Client: New Century Care Group
Type of works: installed Vinyl flooring
When New Century Care Group looked to begin a programme of upgrading its 27 care homes, the project managers, Frankum & Company, were keen to evaluate the various flooring, hand rail and wall protection systems available. This led to the development of a pilot scheme at the Group’s Buxton Lodge care home at Caterham-on-the-Hill, Surrey.
Now, with a competitive review completed, the range of manufacturers and products has been rationalised. As a result, Gerflor is the group’s sole supplier of all vinyl flooring and wall protection systems as the phased refurbishment plan, which has already seen seven homes completed, is rolled out nationally.
New Century Care offers individual expertise covering categories from general nursing through to dementia and mental health. Gerflor has extensive experience of working in the health sector so the products are ideally suited to these needs, especially as they offer seamless, hygienic solutions and wide colour ranges. Within the care homes, Gerflor’s flooring and wall protection systems are being used extensively both in the residential areas and back of house in kitchens, staff rest rooms and toilets.
The residents’ bedrooms with vinyl flooring feature Gerflor’s durable and easy-to-maintain Taralay Impression Comfort flooring in Bamboo Tea which has been employed to contrast and coordinate with the decorative schemes. Along with excellent acoustic and shock absorption properties, low whole-life costs are achieved due to Protecsol®, a surface treatment which ensures no polish is required, and Sanosol® anti-bacterial and fungicidal treatment.
The en-suites off the bedrooms and the wetrooms have been finished with Taradouche Elegance SD in cactus. This hot welded shower system is designed to provide a safe, hygienic and waterproof finish for barefoot wet areas and Gerflor is working with Frankum & Company to provide bespoke solutions for New Century Care.
In the dining rooms and other public areas, Nera Contract Wood Wengue Safari has been selected due to its appearance, dimensional stability and resistance to indentation. With a printed wood design, it offers outstanding performance and low maintenance due to its Sanosol® and polyurethane surface treatment (PUR).
Tarasafe non treated safety flooring in magnesium and copper from the Elements range is specified for back-of-house areas and ramps, again with Sanosol treatment.
Gerflor’s SPM brand Decosheet wall protection and Escort 40 handrails are being used in the main circulation areas, where there is the potential for damage from wheelchairs and kitchen and housekeeping trolleys, and where residents need a handrail for support.
The PVC-sheathed Decowood handrails are in mature oak to contrast with the cream Decosheet used below. This merges with the neutral paint finishes employed in the corridors. As well as providing long term wall protection, rigid PVC Decosheet is ideal for refurbishment because of its ability to mask uneven walls, something that flexible vinyl wall protection is unable to do. Further protection is added through the use of Cornea 60 corner protectors on all external angles. These are in cream so blend with the Decosheet.
The key advantage of Decosheet is its ability to protect walls from long-term damage, thus drastically reducing ongoing maintenance costs and maintaining a fresh look without the need for redecoration.
For New Century Care, the advantages of using Gerflor for all its vinyl flooring and wall protection are considerable when it comes to costs and efficiencies. Training and maintenance regimes are simplified as there are fewer products to consider and the need for cleaning materials is significantly reduced. In addition, initial purchases prices are highly competitive and Gerflor offers wide ranging long term support.
Patrick Frankum, principal of consultant project managers, Frankum & Company, comments: “Gerflor has gone out of its way to provide us with a complete service and is prepared to work with us in developing the right solutions. Gerflor is both proactive and efficiently reactive to matters arising and continue to earns the position of partner company in our endeavours.”
Craig Prior, director of business development, New Century Care Group, says: “Gerflor offers an excellent product which fits our needs in terms of safety and infection control while the many different colours available match our decorative schemes. The products tick all the boxes and we’re happy with the way they’re performing, especially as we don’t have to maintain and repaint the corridors every five minutes.”