GET CREATIVE WITH LVTS
Roger Moore, Altro’s European Regional Technical Service Manager, gives his top tips for installing LVT patterns and the pitfalls to avoid.
One of the most exciting things about new Altro Ensemble luxury vinyl tiles is that the range can be mixed, matched and cut to create a multitude of designs. Whether a classic herringbone design or a bespoke, irregular shape, the effect is fantastic and surprisingly easy to plan and install but there are definitely some pitfalls to avoid.
If you’re installing a design or pattern, the chances are you’ll either be given a plan drawn up by a designer or architect, or by the end-user and quite possibly someone who doesn’t have a great deal of design or installation experience. The first thing I would say is not to be afraid to question the design if there isn’t enough detail, or you can see potential issues, such as a pattern that runs across the entire floor. The clearer you can be on what’s needed at the start, the better. If you’re working directly with the designer, it’s worth giving them pieces of the actual material so they can create a scaled-down model to check the designs and colours work.
Altro Ensemble planks can be used to make a room appear longer or wider, depending on the direction and pattern in which the planks are laid. This is a fantastic use of LVTs and can make a big difference to the way that the room looks. If the chosen layout will create this effect, it’s worth checking that is what is intended.
One of the main issues we can face occurs if the walls aren’t dead straight, which you’ll know is very common. Depending on how far the walls are out, having a border may not work as this could highlight ‘out of plumb’ walls. The type of pattern used can help resolve this, for example, creating a herringbone pattern is a great alternative, masking wall imperfections.
38 | MODULAR FLOORING
Accurate measuring is paramount – it’s obvious that if the measurements aren’t right, it will affect the pattern. Whether not being able to centralise it in the room or complete it, it’s not something that you want to deal with once you’re installing the floor.
We all know that you can’t argue with a wonky wall. If there are any parts of the room that aren’t straight, it’s really important to know at the start of the project.
It’s likely that you will be given measurements to work to. If the pattern is complex, or relies on straight edges, I would always recommend laying some of the planks on the floor with no adhesive, and if possible lay out the full pattern. It’s the best way of seeing off potential issues at a point where changes can still be made to the plans. Once the pattern is laid out, check where in the room the features are, where patterns start and finish. Problems with the pattern size, entrances and exits and meeting walls will jump out at you and are easy to put right at this stage.
It’s always best to allow extra material for any variations, or if the measurements aren’t 100% accurate.
When you get into the installation itself, it’s easy to become totally focussed on what you’re doing, but if the installation calls for a complicated design it’s a really good idea to stand up regularly and take a look around to make sure everything looks right as a whole. You get a completely different perspective from that at floor level. You don’t want to realise too late that you’ve wandered off your line or picked up the wrong colour or piece of a pattern.
www.altro.co.uk www.tomorrowscontractfloors.co.uk
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