Warrington-based Kemtile, a division of Stonhard, has delivered a ‘top of the bill’ flooring solution by laying 1200m2 of resin flooring at the popular SSE Arena in Belfast.
The SSE Arena is an indoor multi-purpose venue at the heart of Belfast’s iconic Titanic Quarter which welcomes over 800,000 visitors every year to see international performers, sporting events, exhibitions, and conferences.
The venue needed a new hard-wearing floor finish to replace an existing non-compliant system on its lower concourse area that experiences a large amount of “footfall” during events.
For this latest project, Kemtile was asked to provide its flooring expertise and experience after installing the upper concourse floor back in 2018.
The brief was simple; to remove the current system – deemed not fit for purpose – and supply and install a new hard-wearing floor, suitable for this high profile, heavy-traffic entertainment and commercial area.
The Kemtile team was also asked if they could extend the entrance matting system to the arena’s main entrance doors and most importantly have the whole project completed within four weeks.
Kemtile recommended using Stonclad GS, a seamless heavy-duty, power-trowelled epoxy-based mortar system at 6mm thick. Firstly, the Kemtile team removed the old cementitious flooring system using road planers and diamond grinding. The redundant service ducts exposed by the preparation process were then treated with Stonproof CT5 a unique, flexible, crack bridging system that prevents any movement in the subfloor reflecting through the new Stonclad finish.
After the preparation process and application of the Stonproof CT5 the Stonclad GS was installed. Because it can be power floated it can be applied over large areas very quickly with installation rates of over 1000m2 a day being easily achieved. Stonclad GS is partnered with Stonkote HT4 to provide that important cleanability and slip resistance.
Stonclad GS is a power-trowelled, epoxy mortar system, it cures to provide an extremely hard, impact-resistant mortar that provides excellent abrasion, wear, and chemical resistance. It can be used anywhere where a resilient and seamless, non-dusting floor finish is required.
In the main entrance doorway to the arena, Kemtile reduced the existing concrete floor to provide a suitable recess and then inserted the new matting as specified by the arena. In addition, the existing matting was replaced as well. The matting and new floor blend seamlessly to provide a perfect consistent finish to the arena’s lower concourse area.
The whole project was completed on time with a few days to spare so the arena could make all its preparations for the next event.
Craig Barrington, Associate Director of Estates and Facilities at the Odyssey Trust Company, who runs the SSE Arena, commented: “Like most busy events venues our floors are under constant pressure, and we needed sound advice from flooring experts for a suitable solution for this heavily trafficked commercial area. The previous Stonhard flooring had stood the test of time so we looked to engage Kemtile to work their magic across the rest of the area.
“They have been very reliable partners. We have been impressed by their knowledge and professionalism throughout the process. They have delivered a high-quality floor finish for us that will withstand traffic, ahead of the deadline.”
Kemtile’s David Priest commented: “This was a challenging brief. We were contracted to complete the job by a certain time, all the existing finishes had to be removed and you never know what you will find underneath with jobs like this. The access and working environment was also challenging, with lots of decorative finishes around the place which we needed to protect throughout.”
The Stonclad GS system fitted the bill for this particular project, it’s such a versatile system and can be used in all sorts of environments and facilities, including commercial, general manufacturing and pharmaceutical facilities. The Stonclad range is extensive and includes three epoxy-based systems and three polyurethane that are more suited to food environments.
He added: “We have supplied a flooring solution with durability that the Estates and Facilities team at the arena were looking for at a complex, busy venue within three weeks. I am very proud of everyone at Kemtile and our associates who worked hard to seamlessly deliver this particular project.”
