Client: Trafford Council
Flooring contractors: Wilkinson Bros
Type of works: Supply of Tarkett's environmental intelligence range of vinyl flooring throughout and safety flooring in all wet room areas.

Following the demolition of the existing school and many months of construction, building work on the new Navigation Primary School in Trafford was completed in the first quarter of 2007.  Working with Tarkett’s environmental intelligence ranges throughout, hardwearing and practical vinyl flooring incorporating contemporary eye-catching designs completed the interior design, with safety flooring in all wet room areas.  

Creating a link with the school’s name and ensuring maximum visual impact, the design specification allowed for a neutral background with a bold compass motif incorporated into the flooring in the entrance hall. The compass was set to point North and in the middle was placed a steel time capsule containing project work created by the children.  In addition, in the pre-school to divide the carpet area for soft play from the vinyl floor area, a large 8m snake was designed in bright primary colours to feature in the flooring. 

Both motifs were produced using Tarkett’s Floorcraft Service and its creative facility for bespoke flooring design.  The product used was Tarkett’s Tapiflex, a practical hardwearing flooring that is suitable for all heavy-traffic areas.  With its new high-density foam backing with closed cells Tapiflex offers superior sound reduction of 19dB and shock absorption properties for extra comfort underfoot.  In addition the flooring’s 0.65mm PUR-reinforced PVC wear layer gives good resistance to abrasion and scuffing and requires less cleaning and no wax or polish during its lifetime reducing environmental impact from maintenance, and related costs by up to 30%.

Commenting on the project, Mark Sockett from Wilkinson Bros, the flooring contractors, said: 'Working with Tarkett’s products was a pleasure, the material was so easy to work with and to install.  The material was very soft and flexible under typical cold site conditions, where the flooring was site-formed, which is very unusual and made the work a lot easier. Also the finished effect was visually impressive and you could clearly understand why the architect had specified Tarkett.'
 
Safetred Dimension, a high-performance safety flooring, was used in all the toilets and classroom play areas.  Safetred Dimension is a tough and durable and easy to maintain slip resistant sheet, with attractive multi-flake design.  The embossed surface provides excellent slip-resistance both wet and dry, making it ideal for areas, particularly in schools, where water can be spilt and young children are in danger of slipping over.  With 25% recycled material content it also demonstrates Tarketts’ concern for the environment and sustainability within product production.

Granite Multisafe, a special studded flooring for wet areas with superior safety underfoot, was used in the walk-in shower area.  It is one of Tarkett’s’ IQ product ranges which offers a low maintenance, durable, homogeneous vinyl floorcovering. The dense, impermeable surface and the well-rounded studs makes it hygienic and easy to clean.

In addition Primo Plus, a homogeneous, heavy-duty flooring with PUR treatment was used in all the store areas including the cleaning and electrical cupboards. in the kitchen and servery Safetred Spectrum, a high-performance slip-resistant sheet, was used.

Tarkett’s Floorcraft service offers designers and architects unlimited scope to develop individual flooring concepts or themes to enliven any interior; colour combinations, borders, features, graphic elements, logos, crests or other motifs – and unique, original designs.  However complex the scheme, each piece is cut precisely using computer-controlled sonic cutting technology for perfect fit on site.