What is LVT Flooring?

What is LVT Flooring?

You’ve likely heard the term LVT, which stands for Luxury Vinyl Tiles, but do you know what our planks are made of and why you might choose dryback over click? This guide provides everything you need to know about LVT and how to select the perfect flooring for your needs.

Dryback LVT

Also known as stick-down, dryback LVT is the standard LVT product. Its thickness can range from 2 to 3 mm and it must be adhered to the floor using either a self-adhesive underlay or glue.

Proper subfloor preparation is crucial for this product, which is why we always recommend hiring a fully trained installer to ensure perfect placement. Taking the time to prepare your subfloor will lead to optimal installation and a floor that will look beautiful for years to come.

Benefits of Victoria Design Floors Dryback LVT:

  • Easy to clean
  • Warm underfoot
  • Water-resistant
  • Pet-friendly
  • Durable

Click LVT

Our click planks are made from a stone polymer compound, making them exceptionally strong. They feature 5G push-click technology, which simplifies installation. These planks come with built-in underlay that not only reduces noise by up to 20 dB but also allows for slightly imperfect subfloors. So, if you have original tiles you don’t want to remove or existing floorboards, installation can proceed as long as your floor is dry, smooth, and crack-free.

Benefits of Distinctive Click LVT:

    • Built-in underlay
    • Sound reduction of up to 20 dB
    • Quick and easy to install
    • Ideal for conservatories and south-facing rooms
    • Suitable for laying over new concrete or certain existing floor types
With this information, you can make an informed choice between dryback and click LVT, ensuring you select the best option for your space. We have one of the largest selection of LVT on display as well as two colours in stock for you to take away TODAY
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How to Clean and Maintain LVT Flooring

How to Clean and Maintain LVT Flooring

LVT flooring is celebrated for its exceptional ease of cleaning, practicality, and durability, making it the perfect choice for family homes where spills and stains are inevitable. Our luxury vinyl floors are built to withstand daily wear and tear,but to ensure they remain in top condition, you must give them the care they deserve.

Follow this definitive guide on how to clean and protect your LVT flooring effectively.

Additionally, we’ve compiled essential tips from decades of experience to help youget the most out of your investment.

How Often Should You Clean LVT Floors?

Regularly cleaning your LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) floors is crucial for maintaining their appearance and performance. The frequency of cleaning depends on various factors, including the level of household traffic and whether the floors are used in a commercial setting. For homes with heavy foot traffic, it’s advisable to sweep or vacuum daily to remove dust and debris that can cause scratches. Any spills should be wiped up immediately to prevent stubborn stains from forming. As a general guideline, LVT floors should be lightly mopped once a week using a cleaner specifically designed for this type of flooring.

LVT Maintenance Tips

  • Doormats are essential for trapping moisture and dirt before it reaches your floor. They are a must-have for any home.
  • When vacuuming or sweeping, pay special attention to bevelled edges, which can collect dust.
  • Avoid soap-based products, as they can leave an unwanted film that dulls the surface of your floor over time. Instead, use warm water along with an appropriate floor cleaner.
  • Sweep in the direction of the grain to pick up less dirt on textured tiles.

Refinishing Vinyl Flooring

Luxury vinyl flooring is quite durable, but regular use over time can wear down the top layer and lead to a buildup of cleaner and polish. As a general guideline, most vinyl floors should be refinished every 6 to 12 months.

Take a close look at your vinyl flooring. If you notice light scratches or a faded finish, it’s time to remove the old finish and apply a new layer of floor sealer. Keep in mind that the surface of vinyl flooring is not wood, so it does not require sanding.

All these products are available at Carpetstyle. Please ask our friendly staff for recommendations on the best products for your vinyl flooring and advice on cleaning.

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Our Guide on How To Measure Your Floor

Our Guide on How To Measure Your Floor

Measure the length and width of the room. Always remember to measure into doorways, alcoves and recesses.

Measure odd shaped rooms in the same way as rectangular rooms. However, you will need to take more meaaurements. Remember to measure into doorways, alcoves and recesses.

Remember to measure over the top step and into doorways and recesses. Mark the position of your stairs with a cross as shown in the example.

Winders are the wedge rectangular shaped steps which, like a half landing, turn the stairs through 90 degrees. Simply take the following measurements of each winder. (See example), Again, you may not have winders, in which case ignore this step.

There is no need to measure the length of the stairs. Simply write down the following.

A bullnose is the odd shaped step at the bottom of some staircases. It is wider than a normal step and is rounded on either one or both sides. Simply take the following measurements.

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Our Guide to Subfloor Preparation for Amtico & Karndean Flooring: What You Need to Know

Our Guide to Subfloor Preparation for Amtico & Karndean Flooring: What You Need to Know

We smooth your subfloor; we do not level it.

To keep your floor in optimal condition, manufacturers have strict standards for preparing the subfloor before installing your flooring. At Carpetstyle, we are a premium Amtico retailer, and we exclusively work with Amtico-registered fitters. Meeting these requirements is essential to validate Amtico’s 25-year warranty.

Wooden sub-floors

Before installing Amtico or Karndean flooring over any type of subfloor, such as floorboards, chipboard, or plyboard, it is essential to ensure that the top layer is smooth, solid, and clean. The most effective way to achieve this is by installing a plywood overlay. We recommend using a minimum thickness of 5.5mm SP101 or FG1 plyboard.

The plyboard should be laid with staggered joints and secured with divergent staples every 4 inches. If the existing floorboards are cupped or uneven, they should be replaced or repaired and then sanded until they are level and sound. To ensure a seamless floor and that the plywood joints are not visible after installation, we recommend using a smoothing screed such as Stop Gap 700. This product contains flexible fibers allowing it to move with the floor. Please note that this smoothing screed is not included in your basic floor preparation quote, so be sure to ask for details.

Please note:

Even if all the recommendations above have been followed correctly, you may still observe shadows around the joints between the tiles. This phenomenon is not due to any fault of the manufacturer; it can occur when certain tile colors interact with lighting, causing the joints in the sub-floor to become more pronounced. Please rest assured that this will not lead to premature wear of your flooring design or affect your warranty. If you have any concerns, feel free to ask us.

Concrete sub-floors

When installing Amtico, Karndean, or Victoria flooring on new or existing concrete sub-floors, it’s crucial to follow specific procedures to ensure the floor remains secure. First, a moisture test must be performed to confirm that the moisture content does not exceed 75% relative humidity. This test is conducted free of charge once your order is placed.

Suppose the moisture level is above this threshold. In that case, you have two options: you can allow the floor to dry naturally, which typically takes about 25mm every three weeks, or you can choose to install a surface damp-proof membrane (DPM) for an additional cost. If the humidity readings are acceptable, a suitable smoothing compound should be applied at a minimum thickness of 3mm. It is important to use a water-based smoothing compound rather than a latex one. This compound generally takes about 4 to 5 hours to dry, and you can lay the flooring after 12 hours. For sub-floors that are part wood and part solid, there will always be a weak point where the two materials meet. To create a seamless transition, careful installation techniques should be employed. sub-floor, we recommend using a flax smoothing screed such as Stop Gap 700.

Please note:

Please note that while we strive to ensure a seamless join, wooden floors are naturally subject to some movement. This movement may become more noticeable when certain lighting conditions reflect on the area, but it will not cause premature wear or impact the warranty of your designed flooring. If underfloor heating is installed, it is essential to use HT glue, and the surface temperature must NOT exceed 28 degrees Celsius. Carpetstyle will not be held responsible if the temperature exceeds the British Standard of 28 degrees.

At Carpetstyle, our quotes cover basic preparation of the subfloor unless otherwise specified. Basic preparation includes a 3mm screed or a 5.5mm plyboard (see SP101), along with feather edging joints. While we strive to provide accurate material estimates for subfloor preparation, there may be instances where additional materials are necessary to achieve the desired quality. In such cases, extra charges will apply for the additional materials used.

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