Description
Roberts F23 Feather is a rapid drying, Respirable Silica Compliant cement-based skim smoothing compound designed to provide a smooth, even surface across a range of internal substrates ahead of floor covering installation. It mixes easily with water into an easy-to-apply patching compound, and is ready to accept most floor coverings after just 20-30 minutes — a genuine advantage for jobs working to tight deadlines where a slower-curing leveller would hold up the schedule.
Applied from feather edge up to 3mm thickness in a single coat, it delivers high adhesion strength across concrete, timber, ceramic tiles and terrazzo, and is compatible with the full range of Roberts Flooring Adhesives once cured. It’s designed specifically for preparing surfaces ahead of vinyl and carpet floor finishes and is not suitable for direct-stick timber flooring applications, so confirming the intended floor covering type before specifying it matters.
Its RCS (Respirable Crystalline Silica) compliance keeps silica levels below the concentration limit for carcinogens as set out in the Model Work Health Safety Regulations 2023, a genuine workplace safety consideration for anyone mixing and applying cement-based compounds regularly. Setting times are based on normal ambient conditions of 23°C and 50% RH, and will vary with temperature and humidity on site.
Because it’s compatible with the full Roberts Flooring Adhesives range once cured, F23 Feather fits cleanly into an existing Roberts-based installation workflow without introducing a compatibility question at the adhesive stage. Its rapid 20-30 minute readiness for floor coverings is a genuine scheduling advantage on jobs where the levelling and flooring trades need to move through a site quickly.
Technical Specifications
| Mixing ratio | 2 parts powder to 1 part water (2.5L water per 5kg bag) |
|---|---|
| Application thickness | Feather edge to 3mm |
| Setting time | Approx. 20 minutes, walkable after |
| Ready for floor coverings | 20-30 minutes |
| Coverage | 10m² per 5kg bag at 1mm thick |
| Packaging | 15kg (3 x 5kg bags in plastic pail) |
| Shelf life | 12 months, unopened original packaging |
Where to Use
- Preparation for vinyl and carpet floor finishes
- Concrete, timber, ceramic tile and terrazzo substrates
- Internal use only, tight-deadline installations
How to Apply
- Prepare the substrate — dry, sound, clean and free of contaminants; vacuum thoroughly.
- Prime if required — with diluted Roberts R48 Universal Primer over particularly porous substrates.
- Mix the compound — 2 parts powder to 1 part water, achieving a lump-free consistency in 3-4 minutes.
- Apply with a trowel — to the required height, from feather edge up to 3mm.
- Allow to set — approximately 20 minutes before foot traffic, 20-30 minutes before floor coverings.
Important Notes
- Internal use only.
- Do not add excess water — this reduces bond and tensile strength.
- Not suitable for direct-stick timber flooring applications.
