Out of this world
Established in 1945 by the University of Manchester, Jodrell Bank in Cheshire is a deep-space observatory at the cutting-edge of radio astronomy, and is home to the iconic Lovell Telescope.
To welcome its 150,000 annual visitors and help inspire the next generation of astronomers, the UNESCO World Heritage Site was recently looking to open a new discovery centre. It appointed Kier to build the one-storey First Light Pavilion venue, and Kier enlisted WJD Flooring Specialists to install the floor coverings.
The flooring contractor then approached long-term supplier Bostik for its subfloor preparation products and technical advice, before the Bostik technical team visited the site to inspect the subfloor and advise on the best preparation methods ahead of installation.
The first step was to apply Bostik Hytec E570 One Coat to suppress the high levels of moisture in the subfloor and with the DPM left to cure into a glossy and tack-free film overnight, it was then time to prime the subfloor using Bostik GRIP A526 Universal Primer, the company’s solvent-free, acrylic dispersion primer.
The installers then applied SL C500 Ultimate, Bostik’s two-part smoothing compound that incorporates a blend of cements and aggregates combined with special additives. Its unique formulation means SL C500 Ultimate delivers excellent workability and flow, is self-smoothing, and can be trowelled to a feather edge.
Then, with the smoothing compound dry, the floor coverings were ready to be laid. This was achieved using Bostik STIX A740 Multi Best, a resin-modified, solvent-free adhesive that offers extremely strong wet bonding and a long open time for greater convenience on site.
James Harford, Director at WJD Flooring Specialists, comments: “We’ve worked with Bostik over many years, and they are always there when we need their support, from the start to the finish of every project. Their expertise is invaluable because it helps us give our clients an understanding of the requirements we need to achieve the perfect finish. This job was no different, and we couldn’t have done the job we did without Bostik.”
