With the growing popularity of vinyl floor coverings, it has become more important than ever to focus on the installation of these, as careful preparation and a system of compatible products are required to ensure a successful installation. TAL has therefore developed their TAL Floor Levelling system, as showcased at the Big 5 Construct Africa earlier this year.

“There is no question that the look and performance of a floor covering is largely dependent on what lies beneath it” explains Marius Botha, TAL Senior Operations Manager. “The TAL Floor Levelling System has been developed to safeguard the final finish, which is most often vinyl sheeting, LVTs or PVC-backed vinyl tiles.”

The company’s approach is focussed on two things; providing a practical, easy to use flooring system, and knowledge sharing with flooring professionals and installers on key issues such as understanding the substrates that they are working with, selection of products and using the correct tools for a professional installation.

“Our R&D team have taken feedback from our customers regarding challenges they experience on site and have developed this system in response to that information, and to be effective in our local conditions,” says Botha.

Vinyl floor coverings are very sensitive to high rates of moisture in the substrate, or high moisture vapour emission rates (MVER). TAL therefore recommends the use of their easy application, roller-applied water-based epoxy vapour barrier, TAL Vapourscreen WB to reduce the risk of debonding of floor coverings. The next level is to apply TAL Primercoat, a ready-mix primer slurry onto the vapour barrier so that the self-levelling screed can key onto the prepared surface, creating a strong bond. TAL Screedmaster, a rapid-setting self-levelling screed gives installers the smooth and level surface required to install vinyl floor coverings. The final level of the TAL floor levelling system is a selection of acrylic-based adhesives designed for soft floor coverings including vinyl sheeting, luxury vinyl tiles or PVC-backed vinyl tiles.

“We believe that supplying our customers with a full range of products that are compatible with one another, coupled with on site technical support and product training, is the key to helping our customers deliver a professional vinyl flooring installation” says Botha.