4th edition of the Vitrification Trophy

At the 4th annual Varnishing Awards, Plastor recognized the most outstanding varnishing projects of 2011, deemed representative or prestigious. A true mark of appreciation for flooring professionals, these awards celebrate their expertise and the work accomplished in both the finishing and decoration of the parquet flooring. Whether for residential or public projects, the technical and decorative aspects were decisive factors in the final selection.

Thus, the 2011 winners awarded during this 4th edition, which took place on March 8, are:

• 1st Prize: The Cognin performance hall in Chambéry, built by Jean-Marc MÉCRÉANT’s company

• 2nd Prize: The university restaurant of the Skema Business School in Sophia Antipolis, designed by Pascal LECOCQ’s company

• 3rd Prize: An architect-designed house in Paris, designed by Antonio TAVARES’s company

2011 winners of the 3 most beautiful vitrification projects.

 1st prize: Cognin performance hall in Chambéry - 553 m2 - NET PARQUET company of Jean-Marc MÉCRÉANT (73)

Mr Jean-Marc MÉCRÉANT - Specializing in floor covering installation and parquet renovation.

"Accustomed to renovating sports halls, we carried out this floor renovation project with Plastor, with whom we have been working for over 5 years. This performance hall of over 550 m2, which serves as a covered playground for the primary school in case of bad weather, a multi-purpose hall, etc., is a busy place all year round and the traffic is heavy. 

The parquet flooring in the auditorium, stage, risers, and interior staircases is made of merbeau, an exotic wood that is particularly difficult to varnish. To varnish this parquet, we carried out several tests, under the expert guidance of the Plastor technical department, to obtain the best results in terms of color.

To achieve a good adhesion, we first sanded the surface and then applied an undercoat of Pur-T® Color Enhancer to give a warm shade to this wood species. Then, we applied 2 coats of Pur-T® satin varnish with a roller, ideal for traffic resistance. In the end, we are delighted with this collaboration and the result obtained. The quality of Plastor products and the recommendations of the technical department greatly contributed to this."

Plastor products used:

Pur-T® Color Enhancer

Awarded the European Ecolabel, this unique water-based technical undercoat enhances the original shine of wood. High-quality, environmentally friendly, and formulated with a healthy formula, it offers the same effectiveness as solvent-based products. The result: warm wood with an intense shade.

Pur-T®4

In aqueous phase, Pur-T® 4 sealant is highly resistant to impact and abrasion. In addition, it is formulated with 0% NMP (N-Methyl Pyrrolidone) and NEP (N-Ethyl Pyrrolidone) and is the first two-component sealant to have an FDES (French Safety Data Sheet). Very pleasant to apply, it is odorless. It is also EC 1 R certified.

2nd prize: University Restaurant of the SKEMA Business School of Sophia Antipolis 600 m2 - CAP DECO Company of Pascal LECOCQ (06)

Mr Pascal Lecocq – Specializing in the installation and renovation of parquet floors.

"In this renovation project for the university restaurant, we were responsible for installing and sealing 600 m² of edge-mounted oak parquet flooring. The construction site conditions were rather difficult, due to the high traffic volume of the space and the relatively short implementation deadlines. Given the high footfall and heavy traffic, edge-mounted oak parquet flooring is a very good choice for this type of busy space.

First, we glued the parquet flooring with Plastor polymer glue, then we used a filler binder, a special feature of this project, to fill the joints and restore the parquet's color.

We then applied the Pur-T® tannin inhibitor as an undercoat, to prevent the rising of tannins linked to the type of parquet. Finally, for the last part, the varnishing, we applied 2 coats of Pur-T® 4 satin then 1 coat of Pur-T® 4 extra-matt. This last coat gave the wood a matte, uniform and natural appearance. We are particularly proud of this project, which is becoming a benchmark project for us. And the collaboration with Plastor, through the advice, the service and the quality of the products, allows us to envisage many projects like this one."

Plastor products used:

Filling binder

This synthetic resin is mixed with sanding sawdust to fill joints and cracks. It is suitable for resurfacing wooden floors on edge, and faithfully reproduces the color of the parquet.

Pur-T® Tannin Inhibitor

This water-based technical undercoat is ideal for oak flooring because it blocks tannins and prevents stains. It also allows for easy sanding for finishing. Its invisible appearance preserves the wood's natural tone.

Pur-T®4 Vitrifiers

In its aqueous phase, Pur-T®4 varnish is perfectly suited to varnishing parquet floors exposed to heavy traffic. Its more efficient and more resistant formula is based on polycarbonate, a very hard resin that has the ability to deform to better absorb shocks and scratches.

3rd prize: Architect-designed house in Paris, 200 m2 - Antonio TAVARES company (75)

Antonio Tavares – Craftsman specializing in sanding, renovating and varnishing parquet floors

"The owner of this magnificent house is an architect I know well; we have already worked together on other projects. To protect the 200 m2 of new oak parquet flooring, I called on my Plastor sector manager, with whom I have worked for over 15 years and whose advice and availability I appreciate. We therefore applied 3 coats of Pur-T® 3 extra-matt varnish to the parquet flooring and stairs, which are on 4 levels. The wood was raw, so we lightly sanded the first coat. This matte finish allowed us to maintain the light tone and natural appearance of the wood. With Plastor, my true everyday partner, I was confident about the final result; I am familiar with the performance and quality of the products I have been using for many years."

Plastor product used:

Pur-T®4 Vitrifiers

In aqueous phase, the two-component Pur-T® 4 varnish is based on polycarbonate technology to offer better resistance to aggression and light. Its 0% NMP and NEP formula is respectful of the environment and the user. Without surfactants, this formula is odorless and has a VOC level of 46g/L, the lowest on the market for a two-component. The PUR-T® 4 varnish therefore meets the requirements of professionals who want to use products that are pleasant to use.

Plastor press contact: Primavera Communication