Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the SMARTSQUARE system. However, if there is something not answered below please feel free to contact us for a no obligation discussion.
To grasp a better understanding of the SMARTSQUARE concept you also can view our Gallery, Videos and Projects.
If you are running low on storage space, you are not alone. The SMARTSQUARE system includes purpose-built SMARTCART trolleys. They are very compact so that you don’t take up precious storage space. Each standard cart holds 200m2, thus a standard school-size gym will only need about 4 to 7m2 of floor space for storage. Trolleys can be customised to fit under your stage, stairway, or they can even be made as stackable. Also, they are very sturdy so you can stack other items on top of them.
The SMARTCART’s really are key to the overall system, allowing efficient installation and more time for your team to get on with setting up other aspects of the event. The non-marking wheels mean that there is no damage to the floor (watch out though, to make sure there is no grit on the wheel before rolling it over your lovely sports floor!) They are heavy (approx. 700kg) but run very smoothly. To “break-out” this weight in a rolling load is do-able with one person, and easy with two.
That’s a fair question. It is a significant investment, but it is that, i.e. an investment not an expense. It will last for years, it will save you money and it can even make you money. The investment level does depend on a range of factors, especially size, freight-cost, delivery time and storage requirements.
However do consider the long term savings of this quality investment: how much do you spend on floor maintenance? Floor replacement? How much do you spend on hiring venues for prize-givings? How much could you raise for the school through trivia-nights and venue hire? How much better would your parent teacher evenings be with an acoustically improved venue? Your exams? How much would you students value an end-of-year banquet, onsite, as a memory they can keep? Worthwhile sharing with your leadership team, I’m sure…
SMARTSQUARE demonstration stock is available, if you contact us there may be something that can be organised such as a demonstration or a free trial (depending on work-load and availability at your date).
Like all investments, yes there are ways to spread the “cost” over a period of time. Ask us about hire-to-buy or part-purchases so you can start making the most of your resources now.
SMARTSQUARE is a tough synthetic carpet. As such you clean it the same as any carpet: vacuum regularly, spot clean stains when they’re new, and deep-clean periodically. Of course, it depends on how much use it gets and what type of events you are holding. However, the best thing about SMARTSQUARE is that you can literally take a tile outside, hose it down and leave it out to dry (depending what part of the world you live in!) Also, being modular, if you do get a stained, damaged or unsightly tile, you can replace that one module not a whole roll. Ask your agent for a cleaning guide if you need more information.
There are four scolours available being Grey (Standard), Light Grey, Charcoal Black and Dark Solid Black. (If you want a colour chart, just ask!) Over several years we have noticed that Grey is far and away the most popular. This is because it is dark enough to accommodate normal levels of soiling from common foot traffic, and light enough to make the space feel spacious. The darker colours tend to “close in” a space, and make it feel too heavy. Also the other colours are very limiting in what can be matched with them. Overall the grey is more neutral and gives the floor an unobtrusive ambience for all kinds of events. It will keep looking good for years too, despite changes in fashion and heavy traffic.
Maybe yes, maybe no. We used to think the same, as did many others, but after years of experience we have proved time and again that SMARTSQUARE users win in the long run. So, consider these factors before reaching a conclusion.
A: The install time being slower is a myth. I was there when we shot that video clip: it was literally 6 guys installing 400m2 in ten minutes, yes ten, I promise. We also installed a university gym-floor the other day – 2000m2 in 1 ½ hours with 6 people. Having said that, the first time you install Rollout it might be faster because you just kick it out. BUT it probably won’t be faster to pack up again – you’ll spend many frustrating hours trying to roll it up without it telescoping into a roll twice as wide (while the basketball team get frustrated because they want to use the court…) Then you’ll have these heavy and unwieldy rolls you have to somehow transport to the storage area and you’ll nearly break your back… The second time you install it, it likely won’t be faster: it will be wrinkled from being rolled up in a hurry, and creased from being stored carelessly. This will only get worse and within a few uses you’ll probably be putting sticky tape or Velcro on the seams to hold it all together: added expense, added set up time and added frustration.
B: If you are in a hurry to install it you can do SMARTSQUARE faster with more people. I can put you on to countless folk who have had bad experience with roll-out, the reason being that you have to know what you’re doing or you’ll make a botch of it. With SMARTSQUARE you can use any number of inexperienced personnel on the job, and this will (usually) speed up the process. (Sure, it depends on the work ethic but many hands do make light work!)
C: Uplift is another factor where there are ‘hidden’ efficiencies with SMARTSQUARE: Often you will have a spill or a mark somewhere on the carpet. With rollout you’ll need to leave the whole roll sitting out until you’ve fixed it, but with SMARTSQUARE you can pack up all the surrounding modules and leave the offending tile out for cleaning (as above).
D: In the same vein, the overall asset is going to last a lot longer. If you damage or irreparably stain a roll, you’ll have to replace a whole roll (between 60 and 90m2). Conversely, if you damage a tile, you only have to replace that one.
E: overall, the SMARTSQUARE product is designed and created for this demanding application, i.e. to lay loose without any fixings, without curling, and without marking the subfloor. Rollout products are really made for permanent installation, to be glued or fixed to the floor in some way. So, as rolls are used (and abused) they will deteriorate, shrink, curl and wrinkle. Thus, after a few uses your “events hall” will look very tatty. I often explain it by saying that rollout has moving parts; modular does not and will last much longer … As the Chinese proverb goes, quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten. This is so true; years after investing in SMARTSQUARE users are still raving fans. SMARTSQUARE really is a no-brainer!
SMARTSQUARE has a five year warranty, but lasts longer in practice. The lifespan will depend on how much the product is used, and how it is cared for. A meaningful gauge was given recently by an event venue that phoned to order some more tiles. They’d been using SMARTSQUARE for a decade, and they said they are still as good as when they bought them. (This was in a high-use commercial environment.) So, you can expect the SMARTSQUARE system to serve your organisation well into the future.
Time and time again we receive feedback from customers who are surprised about the quality of the SMARTSQUARE system and just how long it lasts. It really is an investment that pays off!
The magic of SMARTSQUARE is really in the backing: it’s designed and created for this demanding application, i.e. to lay loose without any fixings, without curling, and without marking the subfloor. Whereas most floor-coverings are really made for permanent installation, to be glued or fixed to the floor in some way, SMARTSQUARE when installed will stay neat and flat (even if down permanently).
SMARTSQUAREs will not curl, fray, or tear. Seeing is believing: View the video again, or contact us for a demonstration at your place.
This can be a good idea, quite a few of our customers will use SMARTSQUARE in different venues. The beauty of a modular product is that it can be used in any configuration. So, carpet your drama room, your hall, your lobby or your gymnasium.
Another idea is to hire or lend their SMARTSQUARE’s out to other nearby venues: schools, sports centres or halls. SMARTSQUARE is easily relocatable, especially with our customised trailer system.
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