Holy Ground

When it comes to seamless floors, the malerfaktur team from Münster is absolutely top class. In a former church, they show why.

Today we are going to the church of St Nicholas in Bochum-Wattenscheid. Not for worship, but to marvel. From the outside, the former parish church  with its massive masonry and the onion dome exactly as it was built more than 90 years ago. The last service was held here in 2008. Two years ago, it was decided to convert the deconsecrated church into a modern office building.

Inside, the church interior is hardly recognizable. The nave has been completely gutted, and a new floor slab with an elliptical opening has been installed. A painting company from Münster was commissioned with the challenging task of installing seamless floors over a large area in the historic building. Why? “Because we can,” says the website of malerfaktur.
And we want to see that for ourselves — directly on site.

"Installing a seamless floor in a historic building, where not everything is straight or level by any means and both the client and the architect have clear requirements, is a particular challenge."

Stefan Wübbelt

An experienced team, perfectly harmonised

"We have a particular penchant for the highest standards of craftsmanship, especially for seamless floors. That's what sets us apart," says master painter Thomas Wübbelt. His brother Stefan and his three experienced colleagues are perfectly harmonised. They know the material, work with the best tools and have the experience that is irreplaceable for such a demanding task. Everything is planned step by step and drying times are strictly adhered to. Everyone knows what needs to be done and when. One wheel must mesh with the other. So that in the end the seamless floor not only shines visually, but also impresses in terms of robustness and durability.

Best tools for optimum substrate preparation

Before the team gets started, the walls are carefully masked off. Then it’s time for robust substrate preparation. Expansion joints and cracks in the screed are cut using the Festool DSC-AG 125 FH cutting system.
In addition to the large disc sander, the RG 130 surface-restoration grinders also prove their worth. Nadine Osterhoff is impressed: “What I really appreciate about the new RG 130 is that the brush segment allows you to mill right up to the edge. Thanks to the modified brush length, much less dust is generated. Festool has really thought one step ahead – and we’re thrilled with it.

Prepare the material and allow it to flow in a controlled manner

"Machines? Very important topic!" emphasises Stefan. "To really get to the point, you need one hundred percent reliable tools with high performance." The malerfaktur team also appreciates Festool's efficient dust extraction - not only when Routing and sanding, but also when mixing the materials. The MX1600 Stirreris used in various phases of the work process. This is because the screed is first primed with primer and sanded with quartz sand. Later, the material for the actual floor covering is mixed: PANDOMO Floor, additionally enriched with a special hard grain sand that increases its resistance.

Then comes the big moment: when the material is poured and spreads, when Stefan and Nadine glide over the flowing surface , spreading and catching the material with wide squeegees, in even and controlled movements, like a kind of ballet on overshoes with spikes. There is no doubt about it: the glossy surface that reflects the architecture is beautiful to look at, but it is also uncompromisingly honest. Only when the floor is completely dry will it become clear how carefully and precisely the malerfaktur team worked in all phases of the finishing process.

Careful and precise work right up to the finish

The next morning, the surface is ready to walk on - Stefan is more than satisfied with the result. Then the finishing work begins. Expansion joints are carefully exposed and the entire flooring is sanded over a large area. Kathrin works with the ROTEX RO 150 on the small areas and with the RO 90 in the corners and hard-to-reach edge areas. "Although these are large areas, you have to be very precise in the details," she says. The seamless floor is finished with a colour-enhancing Sealant.

"Machines are very important, of course. I really like the ROTEX because it's a great machine in terms of weight, handling and posture."

Kathrin Schellberg

The floor enhances the sophisticated architecture

"Our team has twenty years of experience with PANDOMO," says Thomas." In dialogue with the manufacturer, we have accompanied the latest product developments and perfected their processing." The painting company benefits from this knowledge and experience - and, above all, the customers.

The challenging task of realising a seamless floor of the highest standard in a historic church building; working with the optimum tools to achieve the best result in the end - that's what the painter's company focuses on. The employees of malerfaktur are justifiably proud of this. Thomas Wübbelt looks down from the upper floor through the ellipse down to the freshly laid floor. Not to check, but out of pure joy. "We want to turn our customers into fans," he says. There is a good reason why his team succeeds time and again for one good reason: because they simply can.