FAQs | Architects, Builders, Interior Designers
When should we select and plan the floor covering?
With any large or small project, establishing a thoroughly thought out project management plan is the key part of the process. Often the choice of flooring is not considered at the early stages of the project, which can lead to costly overruns and problems that will need remedying.  Start early on in the project and establish the critical decision points, such as ordering the actual flooring, as there may be a long lead in time for delivery of your client’s particular choice. Leaving it too late means that make hasty decisions can be made that are inappropriate, costly and hard to manage in relation to the rest of the project.
How can we avoid this and choose wisely?
Seek advice is first on the list from a specialist flooring contractor such as FloorArt. You can also gather ideas for choice from other clients; colleagues; other architects; builders or word of mouth. However, the most important thing to remember when choosing a floor covering is to take your time and plan well in advance.
How do different floor coverings compare?
Every floor covering has its benefits and drawbacks. The benefits you should be looking for are that it should be within the client’s price range; it should be suitable for where they intend to install it; it should match the client’s purpose for the floor area to be covered; and finally it has to be the colour or design that will suit the client.

The drawbacks for various floor covering are few, and only arise when inexpert choices are made. The right choices depend on a clearly thought identification of the use to which the floor will be put, the effects required and price considerations.

The future use to which the floor will be put needs to be clearly thought out and discussed. For example, will there be much traffic through the area? Will your customer need to manage that traffic, for example by using varying floor colours and patterns to direct people? What furniture will be used? If it is children’s furniture will there be a lot of dragging and hard use? Will there be some water spillage? And what is the overall interior design plan? The branding and corporate image of the client is a key consideration – are they seeking to follow through on a clearly established brand which may have specific colour requirements for example.

Getting suitable flooring in a price range affordable for your client may seem tricky, but with advice and guidance you will get what you want within your customer’s price range.

FloorArt are able and willing to advise you on how to use less expensive floor covering in more imaginative ways such as making more elaborate designs and using colours to better effect.
How to choose a design?
For your corporate and business clients, consistency of brand is important. There may be an existing design used in the company logo that can be incorporated, or a design can be derived from it. The company colours can be built into the design. Particular effects and ideas can be gathered with FloorArt’s guidance from many sources such as company literature, inspiration from company’s aims and functions.

For your residential customers, it is important to help them to identify patterns and designs that really suit their individual living space and pocket. FloorArt will work with you and your customer to achieve this.

Ask FloorArt for advice, as we will more than likely have an idea of what you need and where you can get it.

You or your customer can also make up a unique design. Just get a plan of the area, copy it a few times and let your imagination go and you may be surprised at what you come up with.  Then you just talk it over with us to see if it is possible and how much it will cost. Your clients will be delighted with the added bonus of originality.
What causes damp floors?
One relatively common problem is rising damp in concrete floors. The other problem that can cause damp is a leak in plumbing pipes under the floor. You will need to consult with a plumber to have this repaired before attempting to install any floor covering.
How do I rectify a damp concrete floor?
This can be solved very successfully with the application of a surface damp proof membrane or DPM. This will need to be applied by your flooring contractor and involves applying a coat of DPM which is similar to floor paint. This seals the floor completely thereby preventing rising damp affecting your new floor covering. It should be overlaid with a 3mm layer of floor screeding compound before your new floor covering is installed.. While this is the most common solution there are many others available which FloorArt will advise you on.
What can I do with a damaged concrete floor?
Applying a 3mm layer of floor screeding compound over the entire area to be covered with new floor covering can repair damaged concrete floors. In extreme cases a second layer may be required.
What can I do with a damaged timber floor?
Damaged timber floors can be prepared by fixing a layer of 6mm plywood over the floor before installing new floor covering. This is a minimum requirement on all timber floors. In the case of very badly damaged floors you may need to lay 9mm plywood or even replace some of the damaged boards.

Even new timber boards will need a minimum of 6mm plywood to ensure you have a good finish for your floor covering.

Before doing any remedial work remember to ask FloorArt for advice and save both time and money.
You're here:
Architects, Builders, Interior Designers