INSTALLATION And Maintenance GUIDE

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READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. 

This flooring is intended for indoor use only. Residential installation does not require acclimation, as long as the floor is allowed to sit and brought up to room temperature prior to installation. Commercial installation requires a 24-hour  minimum acclimation period. Make sure the subfloor is clean, dry and flat. 

Inspect ALL material carefully for color, finish, sheen and defects PRIOR to 

and do not pinch planksith visible defects found after installation are not covered under warranty. 

Installation implies acceptance of the quality, dimensions, and appearance of 

the flooring. Should there be any doubts regarding the aforementioned aspects, 

please contact your dealer/distributor and do not proceed with installation until 

you are satisfied with your flooring.

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE 

Samples are designed to be a representation of the actual product. Your 

finished flooring may contain a varying ratio of knots, saw marks, splits, cracks, 

streaks, and/or color contrast. Samples under varying light sources including 

sunlight and room lighting may result in a difference of appearance of the 

flooring under each condition. 

While Rigid Core Vinyl (SPC) Flooring is a waterproof and fire-resistant 

material, it is not meant to act as a moisture barrier for the home. It is best 

practice to test for moisture and take action promptly and accordingly. 

Store product boxes flat and ensure they are fully supported during shipping, 

handling, and storage. Rough handling can cause damage to the flooring prior 

to installation. 

Rigid Core Vinyl (SPC) Flooring can be heavier than expected. Always use 

proper lifting techniques with handling. Whenever possible, use material 

handling equipment and/or have assistance from shipping and handling 

professionals. 

Avoid direct sunlight exposure to minimize the effects of fading of the flooring. 

Prolonged UV exposure will likely have a uniform fading effect on building 

materials.

TOOLS REQUIRED 

· Power Saw 

· Tape Measure 

· Spacers 

· Rubber Mallet 

· Pencil 

· Straight Edge 

THINGS TO NOTE 

· Do not use tape or adhesive products of any kind on the surface of the 

flooring. Doing so may discolor and/or damage its finish. 

· Door jambs are recommended to be undercut. 

· Cabinets cannot be installed on top of flooring. 

· Wall moldings and transition accessories cannot be fastened to the planks. 

· Mix boards from several boxes to ensure a suitable variation of color and 

shade. 

JOBSITE REQUIREMENTS 

Rigid Core Vinyl (SPC) Flooring has been designed to float over an existing 

floor without glue or adhesive, and can be installed on, above, or below grade 

level. It is the sole responsibility of the installer or homeowner to determine 

whether or not jobsite and subfloor conditions are environmentally and 

structurally acceptable for vinyl floor installation. The distributor and 

manufacturer do not assume responsibility for vinyl floor failure to perform due 

to ill-suited or ill-prepared subfloor, subsurface or other jobsite damages or 

deficiencies after vinyl flooring has been installed. 

Crawl spaces must be a minimum of 18" from the ground to the underside of 

joists. Adequate cross ventilation must be provided (1.5% of crawl spaces D A 

Ground cover of 6-20 mil polyethylene film must be provided as a moisture 

barrier with a 6" overlap at the joints (sealed with moisture resistant tape). 

Moisture prevention inhibits the potential growth of harmful bacteria and 

stain-causing mold and mildew from the subfloor. 

All installed areas must have a working heater and air conditioner to provide 

normal living conditions beginning at least 48 hours prior to installation and 

throughout the duration of flooring's lifespan. Normal living conditions include 

indoor temperature of 65-80°F and relative humidity of 35-55%. Portable and 

kerosene heaters are not recommended.

SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS

Rigid Core Vinyl Flooring can be installed over concrete, wood subfloors and 

most other existing hard-surface floor coverings. All subfloors must be dry, 

clean (swept of any debris), structurally sound and level within 1/4" per 10-foot 

radius. 

Wood subfloors must be suspended minimum of 18" above ground. Check if 

well secured; nail or screw every 6" along joists to avoid squeaking. If subfloor 

is not level, sand down high spots and fill low spots with a Portland 

cement-based leveling compound. 

Concrete subfloors must be fully cured for a minimum of 60 days and tested for 

moisture. Concrete moisture vapor emissions should not exceed Bibs (ASTM 

F1869) or 90% RH (ASTM F2170) with a pH limit of 9. For floors outside of this 

range a minimum 6 mil polyfilm required between concrete and ground. 

Subfloor moisture prevention limits the potential growth of harmful bacteria and 

mold. If not level, grind down high spots and fill low spots with a Portland 

cement-based leveling compound. 

To install over existing hard-surface flooring, check to see if the existing floor is 

well bonded and level to the subfloor. Apply cement based leveling compound 

to level out uneven areas. Heavily cushioned vinyl flooring or vinyl flooring 

consisting of multiple layers are NOT suitable subfloors for installation. Do not 

sand existing vinyl as it may contain asbestos. Take proper precaution and 

contact an asbestos abatement company to remove old vinyl.

RADIANT HEAT 

Rigid Core Vinyl Flooring is compatible with a concrete subfloor with an in-floor 

(embedded) radiant heating system. The heating system must be 1.5" below 

the surface layer of the concrete slab. Prior to flooring installation, the heating 

system must be operated at normal living temperatures for 14 days. 

Additionally, for 24 hours before, during, and after installation, the heating unit 

must be turned off. Radiant Heat systems must have failsafe capabilities to 

ensure surface temperatures do not exceed 80°F. 

USE OF ELECTRIC HEATING MATS AND OTHER HEATING UNITS 

DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH RIGID CORE VINYL FLOORING CAN VOID 

WARRANTY. 

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Decide which direction to lay the flooring. Measure the width and length of the 

room and calculate plank width of the last row. For the best aesthetic, we donot recommend plank width narrower than 2.5 inches. 

Large spans in excess of 80" require expansion breaks.

1. Using Spacers: Leave a 1/4" expansion gap between walls and edges of 

the flooring. 

2. Installing the first row: From left to right, with the tongue-side facing the 

longest wall in the room, place the first board. Note that if the first row does not 

need to be trimmed in width, cut off the "tongue" so a solid straight edge is 

placed along the wall. Align and angle the second board to place the end joint 

tongue into the end joint groove of first board and connect the two into place. 

To ensure a secure fit, gently tap the joint with a rubber mallet in a downward 

angled motion towards the adjoining board. Continue installing additional 

boards in this manner until reaching the final board in the first row. Measure 

and cut the final board to fit the room. 

3. Installing the second row onwards: You may use any left-over planks 

from the first row if greater than 8" in length. If not, cut a new board at least 8" 

in length and allow 8" between end joints of the previous row to the current row 

that is being installed. Position the first board into place by angling and 

interlocking the side tongue (long end) into the previous row. Ensure fit and lay 

down gently into place. Position the next board using the same angling 

technique, interlocking motion on side tongue (long end) laying down gently, 

leaving a 1mm gap on the adjoining board. Tap the joint with a rubber mallet in 

a downward angled motion towards adjoining board until tongue and groove 

lock. Continue installing additional boards in each row in this manner. When 

you reach final board in each row, measure and cut the final board in each row 

to its proper length.

CONTINUALLY CHECK FOR GAPS BETWEEN BOARDS BEFORE 

MOVING ON TO THE NEXT. 

4. Installing the final row: Follow step 3. The final row and all corresponding 

boards may need to be cut lengthwise (ripped). 

5. Final step accessories: Replace the molding or wall base, allowing slight 

clearance between the molding and the planks. Nail the molding to the wall 

surface not through the flooring. At doorways and other areas where the 

flooring planks may meet other flooring surfaces, it is preferable to use a 

T-Molding, or something similar, to cover exposed edges. Check for clearance 

and do not pinch planks.