DIY - Checklist

CHECKLIST FOR SUITABLE SUB FLOORS:

Suitable sub floors are: old flooring such as wood, firmly-adhering PVC, dry ceramic, tiles and cement screed.

Please check with your local Floors Direct store before installation begins.
Wet and damp rooms, saunas are not suitable due to the high humidity. The sub floor must be dry, level, firmly affixed and clean.
Minor unevenness can be compensated with a suitable underlay or if it exceeds 2mm over a 2 metre length, sand it down or level it with a filler such as cement screed.

INSTALLATION CHECKLIST

Examine the space between floor and door to ensure that there is enough space (at least 1cm or 2 floor boards stacked on top of each other), so that after laying the laminate floor, the door can still be opened and closed over the bridging gap. If necessary, shorten the door.
Areas that measure more than 12m and/or 8m require an extra expansion space of a minimum of 10mm or 1.5mm per running meter.
This also applies to doorways, openings between rooms and corridor corners. Free space of at least 8 - 10mm around all obsticals

TOOLS & FITTING KITS

A wide range of tool & fitting kits are also available form our various Floors Direct stores and is ideal for installation by any DIY enthusiast.


Safety Goggles	Knee Pads	Silicone Sealant & Gun	Fitting Kit and Spacers	Gilotiene & Safety Plate

INSTRUCTIONS

Important Notes:
Read all the manufacturers instructions before installing your new flooring. It is essential that you follow these instructions prior to installation as problems may occur that may have been avoided. This flooring is suitable for all rooms, if installed in a bathroom or kitchen (domestic installation) please refer to the special fitting instructions in ‘Planning the Floor’. Wet and damp rooms, saunas are not suitable due to the high humidity. Packs for installation must be stored flat and unopened for at least 48 hours at least 1m away from any wall with normal
ventilation.

PREPARING THE BASE

Sub-floors to be overlaid must be completely dry, flat, sound and clean, and the floors must be completely leveled. Vinyl tiles may be overlaid as long as they are firmly stuck down. Cushion vinyl sheet, linoleum, carpets and underlay must be removed.

SCREEDED OR CONCRETE FLOORS

Concrete floors require an effective suitable underlay and must be completely dry before any installation.

TIMBER

Suspended wooden floors must be completely fixed and then covered with at least 6mm thick plywood sheets, this should be fixed at 300mm centres (which means screwed every 300mm in every direction from the centre). All screw heads should be countersunk below the surface of the plywood.

A suitable underlay should be fitted in the opposite direction of the soon to be layed floor boards. If you're unsure please contact your nearest Floors Direct store so they can come and inspect your sub floor.

UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Underfloor heating is available from all our stores - please speak to one of our consultants at your nearest Floors Direct store.

PLANNING THE FLOOR

All floors boards should be layed parallel to the direction of the main light source, i.e. main window.

A suitable a underlay should be fitted in the opposite direction of the soon to be layed floor boards.

Start laying the floor boards from the left hand corner, working towards the right.

Use a cut piece of board from the 1st row, to start the next. This must be at least 300mm long. If the piece is too short, start with a new board, cut in half. Always ensure that the end joints are staggered at least 300mm.

Due to this product being wood based you will need to leave an expansion gap of approx 8 - 10mm between the floor edges and the perimeter of the room. To cover the gap you may remove the skirting before fixing the floor and replace them over the gap at the end or alternatively you can lay to within 12mm of the skirting and attach a quadrant to the skirting to cover the gap.

For regions of high humidity: the wider the expansion gaps the better - advisable is a 10 - 12mm gap.

Flooring widths above 8 meters or lengths above 12 meters will require additional expansion joints within the floor. This is important in commercial applications.

If installing in a bathroom, follow the previous instructions for planning and cutting and make sure that each board is adhered to the next via a continuous line of PVA Waterproof Adhesive along the tongues before knocking them into the grooves.

Examine the space between floor and door to ensure that there is enough space (at least 1cm or 2 floor boards stacked on top of each other), so that after laying the laminate floor, the door can still be opened and closed over the bridging gap. If necessary, shorten the door.