Preserving High Carbon Assets
Example of concrete sub-floor damage
The most expensive and highest embodied carbon component of any flooring system is typically the sub-floor.
So it’s important to consider how building assets below the top flooring surface such as concrete sub-floors and metal raised access flooring are best preserved.
Using traditional adhesive-based flooring installation methods can contaminate both the sub-floor and flooring itself, resulting in expensive, messy remediation in between leases and impeding material reuse.
The modern method of flooring installation
Our preferred installation method of adhesive-free IOBAC MagTabs® and Tab-It® means Shaw Contract EMEA carpet and Luxury Vinyl tiles can be cleanly uplifted, reused or recycled after first use.
We’re promoting a holistic and practical approach to managing the flooring lifecycle by providing an industry-first 2nd location warranty
Giving you peace of mind that our products can be reused without compromising performance.
Benefits of Adhesive-free Installation for Building Owner/Operators
✓ Uplifted floor tiles are uncontaminated – giving them an extended life via reuse or recycling
✓ Independent whole life embodied carbon modelling shows up to 80% carbon savings with adhesive-free installation
✓ Command higher rental value with credits towards sustainability accreditations such as BREEAM and LEED
✓ Sub-floors undamaged, saving on remedial and dilapidation costs
✓ Up to 40% whole-life cost savings using adhesive-free installation
✓ Easy access, repair and maintenance
✓ Designed for deconstruction - IOBAC reversible fixing mechanisms allow easy separation of Shaw Contract carpet and LVT at end of lease
✓ Easier repurposing of assets and flexibility across current and future leases
✓ Attract and retain tenants with agile, adaptable spaces
The Importance of Asset Protection - An example
The project example below shows that 1,000 sqm of building assets worth around £75,000 can be damaged by using just £500 worth of adhesive.
Plus, it costs an additional £15,500 to repair the damage and dispose of the contaminated floor covering.
Whereas, installation using IOBAC Adhesive-free Flooring Installation Tabs keeps the sub-floor clean and ready for immediate reuse, with
With adhesive-free installation, the Shaw Contract EMEA floor covering can be reused or recycled, so costs for the next install are reduced due to material reuse.
And ongoing repair and maintenance costs are also significantly reduced since specialist contractors or tools are not required. As a self-maintenance solution for clients, in-house staff can simply lift and replace damaged flooring tiles themselves.
In fact, our whole-life cost comparison demonstrates that thanks to material reuse,
installation using adhesive-free methods can costs can be up to 40% less than traditional methods.
Case Studies & References
Leading real estate company Landsec published its Material Brief in 2021, setting out its preferred and ideal requirements for common materials used in its development and portfolio projects.
For flooring installation, the Materials Brief states:
- “Avoid using adhesives to create composite materials that cannot be recycled.”
- Preferred for Flooring – “Mechanically (as opposed to chemically) fixed methods.”
Ideal for Flooring – “Products with established closed loop recycling systems (take back schemes).”