University of Tennessee - Knoxville

As part of the renovation of the University of Tennessee Presidential Court Building in Knoxville, Tennessee, the project team needed to prepare approximately 35,400 ft² across the second and third floors for new flooring. Installation depths ranged from ¾" to 8", requiring a lightweight, high-performance floor preparation solution capable of correcting significant elevation variations while minimizing added structural weight.

THE CHALLENGE

The project involved leveling an aged concrete waffle slab with substantial elevation changes across two floors. Traditional approaches would have increased material, labor, and structural concerns while placing pressure on an aggressive construction schedule. The flooring contractor needed a solution that could efficiently handle deep fills, reduce risk, and keep multiple trades moving.

THE MAXXON SOLUTION

Through Maxxon’s Changing the Game Program, Bonitz Flooring Group contacted the distributor, L. Fishman & Son, who connected with Maxxon to facilitate a meeting with its applicator, Structis Nashville, to provide a more cost-effective solution for Blaine Construction. The team developed a lightweight, flat, and durable surface that helped improve the project schedule for the finished flooring system. 

The team installed 3,700 bags of Maxxon Commercial Low Density Fill™ to build floor elevations while minimizing structural weight, followed by 2,050 bags of Maxxon Commercial Pro Level-Right® to create a smooth, durable substrate ready for finished flooring. A successful job site mock-up helped validate the approach and build confidence among project stakeholders before full-scale installation. 

CHANGING THE GAME RESULTS

Improved Cost Savings & Margins

Maxxon’s Changing the Game Program provided Bonitz Flooring Group with a cost-effective approach to correcting floor elevations ranging from ¾" to 8". Using Low Density Fill helped minimize structural weight while Level-Right’s concentrated formula, mixed on-site with locally sourced sand, reduced freight and material costs. Compared to the original bid, the solution reduced project costs by approximately $200,000, creating additional margin opportunities while delivering a high-performance substrate. 

Schedule Efficiency

The high-production system allowed floor preparation to progress quickly across varying depths and elevations. Low Density Fill could be capped the next day, while Level-Right allowed foot traffic in as little as 2 to 4 hours. Structis ultimately completed the work in just 10 days versus the original 30-day schedule, significantly exceeding schedule expectations. This gave Bonitz early access to the project, helping reduce labor costs, improve crew utilization, and keep subsequent trades moving ahead of schedule.

Reduced Project Cost Liability

A flat, durable, warrantable substrate helped reduce the potential for flooring failures, callbacks, and costly rework. The proven performance of the Maxxon system provided greater confidence for both the flooring contractor and general contractor while reducing overall project risk. 

Labor Flexibility

The efficient installation process improved crew utilization and coordination across the project. Faster access to completed areas allowed contractors to better schedule labor resources, maintain productivity, and keep the renovation moving forward despite tight timelines. 

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

The project’s success was driven by strong collaboration between Maxxon and project stakeholders, a proven lightweight deep-fill solution, and high-production installation methods that delivered substantial cost savings, accelerated scheduling, and reduced project risk.