Palio Express Fitting Formats

Palio Express by Karndean offers two different fitting formats: rigid core and loose lay. There are a couple of things you’ll need to consider when offering these ranges to your customers:

Subfloor considerations

Depending on the type of subfloor you are laying on top of may determine the format selected. The subfloor must be level, free from adhesive residues, dust and debris.

If you are laying over existing hard floor such as ceramic tiles or concrete, our rigid core ranges; Korlok and Palio Rigid are perfect as they are and can be placed directly on top. Both ranges benefit from a built-in foam backing, which helps to hide any imperfections and gives more dimensional stability over an uneven subfloor. If the choice is Palio LooseLay, it is held in place through a combination of friction and weight where the flooring is placed tight against the perimeter of the room and to its adjacent plank or tile - it may be necessary to apply a minimum 3mm layer of smoothing and level compound to ensure a smooth finish over a solid floor.

For wood-based subfloors, you can lay our rigid core Korlok and Palio Rigid directly over the top. Overlay a minimum of 5.5mm flooring grade plywood, smooth joints with skim coat or a full coat of a suitable smoothing compound before laying Palio LooseLay.

Is the subfloor dry or damp?

The Palio Express ranges make installation possible while the floor is still drying out such as an extension or new build, helping to minimise the completion time for both you and your customer. Moisture readings should be below 95%RH (Relative Humidity).

Once the subfloor has been appropriately prepared and a smooth surface achieved, you can confidently begin to install any Palio flooring.

Living solutions

In dwellings where noise transfer between floors can be concern such as share accommodation or converted buildings, choosing a floor with an enhanced acoustic backing such as Korlok or Palio Rigid range can reduce impact noise transfer by up to 21dB (please refer to each product technical specifications).

For busy family environments where the risk of damage is a concern or the need to gain access to underfloor heating post installation Palio LooseLay range can simply be lifted and replaced without taking up the whole floor.

If a quick installation with minimal disruption and the room being out of action for a long period of time is your concern, all of the Palio Express ranges make for quick and easy installation.

There is no need for additional underlay, so you will only fit the floor once!

Scotia and skirting

If you’re planning to install one of Palio Express’ rigid core ranges, Korlok or Palio Rigid, there is a requirement for an expansion gap to be left around the perimeter of the room and any fixed objects*. Palio Express have a range of colour matched scotia which are the perfect pairing to achieve a seamless finish. Alternatively, if your customer is having their skirting boards replaced, opt for a waterproof and durable Palio Express skirting board to finish the installation cleanly.

*Please see installation instructions for information on expansion gaps.