Choosing the Right Installer for Swiss Design Flooring

Detailed instructions

Purchasing a premium floor is only half of the project. Choosing the right installer is equally important.

Over the years, we have found that many installation issues are not caused by the flooring itself, but by hiring a contractor who is unfamiliar with European watertight locking systems.

Swiss Design Flooring uses a premium European locking system that provides exceptional joint strength, water resistance, and stability. However, it is different from many low-cost laminate and vinyl click floors commonly installed throughout North America.

Why Installer Experience Matters

Many flooring installers primarily work with loose-lock laminate and vinyl flooring systems that can be assembled quickly by hand.

Because these products are familiar and relatively easy to install, some contractors provide very low installation quotes without fully understanding the flooring being installed.

When they arrive on-site and begin installing Swiss Design Flooring, they may discover that:

• The locking system is significantly stronger than a standard click floor.
• Planks must be properly aligned and engaged.
• Professional installation tools, including tapping blocks, are required.
• Installation requires more care and attention to detail.
• The project may take longer than originally estimated.

Unfortunately, some contractors realize they underquoted the project and become frustrated midway through the installation.

A Common Problem We See

A customer hires a contractor based solely on the lowest price.

The installer assumes the floor will install like a typical loose-lock laminate floor and provides a very competitive quote.

After installation begins, the installer discovers the floor uses a precision European watertight locking system designed for maximum joint strength and water resistance.

Because the installer underestimated the labour involved, one of several things may happen:

• The installer rushes the installation.
• The installer damages locking joints.
• The installer leaves gaps or improperly engaged joints.
• The installer requests additional money.
• The installer walks away from the project before completion.

The homeowner is then forced to find a second contractor to complete the installation, resulting in delays, additional costs, and unnecessary stress.

The Benefits of the Swiss Watertight Locking System

The stronger locking system is one of the reasons Swiss Design Flooring performs so well over time.

Benefits include:

• Stronger plank-to-plank connections
• Improved water resistance at the joints
• Reduced risk of joint separation
• Greater floor stability
• Longer-lasting performance

The locking system also allows for larger continuous installations.

In many cases, Swiss Design Flooring can be installed up to:

• 15 metres (approximately 50 feet) in length
• 10 metres (approximately 33 feet) in width

without requiring expansion joints or transition strips between rooms.

This creates a cleaner, more seamless appearance throughout the home.

However, these benefits can only be achieved when the floor is installed correctly.

What to Discuss With Your Installer

It is important to understand that many excellent flooring installers may have never installed cork flooring before. 

What matters most is not whether the installer has installed cork flooring, but whether they understand premium European locking systems and are willing to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Before hiring an installer, we recommend:

• Providing them with the installation instructions before they quote the project.
• Asking them to review our article about Swiss watertight locking technology:
  https://www.cancork.com/unmatched-durability-and-watertight-joints-in-swiss-cork-flooring/
• Confirming they understand that this is a premium European watertight locking system, not a loose-lock laminate floor.
• Confirming they are comfortable using tapping blocks and proper installation tools.
• Confirming they understand that the floor can be installed continuously through large areas without room-to-room transition strips when installed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

A professional installer should have no problem reviewing the installation instructions and understanding the requirements before starting the project.

If an installer refuses to read the instructions, claims that “all click floors install the same,” or is unwilling to learn about the locking system before quoting, you may wish to continue your search.

The best installer is not necessarily someone who has installed cork flooring before. The best installer is someone who takes pride in their work, follows instructions, and understands how to properly install premium floating flooring systems.

Warning Signs

You should be cautious if an installer:

• Provides a quote significantly lower than other flooring contractors.
• Claims all click floors install exactly the same.
• Has never installed cork flooring.
• Does not use tapping blocks or proper installation tools.
• Refuses to review installation instructions before starting.
• Cannot explain expansion gaps and large-area installation requirements.

Investing in the Right Installer Saves Money

Hiring an experienced installer may cost slightly more upfront, but it often saves money in the long run.

A qualified installer understands how to properly engage the locking system, protect the locking profile during installation, maintain proper expansion gaps, and create a floor that performs as designed for decades.

The lowest installation quote is not always the lowest project cost.

Choosing the right installer from the beginning helps avoid delays, unnecessary expenses, installation failures, and project frustration.

At Cancork, we strongly recommend selecting a contractor with experience installing premium European floating flooring systems to ensure the best possible results from your Swiss Design Flooring investment.