Page 102 - CFJ_Dec25

SECTOR FOCUS WOOD,CORK & LAMINATE FLOORING

A reclaimed sports floor has found a new lease of life. Previously fitted at the University
of Birmingham and used for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the floor now performs
at elite level once again as the home court of Caledonia Gladiators basketball team.

a 60-year design life for new schools; installed ten years ago at Birmingham and repurposing and many of these
a requirement to measure the biogenic University. The floor was lifted, structures already have timber floors. That
content of each building – that is, the transported to East Kilbride in Glasgow, plays directly to our strengths.’
carbon sequestered in natural materials and reinstalled – it’s now performing at A heritage product for the future
like wood; and a maximum embodied elite level again.’ Junckers continues to evolve its portfolio
carbon threshold of 550kg of CO2 This circular approach is gaining traction to meet these changing demands. ‘We’ve
equivalent per sq m.’ among contractors too. ‘We’re being asked recently revamped our range of heritage
These measures, he explains, will shape to help them reuse flooring on an industrial flooring, particularly our solid hardwood
the construction of 200 new schools scale,’ he continues. ‘We’re now taking herringbone range,’ says David. ‘It’s
over the next five years. ‘Timber plays a floors back from residential apartment available in 480mm lengths in unfinished
vital role here because it’s one of the few blocks, running them through our factory to solid hardwood, ready for site finishing
building materials that actually removes sand the surfaces and remanufacture the using our own range of coloured oils and
carbon from the atmosphere and locks tongue and groove joints, applying a new
it away. Once it’s used in a product like factory finish, and then delivering floors two-pack polyurethane lacquers.’
This combination of craftsmanship
flooring, that carbon stays stored for the that could easily be 25 years old to be
lifetime of the building.’ installed in new buildings.’ and flexibility allows architects and
This shift reflects a broader industry It’s a striking example of how contractors to achieve bespoke finishes
awareness that long-term durability established craftsmanship meets modern while maintaining the durability and
directly affects a building’s carbon sustainability expectations. ‘This process environmental credentials that define
footprint. ‘We now know that 40% of a closes the loop,’ says David. ‘Instead of Junckers’ brand.
building’s lifetime carbon emissions come waste, you get renewed value and it’s Education as the new value
from replacing finishes or services over something we’re very proud to lead on.’ If there’s a common thread through
its 60-year design life,’ says David. ‘That Meeting the needs of public and heritage Junckers’ evolution, it’s the company’s
means the more durable your finishes buildings recognition that its value goes far beyond
are, the lower the overall carbon footprint. Beyond newbuilds, heritage and public supplying materials. ‘We’ve realised that
There’s now a real focus on ensuring the buildings remain a stronghold for Junckers. education is at the heart of what we do,’
60-year design life applies not just to the ‘In public buildings (museums, art says David. ‘Helping clients, contractors,
structure, but to the finishes as well and galleries, city halls) there’s a requirement and specifiers understand how to comply
that’s exactly where Junckers fits in.’ for long lifetime, and our floors have with new sustainability standards, how to
Reuse, repurpose, remanufacture proven the test of time,’ David explains. calculate embodied carbon, or how to reuse
Junckers’ sustainability leadership isn’t ‘Probably 90% of flooring in these types existing materials. That’s where we can
just theoretical – it’s tangible. The of buildings in the UK are oak floors, and make the biggest difference.’
company has launched a reuse and that’s part of our history.’ It’s a philosophy that aligns perfectly with
repurposing scheme for its solid hardwood With the UK now facing a backlog of the future of construction. ‘The world is
floors, allowing them to be lifted, restored, heritage restoration projects, this area jumping on the timber bandwagon,’ David
and reinstalled elsewhere. of the market is only growing. ‘Alongside concludes, ‘but we’ve been here for nearly
‘One of the best examples,’ says David, Italy, the UK has one of the highest a century. The beauty of solid hardwood
‘is the Caledonia Gladiators, who play in percentages of heritage buildings in flooring isn’t just its look or feel, it’s the
Britain’s top basketball league. They’re Europe,’ he says. ‘We’re seeing a shift fact it lasts, performs, and supports a truly
currently using a floor that was originally away from demolition toward renovation circular, sustainable future.’ 

102 CFJ December 2025 www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk
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