Technical & Maintenance Overview
At Polyflor, we realise that the performance of our products is dependent upon many factors and that the floorcovering itself is only one of those factors.
Correct subfloor preparation and dryness, the workmanship of the installer, how the product is maintained and the selection of the correct floorcovering are all equally important. Our objective is to support the customer, whether it is the architect, the specifier, the contractor or the end user, by providing all the relevant information necessary to ensure that the maximum benefit is gained from our products in use.
Polyflor always recommends the use of reputable flooring contractors, whose experience will prove invaluable at all stages of a project.
Selecting a flooring contractor solely on price can lead to a poor installation and a dissatisfied end user. A successful installation not only depends on the skills of the floor layer but also on the planning of the project prior to installation. Consultation between all parties concerned will eliminate problems and will ensure a successful installation, which meets the design requirements within the allotted time scale.
These guides have been produced to take you through all the aspects of the installation in order to ensure it meets the highest standard.
Success is based on good preparation, communication between parties, attention to detail and by following instructions. Each stage of the installation is explained starting at the subfloor and progressing through to the hand over to the customer and post installation maintenance.
The Polyflor technical information manual is intended as a guide to all parties involved in the specification, installation and maintenance of Polyflor vinyl floorcovering.
Success is based on good preparation, communication between parties, attention to detail and by following instructions. Each stage of the installation is explained starting at the subfloor and progressing through to the hand over to the customer and post installation maintenance.
The following information is provided for guidance.
The recommendations and instructions of the adhesive manufacturer must, in all cases, be followed.
Only adhesives recommended by Polyflor and are approved as suitable, should be used.
Polyflor does not make any warranties regarding the approved adhesives, or assume that other manufacturers’ adhesives would not prove satisfactory.
Correct handling of adhesives is recommended at all times.
Polyflor provide this information only as guidance, and the legal responsibility for the supply and performance of the above adhesives shall remain the sole responsibility of the relevant manufacturer.
By providing this information, Polyflor Ltd do not imply any equivalence between each of the different manufacturer’s products, or that other products would prove unsatisfactory. When more than one adhesive is listed selection should be based upon suitability to the installation environment.
Application of the named adhesives must be actioned in strict accordance with the relevant manufacturer’s instructions, which may include the application of a primer in certain situations.
Site conditions must be suitable for both correct adhesive use and correct installation of the floor covering.
There are no short cuts to optimum performance with the installation of any flooring.
That is why an overview should be taken of each project so that the finishing details are considered right from the start of the project. It also means that all parties are aware of their individual areas of responsibility. There is no question that the final details contribute so much to an impressive finish for the floor. These include relatively minor details such as awkward corners, internal or external mitres, the junction where different floor coverings meet and finishing details around drains and other accessories. They make up only a small proportion of the total floor, yet they often make up most of an architect’s snag list.
A Polyflor installation must focus on these important details and also take into account all aspects of the location. We believe that the floor must not only look good, but also perform well, so that it is impermeable, hygienic and safe.
The guides below cover elements such as:
- Weld Rods
- Drains
- Expansion joints
- Edge trims and transition strips
- Access covers
- Interaction with other flooring products
- Skirting & other miscellaneous accessories
Regular and well planned maintenance keeps the floorcovering in pristine condition and can enhance the original appearance. Maintenance can also reduce wear and ultimately improve the life expectancy of the floorcovering.
Maintenance means many things to many people.
To some, it is an army of cleaning staff using modern powered machines working to a comprehensive maintenance programme. To others, it is someone who comes in three evenings a week to dust and mop the floors.
In each case, the requirement for cleanliness and gloss can be completely different. It is this variability in what is considered ‘normal’ that makes it impracticable for Polyflor in its manuals to give precise maintenance instructions to suit specific end user locations. The instructions given are intended to be used as a guide. They are based on general experience using established methods and cleaning materials.
Polyflor recommends that the instructions are followed initially and, as traffic patterns become established, the frequency is tailored to suit. In other words we understand technically how are floors are designed to operate and be maintained however in practice each use area will be different plus each end users expectations will vary.
General Maintenance
Homogenous Flooring with PUR
Homogenous Flooring without PUR
Heterogeneous Flooring with PUR
Polysafe Flooring with PUR
Polysafe Flooring without PUR
Polysafe Wet Room Flooring with PUR
Polysafe Wet Room Flooring without PUR
Expona PUR
Expona SimpLay PUR
Interwoven Vinyl Flooring
ESD Flooring
Polyflor OHMega EC
Wall Cladding
When it comes to choosing a resilient flooring product how do you know which is the right product to choose for your particular requirement?
More importantly how can you make sure that you are comparing different manufacturers’ products to one another correctly?
Selecting a floorcovering that will satisfy the actual or expected service requirements is essential if a product is to perform up to expectations. With so much product information now available, it is hardly surprising that selection can sometimes be difficult. Comparing different manufacturers products in a fair and equal ‘apple to apple’ way based on the technical specifications, which are backed by globally recognized legislation, is a must.
Polyflor Palettone, for example, isn’t Polyflor’s flagship homogenous product based on just its looks alone and it isn’t simply the non-directional appearance that makes it more expensive than Standard XL.
Polyflor vinyl floorcoverings are manufactured in a range of thicknesses, with differing levels of filler and constructions and are specifically designed to suit a variety of applications. In addition, some vinyl floorings have specialist features such as acoustical, static control or slip-resistant properties. These are the variables from just one manufacturer!
In order to help those involved in the selection of flooring make an informed choice, Polyflor products show the Use Area Classifications.
The Use Area Classifications can only be claimed if the products meet the requirements of the performance criteria that has been laid down and only after an independent assessment of the product, both in laboratory conditions and on-site use. Product performance, longevity, suitability and product cost are all decision making factors that are helped answered by this code.
Proved by science and backed by legislation, methods to test the abrasion strength of resilient flooring products in order to determine the products correct use area by understanding and rating the products abrasion resistance (therefore its durability) have existed for decades and must be used when selecting products.
The most recent European legislation has recently been harmonized with the ISO (International Standards Organisation) producing ISO 10874 / EN685 which like all ISO standards are legally acceptable in North America. A general guide is available below:
Electrostatic discharge is a problem that you can’t ignore.
The scuff of a shoe, the scrape of a chair creates an electron imbalance and, although the resulting discharge may be so small that the human body can’t feel it, it can nevertheless have serious consequences.
The Polyflor ESD family of vinyl floorcoverings consists of products which are designed to meet specific resistance requirements. The guides below offer more information.
ESD Brochure
Installation of ESD Flooring
Light Reflectance Values (LRVs) are tested in accordance with BS 8300 : 2009
A color’s Light Reflectance Value (LRV) measures the amount of visible and usable light that reflects from (or absorbs into) a surface. Simply put, LRV measures the percentage of light a color reflects. Forming a universal value for contrast expressed on a scale of 1 – 100, with 1 equalling absolute black and 100 equalling absolute white. The higher the value obtained, the greater the amount of light that is being reflected.
The European Equality Act 2010 is a European law which requires a 30 point difference between floors and walls to assist in the safety of people with disabilities. The typical optimal choice for everyday design considerations are LRV’s between 9 and 75.
The closest perceived NCS – Natural Colour System reference are quoted, where appropriate, for your convenience.
The Natural Colour System®© – is a cross-industry colour system that is used around the world for colour communication. NCS Colour currently has a presence in 80 countries, with its head office in Stockholm. Polyflor, Polysafe & Expona products are indexed for use with this system
For more information see www.ncscolour.com
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
Our most popular Polyflor, Expona and Polysafe ranges are now available to download via the BIMobject platform in a range of popular native file formats including Revit, ARCHICAD, Sketchup & Vectorworks. IFC, 3DS, DWG and WebGL objects are also available.
BIMobject® links the complex technology around CAD and BIM with architects and the building product manufacturing industry. BIM is used globally – in small, large and really big construction projects.
It’s the new standard for all interior designers and architects.
BIM enables more efficient processes leading to less costs, less waste, and fewer delays. A majority of all architects and engineers already work with BIM objects. It is essential to new design processes and practiced in many regions.
TO VALIDATE YOUR PRODUCT WARRANTY under the terms of Polyflor Canada Inc’s Limited Product Warranty, complete the form below and mail or e-mail it to sales@polyflor.ca. within 90 days of installation.
Product Warranty Registration Form
All Polyflor, Polysafe & Expona product lines typically feature a 10-year limited product warranty.
Polysafe product lines featuring a 12-year limited product warranty.
- Polysafe Apex 12 years
- Polysafe Standard 2.5mm 12 years
Polyflor product lines featuring a 15-year limited product warranty.
- Polyflor Palettone PUR 15 Years
- Polyflor Pearlazzo PUR 15 years
- Polyflor Prestige PUR 15 years
For further information on Polyflor product warranties please download the PDF below.
Polyflor Canada Inc 10 Year Product Warranty
