Top Products for Successful Residential Flooring Installations
A look at innovations in subfloor prep and installation systems and materials that help to create successful flooring installations.
Posted: August 25, 2021
Patch, Smooth and Level with Planiprep 4 LVT
Planiprep 4 LVT, new from Mapei, is a high-moisture-resistant skimcoat and embossing leveler designed for use in interior residential and commercial applications. The premixed, acrylic-resin-based product can be used to level off and smooth over existing ceramic and stone surfaces. Planiprep 4 LVT hardens quickly and has been formulated to dry without shrinkage, reducing the need for secondary applications to fill embossing or depressions.
Laticrete Expands Waterproofing and Crack Isolation Membrane Portfolio
Hydro Ban XP and Hydro Barrier Plus have been added to Laticrete’s waterproofing and crack isolation membrane portfolio. Hydro Ban XP is the line’s premium offering, with benefits such as a quick cure time and a lifetime warranty and extreme performance for a wide variety of conditions, such as substrate temperatures as low as 35°F (2°C) to extremely high temperatures in steam showers and steam rooms. Hydro Barrier Plus is a thin, load-bearing, self-curing, liquid rubber polymer that forms a flexible, seamless waterproofing, anti-fracture membrane without the need for fabric reinforcement.
Bostik Rebrands with Installers in Mind
Bostik is better communicating the product technology, quality level and product benefits of its soft floor covering installation systems. “The new Lock and Cote solutions are an approved substitute for our previous line of soft floor covering installation systems,” said Jake Stadler, Bostik’s market manager, hardwood and resilient installation systems. Packaging is now boldly designed, featuring a new alphanumeric naming structure, certifications, color coding and clear icons to highlight the product’s specific characteristics.
XL Brands’ Stix 2199 Multi-use Adhesive
Stix 2199 is a multi-use adhesive that installs like a pressure sensitive, but transitions to a firm-set with aggressive tack, engineered for installation of a wide variety of resilient flooring including vinyl and non-vinyl-backed modular carpet tile, luxury vinyl tile, plank and VCT. Stix 2199 also features a six-hour working time and is solvent-free, highly moisture-resistant, emits low VOC’s, has antimicrobial properties, and has minimal odor.
Bona Dual Multi-Surface Resilient Floor Adhesive
Bona Dual is a pressure sensitive and wet-lay adhesive that is compatible with LVT, LVP, rubber and other resilient floors. This easy-to-apply adhesive is a rapid set formulation that locks the floor in place and is ready for light traffic in four to 12 hours.
Schluter Expands Shelf Offering
Schluter-Systems has added three new designs in brushed stainless steel to its Shelf portfolio for tiled showers. These designs match with existing Schluter drain grates so installers can unify the look throughout the shower area. All are available in five different shapes and fit neatly between rows of tile without the need for materials or fasteners to penetrate the waterproofing membrane.
CustomTech Silk Patching and Finishing Compound
CustomTech’s Silk delivers superior handling for a smooth finish over a variety of substrates. Silk helps eliminate problems like crumbling, mildew and staining, and its rapid setting formula allows installation of most floor coverings in as little as 30 minutes.
DriTac Introduces ‘Green’ Flooring Adhesive
DriTac 5800 ToughBond is a premium grade, “green” pressure-sensitive resilient flooring adhesive designed for the interior installation of LVT/LVP, carpet tile, rubber flooring, approved underlayment and cork tile. DriTac 5800 offers bond strength and high moisture resistance up to 12 lbs./99% RH.
Küberit Universal Profiles
Küberit's universal profiles join many different types of floor coverings of different heights, for both residential and commercial applications. These multipurpose profiles for finishing and edge protection are available in a wide range of finishes. Pictured here, for resilient laminate, wood, ceramic floor coverings and natural stone, is the KO-A Pre-fit edge trim profile.
Flexitions 2-in-1 Stair-Nose Riser Molding
The Flexitions 2-in-1 stair-nose riser molding is designed for use within stair and step flooring installations and applications, eliminating the need for a traditional stair nose molding. The Flexitions 2-in-1 stair-nose riser molding can be used with many different hard surface flooring products such as luxury vinyl plank flooring, wood flooring and laminate flooring. The new Flexitions Molding profile allows for flooring to be installed up to the edge of any stair or step. In addition, the Flexitions 2-in-1 stair-nose riser molding serves as a stair nose and stair riser at the same time.
Aspen Wood Flooring Adhesive by Taylor Adhesives
Aspen by Taylor Adhesives Aspen keeps you firmly grounded with both its price and performance. It was created to offer an alternative to traditional urethane-based adhesives. With its early grab, fast-curing formula and tenacious bond, Aspen reduces project time and labor accompanying most wood flooring installations. Protects flooring up to 90% RH.
Schönox HPS ComfortSafe radiant warmth and moisture reduction layer
Schönox HPS ComfortSafe radiant warmth and moisture reduction layer works with any floor where warmth and surface moisture reduction is desired. Each kit comes with an easy-install ComfortSafe mat and a step-by-step installation manual. Pair with Schönox cement or synthetic gypsum self-levelers, on a variety of substrates, to create a warmer, dryer subfloor solution.