Please check the color selection and style before installation. NO CLAIMS will be accepted after installation if installation instructions are not followed. NO CLAIMS will be accepted after installation for visible defects.

LVT (Luxury-Vinyl Tile) Vinyl Plank features a glue-down installation system. It provides toughness and flexibility to resist breaking from normal subfloor deflection, expansion, and contraction. This feature permits fast, easy installation using a pressure-sensitive adhesive over a wide variety of sub-floor surfaces without extensive preparation.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Glue down floors should be installed in accordance with: - the requirements of BS 8203 (Installation of Resilient Floor Coverings: - code of practice) for the UK, DTU 53.2, DIN 18365 (Teil C) or other applicable National Standards and Building Codes for the installation of Resilient Flooring, and instructions below to ensure a quality fit. These floors are not suitable for installation outdoors nor in rooms that will be continually wet. Before installation, all materials must be checked to ensure that batches are identical and free from defects. Complaints regarding clearly identifiable defects cannot be accepted after installation. Preparation and installation should not begin until all other trades have completed their work.

Acclimatization of Material:

At least 24 hours prior to installation, flooring materials must be removed from packaging (tiles and planks may be stacked but must be rested flat) and allowed to condition in the room where the installation is to take place. The room temperature should be kept between 18-27 °C. If tiles and adhesive have been stored outside this temperature range, then it is recommended that the time for acclimatization be increased to 48 hours.

Subfloors:

Good preparation of the subfloor is essential to the final overall floor appearance. The subfloor should be hard smooth, clean, dry, and free from defects; irregularities in the subfloor will show through the finished floor. Subfloor surface regularity should meet SR1 (3mm in 2 m ref BS8203).

Moisture in Subfloors:

Moisture testing in accordance with BS8203/local regulations of all subfloors is essential before installation can begin. Results must be recorded.

Products must be installed only on subfloors with moisture levels at or below 75% RH when tested with a hygrometer. If hygrometer readings are above 75% RH a surface damp proof membrane (DPM), must be installed, regardless of old or new floors. (Where the calcium carbide test is specified, construction moisture must be no more than 2% for cementitious screeds and no more than 0.3% for calcium sulfate (anhydrite) screeds).

solid subfloors

Concrete/Sand Cement Screeds:

These subfloors should comply with the requirements of BS 8204/country-specific standard.

New and Old:

For all concrete floors, mechanically abrade the floor to remove contamination (laitance, paint, plaster, adhesive, etc.) then prime the floor and apply a compatible smoothing compound to a minimum thickness of 3mm. Where moisture readings are above 75% RH, a surface DPM should be applied before applying primer and a smoothing compound.

Power Floated Concrete:

Power floated floors require abrasion to remove surface laitance. (Abrasion can be either via scarification or light shot blasting) For readings above 75% RH, these surfaces must still be abraded before the application of a surface DPM. Then the floor should be primed before application of a compatible smoothing compound to (minimum of 3mm).

Anhydrite (Calcium Sulphate-Gypsum):

Anhydrite screeds can be difficult to identify and can be mistaken for more traditional cement-based products. In the case of the floor screed not being sufficiently dry, consult the manufacturer and ensure that the correct smoothing compound is selected.

Asphalt:

Asphalt should be inspected, and cracks repaired; a DPM may be required. It should be degreased, and the surface rinsed with clean water and then primed. A compatible smoothing compound should be applied to a thickness of 4mm-6mm.

Painted Floors:

Mechanically remove all paint back to the original base; prime and apply a compatible smoothing compound to a minimum of 3mm.

Timber Subfloors

Standard Floorboards/Tongue and Groove:

Floorboards should be well secured, loose boards firmly fastened, and worn/broken boards replaced. Install a minimum 5.5mm flooring grade plywood*, fixed at a maximum of 150mm. Plywood joints should be smoothed over using a skim coat or alternatively a full coat of a fiber-reinforced smoothing compound.

Undulating Timber Floors:

These should first be leveled, by sanding/planing/patch filled before being overlaid with 5.5mm plywood*. The primer should then be applied followed by a minimum 3mm layer of fiber-reinforced smoothing compound.

All Chipboard/ Particleboard/Weyroc/MDF/OSB:

Overlay with a 5.5mm flooring grade plywood* fixed at a maximum of 150mm. Plywood joints should be smoothed over using a skim coat or alternatively a full coat of a fiber-reinforced smoothing compound.

Flooring Grade Plywood Floors:

Plywood joints can be smoothed over using a skim coat or alternatively a full coat of a fiber-reinforced smoothing compound. Alternate apply primer and lay a minimum 3mm coat of fiber-reinforced smoothing compound. (Any plywood floors with thickness less than 5.5mm, treat as chipboard)

• Wood Mosaic Panel, Woodblock, Wood strip:

  o Remove these products and treat the subfloor appropriately.

• Laminate/clicked products

These floor coverings must be removed together with any underlay and flooring accessories. The subfloor should be treated appropriately.

Other Existing Subfloors

Resilient floor coverings (e.g. linoleum, PVC, thermoplastic, carpet, cork):

Remove existing floor covering and all traces of adhesive residues. Then treat the subfloor appropriately.

Quarry Tile/Mosaic/Terrazzo/Ceramics:

Test floor for evidence of damp. If after testing, dampness is detected consult your supplier. Check floor area for unstable, loose, or broken tiles. Remove loose pieces and fill deep holes with rapid drying mortar. Degrease, rinse and abrade the surface of the floor. Apply primer and compatible smoothing compound to a minimum of 3mm. The second topcoat of primer and smoothing compound may be required to smooth over old tile grout lines.

Metal Floors:

The metal surface should be cleaned, degreased, and then mechanically abraded to remove contamination/ rust and provide a surface key. Where this gives a level surface, the floor covering should then adhere with epoxy adhesive; otherwise, it must first be primed and leveled with the recommended smoothing compound. Refer to the supplier.

Miscellaneous Floors:

Magnesite, Granwood, etc. Consult your supplier.

Asbestos:

Some older resilient tiles and adhesives can contain asbestos. In case of doubt contact the relevant authority for advice on removal and disposal.

Conservatories/Rooms with the direct sun through glazing/Unheated Rooms:

Where temperatures up to 50°C are expected Universal or HT (High Temperature) adhesive must be used. In areas where a temperature of more than 50°C is possible the floor must be installed with epoxy adhesive. It is necessary to keep the temperature in conservatories at 18-27 °C for 24 hours prior to, during, and 24 hours after installation. Shade windows prior to and at least 48 hours after installation.

Underfloor Heating:

Planks/ tiles may be installed over underfloor heating systems, but these must be constructed so that the temperature at the adhesive interface does not exceed 27 °C. Universal, High Temperature (HT) or Epoxy adhesives must be used. The underfloor heating must be commissioned before installation commences. It should then be switched off 48 hours before, during, and 48 hours after installation. Then the temperature can be gradually increased to 27 °C (at no more than 3 °C per day).

For Electrical Underfloor Heating please consult the manufacturer to make sure their system is compatible with our flooring. Mesh/Wire systems must be embedded into the recommended base coat thickness of a fiber-reinforced smoothing compound to cover the wires/mesh. Then apply a coat of primer and then a second layer of fiber-reinforced smoothing compound. This applies to both concrete and timber subfloors.

For underfloor heating pipes set into concrete, prime the surface before applying a compatible smoothing compound to a minimum of 3mm.

Important: - Care must be taken to avoid damage to the floor caused by localized ‘hot spots/thermal blocks’. Care must also be taken in placing rugs, and items of furniture which do not allow hot air circulation. No responsibility for damage to floor tiles can be accepted under these circumstances.

*All plywood must conform to BS 8203 Annex A and fixed with screws, or ring shank nails.

Notes:

For raised access flooring, our Looselay product is recommended.

Only our adhesives are recommended and must be applied with an A2 trowel.

Cleaning:

Please refer to our Floor Care Guide supplied with our cleaning products.