DEMAND RISES FOR a.b.e. FAST-TRACK DECORATIVE FLOORING PRODUCTS

• Demand for decorative flooring products from a.b.e. Construction Chemicals has soared over the past few months as the construction sector gained momentum
• Four products in demand both from the construction industry and the residential market are Chryso Granicrete, Chryso Béton Ciré overlay, abecote WD 337 epoxy paint, and abescreed SLCP self-levelling screed
• The product range is growing and now offers different MPa strengths for specific applications, as well as a.b.e. repair and vapour systems

Demand for decorative flooring products from a.b.e. Construction Chemicals has soared over the past few months as the construction sector gained momentum and the spring season inspired home-owners to spruce up their homes, says Peter Jones, a.b.e.’s National Sales Manager: Flooring. 

Jones says four products which have particularly been in demand both from the construction industry and the residential market are Chryso Granicrete, Chryso Béton Ciré overlay, abecote WD 337 epoxy paint, and abescreed SLCP self-levelling screed.

Chryso Granicrete is a blend of exclusive selected dry powders containing portland cement, hardwearing minerals and additives. The polymer modified cementitious base allows for thin skin topping applications and, once ground and polished, the product offers a hard wearing and decorative finish. The surface may also be Nano-Etched to provide an exposed aggregate type finish, or coloured by adding micronised iron oxide pigments.

a.b.e., with head office in Boksburg, is part of Saint-Gobain Africa.

Chryso Béton Ciré offers a myriad of applications for the residential, hospitality and tertiary sectors. Applied with spray gun or trowel to obtain the desired finish, the product can be used to smoothen floors with blowholes or surface irregularities, and can cover large surfaces in a short time – about 200m2 per day, on average. “The Béton Ciré system, which includes Chryso Béton Ciré Finishing as final coating, can be pigmented to obtain different colours to complement various finishes,” Jones explains.

The system is suitable for renovations as well as new construction, both indoor and outdoor, and for application over tiled surfaces. Available in a wide range of architectural features including warm earth colours, it can be used as a plain, burnished or coloured skim application to floors and ceilings and is ideal for columns, stairways, architraves and facades; counter tops; and concrete and MDF wood furniture. It can also be applied to walls.

“Apart from residential applications, Chryso Béton Ciré is now very popular as decorative highlight in stores, restaurants, commercial buildings, hotels, bathrooms, patios and showrooms,” Jones states. “Recent projects include residences in Hersham on the Garden Route, and in Simbithi Eco Estate in Ballito.”

abecote WD 337 tough epoxy paint, one of a.b.e.’s most respected floor coatings – with a track record of over 30 years – is a two-part, water-dispersed tough epoxy paint that produces a durable and smooth floor coating.

“abecote WD 337 epoxy paint is not only decorative and ideal for DIY home applications, but also robust enough to protect factory and warehouse floors, such as those at chicken farms, dairies, and wineries. It is also widely used at motor workshops and shopping centres.” Some noteworthy flooring projects for which the product was specified include Havanna Hills Wine Estate in Durbanville, Douglas Green Winery in Wellington, SA Breweries in East London, ABI Coca-Cola in Durban, Reebok Pump Station in George, Base 4 Aviation hangar in Western Cape, the NEU Pack Industries plastics extrusion factory floor in Jacobs, KZN, as well as various residences countrywide.

“This is an economical product that can be applied over damp surfaces, and easily overcoated for maintenance. It is exceptionally popular as a protective and decorative coating for masonry and cementitious surfaces and can be used for industrial, commercial and residential applications.”

Available in six colours, abecote WD 337 is both oil- and petrol-resistant and has strong impact-resistance as well. It is suitable for cold rooms and ramps as it can be mixed with fine aggregates to provide non-skid surfaces.

Finally, demand for abescreed SLCP self-levelling screed is also running high. This is a single-pack, rapid hardening cement-based screed for levelling floors where quick setting is required. It can be applied by trowel, or pumped. The product is ideal for fast-track refurbishment and new construction where finishes such as carpets, tiles, vinyl, wood block or cork need to be installed quickly. It provides smooth floors for offices, dwellings, shops, public buildings, airports, warehouses, workshops, factories and other areas subject to similar loads.

“Furthermore, it is normally possible to walk on abescreed SLCP only two to four hours after application. As it is protein-free and will not harbour bacteria, it is ideal for canteen flooring and the medical sector,” Jones adds. “This product range is growing and now offers different MPa strengths for specific applications, as well as a.b.e. repair and vapour systems.”