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FORBO FLOORING SYSTEMS - Smiles All Round For Forbo’s Flotex

First impressions count, not least when it comes to interior décor, which is why orthodontic practice The Brace Place, in Liverpool, specified Flotex from Forbo Flooring Systems for its new surgery. Combining a refreshingly stylish design with easy maintenance and anti-microbial treatment, Flotex provided the ideal flooring for the practice.

The design brief for architect Issy Spektor of aiBDA was particularly demanding. Having recently designed several other orthodontic practices, Issy was well aware of the need to provide a durable floorcovering to withstand the daily foot traffic from staff and patients, that was also warm and inviting for visitors and children playing in the waiting area. Not to mention specifying a floor type that was slip resistant and hygienic due to the nature of the practice.

Flotex is ideally suited to such healthcare environments as it is British Allergy Foundation certified, due to the fact that vacuuming removes twice as many allergens compared to conventional carpet thanks to Flotex’s unique fibre construction. In addition, the highly effective integral anti-microbial treatment Sanitized ® ensures Flotex offers constant protection against bacteria including MSRA, E-coli and the development of dust mites – crucial to an environment such as the dental practice, which requires a hygienic floor. The Sanitized treatment is compounded into the backing of Flotex, continually refreshing the anti-microbial performance without degradation through wet cleaning or vacuuming.

“In addition, this project was slightly challenging in terms of specifying furniture and surfaces that complemented the beautiful listed building, as well as matching the rest of the criteria from the brief,” comments Issy Spektor.

“The unusual and stylish designs from designer Ettore Sottsass really grabbed my attention and as it contained all the attributes I required, rolled into one floorcovering, it was the perfect choice for the practice.”

Flotex Sottsass wool, part of the exclusive Sottsass collection, was specified throughout the two floors of the practice, encompassing the reception, corridor and office areas. Flotex wool plays on the texture of the individual strands of natural fibres, giving a sense of depth and warmth to the floor. The defined linear pattern and vivid blue shades of the chosen colourway make for a bright and crisp environment.

The unique composition of Flotex, which has over 70 million electrostatically flocked fibres per square metre, offers the hard wearing and washable characteristics of a resilient floor, yet also the warmth, comfort and acoustic properties of carpet. Being completely waterproof, Flotex is also the only truly washable textile floor covering, helping to maintain the high levels of hygiene required in such an environment.

“The floorcovering has certainly fulfilled the brief in delivering an attractive and hard wearing floorcovering that complements the impressive listed building we’re based in,” comments Joanne Culshaw, Practice Manager at Brace Place. “We have to maintain very high levels of hygiene and this key area has most certainly been addressed with Flotex, as it offers continuous protection against bacteria and has been approved by the British Allergy Foundation. The fact that Flotex, as a textile floorcovering, is truly washable, only adds to the many benefits and allows us to ensure the floor is thoroughly clean even after heavy soiling.”

Sub contractors, SAS Flooring in Gatley, installed the flooring, coving the Flotex as skirting, to avoid scuffs and marks from equipment and people moving around the building. “Due to the use of Flotex across various areas, we had to make sure the linear design theme matched up from room to room, to ensure a continuous installation of the pattern,” comments Steve Lanigan, Director at SAS Flooring.