Karndean 108973 Laying Korlok Plank Tile Rigid Core Floor Instructions

Karndean 108973 Laying Korlok Plank Tile Rigid Core Floor

This document is designed to give you the step by step guide to fitting a rigid core floor from Karndean Designflooring.

This guide will help you ascertain what tools you will need, fitting around fixed objects and adding finishing touches.

In most circumstances you will only need the following tools for successful installation:

• pencil
• utility knife
• ruler/straight edge
• spacers – 5mm spacers* minimum
• pull bar & hammer
• rubber mallet

For bathrooms or rooms with contoured fixtures, you may need:

• drill and spade bit (for cutting around pipework)
• jigsaw (for cutting curves)
• A larger expansion gap may be required in certain areas, see full installation instructions.

Always check the installation guidelines for subfloor preparation and fitting requirements.

Step 1. Subfloor considerations

Prepare the floor to gain a smooth, flat, level surface and have less than 95% relative humidity.
If fitting over an uneven surface, check there is no greater variance of 5mm over a 3m span. Level any grout lines with a width and/or depth greater than 5mm. If the variance in the subfloor is too great, the following is recommended:

• A. Solid subfloor: Apply an appropriate smoothing compound and allow to dry.
• B. Wooden subfloor**: Overlay with a minimum of 5.5mm flooring grade plywood or for existing floorboards, firmly fasten, fill gaps and level prior to installation.

Except for laminate which is normally recommended to be removed.

Step 2. Calculating the size of your room

Calculate the size of the room by multiplying the length by the width. This will determine how many packs you will need. Add 10% to allow for wastage. See page 5 for tips.

Step 3. Acclimatize your room

Open and remove the planks or tiles from the packaging 48 hours prior to installation for acclimatisation. The room temperature range should be 18-27°C (65-85°F). Mixing the planks or tiles up before fitting helps with colour variation for a more natural look.

Step 4. Planning your layout

Once the laying pattern has been decided, calculate the number of widths of planks or tiles that will fit across the room by dividing the width of the room by the width of the planks or tiles.

If the final row results in a narrow width of the planks or tiles, you will need to cut the first row width to create a more balanced, stable finish.

Wood

• Brick bond
  

• Staggered
  

Stone

• Brick bond
  

Note: this diagram is for layout calculation example only, not laying patterns.

A larger expansion gap may be required in certain areas, see full installation instructions.

Step 5. Laying your floor

Lay the first plank or tile towards the left-hand corner, with the tongue side/cut edge facing the wall.

Insert 5mm spacers* between the plank/tile and wall on both the short and long edges. Connect another plank/tile along the short edge of the first plank/tile and continue with the first row adding in spacers along the length of the wall.

Step 6. Cutting planks and tiles

Before you fit a row of planks/tiles, consider if the final piece in the row will be long enough to remain stable. If not, you will need to shorten the first laid plank/tile. Place a plank/tile directly on top of the last clicked in plank/tile (this will be the plank/tile used for the final piece in the row). Place another plank/tile on top and move it to meet the wall, ensuring you position a spacer. The exposed plank/tile beneath will be the desired size. Using the edge of the overlaid plank/tile as a guide, score the plank/tile underneath. Remove the top plank/ tile, snap the scored plank/tile and click into place to complete your row.

When connecting the second row of planks/tiles, align the horizonal long side using an angle of 30 degrees, slide the plank up so the short sides are close. Press the short side down so you hear an audible click, which signals a firm connection, meaning it has locked correctly.

Step 7. Staggering planks and tiles

After two to three rows have been clicked together, ensure the rows are pushed against the spacer and the wall you are working away from. A sizeable offcut can be used to start the next row with the cut end against the wall. Otherwise, you can cut a plank/tile in half to ensure staggered joints.
Continue to install planks/tiles across the room until the room is complete using a hand roller to assist. Only if necessary, use a rubber mallet and an offcut of the product to gently tap the product together. A pull bar can be used to pull the product together around the edges of the room.

Step 8. Fitting around radiator pipes

It is likely that you’ll have to cut a plank/tile to fit around radiator pipes or a fixed object in the room.

To do this, lay the plank/tile in position next to the radiator pipe. Use a pencil to draw a line across the width of the plank/tile at the point where it hits the centre of the pipe.

Lay the end of the plank/tile up to the pipe and mark where the centre of the pipe intersects the line that you’ve drawn – not forgetting to include the expansion gap at the wall. This is where you need to drill your hole using a drill and spade bit.

Mark two lines from the side of the hole to the edge of the plank and cut out. Slide the plank into place, and place the cut out part back into place ensuring a 5mm expansion gap is left around all sides of the pipe.

The cutout can be secured in place using a suitable glue or filler if required.

Step 9. Cutting around a circular object

Use a piece of paper which matches the size of the tile or plank, to create a template. Trace around the circular object using a pencil, create cuts in the paper to enable an accurate fit up against the circular object. Once the paper template is created, tape to your plank/tile ensuring you fit the template to the correct tongue/groove edge, and cut to shape (using a jigsaw can help with cutting curves).

Step 10. Doorways

Where possible undercut door architrave and slot the planks or tiles into place.

Step 11. Fitting the final row of planks or tiles

Place a full plank over the top of the last row, make sure it is lined up exactly with the plank underneath with the groove side facing the wall, and the tongue side facing away from the wall (which will click into the last laid row).

Then using a full width offcut, which has the tongue still attached, place the groove side against the wall and using a pen/pencil mark along the full plank to get a perfect cutting line for the final row.

The width of the tongue will account for the 5mm expansion gap required around the edge of the room. Score and snap along this line to cut the plank or use a jigsaw. Insert the tongue into the groove of the previous row, you may need to use a pull bar and hammer to help ensure a tight fit. Repeat this process until the final row is complete.

Note: when cutting Korlok planks/tiles along the length you may find it easier to use a jigsaw to cut.

Step 12. Finishing touches
Once the floor is installed, remove the spacers; sweep the floor with a soft brush.
Using a mitre block for cutting 45 degrees, fix the scotia to your skirting board to cover the expansion gap using appropriate adhesive to affix to the wall. Alternatively you can use skirting board to protect your walls and hide the expansion gap between your floor and wall. The floor remains free to expand (see installation instructions)

How do I calculate the amount of floor needed

Rectangular rooms can be calculated easily by multiplying the length by the width (see example 1).
If the room isn’t a standard shape, try splitting the room into separate rectangles. Calculate the area of each rectangle, then simply add these values together to reach the total room dimensions (see example 2).

Example 1:
A x B = total area

Example 2:
(A x B) + (C x D) = total area

Korlok is supplied in pack sizes of 3.195m2 plank and 2.742m2 tile

Divide the overall measurement by the pack size to gain the number of packs required.
Tip: add 10% for wastage by multiplying the final figure by 1.10

For full installation instructions please contact your local Howdens depot.

Documents / Resources

| Karndean 108973 Laying Korlok Plank Tile Rigid Core Floor [pdf] Instructions
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