No. 3 9x60 Rigid Core Vinyl Flooring

VINYL LVP INSTALLATION GUIDE

Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank Installation Guide

Reno Source

www.therenosource.com

IMPORTANT READ BEFORE YOU BEGIN

It is the sole responsibility of the owner, purchaser, and installer to assess product suitability, ensure subfloor conditions meet requirements, inspect all planks before installation, and follow all instructions. Failure to comply may void the product warranty. 

 

1. OVERVIEW

 

Congratulations on your Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank project. This product is a waterproof, one hundred percent floating floor designed for durability and ease of installation. With a 22 mil wear layer, 6.5 millimeter rigid core, 5G click locking system, and pre attached 1.5 millimeter foam underlayment, it is suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and general residential use. Proper planning and preparation are essential to achieving a long lasting and professional result. Read this entire guide before starting installation.

Product Specifications

Plank size is 9 inches by 60 inches. Total thickness is 6.5 millimeters. Wear layer thickness is 22 mil. Locking system is 5G click. Core is one hundred percent waterproof rigid core. Underlayment is pre attached 1.5 millimeter foam. Installation method is floating click lock only.

Health and Safety

Cutting vinyl plank flooring may produce fine dust. Use dust collection when possible and wear a NIOSH designated dust mask, safety glasses, and gloves. Ensure proper ventilation in the work area. Some older resilient flooring materials may contain asbestos fibers or crystalline silica. Do not sand, dry sweep, or power sand these materials. If asbestos is suspected, consult a professional abatement contractor before proceeding.

Acclimation and Storage

Acclimate planks for a minimum of 48 hours in the room or rooms where they will be installed. Store and install material at room temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Maintain indoor relative humidity between 35 and 65 percent. Store boxes flat on a clean elevated surface and do not store on edge. Protect material from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and moisture. Order an additional 10 to 15 percent material to account for cuts and waste.

Pre Installation Checklist

Inspect every plank before installation. Once installed, planks are considered accepted. Verify that temperature and humidity fall within required ranges. For new construction, ensure all wet trades are completed and cured. Confirm subfloor is clean, dry, flat, and structurally sound. Review all product specific documentation including warranty terms.

 

2. TOOLS AND MATERIALS

 

Required tools include a rubber mallet for tapping planks into place, a tapping block to protect edges, a pull bar for the final row, quarter inch spacers to maintain expansion gaps, a utility knife and straight edge for scoring and snapping planks, tape measure and pencil for marking cuts, chalk line for layout, circular saw or jigsaw for cutting around obstacles, and a broom or vacuum for subfloor cleaning.

 

3. STEP BY STEP INSTALLATION

 

Step 1 Subfloor Preparation

A properly prepared subfloor is critical to the performance of rigid core vinyl plank flooring. While the product can tolerate minor imperfections, it must meet flatness, cleanliness, and structural requirements. The subfloor must be flat within 3 sixteenths of an inch over 10 feet or 1 eighth of an inch over 6 feet. Sand high spots and fill low areas with self leveling compound as needed. Remove all debris, fasteners, and adhesive residue. Countersink all nail and screw heads and ensure there is no excessive flex or movement. Installation over subfloors with excessive deflection may cause locking joint failure and is not covered by warranty.

Concrete subfloors must be fully cured and at least 60 days old. Surfaces should not be sealed, painted, or overly smooth. Light grinding may be required. Do not install over slabs with hydrostatic pressure or moisture seepage. Moisture testing must show no more than 90 percent relative humidity. If moisture levels are borderline, install a 6 mil polyethylene moisture barrier with seams overlapped and taped.

Wood panel subfloors must be plywood or OSB with a minimum thickness of 5 eighths of an inch, with 3 quarter inch recommended. Panels must be properly fastened to joists. Repair squeaks and loose sections. Sand or fill seams exceeding flatness tolerance and replace damaged or delaminated areas.

Existing flooring such as hardwood or engineered wood must be secured and sanded flat. For planks wider than 4 inches, add a quarter inch underlayment. Ceramic or porcelain tile floors must have grout joints filled flush if they exceed one eighth inch. Loose tiles must be repaired or removed. Sheet vinyl must be fully adhered, flat, and limited to one existing layer. Do not install over carpet, cushioned vinyl, linoleum, particle board, or any surface that compresses underfoot.

Step 2 Layout Planning

Install planks parallel to the longest wall or main light source when possible. Measure room width and divide by plank width to determine final row size. If the last row will be less than 2 inches wide, trim the first row to balance the layout. Snap a chalk line parallel to the starting wall to maintain straight rows.

Step 3 First Row Installation

Remove the tongue from the long side of first row planks. Place quarter inch spacers along the starting wall and all perpendicular walls. Position the first plank in the left corner with the cut edge toward the wall and the click edge facing into the room. Connect end joints by angling planks together. Cut the final plank in the row to length while maintaining the expansion gap. Use off cuts of at least 8 inches to begin the next row to stagger joints.

Step 4 Installing Additional Rows

Angle the long edge of the plank into the groove of the previous row at approximately 20 to 25 degrees and press down until the click engages. Connect end joints within the row before fully locking into the previous row. Stagger joints a minimum of 8 inches and avoid repeating patterns. Periodically check that rows remain straight and parallel.

Step 5 Obstacles and Adjustments

Use a jigsaw or hole saw to cut around pipes and obstacles, leaving a quarter inch clearance that will be covered with trim or escutcheon plates. If planks do not fully lock, check subfloor flatness. Do not force planks into place. Use a pull bar and rubber mallet to close gaps where needed.

Step 6 Last Row Installation

Measure remaining space and subtract a quarter inch for expansion. Rip cut planks to width and use a pull bar to lock the final row into place.

Step 7 Finishing

Remove all spacers. Sweep and vacuum thoroughly. Install baseboards or trim to cover the expansion gap, fastening trim to the wall only and not through the flooring. Restrict foot traffic for 24 hours. Lift furniture into position and use felt pads on all legs.

 

4. TIPS AND WARNINGS

 

Transition moldings are required between rooms of the same height, at changes in floor height, at stair edges, and where the floor meets door tracks or fireplaces. For rooms longer than 40 feet or wider than 26 feet, an interior expansion joint with T molding is required.

For radiant heat systems, confirm compatibility with the manufacturer. Surface temperature must not exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Operate the system at normal temperature for two weeks before installation, reduce temperature prior to install, and gradually increase after installation. Maintain proper humidity levels year round.

Do not add additional underlayment unless required as a thin moisture barrier on concrete. Excess underlayment can interfere with the click locking system.

 

5. CARE AND MAINTENANCE

 

Sweep or dust mop regularly. Vacuum using a hard floor setting without a beater bar. Damp mop occasionally using a neutral pH vinyl cleaner and a well wrung microfiber mop. Wipe spills immediately. In bathrooms, apply clear silicone caulk along the perimeter. Avoid steam cleaners, abrasive pads, waxes, acrylic finishes, ammonia, bleach, solvents, acidic cleaners, or vinegar based products.

Protect floors with entry mats, felt furniture pads, and wide casters rated for hard surfaces. Always lift furniture instead of sliding. Keep pet nails trimmed and protect flooring from prolonged direct sunlight. Minor scuffs can be repaired with a vinyl floor repair kit. Damaged planks can be replaced individually by removing from the nearest wall. Save extra planks for future repairs.

 

6. WARRANTY AND CONTACT INFORMATION

 

This product carries a limited lifetime residential warranty and a limited ten year light commercial warranty. Coverage includes structural integrity of the rigid core and locking system, wear layer performance under normal use, and waterproof core integrity. Warranty does not cover improper installation, environmental conditions outside specified ranges, steam cleaning, subfloor movement, flooding, surface damage, fading, dye lot variation, clearance or as is products, or labor costs.

To file a claim, contact the original retailer. If unresolved, submit a written claim to Reno Source within the warranty period including proof of purchase, installation details, and photos of the affected area.

Reno Source Inc

www.therenosource.com

support@therenosource.com

Finish Materials

Based in the USA