Ideally there would be no border but skirting should sit on top of flooring to disguise any messy ends...

It will be very tricky for him to try to cut each end to exactly the right length and angle to fit against the skirting... on the other hand a border is also a straight line so would have thought there’s the same issue trying to make the ends lay straight against a border. Has he explained why it’s easier to lay against a border than directly against the skirting?

I suppose he can trim all of those jaggedy edges in one go with a steel edge and a knife but would have to do them individually if butting up to the skirting. Therefore overall it may be quicker to do a border.

I'm not sure why you think a border will look wrong, i think it will look like a really beautifully finished floor.

We have Karndean and the fitter went right up to the existing boards, but then he wasn't laying herringbone style, which takes a lot longer.

To be fair, it's your floor and if that's what you discussed with the Company before you bought it, then that is what you should be getting. You shouldn't really be being dictated to by the fitter, and if it was a problem for him, that should have been dealt with before he started laying the floor.

I would stick to your guns whatever you decide as you have to love the floor, but I think it will look great either way.

I too think that a border won't look bad. But if you think it might spoil the overall look, I'd insist on getting the finish you want, otherwise, you'll always walk into the kitchen wishing it looked slightly different. I hope you can get it sorted.

My friend has a similar floor by Project Flooring in her hall (like Amtico/Karndean but cheaper). It was laid up to the skirting without a border. Looks like they did a very neat job. Here’s a pic of hers:

I do think that a border will look more luxurious and it does seem to suit the space. But if you don't like it, you shouldn't be pressured into having a border. Beautiful kitchen! Love everything I see. Shame about the wrong island. Hopefully it'll all be exactly as you wanted it when it's finished.

We had a border with our LVT, with a thin "pencil line" in a different colour. We like it and makes the floor look a little more "luxurious" as Caroline says. And whilst the floor isn't herringbone pattern, the planks are laid at an angle across the floor, so there are no 90 degree joins with the main part of the the floor and the border.

But if it's not what was agreed , you shouldn't be bullied into something that's not what you want just because it's easier for the floor layer. You also shouldn't feel bad about saying something either. If you agreed the flooring with the shop without a border, then that's what you should get, beside it's just as easy to cut the herringbone to the skirting as it is to cut it to the border.

We have bought LVT for a few rooms from the flooring shop (and recommended our fitter) and they said it made no difference if the skirting was on or off, we always chose to do with the skirting off, but apparently it's just as pretty much the same whichever.

FWIW as far as I recall, our fitter fitted the border first an then put down the rest of the floor. By the looks of it, it seems your chap hasn't done it most sensible way round.

Ignore me if I'm having a blonde moment (which is likely!) but if you continue without the border isn't it going to look really obvious where he will cut tiny pieces to take it to the edge as you'll have a difference in tone in each plank or do you have enough variety of planks left to make it look seamless ( or does he propose removing the outer planks that are already laid and fitting longer ones which would then work??). I don't have LVT but just imagining it could look messy if it's the former option? My personal preference is without a border but a border could look good. My mum has LVT btw and the only thing I don't like is she has clear sealant around the skirting boards and kitchen cabinets. I assume you could use a wood coloured one which may work better but I also assume by removing the skirting you remove the need for sealant altogether?

One word of caution though, if you've had a damp proof membrane or any other damp proofing (ie liquid) laid under the LVT, don't let the flooring chap attempt to cut the tiles in situ - whilst they're stuck down, because this may damage the damp proofing and may cause problems for you in the future.

Nice one Zoe. Looks great.

You took the right decision re boarders.

Yes, nice finished look and having no boarder around the island and worktop units really works.

Thank goodness for this post. Just having herringbone lvt put down in the bathroom and had to make a fast decision on a border. Definitely looks best with one thanks all!!!

The installer wants the easy way out

If he can't cut material in a straight light

Get someone who can

Borders look a lot nicer

I have them throughout my house with real hardwood

And also, with black and white marble running on a diagonal, with a black border in the sunken Foyer

Been in the industry 30 years, installed hundreds of Herringbone / Parquet LVT’s. Majority of people on here dont have a clue im afraid! Arm chair opinions! With a border looks the neatest as it gives a cleaner finish. Also, please dont decide to drastically chmahe the goalposts on the day the poor fitter is due to arrive! Planning and ordering has gone i to this on his / her behalf and to decide ’You’ve changed your mind isnt fair as he / she now has to pick up the pieces and costs and drastically change strategy. Have your floor how you wish as most people ’know best’. Your fitter sounds like he / she has gave you the correct advice. As a supplier amd installer for three decades i also give advise on what will look better yet a lot of people choose not to listen, i do what im instructed to do and it makes me smile knowing these sorts will never listen. Regardless, enjoy your flooring however you have it! 🤦🏻🤦🏻🤦🏻

This post is years old!

Only 5 years @siobhanmcgee90 probably sold the house years ago :(.

Siobhan was merely pointing out that the article was old, not a new dilemma to save other people time commenting. Houzz obviously recycles old articles when there are no new dilemmas. There's is no need to get so worked up about it.

Problem with Houzz is if you comment on a post, even one from years ago, it gets put at the top of the list so it appears like a new post, unless you check the date, which we don’t all do. Please be polite, condescending attitudes are not welcome on here, this isn’t Mumsnet where people can be brutal………..

Well said Sonia :))

The advan of a border is that you can avoid schnibbles, those little triangle pieces that can result when a diagonal pattern is laid wall to wall. As a result the installation looks better and is more durable.