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.