Konecto requires no adhesive.

By Steven Feldman
Darien, Conn.—Luxury vinyl tile manufacturer Metroflor is breaking new ground in the resilient flooring category with the introduction of what is believed to be the first floating LVT to be marketed in this country. In development for more than three years, Konecto employs a patented locking system that requires no adhesive on the floor.

According to Michael Raskin, president of Metroflor, Konecto responds to the trend toward floors that require no adhesive. “Laminate floors have created significant demand for this type of application, whether it’s due to environmental issues or a lack of trained installers,” he said. “But the key component is that Konecto is waterproof—there are not many floating floor products that are waterproof—so it’s really a product that creates a bridge between the sheet vinyl and laminate markets.”

Raskin believes Konecto fills a void in the flooring marketplace because a customer who preferred resilient floors for its warmness, acoustics and comfort underfoot only had a floating floor option in roll goods, which does not offer the unique looks of an individual plank or tile. More importantly, he said, a retailer can be more comfortable selling this product because it is easier to install and repair. If part of the floor is damaged, an installer need only cut out those planks or tiles and replace them. “Compared to laminates, the big complaint has always been acoustics and finding a truly waterproof product,” he said. “With resilient, you have more flexibility with textures and design. Also, laminate tries to be a player in commercial environments but resilient is preferred because of its resistance to water, acoustics, etc.”

Distributors with whom FCNews spoke were raving about the product upon seeing it for the first time last month. One who requested anonymity went so far as to call Konecto “an industry changer.

To get the same visual in a laminate you would have to pay at least a dollar or two more because of the embossing and print fidelity. Konecto is also completely waterproof, so it allows you to go into areas where you could never use an LVT before.”

Other distributors have endorsed Konecto with their checkbooks. “We have sold more than 4,000 displays to our distributors,” Raskin said. “I’ve never experienced such a positive reaction to a new introduction. The number of commitments given to us out of the gate took years on the LVT side. This is the launch of the year for our customers.”

Another distributor told FCNews he put samples of Konecto into tubs of water for three months, and when he pulled out the samples they were still 100% flat with no curling or piquing and still adhered together. It also allows a builder to go over lightweight gypcrete in new construction.

“We showed this to a builder last night who did a million feet of product with us last year, and he was absolutely stunned,” the distributor said. “He is ready to specify 100,000 feet. He said, ‘You just solved every problem I’ve had in installing a floor in new apartment construction. It solves the moisture problem, gypcrete underlayment problem, glue problem and labor problem, plus it gives the realistic look of real hardwood at a fraction of the cost.’ ”

The specifics

The initial roll-out this month will be comprised of wood planks in a good/ better/best format. Country Plank is the entry-level product offering traditional looks and 6 mil wearlayer. Six planks are available: three oak patterns in light, medium and dark; ash; maple and rustic pine. Sierra Plank is the trade-up with its 12 mil wearlayer and 14 styles that Raskin said has the most appeal with the widest selection of species and colors. The top of the line is Prestige Plank, also with a 12 mil wearlayer and 10 styles. Prestige Plank’s hallmarks are elegant, rustic, registered-embossed visuals and an aluminum oxide wearlayer. Tiles will come on line in late spring with approximately 15 patterns. Retail price points range from $2.49 to $3.99 depending on the product and area.

As for the interlocking system itself, Raskin termed it an overlap system with a special, formulated adhesive that locks together and gets stronger over time. “And the weight of the product keeps the floor down without requiring adhesive either on the floor or on the back of the product,” he said, adding that Metroflor was awarded U.S. Patent #7155871 last month for this system.

For more information on Konecto, call 866.687.6357.