Rigid Core SPC Flooring Installation

Rigid Core SPC Flooring Installation and Maintenance Instructions Updated 5-5-2022 Warning: This product cannot be installed in exterior installations, seasonal porches, boats, campers, RV’s, sunrooms, non-temperature-controlled rooms or homes, environments utilizing wheelchairs, motorized mobility devices, or environments utilizing any type of rolling loads or equipment on wheels or casters.

Warranty- This product comes with a Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty. The warranty applies only to the original purchaser from date of purchase (not date of installation). Contact our customer service department to request a written copy of the warranty which provides details of coverage and limitations.

Pre-Installation (Owner/Installer Responsibility): The homeowner is advised to be at home during installation for consultation/supervision of the install. The owner and installer should verify the correct product/color has been delivered and discuss installation and layout prior to installation of the product. No claims will be honored for incorrect material that is installed. It is the owner/installer’s responsibility to make sure they are satisfied with the quality and color of the product prior to installation. A pre-installation inspection of the material must be performed for claims purposes. Open 2-3 boxes and carefully inspect all of the pieces for color, finish, quality and for visible defects. DO NOT OPEN ALL OF THE BOXES. Opening all of the boxes deems them non-returnable and constitutes your acceptance of the product.

If you discover any defects in the product, or the material is questionable in any way, DO NOT install, contact the retailer. If you are satisfied with the product after inspection, proceed with installation.

Product should be acclimated to the temperature in the area in which it will be installed for a minimum of 24 hours; it is recommended to install in rooms with consistent temperatures between 50°F & 100°F (10°C & 38°C). The HVAC system must be on and functional, before, during and after installation.

Flooring to be installed in one large area must all be purchased at the same time to insure uniformity and consistency in quality, color, texture and sheen.

Accessories, trims and moldings are manufactured to coordinate with the varied appearance of the floor (light and dark pieces). Any exact matches are coincidental. Nonmatching accessories are not considered defective products. Installer should check the color of the trim pieces prior to installation and make sure that they install them next to pieces of the flooring that most closely match the trim piece.

This product is manufactured according to strict quality standards. In the event that a defect is discovered, the industry standard permits a defect tolerance not to exceed 5%. It is recommended to order an additional 10% for cuts, waste and grading allowances. During installation, inspect the planks/tiles continuously. Defects that can be seen from a standing

position, should be cut off or culled from the installation. Installing visibly defective planks/tiles constitutes acceptance of these pieces.

This floor is water resistant from the surface and the clicklock locking system reliably protects the flooring on all four sides, however, moisture in the subfloor (underneath the flooring) could promote mold, mildew and other moisture related issues such as the trapping of moisture emissions underneath the flooring, which may contribute to an unhealthy indoor environment.

Clicking noises are the result of interactions among flooring joists and subfloors when they move. In some instances, it is impossible to eliminate them completely, and minor noises are to be accepted as normal flooring occurrences.

To assure the warranty is not inadvertently voided, you should contact Customer Support prior to installation, at 800-827-8246 with any question or concerns related the product or the installation of the product, not covered in this installation guide.

Concrete Subfloor Requirements Concrete subfloors must meet the following criteria: Must have minimum rated strength of 3000psi Must be level to within 3/16-inch in a 10-foot radius; no bumps or low spots; high spots can be removed by grinding; depressions can be filled with floor patching compound.

Must be clean, with no construction debris, nails, soil, mud and or any other objects on or adhering to the floor.

New concrete slabs must cure for at least 30 days prior to moisture testing and installation. It must have a minimum 10 mil polyethylene sheet between the ground and the concrete.

Must be free from moisture related conditions which can damage the installed flooring.

Do not install over concrete with a history of high moisture or hydrostatic conditions.

Concrete Moisture This product is waterproof against topical spills; however, it is not a moisture barrier and does not prevent or protect against moisture coming up from the subfloor. Excessive moisture in the subfloor could promote mold, mildew, and other moisture related issues, such as trapping of moisture emissions underneath the flooring, which may contribute to an unhealthy environment. Moisture from the subfloor can cause damage to the flooring system, causing buckling, warping, and the tongue and groove locking system to fail. A moisture barrier consisting of at least a Class I 6mil polyethylene film or other vapor retarder is required under this product over concrete subfloors. The plastic moisture barrier should be installed with a 4-6 inch overlapped seam that is taped with a suitable tape.

All concrete subfloors must be tested for moisture content and the results of this test must be documented prior to installation and must be submitted with any claim filed. Visual checks are not reliable. Test should be performed at locations around exterior doorways, near walls containing plumbing, near foundation walls and in the center of the room. Minimal sample size is 3 samples per 1,000 sq. ft. of area and one test for every 1,000 sq. ft. thereafter.

Moisture content should meet the following criteria: Ph level of concrete should be between 5-9 Relative Humidity Testing should be less than 85% max. when utilizing in-situ probe (ASTM F2170).

Less than 8 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. per 24 hours MVER (Moisture Vapor Emission Rating) when utilizing a Calcium Chloride test (ASTM F1869).

The final responsibility for determining if the concrete is dry enough for installation of resilient flooring (LVP) lies with the floor covering installer.

Note: Concrete moisture content may be acceptable at the time of the test, but these tests do not guarantee a perpetual “dry” concrete slab. The concrete slab moisture content can vary at different times of the year. Manufacturer and distributor are not responsible for moisture related damage to installed flooring.

Wood Subfloor Requirements The subfloor must be clean with no construction debris, nails, soil, mud and any other objects on or adhering to the floor. Floor should be swept clean before the installation. The subfloor must be structurally sound and stable with no movements or squeaks, no loose panels or nails and no signs of delamination or other damage.

The subfloor must be flat to within 3/16-in in a 10 ft. span with no visible bumps or low spots.

Test for moisture using a reliable meter. Perform tests at locations around exterior doorways, near foundation walls, near walls containing plumbing and also in the center of the room.

Measure 20 locations per 1,000 sq. ft. Moisture content of the subfloor should be less than 12%.

Plywood or Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Specifications On truss/joist spacing of 16-inches (406mm) O/C or less, the industry standard for single panel subflooring is a minimum 5/8-inch (19/32-in, 15.1mm) C-D Exposure 1 plywood subfloor panels or 23/32-inch OSB Exposure 1 subfloor panels 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets. The expansion gap between panels should be 1/8-inch (3mm). If panels are not tongued and grooved and there is not sufficient spacing or spacing is inadequate, cut in the required spacing with a circular saw. Do not cut in expansion space on tongue and groove panels.

Existing Floors Installation over an existing floor requires the installer to consider potential issues related to moisture damage, adhesive failure, fastener failure and hidden issues with the subfloor under the existing flooring.

Acceptable floor coverings include solid hardwood, linoleum (1 layer only), terrazzo, ceramic, porcelain and stone tile. Tile floors with grout lines larger than ¼-inch will require a cementitious leveling compound to fill in any grout lines, voids, or cracks.

Unacceptable floor coverings include carpet (all types) foam underlayment, cushioned back vinyl, rubber, cork, laminates, free floating floors and wooden floors over concrete.

Job Site Conditions Prior to installation, the installer must ensure, that at the time of installation, the job site conditions including subfloor/substrate, ambient temperature, relative humidity and all impacting variables will not negatively affect the floor. The manufacturer will decline responsibility for damages associated with improper installation or poor site conditions.

Storage and Conditions Rigid Core SPC flooring should be acclimated to the temperature of the environment in which it will be installed for a minimum of 24 hours. We recommend installation in rooms with a temperature between 50°F & 100°F (10°C & 38°C). The HVAC system must be on and functional before, during and after installation. Product should be stored horizontally in a dry area away from direct sunlight. Do not leave next to heat or cooling ducts. Ensure that all trades have been completed to eliminate drywall dust, paints etc. Do not store flooring in uncontrolled environmental conditions (for example, garages and exterior patios). Flooring stored on a concrete slab should be elevated at least 4-in. to allow air circulation under cartons.

Existing Home An existing home should have a consistent room temperature between 50°F & 100°F (10°C & 38°C) and relative humidity (RH) of 40%-60%. Continual deviation from these conditions will affect the dimensions of flooring. When using a heater during colder months, humidity may be much lower than the acceptable range. During the warmer months, maintain humidity levels using an air conditioner or dehumidifier.

New Construction or Remodel All work involving water, such as pouring basement concrete floors, drywall and plaster work, plumbing, etc. must be completed well in advance of the floor delivery. Ensure that the building is enclosed. When possible, permanent heating and/or air conditioning systems should be operating at least two weeks preceding installation and should be maintained during and after installation. If it is not possible for the permanent heating and/or air conditioning system to be operating before during and after installation, a temporary heating and/or dehumidification system that simulates normal living (occupied) conditions, can enable the installation to proceed until the permanent heating and/or air conditioning system is fully operational. The job site should have a consistent temperature between 50°F & 100°F (10°C & 38°C) and relative humidity of 40% - 60%, which should be maintained continuously thereafter.

Recommended Installation Area This product is recommended for use in private residential homes and “light commercial” environments. Light commercial is defined as environments such as private offices, reception areas and public buildings and businesses which are not subject to frequent and heavy foot traffic. Do not install in areas where frequent rolling loads are in use. Do not install SPC flooring over carpet or any foam underlayment. This product is not suitable for any outside use, sunrooms, solariums, saunas, seasonal porches, camping trailers, boats, RV’s or rooms that have a potential of flooding. Do not install in rooms or homes that are not temperature controlled. Exposure to long term sunlight can cause damage to the floor. Failure to properly shade or UV tint windows, can discolor, fade or buckle the planks. Use window treatments or UV tinting on windows. SPC flooring is not intended for use on vertical surfaces. Do not glue, nail, screw or fasten planks to the substrate. Do no install cabinetry, islands, peninsula counters, vanities, tubs and showers or other non-movable objects on top of this flooring.

(Transitional trim pieces should not be glued, nailed or adhered to the SPC flooring in any way.)

Quarter round and baseboards should not be fastened tight to the flooring restricting the floor’s movement.

Basements and Crawl Spaces Concrete slab or ground must be dry. Ensure that crawl spaces have open vents year-round to ensure proper air circulation and to prevent moisture build up. The ground in the crawl spaces must be completely covered using 6 mil polyethylene. Crawl space clearance between the ground and underside of joists should be no less than 18-inches and the perimeter vent area should be equal to 1.5% of the total square footage of the crawl space or as mandated by code.

Sound Control Underlayment Restoration SPC flooring includes a pre-attached 1.5mm Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) sound mitigating underlayment pad. Do not use any additional foam cushioned underlayment, as it will void the product warranty.

Expansion Gap A required expansion gap width of 1/4-inch is required around the entire perimeter of the floor and between the floor and all vertical partitions/obstructions including all doorjambs.

Expansion gap should be increased to 5/16” for areas over 1,000 square feet. Do not place permanently mounted structures such as kitchen/bathroom cabinets, islands or counters on the installed floor.

Transition Molding Maximum continuous installation without a transition molding is 80 lineal feet in any direction.

Rooms larger than 1500 square feet (50 ft.x30 ft.) require the use of a coordinating T-mold transition piece. (Transition pieces must NOT be adhered to the luxury vinyl flooring in any way.)

Perimeter Trim Particular care should be used when installing perimeter trim such as quarter round and baseboards, being careful not to install them too tightly to the luxury vinyl flooring. Fasteners should not be installed through or against the luxury vinyl flooring binding it. A spacing of .10” (.254mm) shall be kept above the surface of the flooring when installing moldings over the surface of the floor to allow the floor to move freely (float). Perimeter trim installed too tightly will cause the flooring to buckle and/or peak.

Tools and Materials Basics Tape measure, moisture meter (wood/concrete or both), utility knife and straight edge, tapping block, rubber mallet, eye protection, broom

General Tips Make sure your work area is well lit. Good visibility ensures that the color is consistent and that visually defective pieces are detected and removed.

The minimum length of the first piece and the last piece in a row should be not less than 8inches. If the piece will be less than 8-inches, adjust the length of the first piece. The remainder of the last piece can be used as a starter piece on the following rows.

Using a shorter piece at undercut door jambs will help when fitting them into place.

Never hit the flooring directly with the tapping block and be careful not to fracture the edges, ends or locking mechanisms of the pieces. This could prevent them from locking together properly.

Preparing for Installation First determine how you want the flooring to run. Typically for plank floors, the flooring runs the length of the room. There may be exceptions since it is a matter of preference and should be discussed with the homeowner.

To avoid narrow piece widths or short piece lengths near walls or doors, it is important to do some pre-planning. Using the width of the room, calculate how many full pieces will fit into the area and how much space remains that will need to be covered by partial pieces.

Lay the first row of pieces along a chalk line and trim to fit the wall, allowing a ¼-inch expansion space. Use a utility knife and a straight edge to score the top surface of the pieces and then bend downward to separate. If the starting wall is out of square, it will be necessary to scribe the first row to match the wall, allowing the opposite side of the row to present a true square base for the rest of the floor Use expansion gap spacers to keep the floor ¼-inch away from the walls.

Remove wall base and undercut door jambs. Do not secure individual pieces to the subfloor, as it is designed to be a floating floor. Do not install cabinets on top of the floor.

Installation Instructions Step 1. The First Row Start by matching the tongue of the short side of the tile with the groove of the short side of another tile. Lock the short end of the tile by inserting the tongue into the groove at an angle and drop it in place. Continue joining the short sides until you have a row of tiles for the length of the room.

Step 2. The First Piece of the Second Row You can often use the leftover piece from the end of the first row to begin the second row. This piece must be at least 10-inches long. Visually, the installation will look more natural, if the starting planks are a variety of lengths (when using plank tiles). After installing the first row of tiles, line up the first piece of the second row, so that the outside end is even with the outside end of the first piece in the first row. Lock the long side of the second row piece onto the piece on the first row by inserting the tongue of the second piece into the groove on the first piece while holding the piece at a 20-degree angle from the floor. Press the second piece down flat and the tongue will lock firmly into place.

Step 3. The Second and Subsequent Tiles in the Second Row Working first with the short sides, align the tongue of the second piece with the groove of the first piece while keeping the long side about quarter inch away from the first row, then angle these two pieces up by about 20 degrees. Use a tapping block four times to tap the second piece into position (do not use excessive force when tapping, as it may damage the tongue).

First, tap where the two pieces meet. Second, tap across from the joint in the previous row.

Third, tap at the left side of the piece and finally, tap on the short side of the new piece to lock the piece into place.

Step 4. Subsequent Remaining Rows Ensure each piece of each subsequent row has at least 10 inches of overlap and that they are fitted brickwork style. This will ensure a strong fit.

Step 5. Fitting the Last Row and Around Doorways A pull bar and rubber mallet may be needed when installing in difficult areas, such as the last row and around doorways. Use the pull bar and rubber mallet to assist in locking the joints together in the last row. Pull bars should only be used on the cut edge of the tiles. Factory edges can be damaged if the pull bar is used directly against the tongue or groove.

Clean the floor and install or re-install all wall trim pieces. Wall trim pieces should be nailed to the wall, not to the subfloor or flooring, to avoid restricting the expansion gap.

If the floor is to be covered, use a breathable material such as cardboard. Do not cover with plastic.

Note: save any leftover pieces. Do not discard them as they are color matched to your floor.

They can be used for replacement/repairs in the event you need to replace a piece in the future.

Care and Maintenance Daily Maintenance- Sweep, dust, damp mop, or vacuum your floor regularly to remove any particles that could cause abrasion or scratch your flooring.

CAUTION: Vacuums with a beater bar or power rotary brush head can damage the floor and should never be used.

Use a damp mop to remove spots and soil. Use any high quality, PH-neutral vinyl cleaner.

Alternatively, use a non-rinsing biodegradable cleaner that leaves no residue or haze.

For lightly soiled area, clean with distilled water.

For best results, clean the floor in the same direction of the pieces. Do not clean with dirty or soiled dust cloths or mops. Using a clean cloth or mop will remove residual streak marks and spots.

Avoid spills of acidic products (juice, soft drinks, wine, etc.) on the floor. Clean spots immediately.

Do NOT use a steam cleaner.

Do NOT use any cleaning agents containing wax, oil or polish. Left over residue will form a dull film.

Do NOT use steel wool or scouring powder which will scratch the floor.

Do NOT use any dust cleaners, as they may cause your floor to become slick or damage the finish.

Avoid spills of paints, dyes, or harsh chemicals.

Avoid long term exposure to direct sunlight. Use window treatments or UV tinting on windows.

Use of painter’s tape should be avoided with this flooring as it is known to leave a sticky residue on the flooring.

Do not use rubber backed mats or rugs as they may cause discoloration.

Preventive Maintenance This flooring is beautiful and durable, but it is NOT indestructible. Here are some tips to keep your floor looking its best.

Protect your floor when using a dolly for moving furniture or appliances. Protective sheeting may be needed. Never slide or roll heavy furniture or appliances across the floor. Floor protectors (nylon or felt) should be used on all furniture legs. Clean protectors periodically to remove grit that may become embedded and cause scratching.

Use NON-RUBBER backed mats at all entrances to avoid discoloration from asphalt driveways and prevent dirt and grit from being tracked onto your floor. Rubber backed mats can discolor your floor.

Avoid excessive exposure to water being tracked in during periods of inclement weather.

Minimize abrasive material and dirt by placing mats (non-rubber backed) on both sides of exterior doors and by using area rugs (non-rubber backed) in high traffic areas.

Rearrange furniture and rugs periodically to avoid uneven color and shade changes from light exposure.

Use protective mats beneath rolling chairs and keep furniture casters clean. We recommend the use of a non-studded, non-rubber, hard surface mat to protect your floor from office chairs with casters. Light, rolling furniture should be outfitted with broad surface, non-staining casters that have been engineered for hard surface floors. Such casters should be a minimum of 1-inch (2.5 cm) wide and a t least 2-inches (5.1cm) in diameter.

Keep pet’s nails trimmed.

Remove shoes with cleats, spikes or pointy heels before walking on the floor as they could cause indentions.

Floating floors should not be installed in locations that utilize wheelchairs, motorized mobility devices, or any type of frequent rolling loads.