Crystal Palace Football Club

Crystal Palace FC's Training Ground & Academy required a distinctive entertainment space that would stand out from others. The design aimed for a blend of classic London style with a warmer interior feel that smoothly transitioned from the cooler exterior. To achieve this, the client selected a Signature Collection Unfinished Engineered Herringbone an engineered timber solution that offers versatility in tone and finish. The natural grain and knotting of the oak provided a subtle, authentic appearance. PALLMANN Magic Oil was therefore chosen to enhance the wood's texture and impart a warm, lived-in character while maintaining an overall refined aesthetic.

Practicality was just as important as appearance for this busy and adaptable area. Ceramic tiled walkways needed to seamlessly meet the wood flooring in a cohesive and durable manner. To ensure a stable and long-lasting installation, the floor was fully bonded using PALLMANN P5 Adhesive over a carefully prepared subfloor. The substrate was primed with UZIN PE 360 Primer and then coated with UZIN NC 151 smoothing compound to provide a sound base for the wood floor. In areas requiring moisture protection, UZIN PE 404 moisture suppressant was used as a damp-proofing suppressant. This sequence created a robust foundation capable of supporting daily foot traffic, furniture movement, and cleaning routines without compromising the finish.

The application of PALLMANN Magic Oil was straightforward and efficient. The product absorbed evenly into the oak, highlighting the herringbone pattern and enhancing the wood's natural warmth. The drying times were well-suited to the tight schedule of the training ground, allowing for a quick return to service and minimising disruption. The end result is a striking entertainment space that honours Crystal Palace's heritage aesthetic while providing a resilient, low-maintenance surface capable of handling the demands of an active academy environment.

“We were very impressed with the overall finish, knowing we required a hard-wearing solution for our new floors, to support the busy restaurant and bar areas. Rather than having a pre-finished option, the oil used really brought out the grain of the Oak, which is what we really wanted.”