one the biggest yet...
2022 Awards & Dinner
Book tickets here:
https://www.atfa.com.au/annual-awards/.
Solid Timber Floor of the Year Awards including:
• Solid Residential
• Solid Commercial
• Solid Stair proudly sponsored by:
• Solid Recycled
• Solid Innovative
Pre-finished Floor of the Year Awards including:
• Pre-finished Residential
• Pre-finished Commercial
• Pre-finished Stair proudly sponsored by:
• Pre-finished Innovative
The Dinner & Accommodation at Sea World
Proudly sponsored by Hurford Hardwood the Awards
Dinner is expected to be attended by approx 250 industry
representatives. And make sure you bring your partner.
ATFA is a big family and we want to share this amazing
event with you and yours. There will be our new amazing
MC Dave O’Neil, band and dance floor to jig the night
away, in addition to pre-dinner drinks and a three-course
sit down dinner and beverage package.
Registrations are available via the ATFA website https://
www.atfa.com.au/events/atfa-gala-awards-night/ or
call the ATFA office for the invitation on 1300 36 1693. A
10-person table booking is $1,900 or $195 per individual.
Accommodation at Sea World will start from $199 for
a resort room. The accommodation link will become
available in the next issue.
Other Floor of the Year Award Categories:
• Avant Garde of the Year
• Timber Deck of the Year
• Sanded and Finished Floor of the Year
• Hybrid Floor of the Year
ATFA Awards for Excellence including:
• Contractor of the Year
• Apprentice of the Year
• Employee of the Year
• Showroom of the Year
• Distributor of the Year
• Sales Representative of the Year
• Retailer of the Year
• Innovative Product of the Year
Proudly sponsored by:
FIT Day (Flooring Industry Trade Day,
September 9th 2022)
The Gold Coast will play host to the first ever FIT Day anticipated to include over 30 exhibitors, including live
demonstrations and a special guest speaker. It’s a day
long event and provides plenty of opportunity to network
between manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and
retailers. This event will also be held at Sea World, making
access to this event and the awards even easier! It will be
held on the Friday September 9th 2022 the day before the
awards. Look out for the flyer or register online to attend.
On behalf of the industry, our
considerable thanks to all the sponsors:
Technical article...
Australian standards
on slip resistance.
Adrian Silva, Urethane Coatings / Ex-Slip Testing Technician and Flooring Contractor.
It still amazes me how much misinformation about slip
resistance is quoted and used – which can leave us, as
contractors, exposed. In this short article, I will focus on
Australian Standards for flooring surfaces: AS 4586-2013, and
HB 198-2014. As flooring professionals, when we take on a job
we are considered the experts in the field. Our clients are under
the impression that we know everything about what we do.
When things go wrong the client inevitably comes back to us
with questions and, unfortunately, we may be liable for the work
undertaken. I will point out what I consider the most crucial
points for flooring professionals, and those I keep hearing the
most misinformation about.
AS 4586-2013 is basically a procedure manual for the Slip
Testing Technician on conducting testing and reporting, and
deals with new and existing flooring surfaces. This is the
Locations, the phrase ‘when dry’ is taken to mean internal areas
standard we deal with the most or exclusively in the industry.
with little chance of becoming wet or contaminated. Conversely,
HB 198-2014 is the accompanying Handbook that aids in
interpreting AS 4586-2013. On page 18 of the HB 198-2014
‘when wet’ is taken to mean external or internal areas that can
become wet constantly or intermittently.
Handbook, Item 4.3 NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CODE (NCC)
The HB 198-2014 Handbook states that with manufactured
COMPLIANCE, and Table 1 below, is the compliance information
products – e.g., tiles, vinyls, pavers, or similar surfaces –
relevant to us. It is important to note the word compliance –
sampling or testing with the Wet Pendulum (‘P’ value) or Wet-Oil
denoting that this is a mandatory requirement. In Table 1, under
Inclining Platform Test (‘R’ value) should be conducted.
Table 1 – Minimum slip classifications that are required to satisfy building requirements in the NCC
(Modified from HB 198-2014, Point 4.3.2 Table 3A)
Location
Wet Pendulum Test
Oil-Wet Inclining Platform Test
Tread and Landings (when dry)
P3
R10
Tread and Landings (when wet)
P4
R11
Ramps not steeper than 1:14 gradient (when dry)
P3
R10
Ramps not steeper than 1:14 gradient (when wet)
P4
R11
Ramps steeper than 1:14 and up but not steeper than 1:8 (when dry)
P4
R11
Ramps steeper than 1:14 and up but not steeper than 1:8 (when wet)
P5
R12
Stair Tread, Stair Tread nosing, and Stairway Landings
Ramps
26
ISSUE 50 | 2022
For compliance of flooring laid at construction sites – such as
For example, an internal stairwell and landing requires a ‘P3’.
on-site constructed concrete slabs, timber surfaces or on-site
This means an SRV of between 35–44 is expected for a ‘P3’
applied finishes, or existing newly sanded floors – verification
classification.
for slip resistance is achieved by either:
1.
2.
I hope that this sheds some light for you on this matter, and that
On-site testing of created samples or of the finished
you find it helpful and useful. Understanding the process helps
surfaces, using the Wet Pendulum Friction Tester.
us understand the result.
Prepared sample boards representative of the final finish
(minimum 5) and laboratory tested with the Wet Pendulum
Raw Tables:
Friction Tester.
3.
Detailed photographic evidence of the completed work.
Proof of enhanced supervision. Documented training
for application. Mandatory sign-off by the contractor
Raw Table 1 – Minimum slip classifications that are required to
satisfy building requirements in the NCC
(Modified from HB 198-2014, Point 4.3.2 Table 3A)
(increasing accountability and liability).
Classification
Wet Pendulum SRV (Slider 96 rubber)
P5
> 54
P4
45 -54
under any overseas standard.
P3
35 -44
The Wet Pendulum Test correlates a Slip Resistance Value
P2
25 -34
P1
12 -24
P0
< 12
Note that for constructed or applied works conducted
on-site – such as, the work we do – the requirements as per
the NCC are for testing with the Wet Pendulum Tester under
Australian Standards, not the Wet-Oil Inclining Platform Test or
(SRV) tested from the floor to a ‘P’ value classification as shown
in Table 2. Slider 96 on the Wet Pendulum (used for testing
timber floors), is the rubber foot, which strikes the surface
to give us an SRV. Once an SRV is calculated, the result is
compared to the requirement on Table 1.
Table 2 – Classification of pedestrian surface materials
according to AS 4586-2013 Wet Pendulum Test
(Modified from HB 198-2014, Point 2.4.1 Table 1)
Classification
Wet Pendulum SRV (Slider 96 rubber)
P5
> 54
P4
45 -54
P3
35 -44
P2
25 -34
P1
12 -24
P0
< 12
Raw Table 2 – Classification of pedestrian surface materials according to AS 4586-2013 Wet
Pendulum Test (Modified from HB 198-2014, Point 2.4.1 Table 1)
Location
Wet Pendulum Test
Oil-Wet Inclining Platform Test
Tread and Landings (when dry)
P3
R10
Tread and Landings (when wet)
P4
R11
Ramps not steeper than 1:14 gradient (when dry)
P3
R10
Ramps not steeper than 1:14 gradient (when wet)
P4
R11
Ramps steeper than 1:14 and up but not steeper than 1:8 (when dry)
P4
R11
Ramps steeper than 1:14 and up but not steeper than 1:8 (when wet)
P5
R12
Stair Tread, Stair Tread nosing, and Stairway Landings
Ramps
ISSUE 50 | 2022
27
Members
are ATFA!
Join ATFA now to get...
Better connected
Better informed
With ATFA you’ll always be connected
with other contractors, manufacturers,
suppliers and retailers, as well as firsthand
access to staff.
As the industry standard setting peak body,
you’ll have access to all the information you
need at no extra cost.
• ATFA magazine
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recognition = better income backed by
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Excellent association which provides all the relevant UP-TO-DATE information
for the timber flooring market. Very valuable for any timber flooring contractor.
George – ATFA Member
Scan to join
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So be the best! Join here now.
atfa.com.au
your one STOP
ooring shop
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02 9774 2944 | 41 Heathcote Rd, Moorebank NSW 2170
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ISSUE 50 | 2022
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Technical article...
Beware of
cleaning chemicals.
Brett Scarpella, Loba Australasia.
Howdy folks! Yep, it’s that time again, when once every three months the ‘ATFA mag’
provides you with an array of amazing insights about all things flooring. Hopefully
expanding your knowledge and supporting your daily journey as a flooring contractor...
However, this month my blurb is going to
be a little different – more of a vent this
time if you will. My ‘vent’ is born from
my own observations of what appears
to be a change in attitudes regarding
cleaning and maintenance, as things seem
to be sliding to the dark side and getting a
bit out of hand. Yes, I recall we have done
general floor cleaning and maintenance
before; but this is more about what
appears to be a recent shift in thinking
on general household cleaning and
maintenance (including floors) – and the
once banished ‘chemical cocktails’ that
seem to be repopulating our cupboards
and sheds. Products that may not be
intended, but through the miracle of
gravity, seem to find their way to our
floors.
I mean what the hell happened to Enjo?
Is it still about? For a while there it was
all the go for all things home cleaning,
and a flooring company’s dream – I
mean if a punter wasn’t going to use the
recommended cleaners at least they were
ISSUE 50 | 2022
going to use a spray bottle with some
water in it and a ‘swiffer mop’ – and
all for the good of the environment. I’m
not convinced that it actually cleaned
anything; but I’m sure it didn’t kill
anything either.
In recent times things seem to have
changed – a lot as it happens, with the
word sanitised used with increasing
regularity. Now I get a fair number of
calls from general punters via media,
retail flooring shops, builders and other
tradies who either have, or are threatening
to, buggered something up – or are folks
who are just ‘asking for a friend’. I’m not
completely sure how they find their way
to us but they do, and some of the stories
could be hilarious if they weren’t so sad.
The one thing that a lot of them have in
common is well meaning misadventure
with cleaners, polishes and chemicals.
While it is difficult to argue that the folks
who do home cleaning, or builder’s site
cleans, could easily be considered the
‘serial killers’ of crimes against flooring,
they are not on their Pat Malone. Mums,
Dads, kids, and folks who were just trying
to get their bond or deposit back have all
been known to give all forms of flooring
surfaces a good ‘seeing to’ at times.
The crimes themselves are rather diverse,
with some folks seemingly beguiled
by the marketing of domestic cleaning
products and numbed to their dangers
by seemingly innocuous titles; or even
by the fact that, well, they are meant to
be ‘domestic products’ – and generally
assumed to be safe and relatively mild by
their definition.
I must admit that I too have always
bought into the theory that a commercial
grade product (one for professionals!)
would always be the supercharged
biohazardous and better working version
of a much softer, safer and to some
extent less effective domestic version of
the same animal.
Well, it seems that while that was correct
thinking back in the eighties and nineties
(when I formed all my life-affirming
memories), it now seems that most of
our cleaning chemicals come in super
concentrates – and yes that means they’re
stronger, as is usually written on the
label – you know the thing you read after
you’ve used something?
I’m all for getting stuff that I don’t want
to do – like cleaning – done quickly and
with minimal effort; so, on the surface I
can see where the appeal comes from
(I once cleaned particularly stubborn tile
grout with barely diluted hydrochloric…
Long story, but I felt like I had asthma
for a month afterwards – although it
did work quickly). What I learned was
that sometimes folks (being me in this
instance) don’t always stop and think
about what’s in this stuff, or ask is this the
best option for what I’m doing?
continued »
31
Technical article...
Chemicals.
continued
The last couple of years have also seen
many folk ‘upping the ante’ on their
cleaners for obvious reasons. I get it, I
made the most amazing and effective
homemade hand sanitiser – it had to
work, it took your skin off, stained the
timber benchtop and left some dull spots
on 16yr old solvent poly. But, at least
I knew we were safe. People with less
access to chemicals than me just cracked
open the bleaches and other nasties
to clean all the household surfaces. To
Ever wondered what a ‘Covid clean’ entailed? I hope
the suit is for his protection against Covid and not
against the stuff he’s spraying on the floor.
Don’t worry about it, I’m a fantastic shot! I’ve been
doing this for weeks.
compound this, they all stayed home for
two years, cleaned more often and just
made it worse.
Now, I’m the first to admit that I have
contacts high up in sanitary circles, but
two or so years ago I decided to read the
label on a cleaner that ‘I got off a mate in
the biz’. Admittedly, at this stage I
32
had also planned never ever, ever, to get
Covid (flashback to hand sanitiser), and
I may have asked for something ‘a bit
ballsy’. This is how the label reads (the
name is removed for legal purposes but it
sounded very ECO friendly to me):
“Daily Disinfectant Cleaner. This product
use solution is a one step disinfectant
cleaner and deodorant designed for general
cleaning, disinfecting and deodorizing of
hard, nonporous inanimate surfaces. Quickly
removes dirt, grime, fungus, food residue,
blood and other organic matter commonly
found in health care facilities. It eliminates
odors leaving surfaces smelling clean and
fresh.
DANGER. Causes digestive tract, eye
and skin burns. May be fatal if inhaled or
swallowed. Oxidizer. Contact with other
material may cause fire. Causes respiratory
tract irritation. Harmful if absorbed through
the skin. Do not ingest. Do not get in eyes,
on skin, or on clothing. Do not breathe vapor
spray. Keep away from heat, sparks and
flame. Store only in the original, properly
sealed vented container. Avoid contact with
combustible materials. Keep away from heat
and direct sunlight. Decomposes on heating.
Use only with adequate ventilation.Wash
thoroughly after handling.
To complicate the situation further, we
now have a far broader collection of
flooring types and flooring finishes to
mess about with – half of which haven’t
been around long enough for us to
get a handle on what their ‘kryptonite’
is, or how we can best mess them up.
While we are slowly starting to find out,
unfortunately it is usually at some poor
bugger’s expense – preferably not yours.
The hardest part for the flooring guy is
avoiding that bullet and ensuring that
the ‘assassin’ doesn’t somehow avoid
responsibility and try to make this the
contractor’s fault.
As the new world sees a proliferation
of both cleaning-related chemicals
and people prepared to use them
inappropriately – clumsily, accidentally
and often forgetfully – it has become
very difficult to establish the specifics of
chemical-related damages (specific to the
floor in this instance) based on the quality
and accuracy of the information that is
often provided after the event. However,
we have noted a few common elements.
Here are some recent concerns which it
may prove advantageous to warn your
customers about.
*Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
should be used when handling the
concentrated product: Chemical splash
goggles, impervious gloves and apron
should be used when there is a likelihood of
significant exposure to concentrated product.
After product has been diluted according to
label directions PPE is not required”.
Removes ‘blood and other organic
matter’?! That’s good to know. So, if I
had dismembered someone at home
during lockdown I could have just
cleaned up in a jiffy and with a fruity
smell to boot! And yes, anyone can buy
this product. But I I can assure you that
once I finish this bottle that will be it for
me.
Nothing like a bit of pine flavoured disinfectant to
keep a floor sparkly –except when it’s not supposed
to be a sparkly floor.
continued »
ISSUE 50 | 2022
Technical article...
Be careful what you clean your windows with!
Ammonia on Oak, like dog pee but much quicker.
This one’s on me I’m afraid. I had no idea what the
cleaner used for floors in the office (yeah I know
right) and this undiluted and plant-based cleaner
leaked from the bottle and achieved this on our 2K
Epoxy concrete floor (And right outside my dunny as
well... very bad look)
And be careful where you leave the cleaning
rag –even bamboo isn’t safe!
A number of popular flea treatments for dogs and
cats can also make short work of your floor; this one
was intended for a Labrador but got the satin poly.
A spray pattern from an aggressive cleaning agent
sprayed at something else but shared with the floor.
Of the instances pictured, all but those
involved in my own adventures with
detergent and bush testing came back
via the flooring contractor. It’s worth
spending five minutes educating your
client on the dangers of getting nasty stuff
on their new floor, or better still, print
up your own warnings to go with your
quote. I have a feeling this will get more
common until we get our Enjo back.
A mail order cleaning system on prefinished rustic
oak after just 6 months...Ouch!
ISSUE 50 | 2022
The bugs in Queensland must really be something!
A company from up north sent this stuff in to be
tested on Water-based, Hardwax and Oil.
Bug Spray 5 Flooring 0
33
Technical article...
Q&A on Coatings.
Phil Holgate, MRACI, ChChem, FATFA. TAMSA International Consulting.
This Q & A section continues as a new addition to the magazine and intended to answer
those questions that ATFA members may have on coatings.
Please send in any questions you would like addressed to ATFA at admin@atfa.com.au
Question 01...
After just 12 months the coating on my
Engineered Flooring is flaking!
Assessment
Should this occur, the Engineered
product has some unacceptable
attributes that necessitate contacting
the manufacturer. There is little that can
be done to the brushed grain surface to
This condition has been observed in quite a few cases. The
restore the bond integrity.
cause is inadequate bonding of the applied coatings and often
There are many factors that could cause
in boards with more than one colour tone (e.g. European Oak).
the bond failure of the applied coatings
upon the veneer itself:
•
Primer coat applied on too smooth a
veneer surface
•
Primer coat not mixed adequately, or
mis-formulated
•
Inadequate state of cure of any
one of the primer, stain coat, or the
multiple build coats
•
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 1 is a floor that has been inspected that shows the deteriorated coating bond.
Photo 2 is a close-up of the area of flaked coating.
How robust the UV coating
formulations are themselves.
Some such floors have been sanded
back to the timber veneer to remove all
coatings and then recoated. This can
provide a good bond for the coating
with an acceptable aesthetic surface;
however, the brushed grain effect has
been lost. There is some loss of product
life by losing some of the timber veneer
thickness – which may mean no further
sanding possible, especially if a thin
Photo 3
Photo 4
veneer has been used in the product that
is of concern (timber veneer thickness
Photo 3 shows a tape pull test where the main coating on the board was removed.
on new engineered flooring products can
However, in Photo 4 the cross-hatch adhesion test shows that the weak adhesion is
vary from 0.5mm to 6mm).
only associated with the white coating.
34
ISSUE 50 | 2022
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1800 257 099
ISSUE 50 | 2022
Timber
35
Technical article...
It’s all just a little bit
of history repeating...
Phil Buckley, ATFA Inspector, Mint Floors & Shutters.
With prefinished and printed flooring products becoming ever more popular in the market, the importance
of fewer pattern repeats is starting to become a concern – again. When laminate first hit the scene, the
natural push-back from many timber flooring suppliers (the ones who were yet to launch a laminate range)
was pointing out that repeating boards will be found in the floor, and it will look ‘fake’.
At the time, laminate production techniques and lines improved to allow for substantially fewer ‘pattern
repeats’ and therefore a much smaller likelihood that identical boards or features would be easily identified
in the finished floor.
Fast forward to the later 2010s and LVT merges into Hybrid flooring, and pattern repeats are once again
front of mind.
So how many different patterns can you expect and how many is enough? Let’s look at the diagram below
as a starting point:
2
4
3
Plank 1
6
5
7
As you can see, just to prevent unavoidable adjacent identical boards, a
minimum of 7 different patterns are required. To make them unlikely to
repeat often, that number is something more like 10-12. It’s also worth
keeping in mind that larger plank sizes will generally mean fewer unique
plank designs, as the large original print is divided into less parts.
To take that one step further, in a 6m x 6m room using a 1800 x 180mm
board, you have around 100 boards used in total. This means if there are
10 pattern repeats, each board will feature 10 times.
Which brings us to the next point – not all patterns are created equal. In
some products there can be distinct boards or features that are easily
identifiable.
Take this picture (left) from a recent inspection. A distinct feature
pattern is obviously repeated in three adjacent boards in the floor.
Example of repeated pattern
36
ISSUE 50 | 2022
By contrast, this second
picture (also taken during a
recent inspection) has multiple
identical adjacent boards, but
the design of the boards is not
as distinct. The overall affect is
a more flowing floor with less
identifiable pattern repeats.
So, what should be done about the situation? Well, that all depends on
who you are:
Manufacturers
•
Do your best to have as many repeats as possible
•
Vary the placement of features on the planks where possible
•
Ensure your installation instructions detail how to best achieve a mix
of designs
•
Ensure there is no overly unique planks that may stand out too much
Retailers:
•
Know the number of pattern repeats in the products you sell
•
Know if a particular product has a distinct board that could become
an issue
•
your industry
your insurance
your broker
Inform your clients of the value in products with fewer repeats or
more consistent patterns
•
Manage the expectations of your clients in relation to pattern repeats
•
Instruct your installation team on how to manage the repeats
Contact FloorInsure for
information on our Flooring
Contractors Insurance
Program with options for
Faulty Workmanship and
exclusive ATFA Member Rates.
>
>
>
Tools of the trade
Work vehicles & fleets
Illness & Accident
Installers:
•
Find out how many repeats will be found in the product you are
installing
•
Read the install guide – you may be better off NOT mixing boxes in
some instances
•
Layout the planks to see if there are any distinct planks or designs
that will be more identifiable when installed adjacent to each other
•
Check each plank before placing it to ensure the mix looks
okay – stand back and look at the whole room where possible.
For those that read these articles regularly (I’m told there is one
somewhere) you will be sick of me banging on about managing
expectations – but this falls squarely into that category again.
Our experience and
understanding of the flooring
industry allows us to source
policies specifically suited
to your business.
For more, call 1800 607 204
or visit floorinsure.com.au
Pattern repeats are often overlooked when it comes to the value of a
product – when it can actually be used as a way to upsell customers.
At the very least, informing clients of what to expect can help avoid
disappointment down the road.
ISSUE 50 | 2022
37
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ISSUE 50 | 2022
AROUND THE
TRAPS
“2022 has been good to us so far! We’ve managed to get out and about with Trade nights, Golf
days, demo nights to name a few, all with great success, here are a few things we’ve been up to…
for more ATFA events, please scan the QR code below and be sure to get involved!”
ISSUE 50 | 2022
39
Helpful
websites:
As we look introspectively over 50
editions of ATFA Timber Floors, time to
remind everyone of our own websites!
Australia
August
August 9th:
Online workshop – addressing
floated floor movement
August 17th:
Trade nights – Auckland
September
September 9th:
ATFA Timber Flooring
Industry Trade (FIT) Day
September 10th:
Ladies of ATFA
Breakfast – Gold Coast
September 10th:
www.atfa.com.au/ | www.floorchoices.com.au/
ATFA Gala Awards
Night – Gold Coast
September 14th:
New Zealand
Trade nights – Melbourne
September 21st:
Demo nights – Sydney
September 28th:
Trade nights – Wellington
October
October 12th:
Trade nights – Launceston
October 21st:
WA – Golf day
October 24th & 25th:
Online workshop understanding prefinished
www.atfa.co.nz/ | www.floorchoices.co.nz/
40
products & installation methods
ISSUE 50 | 2022
COMING SOON!
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ISSUE 50 | 2022
#Sufficient for 40 sq. metres of engineered flooring of 20 sq. metres of solid timber flooring.
41
ir talk
with
Recent High
Court rulings
deemed “frightening”
University of Adelaide Professor of Law, Andrew Stewart has described two recent
High Court decisions as “extremely concerning, perhaps even frightening” as they
uphold the contractual terms in determining employment relationship despite any
evidence to the contrary in the reality or substance of the work relationship.
It is predicted that the number of workers engaged
the Fair Work Act, including regard to unfair dismissal,
as independent contractors will soar, as two recent
paid leave entitlements and redundancy will not apply,
High Court decisions saw judges in the High Court
despite any practical reality of the work relationship
find that it is not appropriate to look at the reality
indicating an employment relationship.
or the substance of a work relationship when there
are contractually agreed terms to establish that
relationship. Therefore, it is clear that the High
Court will look closely at the terms of the contract
when determining an employment relationship and
give lesser weight to the practicalities of the work
relationship.
The concerns are based around the possibility that
the rulings will invite businesses to engage in sham
contracting arrangements. Effectively, there is
the potential for businesses to have their workers
characterised as independent contractors, despite
being fundamentally similar to or identical to an
employment relationship. By characterising the worker
Key takeaways:
• If brought before a court, a worker’s employment
status will likely be determined in accordance with
what was agreed in writing, as opposed to any
practical realities of the ongoing work relationship.
• Fair Work Act provisions may not apply where a
worker is considered an “independent contractor”
in writing and it may not matter that the work
relationship is in reality closer to an employment
relationship, as the Courts will lean heavily towards
the written agreement.
For further information please contact IRIQ Law
on 07 30776767 or enquiries@iriqlaw.com.au
as an independent contractor, many provisions under
42
ISSUE 50 | 2022
Innovative Coating Solutions
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For further details see
For further information please contact David Gread
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Polycure, A division of the Mirotone Group.
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