University of South Wales

University floor laid in record time with Stopgap 1200

F. Ball’s Stopgap 1200 Pro High Performance Smoothing Underlayment, a fast drying and fast setting smoothing underlayment and Styccobond F44 acrylic adhesive, have been used to create a high quality vinyl floor finish in the Atrium building of the University of South Wales.

Puma Floors of Cardiff, were contracted to install the flooring in the university building, which had been newly built with raised access metal panel flooring.

Firstly, Stopgap 1200 Pro smoothing underlayment was applied over a total area of 16,000m². The smoothing underlayment is fast setting and within an hour of application on the university floor, it was walk-on hard. The fast drying properties of Stopgap 1200 Pro allow it to be dry enough to receive new floorcoverings from just 4 hours.

In addition to its fast setting and fast drying formulation, Stopgap 1200 has been specially designed for use directly over old adhesive residues, including bitumen and carpet tile tackifiers. The high performance, self-smoothing product provides a professional, cost-effective solution to challenging floors, without the need for mechanical removal of adhesive residues or priming in most instances. It is suitable for use in clinical and biologically sensitive areas such as hospitals, laboratories and clean rooms.

Stopgap 500 Micro floor finishing compound was used to fill any areas where joints between the panels were showing through the underlayment, to provide a completely smooth surface ready for the installation of a new floorcovering.

Puma Floors then used Styccobond F44, a solvent-free acrylic emulsion adhesive with strong initial tack and high bond strength, to secure the Polyflor vinyl sheet floorcoverings, providing the university with a top quality and professionally fitted floor, in time for the start of term.

Commenting on the university project, Hywel Williams, Contracts Director of Puma Floors said: “I have been using F. Ball products since the beginning of my career and I can always depend on them to get the job done. Stopgap 1200 was perfect for this project; it saved us 21 days because it dries so quickly, allowing us to provide the university with a quickly fitted, attractive floor.”