This project involved a comprehensive ground-floor subfloor preparation and high-end Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) installation for a modern residential renovation in Combe Dingle, Bristol. The works spanned open-plan living areas, a contemporary kitchen with an island, adjoining hallways, and utility areas. To ensure a seamless finish across the expansive floor plan, a multi-stage timber subfloor preparation process was executed prior to installing Polyflor Expona wood-effect LVT planks.
Subfloor Preparation & Levelling
Creating a stable, perfectly level substrate over the timber subfloor required a meticulous preparation process:
- Plywood Substrate: Installed 9mm flooring-grade plywood across the entire floor layout to establish a solid, flat foundation.
- Joint Feathering with Ardex Feather Finish: Applied Ardex Feather Finish across all plywood sheet joints, fastener indentations, and seams to prevent telegraphing through the final floor covering.
- Surface Leveling with Mapei Renovation Screed: Applied Mapei Renovation Smoothing Compound over the prepared substrate, achieving a smooth, mirror-like surface across the main living zone, utility areas, and door thresholds.
Polyflor Expona LVT Installation
- Wood-Effect Plank Layout: Fitted Polyflor Expona LVT in a classic straight wood-grain plank pattern running parallel to natural light sources from the large sliding patio doors.
- Precision Intricate Scribing: Hand-scribed LVT planks tightly around rounded plasterwork wall corners, door frames, skirting boards, and fitted kitchen cabinetry bases for a clean finish without cover strips.
- Continuous Floor Flow: Laid the LVT continuously through open-plan living spaces, kitchen zones, and utility doorways to enhance the visual space of the home.
Key Project Outcomes
- Flawless Foundation: Combining 9mm plywood, Ardex Feather Finish, and Mapei smoothing compound eliminated surface imperfections and joint show-through.
- Precision Craftsmanship: Scribing around curved walls and tight corners delivered clean perimeter lines throughout.
- Durable & Stylish Living Space: Polyflor Expona provided an authentic, warm wood aesthetic with the durability, water resistance, and easy maintenance required for modern open-plan living.
