55m² Amtico Herringbone LVT with Border Installation in Barons Court, Hammersmith, London

Project Overview

• Location: Barons Court, Hammersmith, London

• Customer: Allan, a contractor and designer

• Property: Residential property nearing completion

• Areas: Entrance, living room and kitchen

• Total area: Approximately 55m²

• Flooring: Amtico herringbone luxury vinyl tile (LVT)

• Design: Herringbone pattern with a perimeter border

• Initial preparation: Screeding completed by the customer

• Additional preparation: Two-stage priming and a thin layer of suitable smoothing compound

• Installation duration: Three days

• Main challenges: Dusty screed, balanced layout setting-out and precise hand-cut border joints

A Bespoke Amtico Herringbone Floor for a Barons Court Property

Allan, a contractor and designer working in Hammersmith, contacted EXEN Flooring to complete the entrance level of a property he was preparing for completion. His brief was to install Amtico herringbone LVT with a perimeter border, creating a coordinated floor across the entrance, living room and kitchen.

The project covered approximately 55m². The intention was to frame the herringbone pattern with a border rather than allow the flooring to run uninterrupted to the room edges. This introduced additional setting-out and cutting requirements, particularly around the opening between the entrance and living room.

There was also an important technical consideration before installation could begin. Allan had completed the initial screeding himself, but the surface required further preparation before it was suitable for the planned adhesive-fixed LVT.

Our work therefore focused on three stages: preparing the subfloor, establishing the border and central pattern, and completing the detailed cuts where the two sections met.

The First Challenge: Preparing the Dusty Screed

Allan had initially undertaken the floor preparation himself because of his construction experience. However, when our team assessed the surface, the screed was dusty and unsuitable for the intended adhesive installation without further work.

This is an important distinction: a floor can appear level without being ready for adhesive-fixed LVT. Dust, weak surface material, excessive moisture or incompatible preparation products can compromise the bond between the adhesive and the subfloor. If the adhesive attaches to loose particles rather than a sound surface, tiles may eventually loosen or detach.

Installing the Amtico flooring without addressing the condition of the screed would therefore have introduced an avoidable risk.

We explained the additional preparation required and recommended applying a compatible primer in two separate stages, followed by a thin layer of suitable smoothing compound. The exact preparation system needed to be compatible with the existing screed and the adhesive intended for the LVT.

Allan trusted our assessment and agreed to the additional work before confirming the installation.

Why Subfloor Preparation Matters for Amtico LVT

Subfloor preparation is one of the most consequential stages of a glue-down LVT installation, even though it will be hidden once the finished flooring is in place.

The adhesive needs a suitable surface to form a reliable bond. Dust can interfere with adhesion, while a weak screed or unsuitable moisture conditions can undermine the installation. Surface irregularities can also become visible through the finished flooring.

For this project, the existing screed needed further attention before the herringbone tiles could be laid. The agreed approach involved two stages of priming and a thin additional layer of suitable smoothing compound to prepare the surface for the next stage.

The preparation products and drying times must always be selected according to the condition of the substrate and the manufacturers' instructions. Priming alone does not make every screed suitable for LVT, and moisture and surface suitability must be checked as required by the specified installation system.

This work was particularly important across the 55m² entrance level. A carefully positioned border and accurately cut herringbone pattern cannot compensate for an unsuitable subfloor beneath them.

For more information about our flooring preparation and fitting services, visit our LVT installation service in London.

Day One: Preparing the 55m² Subfloor

The first day was dedicated to preparing the entrance, living room and kitchen for the new flooring.

Our team addressed the dusty screed, applied primer in two separate stages and added a thin layer of suitable smoothing compound. The aim was to establish a stable, appropriately prepared surface for the adhesive-fixed Amtico installation.

Because the three areas formed part of the same entrance level, the preparation needed to be considered across the entire project rather than only in the most visible areas.

The team also needed to ensure that the preparation materials met the relevant drying and installation requirements before proceeding. This created the foundation for the border installation and herringbone setting-out planned for the following days.

Although this additional work extended the preparation stage, it was an important part of completing the project responsibly.

Day Two: Installing the Border and Setting Out the Herringbone Pattern

With the subfloor prepared, the second day focused on establishing the flooring design.

Our team began by installing the perimeter border. This defined the frame for the central herringbone pattern and provided a reference for positioning the main flooring.

One particularly important area was the opening between the entrance and living room. The available space was measured so that the herringbone layout could be positioned with equal gaps on either side. This helped create a balanced appearance as the pattern continued through the connected spaces.

Herringbone flooring requires careful setting-out because the starting position affects the cuts along the edges and around openings. When a border is included, the central pattern must also be positioned in relation to the surrounding frame.

For Allan's project, the aim was to create a coherent layout across the entrance and living room, with the border framing the pattern rather than making the connected areas look visually unbalanced.

Day Three: Precision Cutting at the Border Junctions

The final day focused on completing the flooring and refining the joints where the herringbone LVT met the perimeter border.

This was one of the most detailed parts of the installation. The individual pieces could not all be used as factory-cut components in their final positions, so our fitters had to measure and cut sections by hand to achieve the required fit.

The team used the flash-cutting technique specified for this project to create close-fitting junctions between the border and the central flooring. The work required patience because the edges needed to meet neatly while maintaining the intended geometry of the herringbone design.

These junctions are visually important. Even when a floor is correctly positioned overall, uneven cuts or inconsistent gaps where the border meets the central pattern can detract from the finished appearance.

Our fitters therefore spent additional time refining these areas rather than rushing the final stage. Careful measurement and accurate hand-cutting helped achieve a neat transition between the border and the herringbone LVT.

What Makes a Bordered Herringbone LVT Floor Different?

A herringbone layout with a perimeter border requires more planning than a pattern that simply continues towards the walls.

The border creates a defined frame, meaning the central pattern must be positioned in relation to it. This influences the starting point, the shape of the edge cuts and the way the design passes through openings between connected rooms.

Three considerations were particularly important in Barons Court:

• Balanced positioning: The central herringbone pattern needed to sit appropriately within the border, with the opening between the entrance and living room measured to maintain equal gaps on either side.

• Consistent pattern direction: The herringbone layout needed to retain its intended geometry across the connected areas.

• Accurate border joints: The hand-cut pieces needed to meet the border neatly, maintaining a consistent appearance around the central flooring.

These details are particularly relevant for homeowners, contractors and designers considering bordered LVT in connected living spaces. The final appearance depends on the quality of the flooring as well as the planning and cutting carried out during installation.

The Finished Result: Amtico Herringbone LVT in Hammersmith

After three days of preparation and installation, the approximately 55m² entrance level was completed across the entrance, living room and kitchen.

The project combined additional subfloor preparation with detailed setting-out and precision cutting. The dusty screed was addressed before installation, the perimeter border established the main layout, and the herringbone flooring was positioned to create a balanced design through the connected spaces.

Particular attention was given to the hand-cut junctions where the border met the central LVT. These finishing details brought the layout together and completed the intended design.

The result was a bordered Amtico herringbone floor installed after the additional preparation required to make the existing screeded surface suitable for the planned flooring system.

You can also explore our Amtico LVT installation projects to see examples of other installations involving decorative layouts and border detailing.

Amtico Herringbone LVT Installation in Barons Court and Hammersmith

This project demonstrates why successful herringbone LVT installation depends on more than the visible flooring pattern. Subfloor condition, accurate setting-out and carefully finished border joints all contribute to the completed floor.

At this Barons Court property, EXEN Flooring prepared the existing screed, installed the perimeter border, positioned the herringbone pattern and completed the detailed cuts across approximately 55m². The work took three days, including the additional preparation required before adhesive-fixed LVT could be installed.

EXEN Flooring provides professional LVT installation across London, including herringbone layouts, subfloor preparation and decorative border installations.

Planning an Amtico herringbone floor with a border? Contact EXEN Flooring to discuss your project and arrange a quotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much Amtico flooring was installed in this Barons Court project?

Approximately 55m² of Amtico herringbone LVT was installed across the entrance, living room and kitchen.

Where was the flooring project located?

The installation took place in Barons Court, Hammersmith, London.

Why did the screed need additional preparation?

The existing screed was dusty and was not suitable for the intended adhesive installation without further work. The agreed preparation involved two stages of priming followed by a thin layer of suitable smoothing compound.

The appropriate products and drying requirements depend on the substrate and the flooring system being installed.

Can Amtico LVT be installed over screed?

Yes, provided the screed meets the flooring and adhesive manufacturers' requirements. The surface must be appropriately prepared, sound, sufficiently dry, clean and suitably flat for the specified installation system.

Why does herringbone LVT with a border require careful setting-out?

The border frames the central herringbone pattern, so its position affects the pattern's starting point and the cuts around the edges. Accurate measurements help create a balanced layout and neat transitions between the border and the flooring.

What is flash cutting in this installation?

In this project, flash cutting refers to the detailed cutting required where the herringbone LVT met the perimeter border. The pieces were measured and cut by hand to achieve neat, accurate junctions.

How long did the installation take?

The project took three days. Day one was dedicated to subfloor preparation, day two to the border and flooring layout, and day three to completing the installation and refining the border junctions.

Why is the joint between the border and herringbone flooring important?

The border-to-floor junction is a prominent visual detail. Accurate cuts and consistent gaps help the border frame the central pattern neatly, while poor alignment can interrupt the design.

Does EXEN Flooring install bordered herringbone LVT in London?

Yes. EXEN Flooring undertakes LVT installations across London, including herringbone layouts and decorative borders. The preparation and installation requirements depend on the chosen flooring, adhesive system and condition of the subfloor.