Acclimatisation of material before installation
Remove material from packaging, spread out and allow to condition in room where installation is to take place at a constant temperature of 18°-26° for a period of 24 hours prior to installation. This temperature should be maintained during installation, and for a 24 hour period after installation.
Sub-floors
Karndean products must only be laid on sub-floors where the moisture level does not exceed 75%RH when tested with a hygrometer in accordance with BS8203-4; 2001 (Installation of resilient floor coverings). Where readings above 75%RH are recorded it would be necessary to install a surface DPM (damp proof membrane), this applies to both new and old floors.
Concrete/Sand Cement Screeds (Old/Refurbishment)
With readings below 75%RH old floor covering and adhesive residues must be removed, the surface primed with Neoprene or PVA primer and a minimum 3mm of smoothing underlayment applied. Readings above 75%RH consult Karndean Flooring International for information relating to surface DPM requirements.
Power Floated Concrete
If readings with hygrometer are below 75%RH dense power floated floors would require abrasion prior to the application of a smoothing compound. (Abrasion can be either scarification or light shot blasting).
For readings above 75%RH the surface would still require abrasion before applying a surface DPM.
Quarry Tile/Mosaic/Terrazzo/Ceramics
After testing for dampness, if dry de-grease, rinse and abrade to provide key for a 3mm layer of smoothing compound. If after testing dampness is apparent, consult Karndean International.
Asphalt
Asphalt should be de-greased and the surface rinsed with clear water. The surface should then be primed with neat Neoprene or Epoxy primer, allowed to dry and a minimum 3mm smoothing underlayment applied.
Timber Floors
Tongue and groove
Floorboards should be well secured, loose Laminate Flooring boards firmly fastened, worn/broken boards replaced, undulations filled with a suitable smoothing compound prior to overlaying with 6mm ply, primed with diluted Neoprene or PVA primer.
Chipboard/MDF/Floating Floors/Weyrock
Overlay with 6mm ply fastened at 150mm centres and primed with diluted Neoprene or PVA primer.
Wood Mosaic Panel, Woodblock, Woodstrip
Remove any of these products if laid direct to earth/bitumen/pitch, these should not be overlaid with an impervious vinyl.
Plywood Floors
Should be primed with diluted Neoprene or PVA primer and laid directly onto.
Existing Floorcoverings (Linoleum, PVC, Thermoplastic)
Remove existing floorcovering and all traces of adhesive residues, apply a smoothing compound to a minimum thickness of 3mm.
Underfloor heating
It is possible to install Karndean over floors incorporating underfloor heating, but these must be insulated to ensure the surface temperature does not exceed 27°C (80°F). The underfloor heating must be switched off 48 hours before, during, and 48 hours following the installation, and Karndean HT adhesive must be used.
Adhesives
Epoxy Resin
Epoxy resin is a two-part mix. Both components should be mixed together with a drill and paddle to a smooth consistency and the contents poured out within 5 minutes of mixing time. If left within the container the resin will harden inside 15 minutes; on the floor you have up to 2 hours working time. Recommended for areas subject to excessive moisture.
High Temperature Adhesive (HT)
A modified Acrylic adhesive with an improved service temperature. For use in areas subject to excessive heat eg. conservatories, shop windows, patio doors (and other areas subject to direct sunlight), and underfloor heating. We always recommend that you work section by section, as product must be wet bonded when installed with this adhesive (the open time is approximately 15 minutes, depending on atmospheric conditions).
Acrylic
Ideal for use in most normal residential and commercial installations. We always recommend that you work section by section, as product must be wet bonded when installed with this adhesive (the open time is approximately 15 minutes, depending on atmospheric conditions).
Pressure Sensitive adhesive (PS)
Ideal for use in most normal residential and commercial installations. For best working practice a semi-dry to dry tack is used. The open time of Karndean PS is approximately 3 hours. Important: An A2 trowel must be used to apply PS adhesive (available from Karndean ).
