

Photo 1 shows a before area that received vinyl-backed resilient squares. Glue direct carpet was removed and that's when all those hidden areas that require floor prep started to show. Construction joints, trench joints, slab cracking, concrete curling, uneven surface, and gypsum based patching compound were some of the issues that needed to be addressed before proceeding with the installation. This particular vinyl-backed product is 2.0 mm thick (approximately 1/16-inch) so a flat, smooth, and properly prepared substrate is critical.






Ever wonder what type of flooring to install in a high-impact area such as a weight room, or aerobic room? Well, wonder no more with rubber flooring. This type of flooring is used in multi-functional and sports floors, and many of the rubber flooring products in the market are durable enough for skating arenas and golf course applications. Rubber floors have been available for years in the athletic industry but are making a strong presence in commercial and residential applications, as is the installation here at the World Floor Covering Association.










Photo 18 shows a portion of an office that has both inside and outside corners. This type of installation, and the tools required are typical to that of a wood base installation. The differences involved with this type of wall base to that of the traditional four-inch wall base that comes in four-foot lengths or coils, are very important to understand. This type of wall base requires an exact fit at all corners, this is where the money, time and craftsmanship come into play, more time and craftsmanship equate to more money needed to provide this level of professionalism. It can also make the flooring installation stand out and look like an award winner versus a wall base that was used just to cover the edges at the wall interface, and that's the beautiful part of it.