Installation Guide
Flooring Installation Guide – Award Carpets
Whether you’re a confident DIYer or want to understand the process before we install, this guide covers the basics for Carpet, Carpet Tiles, Luxury Vinyl Planks, Sheet Vinyl, Laminate, and Hybrid flooring.
Tip: Subfloor preparation is 80% of a good job. Unsure about moisture, levelling, or asbestos? Call us first.
📃 Before You Start (Applies to All Floor Types)
✔ Check moisture & flatness
Concrete ≤75% RH (or per product spec).
Flatness ≤3 mm over 2 m.
✔ Acclimate the product
Leave in the room 24–48 hrs at normal temperature (unless manufacturer specifies otherwise).
✔ Prepare the subfloor
Clean, dry, structurally sound.
Remove old adhesives, fill low spots, smooth high spots.
✔ Read manufacturer instructions
Follow gap sizes, adhesive type, rolling, and curing instructions.
✔ Have the right PPE & tools
Knee pads, dust mask/respirator, safety glasses, gloves.
Carpet (Broadloom)
Best for: Bedrooms, living rooms, low–medium traffic.
Tools: Knee kicker, power stretcher, tack strip, staple gun, seam iron, trim knife.
Steps:
1. Install tack strip around perimeter (gap = carpet thickness).
2. Lay underlay, staple/tape joins.
3. Dry-fit carpet, leaving excess up walls.
4. Join seams with tape and iron (align pile direction).
5. Stretch with power stretcher; knee kicker for corners.
6. Trim & tuck edges neatly.
7. Vacuum to remove loose fibres.
When to call us: Patterned carpets, stairs, large rooms, or if you don’t have a power stretcher.
Carpet Tiles
Best for: Offices, rentals, DIY commercial refresh.
Tools: Utility knife, straight edge, adhesive (if required), chalk line.
Steps:
1. Snap reference lines through room centre.
2. Apply adhesive if required (follow open time).
3. Lay tiles from centre out, following directional arrows.
4. Cut perimeter tiles to fit.
5. Roll lightly if recommended.
Tip: Keep spare tiles for easy replacement.
Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP) – Glue Down
Best for: Busy homes, kitchens, living areas.
Tools: Utility knife, notched trowel, roller.
Steps:
1. Acclimate planks 24–48 hrs.
2. Plan layout, stagger joints.
3. Install first row with adhesive; press firmly.
4. Continue laying, staggering ends.
5. Trim planks to fit edges and obstacles.
6. Roll with specified weight/roller per manufacturer.
Sheet Vinyl
Best for: Wet areas, commercial, healthcare.
Tools: Notched trowel, roller, scribing tools, seam cutter, heat welder.
Steps:
1. Template or dry-fit to reduce waste.
2. Apply full-spread adhesive.
3. Lay, roll, and de-bubble.
4. Seam weld (commercial/wet areas) after adhesive cures.
5. Cove up walls if required.
When to call us: Heat welding, coving, large or patterned areas.
Laminate
Best for: Style on a budget, dry areas.
Tools: Underlay, spacers, tapping block, pull bar, saw.
Steps:
1. Lay moisture barrier/underlay.
2. Maintain expansion gaps (5–10 mm).
3. Click planks together; never glue unless specified.
4. Stagger joins; avoid “H” patterns.
5. Fit trims & scotia.
Avoid: Wet mopping or installation in wet areas.
Hybrid Flooring (Rigid Core / SPC / WPC)
Best for: Families, pets, kitchens — waterproof and durable.
Tools: Same as laminate/vinyl.
Steps:
1. Acclimate if required.
2. Ensure flat subfloor.
3. Maintain expansion gaps.
4. Click together, stagger joints, finish with trims.
Avoid heavy fixed cabinetry on top (check brand rules).
Subfloor Quick Guide
✔ Concrete: Check moisture, grind high spots, patch low spots, use primer/leveller.
✔ Timber: Secure loose boards, replace damaged areas, use underlay or ply overlay if needed.
✔ Tiles: Degrease, abrade/gloss, feather-finish grout lines.
⚠️ When NOT to DIY
Suspected asbestos in old vinyl/adhesives/underlay
Moisture issues or sweating slabs
Commercial installs needing welding, coving, or slip-rated surfaces
Patterned carpet with complex seams
Stairs (especially carpet and vinyl)
Need Help?
Unsure about moisture, levelling, adhesives, or compliance? Our team can measure, quote, prepare the subfloor, and install to manufacturer standards — keeping your warranty valid.