In a ceremony today at the TISE – Surfaces trade show in Las Vegas, the winners of the Schönox Worst Subfloor Contest™ were announced.  “The response to the Contest in this our third year for the event has been outstanding with many more entries than last year and such strong support from the flooring industry,” commented Doug Young, HPS Schönox Executive Vice President.  “I am really impressed by the expertise and dedication demonstrated by all of the installation teams represented in the Contest entries.”
John McGrath, Jr. (Executive Director of INSTALL,) David Simpson (Owner of US Concrete Moisture Testing and US Textures, Inc.,) and Robert Varden (Executive Director, CFI) judged the contest entries in an impartial manner that included having all identifying information removed from the entries with only the photos and project notes provided for their review.
“The judging process for me is all about assessing the project situation, understanding the direction the installation team took, and how they used the subfloor products to solve the various challenges,” explained Robert Varden, second-time judge of the Schönox Worst Subfloor Contest™.  “I was honored to serve as a judge for the Contest providing me with a chance to see so many successful subfloor projects.”
The Schönox Worst Subfloor Contest™ is an opportunity for any company charged with making a damaged subfloor smooth and sound to show the tough subfloor conditions that they encountered and how they renovated them using Schönox products.  The Contest entries were independently judged with first, second, and third place winners awarded Schönox dollars based on the severity of the original subfloor’s condition, the skill and attention to detail taken in executing the project, and the quality of the finished subfloor.  Three installation team members from each of the winning entries also received prizes including weekend trips to Las Vegas, Dewalt tool, and Yeti coolers.
The winning companies were as follows:
Place                 Company / Contact                            Location                                 Distributor                             Representative
First:                 Carpets Direct                                       Walton, KY                           CDC Distributors                 AJ Roberto
Dan Meyers
 
Second:           Sprague Floor Covering                     Dover, NH                            W.J. Grosvenor                    Sal DeRosa
Darrell Sprague
 
Third:               Greer’s Flooring America                  Evansville, IN                      CDC                                       Don Brickweg
Mel Greer
Carpets Direct in Walton, KY won first prize in the Contest with a renovation project in a 70 year old building with multiple subfloor challenges.  “The client wanted to use an engineered hardwood floor that would be glued in place, but so many subfloor problems made that a challenge,” explained AJ Roberto with CDC Distributors.  “A combination of Schönox products were used to level the subfloor allowing the client’s chosen flooring specification to be installed successfully.”
Sprague Floor Covering took second place with a project completed at Shapleigh Elementary School in Maine.  Significant moisture issues had to be overcome that had led to the failure of the previous patching and VCT flooring installation.  Schönox moisture mitigation systems and self-leveling compounds were used to remedy the tough subfloor conditions.
Greer’s Flooring America won third prize for their 5500 square foot commercial real estate project that began with loose quarry tile, lightweight concrete, and trenches which were both high and low throughout the space.  Schönox AP, synthetic gypsum self-leveling compound, was poured creating a smooth, strong subfloor on which VCT tile was installed.
The number of entries for this the third year for the event are higher than either of the prior years.  “The Contest provides a real-world proving ground putting Schönox products to the test in the worst subfloor circumstances,” explained Thomas Trissl, Principal, HPS Schönox.  “Everything that we learn in the field is taken back and incorporated into our research and development efforts ensuring that our products meet emerging subfloor challenges, perform even better, and do so more quickly.”
About HPS Schönox
HPS Schönox provides a complete subflooring product array to North America including primers & moisture mitigation systems, subfloor repair products, floor leveling compounds, adhesives, and waterproofing materials for installing all types of floor coverings. The trademark Schönox®, with its unique problem solvers and product systems, was created for professional use.  HPS Schönox is a subsidiary of TMT America, Inc.  If you would like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview, please call Joni Willingham at 855-391-2649 or email her at jwillingham@hpsubfloors.com. Our corporate office is located at:  511 Wilhite Street, Florence, AL  35630.  We welcome the opportunity to talk with you.