UK PROFESSIONAL FLOORING SERVICES
WE BELIEVE IN MAKING THINGS EASY FOR YOU AND WE’RE PROUD OF THE PROFESSIONAL FITTING SERVICE WE OFFER.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY OF FITTING
WE GUARANTEE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE PERFECT FLOORING FINISH WITHOUT ANY HASSLE, SO YOU CAN RELAX WHILE WE TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING.
BY CHOOSING TO HAVE YOUR NEW FLOORING FITTED BY OUR RECOMMENDED INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL FITTERS, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO ENJOY IT WITHOUT THE HASSLE.
SELECT FITTING AT THE CHECKOUT OR ASK AN ADVISOR IF PURCHASING IN STORE. SELECT OUR RECOMMENDED FITTERS' STANDARD FITTING SERVICE AND THEY WILL:
■ MOVE UP TO FIVE ITEMS OF FURNITURE*
■ BAG UP YOUR OFF-CUTS
■ VACUUM AFTER FITTING
YOU CAN UPGRADE YOUR FITTING SERVICE FOR A SMALL FEE AND OUR RECOMMENDED FITTERS WILL ALSO:
■ UPLIFT AND DISPOSE OF YOUR OLD FLOORING
■ MOVE ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF FURNITURE
■ TAKE AWAY ANY NEW WASTE AND TRIMMINGS. WE CAN TURN THEM INTO RUNNERS, DOORMATS OR EVEN RUGS IF YOU'D PREFER.
■ REMOVE, TRIM AND REFIT ANY DOORS IF NECESSARY
WHETHER YOU’RE FITTING CARPET, LAYING VINYL OR INSTALLING LAMINATE OR ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING, WE HAVE THE EXPERT ADVICE TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH EVERY STEP OF THE PROCESS.
PACKED FULL OF INFORMATION AND TIPS FROM OUR PROFESSIONAL FLOORING FITTERS, THESE EASY TO FOLLOW, STEP-BY-STEP DIY FITTING GUIDES WILL HELP YOU GET YOUR NEW FLOORING RIGHT FIRST TIME.
ANY MISTAKES MADE WHEN YOU’RE FITTING FLOORING CAN BE REALLY EXPENSIVE TO PUT RIGHT, IF YOU’RE LAYING CARPET OR VINYL AN ERROR COULD COMPLETELY RUIN YOUR BRAND NEW FLOOR, WASTING LOTS OF TIME AND MONEY.
THE BEST WAY TO AVOID THESE DREADED DIY NIGHTMARES IS TO MAKE SURE YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST.
FEEL FREE TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE RELEVANT FITTING GUIDE SO YOU CAN REFER BACK TO IT AS YOU COMPLETE EACH STEP.
MANY OF OUR GUIDES EVEN CONTAIN HANDY VIDEO TUTORIALS, ENABLING YOU TO SIMPLY PRESS PLAY AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AS YOU GO ALONG.
GOOD PREPARATION IS VITALLY IMPORTANT WHEN PERFORMING ANY DIY TASK, AND EVEN MORE SO WHEN TACKLING A JOB AS BIG AS INSTALLING NEW FLOORING IN YOUR HOME.
THAT’S WHY OUR FLOOR FITTING GUIDES LIST ALL OF THE TOOLS AND MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED TO COMPLETE THE WORK, AS WELL AS TIPS ON HOW TO PREPARE THE SUB-FLOOR FOR THE BEST RESULTS POSSIBLE.
FLOOR FITTING IS A SKILL THAT CAN TAKE TIME TO PROPERLY MASTER, SO WE’VE PUT OUR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE INTO THESE HANDY GUIDES
SO YOU HAVE THE ADVICE AND DIRECTION OF A PROFESSIONAL FITTER AT YOUR FINGERTIPS IF YOU CHOOSE TO DIY.
UNDERLAY FLOOR FITTING & INSTALLATION METHODS / UNDERLAY FLOOR FITTING & DOUBLE STICK INSTALLATION
■ UNDERLAY IS ADHERED TO THE SUB-FLOOR USING A RELEASE TYPE ADHESIVE. CARPET IS FULLY ADHERED TO THE UNDERLAY USING A PERMANENT TYPE ADHESIVE.
■ APPLY TACKIFIER TO SUB-FLOOR USING A ROLLER, TACKIFIER TROWEL OR BRUSH AND ALLOW TO DRY.
■ LAY OUT THE UNDERLAY ONTO THE SUB-FLOOR (PRINTED SIDE UP) ENSURING THE UNDERLAY SEAMS ARE CLOSELY BUTTED TOGETHER AND RUN AT 90° TO ANY CARPET SEAMS.
■ APPLY CARPET ADHESIVE TO THE BACKING USING A DURAFIT, OR B2, NOTCHED TROWEL.
■ LAY THE CARPET INTO THE WET ADHESIVE AND SMOOTH OUT ANY FULLNESS OR AIR BUBBLES WITH A GLIDER.
ADVANTAGES | UNDERLAY FLOOR FITTING & INSTALLATION
■ HELPS REDUCE THE RISK OF RUCKING IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS
■ AVOIDS THE NEED FOR SEWN OR HEATBOND SEAMS
■ GRIPPER FIXINGS AND STRETCHING NOT NECESSARY
■ ENABLES PERFECTLY STRAIGHT BORDERS
■ QUIET AND FAST INSTALLATION IN LARGE AREAS
■ IMPROVED FLAME RETARDANCY OF FINAL FLOOR BUILD-UP
GOOD TO KNOW | UNDERLAY FLOOR FITTING & INSTALLATION
■ INSTALLATION COST IS HIGHER BUT MAINTENANCE COSTS ARE LOWER
■ STRETCH FIT INSTALLATION
■ CARPET IS HELD IN POSITION USING CARPET GRIPPER WHICH IS NAILED TO THE SUBFLOOR.
■ CARPET IS STRETCHED OVER THE UNDERLAY AND SECURED TO THE GRIPPERS.
■ FIX GRIPPER TO THE FLOOR LEAVING A GAP BETWEEN THE SKIRTING AND THE GRIPPER.
■ LAY THE UNDERLAY (BACKING SIDE UP) AND SECURE THE SEAMS WITH TAPE.
■ ROUGH CUT THE CARPET INTO PLACE
■ STRETCH OVER THE GRIPPERS USING A KNEE-KICKER.
■ CARPET CAN BE UP-LIFTED AND REPLACED
■ GRIPPER SYSTEM DOES NOT REQUIRE SMOOTH CLEAN
■ STRETCHING A CARPET WEAKENS THE BACKING
■ DELAMINATION CAN OCCUR WHEN SECONDARY BACKED CARPETS ARE STRETCHED OVER TOO SOFT AN UNDERLAY
■ PERIODIC RESTRETCHING MAY BE NECESSARY IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS
■ FIXING GRIPPER IS NOISY AND CAN DAMAGE SUBFLOOR
ALL ASPECTS OF SUBFLOOR PREPARATION AND FLOORCOVERING INSTALLATION SHOULD BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH EITHER BS 5325 THE INSTALLATION OF TEXTILE FLOORCOVERINGS OR BS 8203 THE INSTALLATION OF RESILIENT FLOORCOVERINGS AS APPROPRIATE.
DURING THE LAYING PERIOD A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 18°C MUST BE MAINTAINED AND A FLOOR TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 10°C.
THE TYPE AND CONDITION OF THE SUBFLOOR HAS A DIRECT INFLUENCE ON THE INSTALLATION AND PERFORMANCE OF A FLOOR COVERING AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SUBFLOOR PREPARATION CANNOT BE EMPHASISED TOO STRONGLY.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REQUEST OUR FLOOR PREPARATION GUIDE WHICH GIVES COMPREHENSIVE ADVICE ON SUBFLOOR PREPARATION.
THIS INCLUDES DATA SHEETS ON ALL THE PRODUCTS MENTIONED, GIVING DETAILED INFORMATION ON HOW THEY SHOULD BE USED.
CONCRETE AND SAND/CEMENT SCREED
THESE MUST BE FULLY CURED, SOUND, SMOOTH, DRY AND FREE FROM LAITANCE, DUST, PLASTER AND ANY OTHER CONTAMINANTS WHICH PREVENT GOOD ADHESION.
DIRECT TO EARTH SUBFLOORS MUST INCORPORATE AN EFFECTIVE DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE.
MATERIALS AND METHODS FOR DAMP-PROOFING SOLID FLOORS ARE DESCRIBED IN BS 8102 AND IN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT LEAFLET 47.
NEW CONCRETE AND SAND/CEMENT SCREEDS MUST BE LEFT FOR CONSTRUCTION MOISTURE TO DRY OUT BEFORE FLOORCOVERINGS ARE LAID. FOR ESTIMATED DRYING TIMES SEE BS 8203. FLOOR COVERINGS SHOULD NOT BE LAID UNTIL A HYGROMETER TEST IN ACCORDANCE WITH BS 8203. ANNEX A DAMPNESS TESTING, GIVES A RELATIVE HUMIDITY READING OF NOT MORE THAN 75%.
DAMP FLOORS MAY BE TREATED WITH STOPGAP F75 OR STOPGAP F76 WATERPROOF SURFACE MEMBRANES AS APPROPRIATE.
UNEVEN SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTHED USING STOPGAP OR STYCCOSCREED SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT TO PREPARE THE SURFACE FOR ADHESIVE AND FLOORCOVERING.
CONCRETE TREATMENTS/COATINGS
WATERPROOFING ADMIXTURES MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT ADHESION AND SHOULD NOT BE USED, (SEE BS 8203).
CHEMICAL HARDENING/CURING TREATMENTS SHOULD NOT BE USED ON CONCRETE BASES AS THERE COULD BE AN INTERACTION WITH THE SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT OR ADHESIVE USED.
IF THESE CHEMICAL TREATMENTS HAVE BEEN USED THEY SHOULD BE MECHANICALLY REMOVED E.G. BY SCABBLING OR SHOTBLASTING THE SURFACE BEFORE APPLYING SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENTS OR ADHESIVES.
CONCRETE FLOOR PAINTS MUST BE COMPLETELY REMOVED BY MECHANICAL METHODS SUCH AS SCABBLING OR SHOTBLASTING BEFORE APPLICATION OF SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT OR ADHESIVES.
EPOXY AND POLYURETHANE SURFACE COATINGS SHOULD PREFERABLY BE REMOVED, BUT IF THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE AND PROVIDED THEY ARE FIRMLY BONDED, SOME COATINGS MAY BE PRIMED WITH UNDILUTED STOPGAP P131 PRIOR TO SKIMMING WITH THE APPROPRIATE STOPGAP SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT. COATINGS VARY CONSIDERABLY IN THIS RESPECT AND WE WOULD SUGGEST YOU CHECK ADHESION BY PRIOR TESTING TO ENSURE A SATISFACTORY BOND IS ACHIEVED.
NON-ABSORBENT SURFACES
CERAMIC AND QUARRY TILES, GRANOLITHIC, TERRAZZO AND POWER FLOATED CONCRETE SLABS WHICH HAVE BEEN TROWELLED TO PRODUCE A DENSE SMOOTH SURFACE, TEND TO BE NON-ABSORBENT IN NATURE.
IF THE RECOMMENDED STYCCOBOND ADHESIVE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR DIRECT APPLICATION TO A NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE, THEN THE SUBFLOOR MUST BE SKIMMED WITH A MINIMUM OF 3MM OF THE APPROPRIATE STOPGAP SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT.
HEAVILY GLAZED SURFACES SHOULD BE TREATED TO CREATE A KEY FOR THE SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT E.G. BY SCABBLING OR SCOURING WITH A COARSE ABRASIVE.
N.B. CERAMIC AND QUARRY TILED SURFACES SHOULD BE SKIMMED WITH THE APPROPRIATE STOPGAP UNDER LAYMENTS TO PREVENT THE TILE PATTERN TRANSFERRING THROUGH TO THE SURFACE OF THE FLOORCOVERING.
TERRAZZO AND QUARRY TILES ARE UNAFFECTED BY DAMPNESS BUT MAY BE SUFFICIENTLY PERMEABLE TO ALLOW THE PASSAGE OF MOISTURE VAPOUR AND ARE OFTEN LAID IN AREAS WHICH DO NOT INCORPORATE A DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE. WHERE THIS IS THE CASE, THESE BASES SHOULD BE DAMP PROOFED BY COVERING WITH A LAYER OF FLOORING GRADE MASTIC ASPHALT COMPLYING WITH BS 6925. ASPHALT AND STOPGAP SURFACE WATERPROOF MEMBRANES MUST BE SKIMMED WITH A MINIMUM OF 3MM OF THE APPROPRIATE SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT.
PRIMING
MOST SUBFLOORS WILL REQUIRE PRIMING. USE NEAT STOPGAP P131 NEOPRENE PRIMER ON SMOOTH IMPERVIOUS SUBFLOORS PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION OF THE APPROPRIATE STOPGAP FLOOR SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT.
VERY ABSORBENT SURFACES SHOULD BE PRIMED WITH DILUTE STYCCOBOND F70 OR STOPGAP P131 OR STOPGAP P121 BEFORE THE APPLICATION OF ADHESIVE OR SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT.
EXISTING FLOOR COVERINGS
THERMOPLASTIC OR SIMILAR FLOOR TILES SHOULD PREFERABLY BE REMOVED. HOWEVER, IT IS POSSIBLE TO INSTALL CERTAIN TYPES OF FLOORCOVERING DIRECT TO THESE PROVIDED THE TILES ARE FIRMLY BONDED TO THE SUBFLOOR AND ALL TRACES OF POLISH OR ANY OTHER CONTAMINANT WHICH WOULD PREVENT GOOD ADHESION ARE REMOVED E.G. WITH STYCCOCLEAN C140 FLOOR CLEANER.
IF THIS CANNOT BE ACHIEVED THE TILES MUST BE REMOVED, TOGETHER WITH THE BULK OF THE ADHESIVE AND THE SUBFLOOR MADE GOOD.
ADHESIVE REMAINING ON CEMENTITIOUS SUBFLOORS SHOULD BE REMOVED BY MECHANICAL METHODS SUCH AS SCRAPING, SCABBLING OR SHOTBLASTING AT LEAST UNTIL ONLY A THIN, SMOOTH, FIRMLY BONDED RESIDUE REMAINS. ALL ADHESIVE THAT IS LOOSE, LUMPY, POWDERING, SOFT OR WATER SOLUBLE MUST BE REMOVED. A MINIMUM OF 3MM OF THE APPROPRIATE STOPGAP UNDERLAYMENT SHOULD BE APPLIED BEFORE THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW FLOORCOVERING.
ADHESIVE REMAINING ON WOODEN FLOORS SHOULD BE OVERPINNED WITH FLOORING GRADE PLYWOOD OR HARDBOARD (SEE WOODEN FLOORS). ANY EXISTING UNDERLAYS SHOULD FIRST BE REMOVED.
FLEXIBLE VINYL, LINOLEUM AND TEXTILE FLOORCOVERINGS MUST BE REMOVED AND THE SUBFLOOR PREPARED AS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED BEFORE FULLY BONDED FLOORCOVERINGS CAN BE LAID.
N.B. 'LOOSE-LAY' CARPET TILES MAY BE LAID DIRECT TO FIRMLY BONDED HARD FLOORCOVERINGS WITH A SUITABLE STYCCOBOND ADHESIVE. THE EXISTING FLOORING MUST BE CLEANED WITH STYCCOCLEAN C140 FLOOR CLEANER TO REMOVE ALL TRACES OF POLISH OR ANY OTHER CONTAMINANT WHICH WOULD PREVENT GOOD ADHESION. IF THIS CANNOT BE ACHIEVED THE FLOORING MUST BE REMOVED AND THE SUBFLOOR MADE GOOD AS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED.
TEXTILE FLOORCOVERINGS MAY BE BONDED DIRECT TO WOOD BLOCKS WITH A SUITABLE STYCCOBOND ADHESIVE PROVIDED THEY ARE SOUND, LEVEL, FIRMLY BONDED AND COMPLETELY PROTECTED AGAINST MOISTURE. SEALS, POLISHES AND ANY CONTAMINANT WHICH WILL PREVENT GOOD ADHESION MUST FIRST BE REMOVED.
WOOD MOSAIC PANELS REQUIRE OVERPINNING WITH FLOORING GRADE PLYWOOD OR HARDBOARD IN ALL CASES. THIS IS NOT PRACTICAL ON SOLID FLOORS AND PANELS SHOULD THEREFORE BE REMOVED AND THE SUBFLOOR MADE GOOD AS ABOVE. IF PANELS LAID OVER A FLEXING TIMBER FLOOR NEED PATCH FILLING, STOPGAP GREEN BAG & 114 SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT SHOULD BE USED. IN ALL OTHER RESPECTS WOOD MOSAIC PANELS SHOULD BE TREATED AS FOR WOOD BLOCKS.
PARTICLE BOARDS SHOULD COMPLY WITH BS EN 312-2 (1997) TYPE P2 OR BS EN 312-4 (1997) TYPE P4.
CHIPBOARD, PLYWOOD AND HARDBOARD MUST BE PRIMED WITH STYCCOBOND F70 OR STOPGAP P131 DILUTED AS RECOMMENDED.
COMPOSITION FLOORS
COMPOSITION FLOORS SUCH AS THOSE CONSTRUCTED OF MAGNESIUM OXYCHLORIDE (MAGNESITE) CEMENT OR POLYVINYL ACETATE/CEMENT WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY DAMPNESS RISING FROM THE GROUND IF THEY ARE COVERED WITH AN IMPERVIOUS LAYER. UNLESS IT CAN BE ESTABLISHED THAT THE COMPOSITION FLOOR IS ADEQUATELY PROTECTED AGAINST RISING DAMPNESS, IT MUST BE REMOVED AND THE BASE MADE GOOD BEFORE FLOORCOVERINGS ARE INSTALLED. IF THE FLOOR IS PROTECTED AGAINST DAMPNESS THEN CRACKS AND SMALL HOLLOWS SHOULD BE PATCH FILLED AND THE WHOLE AREA SKIMMED WITH A MINIMUM OF 3MM OF THE APPROPRIATE STOPGAP UNDERLAYMENT.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURES
TO ENSURE THAT ALL CARPETS PERFORM TO THE REQUIRED STANDARD THE FOLLOWING INSTALLATION PROCEDURES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED:
■ INSPECT THE CARPET BEFORE LAYING IS COMMENCED AND BEFORE IT IS CUT IN TO
■ ALLOW THE CARPET TO ACCLIMATISE TO AT LEAST 65°F
■ CHECK FOR DYE LOT AND ROLL SEQUENCE
■ THE FLOOR SURFACE MUST COMPLY WITH: BRITISH STANDARD BS 5325:1996, MEANING THAT THE FLOOR MUST BE CLEAN, SMOOTH, DRY AND STRUCTURALLY SOUND.
■ UNEVEN CONCRETE FLOORS SHOULD BE SCREEDED AND SHOULD BE NEITHER FRIABLE NOR LOOSE AND POWDERY.
■ CONCRETE FLOORS LAID DIRECT TO THE GROUND SHOULD INCORPORATE A DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE AND SHOULD BE SEALED TO PREVENT DUST RISING FROM JOINS AND PERIMETERS.
■ THE SUB FLOOR MUST BE FREE FROM EXCESSIVE MOISTURE, OTHERWISE LONG ADHESIVE DRYING TIMES WILL OCCUR.
■ THE SURFACE MUST BE FREE FROM CONTAMINATES SUCH AS GREASE, PAINT, DIRT ETC. WHICH WILL AFFECT ADHESION.
■ UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE ADHESIVE SYSTEM BE DIRECTLY APPLIED TO AN ASPHALT FLOOR, BECAUSE OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF MIGRATION OF MATERIAL FROM THE ASPHALT.
■ TIMBER FLOORS MUST BE SMOOTH. IF RESURFACING IS NECESSARY USE 6MM PLYWOOD OR HARDWOOD NAILED OR STAPLED AT REGULAR CLOSELY SPACED INTERVALS.
■ ENSURE THAT THE CARPET IS CUT TO PLAN ALLOWING FOR ADEQUATE PATTERN MATCHING.
■ FIT THE CARPET INTO THE RECOMMENDED WET ADHESIVE. USING A POWER STRETCHER, NOT A KICKER, STRETCH THE PATTERN INTO REGISTER. ALWAYS SEAL ALL OF THE SEAMS.
■ USE A LINO ROLLER TO GET ANY CREASES OUT. THIS WILL ALSO ALLOW THE CARPET TO FULLY ADHERE TO THE ADHESIVE.
■ DOUBLE-STICK CONTRACT INSTALLATION SYSTEM
■ UNROLL THE UNDERLAY, WITH THE PRINTED SIDE UP. CUT TO SHAPE LEAVING EXCESS AROUND THE MARGINS.
■ FOLD BACK ONE HALF OF THE UNDERLAY AND USING THE NOTCHED TROWEL APPLY A RECOMMENDED TACKIFIER TO THE SUBFLOOR ENSURING COVERAGE IS COMPLETE.
■ ALLOW THE TACKIFIER TO DRY COMPLETELY - IT WILL TURN FROM WHITE TO CLEAR.
■ UNFOLD THE UNDERLAY ONTO THE DRY TACKIFIER (IF IT IS NOT COMPLETELY DRY, THE UNDERLAY WILL BOND PERMANENTLY TO THE SUB-FLOOR).
BASIC INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
CARPET INSTALLATION MUST BE PROPERLY PLANNED, ESTIMATED, AND COORDINATED. THE INSTALLATION PLAN SHOULD INCLUDE ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS, SEAM PLACEMENT, AND DETAIL AREAS REQUIRING SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS, SUCH AS UNUSUAL ROOM SHAPES, CLOSETS, BORDERS, ETC.
■ PROVIDE DRAWINGS WITH THE APPROVED LOCATION OF SEAMS, EDGE MOLDINGS, CARPET DIRECTION AND ACCESSORIES (ADHESIVES, CUSHION, ETC.).
■ PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATE SURFACE UPON WHICH TO INSTALL CARPET, INCLUDING CONFIRMATION OF CONCRETE MOISTURE AND ALKALI CONDITIONS, CLEANLINESS, SURFACE QUALITY, AND FLOOR LEVELNESS. THE CONTRACTOR MUST ALSO SET APPROPRIATE ROOM TEMPERATURES 48 HOURS PRIOR TO INSTALLATION (65 TO 95 DEGREES) AND PROVIDE VENTILATION DURING AND 48 TO 72 HOURS AFTER INSTALLATION.
■ THE INSTALLATION CONTRACTOR MUST USE QUALIFIED LABOR AND SPECIFIED TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES; PROVIDE ACCURACY OF MEASUREMENT AND COORDINATE WITH THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR ON ALL APPLICABLE DETAILS, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION DATE, DELIVERY, STORAGE, SECURITY, AND INSURANCE.
STRETCH-IN INSTALLATION
THERE ARE SITUATIONS IN WHICH A SPECIFIER WILL WISH TO UTILIZE THE STRETCH-IN METHOD. ITS SELECTION MAY BE FOR ONE OF THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
■ PROVIDES ENHANCED UNDERFOOT COMFORT AND ACOUSTICAL PROPERTIES (I.E., HIGHER NOISE REDUCTION COEFFICIENTS AND HIGHER IMPACT NOISE RATINGS) WHEN INSTALLED WITH A SEPARATE CUSHION
■ INCREASES THERMAL INSULATION (R-VALUE)
■ CAN BE USED OVER FLOORS THAT ARE UNSUITABLE FOR GLUE-DOWN
■ CORRECTIVE MEASURES, SUCH AS SEAM REPAIR, MAY BE EASIER TO PERFORM
■ REMOVAL COSTS USUALLY ARE LESS THAN THE REMOVAL OF AN ADHERED INSTALLATION
STRETCH-IN INSTALLATIONS SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN THE FOLLOWING CASES:
■ ON RAMPS AND INCLINES
■ WHERE OFFICE SYSTEMS FURNITURE AND DEMOUNTABLE PARTITIONS ARE UTILIZED
■ WHERE HEAVY ROLLING TRAFFIC IS LIKELY
■ WHERE THERE IS EXCESSIVE HUMIDITY
■ WHEN CARPET HAS A UNITARY BACKING OR OTHER BACKING SYSTEMS DESIGNED ONLY FOR GLUE-DOWN INSTALLATION
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY OF FITTING
WE GUARANTEE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE PERFECT FLOORING FINISH WITHOUT ANY HASSLE, SO YOU CAN RELAX WHILE WE TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING.
BY CHOOSING TO HAVE YOUR NEW FLOORING FITTED BY OUR RECOMMENDED INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL FITTERS, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO ENJOY IT WITHOUT THE HASSLE.
SELECT FITTING AT THE CHECKOUT OR ASK AN ADVISOR IF PURCHASING IN STORE. SELECT OUR RECOMMENDED FITTERS' STANDARD FITTING SERVICE AND THEY WILL:
■ MOVE UP TO FIVE ITEMS OF FURNITURE*
■ BAG UP YOUR OFF-CUTS
■ VACUUM AFTER FITTING
YOU CAN UPGRADE YOUR FITTING SERVICE FOR A SMALL FEE AND OUR RECOMMENDED FITTERS WILL ALSO:
■ UPLIFT AND DISPOSE OF YOUR OLD FLOORING
■ MOVE ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF FURNITURE
■ TAKE AWAY ANY NEW WASTE AND TRIMMINGS. WE CAN TURN THEM INTO RUNNERS, DOORMATS OR EVEN RUGS IF YOU'D PREFER.
■ REMOVE, TRIM AND REFIT ANY DOORS IF NECESSARY
WHETHER YOU’RE FITTING CARPET, LAYING VINYL OR INSTALLING LAMINATE OR ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING, WE HAVE THE EXPERT ADVICE TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH EVERY STEP OF THE PROCESS.
PACKED FULL OF INFORMATION AND TIPS FROM OUR PROFESSIONAL FLOORING FITTERS, THESE EASY TO FOLLOW, STEP-BY-STEP DIY FITTING GUIDES WILL HELP YOU GET YOUR NEW FLOORING RIGHT FIRST TIME.
ANY MISTAKES MADE WHEN YOU’RE FITTING FLOORING CAN BE REALLY EXPENSIVE TO PUT RIGHT, IF YOU’RE LAYING CARPET OR VINYL AN ERROR COULD COMPLETELY RUIN YOUR BRAND NEW FLOOR, WASTING LOTS OF TIME AND MONEY.
THE BEST WAY TO AVOID THESE DREADED DIY NIGHTMARES IS TO MAKE SURE YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST.
FEEL FREE TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE RELEVANT FITTING GUIDE SO YOU CAN REFER BACK TO IT AS YOU COMPLETE EACH STEP.
MANY OF OUR GUIDES EVEN CONTAIN HANDY VIDEO TUTORIALS, ENABLING YOU TO SIMPLY PRESS PLAY AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AS YOU GO ALONG.
GOOD PREPARATION IS VITALLY IMPORTANT WHEN PERFORMING ANY DIY TASK, AND EVEN MORE SO WHEN TACKLING A JOB AS BIG AS INSTALLING NEW FLOORING IN YOUR HOME.
THAT’S WHY OUR FLOOR FITTING GUIDES LIST ALL OF THE TOOLS AND MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED TO COMPLETE THE WORK, AS WELL AS TIPS ON HOW TO PREPARE THE SUB-FLOOR FOR THE BEST RESULTS POSSIBLE.
FLOOR FITTING IS A SKILL THAT CAN TAKE TIME TO PROPERLY MASTER, SO WE’VE PUT OUR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE INTO THESE HANDY GUIDES
SO YOU HAVE THE ADVICE AND DIRECTION OF A PROFESSIONAL FITTER AT YOUR FINGERTIPS IF YOU CHOOSE TO DIY.
UNDERLAY FLOOR FITTING & INSTALLATION METHODS / UNDERLAY FLOOR FITTING & DOUBLE STICK INSTALLATION
■ UNDERLAY IS ADHERED TO THE SUB-FLOOR USING A RELEASE TYPE ADHESIVE. CARPET IS FULLY ADHERED TO THE UNDERLAY USING A PERMANENT TYPE ADHESIVE.
■ APPLY TACKIFIER TO SUB-FLOOR USING A ROLLER, TACKIFIER TROWEL OR BRUSH AND ALLOW TO DRY.
■ LAY OUT THE UNDERLAY ONTO THE SUB-FLOOR (PRINTED SIDE UP) ENSURING THE UNDERLAY SEAMS ARE CLOSELY BUTTED TOGETHER AND RUN AT 90° TO ANY CARPET SEAMS.
■ APPLY CARPET ADHESIVE TO THE BACKING USING A DURAFIT, OR B2, NOTCHED TROWEL.
■ LAY THE CARPET INTO THE WET ADHESIVE AND SMOOTH OUT ANY FULLNESS OR AIR BUBBLES WITH A GLIDER.
ADVANTAGES | UNDERLAY FLOOR FITTING & INSTALLATION
■ HELPS REDUCE THE RISK OF RUCKING IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS
■ AVOIDS THE NEED FOR SEWN OR HEATBOND SEAMS
■ GRIPPER FIXINGS AND STRETCHING NOT NECESSARY
■ ENABLES PERFECTLY STRAIGHT BORDERS
■ QUIET AND FAST INSTALLATION IN LARGE AREAS
■ IMPROVED FLAME RETARDANCY OF FINAL FLOOR BUILD-UP
GOOD TO KNOW | UNDERLAY FLOOR FITTING & INSTALLATION
■ INSTALLATION COST IS HIGHER BUT MAINTENANCE COSTS ARE LOWER
■ STRETCH FIT INSTALLATION
■ CARPET IS HELD IN POSITION USING CARPET GRIPPER WHICH IS NAILED TO THE SUBFLOOR.
■ CARPET IS STRETCHED OVER THE UNDERLAY AND SECURED TO THE GRIPPERS.
■ FIX GRIPPER TO THE FLOOR LEAVING A GAP BETWEEN THE SKIRTING AND THE GRIPPER.
■ LAY THE UNDERLAY (BACKING SIDE UP) AND SECURE THE SEAMS WITH TAPE.
■ ROUGH CUT THE CARPET INTO PLACE
■ STRETCH OVER THE GRIPPERS USING A KNEE-KICKER.
■ CARPET CAN BE UP-LIFTED AND REPLACED
■ GRIPPER SYSTEM DOES NOT REQUIRE SMOOTH CLEAN
■ STRETCHING A CARPET WEAKENS THE BACKING
■ DELAMINATION CAN OCCUR WHEN SECONDARY BACKED CARPETS ARE STRETCHED OVER TOO SOFT AN UNDERLAY
■ PERIODIC RESTRETCHING MAY BE NECESSARY IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS
■ FIXING GRIPPER IS NOISY AND CAN DAMAGE SUBFLOOR
ALL ASPECTS OF SUBFLOOR PREPARATION AND FLOORCOVERING INSTALLATION SHOULD BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH EITHER BS 5325 THE INSTALLATION OF TEXTILE FLOORCOVERINGS OR BS 8203 THE INSTALLATION OF RESILIENT FLOORCOVERINGS AS APPROPRIATE.
DURING THE LAYING PERIOD A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 18°C MUST BE MAINTAINED AND A FLOOR TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 10°C.
THE TYPE AND CONDITION OF THE SUBFLOOR HAS A DIRECT INFLUENCE ON THE INSTALLATION AND PERFORMANCE OF A FLOOR COVERING AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SUBFLOOR PREPARATION CANNOT BE EMPHASISED TOO STRONGLY.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REQUEST OUR FLOOR PREPARATION GUIDE WHICH GIVES COMPREHENSIVE ADVICE ON SUBFLOOR PREPARATION.
THIS INCLUDES DATA SHEETS ON ALL THE PRODUCTS MENTIONED, GIVING DETAILED INFORMATION ON HOW THEY SHOULD BE USED.
CONCRETE AND SAND/CEMENT SCREED
THESE MUST BE FULLY CURED, SOUND, SMOOTH, DRY AND FREE FROM LAITANCE, DUST, PLASTER AND ANY OTHER CONTAMINANTS WHICH PREVENT GOOD ADHESION.
DIRECT TO EARTH SUBFLOORS MUST INCORPORATE AN EFFECTIVE DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE.
MATERIALS AND METHODS FOR DAMP-PROOFING SOLID FLOORS ARE DESCRIBED IN BS 8102 AND IN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT LEAFLET 47.
NEW CONCRETE AND SAND/CEMENT SCREEDS MUST BE LEFT FOR CONSTRUCTION MOISTURE TO DRY OUT BEFORE FLOORCOVERINGS ARE LAID. FOR ESTIMATED DRYING TIMES SEE BS 8203. FLOOR COVERINGS SHOULD NOT BE LAID UNTIL A HYGROMETER TEST IN ACCORDANCE WITH BS 8203. ANNEX A DAMPNESS TESTING, GIVES A RELATIVE HUMIDITY READING OF NOT MORE THAN 75%.
DAMP FLOORS MAY BE TREATED WITH STOPGAP F75 OR STOPGAP F76 WATERPROOF SURFACE MEMBRANES AS APPROPRIATE.
UNEVEN SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTHED USING STOPGAP OR STYCCOSCREED SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT TO PREPARE THE SURFACE FOR ADHESIVE AND FLOORCOVERING.
CONCRETE TREATMENTS/COATINGS
WATERPROOFING ADMIXTURES MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT ADHESION AND SHOULD NOT BE USED, (SEE BS 8203).
CHEMICAL HARDENING/CURING TREATMENTS SHOULD NOT BE USED ON CONCRETE BASES AS THERE COULD BE AN INTERACTION WITH THE SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT OR ADHESIVE USED.
IF THESE CHEMICAL TREATMENTS HAVE BEEN USED THEY SHOULD BE MECHANICALLY REMOVED E.G. BY SCABBLING OR SHOTBLASTING THE SURFACE BEFORE APPLYING SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENTS OR ADHESIVES.
CONCRETE FLOOR PAINTS MUST BE COMPLETELY REMOVED BY MECHANICAL METHODS SUCH AS SCABBLING OR SHOTBLASTING BEFORE APPLICATION OF SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT OR ADHESIVES.
EPOXY AND POLYURETHANE SURFACE COATINGS SHOULD PREFERABLY BE REMOVED, BUT IF THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE AND PROVIDED THEY ARE FIRMLY BONDED, SOME COATINGS MAY BE PRIMED WITH UNDILUTED STOPGAP P131 PRIOR TO SKIMMING WITH THE APPROPRIATE STOPGAP SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT. COATINGS VARY CONSIDERABLY IN THIS RESPECT AND WE WOULD SUGGEST YOU CHECK ADHESION BY PRIOR TESTING TO ENSURE A SATISFACTORY BOND IS ACHIEVED.
NON-ABSORBENT SURFACES
CERAMIC AND QUARRY TILES, GRANOLITHIC, TERRAZZO AND POWER FLOATED CONCRETE SLABS WHICH HAVE BEEN TROWELLED TO PRODUCE A DENSE SMOOTH SURFACE, TEND TO BE NON-ABSORBENT IN NATURE.
IF THE RECOMMENDED STYCCOBOND ADHESIVE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR DIRECT APPLICATION TO A NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE, THEN THE SUBFLOOR MUST BE SKIMMED WITH A MINIMUM OF 3MM OF THE APPROPRIATE STOPGAP SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT.
HEAVILY GLAZED SURFACES SHOULD BE TREATED TO CREATE A KEY FOR THE SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT E.G. BY SCABBLING OR SCOURING WITH A COARSE ABRASIVE.
N.B. CERAMIC AND QUARRY TILED SURFACES SHOULD BE SKIMMED WITH THE APPROPRIATE STOPGAP UNDER LAYMENTS TO PREVENT THE TILE PATTERN TRANSFERRING THROUGH TO THE SURFACE OF THE FLOORCOVERING.
TERRAZZO AND QUARRY TILES ARE UNAFFECTED BY DAMPNESS BUT MAY BE SUFFICIENTLY PERMEABLE TO ALLOW THE PASSAGE OF MOISTURE VAPOUR AND ARE OFTEN LAID IN AREAS WHICH DO NOT INCORPORATE A DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE. WHERE THIS IS THE CASE, THESE BASES SHOULD BE DAMP PROOFED BY COVERING WITH A LAYER OF FLOORING GRADE MASTIC ASPHALT COMPLYING WITH BS 6925. ASPHALT AND STOPGAP SURFACE WATERPROOF MEMBRANES MUST BE SKIMMED WITH A MINIMUM OF 3MM OF THE APPROPRIATE SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT.
PRIMING
MOST SUBFLOORS WILL REQUIRE PRIMING. USE NEAT STOPGAP P131 NEOPRENE PRIMER ON SMOOTH IMPERVIOUS SUBFLOORS PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION OF THE APPROPRIATE STOPGAP FLOOR SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT.
VERY ABSORBENT SURFACES SHOULD BE PRIMED WITH DILUTE STYCCOBOND F70 OR STOPGAP P131 OR STOPGAP P121 BEFORE THE APPLICATION OF ADHESIVE OR SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT.
EXISTING FLOOR COVERINGS
THERMOPLASTIC OR SIMILAR FLOOR TILES SHOULD PREFERABLY BE REMOVED. HOWEVER, IT IS POSSIBLE TO INSTALL CERTAIN TYPES OF FLOORCOVERING DIRECT TO THESE PROVIDED THE TILES ARE FIRMLY BONDED TO THE SUBFLOOR AND ALL TRACES OF POLISH OR ANY OTHER CONTAMINANT WHICH WOULD PREVENT GOOD ADHESION ARE REMOVED E.G. WITH STYCCOCLEAN C140 FLOOR CLEANER.
IF THIS CANNOT BE ACHIEVED THE TILES MUST BE REMOVED, TOGETHER WITH THE BULK OF THE ADHESIVE AND THE SUBFLOOR MADE GOOD.
ADHESIVE REMAINING ON CEMENTITIOUS SUBFLOORS SHOULD BE REMOVED BY MECHANICAL METHODS SUCH AS SCRAPING, SCABBLING OR SHOTBLASTING AT LEAST UNTIL ONLY A THIN, SMOOTH, FIRMLY BONDED RESIDUE REMAINS. ALL ADHESIVE THAT IS LOOSE, LUMPY, POWDERING, SOFT OR WATER SOLUBLE MUST BE REMOVED. A MINIMUM OF 3MM OF THE APPROPRIATE STOPGAP UNDERLAYMENT SHOULD BE APPLIED BEFORE THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW FLOORCOVERING.
ADHESIVE REMAINING ON WOODEN FLOORS SHOULD BE OVERPINNED WITH FLOORING GRADE PLYWOOD OR HARDBOARD (SEE WOODEN FLOORS). ANY EXISTING UNDERLAYS SHOULD FIRST BE REMOVED.
FLEXIBLE VINYL, LINOLEUM AND TEXTILE FLOORCOVERINGS MUST BE REMOVED AND THE SUBFLOOR PREPARED AS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED BEFORE FULLY BONDED FLOORCOVERINGS CAN BE LAID.
N.B. 'LOOSE-LAY' CARPET TILES MAY BE LAID DIRECT TO FIRMLY BONDED HARD FLOORCOVERINGS WITH A SUITABLE STYCCOBOND ADHESIVE. THE EXISTING FLOORING MUST BE CLEANED WITH STYCCOCLEAN C140 FLOOR CLEANER TO REMOVE ALL TRACES OF POLISH OR ANY OTHER CONTAMINANT WHICH WOULD PREVENT GOOD ADHESION. IF THIS CANNOT BE ACHIEVED THE FLOORING MUST BE REMOVED AND THE SUBFLOOR MADE GOOD AS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED.
TEXTILE FLOORCOVERINGS MAY BE BONDED DIRECT TO WOOD BLOCKS WITH A SUITABLE STYCCOBOND ADHESIVE PROVIDED THEY ARE SOUND, LEVEL, FIRMLY BONDED AND COMPLETELY PROTECTED AGAINST MOISTURE. SEALS, POLISHES AND ANY CONTAMINANT WHICH WILL PREVENT GOOD ADHESION MUST FIRST BE REMOVED.
WOOD MOSAIC PANELS REQUIRE OVERPINNING WITH FLOORING GRADE PLYWOOD OR HARDBOARD IN ALL CASES. THIS IS NOT PRACTICAL ON SOLID FLOORS AND PANELS SHOULD THEREFORE BE REMOVED AND THE SUBFLOOR MADE GOOD AS ABOVE. IF PANELS LAID OVER A FLEXING TIMBER FLOOR NEED PATCH FILLING, STOPGAP GREEN BAG & 114 SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT SHOULD BE USED. IN ALL OTHER RESPECTS WOOD MOSAIC PANELS SHOULD BE TREATED AS FOR WOOD BLOCKS.
PARTICLE BOARDS SHOULD COMPLY WITH BS EN 312-2 (1997) TYPE P2 OR BS EN 312-4 (1997) TYPE P4.
CHIPBOARD, PLYWOOD AND HARDBOARD MUST BE PRIMED WITH STYCCOBOND F70 OR STOPGAP P131 DILUTED AS RECOMMENDED.
COMPOSITION FLOORS
COMPOSITION FLOORS SUCH AS THOSE CONSTRUCTED OF MAGNESIUM OXYCHLORIDE (MAGNESITE) CEMENT OR POLYVINYL ACETATE/CEMENT WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY DAMPNESS RISING FROM THE GROUND IF THEY ARE COVERED WITH AN IMPERVIOUS LAYER. UNLESS IT CAN BE ESTABLISHED THAT THE COMPOSITION FLOOR IS ADEQUATELY PROTECTED AGAINST RISING DAMPNESS, IT MUST BE REMOVED AND THE BASE MADE GOOD BEFORE FLOORCOVERINGS ARE INSTALLED. IF THE FLOOR IS PROTECTED AGAINST DAMPNESS THEN CRACKS AND SMALL HOLLOWS SHOULD BE PATCH FILLED AND THE WHOLE AREA SKIMMED WITH A MINIMUM OF 3MM OF THE APPROPRIATE STOPGAP UNDERLAYMENT.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURES
TO ENSURE THAT ALL CARPETS PERFORM TO THE REQUIRED STANDARD THE FOLLOWING INSTALLATION PROCEDURES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED:
■ INSPECT THE CARPET BEFORE LAYING IS COMMENCED AND BEFORE IT IS CUT IN TO
■ ALLOW THE CARPET TO ACCLIMATISE TO AT LEAST 65°F
■ CHECK FOR DYE LOT AND ROLL SEQUENCE
■ THE FLOOR SURFACE MUST COMPLY WITH: BRITISH STANDARD BS 5325:1996, MEANING THAT THE FLOOR MUST BE CLEAN, SMOOTH, DRY AND STRUCTURALLY SOUND.
■ UNEVEN CONCRETE FLOORS SHOULD BE SCREEDED AND SHOULD BE NEITHER FRIABLE NOR LOOSE AND POWDERY.
■ CONCRETE FLOORS LAID DIRECT TO THE GROUND SHOULD INCORPORATE A DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE AND SHOULD BE SEALED TO PREVENT DUST RISING FROM JOINS AND PERIMETERS.
■ THE SUB FLOOR MUST BE FREE FROM EXCESSIVE MOISTURE, OTHERWISE LONG ADHESIVE DRYING TIMES WILL OCCUR.
■ THE SURFACE MUST BE FREE FROM CONTAMINATES SUCH AS GREASE, PAINT, DIRT ETC. WHICH WILL AFFECT ADHESION.
■ UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE ADHESIVE SYSTEM BE DIRECTLY APPLIED TO AN ASPHALT FLOOR, BECAUSE OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF MIGRATION OF MATERIAL FROM THE ASPHALT.
■ TIMBER FLOORS MUST BE SMOOTH. IF RESURFACING IS NECESSARY USE 6MM PLYWOOD OR HARDWOOD NAILED OR STAPLED AT REGULAR CLOSELY SPACED INTERVALS.
■ ENSURE THAT THE CARPET IS CUT TO PLAN ALLOWING FOR ADEQUATE PATTERN MATCHING.
■ FIT THE CARPET INTO THE RECOMMENDED WET ADHESIVE. USING A POWER STRETCHER, NOT A KICKER, STRETCH THE PATTERN INTO REGISTER. ALWAYS SEAL ALL OF THE SEAMS.
■ USE A LINO ROLLER TO GET ANY CREASES OUT. THIS WILL ALSO ALLOW THE CARPET TO FULLY ADHERE TO THE ADHESIVE.
■ DOUBLE-STICK CONTRACT INSTALLATION SYSTEM
■ UNROLL THE UNDERLAY, WITH THE PRINTED SIDE UP. CUT TO SHAPE LEAVING EXCESS AROUND THE MARGINS.
■ FOLD BACK ONE HALF OF THE UNDERLAY AND USING THE NOTCHED TROWEL APPLY A RECOMMENDED TACKIFIER TO THE SUBFLOOR ENSURING COVERAGE IS COMPLETE.
■ ALLOW THE TACKIFIER TO DRY COMPLETELY - IT WILL TURN FROM WHITE TO CLEAR.
■ UNFOLD THE UNDERLAY ONTO THE DRY TACKIFIER (IF IT IS NOT COMPLETELY DRY, THE UNDERLAY WILL BOND PERMANENTLY TO THE SUB-FLOOR).
BASIC INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
CARPET INSTALLATION MUST BE PROPERLY PLANNED, ESTIMATED, AND COORDINATED. THE INSTALLATION PLAN SHOULD INCLUDE ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS, SEAM PLACEMENT, AND DETAIL AREAS REQUIRING SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS, SUCH AS UNUSUAL ROOM SHAPES, CLOSETS, BORDERS, ETC.
■ PROVIDE DRAWINGS WITH THE APPROVED LOCATION OF SEAMS, EDGE MOLDINGS, CARPET DIRECTION AND ACCESSORIES (ADHESIVES, CUSHION, ETC.).
■ PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATE SURFACE UPON WHICH TO INSTALL CARPET, INCLUDING CONFIRMATION OF CONCRETE MOISTURE AND ALKALI CONDITIONS, CLEANLINESS, SURFACE QUALITY, AND FLOOR LEVELNESS. THE CONTRACTOR MUST ALSO SET APPROPRIATE ROOM TEMPERATURES 48 HOURS PRIOR TO INSTALLATION (65 TO 95 DEGREES) AND PROVIDE VENTILATION DURING AND 48 TO 72 HOURS AFTER INSTALLATION.
■ THE INSTALLATION CONTRACTOR MUST USE QUALIFIED LABOR AND SPECIFIED TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES; PROVIDE ACCURACY OF MEASUREMENT AND COORDINATE WITH THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR ON ALL APPLICABLE DETAILS, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION DATE, DELIVERY, STORAGE, SECURITY, AND INSURANCE.
STRETCH-IN INSTALLATION
THERE ARE SITUATIONS IN WHICH A SPECIFIER WILL WISH TO UTILIZE THE STRETCH-IN METHOD. ITS SELECTION MAY BE FOR ONE OF THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
■ PROVIDES ENHANCED UNDERFOOT COMFORT AND ACOUSTICAL PROPERTIES (I.E., HIGHER NOISE REDUCTION COEFFICIENTS AND HIGHER IMPACT NOISE RATINGS) WHEN INSTALLED WITH A SEPARATE CUSHION
■ INCREASES THERMAL INSULATION (R-VALUE)
■ CAN BE USED OVER FLOORS THAT ARE UNSUITABLE FOR GLUE-DOWN
■ CORRECTIVE MEASURES, SUCH AS SEAM REPAIR, MAY BE EASIER TO PERFORM
■ REMOVAL COSTS USUALLY ARE LESS THAN THE REMOVAL OF AN ADHERED INSTALLATION
STRETCH-IN INSTALLATIONS SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN THE FOLLOWING CASES:
■ ON RAMPS AND INCLINES
■ WHERE OFFICE SYSTEMS FURNITURE AND DEMOUNTABLE PARTITIONS ARE UTILIZED
■ WHERE HEAVY ROLLING TRAFFIC IS LIKELY
■ WHERE THERE IS EXCESSIVE HUMIDITY
■ WHEN CARPET HAS A UNITARY BACKING OR OTHER BACKING SYSTEMS DESIGNED ONLY FOR GLUE-DOWN INSTALLATION
WOOD & LAMINATE/FLOATING FLOOR FITTING INSTRUCTIONS
WOOD & LAMINATE/FLOATING FLOOR FITTING INSTRUCTIONS
MASIVE WOOD & LAMINATE UNDERLAYS ABSORB FLOOR IRREGULARITIES, HELPING MASK UNEVENNESS AND MINOR BLEMISHES FOUND IN MANY SURFACES.
WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF GIVE A UNDERLAY WILL PROTECT AGAINST THE OVERSTRAINING OF WOOD AND LAMINATE FLOORS.
THE BUILT-IN VAPOURSTOP BARRIER OF OUR SHOCK-ABSORBANT UNDERLAYS ALSO HELP TO PROTECT AGAINST MOISTURE
INSTALLATION METHOD
■ THE SUBFLOOR MUST BE LEVEL, SOUND, DRY AND FREE FROM DUST, GREASE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS. ANY LOOSE FLOORBOARDS MUST BE NAILED DOWN AND ANY PROTRUDING NAILS HAMMERED DOWN.
■ THE UNDERLAY SHOULD BE LAID FOIL SIDE DOWN (ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE MAXIMUM RESISTANCE TO MOISTURE FROM THE SUBFLOOR) ALLOWING A 5CM EXCESS OF UNDERLAY TO RUN UP THE PERIMETER WALL.
■ EACH ROLL OF UNDERLAY SHOULD BE CLOSELY BUTTED-UP.
■ TAPE ALL JOINS WITH SINGLE SIDED WATERPROOF TAPE AND PRESS FIRMLY INTO PLACE.
■ ONCE THE FLOORING HAS BEEN FULLY LAID, TRIM THE UNDERLAY TO THE TOP OF THE FLOORING, FIT SKIRTING OR QUADRANT TO FINISH.
WOODEN FLOORS MUST BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND, LEVEL, SMOOTH, DRY AND CLEAN. ADEQUATE VENTILATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO SUSPENDED TIMBER FLOORS AT GROUND LEVEL TO ENSURE THAT THE MOISTURE CONTENT OF THE WOOD IS MAINTAINED AT EQUILIBRIUM. WORN OR UNEVEN FLOORBOARDS SHOULD EITHER BE REPLACED OR LEVELLED BY SANDING, PLANING OR BY PATCH FILLING WITH STOPGAP GREEN BAG & 114 SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT BEFORE FINALLY COVERING WITH FLOORING GRADE PLYWOOD OR HARDBOARD. SHEETS SHOULD BE POSITIONED, JOINTS STAGGERED AND NAILED AT 100MM - 150MM CENTRES. (SEE BS 8203 FOR DETAILS).
WOOD BLOCKS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR DIRECT APPLICATION OF SHEET AND TILE FLOORING BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUOUS DIFFERENTIAL MOVEMENT OF THE BLOCKS AND THE RISK OF THE WOOD BLOCK DESIGN TRANSFERRING THROUGH THE FLOORCOVERING SURFACE. PROVIDED THE WOOD BLOCKS ARE SMOOTH, SOUND, LEVEL AND SECURELY BONDED, THEY SHOULD BE OVERLAYED WITH FLOORING GRADE PLYWOOD OR HARDBOARD. ANY UNEVEN AREAS SHOULD FIRST BE PATCH FILLED WITH STOPGAP GREEN BAG & 114 SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT. WOOD BLOCKS LAID ON THE GROUND FLOORS MUST HAVE AN EFFICIENT DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE INCORPORATED IN THE SUBFLOOR.
IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT THAT ALL THESE CONDITIONS CAN BE MET THEN THE WOOD BLOCKS MUST BE REMOVED, AND THE SUBFLOOR MADE GOOD.
WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF GIVE A UNDERLAY WILL PROTECT AGAINST THE OVERSTRAINING OF WOOD AND LAMINATE FLOORS.
THE BUILT-IN VAPOURSTOP BARRIER OF OUR SHOCK-ABSORBANT UNDERLAYS ALSO HELP TO PROTECT AGAINST MOISTURE
INSTALLATION METHOD
■ THE SUBFLOOR MUST BE LEVEL, SOUND, DRY AND FREE FROM DUST, GREASE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS. ANY LOOSE FLOORBOARDS MUST BE NAILED DOWN AND ANY PROTRUDING NAILS HAMMERED DOWN.
■ THE UNDERLAY SHOULD BE LAID FOIL SIDE DOWN (ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE MAXIMUM RESISTANCE TO MOISTURE FROM THE SUBFLOOR) ALLOWING A 5CM EXCESS OF UNDERLAY TO RUN UP THE PERIMETER WALL.
■ EACH ROLL OF UNDERLAY SHOULD BE CLOSELY BUTTED-UP.
■ TAPE ALL JOINS WITH SINGLE SIDED WATERPROOF TAPE AND PRESS FIRMLY INTO PLACE.
■ ONCE THE FLOORING HAS BEEN FULLY LAID, TRIM THE UNDERLAY TO THE TOP OF THE FLOORING, FIT SKIRTING OR QUADRANT TO FINISH.
WOODEN FLOORS MUST BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND, LEVEL, SMOOTH, DRY AND CLEAN. ADEQUATE VENTILATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO SUSPENDED TIMBER FLOORS AT GROUND LEVEL TO ENSURE THAT THE MOISTURE CONTENT OF THE WOOD IS MAINTAINED AT EQUILIBRIUM. WORN OR UNEVEN FLOORBOARDS SHOULD EITHER BE REPLACED OR LEVELLED BY SANDING, PLANING OR BY PATCH FILLING WITH STOPGAP GREEN BAG & 114 SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT BEFORE FINALLY COVERING WITH FLOORING GRADE PLYWOOD OR HARDBOARD. SHEETS SHOULD BE POSITIONED, JOINTS STAGGERED AND NAILED AT 100MM - 150MM CENTRES. (SEE BS 8203 FOR DETAILS).
WOOD BLOCKS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR DIRECT APPLICATION OF SHEET AND TILE FLOORING BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUOUS DIFFERENTIAL MOVEMENT OF THE BLOCKS AND THE RISK OF THE WOOD BLOCK DESIGN TRANSFERRING THROUGH THE FLOORCOVERING SURFACE. PROVIDED THE WOOD BLOCKS ARE SMOOTH, SOUND, LEVEL AND SECURELY BONDED, THEY SHOULD BE OVERLAYED WITH FLOORING GRADE PLYWOOD OR HARDBOARD. ANY UNEVEN AREAS SHOULD FIRST BE PATCH FILLED WITH STOPGAP GREEN BAG & 114 SMOOTHING UNDERLAYMENT. WOOD BLOCKS LAID ON THE GROUND FLOORS MUST HAVE AN EFFICIENT DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE INCORPORATED IN THE SUBFLOOR.
IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT THAT ALL THESE CONDITIONS CAN BE MET THEN THE WOOD BLOCKS MUST BE REMOVED, AND THE SUBFLOOR MADE GOOD.
