ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Flooring! There are no shortcuts and no free meals! Talking as someone who`s
museum is in a conservation building, such that every nail is inspected...

If you have a basic floor than you already saving quite a lot- money and
dilemmas....

If not- there is cheap cement, BUT it wears out quickly! It is heavy, thick
(at least 7 cm) sometimes it needs a metal net in it, it doesn`t level well,
and to convert this type of flooring from a garage floor to a museum floor
needs carpets or epoxy cover.

Due to the thickness and weight it needs many construction permits.

Good concrete i.e. high standard is much much more expensive - but has none
of the above "diseases"... in additions it is easily well smoothed!



Usually all floors need a thin epoxy cover which provides the surface with
color, shade and shine. Another option is using PVC cover, here again there
is the cheap option which are ugly and are subject to wear marks, and the
good high standard ones that cost three times but what a deal!



We are opening an exhibition on aviation and in the main hall there are a
few cameras hanging from the ceiling (zeppelin, Mini Remotely-Piloted
Vehicle , MPRVand satellite). we designed the floor to imitate field planes
using this PVC carpets.



Good luck

Tal

___________________________________________

Tal Berman; Ph.D.
Head of the Exhibits Wing
Israel National Museum of Science; Daniel and Matilde Recanati Center
25 Shmaryahu Levin St.; Haifa, 31448; ISRAEL.
Tel: +972-4-8628111 ext. 252; Fax: +972-4-8679103; Cell': +972-68-697425
Email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> >;
Site: http://mustsee.org.il <http://mustsee.org.il>

Always remember, a bad day at sea is better than a good day in the office


-----Original Message-----
From: Joanna Fisher [mailto:[log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]> ]
Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 8:48 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Flooring

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
****************************************************************************
*

A local grocery store donated boxes and boxes of carpet tiles- the same
stuff they use in the produce department. They deal with water beautifully,
the rubber is kind to feet and calves, and dirt and stains and other crazy
things we spill on them come right out. When it doesn't, we just replace the
tile.

Joanna Fisher

-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]> ] On Behalf Of David Taylor
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 8:03 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Flooring

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
************************************************************************
*****

RE: Carpet Tiles

Actually this is very good advice.  I had forgotten, but around 10 years ago
I got 50,000 sq.ft. of carpet tiles donated from a building that was being
renovated down town.  Even though there were some tiles we had to throw out
due to stains, etc.
they were a great find... they also had a thick rubber back so were very
comfortable to stand on.

Contact some of the large remodeling contractors and/or carpet installers.
They are often responsible for taking these out before remodeling and it
saves the dump fees if you take them.  You will have to spend a couple of $$
a sq.yd. to have them reinstalled, but they have a long life.

Dave Taylor

~~~~~~~~~~~

> From: jeff courtman <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 08:13:54 -0500
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Flooring

> the best luck we ever experienced was with carpet tiles.  there is a
wide
> range in quality: obviously go for the best you can afford.
>
> we were even lucky enough to have over 5,000 square ft. donated from a
> business that was renovating.  they were from a very low traffic use
and
> appeared new.
>
> you can use several colors if you like to create patterns - they are
easy to
> replace.  on several occasions when it was absolutely necessary, we
had no
> qualms about cutting some out to put 'something' in - not having to
worry
> about ruining an expensive piece of sheet good.  for instance, when we
moved
> our bubble area temporarily, no qualms about taking up a carpet area
about
> 25 x 12.
> only drawback - you need more than you need (for maintenance purposes
down
> the line, making sure you have the same color run).
>
> Jeff Courtman
> Mind-Works
> 4026 Richmond Ave
> Shreveport, LA  71106
> 214.450.8872
>

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