What happens when a group of young people get the chance to discover a trade they may never have considered?
In this episode of The Underlay, Matt and Michael are in Melbourne for a hands-on flooring experience designed to open doors and show students what a future in the industry could look like.

Hosted at Clever Choice's Melbourne facility, the two-day program brings together students from Saints College, the Flooring Covering Industry Association (FCIA), Clever Choice and industry partner RLA Polymers. Students get on the tools and try a range of practical skills, including floor preparation, self-levelling, ramping, carpet work, and vinyl welding.

Matt and Michael are joined by Fiona from the FCIA, who explains how the initiative came together and why giving young people a chance to experience flooring first-hand can make such a difference. They discuss the many pathways available, from apprenticeships and installation to sales, warehousing, design and other roles across the industry.

Students Olivia and Dillinger share their program experiences, what they enjoyed, and how Saints College has supported them in exploring their futures. Olivia talks about her interest in hands-on work, while Dillinger asks about the possibility of a flooring apprenticeship.

The conversation continues with Adam, Director of Teaching and Learning at Saints College's Sunshine campus. He shares how the school's flexible approach puts student wellbeing, individual needs and career pathways at the centre of learning.

Fiona also gives us a look ahead at plans for Floortec 2027, the FCIA's 10-year anniversary celebrations and mentoring opportunities for apprentices and young professionals.

This episode reminds us that one introduction, one opportunity, and one person willing to help can make a difference. If you’re an installer, retailer, contractor or flooring business, consider how you could support work experience, mentoring or the next generation of flooring professionals.

🎧 Listen now and help us show young people that flooring isn’t boring!

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Great flooring starts before the first board is laid. In this episode of The Underlay, host Matt sits down in Sydney with Clever Choice General Manager Michael Roberts and team member Preanka Hasan to explore how architectural thinking, technical knowledge and collaboration come together to deliver better commercial flooring outcomes.

A qualified architect who studied at Bauhaus University in Germany, Preanka shares her journey from European design inspiration to Australia’s building products industry. Her passion for architecture remains central to her work, helping architects, designers, builders and contractors turn their vision into practical flooring solutions.

Together, Michael and Preanka unpack why commercial flooring involves more than choosing a colour. From slip resistance and fire ratings to acoustics, sustainability requirements, floor heights and installation methods, every project brings its own challenges. By combining design insight with product and installation expertise, the team asks the right questions from the start.

The conversation also explores what happens behind the scenes. Stock availability, warehouse coordination and responsive project management can make a difference when construction schedules change. Michael and Preanka explain how Clever Choice approaches complete flooring systems, including subfloor preparation, moisture barriers, adhesives and matching trims, with compatibility and performance guiding the process.

The article also looks at maintaining consistent colour schemes across different flooring types when specifications change, plus the creative possibilities of Designer's Choice. Think distinctive parquetry patterns, custom designs and decorative inlays that give a space its own personality.

Whether you are specifying a school, planning an office fit-out, or creating a luxury residence, this episode looks at the people and processes behind commercial flooring.

Listen now, share this episode with your project team and connect with Clever Choice to discuss your next flooring challenge.
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What happens when a flooring concern turns into a claim? In this episode of The Underlay, host Matt is joined by Clever Choice General Manager Michael Roberts and Senior Sales Manager Greg Harvey to talk openly about the questions they hear from retailers, installers and homeowners, and how better conversations can help prevent problems before a floor goes down.

They begin with one of the biggest sources of surprise: colour and pattern variation. A small sample can only show so much of a finished floor, especially in ranges designed to capture the varied look of natural timber. Michael and Greg explain why two planks may look different, how lighting changes what you see, and why it pays to ask customers early whether they prefer a uniform finish or a more natural look.

Next, the team discusses super matt finishes. They explore why the finish looks so convincing, why footprints, body oils and spills can sometimes appear more noticeable, and how the right cleaning approach helps keep the floor looking its best. It is a practical reminder that the features people love about a product should be part of the conversation when they choose it.

The discussion then moves beneath and around the floor. Michael explains why moisture testing and the right preparation products matter, while Greg and Matt focus on trims, expansion gaps and transitions between rooms. A well-matched trim completes the look, but correct installation also gives a floating floor room to move.

Throughout the episode, the message is clear: ask the right questions, set clear expectations and follow the installation guidance. Clever Choice's training videos and resources help retailers and installers share that knowledge with customers.

If you sell, install or are choosing a new floor, this conversation will help you understand what to look for and what to ask. For more information, speak with your Clever Choice representative or visit your local flooring retailer.

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