Blog : Home Improvement General | Flooring Supply Shop Blog - Part 17Flooring Supplies

Fall and slip the Fact

The Risk is Real

Slip and fall accidents pose a major problem for hotel, restaurant and property operators and managers. The statistics behind them are quite alarming.

• The majority of all food service general liability insurance claims are derived from slip and fall accidents (C.N.A. Insurance)

• Since 1980, Personal Injury Lawsuits have Risen by More than 300% in the Food Service Industry (NFSI)

• The average restaurant has three to nine slip & fall accidents each year (NSC)

• Slips & falls are the #1 Cause of Accidents in Hotels, Restaurants & Public Buildings. 70% of these accidents Occur on Flat / Level Surfaces (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

• The average cost of a slip related injury exceeds $12,000 (Wausau Insurance).

• The average cost to defend a Slip and Fall lawsuit is $50,000 (NFSI).

• Plaintiffs win 51% of Premises Liability Claims (JVR).

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) national standard states that owners, managers and supervisors must make a commitment to prevent accidental slips, trips and falls. InvisaTread® helps you do just that.

History of Anti-Slip Technology

Acid based anti-slip technologies have been available for more than 25yrs. Existing technology often employ the use of high levels of dangerous Hydro-Fluoric Acid (HFA) or its counter part Ammonium Bi-Fluoride (ABF) which becomes HFA when mixed with water. These products are highly hazardous to handle and pose terrible risks to the surfaces they are applied to. In reference to increased COF, the industry has historically increased these numbers on surfaces to a COF of greater than .90 WET. These high degrees of etch can damage the surface and making it hard to clean increasing janitorial costs and reducing surface longevity. These products are not just dangerous to the surface. They require the use of professional applicators and specially trained teams to apply these acid-etching products. The requirement for these services often makes the cost of application and post maintenance extremely cost prohibitive. Until now.

InvisaTread®

Our InvisaTread® product line is formulated to be the first in class micro-etching product designed to be safe for DIY or self-installation. Our chemistry is also designed to preserve the surfaces we are treating. InvisaTread® has been formulated to increase the COF to between .60 – .75 on wet surfaces. This level we have found to greatly help reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents while maintaining typical janitorial costs. InvisaTread application can be safely managed internally by your own maintenance teams greatly reducing costs.

How does InvisaTread Work?

InvisaTread® is an acid based microetching product that uses ingredients commonly found in woman’s facial products. Our primary ingredient is Glycolic acid, commonly found in facial chemical peel products. Treatable surfaces include but are not limited to quarry tile, porcelain, ceramic, concrete, honed stone, granite, terrazzo and more. You will notice in the photo above that the 3D landscape of the surface at 500x magnification has not been made deeper than original, but rather a consistent traction pattern across the entire surface. InvisaTread® does not change the look or feel of most surfaces but rather renders them slip resistant when wet. It is not recommended for use on polished Marble or other polished Calcium based surfaces as it could potentially hone or reduce the shine of the surface.

Traction Wash™

Traction Wash™ is nothing short of a High Tech cleaner / degreaser. It has been formulated to break up grease and grime prior to applying InvisaTread®. Prior to applying our InvisaTread treatment, it is important to thoroughly clean and degrease the surface. The application will be less effective should the surface not be free of grease and grime. Traction Wash™ has been specially formulated to leave NO residue on the surface. This is an important characteristic in maintaining the increased COF that the InvisaTread products create. You are welcome to use any cleaner to maintain your surfaces post treatment providing they are a clean rinsing formula with no left behind residue.

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Tileware Promessa Series Brochure

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Integration offers endless opportunities for the tile community. Innovation has just begun, TileWare is in the process of engineering new and creative applications. Each iteration expands the usefulness and function of tile and primes the industry at large for growth. Let’s embrace the connection with inventive surfaces and cover the world with TILE.

Values for Tile Professionals

FlooringSupplyShop is pleased to introduce an installation system designed and engineered specifically for tile mechanics. Traditional hardware installation requires drilling, compromising tile installations. Now, with the PermaTile™ System, tile mechanics have a clear advantage: a simple installation system that adds value to the tile professional and their specialized skill set.

Attach To, Not Through Non-penetrating, Non-intrusive Systems

It’s Time to Integrate

Is it possible to experience a modest revolution while integrating tile and hardware? The answer to that question, from TileWare’s perspective, is a definitive YES! These two industries have been separated long enough; it’s time for a comprehensive solution, one that will serve both tile and hardware communities alike.

New Solutions for Old Problems

The hardware industry has been asking tile professionals to drill through finished tile surfaces in an effort to attach all types of accessory applications. These archaic methods have been met with little opposition, even though the tile industry has developed significant advancements in both tile and mortar systems. This truth is specifically relevant when mechanics try to drill through solid body porcelain that has been engineered for density and hardness.

From a tile installation perspective, drilling into finished tile work will most certainly create problems. These problems translate into cracked tile, pierced plumbing, damaged electrical wiring and, most significantly, waterproofing violations.

TileWare, through its PermaTile™ System, offers an innovative solution to obsolete installation methods that require penetration and intrusion into tile and mortar.

PermaTile™ Fasteners

The first non-penetrating, non-intrusive tile fastening system

This high quality, stainless steel fastening component will attach with unprecedented strength to wall surfaces with latex modified mortar. This system provides a solution that is simple and measurably strong. PermaTile™ Systems will end unnecessary damages resulting from drilling finished tile work.

• Will not violate waterproofing, plumbing or wiring no more drilling

• Mortar-based fastening system

• Non-corrosive stainless steel fastener

• Over 10X the strength of standard fastener

• Tested by TCNA (Tile Council of North America)

• Designed specifically for tile applications by tile installers

• Will work with all standard tile products and thicknesses

Promessa™ Series Baskets

Our baskets have a distinctive look and one touch demonstrates their fine quality. All baskets are designed to fit a broad style palette and will work with any tile motif and pattern.

• Accessories that stay firmly mounted, even with everyday use

• Solid brass

• Each model is easily interchangeable

• 5-year finish warranty

All models are available in all finishes.

Watch the step by step Video installation – Tileware Promessa Series Brochure – Step by Step Installation Instruction

Solutions for Small Kitchens

Many homeowners face the problem of not having enough space in their kitchens. Due to the shortage of space, one may either collide with things kept in the kitchen or step on someone else’s toe while trying to reach something. Moreover, one does not even feel like cooking in such a small space. Additionally, one also has to adjust various kitchen items in the tiny space, making it cluttered and untidy.

In case you also have a small kitchen and face such problems daily, there are certain useful steps that can help you overcome space constraint. Foremost, you can make use of various designing tips to create an illusion of space. An easy way of achieving this is through proper lighting, such as, take measures to maximize any natural light by keeping the blinds up and curtains back. In case you wish to add more lights, but do not want to take up any valuable space, you can install lights under the cabinet. Apart from this, you can also use light colored walls, curtains, blinds and cabinets, to make the room look more open.

You must also ensure maximum use of available space in a proper manner. Foremost, you should take a look around your kitchen and sort out things as per the frequency of their use. Things that you do not use frequently like juicer or food processing machine, can be removed from the kitchen and stored somewhere else, such as the store room or garage. The next thing that you need to focus upon is the arrangement of things, such as you should keep the cooking utensils and oven mits near the stove. You must keep all the necessary and most used items in an easily accessible place, so that one does not collide with other things or people.

You always have the option of arranging various kitchen items in cabinets that can easily accommodate numerous things. However, if the cabinet is not large enough to solve the space problem, you can install lazy susans and dividing trays in these cabinets. This is also an effective solution in case one is not able to maintain different cabinets for specific group of items. Incorporating ample storage facility is probably the most effective and easiest way of overcoming space problem in small kitchens. Besides, you can even opt for hang up pots and pans that empties a lot of space in the cabinets.

Apart from this, you can also have deeper counters as these not only increase work space, but can also accommodate more items. Additionally, to minimize the use of space, you can select drop table, small sized round table or built-in counter along the wall. It is always advisable to install a large kitchen sink, as it is very convenient and suitable for washing pots and pans.

With the advancement in technology, now you have access to various compact and space saving appliances. Numerous brands are designing products for small kitchens, such as microwaves that can be hung underneath cabinets. You also have the option of choosing refrigerators that are 24 inches deep instead of 30 inches deep.

Making use of these simple measures can help you overcome the problem associated with small kitchens.

Benefits of Suspended Ceilings

Suspended ceilings are referred as dropped ceiling or false ceiling, which give the perfect example of modern architecture and construction. These are hanged from the ceiling joists with a metal grid thereby creating a space between the ceiling and the joists where pipes or duct work can be installed and worked on.

Suspended ceilings not only improve the décor of the house but also provide several advantages as well. These ceilings can be installed with utmost ease in any room or building, home or supermarkets. Apart from their practicality in installation, suspended ceilings also offer fire resistance, bacteria & humidity resistance, and insulation at a very less price.

Suspended ceilings are cheaper to install under existing ceilings as compared to renovating the old ceilings. Suspended ceilings are especially useful in industrial and commercial settings where buildings must adhere to strict fire safety rules, as the ceiling tiles offer fire resistance.

Suspended ceilings provide bacteria and humidity resistance, and for this reason these are widely demanded in hospitals. Apart from the medical sector, these are also used as fixed panels in places like changing rooms or shower rooms, as these kinds of places tend to have a lot of humidity. This in turn prevents these places from getting damaged.

Suspended ceilings are highly useful as you can keep cables, pipes, unsightly wires and ducts stacked inside them, which are easily accessible when you want to get some maintenance work done. These tiles can be taken out with ease, and you can conveniently access things which require constant attention.

Besides being a protector to your house against fire threat or moisture attack, suspended ceilings also provide insulation. This is because when ceilings are installed, a static layer of air between the main ceiling and the drop ceiling is created, which acts as a great insulator. The lower ceiling reduces the amount of airspace in the room, which subsequently warms up the place, thus lowering the heating bills.

Not only do these ceilings provide thermal insulation, but are also used as acoustic insulation, as these are capable of reducing noise. One can also choose the tiles with a decibel value that provides extra soundproofing. Suspended ceilings are available in many different designs and can be easily adjusted with new panels being fitted into the ceiling grid. Several different textured and designer panels are available in the market that one can select from. Also, these ceilings come in different shapes and colors that can add beauty to your home or workplace.

Suspended ceilings are rapidly gaining popularity, as these are easily demountable, which and can thus easily uphold the ceilings. These can be conveniently replaced by detaching the grids, and thus are better than permanently implemented ceilings, which are difficult to change in the future. The tiles used in suspended ceilings can also incorporate lights inside, which can hide the bulbs and give the place a contemporary and sophisticated look. With all these benefits, your confusion for insulation and renovation must be over.

Pictures provide by Ceilume – the Smart Ceiling Tile

Basement flooring options

Choosing the right flooring for your home is vital, but selecting right ‘basement flooring’ is all the more important. When it comes to selecting the appropriate flooring for your basement, it is important to take into consideration all the challenges, especially that of moisture and flooding. Basements generally have high moisture content, which can actually damage the installed flooring. Hence, before you choose any basement flooring option, you need to figure out an alternative for the problem of moisture.

Other than this many basements face the problem of flooding, and there are very few flooring options that can withstand the damages caused by it. Hence, it is advisable to eliminate this problem before you spend money on installing your basement floor.

Basements are generally used for the purpose of storage, hence are not accessed too frequently; though some homeowners also use it for other purposes. The use of basement is an important factor in deciding the right flooring option. If your basement is relegated to a storage area only, then you can select concrete flooring. It is the most common flooring option chosen by many homeowners because of its high durability. Concrete can easily withstand a lot of pressure and last for a lifetime. Though it is inexpensive compared to other flooring options, it lacks the aesthetic value. To overcome this, you can add thick carpeting over it, only if the basement is dry and has no moisture or flooding problem. Carpets are available in different sizes, colors, designs and patterns, which soften the look of the concrete floor basement.

If your basement is not merely a store room, then you can use ceramic tiles for flooring. A good alternative to concrete flooring; ceramic tiles are available in an assortment of colors and can make your basement aesthetically appealing. Moreover, tiles are resistant to moisture, thereby solving the problem of moisture as well.

Tiles are highly durable and easy to install, and can be done so without professional guidance. Another great option is laminate flooring, which beautifully imitates the hardwood flooring. The biggest advantage of using laminate flooring is its sound-resisting capability. This helps in reducing the noise coming from the basement, especially if you are using it as a game room or a ‘mini-theater’. Only precaution that you need to take is to use a high grade laminate that can withstand the traffic as well as moisture in the basement.

You can even opt for engineered flooring which is made up of three to five layers of hardwood. Despite the layered construction, it is thin and you can add extra insulation if you want. It also offers higher resistance to moisture and traffic. Apart from this, you can even use rubber or foam mats. These mats are resistant to moisture and also have noise insulating capability which makes these a good choice for busy basements with high traffic and activity.

Hence, depending upon the use of the basement and budget, you can choose amongst any of these flooring options.

Category: Home Improvement General

Fall and slip the Fact

Tileware Promessa Series Brochure

Solutions for Small Kitchens

Benefits of Suspended Ceilings

Basement flooring options

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