For best results, LVT Tile and Plank (where adhesive is required) should be installed by a professional. For DIY customers, please consider click together floating LVT Tile and Planks. 

This information sheet provides general guidelines for the installations of Tile and Plank LVT. All recommendations in this guide are based on the most up-to-date information as of the date this guide was produced. Please follow these instructions and recommendations for a satisfactory installation of LVT Tile and Plank. 

1. Existing resilient flooring: Do not sand, dry scrape, bead blast or mechanically pulverize existing resilient flooring. These products may contain asbestos fibers that are not identifiable. Using the above non-recommended procedures, an asbestos containing material can create asbestos dust. The inhalations of asbestos dust may cause serious bodily harm.  Concrete should be flat within 3/16” in 10 feet and should not slope more than 1 inch per 6 feet in any direction. 

Pre-Installation/Conditioning Period
• LVT Plank I Tile should be installed in indoor climate-controlled locations between 64°F - 85°F (18°C - 29°C). It should NEVER be installed outdoors. 
• The flooring should be acclimated in the climate-controlled location for 48 hours before starting, during and after installation. 
• The tiles and/or planks should be off-loaded from the pallet and stacked no more than five high during the conditioning period. The stacks should be arranged to allow air to circulate around the stacks on all sides.
• In cold weather where there is an outside temperature below 53°F (12°C), the boxes should be opened and the tiles and/or planks spread out in the areas where they are to be installed. This will permit the tiles and/or planks to acclimatize more quickly to the temperature range of 64°F - 85°F (18°C - 29°C). This is especially important with high vinyl content products. 
• For installations where the floor will be exposed to direct sunlight, all precautions should be taken to ensure the windows are ‘blackened out’ 24 hours prior to installation, during installation and 24 hours after installation. This is to prevent thermal induced dimensional changes to the floor. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may result in fading and discoloration of the floor so protective window coverings must be used.
• LVT Plank I Tile should only be installed after the jobsite has been cleaned and cleared of debris that could potentially damage a finished installation. 
• During installation, mix and install planks/tiles from several different cartons to minimize shade variation. 
• LVT Tile and Plank are manufactured to high quality standards and are carefully inspected prior to leaving our facility. Occasionally, however, defects are not detected. If you notice a visible defect with the flooring you are installing, stop the installation and contact your local dealer and/or distributor. Defective products that are installed are NOT covered under warranty.
• Allow 5mm expansion space around all walls. 
• The maximum square foot area without requiring the use of transitions is 1000 sq. ft. (roughly a 32’x 32’ room)
• The Maximum run in any direction is 35 LF before requiring a transition molding and it is recommended to transition in all doorways.


Subfloor Information
• All subfloor/underlayment patching must be done with a non-shrinking water resistant Portland cement patching compound. 
• Never install LVT Tile/Plank over residual asphalt-type (cutback) adhesive. It can bleed through the new floor covering. Residual asphalt type adhesive must be covered with underlayment plywood. 
• Careful and correct preparation of the subfloor is a major part of a satisfactory floor covering installation. Roughness or unevenness of the subfloor will telegraph through the new floor covering, resulting in an unsightly surface and excessive wear on high spots. Proper subfloor preparation and suitable underlayment installation are essential for a trouble-free job. 
• Concrete should be flat within 3/16” in 10 feet and should not slope more than 1 inch per 6 feet in any direction. 

Concrete Subfloors
•  recommends all concrete subfloors (new and old) be tested using Calcium Chloride Test ASTM F1869 or Relative Humidity Test ASTM F 2170-11. New concrete slabs must cure for a minimum of 90 days. 
• Even existing concrete slabs can have moisture problems. Never install  Luxury Resilient Flooring where surface or subfloor moisture is present. Excessive moisture will cause failure. The installer is responsible for conducting a moisture test several days prior to installation to be sure that moisture is at recommended levels per Calcium Chloride Test of 3 lb. / 1,000 sq. ft. per 24 hrs., since moisture will directly affect the cure, set and bond of adhesives. 
• Moisture content of the concrete cannot exceed 2.5% when using a Protimeter Concertmaster Tester.  will not assume responsibility for floor covering failure due to hydrostatic pressure or moisture. Electronic meter testing is not considered a replacement for a Calcium Chloride Test or Relative Humidity Test. 
• The final responsibility for determining if the concrete is dry enough for installation of the flooring lies with the floor covering installer. 
• Concrete subfloors must be dry, smooth and free from dust, solvent, paint, wax, grease, oil, asphalt, sealing compounds, and other extraneous materials. The surface must be hard and dense and free from powder or flaking. Any large cracks or voids must be filled with a cementitious patching compound. Concrete should be flat within 3/16” in 10FT. 
• Tile and Plank must never be installed where moisture emissions may exist. Holes, grooves, expansion joints and other depressions in wood subfloors must be filled with a latex underlayment compound and troweled smooth and feathered even with the surrounding surface. 
• Radiant heat components must be a minimum of 1/2” away from the Tile and Plank. Only hydronic radiant heat systems are approved for use with  LVT Plank/Tile. This is the only type of radiant heat that is approved. 
• Subfloors should have been operational for at least 3 weeks prior to installation to drive out moisture and calibrate temperature settings. All radiant heat floors should be turned down so subfloor temperature is maintained at 65°F (18°C) for 3 days prior to installation and kept at 65°F (18°C) for at least 48 hours after installation to allow the adhesive to fully cure. Maximum operating temperature should never exceed 85°F (29°C) at subfloor surface. 

Wood Subfloors
General: 
• All wood floors must be suspended at least 18” (450mm) above the ground, must be sturdy, and flat within 3/16” in 10ft. Adequate cross-ventilation must be provided. 
• The ground surface of a crawl space must be covered with a suitable vapor barrier. 
• Wood subfloors directly on concrete or installed over sleeper construction are not satisfactory for the installation of LVT Tile and Plank. 
• Wood subfloors must be covered with a minimum 1/4” (6mm) or heavier underlayment rated panel to assure a successful finished flooring installation.

Underlayment 
• Many times, wood panel subfloors are damaged during the construction process or are not underlayment grade. These panels must be covered with an approved underlayment. Underlayment panels are intended to be used to provide a smooth surface on which to adhere the finished floor covering. 
• It must be understood that underlayment panels cannot correct structural deficiencies. 
• Particle board, chipboard and construction grade plywood, any hardboard and flake board are not recommended as underlayment. All have inadequate uniformity, poor dimensional suitability and variable surface porosity. 
•  will not accept responsibility for adhered installation over these subfloors. In all cases, the underlayment manufacturer or underlayment installer is responsible for all underlayment warranties. 

Underlayment Requirements
Panels intended to be used as underlayment should be specifically designed for this purpose. These panels should have a minimum thickness of 1/4” exterior grade WBP (weather and bolt proof) standard. Any panels selected as an underlayment must meet the following criteria: 
• Be dimensionally stable
• Have a smooth, fully sanded face so the graining or texturing will not show through
• Be resistant to both stain and impact indentation
• Be free of any surface components that may cause staining such as plastic filters, marking inks, etc.
• Be of uniform density, porosity and thickness
• Have a written warranty for suitability and performance from the panel manufacturer or have a history of proven performance

Underlayment Installations 
• Underlayment panels must be laid with the face grain turning across the joists. 
• Panels should not be forced together, but lightly butted and installed with end joints offset at least 16” (400mm). Place underlayment panels so that joints do not line up with subfloor joints or fall directly under where a seam in the floor covering will be located. 
• Fastening of each panel should start at one corner and work diagonally across the face of the panel. Fasteners throughout the field areas of the panel should be staggered more than 6” (150mm) apart. Fasteners around the perimeter should be no more than 4” (100mm) apart and 1/2” (10mm) in from the edge of the panel. Appropriate fasteners should be used, and must be flush or set slightly below the surface of the underlayment.
• Any unevenness at joints between panels must be sanded to a level surface. 
• Gaps between panels, hammer indentations and all other surface irregularities must be patched with latex underlayment compound and have a feathered finish. 
• Some type of nails, such as common steel nails, cement coated or some resin or rosin coated nails may cause discoloration of the vinyl floor covering. Use only non-staining fasteners with underlayment panels. Construction adhesives are known to stain vinyl floor coverings. All responsibility for discoloration problems caused by fastener staining or the use of construction adhesive rests with the underlayment installer.

Existing Resilient Floor Coverings
• To achieve maximum product performance, LVT Tile and Plank should not be installed over existing resilient floor covering. 
• In the rare case where removal of the existing resilient floor covering is not an option, the existing flooring must be in good condition and fully bonded to the structural floor. 
• The exception is that any tile or sheet that is of a soft cushion construction must be removed.
• Concrete should be flat within 3/16” in 10 feet and should not slope more than 1 inch per 6 feet in any direction. 

Ceramic Tile
• When installing LVT Tile and Plank over existing ceramic tile, you must skim coat the grout lines with a floor leveler. 
• If you install LVT Tile and Plank over an existing floor that has an embossing or grout line on it, we recommend you skim coat with a floor leveler.
•  Check for any dips in the subfloor that can create a void underneath the floor that will cause stress on the plank seams when walking on it. If so, please fill in and level subfloor with embossing leveler. 
• Concrete should be flat within 3/16” in 10 feet and should not slope more than 1 inch per 6 feet in any direction. 

Trowel Recommendations: 1/16” x 1/16” x 1/16” U or notch trowel: 125-150 sq. ft./gal. 

1Over these porous substrates: Concrete above, on or below grade; APA rated plywood underlayment; Properly prepared gypsum cement. 
2KPA 501 Premium Vinyl Plank and LVT Adhesive can be used over these subfloors with a maximum moisture emission rate of 6lbs/1000 sq. ft./24 hours [ASTM F1869], a pH of 7.0-10.0 [ASTM F710], and a maximum in situ RH of 80% [ASTM F2170]. 


Post Installation
• Do not drag furniture over newly installed floor.
• Do not place heavy items on newly installed floor covering for at least 24 hours after completion of the installation. 
• Heavy furniture should be equipped with suitable non-staining, wide-bearing caster. 
• Excessive heat and direct sunlight light exposure can cause thermal degradation. To minimize potential effects on the floor covering, please use all necessary precautions to block out direct sunlight exposure. 
• Oil or petroleum based products can result in surface staining.
• Use non-staining walk off mats. Rubber can discolor resilient floor coverings.