French Quarter Supermarket
New Orleans, LA
Category: 2021 Hospitality/Public Space, Unique Installation Challenge
Starnet Member:
Cornerstone Commercial Flooring
Starnet Preferred Vendors:
Armstrong Flooring, MAPEI, Pacific Data Solutions, Schönox
Project Strategy
This supermarket-chain, housed in a 150+ year old building in the Historic New Orleans French Quarter, 2 blocks from the Mississippi River Levee , is a hub for residents in need of daily necessities, and tourists alike. The goal was to install new Armstrong vinyl plank flooring within a 5-day window, following demolition of Classic antique mosaic ceramic tile and abatement of previous 7 layers of resilient flooring. The exposed foundation revealed 4 different prior buildings footprints . One was large slate stone slabs. The building was destroyed by fire in 1871 and was rebuilt on the existing foundation. Significant moisture intrusion had been occurring for some time. New Orleans is 5-9 ft below sea level in most places.
Unique Installation Challenge Strategy
Cornerstone’s unique challenge began when we realized that abatement company used chemicals to dissolve adhesives rather than other planned methods that would have allowed for simple prime, patch and install of new flooring. We were now dealing with residue and unknown liquids in the substrate. As well as multiple previous foundations.The challenge was to create a totally floating system consisting of a vapor/moisture barrier, self-leveling patching, and epoxy adhesive.
Through a rapid collaboration of vendor partners Schonox, Mapei, & Armstrong, along with installation professionals, we created a solution that would also keep the original 5-day schedule for completion. Schonox Renotex 3D Reinforcement Fabric, Schonox RS 50 Foam Tape and 425 bags of Schonox AP Rapid Self-Leveling Compound were used in the 3300 square foot venue. Without any setbacks, Cornerstone completed the prep with Schonox AST “Rapid Drying” Patching Compound and installed the new Armstrong vinyl plank using Mapei G15 “High Moisture” Epoxy Adhesive.