LVP & SPC Flooring Installation Guide

This is a simple step-by-step guide on how to install LVP & SPC Flooring, with pictures and diagrams, along with our recommendations, tips, and best practices. RYC Flooring's Luxury Vinyl Plank and Stone Polymer Composite flooring planks are constructed with Unilin patented Uniclic® technology. This industry-leading technology locks the planks together to form a tight and durable joint that limits liquid and moisture from passing through the seams between planks. Our flooring can be installed over almost any sub-floor surface and is suitable for both Residential Use and Light Commercial Use. To ensure maximum performance, please read all instructions before installation.

Definitions:

• Sub-floor: The area where planks will lay on top of.

Requirements:

• Make sure the sub-floor is clean, dry, and level. Any adhesives or residue must be removed from the sub-floor to ensure proper installation.
  • Any unevenness greater than 3/16” must be leveled with a leveling compound, otherwise the planks may be at risk of damage.
• The maximum length and width of an area to cover exclusively with planks is 32 feet. T-molding is required for larger areas.
• This product is designed for indoor use only in a climate-controlled environment.
• This product is not designed to be exposed to direct sunlight.
• Do not use additional padding or underlayment. Our LVP and SPC flooring comes with pre-attached foam IXPE pads.
• Do not install planks over floors that are sloped or for ramps.
• Remove any existing quarter round, baseboard molding, or cove wall base prior to installing flooring.
• If the flooring is coming from a location with a temperature difference of greater than 15°F, the planks should be acclimated for at least 48 hours to room temperature (60-85°F) and humidity of 30-55%.
  • It is best to install the flooring when the temperature and humidity conditions are about the same as they will be for most of the year.
  • Use a humidifier to maintain this humidity if needed.
  • Avoid installation under very dry or very humid conditions.
• Always check flooring materials for any defects. Contact your supplier immediately if any defects are found.
• Do not stack anything on top of uninstalled, out-of-box, vinyl planks.
• If any cabinets are being installed, install cabinets prior to installing flooring. Do not install cabinets on top of flooring.
• Doorway moldings should be undercut to be the thickness of the flooring. Ensure doors can open and close after the flooring is installed.
• Do not install vinyl planks over carpet or soft subfloors.
• Do not install vinyl planks in areas prone to flooding.

Recommendations:

• Purchase an additional 5% of flooring (SQFT) to allow for cuts, and an additional 10-15% if installing diagonally due to cuts.
• Excess flooring should be stored flat in a climate-controlled area for repairs in the event of future damage.
• Install the length of the plank parallel to the main direction of light coming into the room (see below image).
  

• For both aesthetic and functional reasons, when cutting planks to shorter lengths, the shorter planks should be at least 12 inches (30cm) shorter than the next smallest plank. This variance ensures the floor maintains its strength when the planks are interlocked.
• Do not store boxes of flooring directly on concrete – allow for air circulation.
• Open several boxes and mix planks together to ensure a natural pattern upon installation.
  
  Notes on Sub-floors by Type:
• Concrete:
  • Make sure moisture vapor emissions do not exceed 5lbs / 24 hour per 1,000 SQFT when tested with Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Test in accordance with ASTM F 1869 or 85% RH in accordance with ASTM F 2170.
  • Holes and cracks in concrete must be patched, and expansion joints must be filled with a latex patching compound.
    
  • Newly poured concrete floors must cure for a minimum of 90 days.
    
  • Apply a 6MIL polyethylene moisture barrier before installation.
    
  • It is the installers or homeowner’s responsibility to ensure a smooth substate and that any moisture or alkalinity issues are resolved prior to installing the flooring.
• Wood:
  • Do not install vinyl planks over wood floors or laminate laid directly on concrete or bitumen.
  • Must be solid and flat.
    
  • Any high spots must be sanded down and low spots filled with leveling compound.
    
  • Firmly fasten all loose planks and fill all gaps before installing vinyl planks.
    
• Mosaics, Terrazzo, Ceramic:
  • Must be solid and flat.
  • Grout lines should be leveled.
• Radiant Heat Systems:
  
  • LVP and SPC flooring can be installed over in-floor radiant heating systems, provided the subfloor surface does not exceed 85°F at any point.
  • The initial sub-floor temperature should not exceed 70°F for 48 hours prior, during, and after installation of the vinyl plank flooring.
  • Heat affects vinyl more than wood, therefore additional room for plank expansion (larger expansion gap) and contraction (wider base to allow for contraction) is required.
  • Radiant heat systems installed on top of the subfloor surface are not recommended.
• Carpet or Other Textiles:
  • Do not install vinyl planks over carpet or textiles. Carpet or textiles must be removed before installing vinyl plank flooring.

Recommended Installation Tools:

• Pull Bar
• Rubber Mallet (do not use a hammer)
• Tapping Block
• Utility Knife or Vinyl Flooring Cutter
• Pencil
• Try Square or Long Straight Edge
• Safety Glasses
• Tape Measure
• Wedge Spacers
• Carpenter Square

Steps:

1. Place wedge spacers at the base of the walls where planks will meet the wall. The gap should be approximately ½”. Place the first plank such that the sides with the click-lock mechanism (grooved edges) are facing away from the walls.

2. Install the 2nd plank by clicking the tongue into the groove. Tilt the new plank at a 20-30° angle and slowly lower the plank to the floor. There may be a clicking sound, which means the new plank is securely attached to the previous plank. Continue to lay planks from left to right across the room.

3. Once you get to the end of the 1st row, measure and cut the last plank to leave ½” gap to the wall.

4. Begin the 2nd row with the leftover plank from the 1st row. The first plank in a row should be at least 12” long. If the leftover plank is less than 12”, discard it and cut down a new plank to a desired length (at least 12” long, but also at least 12” shorter than the plank above it). Ensure that the 2nd row clicks into the first row, again angling the plank at a 30° angle. Tap it firmly into the first row with a rubber mallet and tapping block.

5. For the following planks in the 2nd row, click in the short side first. Angle the long side at a 30° angle and tap it firmly into the first row with a rubber mallet and tapping block.

6. Using a measuring tape, measure the side of the room that the short side of the planks are spanning. Knowing the width of the planks that are being used, calculate the width for the last row of planks. If the last row is calculated to be less than 2” wide, reduce the width of the 1st row so that the last row will be more than 2" wide.

7. Use a tapping block and mallet to tap planks under door frames. Ensure there is at least 1/2” of clearance under the door.

8. Remove spacers around the room and sweep the newly laid floor with a brush. Cover expansion gaps by driving baseboards or skirting into the wall. Do not drive baseboards into the floor.

Installation tips:

• Ensure the starting plank of each row is at least 12 inches shorter than the plank above it. This variance ensures the floor maintains its strength when the planks are interlocked.
  
  

• For protruding objects or corners, measure protruding objects and mark the dimensions using a pencil on the respective planks. Use a utility knife or vinyl flooring cutter to cut away enough of the plank to fit the protruding object.
  
  

• For transition between hard surfaces, place T-moldings.
  

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at our Contact Us Page

RYC Flooring
[email protected]