Why the welded seam is the specification
2026-11-03
Two suppliers can quote the same vinyl sheet and deliver different floors, because the seam is a workmanship outcome, not a product property.
What a weld has to achieve
A welded seam should be continuous with the field material: same thickness, same wear layer, no groove that a mop cannot reach, and no filler that shrinks after a year.
The test is simple — run a finger along the seam after six months of cleaning. If you can feel a step, the infection control argument for sheet flooring has been lost.
Why homogeneous sheet welds better
Because the material is the same through its thickness, welding fuses like to like. A heterogeneous sheet has a printed layer and a wear film, and the weld rod must match the top film, which is a narrower tolerance.
That is the practical reason clinical specifications name homogeneous sheet rather than simply vinyl.
The details that get missed
Coved skirting: the floor should turn up the wall without a joint at the floor line, or the corner becomes a trap. Ask for the coved detail in section.
Door thresholds: a metal strip is a joint and a step for a trolley wheel. Where the floor can run through, it should.
| Detail | Good practice | Common failure |
|---|---|---|
| Seam | Welded, flush, same thickness | Glued butt joint |
| Skirting | Coved, no floor-line joint | Straight skirting with silicone |
| Threshold | Floor runs through | Metal strip at every door |
| Wet room | Welded upstand | Sealed with mastic |
| Repair | Local weld patch | Whole sheet replacement |
FAQ
Can a welded floor be repaired?
Yes — a patch is cut in and welded, which is invisible in homogeneous sheet and visible in printed material.
Is welding done on site?
Yes, with a hand or automatic welder, and the seam is trimmed and grooved after cooling. It is a skilled operation, so ask who is doing it.
How long before the floor can be used?
Adhesive and weld cure times set this; we provide the schedule with the installation method statement.
Send your floor detail and we will mark the seams
Where the weld runs, and where the cove turns.