Vinyl SPC Installation Guide

Before you start

  • VINYL SPC FLOORING are normally loose laid without adhesive.
  • VINYL SPC FLOORING need to be acclimatized. Store flat and fully supported during shipping and storage. Remove material from packaging, spread out if possible, and allow to condition in room where installation is to take place at a constant temperature of 68 and 77 F or 20-25 C for a period of 48 hours prior to installation.
  • Check VINYL SPC FLOORING for possible defects prior to the installation. Complaints can only be accepted before installation. Slight variations in color and structure are designed to enhance nature appearance. Mixing the sheets creates a uniform appearance.
  • Be aware that when exposed to excessive temperatures and direct sunlight VINYL SPC FLOORING may expand and contract causing problems with the locking system. Please consider these exposures when choosing your product.
  • In facilities where walkers, wheel chairs i.e. Residential and or extended care use, or in facilities with movement of heavy displays, racks, dentist chairs etc. These types of installations may exert extreme stress and compromise the locking system.

THE SUBFLOOR

  • Although these luxury SPC vinyl planks are water-resistant, they are not to be used as a moisture barrier. Your sub-floor should be completely dry prior to installation of the vinyl floor.
  • Sub-floors must be structurally sound, solid, stable, level, plumb, and true to a
  • tolerance in plane of 3/16” in 10 feet (4.7mm in 4m). Cracks and holes must be filled with a fast setting cement-based polymer modified patching compound or equivalent. Any unevenness over3/16” (4.7mm) must be sanded down or leveled. The surface must be clean of dirt, oil, glue residue etc. Carpet staples or adhesive residue should be removed prior to installation. Voids or humps in the sub-floor will prevent the planks from locking properly.
  • VINYL SPC FLOORING can be installed on existing firm floors (Linoleum, PVC), but all textile floors must be removed. When laying the floor over existing ceramic tiles first level with fast setting cement-based polymer modified patching compound.

MEASUREMENTS

  • Agree with the client on which direction the floor boards should run since this influences the visual size ratio of the space. Installation parallel to the longest wall or the main light- source is recommended for best visual effects.
  • Pre-plan the floor by measuring the room first. If the width of the last row is less than 2” (5cm) saw the first and the last plank in equal width.
  • Snap the lines on the substrate to identify the layout reference points, tiles should be set using this reference to ensure titles are aligned and will lock together correctly.
  • In large areas where flooring will span in excess of 40’ long, and expansion gap should be used. Otherwise place expansion space in room-narrowing and in the door-rebate. Cover the expansion space with suitable coverings.

INSTALLATION

    • Prepare the sub-floor as set out in these instructions.
    • Plan the direction oft the area to be installed to maximize the visual appearance once installed. The direction of the tile/plank grain should be confirmed and the installation should be balanced from the centre of the area to minimize waste.
    • From the top left corner of the room put the first plank in place so both the head and side seam grooves are exposed. Planks are to be installed from left to right. NOTE: To assist in laying the first row straight, the use of masking tape across each short end locking system is recommended. Continue this for the first two rows and remove after completion of installation.
    • Install the second piece in the first row by laying the short-end tongue onto the previously installed piece short-end groove. Lock the pieces together by firmly pressing down with your thumb along the seam to lock the planks together. This will engage the 5G Click locking tab into the piece you just placed; you will hear and feel the pieces lock together as the locking tab engages in the joint. Use a soft, white No.2 rubber mallet to vertically engage the joint.
    • Continue in this manner for the rest of the first row. The last piece in the row should be cut to length while maintaining the 6-8mm expansion gap along the perimeter of the room.
    • Cut a piece that is a least 150mm shorter than the first plank to start the second row or use the cut off from the previous row, keeping in mind the length requirements above. Install the first piece in the second row by inserting the long side tongue into the groove of the piece in the first row at a low angle (25 degree) to the installed piece. Then firmly lower the plank while maintaining a slight pressure toward the installed piece. The pieces should fit snugly together and lay flat. Ensure that the 6-8mm expansion gap is kept along the wall.
    • To install the remaining planks in the second row, first align the long edge tongue into the groove of the previous row at a shallow angle. Slide the piece to the left until the piece meets the previously installed piece.
    • Firmly lower the piece while maintaining a slight pressure towards the installed piece. The pieces should fit snugly together and lay flat. Engage the short edge joint as in the above.
    • Work across the length of the room installing pieces in the second row. It is critical to keep these first two rows straight and square, as they are the “foundation” for the rest of the installation. Check often for squareness and straightness while installing the floor as failure to do so can result in gapping.
    • The use of several 6-8mm spacer blocks along the first wall will ensure the floor does not shift back towards the left wall during installation.
    • Continue installing, being certain to maintain a random pattern repeat, assisted by offsetting end seams by at least 150mm. Maintain a 10mm expansion gap at all fixed vertical surfaces.
    • Check to be certain all planks are fully engaged; if slight gapping is noticed or the pieces will not lay flat, simply disengage the long/top side joint and then carefully slide the short/end joint apart. Do not pull up on this joint as it will damage the locking mechanism! Reinstall the piece.
    • The last row (possibly the first row) plank width should be no less than 50mm on the long seam. Remember to allow for a gap of 6-8mm to the wall.
    • Install wall mouldings and door transition mouldings last. Be sure that all mouldings are fastened directly to the wall or sub-floor; do not place any fasteners through the floating vinyl flooring. Care must be taken when fitting wall mouldings that they do not push down on the floor. This will affect the floors ability to expand and contract and may lead to product failure.

NOTE: The 5G Click drop lock joints cannot be ‘lifted’ or angled apart when removing or repositioning a plank. To remove a plank, first disengage the top/long angle joint by lifting at a slight angle while pulling the complete rows away from each other. Then simply ‘slide’ the drop joint apart along the floor. Failure to slide this joint apart will damage the drop lock mechanism and prevent proper re-installation of the affected plank.

INSTALLATION OVER RADIANT HEATED SUBFLOORS

VINYL SPC FLOORING can also be installed on a radiant heated sub-floor. Special installation instructions concerning the sub-floor must be followed.

MAINTENANCE

Clean regularly with a damp mop with a vinyl floor cleaner such as Bona Pro Series Vinyl Cleaner. Do not use excessive water. Always use chair protectors under furniture and on chair legs. Teflon protectors are best. VINYL SPC FLOORING does not recommend the use of felt pads.

25 YEAR RESIDENTIAL/ 10 YEAR LIGHT COMMERCIAL WARRANTY

Our flooring board can be used in areas with underfloor heating systems, however, they must be the source of radiant heat. The flooring board cannot be in direct contact with the heat source.