As promised here is an installation guide to help all our DIY customers that are going to fit a Luxury Vinyl Tile or LVT such as Cavalio or LG Hausys Decotile.
Installation of Luxury Vinyl Tiles
Product conditioning
The majority of installation failures are not caused by poor fitting but by the failure to condition the
vinyl tiles and planks prior to installation.
The tiles and planks plus any other products such as borders, feature strips, design strips, and adhesives should be conditioned for at least 24 hours prior to installation.
Boxes of tiles/planks must be stacked less than 5 boxes high and tiles removed 30 minutes before use.
Heating systems, which are thermostatically controlled should, when necessary, be left on during the night to achieve a constant temperature similar to that of the daytime.
The temperatures need to be maintained prior to, during and for at least 24 hours after the installation is completed.
 |
| LG Decotile LVT China Oak |
Installation of LVT
Step 1- Check/Sort/Condition
On receipt of tiles, check that colours correspond to those ordered, that quantities are correct and there is not damage. In particular, check that tiles are from one batch, if this was requested on the order.
To achieve best results, site conditions should be prepared as described in BS 8203. A working
temperature of between 18°C and 26°C should be maintained 24 hours prior to, during and for at least 24 hours after the installation is completed. As extremes of temperature can occur between the day and the night times, it is essential that these be avoided. South facing windows and all conservatory windows should be shaded to minimise daytime fluctuations.
Conditioning areas should be of similar temperature, to prevent thermally induced dimensional changes.
In installations where underfloor heating is used, this should be switched off from 48 hours prior to installation until 48 hours afterwards. It should be brought slowly back up to working temperature; a maximum of 27°C. Peak temperatures should be avoided for a further 7 days.
The decoration of tiles is randomly distributed and can be heavier on some tiles than others. To prevent “heavy” and “light” areas, the tiles should be unboxed and, if required, “shuffled”. Alternating the direction of tiles may be required to avoid repeat patterns.
Step 2- Installation
When installing Tiles, the centre line must be determined and checked to ensure good size cuts will be fitted at the perimeter.
Once the start point has been established, depending on the size of the area and type of adhesive to be used, it may be necessary to section off the area so that the adhesive can be applied to areas that can be laid within the open time. When sectioning off for adhesive application, parallel lines should be marked and adhesive spread within them. This will ensure that only the amount of adhesive is applied that can be laid within the open time.
When installing Planks, the centre line must be determined and checked to ensure good size cuts will be fitted at the perimeter. Because it is not required that the planks are laid “in bond” in the length, it is possible to begin tiling from an end wall, ensuring, prior to laying the first plank, that all cuts are of an acceptable length (Min 150mm).
Planks must be staggered to obtain a random finish, but it is advisable to ensure that plank ends are not within 15cm of adjacent planks.
Repeat for each section until the main field of tiles have been laid. It is advantageous to leave the last full tile and the cut at the perimeter without adhesive until all tiles have been cut to size. Spread the adhesive to the manufacturers recommendations. Trowels should be checked regularly to ensure the correct notch size is
maintained throughout the installation. If the notch shows signs of wear it should be renewed
immediately.
Step3- Cutting Perimeter Tiles/Planks
To avoid run out of the bond, cutting of perimeter tiles should start at the centre of the wall and work out towards corners. The choice of technique used for cutting perimeter tiles is largely dependent upon the straightness of the wall.
Overlapping Method
Used when there is little or no run out of the abutting wall.
Place the tile to be cut exactly over the last tile laid, ensuring the colour is correct and the decoration runs the correct way.
Place another full tile on top of the tile to be cut with its “top edge” against the wall or set-in coved skirting
Scribe a line onto the tile to be cut, using the “bottom edge” of the top tile as a guide.
Cut the tile to the scribed line, loose lay into position and check the fit.
Repeat along the whole wall.
Scriber Method
Used when the wall run out is quite severe or when the wall profile cannot be picked up using a straight edge.
Place the tile to be cut exactly over the last tile laid, ensuring the colour is correct and the decoration runs the correct way.
Set the bar scriber to the size of tile being laid.
Trace the profile of the wall onto the tile to be cut, ensuring the bar scriber is kept flat to the floor and square to the edge of the tile.
Cut the tile to the scribed line, loose lay into position and check the fit.
Repeat along the whole wall.
Step 4- Adhering the Perimeter Tiles
Once a wall edge has been fitted and loose laid, turn all the tiles inward so as not to lose their position. Spread the adhesive right up to the edges.
When the adhesive is ready, lay the perimeter tiles.
Wipe up excess adhesive as work progresses.
Roll well with a 68kg articulated roller.
Use a small hand roller in areas that are inaccessible.
Repeat the process for all four walls.
Step 5 - Final Fix
Finally, the whole floor should be given a second rolling, approximately one to four hours later.
Installation of Tiles/Planks in a large area
Maintaining a clearly defined straight line over long distances can be difficult and often leads to
inaccuracies. To eliminate this problem, an alternative technique is used when laying tiles in large areas.Establish the central starting point as described previously, minimising small cuts on perimeter tiles. Lay the first pyramid of tiles from the centre lines, using the sequence shown. Ensure a close bond is maintained at all times. Repeat this sequence on the opposite side of the centre line. Continue working in larger and larger pyramids until only the perimeter tiles require fitting. Fit perimeter tiles as described earlier.
Construction of a pyramid should always start at the centre of the baseline, working in the same sequence as shown above
Resources: Polyflor Ltd Installation Guide June 2005
www.ukflooringsupplier.co.uk
