Case study: Kindred 

Installed with MagTabs 

London, UK 

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For this client strong sustainability principles have always been at the heart of their corporate ethos.  So, when a 1,500m2  area within its prestigious London office was due to be refurbished, the whole fit-out needed to put sustainable choices at the forefront.  

An intricate dual-colour design incorporating a series of curved lines and roundabouts to demarcate walkways from working areas had been specified by the architect using  ShawContract® TaskWorx® carpet tiles.  For the Kindred carpet tile collection in style Belong was chosen in a range of colours. Manufactured in the UK and  Cradle to Cradle Certified™, the carpet tiles were installed onto the existing raised metal access floor.  

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Due to the critical working environment however disruption during installation needed to be minimal and contamination from adhesives, tackifiers and dust eliminated completely.

An adhesive-free flooring solution was therefore specified by both the architect and client. Flooring contractors Loughton Contracts working with office fit-out specialist Overbury turned to IOBAC MagTabs as an adhesive-free solution.  


THE SOLUTION 

These tabs, magnetic on one side and adhesive to the tile on the other, were used to securely hold the carpet tiles to the metal raised access floor. Traditional installation methods were not an option due to the end clients’ concerns over its odour and sustainability credentials.   

With a circular economy approach in mind too, the client also wanted to avoid the carpet tile being forced into landfill at the end of its working life due to adhesive contamination.  

THE BENEFITS 

Ease of installation 

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Only minimal preparation of the sub-floor was needed before installation could begin, and the finished floor could be trafficked immediately, minimising project time and disruption.

This speedy installation method was noted as being a comparable speed to a traditional tackifier method.

Superior Hold

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Feedback from the installer was that the MagTabs’ grip to both the back of the carpet tile and the access floor was excellent.   There was an instant grab between the materials, meaning no movement of the carpet tiles even when heavy pallets of furniture were wheeled across the floor.

Not only are tiles held together horizontally as per conventional floating floor solutions, but due to magnetic attraction, the IOBAC MagTabs also enable a strong grip in the vertical direction, ensuring tiles are secured well in place until the time comes to uplift them.  


Clean Removal 

IOBAC MagTabs enable the carpet tiles to be cleanly removed for repair, access or re-design with no adhesive residue contaminating either the tile or base.   

When the time comes for another re-fit, the carpet tiles will be able to be re-used elsewhere or safely recycled, eliminating the all-too-common issue of contaminated carpet waste having to go to landfill, and meaning that this organisation’s reputation for sustainability is not compromised.  

The raised metal access floor will also be clean, ready to receive the next floor covering with minimal time and money required for preparation.  

For more information about MagTabs, part of our In Stock programme, take a look here https://www.shawcontract.com/en-GB/Accessories/IOBAC-MagTabs%E2%84%A2 

Contractor: Loughton Contracts  

Fit out contractor: Overbury   

Architect: Pilbrow & Partners  

Size: 1500 m