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From Weldon Village Academy in Corby to Holyrood Academy in Somerset, these projects demonstrate how the right flooring choices can meet environmental targets while still performing in busy school environments.
When BAM Construct UK began work on Weldon Village Academy, the aim was to create a state-of-the-art, eco-efficient school. Flooring was an important part of this vision. The team needed a solution with reduced embodied carbon, high slip-resistance for high-traffic areas, and recyclability. BAM turned to Altro for advice and specification support.
For the school’s corridors and classrooms, Altro XpressLay adhesive-free safety flooring was chosen. This solution requires no adhesive or damp-proof membrane, reducing installation time and carbon impact. It can be installed and walked on the same day, offers quick access to subfloors, and avoids adhesive odours. Thanks to its studded underside, it lies flat and performs like a traditionally adhered floor while providing all the benefits of an adhesive-free installation.
BAM also introduced Recofloor, the UK’s first vinyl take-back scheme co-founded by Altro and Polyflor. Clean vinyl offcuts from the 3,000 sqm installation were collected and recycled, avoiding 1.88 tonnes of embodied carbon emissions. Recofloor Scheme Manager Carla Eslava summed it up: “Every offcut matters when it comes to diverting waste vinyl from landfill.”
At Holyrood Academy, BAM identified the potential to improve sustainability by switching from traditionally adhered flooring to adhesive-free alternatives. After consultation between BAM, Altro and Recofloor, the dining area was fitted with Altro Wood adhesive-free safety flooring, while corridors and communal areas were completed with Altro Cantata adhesive-free. This change resulted in a 59% carbon saving, preventing 3.89 tonnes of embodied carbon from being emitted. It also helped the project meet timescales while reducing on-site disruption.
David Lever, Altro’s Sustainability Manager, explained: “The real headline grabber is the carbon saved by avoiding adhesives and damp-proof membranes without compromising performance.”
Sustainability was also a central focus at Sciennes Primary School, one of the first Passivhaus school projects in Scotland. Passivhaus buildings demand exceptionally high performance in energy efficiency and environmental impact, making product choices critical.
Here, Altro adhesive-free floors proved invaluable when an issue arose with a damp sub-floor in the new extension. Scott McKenzie from CRM Flooring, who installed the floors, explained:
“Altro Cantata adhesive-free and Altro XpressLay adhesive-free provided the perfect solution when an issue with a damp sub-floor at the new extension was encountered. The new build, concrete substrate, had not been allowed to fully dry before wooden timbers were overlaid, causing the wooden timbers to rot. As Altro adhesive-free floors could be taken up easily, rolled up, and stored – allowing the remedial building work to commence speedily – it shortened the project timescale, saved the client money by not having to purchase a replacement floor, and meant that any remaining damp would be able to dissipate easily. Relaying the floor only took a couple of hours for each area and since the work was completed, the school have had no further problems with a damp substrate.”
This case study highlights not only the sustainability credentials of adhesive-free flooring, but also its practical problem-solving benefits on complex projects.
RBJ Flooring, the installers for Holyrood Academy, also saw practical benefits. John Redford commented: “Using adhesive-free products takes out the wet trades, saves heavy lifting, and makes the process quicker and cleaner. We’re always happy working with Altro products.”
These projects highlight how innovation, teamwork and smart specification choices can lead to schools that perform brilliantly for both people and the planet.
Discover the many benefits of Altro adhesive-free floors here.
