Karndean Looselay Flooring: How to Install Like a Pro and Avoid Common Mistakes

[@andywillmore921]

So glad I found this as we are planning to put Karndean over a limestone tiled floor and now no need to stick it down , yahooo.

[@toddbishop1139]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. We are looking at this product for our home. After watching your video...SOLD!

[@JamesW-sn5vu]

given that you did this 2 years ago, can you give us an update on how it looks now? has any of it moved, separated or had gaps? thanks

[@MrJohnyBoyDee]

I'm looking at this type of flooring as I like the notion it doesnt shrink (Looking at putting it on an area of around 45M2 with newly installed UFH) and you can replace a plank easliy if it becomes damaged. Be nice to get an update from the OP :)

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

I staggered the subfloor and I left an expansion perimeter around the edge of the room, which was covered by skirting board. Curiously, Karndean say you do not need an expansion joint with LVT because it is essentially rubber. We have found this largely to be true, although in the cold weather the floor does contract a slight amount, which does mean there can be a slight amount of movement, but not such a large amount that you can't solve by shunting along - we're talking less than 5mm. 3 years on, we are very happy with it!

[@daisykazoo]

OMG. I dig it! You have given me the courage to try this myself.

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Go for it! It's super easy to do yourself 💪💪

[@LivingForAction]

Thanks for a great video and good tips - the ol' measure twice and cut once rings true here as well :)

[@pm1104]

What a super job you have done with the flooring !

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Thanks!

[@GeekStreet]

Looking great, any chance of links to the flooring you bought.

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Cheers mate - here it is, and I've added into the description too...storiesflooring.co.uk/collections/karndean-looselay-lvt/products/karndean-looselay-cambridge-llp113

[@GeekStreet]

@@OfficeBoyBuilder Excellent thanks!

[@perrydear6306]

good video! Nice cutting! thanks Perry

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Cheers mate!

[@christianpiper9562]

Hi great video. What is the product code for the boards you used?

[@TheSparkysdog]

Great looking flooring job👍

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Cheers mate!

[@MsSds1965]

The flooring really looks amazing!! But I see 2 issues that you may have issues with in the future, 1. Did you stagger your joints for your subfloor? 2. Did you leave atleast 1/8 spacing around the perimeter of the room with your planks? They are going to expand with temperature change, but I did see that you let the planks get acclimated to the floor that they are to be installed on. I see this video was done about 3 years ago, how did everything hold up? Hopefully there were no issues😁.

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

The answer to both your questions is "yes" I staggered the subfloor and I left an expansion perimeter around the edge of the room, which was covered by skirting board. Curiously, Karndean say you do not need an expansion joint with LVT because it is essentially rubber. We have found this largely to be true, although in the cold weather the floor does contract a slight amount. 3 years on, we are very happy with it!

[@MsSds1965]

@OfficeBoyBuilder well you are all set then👍🏾 How is it now 3 years later?

[@Lord-Brett-Sinclair]

Starting to see the end in sight, well done, that flooring looks straightforward.

[@joshlehan8057]

Brilliant work coming together nicely can't wait for the next video 😀

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Thank you! I'm editing it now, ready for Wednesday!

[@jerrysegal2903]

thanks for the great video. is this product scratch resistant? does it come in a 28ml wear layer or similar protection?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

It is very hard wearing, but it is not scratch resistant...I don't believe any surface is really scratch resistant, including tile. The wear layer is certainly strong though, and the product is worth the money.

[@jerrysegal2903]

@@OfficeBoyBuilder thanks for that quick reply. do u know what number wear layer it does have. Can scratches be removed

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

The wear layer is normally 2-4mm depending on the product. I don't think the scratches can be removed, as it's a vinyl product. Unlike wood, you cannot sand it and re-varnish the product

[@crippsybc]

Looks spot on mate. We're considering a similar flooring for our new extension. Is there any chance of an update on how it's held up

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

It's doing great! A marginal amount of shrinkage in the cold weather, but nothing to write home about. It's super stable and easy to work with. Would definitely get it again.

[@stevecownley152]

All that preparation before laying karndean flooring Certainly payed off Looks fantastic 👏👏

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Thanks mate! It's unbelievable how easy it is to lay!

[@Jackzuk]

Love the look of this. U did a great job there. I understand gaps can sometimes appear, have u had this issue? Have u tried using the tackifier and if so do you know if its only needed on the parameter of the floor to stop the gaps forming. Thanks fella.

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Thanks! Yes gaps to appear unfortunately, normally on the short edge, rather than the long edge. I haven't got round to using a tackifier yet, but think this would work well. The gaps have been quite minimal thankfully, and with the weight of the kitchen and furniture the gaps only really appear when the weather gets very cold and they shrink.

[@anthonydavid1965]

@@OfficeBoyBuilderThe gaps will get worse over time, up to 4 or 5mm on the short edge. The recommendation is not to use this flooring near large sections of glazing due to heat fluctuations! For a room such as this the company actually recommends using the click flooring instead.

[@petemiller519]

Nice Job! Thanks for the video. A little tip, paint your walls first before doing the flooring. Cheers.

[@TheNorthernmunky]

Taking shape now, space looks awesome

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Cheers bud!

[@OurHomeProjects]

Amazing stuff. Didn't look like you had to mix the boxes up either. Really pleased for you that all your levels worked out and you have it almost flush with the outside doors. Brilliant job Tom. Which month are you on now? You really make it seem like we could do the same ourselves....

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Thanks! You have pretty much caught me up now...I had a nice long runway of videos, but with my office job picking up, and the amount of jobs I can do around the place reducing, the videos are shortly going to dry up a little!

[@danbeckett5648]

Hi been watching alot of your videos which are great. I'm a floorlayer myself and I hope you don't have any problems with your floor but karndean have released a loose lay tackifier specifically for this so I'm not sure where your upto with the kitchen but if it's showing any sign of movement now would be a good time to address the issue, other than that I think you did a really good job 👍

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Thanks mate, I think I will be looking into that product, for sure! A few little areas where it's slipping easier than in others. Thank you for the support, and also for the suggestion - much appreciated!

[@jayjohal6892]

Yes I agree! I installed this exact floor in a salon and after several weeks there was movement, thus creating hideous gaps between the joints. Therefore I had to lift up the whole flooring and re install the planks this using the tackifier glue which solved the issue. Saying that I was advised by the manufacturer that you only need to glue down the edges (next to skirting) and not the whole floor! Also I’d recommend that you ‘shamfer’ your cuts to enable you a tighter snug fit against the walls or skirting and west knee pads! Haha 😂

[@garymurphy5133]

at 5:37 when the boards were laid out showed the smaller back part of room dips down.

[@maddicruz1405]

You have inspired me to lay Karndean Looselay. Looks very nice and you make it look easy. Since you did the flooring about 2yrs ago, have you encountered any issues at all and how is the flooring bearing up?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Not really any issues, but things to consider...unless your floor is absolutely as flat as glass, it's worth buying a tackifier, which is basically a sticky glue to use on the bottoms of the sections where the floor is a bit uneven. Also when it gets very cold in the winter. The individual sections of LVT can't shrink a fraction. I mean a literal fraction, it isn't much at all, and there's nothing that you can do for it, beyond waiting or warming it up. But it's an observation to consider. Otherwise it's great, and very easy to install!

[@maddicruz1405]

@@OfficeBoyBuilder Thanks, that is good to know. I am thinking of laying it on underfloor heating. I guess that means the flooring may expand a touch. Karndean do however say it can be laid on underfloor heating.

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Ours is on UFH too, and it oddly doesn't expand enough to be visible/a problem. We're talking a couple of millimetres of contraction over the length of the board - it's truly minimal!

[@paulavis]

Hi - looks amazing, well done. Can I ask which colour you went for? I really like it.

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

www.bestatflooring.co.uk/p/karndean-korlok-canadian-nude-oak-rkp8117/ Here you go!

[@jerzyszczachor724]

I have seam and works very well

[@christopherhood9241]

nice floor, really nice.

[@brumby92]

I like it! I didn't see you use any glue? Did you glue any sections down?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

You don't need to with this particular product! It's an innovation from Karndean called Looselay, and it grips itself down with friction. Very good product!

[@brumby92]

I have the product, almost ready to install. The instructions recommend gluing a grid pattern on areas larger than 4m and gluing down heavy traffic areas. With such a solid subfloor I don't think you'll have any issues though. Even if you do, it won't be an issue pulling up and gluing. I have half a mind to not use any, but I already bought 15L.

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Great work! There are a few areas where I think gluing down may be beneficial, but until all the skirtings and architraves are on, I haven't. As you notice, it's very easy to pull up and replace (or stick down), which is the real appeal to me. Best of luck with it!

[@TheTerminator1919]

It's recommended to use glue in high traffic areas. Excellent product

[@happydays9613]

This product looks good and reminds me of the peel.and stick planks. I just used myself to complete my very large bedroom. I am a DIY amateur but very much a try do it yourself kind of lady once my builder couldn't squeeze in a date to do it for me. It wasn't recommended to glue my very strong and wood look, peel and stick planks down either but after reading a lot of reviews, the good and the bad I did use a strong adhesive spray around the edges and middle of the planks anyway to avoid issues that others had experienced. In high traffic areas especially I used a lot of glue. I would suggest you do the same with your product. I am no Pro but did many a research on issues you could experience without glue. I like your product but would not have felt confident without adhesive. I know it is new on the market. If you want a challenge and different look in one space I recommend the Herringbone style in at least one space. I did this for the bedroom looks wonderful but intensive labour depending on space.

[@davidbray6515]

Are you undercutting the door frames tom or scribing them and have you noticed on every new floor kids just love dancing on it

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

I've under cut the door frames - there were a few I had to scribe round still, just a little bit. But the vast majority were undercut and the LVT was slid under. Haha yeah you're right! They love dancing, spinning and sliding out here

[@davidbray6515]

@@OfficeBoyBuilder super job all the same it looks mint

[@jjwoolley87]

Great work! I'm hopefully going to be fitting the same myself and found your video very helpful. I noticed you have underfloor heating and then you'd screwed the ply over the top. Which UFH system did you go with, and how come you went with ply rather than a screed to cover? I'm at that stage currently in my build and wondered what's best.

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

We used a system called Continal, where they have a standard OSB tongue and groove board, with the grooves routed out for 15mm pipe work. Because of those routing grooves, it requires a 6mm skin of ply in order to bring it back up to building reg strength. I also wouldn't want to screed over timber as it can suffocate and rot...

[@sharonsilvey9143]

Brilliant. Can you lay this on top of tiles?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

It really depends how big the tiles are and how textured they are...you'd be amazed how easily slight deviations/bumps/texture can telegraph through to the surface. There's nothing to stop you from laying them on top, but the quality of the end product is unlikely to be as good as if you take up the tiles and lay a thin screed down first.

[@BR-zt6vy]

Can this be installed over a concrete slab?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Yes it can. It's especially effective if you have insulation in your slab, and then underfloor heating on top of that!

[@lornemackay8087]

Can looselay go onto screed floor?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Yes indeed! Just make sure it's clean and dry. And dust free!

[@bluetocop]

when and where do you nail it down

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

With this product you don't! It's a lose-lay version of the product that requires no glue or nails.

[@timlist5664]

How is the flooring holding up? Would you use it again?. I'm at flooring decision time with my extension...

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

It's really good, and I'm strongly considering it for the bathrooms upstairs, instead of tiling...there's a bit of seasonal movement in it (honestly fractional), and I will be using a bit of glue in places to help hold it down. It does scratch a little easier than I was hoping it would, but unless you use porcelain or granite tiles, I don't think there are any surfaces which don't scratch at some point. All in all, I really like it and would definitely use it again.

[@timlist5664]

@@OfficeBoyBuilder that's great. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Looking forward to some more videos soon hopefully? 👍

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Me too! Hopefully...it's been hard to produce enough content to have consistent uploads. Super busy with my office work!

[@jerrysegal2903]

@@OfficeBoyBuilder how does one gat the scratches out

[@EduardShmalenyuk]

Hi, how is the LooseLay holding up so far? Any issues with seams?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

It's a great product! It does shrink in the cold, so the seams open up on the short sides. I think if I was going to lay it again I'd use a tackifier to hold it down

[@andrewleman2176]

Great thanks. Should have spent more time on the edges and door joints. Also don't really understand why you didn't put the skirtings down first.

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

I wanted the skirting board down after, to cover the edges and give a seamless look.

[@Shannonmurray1504]

Would you recommend this more than the LVP planks that clic together?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

It really depends on the setting I guess, but it's incredibly quick and easy to install, and replacement of a damaged plank is very simple within the middle of a floor, that isn't possible with a click/lock flooring.

[@Shannonmurray1504]

We are buying a repossession house and it is over 2000 square feet on the ground floor alone. So trying to decide

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

That's a huge project! With any LVT product, you need to ensure you have an ultra-smooth sub-surface because it can telegraph through deviations/lumps/bumps etc. Otherwise it's great

[@RichardT2112]

Installing mine this weekend … any advice for cutting the material? Just score it? Thanks and wish me luck ! 😆

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

All the best mate! Score and snap! It really is that easy. Have a full pack of fresh blades ready for it. You will go through them!

[@josephrowley2172]

You mentioned the small cut of flooring between the other room, isn’t that going to get held down by the carpet threshold anyway?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Yes it will, it's just a shame I had to do it at all really...that being said, it could have been worse!

[@Brown969]

I'd lose the small cut piece and just run your carpet up to the full piece. By the time you put your threshold on, it won't be noticeable. Keep going. Looking forward to the kitchen!!

[@smiths2k]

Excellent video, I’m just about to place my order for looselay have you had any problems since this video was made? Like movement in the joints or lifting etc? Thanks

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Thanks mate, it can move a little - there's no need for an expansion gap, so don't be shy about fitting it tight! You can also get a bit of glue and stick some of them down if needed. We get a little bit of movement because our kids run and play in the space, but they're easy to slide back in place 👍 I love the product and would gladly use it (and install it) again in the future

[@Tbag2u_]

Just lay down? No glue?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Yes indeed! If there are areas that need a bit of extra help to stay in place, you can glue them, or use the tackifier that Karndean sell, but it's not necessary 👍💪

[@belayvisual6633]

Well done mate big progress, Quick question why you got the name office boy, I've been watching you vids fro the loft conversion

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Cheers mate, thanks for the support! It's mainly because my day-job is office based (outside of Covid). This is a DIY channel and is my passion, but I have to pay the bills!

[@belayvisual6633]

@@OfficeBoyBuilder lol i thought you was a builder but fair play, Great work

[@skaufey7778]

No need glue?

[@loocstac]

Looks great, how is the low build underfloor heating for you? I’m planning on retrofitting it in mine, does this karndean not need an expansion gap?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

It's pretty darn warm! If we had it on full, all day, it gets very warm in the room, and it's lovely under foot. This one is best off Not having an expansion gap, otherwise the strips can end up travelling a little bit. Nice and tight/snug is best 💪👍

[@normanboyes4983]

@@OfficeBoyBuilder if it’s getting pretty damn warm you need to dial down the supply temperature on the blending valve at the header - does your flooring no good if you get it ‘hot’

[@jayjohal6892]

No mate , no expansion gap needed. I’d recommend fitting skirting boards FIRST to get a snug fit like I did!

[@angelrobinson5257]

I want to use this loose lay plank floor but I have a wave in my floor..... Should I not use it?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

I wouldn't recommend it, depending on how big the wave is...that being said, Karndean to sell and product which acts like a glue that can help stick boards down on uneven floors, so the majority of the floor is quick and easy Looselay, and then you stick down the bits that could lift.

[@angelrobinson5257]

@@OfficeBoyBuilder what kind of glue would you recommend?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Karndean produce a specific one for the Looselay flooring. I'm not sure exactly what it's called, but it's something like a tackifier, that makes the back sticky...

[@joeblem276]

Is there a reason why you chose this type of flooring over more traditional flooring options ?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Mainly for the thermal transfer benefits with the under floor heating...it sends it straight through, where engineered wood or solid wood are useless with UFH. Stone/tile transfer well, but are very if it's not on, where LVT has a natural warmth to it that we like.

[@joeblem276]

@@OfficeBoyBuilder Makes sense ! Never really came across this style of flooring before but looked incredibly simple to lay. good job.

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Cheers mate!

[@sax111y]

No tackifier?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

It's not 100% necessary on the loose-lay product. There are areas where it would be useful/necessary, but generally it grips really well without it.

[@antonytheolddog8626]

We have had a few issues with click lvt and underfloor heating. They say that expansion is not a issue.. Quickstep said on the master installer course their products don't expand.. Went on the refresher course two years later they had usleaving 5mil and they silicone the gap.. Terrible that ,flipping the script, when they have issues. We binned their lvt click straight away We have had issues with amtico herringbone on jumpaks or versilay.. Do not uses that for underfloor heating. Garbage.. Just warm that up slow and gradually would be my advice Karndeans click is better than some others that's for sure.. Good job too .👍🏻

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

We have a 1-2 little areas that have kinked up or buckled slightly. The buckle is very small, and the only thing I can think, is that it is often right at the edges of the board, at the end that isn't on the UFH, where the rest of the board is getting warm. Not a huge issue, but I hadn't expected to have to fix that.

[@nicklebon516]

you should have feather edged the ply joins and put it on a tackier adhesive

[@b21playa]

Make sure you get some pads for furniture

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

100%. We got lucky and found some in the middle of Lidl the next day! 😂

[@b21playa]

@@OfficeBoyBuilder you can’t beat the middle isle

[@959795]

would have used Tackifier

[@mikestuart9890]

Great job, what happens if you spill something on it?

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

It's a fully waterproof product, but obviously the gaps between each panel would allow water through them. If we spill anything we just clean it up, and then the underfloor heating drys out any residual moisture. Even without that heated floor though, it wouldn't be an issue unless you had an absolute flood, same as tongue and groove flooring.

[@chrisstjohn9403]

Always stagger any type of ply for less seamless imperfections. Sorry.

[@anth5122]

That’s one expensive floor, but looks great

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Agreed on both fronts! 😂 That being said, it has a 20+ year guarantee, so that's a hugely expensive floor, spread over 20 years

[@jimbobalob2491]

Threshold strip.

[@squirrel5735]

Hi guys

[@antonytheolddog8626]

Arbitrarily and crown line... Two words I've never used in 33years of being a flooring installer. 🤔

[@_lmagine]

Problem is, once it's all done, there's nothing else to do!

[@manalyousef9125]

Rrç

[@YankaBakasci]

For future reference. When installing ply-board , better known as blinding the floor. You stagger the boards. "Not" line them up , next to each other of equal lengths.🫣 " There's a reason for it ". Sorry. Floorlayer here .🫡