Installation guide

Swiss Leather Floating Floor Installation

Swiss leather floating flooring needs careful acclimation, clean substrate preparation, moisture protection, and expansion planning.

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Use this page when

  • The product is a Swiss specialty floating floor.
  • You need installation and maintenance requirements for the exact product family.
  • You are preparing an installer, designer, contractor, or commercial project team.

Before you start

  • Confirm the product family and locking system before work starts.
  • Review subfloor flatness, moisture, underlayment, expansion, and acclimation requirements.
  • Discuss the guide with the installer before scheduling the job.

Important

  • Do not assume specialty Swiss floors install like ordinary laminate or vinyl.
  • Do not hire only on price if the installer does not understand the locking system.
  • Do not skip moisture and expansion checks.

Related resources

Detailed instructions

General Notes

  • Forna Swiss leather floors use the patented UNICLIC® system, allowing quick, glue-free installation.

  • The planks are durable, slip-resistant, antistatic, and easy to clean.

  • These floors are not suitable for wet rooms.

Subfloor Preparation

  • Install only as a floating floor (do not glue fully to subfloor).

  • Subfloor must be:

    • Clean, dry, flat, and stable (DIN 18365).

    • Level within 3 mm per meter (DIN 18202).

  • Remove paint drops, plaster, or uneven spots.

  • Carpeted subfloors are not acceptable.

  • Perform and record moisture test:

    • Cement screed: max. 2.0 % CM (1.8 % CM with heating).

    • Calcium sulfate screed: max. 0.5 % CM (0.3 % CM with heating).

  • Subfloor temperature must be at least 15 °C.

Storage and Acclimatization

  • Store unopened packages flat in the installation room for at least 24 hours at 59°-77°F. (15–25 °C) and 40–60 % humidity.

Before Starting

  • Inspect all planks for defects or transport damage in daylight.

  • Mix planks from different boxes for a uniform look.

  • Leave an expansion gap of 10 mm at all walls and fixed objects. For large rooms, allow at least 1 mm gap per meter of width.

Moisture Barrier

  • On mineral subfloors, lay 0.2 mm PE film with 20 cm overlaps, taped joints, and edges pulled up 2–3 cm along walls.

  • Recommended on all subfloors for smooth floating.

Impact Sound Insulation

  • Already integrated cork underlay into Forna Leather flooring. Additional cork underlay is optional, we do not recommend foam underlay, or the underlay must be ≥200 kPa compression strength.

Maximum Room Size

  • Without expansion joints: 15 m x 12 m (49 x39 Ft) maximum.

  • Expansion joints in subfloor must also be carried into flooring.

Installation Steps

  1. Layout Planning

    • Measure the room. Adjust the first row so the last row is at least 5 cm (2″) wide.

    • Lay planks parallel to incoming light.

  2. First Row

    • Start in a right-hand corner, tongue side facing wall.

    • Use spacer wedges for expansion gap.

    • Connect planks end-to-end by inserting tongue into groove.

  3. Subsequent Rows (choose one method):

    • Angle-to-Angle: Insert the plank’s long side at a 10° angle, then click down. Continue row by row.

    • Angle-Snap: Tap planks gently together with a tapping block and hammer.

  4. Joint Offsetting

    • Stagger end joints at least 20 cm (8″), ideally 40 cm (16″).

  5. Special Areas

    • Pipes & Door Stops: Leave 10 mm (4″) clearance. Cut planks to fit and reattach cut piece. Do not screw door stops through flooring.

    • Door Frames: Undercut frames so planks can slide beneath while maintaining free movement.

  6. Heavy Objects

    • Avoid fixing flooring under immovable heavy objects (kitchen islands, stoves, heaters). Use expansion joints around them.

  7. Underfloor Heating

    • Suitable if max. surface temperature is 29 °C. (84°F)

    • Use only systems embedded in screed (≥2 mm). Electric foil systems must cover the whole area.

    • Follow heating protocols from screed supplier.