Case Study: Rabobank, the Netherlands

Contractors from Rocco de Vries Woning en Projectstoffering in the Netherlands have used F. Ball products, including Stopgap 300 and Styccobond F44, to create a durable floor finish as part of the refurbishment of a branch of Rabobank, in Langedijk, North Holland.

Contractors began by removing old vinyl floorcoverings and sanding down adhesive residues to provide a sound base, free from contamination. A moisture test was also carried out to check that the sand/cement subfloor was dry enough to proceed with the installation of floorcoverings.

F. Ball’s Stopgap P131 general purpose primer was applied over the subfloor. Stopgap P131 promotes adhesion and prevents the unacceptably rapid drying of smoothing compounds when applied over absorbent surfaces like sand/cement screed.

Stopgap 300 was then applied using a trowel at a 3mm thickness over an area of 250m². Stopgap 300 is a fast drying, self-smoothing smoothing compound, suitable for use in light to heavy-duty areas prior to the installation of new floorcoverings. The heavy-duty smoothing compound will withstand the high levels of daily footfall expected at the bank.

Resilient finish

Leoxx Expona and 2Tec2 durable PVC floorcoverings were installed over the smoothing compound to create an attractive, long-lasting floor finish throughout the building, using F. Ball’s Styccobond F44. Styccobond F44 is a solvent-free acrylic emulsion adhesive, ideal for the installation of a wide range of vinyl floorcoverings. It boasts high bond strength, strong initial tack and a long open time.

Rocco de Vries, of Rocco de Vries Woning en Projectstoffering, said of the project: “I have been using F. Ball products since they first became available in Holland. I choose them because of their very good quality, great prices and excellent support. Everybody at F. Ball is very friendly and easy to work with, I’ve never had any problems with an F. Ball product.”