As a centre of technical excellence, The Academy for Excellence in Flooring provides the knowledge and skills to overcome the challenges that can adversely affect the quality of LVT installations. With LVT susceptible to subfloor condition and the ambient environment, correct preparation and selection is a significant factor in the long-term viability of the installation.
Given the popularity of LVT floors for open plan living spaces, one of the biggest problems to be overcome is a change in atmospheric conditions. With many open-plan spaces featuring a large amount of glazing, careful attention must be paid to the temperature changes that an LVT floor may experience.
Lee Thompson, Procurement and Technical Manager, highlights that issues are often caused by misunderstanding. He said: “LVT is a thermoplastic material and so responsive to changes in temperature. This is compensated for in the construction of the floor and up until 45°C it is perfectly stable. But when extreme heat is reached, and the right preparation has not been carried out, issues that compromise the quality of installation can arise.
“What room reaches 45°C I here you ask? But it is not the ambient temperature that truly matters, and it is this mistake that can cause issues. Most of us will have experienced the burning sensation of bare feet on hot sand or terracotta tiles on our summer trip. Under direct exposure to sunlight the ground becomes vastly hotter than the ambient temperature – this is called solid mass temperature.
“It is this solid mass temperature that is used for the recommended operating range of the floor, rather than ambient room temperature. So, in a well-glazed space with prolonged exposure to sun, while the room may feel comfortable, the floor can be heating up beyond its operating range under normal installation.”
Fortunately, there are specific preparation techniques and products that can be used to eliminate these significant temperature changes and protect the long-term integrity of your LVT installation, as well as avoiding costly remedial work. Of course, for anyone attending an LVT course at the Academy, these are revealed so you can maintain high standards under all room conditions.
