Premium glueless luxury vinyl with interlocking joints: Installation instructions
Premium Glueless Luxury Vinyl planks are constructed with the patented Uniclic® interlocking joint that locks the planks together to form a tight, durable, water resistant joint. Premium Glueless LVT flooring is installed as a floating floor so it’s quick and easy to install with no adhesive required. All you need is a smooth dry surface and a few basic hand tools. Once the floor is installed it can receive traffic immediately. Recommended use:- Residential and light commercial applications
- Interior use in enclosed, climate controlled areas
- Do not install over ramps
General information
- Always store and transport cartons stacked neatly on a smooth, flat, solid surface.
- Do not stack more than 10 cartons high.
- Acclimate flooring and room at a constant temperature between 65F and 85F for 48 hours prior to, during and 48 hours after installation. Thereafter maintain temperatures between 65F and 85F.
- Mix planks from several different cartons to ensure a random appearance.
- Always allow a ¼" expansion space around the entire perimeter of the room and at all fixtures and pipes. Cover the exposed edges with trim or fill the gap with a high quality silicone caulking.
- Note: All base cabinets must be installed prior to installing flooring.
- Do not install base cabinets or island cabinets on top of the floor.
- Remove all furniture and appliances from the room(s).
- Remove wall and doorway trim.
- Undercut door casings.
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Subfloor recommendations
Planks can be installed over a variety of subfloor surfaces including concrete on all grade levels, wood and many existing hard surface floors. The subfloors must be clean, smooth, flat, solid and dry. Do not install planks over floors that are sloped for drainage. Any uneven areas greater than 1/16" in 3’ should be leveled with a portland cement based patching compound. Vinyl tiles are resistant to water damage but they do not prevent the transmission of moisture. Care should be taken to keep moisture from collecting on either side of the vinyl floor to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.Existing flooring
Premium Glueless LVT planks can be installed over a variety of finished floors including single layer resilient sheet floor and tile, ceramic, marble and terrazzo. The surface must be in good condition and show no signs of excessive moisture conditions. Level deep or wide grout lines with embossing leveler. Do not install flooring over heavily cushioned floors or over tile installed over concrete below grade level. The grout joints in ceramic tile and marble must be leveled so they are flush with the tile surface. Additionally the tile may require several skim coats to achieve a flat surface.Radiant heated systems
Asbestos warning
Tools required
- Utility knife
- Carpenter square
- Chalkline
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- For best appearance planks should be installed parallel to the long dimension of the room and preferably parallel with outside light sources i.e. windows and doors.
- Determine the layout to achieve the largest cut planks at the walls and snap a chalkline at the starting point.
- Install planks in a random layout (Figure 1A). Start with a whole plank in the left hand corner of the room with the tongue side and end toward the wall. Lay the first row of planks along the chalkline and trim to fit to the wall allowing a ¼"expansion space. Note: If starting the first row with a whole width plank it will be necessary to trim the tongue off against the wall. Always place the cut edge against the wall. To trim planks, use a utility knife and a straight edge. Score the top surface of the plank and flex it downward to separate the pieces.
- Attach the end joints of the planks in the first row. Insert the tongue into the groove while holding the plank at a 20º to 30º angle to the floor. Apply pressure inward and down until the planks lock together (Figures 2A-B). Use spacers between the edge and end of the planks and the wall to maintain a ¼" expansion space.
- Start the second row using 1/3rd of a plank. Place the cut end against the wall. Insert the tongue on the long side of the plank into the groove of the plank in the first row. Hold the plank in a 20º to 30º angle while applying pressure inward and down until they lock together. To complete the second and all successive rows it will be necessary to lock the short end into the previous plank first before locking the long side of the plank. Angle the plank and push the tongue into the groove and adjust it until the tongue locks into place. It may be necessary to lift both planks slightly to lock the joint together. Complete the second row allowing a ¼" expansion space at the cut plank at the end of the row (Figures 3A-E).
- Start the third row using 2/3rds of a plank with the cut end against the wall. Complete each row thereafter using a random layout with end joints off-set by at least 8". Plan the layout to avoid using small planks (less than 6") at the walls. The cut piece at the end of the row can often be used to start the next row provided it achieves a random layout. Always place the cut end against the wall and allow a ¼" expansion space.
- Premium Glueless LVT planks are unique in that they can also be installed with a pull bar or tapping block and rubber mallet in difficult areas, such as the last row, and when fitting around door trim. Use a pull bar and rubber mallet to lock the joints together in the last row (Figures 4A-C). Always use a pull bar on the cut edge of the plank. Factory edges can be damaged if the pull bar is used directly against them.
- When fitting around door trim it will be necessary to slide the plank under the trim. This can be accomplished easily by starting the row on the side of the room with the door trim and then sliding the plank into place once it is attached. The row can be completed by inserting the tongue in to the groove or the groove into the tongue depending on the direction. A special Uniclic approved tapping block and pullbar can also be used to lock the joints together while the planks are in a flat position. Use a series of light taps until the joint is gradually locked together (Figures 5A-B).
