1. Inspection responsibility
Laminate flooring is produced in precise working steps in one of the most modern
production sites. All products will be constantly and strictly controlled. Despite
our strict quality controls, damages on single panels can occur, i.e. transportation
damages. Always check the panels before and during the installation.
Attention! Check every board carefully before installation for any manufacturing
blemishes. We cannot consider any claims regarding product defects after installation.
Laminate flooring is suitable to be installed in most areas of the home.
2. Sub floor requirements
2.1 All sub floors must be prepared for installation in accordance with normal sub
floor preparation procedures and accepted tolerances within the flooring industry.
2.2 Before installing laminate flooring there are the following points to consider:
Moisture test – The test will be carried out using a CM-device and should not exceed
the following moisture level: for cement based concrete 2%CM for anhydrite concrete
0.5%CM Evenness test - Evenness requirements are based on industrial typical standards.
Maximum tolerance of 3mm per/m dependent on installation method, please read below.
Load capacity - Timber batten must be kiln dried at the maximum CM 12-14%. They
should be placed at 400mm intervals. Heavy loads such as pianos are place in areas
where this is reducing to 300mm. Cleanness test - The sub floor has to be in a clean
and vacuumed condition. Test the climate condition in the room where the laminate
flooring will be installed – The following conditions should be fulfilled before,
during and after the installation:
- a room temperature of a minimum of 18°C (64°F)
- a floor surface temperature of a minimum of 15°C (59°F)
- a relative humidity between 40% and 70%
3. Sub floors
3.1 Laminate flooring installed as a floating flooring configuration can be installed on
all sub floors, which meet the above-described requirements. Here are some examples:
- all types of concrete sub floors, including hot water radiant sub floor systems
- particleboard sub floor constructions
- fibreboard sub floor constructions
- existing flooring surfaces such as PVC, linoleum, natural stone slab, ceramic tiles
3.4 Please note the following rules for the different sub floor types:
3.4.1 Concrete sub floors. If laminate flooring is installed over a concrete sub floor, you
have to consider that possible rest moisture in the sub floor will seep to the surface of
the sub floor. Based on the above-mentioned reason it is always necessary to install a
two-part, epoxy surface membrane is use over concrete sub floors.
3.4 Please note the following rules for the different sub floor types:
3.4.1 Concrete sub floors: if the engineered flooring system is installed over a concrete sub floor,
you have to consider that possible rest moisture in the sub floor will seep to the
surface of the sub floor. Based on the above-mentioned reason it is always necessary
to install a 0.2 mm polyethylene film as a moisture barrier over concrete
sub floors.
3.4.2 Concrete with hot water radiant heating systems: To ensure that
radiant heating systems will work properly for many years to come, it is essential
to plan and coordinate the different elements of the flooring construction (concrete,
radiant heating system, laminate flooring). All existing floor surfaces need to
be removed prior to the installation of the new flooring. In addition
to the standard sub floor tests it is necessary to provide a certificate that the
proper "heating-up and cooling-down phases" have been done. A correct heating-up
and cooling-down of the concrete construction will be necessary in every season
of the year. The heating-up and cooling-down phase:
- Start of the heating-up phase at the earliest 21 days after the cement-based concrete
has been installed, according to the manufacturer for anhydrite concrete but not
before 7 days.
- Start the heating-up phase with a flow temperature of 23°C, which has to remain constant
for three days.
- Increase the flow temperature daily by 5°C up to the maximum flow temperature.
- Maintain the maximum flow temperature for three days without switching off the heater during the night.
- After three days reduce the flow temperature daily by 10°C until you reach a surface temperature
of 18°C (64°F).
- During, and three days after the installation of the flooring panels, maintain a surface temperature of 18°C (64°F).
- Three days after the installation you can start to slowly increase the flow temperature.
Attention! The surface temperature may never exceed 26°C and it is always necessary
to install a 0.2 mm polyethylene film as a moisture barrier underneath the underlay.
4. Installation preparations
4.1 Acclimatisation of the panels; Before starting the
installation the flooring has to be brought into the room where
it will be installed or in a room with the same climate condition. The acclimatisation
will be carried out as following: in sealed unopened boxes for a time period of
at least 24 hours flat laying with at least 50 cm distance to the walls at a room
temperature of at least 18°C at a floor surface temperature of a minimum of 15°C
at a relative humidity between 40% and 65%
4.2 Installation direction; flooring
looks its best when the flooring panels are installed parallel to the
light coming in through the windows. The only required installation direction is
if you install flooring over hardwood flooring boards. In this case you have
to install the flooring at a 90 degree angle to the existing hardwood flooring
boards or apply a hardboard or plywood sub floor.
4.3 Planning the first row;
After determining the best layout of the flooring and the starting wall, measure
the width of the room and divide it by the width of the flooring panels to
determine the number of rows and the width of the last row. If the last row is determined
to be less than 60mm wide, it should be adjusted by cutting the first row lengthwise.
4.4 Planning of expansion gaps; Since laminate flooring is made of organic
materials, it is subject to certain movement behaviours (shrinkage/expansion) due
to changes in climate conditions. It is necessary to leave gaps of 10mm for the
expansion in all parts of the structure i.e. walls, doorframes, stairs, around pipes.
4.5 Planning of transition mouldings; through the shrinkage and expansion behaviour
of the flooring you have to install transition mouldings in the following areas:
at all door throughways at all passageways single room length and/or with more than
10 m (33 ft)
5. The Installation
Check all panels for possible damages/defects. Ensure you understand the difference
between the tongue and the groove on the panel. Begin installing the first row from
the left-hand corner of the room with both tongue sides of the panels pointing towards
the wall. Place spacers between the edge of the flooring panels and the wall to
provide the correct space for expansion.
Connect the second panel to the first by
indirectly tapped using a hammer and push block, thereby joining the boards’ headers.
Mark the last panel in the first row to the required length (place tongue to tongue)
and cut. Start the second row with the off cut from the last panel of the first
row. Always make sure the off cut is at least 500 mm long, if not then cut another
piece which is greater than 500mm long. Start all subsequent rows with the off cut
piece from the previous row. Connect the second row to the first by placing the
interlocking end of the new panel at an angle to the previously installed panel
and then lower it into a horizontal position to lock then indirectly tapped using
a hammer and push block, thereby joining the boards’ headers.
Attention! A floor is considered level if the deviation height is less than 2mm over a distance
of 2.5 linear metres. Deviations above this level must be levelled out before laying the underlay.
Expansion gaps and expected movement with laminate floors
It’s imperative all floors must have an expansion gap of 10mm around the entire perimeter of the floor
and all fixed points within the area of installation. Without this precaution the floor will move
and have nowhere too go. This can cause extreme levels of pressure pushing upward and outwards, thus
lifting the flooring. All floors will move a certain amount even under correct installation
due to moisture. It is normal to expect during certain times of the year, as different levels of
humidity occur, that the width joint between boards will open and close. In warm weather the relative
humidity will increase thus causing the flooring expand. In the winter months relative humidity
decrease thus causing the flooring to shrink consequently the joints between the boards will increase
and decrease accordingly. This cycle will repeat over the years within the allow tolerances.
For special installation techniques, i.e. installation on stairs or for at any other questions,
please do not hesitate to contact our technical help line on 0871 250 1066.