PERFECT SYSTEM FOR LVTS
Stephen Boulton, Technical Service Manager at F. Ball and Co. Ltd, talks through the ultimate system for your designer floor.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVTs) have surged in popularity over recent years, with a notable increase in quality and variety. To satisfy high customer expectations of the end result, selecting the optimum combination of floor preparation products and adhesives will help you to achieve the best possible finish.
There are a few simple steps to ensure the perfect finish when installing LVTs and vinyl planks, as well as taking precautions to avoid common causes of floor failure. As always, a moisture test should be conducted to determine whether the subfloor is dry enough to install floorcoverings. If subfloor relative humidity (RH) levels are higher than 75%, a waterproof surface membrane will be required to prevent moisture rising up and attacking floorcoverings, potentially causing complete floor failure.
There are certain combinations of primers, levelling compounds and adhesives that are ideal for installing LVTs. That is why F. Ball has developed its ‘System LVT’ range, comprising Stopgap P131 general-purpose primer, Stopgap 300 heavy duty levelling compound, and Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive vinyl adhesive to create the perfect finish.
PRIMING TO PERFECTION It is almost always essential to prime a subfloor before applying a levelling compound. When used over non- absorbent surfaces, priming promotes adhesion between the subfloor and the levelling compound applied over it. Applied over absorbent subfloors, primers prevent the unacceptably rapid drying of levelling compounds, which can otherwise lead to floor failure.
Another reason for priming is to prevent ‘pinholing’, where the slow escape of air leaves small blister-shaped holes in the levelling compound while it cures, ruining the overall aesthetic.
Stopgap P131 is F. Ball’s general-purpose primer, recommended for absorbent surfaces as part of the System LVT range. F. Ball has also recently launched Stopgap P141: a fast-drying acrylic primer that has been specially formulated to promote adhesion between Stopgap levelling compounds and non-absorbent subfloors.
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OPTIMUM LEVELLING COMPOUND To create the perfect base ready for the installation of LVTs, a levelling compound should be selected that offers excellent self-levelling properties. For optimum results, F. Ball recommends its Stopgap 300 HD levelling compound as part of the System LVT range.
Suitable for both absorbent and non-absorbent surfaces, the high compressive strength of Stopgap 300 HD creates a durable surface for floors that will be subject to high levels of trafficking. Its excellent self-levelling properties ensure a completely smooth and even base for the installation of LVTs, and its fast-drying and protein-free formulation makes it suitable for use in biologically-sensitive areas such as hospitals or schools.
ADHESIVE SELECTION Pressure sensitive adhesives are ideal for the installation of LVTs for their instant grab upon contact, meaning that tiles or planks won’t move around once positioned by contractors. Additionally, such adhesives offer an extended open time, which reduces the risk of late placement and makes them ideal for more complex designs or patterns.
To complete the System LVT range, F. Ball recommends its Styccobond F46 adhesive: a solvent-free, pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive that dries to a permanent tack. As well as being specially formulated to reduce the occurrence of trowel serrations shadowing through thin vinyl flooring, this adhesive is designed to give strong initial tack and high bond strength, making it the perfect choice for installing LVTs.
Flooring contractors should always check the compatibility of particular floorcoverings and adhesives by consulting the floorcovering manufacturer’s instructions. Alternatively, F. Ball produces a recommended adhesives guide (RAG), which lists adhesives recommended for use with floorcoverings produced by over 200 manufacturers. The guide is available as a free app, a printed booklet, or as an online interactive version on the F. Ball website.
www.f-ball.com/en
www.tomorrowscontractfloors.co.uk
ON THE BALL: THE
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