Published on 2026-09-23 · Suzhou Industrial Park Gulin Commerce Co., Ltd.
In commercial spaces with high demands on cleanliness and waterproofing - hospitals, schools, office buildings, malls and laboratories - the seams between PVC sheet flooring must be heat-welded. Weld quality decides whether the floor traps dirt and moisture or delaminates and curls over time. Based on years of supplying and installing PVC flooring from brands such as Armstrong, Gerflor and LX Hausys, Suzhou Industrial Park Gulin Commerce Co., Ltd. has mapped out the key control points of heat welding.
1. Preparation Before Welding
- Rest the materials fully: after the PVC sheet is laid, let it rest on site for 24-48 hours so the material adapts to room temperature and humidity and releases stress. This prevents post-weld shrinkage and cracking.
- Make sure the base is dry: the subfloor moisture content must meet spec. Even a sealed seam will still weep moisture from the edges if the base is wet.
- Use dedicated tools: grooving tool, hot-air gun, color-matched welding rod, crescent knife and pressure roller. Never start the job without the full set.
2. Grooving: The Step That Makes or Breaks the Weld
- Right groove depth: cut to about two-thirds of the sheet thickness. Too shallow and the welding rod won't lock in; too deep and the sheet is damaged.
- Even groove width: 2-3 mm is recommended, matched to the welding rod diameter, so the rod melts and fills the seam completely.
- Timing: groove only after the sheet is firmly adhered and fully bonded to the subfloor, and clear dust as you go.
3. Welding: Match Temperature to Speed
- Control the temperature: set the hot-air gun to roughly 350-450 C, so the rod just melts without burning.
- Feed at a steady pace: keep the nozzle tight to the groove and feed the rod continuously along the whole seam - don't stop mid-way.
- Use color-matched rod: the welding rod must come from the same brand and color range as the flooring; otherwise the color difference ruins the overall look.
4. Trimming: Two Passes Give a Flatter Finish
- First rough cut: once the rod has cooled slightly, rough-trim along the sheet surface with a crescent knife, leaving 1-2 mm excess.
- Second finish cut: after it cools completely, do a precise second cut so the rod is flush with the sheet surface - smooth to the touch, no sharp edges underfoot.
- Never cut through in one pass: a single full-depth cut can tear the rod that hasn't fully cooled.
5. Acceptance Criteria
- The weld is continuous and full, with no breaks or bubbles;
- The welding rod is flush with the sheet surface, with no obvious unevenness or color difference;
- Running a hand along the seam shows no burrs or lifted edges;
- A water-pour test shows no leakage.
6. Gulin Commerce's Recommendation
PVC seam welding looks like a detail, yet it is where daily problems most often start. Choose an experienced supplier and installation team for both materials and workmanship. Suzhou Industrial Park Gulin Commerce Co., Ltd. supplies commercial PVC and rubber flooring from brands including Armstrong, Gerflor and LX Hausys, and provides material supply, installation guidance and after-sales care. For a flooring solution suited to your venue, call 0512-68114680.
