Please agree to the cookies request to view the YouTube installation video.
Forbo Allura Flex" installation guide
Substrates
In general it is best to remove old flooring and prepare the subfloor in accordance to the local set guidelines. Installations are allowed over existing firm, rigid and stable subfloors (acoustical, flexible and unstable subfloors are prohibited). Allura Flex" is moisture content compliant with the relevant standards and regulations in the country of use. Always conduct moisture tests on all substrates. All ground based level floors should have an effective moisture barrier. Always record and keep your moisture content results prior to the start of the installation. If excess moisture is found in the substrate proper remediation steps should be taken before installation; if this is not possible alternative flooring solutions are advised.
Always prevent the use of excessive moisture on the floor. In areas that are likely prone to the use of excessive water it is advised to fully adhere Allura Flex". Claims on damaged floors due to the exposure of excessive moisture from the subfloor or from above due to excessive use of water with cleaning agents cannot be made. In case of potential exposure to excessive moisture it is advised to fully adhere Allura Flex" or use an alternative flooring solution.
Concrete slabs or cementitious screeds: new and existing ground floor slabs must be cast on a damp-proof membrane in accordance with the national code of practice for the installation of resilient floor coverings if applicable. If an effective damp proof membrane is not present or any doubt exists, a surface damp proof membrane should be applied.
Existing in-situ resin floor finish: the old finish must be sound and fully bonded and at least 2 mm thick. If flatness, cleanliness and bond requirements are not satisfied, the old in-situ floor finish must be removed, and the subfloor prepared in accordance with the national code of practice.
Floor paint: existing paint finishes should be clean and sound. Sanding is not necessary if the paint is sound.
Wood panel substrates (tongue-and-groove boards) - plywood or particle board floors should be sound and bonded tightly to the subfloor. Differences in height between boards greater than 1 mm should be sanded flush. Floating wood based panels should be removed.
Existing ceramics tiles: a general heavy duty self-smoothing/levelling compound suitable for the room's intended purpose should be applied across the entire surface area
Old resilient floor coverings: compact vinyl sheet and tiles or compact linoleum should be removed and the subfloor prepared in accordance with national codes of practice where applicable.
Textile floor finishes: textile floor finishes must be removed, and the subfloor prepared in accordance with national codes of practice where applicable.
Flexible floor coverings such as acoustic floors, but also resilient (wood)panels that are not rigid and firm must be removed. If any doubt exists, existing floor coverings should be removed.
Underfloor heating
Forbo flooring products may be installed over underfloor heated floors providing the maximum surface temperature of the substrate does not exceed 27°C under any condition of use.
It is imperative that the underfloor heating systems have been previously commissioned and found to be functioning correctly prior to the floor finish being installed. The temperature of the substrate must not exceed 18 °C during the installation of the flooring material.
If necessary, an alternate heating source should be used to maintain the room temperature at a minimum of 18°C prior to, during, and for 72 hours after installation.
The temperature of the underfloor heating system can be increased 72 hours following the installation. When raising the floor temperature, do so gradually so the substrate and flooring material can adapt to the temperature change together.
lnstallation
Requirements: vacuum cleaner, measuring tape, metal ruler, pencil, hand roller, utility knife, utility knife hooked blade.
Areas to receive flooring should be clean, free from other trades, fully enclosed and weather tight. Subfloors should be clean and free of contaminants, smooth, sound, and permanently dry.
General guideline: As a best practice, with the knowledge that no wall is straight, installers can best start with drawing a center cross. One could calculate from the centerline with the plank or tile width to make sure there won’t be a small cut piece at the wall. Working from the centerline, making the right calculation, one should automatically also not finish with a small cut piece at the other end of the wall. Small cut pieces have a higher risk of less appealing finishes.
01
Start with applying the tackifier in a quarter of the room.
When fully adhering the tiles, lay the tiles into wet adhesive. Always check for proper adhesive transfer in order to achieve a secure bond, there must be a complete wet transfer of adhesive to the tile backing.
Use a handroller on each installed tile. Use a heavy roller after each installed quarter of the room.
02
Properly line up the tiles along the center line and fill the first quarter of the room with full tiles pointing in the same direction. Installing the tiles tessellated is also an option.
Installation options tiles and planks
03
Once the full tiles are installed, lay a full tile exactly on the last full tiles and add a third tile (B) to the wall.
Use the utility knive straigth blade to cut the tile in the middle.
Use the hooked blade to cut the tile through and lay the part A into the space to the wall.
04
Fill all open spaces to the wall and start with the next area of the room.
05
Continue this way of working until the floor is installed.
06
If the optimum performance of any new floor covering is to be achieved, it is important that the correct cleaning and maintenance procedures are used. After installation the floor can be used directly in case of tackifier installation. In case of full adhesion the drying time of the used adhesive should be followed.
Important note: the use of excessive moisture, either through use or cleaning, on the floor needs to be prevented. In case of potential exposure to the use of excessive moisture it is advised to either use an alternative flooring solution; preferably a sheet product like Forbo Eternal, or in case alternative solutions are not possible to full adhere the tiles.
Use entrance systems
As much as 80% of dirt entering a building is brought in by foot traffic. Entrance flooring systems of an appropriate size (ideally more than 6 lm) and quality should be used. Forbo Coral or Nuway entrance flooring systems are independently proven to remove and retain up to 94% of all dirt and moisture entering a building by foot traffic; reducing maintenance costs and maximizing appearance retention of adjacent flooring products as well as reducing slip risk. As with any dirt removal system all entrance flooring systems should be regularly cleaned to release the dirt which has been removed. If in any doubt, contact us: question@forbo.com