Ronald McDonald House

Although Ronald McDonald House Charities is named for the colorful fast food restaurant icon, there was no clowning around when it came to choosing a flooring system for an addition to the multi-family residence near St. Jude Hospital in Memphis. “The architect specified a Tnemec decorative quartz epoxy floor system,” reported Tnemec coating consultant Arthur Valentine. “The flooring was used in the dining and kitchen areas, which are similar in size to a small school cafeteria.”

Preparation of the concrete floors involved shot-blasting the surface to remove laitance, curing compounds, dust and other contaminants and to provide a surface profile in accordance with SSPC-SP13/NACE No. 6, ICRI CSP3-5. The specification called for Series 222 Deco-Tread, a decorative broadcast laminated floor-topping system, installed at 1/8” minimum thickness. Applicators spread the liquid epoxy evenly across the floor by roller, then broadcast the decorative colored quartz until it fully loaded the epoxy. Once cured, the excess aggregate was removed and the process repeated. In addition to its aesthetically pleasing appearance, Deco-Tread protects against impact, abrasion and mild chemicals typically found in kitchen and food preparation areas.

While the Deco-Tread flooring system has seen heavy daily use, upon visiting the project in 2007 Valentine reported that, “It still looked good and they’re very happy with it.”

The Ronald McDonald House is operated by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis Inc., a non-profit corporation. The facility serves St. Jude patients and families staying in Memphis for treatment that is expected to last eight days to three months. The Ronald McDonald House of Memphis is unique as it is presently this charity’s only facility in the world exclusive to one medical facility or cause and is the third-largest Ronald McDonald House, with 51 rooms.