Floor coverings play an integral part in any intertenancy flooring system, and the choice of covering will have a direct impact on the floor and its performance. When choosing a floor covering, aesthetics, acoustics, fire safety, comfort and durability are all important considerations, as is the flooring system itself.

While virtually any type of floor covering may be installed on an intertenancy floor, those that provide some kind of acoustic treatment provide the best solution. The transmission of sound between floors is one of the essential problems intertenancy floor systems must solve. Carpet tiles, vinyl and rubber flooring are all good options, especially when combined with an acoustic underlay such as GenieMat. Advance Flooring has access to over 700 test reports for GenieMat for every style of floor to ensure correct and accurate specification.

Carpet tiles with an acoustic backing are an excellent method of reducing sound and vibration, particularly through wooden floors. With the environmental benefits of timber construction being promoted more and more widely, and the development of sophisticated composite-timber intertenancy floor systems, carpet tiles are becoming a more popular choice.

A perfect example is the Scion Innovation Hub, run by the Crown Research Institute focused on the science of forestry in Rotorua, whose new building is constructed almost entirely from timber. The architects specified carpet tiles from Advance to help manage inter-floor acoustics. Fitted with either a fixed acoustic backing or a separate underlay like GenieMat, these tiles offer up to 29dB of noise reduction.

Fire safety is another essential aspect of intertenancy floors, and Advance’s range of carpet tiles all meet or exceed the New Zealand Building Code requirements. Cityscape Detroit tiles, for example, are tested to ISO9239-1, achieving 8.0 kW/m² in Critical Radiant Flux Fire tests for flammability, and pass ASTM E 662, GB/T8627-1999 standards for smoke density.

Recycled rubber flooring is another good solution for intertenancy floors. The cushioning properties of rubber absorb reverberations while also providing warmth and comfort underfoot. The Les Mills gym in Takapuna uses the Neoflex High Impact Tile, a resilient rubber flooring suitable for apartments, hotels and gyms that need to reduce extra noise and vibration.

In any multi-tenancy building, commercial or residential, the comfort, safety and happiness of its users is paramount. Floor coverings for intertenancy floors must conform to the necessary requirements and regulations, but they must also offer aesthetic and physical appeal, creating spaces where people are happy to live and work. With over 40 years’ experience, Advance Flooring offers a wide range of hard and soft floor coverings that will enhance the look, feel and performance of any type of intertenancy floor.