Between 50-75 per cent of traditional vinyl installations in new housing developments require remedial work, which is costly to housebuilders and tiresome for home owners. However remedial work can be dramatically reduced if housebuilders opt for loose-lay rather than glued flooring, says Garry Martin, sales manager Private Sector Housing, Gerflor Limited
It is widely accepted that every new home needs to settle and gently dry out over a period of time. Small cracks appearing in walls and gaps in joinery are commonplace and completely normal for typically up to a year after completion.
Another common aspect of new buildings is the presence of residual construction moisture in floors slabs, which takes a significant amount of time to dry naturally – concrete floor slabs may take at least one month for every 25mm thickness of slab.
Moisture is inherent to concrete and even if the surface looks dry, moisture is likely to remain in the subfloor. Given considerable time the moisture should disperse but in the meantime the level of moisture rising to the surface is likely to be sufficiently high to damage an installed glued floor covering, as moisture causes adhesives to de-bond and floorings to subsequently ripple, lift, curl, bubble and peel at the edges.
As it does not make economic sense for new homes to stand empty while time remedies these issues, the application of suitable waterproof surface treatment barriers, appropriate to the relative humidity (RH) levels, offer a solution. According to the British Standards Codes of Practice, a cementitious base must not show a reading of greater than 75 per cent RH before a floor covering is applied.
However the combination of movement in new properties and moisture in subfloors is causing conventionally adhered sheet vinyl flooring and luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) to fail as homeowners find their new floorings become defective. Sites are reporting more complaints about flooring with between 50-75 per cent of traditional vinyl flooring installed in new housing requiring corrective work, most commonly because of rising moisture. Flooring issues are frequently on snagging lists for up to two years.
But adhered sheet vinyl flooring and LVTs remain the most popular specified choices in new build projects alongside wood, laminate and ceramic flooring. Yet traditionally bonded floorings require adhesive and smooth, flat, screeded and dry subfloors before the adhesive is applied and the flooring fitted.
As manufacturers have developed innovative, new technologies to provide fresh solutions, vinyl flooring has fundamentally improved in how it installs, looks and performs. One of the most significant innovations to come about is loose-lay, residential vinyl flooring, which can be fitted without adhesive thereby accelerating installation times, lowering on-floor costs by up to 30 per cent compared with traditional vinyl, and reducing remedial work dramatically.
Combining fast, cost-effective installation with the benefits of top quality flooring, these floorings come in two types: textile-backed sheet vinyl, that can be typically laid in one piece, and ingenious, interlocking lock and click tile and plank system floorings, both of which eliminate lengthy subfloor preparation and do away with adhesive that halts work whilst it cures. In addition they can be fitted by general flooring fitters rather than specialist fitters whose costs can up to double the square metre price of the flooring.
Notably, loose-lay, textile backed vinyls with built-in waterproof interlayers that can tolerate up to 90 per cent RH, are a highly effective solution in damp subfloor conditions. Specifically designed to be loose-laid (up to 35 sq m), they remain stable without being stuck down, can be installed directly over concrete that is not fully dry and will allow surface moisture to disperse as the flooring is not bonded to the surface. In addition, these types of vinyl can automatically compensate for small irregularities beneath without costly and labour intensive screed and ply being applied to the subfloor. They also give a better overall finish to the completed floor as the textile backing system absorbs minor defects underneath.
The latest residential vinyl floorings have also become an aesthetic choice with better design, colour and finishes on offer as the design teams of the top international vinyl flooring manufacturers research decorative trends and apply them to new floorings. As the design scope of vinyl is endless, it has much to offer in terms of new looks from natural woods in on-trend colours, classy mineral effects and highly contemporary patterns for both country and modern décor schemes. But all too often flooring is an after-thought rather than a considered part of the overall decorative scheme. However it is beneficial to include flooring in the planning process to ensure that it not only enhances the décor but also meets the specification needs of the project and the homebuyers’ tastes and requirements, improving the build quality and aiding the house purchase process through added value.
Selecting the flooring that is most suitable for where in the home it will be used will also ensure it is fit for purpose. For example, a quieter home can be made possible with the use of an acoustic flooring of 17db or greater levels of sound insulation; extra safety underfoot can be provided by an R9 or R10 slip resistant vinyl with an easy-to-clean surface that does not trap dirt, while added thermal and cushioning can be achieved with a textile backed vinyl of 3-4mm thick.
Vinyl is essentially practical, easy-to-clean and does away with waxing and polishing, however the thickness of its wearlayer will determine its longevity and performance levels in certain conditions, helping it to stay looking good for longer.
High performing vinyl flooring should have a wear layer of at least 0.3mm but where extra wear and tear is anticipated a wear layer of 0.55mm or 0.70 mm is ideal. As decorative residential vinyls are now available with thicker wear layers they can be used in communal areas of developments, such as corridors, where previously only contract floorings could be laid. This means greater flexibility in design choices and lower installation costs as specialist fitting is not required. In addition, quality vinyls are topped with a translucent surface finish such as PU varnish to resist stains.
From an eco perspective, all vinyl is 100 per cent recyclable and vinyl flooring manufactured in Europe is BRE A+ rated. Post-use it is also 100 per cent recyclable. By adopting green policies, investing in sustainable production processes and achieving international environmental standards, vinyl flooring manufacturers can also contribute to sustainable development through total commitment to eco-friendly practices at every stage of the manufacturing process.