Flowcrete solutions floor the market.

(From Gulf Construction)

International floorings specialist Flowcrete is making its mark in the Middle East with its range of specialist flooring systems, which are providing developers and owners with prestigious facilities that keep their good looks long into the future

Flowcrete's first foray in the Middle East was in the late nineties, when the company secured a number of projects to install its car-park decking system Deckshield. These projects, for clients such as Bu Haleeba at Gulf Towers and Grand Service Station in Dubai and for BM Engineering at the Abu Dhabi Municipal Trip Car Park, helped the company establish a firm footing in the region. Deckshield is a flexible, crack-bridging, waterproof system, well-suited for multi-storey car-parks. The hardwearing, slip-resistant system reduces noise from tyre squeal and - being available in a range of colours - enhances the ambience, making car-parks brighter, more pleasant environments

Elaborating on the regional markets, Middle East regional manager Devanand Sirwani explains: "Five years ago, the Middle East market was still emerging, but clients, architects and other specifiers were already looking for quality flooring finishes for their new projects. With Flowcrete systems, they were able to obtain the required level of quality, in flooring that is hard-wearing, good-looking, and requiring minimum maintenance." Decking of choice This early track record was to pave the way for many other Deckshield projects which, over the last five years, has amounted to over half a million square metres of car-park decking in the Middle East region alone. In addition to the larger projects, such as 32,000 sq m at the Deira City Centre Triangle and a total of 60,000 sq m for the expansion of the BurJuman Centre, Flowcrete's Deckshield has also been selected to beautify royal palace roads, churches and private villas. A long reference list of projects in the UK and South East Asia at airports, retail developments, commercial centres and government buildings includes Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Hong Kong's Chep Lap Kok. "With such an extensive international track record, Deckshield is becoming the decking of choice for car-parks as clients recognise the benefits of systems that will protect their investment in the long term," adds Sirwani. Deckshield is currently specified on many of the upcoming mega-projects that are planned for Dubai

Keeping out sound Another of Flowcrete's systems that has experienced considerable success in the region is K-Screed, a semi-dry cementitious system that provides a smooth, durable surface as a base for the final selected floor finish, such as epoxy resin, fitted carpet, wood, tiles or vinyl. In 2002, some 155,000 sq m of the system were installed at the Dubai Marina towers and villas. The following year, a contract was secured for 35,000 sq m to be installed at Dubai Colleges of Higher Education. Residents at the BurJuman Centre residential phase will also enjoy the benefits of K-Screed, where some 85,000 sq m - complete with impact sound insulation - has been installed in the 160-plus apartments of the 30-storey tower. K-Screed was specified over conventional sand/cement screed for its high compressive strength and its low water-cement ratio, which minimises shrinkage and cracking. Looking good In the commercial ...