Glue-free Installation System TacTiles
Glue free installation We used TacTiles for a 4,000 square metre project in our exhibition centre. They have been down for nearly 2 years now, and I am really happy with the result. I was worried about how the TacTiles would stick, especially with it being a heavy traffic area. But the result is great, as they stuck down and held the carpet tiles without any problem at all. As the TacTiles do not damage the floor underneath, the floor can be used for many purposes, which is great for an exhibition centre. The tiles can be lifted and changed without causing any damage. They have been fitted without any trouble, delay or extra mess that a liquid adhesive would make. We would recommend this to others. PETER HUTCHINSON, SENIOR MAINTENANCE MANAGER, MANCHESTER CONVENTION CENTRE, UNITED KINGDOM Less mess, greater flexibility To support our efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of our carpet tiles, we ve developed a sustainable and highly effective method of installing them. With TacTiles, there s no need for liquid adhesives, so fitting tiles is quick, clean and easy and the process virtually eliminates emissions. There s also no damage to sub floors, and nothing to stop you lifting or moving the carpet whenever you want. Convenient and cost-effective Unlike glue, TacTiles need no time to set. So as soon as the final carpet tile is laid, your floor is ready to use. And when the time comes to replace or move the carpet, it is easy to lift and recycle the carpet tiles. There s no sticky mess on the backing and no need for a costly clean-up of the sub floor. You can even lift and replace individual carpet tiles with no problem. 2 3
How TacTiles work TacTiles are small, clear 75mm x 75mm plastic adhesive squares, which are placed underneath the carpet tiles to fix them firmly to each other. This patented system creates a floating floor so the flooring is fastened tight, but not stuck permanently in place. TacTiles come in small cardboard boxes that are easy to carry and transport. The cardboard box works as a dispenser for the installer and can easily be recycled after use, avoiding waste from buckets and containers. There are two types of TacTiles developed especially for Interface carpet tiles with Graphlex or GlasBac backings. TacTiles work for all installation methods and can be used in all types of commercial installations except for stairways and certain areas with very heavy wheeled traffic. TacTiles are quick to install because there is no waiting time and no cleaning of materials when the installation is done. In most cases, especially for refurbishments, TacTiles can be installed straight away on the existing sub floor. And there are added benefits of easy replacement and the protection of sub floors when using TacTiles instead of traditional glue. FRANDS SØRENSEN, Owner, GARANT SKANDERBORG, Denmark 4 5
What s the point of a recyclable carpet if it s stuck to the floor? A sustainable system In Europe, between 40-150g of liquid adhesive is typically needed per square metre in a standard carpet tile installation, compared with only 5g of adhesive per square metre for TacTiles. This means that the environmental impact is reduced drastically. Making recycling easier TacTiles also make it easier to re-use carpet tiles in a different location and facilitate easier recycling at end of life, leaving no residues at the backing of the carpet. TacTiles are made using PET, the same material as plastic bottles. So they can also be fully recycled. 6 7
Virtually zero VOCs TVOCs μg/m 3 Typical Emissions Decay Curves For Adhesive and Carpet Thresholds Adhesive Carpet TacTiles * Days *(TacTiles emissions tests performed by TNO) EC1 very low emissions adhesive http://www.emicode.de GUT standard for carpet http://www.pro-dis.info Because TacTiles don t use liquid adhesives, they virtually eliminate the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with liquid adhesives. This means fewer nasty smells, a healthier working environment, and less impact on indoor air quality in general. It might be a surprise to some that even the lowest-emission adhesives typically emit more VOCs than the actual carpet independent of the type of backing used. So comparing VOCs of a carpet is totally meaningless unless you also address the issues surrounding the adhesives and this is what TacTiles do. Adding to your green building If you are working towards a green building certification, using TacTiles will help you gain extra credits or points. By lowering levels of VOCs in a building, TacTiles meet the indoor air quality criteria of the most used green building ratings such as LEED, BREEAM, DGNB and HQE. So this smart new approach to carpet installation doesn t just create a better environment for all involved, it also ensures you re recognised for it. In my opinion, there s no better installing solution for the time. MARSAC is very involved in sustainability, and we always try to find the best sustainable solutions to minimize the environmental impacts of our projects. We ve worked with Interface for a long time now and had many successful partnerships in the past. When we were proposed this new system to install carpet tiles, we adopted it right away. We are very convinced of all the benefits it generates and the added value it represents. TacTiles eliminate the biggest source of VOC emissions from a carpet installation. JEAN PAUL CONTIVAL, COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, MARSAC FLOORING COMPANY, FRANCE 8 9
A new and smarter way We used TacTiles on a Our high-priority was to have substantial project of an ongoing business during 1,000 m 2. We had no problems installation without disruption. with laying the tiles using the We rely on this and the result system and the finished result was remarkably positive. It was great. We also didn t went quickly to install all have any issues with cost of the surfaces without any the TacTiles versus adhesive noise and odours that may and we will definitely use this occur when installing with installation method again. I traditional adhesive. am confident that with more A sustainable approach that experience it will be even saves us money and gives quicker to install. Overall it less disruption in our normal was a cleaner, fresher way to work it was the ultimate install carpet. solution for us. BRIAN RUANE, FLOORING CONTRACTOR, CREAN MOSAICS, IRELAND BO GRANQVIST, MANAGEMENT ABB PROPERTY AB, SWEDEN TacTiles is a very smart system that is especially useful for smaller areas, because there is no drying time and no hassle carrying buckets and containers. Often I have to do the repairs or installation while people are working, and then it s a great benefit that there is no smell or off-gassing from the adhesive. People are positively surprised that they are hardly disrupted. KJETIL JACOBSEN, INSTALLER, GULVEKSPERTEN, DENMARK In 2011, we sold more than 30,000,000 TacTiles. This is enough to install 20% of our carpet tiles globally. And the success is growing. It s just a smarter way to install carpet tiles. 10 11
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