Glasgow University Library

F. Ball Products Used to Install First Class Floor at Glasgow University Library


A floor preparation system from F. Ball has been used to install 2,700m2 of floorcoverings as part of a renovation project at Glasgow University Library. Flooring contractors installed a variety of floorcoverings over both plywood and concrete subfloors in the ground floor entranceway and the downstairs breakout area of the library.

Working on individual sections of the Library at a time and using fast track products meant that floorcoverings could be installed quickly, and the building could remain in use throughout.

Firstly, the contractor removed old linoleum floorcoverings from the concrete subfloors in both the entranceway and downstairs area of the library. Following a moisture test, it was discovered that a 20m2 section of concrete subfloor had a relative humidity (RH) of 92%, thus, requiring a waterproof surface membrane.

Over this area, the contractor applied Stopgap F77 high-performance waterproof surface membrane. Stopgap F77 impedes the passage of construction moisture and rising damp up to 98% RH with a single coat application. It is fully cured after three hours at 20°C, so it is ideal for when flooring needs to be installed as quickly as possible.

On the concrete sections of the subfloor in both the entranceway and lower level of the university library, Stopgap 1200 high performance smoothing underlayment was applied. This was due to its capabilities for use over old adhesive residues, as well as eliminating the need for priming.

Adjacent to the entrance of the library, a ramp constructed from plywood led to another area of the building. The contractor applied an F. Ball primer over this section before applying Stopgap 700 fibre-reinforced smoothing underlayment to create a smooth surface ready to receive floorcoverings.

Contractors then installed multiple floorcoverings onto the prepared subfloors. Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive was selected to install wood-effect vinyl sheets on approximately half of the area in the entranceway, including the raised plywood ramp near to the entrance. Styccobond F46 was also used to install vinyl safety flooring on the area directly in front of the entrance’s sliding glass doors.

Styccobond F41 carpet tile tackifier was used to install luxury grey Milliken carpet tiles on the other half of the entranceway area and on the entire lower floor. Styccobond F41 dries to create a permanently tacky film that prevents ‘loose-lay’ carpet tiles from moving but allows individual tiles to be lifted and replaced easily when worn or damaged; ideal for high-traffic areas like the library entranceway.

Roy Henderson, of A&H Flooring in Glasgow, said: “This was a tricky project because the building is always in use and other tradespeople required access to the site, but F. Ball’s products meant we could do areas separately and quickly; minimising disruption at the university. I’ve used F. Ball products from the start of my career – they’re dependable and they do what they say on the tin.”