Subfloor preparation products manufacturer, Setcrete has created a subfloor preparation system for luxury vinyl tile (LVT) installations to optimise both the aesthetics and longevity of the flooring. The system comprises Setcrete High Performance levelling compound, Setcrete Acrylic Primer and Setcrete Rapid Set DPM.

The huge increase in popularity of luxury vinyl tiles is a result of the plethora of styles and designs that are now available – often mimicking other materials such as stone and timber – while offering long-term durability and practicality.

Because LVT flooring is particularly susceptible to subfloor imperfections and undulations showing through to the final finish, it is essential to use a high quality levelling compound to create a super smooth and level base onto which vinyl tiles and planks can be laid to optimise the aesthetic qualities of the finished floor.

Setcrete High Performance levelling compound utilises a fibre-reinforced cement formulation to deliver enhanced performance in a variety of light to heavy-duty applications.

The levelling compound is suitable for use over both absorbent and non-absorbent subfloors, including sand/cement and concrete screeds, as well as granolithic, terrazzo, epoxy and polyurethane resins, ceramic and quarry tiles. In addition, the fibre reinforcement provides a level of flexibility that makes it suitable for use over plywood subfloors.

As such, Setcrete High Performance can be used throughout the entire floor of a property, providing a uniform, unbroken subfloor finish that offers the perfect base for the installation of LVT floor coverings to optimise their aesthetic appearance and the long-term performance of the floor.

Setcrete Acrylic Primer should be applied to the subfloor prior to the application of the levelling compound to help promote adhesion and to prevent pinholing and the unacceptably rapid drying of the compound when applied over absorbent subfloors.

Setcrete Rapid Set DPM is a single coat, epoxy resin damp proof membrane that provides protection against subfloor moisture – the leading cause of flooring failures. In older homes, the cause of subfloor moisture may be rising damp or water ingress. In new homes it is likely to be residual construction moisture in the screed (a sand/cement subfloor dries at an approximate rate of 1mm per day).

Moisture in a screed will rise to the surface and then become trapped under the floorcovering. With nowhere to go, it will attack the adhesive used to adhere the floorcovering, resulting in vinyl floors blistering or tiles lifting.

Measured in terms of relative humidity (RH), subfloor moisture levels should be lower than 75% RH to safely install a floor covering. If the level of moisture is higher than this a DPM should be applied prior to the levelling compound being applied. Setcrete Rapid set DPM will provide protection up to 98% relative humidity (RH).