Page 86 - History-of-flooringLR

01522 561 460
hello@ppcgroup.co.uk
www.ppcgroup.co.uk

Flooring dates back to medieval times for surface finishes on which we walk, What is important to understand is that the principle of operation with all
live and work. Many heritage buildings worldwide display the craftsmanship of methods of surface removal , surface texturing, cleaning and polishing remains
our ancestors, who relied on primitive tooling to install, finish and maintain, yet the same today, what has changed is the innovation applied to designs,
we see them in their full splendour today, as if they had been installed yesterday. equipment is easier, safer and cleaner to use, low maintenance and designed to
Common materials over the centuries have been marble, stone and wood, today be used with dust extraction.
there is a vast array of floor options for new builds and restoration projects. We
are no longer reliant on organically sourced natural flooring, there is a vast array
of manufactured synthetic options for industrial, commercial and domestic use.
What is important before installing your chosen flooring system is that the floor
is prepared correctly to ensure adhesion and expected lifespan of your selected
floor covering.

Mechanical preparation and finishing equipment has been around for 100 years.
The original Shotblaster date back to 1906, manufactured in the USA but these
were static machines the portable versions were developed in the late 1970s.

Mechanical floor grinding and polishing machines also originate from the USA
being produced in 1936.

Surface planers, multi-strippers and scrapers were introduced within the last 50
years. Many of the original designs and concepts remain market leaders today.

Shotblasters
Enclosed shotblasting machines propel shot (steel abrasive) with
high impact onto the surface being profiled and cleaned.

How it works
Once the shot hits the surface (creating the profile, cleaning, and
texturing), kinetic energy recycles the shot for continuous use
and the suction created by the filtration unit collects and contains
the dust providing a clean safe operation.

When to select
Shotblasting is the ideal choice for concrete laitance removal, to
remove epoxy coatings, floor paint, line markings, to improve
skid resistance n asphalt and prepare steel surfaces to stringent
industry standards.

Planers (also known as scarifiers)
How it works
A drum is enclosed in the body of the machine flails and spaces sit on the bars of
the drum which freely rotate at high speed and the flails cut into the surface on
impact. The height of the drum is adjustable to control the amount of material being
removed. The dust and debris is collected by an industrial vacuum attached to the
planer minimising air bourn pollution.
When to select
Grooving, reducing, removing screeds, thermoplastic lines and safety markings,
surface contaminants, carpark decking and rubber

86 The History of Flooring