Image credit: TAL
Luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) and vinyl flooring products are increasingly popular for both commercial and residential use.
The key to success with this type of flooring installation is what happens below the final floor covering. Much attention is given to the substrate preparation, management of moisture levels in the substrate, and the importance of a flat and level surface.
Image credit: Mapei
However, choosing and using the right adhesive for the selected floor covering and applying it correctly are equally important. This handy cheat sheet covers the most common issues to be aware of.
Cheat sheet
| Issue | Description | Solution |
| Movement | Flooring substrates are prone to movement through expansion and contraction, particularly on suspended slabs. | Vinyl adhesives should offer high dimensional stability to accommodate movement in the background. |
| Moisture | Adhesives and screed products are sensitive to moisture. When the moisture levels are too high, the adhesive may emulsify and is no longer effective. This causes the vinyl flooring to “bubble” or delaminate from the substrate. | Moisture management is absolutely vital, through the use of a vapour barrier during the surface preparation.
Ensure the moisture content of the substrate complies with the requirements of the manufacturer of the selected floor coverings (typically below 3 – 3.5% or below 75% relative humidity (RH)) by conducting moisture testing on various areas of the floor. An adhesive that can tolerate a higher moisture content is advisable where necessary. |
| Temperature | An inconsistent ambient temperature in the room before, during or after installation, and not acclimating the products, all affect the success of the installation. | A maximum subfloor temperature of 27°C should not be exceeded. With the use of a technical adhesive, the range may be extended to 35°C.
Consult the adhesive manufacturer for the best practice when using the product at 12°C and below. |
| Ventilation | Site conditions need to be addressed to ensure a good installation. | Poor ventilation can extend the curing of self-levelling screeds and drying of vinyl adhesives.
Excess ventilation (eg drying winds) and direct sunlight can result drying-shrinkage cracks in self-levelling screeds and shorten the “flash-off” time of acrylic adhesives. |
| Adhesive selection | Different types of vinyl flooring have different adhesive requirements. | Vinyl sheeting and tile adhesives are typically allowed to “flash-off” before applying the flooring, whilst most LVT adhesives require a “wet lay”, where the LVT is installed whilst the adhesive is still wet. |
| Curing | Most acrylic-based or synthetic polymer-based adhesives need “flash-off” time. | Vinyl sheeting and tile adhesives usually need to “flash-off” before bedding the vinyl sheeting or tiles. (“Flash-off” is when the adhesive is left to air or dry for a short time.) It should still feel slightly tacky to the touch.
Most LVT adhesives are designed for “wet” lay installations, ie where the LVT planks are bedded into the wet adhesive. When using these adhesives it is important not be apply too much adhesive than can be covered whilst the adhesive is still wet. The adhesives must also be allowed the stipulated curing time before the flooring can be trafficked. |
| Gapping | Modified acrylic-based adhesives employ a “wet-lay” installation, where the LVT is bedded immediately into the wet adhesive. | Once cured, the glue line is rigid, inhibiting lateral shear movement on the LVT planks once in service and thus reducing the possibility of “gapping” between the planks over time, due to the dimensional stability properties that a technical adhesive offers. |
| Staircases | Sheeting is generally installed as a “tread and riser” all in one, versus vinyl tiles, which are cut to fit. | A contact adhesive with fast and strong initial grab and rapid set must be used on the risers.
An acrylic-based adhesive can be used on the treads, or a contact adhesive. |
Application
Adhesives are applied with a serrated or V-notched, or in some cases, with an appropriate paint roller. The trowel size and shape are important (generally trowels with triangular notches of 1,5 x 1,5mm with 4mm centres), as too much adhesive left on the substrate will slow down the curing time and could also result in excess fixative “bleeding” through the joints between the flooring.
Too little adhesive will not allow the necessary bond with the flooring. Always refer to the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions for the correct application method/tool.
Image credit: Polysales
Vinyl tiles and vinyl sheeting, except cushion flooring, should be bedded down and rolled with a 64kg three-sectional flooring roller before the adhesive dries. “Wet lay” LVT fixatives do not typically require rolling using a heavyweight flooring roller.
Issue: How to avoid failed LVTs, resilient and vinyl flooring installations.
Solution: A cheat sheet to assist with specifying the right vinyl adhesive for the type of vinyl and application area.
Thanks and acknowledgement go to www.floorworx.co.za, www.mapei.co.za, www.polysales.com and www.tal.co.za for the information included in this article.
Your blueprint for success!
Don't miss out on expert advice and industry updates...
Related Posts
Subscribe to our Community👇
Stay Inspired, Stay Educated, Stay Informed.
This is how people in the built environment do it!
