Laying a new floor can be a daunting task – especially when you’re aiming for a flawless finish…
Karndean vinyl flooring, with its elegant appearance and durable nature, is a popular choice among homeowners and professionals alike. If you’ve been considering giving your space a makeover and want to install Karndean yourself, you’re in the right place.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process, ensuring you lay your Karndean flooring like a true professional.
Pre-Installation Guidelines
Before going into the Karndean installation process, we recommend to familiarise yourself with some crucial pre-installation guidelines. These initial steps ensure that the flooring is laid on a suitable and well-prepared surface, guaranteeing a smooth finish and prolonging the lifespan of your Karndean floor.
Acclimation of Material
Before installing resilient flooring like Karndean, it’s crucial to let the material acclimate to the room’s temperature. Scientifically, materials expand and contract with temperature fluctuations. Allowing the flooring to adjust ensures that any potential expansion or contraction happens before installation, contributing significantly to the longevity and performance of the flooring.
— Skipping this step can lead to unwanted gaps or buckling in the future, compromising the integrity of your floor covering.
Subfloor Preparation
Before installing Karndean flooring, it’s crucial to properly prepare the subfloor. This includes checking for moisture levels, which should be below 95%RH for loose lay and rigid core formats, and under 75%RH for gluedown installations. A thorough inspection of the subfloor for bumps or irregularities is necessary, with the recommendation to overlay wood-based subfloors with at least 5.5mm flooring grade plywood, followed by smoothing the joints with a skim coat or suitable smoothing compound, as per the Contract Flooring Association’s guidelines. These preparatory steps are vital for a smooth, lasting Karndean flooring installation.
Learn more on: Flooring Face-Off: Karndean vs. Amtico – Which Is Right for You?
Understanding Subfloors
Before starting the Karndean flooring laying, it’s important to have a good understanding of the subfloor beneath. The type, condition, and preparation of the subfloor plays a big role in ensuring the longevity and finish of the flooring. This section looks into the intricacies of various subfloors and provides insights on how to best prepare them for a smooth installation.
Moisture in Subfloors
Before installing Karndean or any other flooring, it’s critical to assess the moisture levels in the subfloor, as excessive moisture can weaken adhesive bonds and cause future problems. Professionals typically use calcium chloride tests or digital moisture meters for accurate moisture detection, ensuring the subfloor is properly prepared. If high moisture levels are found, using moisture barriers or underlays is essential, and consulting with a flooring specialist is advised to determine the most suitable solution for the specific circumstances.
1. Solid Subfloors
Solid subfloors, particularly concrete floors, make a stable base for Karndean flooring. It’s essential to ensure that these floors are level, dry, and free from any debris to achieve a seamless and long-lasting installation.
Concrete/Sand Cement Screeds
When laying Karndean flooring on concrete or other solid subfloors, understanding the type of screed is crucial. New screeds may retain more moisture, requiring a longer drying time, while power-floated concrete often needs roughening to enhance adhesive bonding.
‘Anhydrite’ (Calcium Sulphate-Gypsum) screeds differ from traditional sand-cement screeds and must be sealed prior to installation.
Asphalt bases should be checked for cracks or imperfections. Additionally, when installing over painted floors, it’s essential to remove any loose or flaking paint to ensure a secure installation of the Karndean flooring.
2. Wood Subfloors
Wood subfloors are a robust base for Karndean flooring but need careful preparation. Whether it’s standard floorboards or tongue and groove, ensure the wood is level and moisture-free. Secure any loose boards and replace damaged ones. For the best results, overlay with a 5.5 mm flooring grade plywood, smoothing over joints with a skim coat or a fibre-reinforced smoothing compound.
Undulating Timber Floors
For uneven timber floors, level them by sanding or filling. Overlay with 5.5 mm plywood, then apply a primer and a 3mm layer of fibre-reinforced smoothing compound.
All Chipboard/Particleboard/Weyroc/MDF/OSB
Overlay these with 5.5 mm plywood, smoothing joints with a skim coat or a full coat of fibre-reinforced smoothing compound.
Flooring Grade Plywood Floors
Smooth over plywood joints with a skim coat or apply a primer followed by a 3mm coat of fibre-reinforced smoothing compound.
Wood Mosaic Panel, Woodblock, Wood strip, Laminate/ Click products
Remove these coverings and prepare the subfloor beneath accordingly.
3. Other Existing Subfloors
Different subfloors require unique preparations. Remove resilient floor coverings like linoleum or PVC, ensuring a clean base. For tiles, test for dampness, remove loose tiles, and prepare the surface. Metal floors should be cleaned, degreased, and abraded. For unique floors like Magnesite, consult your supplier. If dealing with asbestos, contact relevant authorities for safe removal.
Extreme temperature fluctuations
For areas with significant temperature changes, use the right adhesive for Karndean flooring. Ensure a consistent temperature range of 18-27°C before, during, and after installation.
Underfloor Heating/Radiant Heated Floors
When laying Karndean flooring over underfloor heating, it’s important to maintain the adhesive interface temperature below 27 °C, using Universal, HT, or Epoxy adhesives. The heating should be turned off 48 hours before, during, and after installation. For electrical systems, consult the manufacturer, while mesh/wire systems require a fibre-reinforced smoothing compound. With heating pipes in concrete, prime and smooth the surface. Always avoid ‘hot spots’ and ensure good air circulation. Use plywood that meets BS 8203 Annex A standards. Additionally, allow the flooring material to acclimatise to the room temperature to prevent post-installation expansion or contraction, and regularly monitor and maintain the heating system to safeguard the flooring’s integrity and appearance.
Gluedown Installation Process
The Gluedown installation method is a popular technique for securing Karndean flooring, ensuring a firm and lasting fit. This involves sticking the flooring directly to a prepared subfloor, which can be done using a special adhesive, such as Karndean Universal Adhesive. This will provide stability and reduce the risk of movement or gaps.
How ‘Loose Lay’ Works
Karndean Design Flooring’s ‘Loose Lay’ method presents a unique and innovative way to install Karndean LooseLay flooring. This method stands out from traditional adhesive-based techniques by offering the flexibility of either floating or glued flooring options, catering to various installation requirements. The effectiveness of the ‘Loose Lay’ method is primarily attributed to the K-Wave friction grip backing, which establishes a solid bond with the subfloor. This feature enables the installer to lay Karndean LooseLay flooring over nearly any type of existing floor. Additionally, the combination of the product’s weight and friction ensures a snug and durable fit, promoting both the longevity and simplicity of the installation process. This approach not only simplifies the process to install Karndean LooseLay flooring but also guarantees a robust and lasting installation, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of environments and flooring needs.
Advantages of Loose Lay Method for Karndean Looselay Flooring
The combination of the flooring’s weight and friction ensures a secure and durable fit. This not only facilitates longevity and ease in the installation process but also makes the method particularly suitable for Karndean looselay flooring. This approach simplifies the installation process. It’s an ideal method for various settings, ensuring that the installation is both efficient and effective.
Things You Will Need:
Before starting your Karndean flooring installation, it’s essential to have the right tools and materials available. Each item plays a role in ensuring a smooth and professional finish:
- Stanley Knife: This is essential for making precise cuts on the Karndean planks. A sharp Stanley knife ensures clean edges, which are vital for a seamless fit.
- Straight Edge: For ensuring that your cuts are precise and clean. A straight edge will help you achieve a professional finish by ensuring that each plank or tile aligns perfectly with the next.
- Tape Measure: Accurate measurements are the foundation of any flooring project. A reliable tape measure will help you determine the exact amount of material needed and assist in positioning the planks correctly.
- Trowel: Used for spreading adhesive evenly on the subfloor. An even adhesive layer ensures that the Karndean planks adhere properly, preventing any future movement or gaps.
- Flooring Spacers: These small tools are essential for maintaining an even gap around the room’s perimeter. This gap allows for the natural expansion and contraction of the flooring.
- Level: A level ensures that your subfloor is even. Any unevenness can lead to unwanted bumps or depressions in the finished floor.
- Adhesive: Specifically designed for Karndean vinyl flooring, this adhesive bonds the planks to the subfloor, ensuring longevity and stability.
Step 1 – Base Preparation
Before installing new flooring, it’s crucial to conduct a comprehensive subfloor inspection and preparation. This process involves fixing any unstable, loose, or broken tiles from previous flooring, eradicating old waxes and sealers that might impede adhesive performance, and ensuring the surface is clean, level, and dry to prevent future issues. It’s also important to check the subfloor’s moisture levels with a reliable meter to ensure they’re within acceptable limits for a grid stick installation. When dealing with a plywood subfloor, adding an extra layer of wood may be necessary for the appropriate thickness. Completing the preparation with a final sweep and vacuum helps eliminate dust or debris, contributing to a smoother grid stick installation process. Thoroughly addressing these aspects, particularly the condition of the previous flooring, is crucial for a successful and lasting grid stick installation of your new flooring.
Step 2 – Laying Karndean
During tile installation, pressing them firmly into the adhesive is crucial to secure a strong bond with the subfloor. This ensures that the grout lines between tiles are even and contribute to the overall strength and aesthetic of the flooring. For plank installations, manually align them closely together, avoiding tools, to form a watertight seal that minimises movement over time. It’s essential to achieve a tight fit across the room’s entire perimeter, which can be done without needing to remove skirting boards. Paying attention to the adhesive’s open time, as indicated on its container, is also key to ensure the flooring bonds properly, as a result boosting its durability and lifespan.
Step 3 – Cutting Karndean
Cutting Karndean flooring precisely is key to achieving a flawless finish. Industry experts recommend using a sharp knife for cutting, similar to the technique applied to plasterboard. The process involves making a clean, sharp score on the top of the board, then snapping it along this line, ensuring precision and reducing waste. A steady hand and a sharp knife are crucial for optimal results. Taking the time to cut the flooring carefully enhances the final appearance, reflecting the skill and expertise of the installation.
Step 4 – Rolling Karndean
When laying Karndean floors, especially in expansive spaces, it’s advisable to use a 68kg roller. This ensures that any loose boards are firmly pressed down, achieving a seamless bond with the adhesive. For more confined areas, a small hand roller will suffice. Properly rolling out the flooring is crucial to prevent any future issues and to ensure the longevity of your Karndean floors. By closely following these guidelines and giving due attention to every detail, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning Karndean floor that stands the test of time.
Remember – the key to a successful installation is preparation, precision, and patience.
Conclusion
When it comes to flooring, Karndean’s made its name with its elegance and durability. While the process to install Karndean may seem daunting at first, with the right guidance and a bit of patience, anyone can achieve a professional finish. We hope this guide has provided you with the insights and confidence needed to transform your space. Remember, the key to a perfect floor lies not just in the materials, but also in the care and precision of the installation.
Where to Buy & Costs
As you contemplate the best place to purchase your Karndean flooring, consider visiting a showroom that truly understands its beauty and functionality.
As a proud INSPIRE showroom for Karndean Luxury vinyl flooring, Top Notch Interiors offers a collection that combines style and sophistication. Their Karndean range mimics the natural beauty of wood, stone, and other materials, while eliminating common drawbacks. Durable and easy to maintain, Karndean Flooring is an ideal choice for both residential and commercial spaces.
To learn more, contact us today!
FAQs
We’ve put together some of the most frequently asked questions on how to lay karndean vinyl flooring, which we hope will answer any further queries:
How should Karndean be laid?
Karndean flooring should be laid on a smooth, clean, and dry subfloor. It’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, including acclimating the material and ensuring the subfloor is free from moisture.
Is Karndean flooring difficult to lay?
While Karndean flooring is designed for ease of installation, it’s crucial to follow the step-by-step guidelines provided. With the right preparation and tools, even amateurs can achieve a professional finish.
When can I walk on newly laid Karndean?
It’s recommended to wait at least 24 hours after installation before walking on your new Karndean floor. This allows the adhesive to set properly and ensures the flooring remains in place.
