Disvantages and advantages of Mkeka wa Mbao flooring

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The advantages and disadvantages that a buyer need to know before purchasing Mkeka wa mbao vinyl flooring .

DiSADVANTAGES 

1. Mkeka wa Mbao™️ doesn’t like moisture from  underneath and flooding , though it’s water proof on the surface the weakest point is water going under its surface, if flooding occurred you need to  uninstall your Mkeka wa Mbao™️ dry it and re install it back . 

  Here are signs of water damage 👇🏽

   A. If glued the adhesive will become loose and the floor will bubble .

  B. Blackish  spots will form on the Decorate  surface.

  For areas with black cotton soil or swampy areas make Sure the moisture content Is the recommend one before installation .

First, test the moisture level of the subfloor. In general, 12% moisture or above is too wet to install flooring Ideally it should be between 7% and 9%. Take the readings in at least 20 spots per 1,000 square feet of flooring and average the results.

Mkeka wa Mbao cannot be installed on rough uneven surface the Subfloor must be smooth and level and if covering tiles with grouting joints fill the joint first.

Buy the correct wear layer for your needs (foot traffic )

What is the wear layer for Mkeka wa mbao™️ vinyl flooring?

When shopping for Mkeka wa mbao™️ vinyl flooring, all of the terms can be hard to keep track of! One question that gets asked most often is, what is the wear layer of Mkeka wa mbao™️ vinyl flooring? This is a very important question to consider when purchasing Mkeka wa mbao™️ vinyl flooring.

So What is the Wear Layer?

Put simply, the wear layer is the top surface that provides the durability, stain and scratch resistance of vinyl flooring. The wear layer is usually a clear, urethane based coating that keeps the original appearance of the floor and provides easy maintenance. With new technology, some vinyls now offer added durability layers on top of the wear layer for even more surface protection.

Wear layers range from 0.15mm to 1mm . The wear layer will usually be recorded in millimeters MM . 

Which Wear Layer Measurement is Best?

To decide on the best wear layer, you will need to determine the usage of the flooring. If you have pets, kids, or there is a lot of foot traffic in your home or workplace, you should opt for a thicker wear layer.

In short, the thicker the wear layer, the more durable the floor. If you have a space that will need a high resistance to scratches and wear, a higher wear layer, such as a 0.40 up to 0.70mm, would be best for your application.

Residential vinyl flooring applications start from 0.15 mm to 0.30mm . 

Light commercial vinyl flooring application start from wear layer of 0.40-0.55

Heavy Commercial vinyl flooring applications will usually require a 0.60mm – 1mm top layer.

Beware of buying cheap flooring without knowing the wear layer ( some vendors do that ) use a digital caliper at floor decor to check wear layer .

f. Use the recommended cleaning detergents some soaps are very abrasive avoid them (use liquid soap genuine ) remove

Stains with Acetone .

g. Use an accredited installer to install factor for waste when measuring your floor area 5% .

ADVANTAGES 

It’s warm and soft to walk on zero allergy doctors recommend for people with athritis , elderly and children .

COMFORT & WARM TOUCH

The cushioned nature of Beauflor® mkeka wa mbao cushion vinyl floors make them a pleasure to walk upon, they feel warm to the touch and are ideal for barefoot walking. Moreover, the good heat conduction of our vinyl floors make them the ideal match for your floor heating.

It’s easy to install no adhesive in most

Cases making it ideal

For home owners rented or owned , offices and you can move out With your floor in the future 

👉🏾 FLOOR PREPARATION REQUIRED TO INSTALL MKEKA WA MBAO

For new construction the subfloor should be finished smooth screed popularly know as Nil finish.

Existing homes you can cover any type of subfloor like tiles , terrazzo or even wood flooring .

Remember installation is very easy it can be lay loose technology or glue down for commercial spaces like offices ,schools etc .

If in a rented premise you can move out with your mkeka wa mbao if it was installed using lay loose installation procedure .

Amazing designs NATURAL WOOD & TILE LOOKS

Whether you love the warmth and cosy aspect of wood, or you’re fond of the boldness and character of tiles, give your interior the classic look of wood or tile without the disadvantages of natural materials. With Beauflor® mkeka wa mbao cushion vinyl rolls, you can produce any imaginable design and colour; from the most natural wood or tile to the most extravagant and inspirational texture.

LOW MAINTENANCE

Our Beauflor® mkeka wa mbao cushion vinyl rolls are very low-maintenance. Thanks to an optional protective polyurethane lacquer, the floor is easy to clean and protects it against daily wear and tear. All it needs is an occasional sweep with a wet mop and standard cleaning products.

EASY ON THE POCKET

Cushion vinyl rolls are less expensive to produce than other floorings, making them easier on the pocket.

EXTREME DURABILITY

Beauflor® mkeka wa mbao Cushion vinyl floors are protected by a very hard wearing surface. The resistance of vinyl to staining and general household use is one of the key benefits of vinyl floors and makes them one of the most durable types of floorings on the market.

SUPER SSSSSSILENT FLOOR

Whether you are walking around in your high-heels or feel like having a lazy day in your slippers, our Beauflor® mkeka wa mbao cushion vinyl absorbs noise so well that it is up to 50% more silent than comparable floors! This makes them the ideal flooring solution for apartments or other spaces where noise absorption is very important.

For more visit www.floordecorkenya.com

What is Pre Stressed Concrete?

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What is PRESTRESSED CONCRETE?

In basic terms, prestressed concrete is concrete in which high strength steel reinforcement is stretched and anchored to improve the structural capacity. The internal stress created by the embedded steel reinforcement greatly improves the performance and service of the product.

Why/when is it necessary to “STRESS” concrete?

In general, concrete does not have good tensile strength, however, it performs well under compression. A traditional analogy often used to explain the concept originated with Dr. Mangel who likened prestressing to stacking books side by side and placing pressure on both ends. The pressure exerted on the books creates so much strength that the books could be lifted as a single unit and could also support great loads on top without breaking apart. The very same concept is repeated with prestressed concrete products.

How does the process of PRESTRESSING occur?

The process of prestressing involves high strength steel tendons or “strand”, typically of low relaxation 270 kps type steel to be pulled to a predetermined, engineered spec and then concrete is cast over the strand and allowed to harden or cure. The strand is then cut at each end releasing the prestressing force into the product by way of its “bond” with the concrete. The internal force then allows the concrete to span greater distances and be loaded with greater weight.

What are some of the benefits of PRESTRESSING concrete? 

  • Allows for the reduction in mild reinforcement

  • Aids in controlling cracking

  • Allows for longer spans in a single piece instead of the need for multiple pieces

  • Allows for greater load carrying capacity

What are some types of products that utilize PRESTRESSING?

  • Concrete beams

  • Double Tees

  • Wall panels

  • Bridge girders

  • Concrete piles

  • Roadway pavement slabs

Constructing on Black cotton soil in Kenya

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CUT COST  by 50% BY USE OF   SUSPENDED FOUNDATION.

 

Constructing on Black cotton soil in Kenya.

Black cotton soil is found abundantly in most regions in Kenya.

Black cotton soil tends to soak water during the rainy season and expand and shrink during the dry season.

This expansion and shrinkage creates up and down movements on the ground floor slab, resulting to cracks, wall paint peel off , due to moisture some ceramic tiles discolor and Vinyl floor (mkeka wa Mbao ) get black spots on Surface .

To prevent this cracking, the black cotton soil is either excavated at a minimum depth of 1m or the building foundation raised and suspended above the ground level.

1.5m minimum depth.

Generally, if the black cotton soil is more than 1.5m in depth, its uneconomical to excavate it.

This requires a suspended type of foundation whereby columns are dug till solid rock and protrude slightly above the ground level.

BBF flooring (beam 2 beam flooring system ) is the way to go to cover the suspended foundation .

BBF flooring eliminates

☀️zero Timber  (no form works)

🌟zero Rebar use

🌟No 21 days curing ( BBF flooring system installed within hrs / day and start plastering works and brick works .

🌟Saves water .

Savings up to 50%

To learn more visit https://www.floordecorkenya.com/beam-2-beam-flooring-system-bbf/

BBF Suspended Foundation ideal for black cotton soil

BBF flooring

Introducing Beam 2 beam flooring system (BBF)

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BEAM TO BEAM FLOORING SYSTEM –FLOOR DÉCOR KENYA

INTRODUCTION

Beam-to-beam flooring (BBF) can be described as an economic, safe and functional system currently being utilized in slab construction both locally and internationally. It comprises of high performance pre-stressed concrete beams, concrete hollow blocks and a topping that work together to result in a robust slab. The pre-stressed concrete T-beams have a 100mm wide and 50mm deep flange with a web that is 50mm wide and 100mm deep. It is these T-beam joists that work in tandem with the concrete hollow blocks to support the 50mm topping and all manner of design loads imposed on them. 

How it works

The hollow blocks used in this system have a high compressive load i.e. 7N/mm2 thus function as structural elements unlike your typical hollow blocks that function as “fillers” meant to achieve required structural depth. These hollow blocks lock by 100mm on either side of the pre-stressed concrete beams. The load path is therefore from the topping to the hollow blocks to the pre-stressed beams to the reinforced concrete beams of that particular floor to the columns and finally to the foundations. 

Production

The pre-stressed concrete T-beams are cast in a pre-stressing yard where all the necessary design parameters are controlled to achieve a high quality product. A concrete mix design that achieves class 60 i.e. a compressive load of 60N/mm2 is used. 5mm tendons are stretched between stable end-anchorage points and concreted over a casting bed before being allowed to sufficiently cure. The tendons are released after the concrete has achieved minimum desired strength. The length requirements for each beam is determined prior to casting to avoid wastage. 

Usually, all stresses induced by loads on reinforced concrete structures are mainly carried by reinforcement bars. However, in pre-stressed members such as the beams in BBF the stresses are induced in the entire member. The end result is a structural product that is better at managing vibrations and shocks compared to conventional concrete. 

Applications

Pre-stressing is typically used to allow for longer spans and/or minimize the structural depth of beams and slabs. Pre-stressed elements are commonly used in the following areas, span being a major consideration; floor beams, bridges, water tanks, runways, roofs, railroad ties, poles etc. A key benefit is that pre-stressed concrete elements can more economically span longer distances than conventionally-reinforced concrete elements. This is of benefit in infrastructure e.g. bridges as well as in buildings with respect to beams and slabs.

Benefits

The benefits of utilizing BBF system are:

    1. Foundation excavation – The system minimizes mass excavation that would have otherwise been performed underneath the ground slab for sites situated in areas with predominant expansive soils such as black cotton soil. This means that it minimizes labor cost that would have been incurred for doing the actual excavation and consequently backfilling of the same. Transportation for hauling the excavated material to a dumpsite is also eliminated.
    2. Steel fixing- BBF system realizes a time and labor cost saving that would have been incurred in cut and bend for reinforcement bars of the slab and concreting for the same.
    3. Construction material – BBF system eliminates the need to use BRC mesh in the topping but rather uses fibre mesh. This saves cost for the client as fibre mesh is significantly cheaper compared to BRC mesh. It also eliminates labor that would have been incurred in handling BRC mesh on site. 
    4. Shuttering and propping – It reduces the traditional use of shuttering and props because the concrete hollow block lock onto the pre-stressed beams that in turn rest of reinforced concrete beams of a building’s floor. Essentially, only the reinforced concrete floor beams remain propped. 
    5. Increased head-room – There is an increased floor to floor height because the floor system rests on top of the reinforced concrete beams of the building’s frame. 
    6. Sound insulation – The concrete hollow blocks help in insulating the slab by breaking sound waves resulting in buildings that are quieter.
    7. Fire rating – The pre-stressed beams in BBF help in increasing the fire rating of buildings due to the large cover provided for the tendons. 
    8. Assembly time – There is time saving realized with BBF system because the elements are pre-cast. Assembly takes a very short time resulting in faster construction timelines. This positively impacts program of works.
    9. Structural benefits – The pre-stressed beams minimize potential cracks, decreases the risk that would have been presented by reinforcement corrosion and also lengthens the service life of a building.

 

Sub-standard goods threaten floor products

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Professional Floor Installation and Its Value

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Six ideal Areas for Our Acoustic Flooring Options

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Six ideal Areas for Our Acoustic Flooring Options
Acoustics is an important consideration when specifying flooring and should be evaluated based on the needs of a particular environment. An environment with good acoustical control supports the activities and goals of that space. Noise is typically defined as unpleasant and unwanted sound.
Along with being virtually waterproof, durable, low-maintenance, and soft underfoot, Mkeka wa Mbao™ and Marmoleum offer a less-known benefit: peace and quiet! a sound absorbent co-efficient of between 19 and 20 dB. Acoustically-friendly floors grant a more peaceful experience for a variety of situations and settings
The two most important acoustical factors to consider when specifying flooring are the product’s sound absorption and noise reduction capabilities. While many people focus solely on the floor’s appearance and basic qualities, it is also worth paying attention to the acoustic performance of the flooring you are considering.
Sound treatment is a key design consideration for almost every building, regardless of industry, in order to reduce noise disturbance and enhance sound quality. Selecting acoustic flooring materials is crucial to effective sound treatment.
Let’s take a look at the top 6 settings that could greatly benefit from soundless acoustic range of Mkeka wa Mbao™ and Marmoleum flooring.
Offices and Businesses
Have you ever walked into a business set in a large room with tile floors where you could hear every footstep and voice echo? Along with being unforgiving on feet, tile floors bounce sound waves and can lead to that echoing sensation. Our flooring options help absorb sound and create a more inviting, peaceful business atmosphere.
Apartments
Whether you are remodeling or building a new home, most people desire an inviting, functional, and quiet environment. Footsteps overheard at night when you are trying to sleep, music thumping through the ceiling, or hearing someone cough even though they are upstairs are all signs that your home’s flooring needs an acoustic upgrade.
Libraries
It goes without saying that libraries are expected to be quiet! Picture an expansive library outfitted entirely with tile floors. What a cold, loud atmosphere that would be!
Recording Studios
For recording studios, hard flooring is the gold standard. Carpet causes problems since it wears out quickly due to heavy foot traffic and absorbs high frequencies, thereby negatively affecting sound production and quality.
Hospitals and Aged Care Facilities
Hospitals and aged care facilities can be noisy. From beeping machines to patient interactions to staff discussions, these settings can be places of significant unrest.
Schools
Loud, echoing footsteps and voices in a school? Not a good mix. To learn, students need a safe, quiet atmosphere.
The right flooring choice can have a major impact on the overall function and atmosphere of your setting. With their high durability, pleasing aesthetic appeal, and acoustic-friendly features, our range of flooring might make the ideal choice for your home or professional setting.

What’s the difference between linoleum and vinyl flooring?

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It’s no secret that there are a large variety of flooring options available, which can make it easy to get lost in the specifics of how one type of flooring differs from another. One common flooring question we often receive from consumers is: what’s the difference between linoleum flooring and vinyl flooring.
The vinyl flooring vs. linoleum comparison is one filled with many similarities. There is however a few key differences between the two flooring options that should definitely not be ignored.
Composition
Linoleum is a mix of renewable natural materials: primarily linseed oil, which comes from flax seeds, plus other natural ingredients such as jute, cork powders, wood flour and tree resins. The design is not on a separate image layer, but is embedded throughout the materials.
Vinyl flooring, on the other hand, is a synthetic product that is made up of vinyl, a combination of chemicals including ethylene and chlorine, and other additives (like felt, fiberglass, and dyes).
Life Span & Durability
Speaking of life spans, linoleum flooring can last anywhere from 20 to 40 years, while vinyl flooring typically lasts anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Because of this, linoleum is considered more durable than vinyl as it has similar properties to ceramic flooring and hardwood.
Look & Style
The difference in design versatility between vinyl flooring vs. linoleum is astounding. Linoleum is extremely limited in its design options. Unlike vinyl, which authentically replicates the natural look of wood and stone, Linoleum doesn’t have the same style versatility in terms of mimicking other flooring types. However it can be great for creating large patterns, embedded designs or blocks of color. Linoleum is colorfast, which means that the patterns and hues are not just printed on the surface but are dimensionally present through the entire piece. This allows the flooring to wear down without fading, as the colors are true all the way through the material.
Scratch, Stain and Dent Resistance
Both vinyl and marmoleum floorings have hardened wear layers designed to provide maximum scratch and stain resistance both are designed for superior dent resistance from things like cleats, heavy appliances and dropped objects.
Installation
Vinyl flooring is considered to be the easier option out of the two (especially if you’re looking for a DIY flooring project). While linoleum flooring installation is typically not considered a complicated process, certain precautions are needed.

Maintenance
Both Vinyl and Linoleum requires extremely low maintenance. Considered one of the easiest flooring types to clean, both flooring can withstand normal sweeping and vacuuming as well as mopping. You won’t have to worry about damaging the floorboards as they are not affected by moisture, mold, or mildew.
Price
While linoleum flooring isn’t expensive, it typically costs more than vinyl, fairly head to head.
Applications
Both vinyl and linoleum flooring are ideal for almost any commercial design project thanks to their multi-faceted and cross-purpose functionality.
Whether you decide to go with linoleum or vinyl tile flooring, there are plenty of beautiful, high-quality options for both types of flooring material. Because they’re both considered types of resilient flooring, and are great choices for homeowners looking for affordable, comfortable and practical flooring products.