Vinyl flooring is a popular choice for various rooms thanks to its durability and moisture resistance. The installation of vinyl flooring is relatively simple and does not require specialized tools. Before beginning installation, make sure the subfloor is clean, dry, and level.
Important information to consider before deciding on an SPC panel installation system.
1.
Before the flooring is delivered to the installation site, the building’s entry doors and windows must be installed, and all “wet” work must be completed—such as plastering, building partition walls, painting, etc. If there are basements beneath the floor installation area in the building, they must be dry and well-ventilated. SPC panels can be installed in all living spaces, such as living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, as well as in most public spaces.
SPC flooring should be used in accordance with its intended purpose as defined by the room usage classes specified in ISO 10874. Information regarding the suitability of a given SPC floor for a specific room use class can be found on the product packaging, in the product data sheet, and in the product description available at barlinek.com
Packages containing SPC flooring panels must be handled with care during transport and unloading to avoid any mechanical damage. SPC flooring panels in their original packaging should be stored in a dry place, in a horizontal position, on pallets or wooden beams. A clearance of at least 75 mm must be maintained between the packages of SPC panels and the floor.
The flooring should be stored in its original packaging in the room where it will be installed for at least 24 hours to allow it to acclimate. The air temperature should be between +18°C and +29°C.
2.
The moisture content of a wooden subfloor (or wood-based panels) should not exceed 12%. The moisture content of a concrete subfloor should not exceed 2%, and that of an anhydrite subfloor should not exceed 0.5%. The measurement results should be documented.
3.
When performing the installation of SPC panels over underfloor heating, the moisture content of the concrete subfloor should not exceed 1.5%, and that of the anhydrite subfloor should not exceed 0.3%. The measurement results should be documented.
4.
The maximum permissible unevenness may be up to 5 mm, measured over a length of 2 m. Local unevenness must not exceed 2 mm over a length of 20 cm.
5.
Before beginning the installation of SPC panels, sweep or vacuum the subfloor. The subfloor should be free of dust, debris, paint, varnish, wax, grease, oils, hardeners, sealants, solvents, sand, adhesive residue, fats, and other foreign matter.
6.
The substrate should be dry, stable, free of scratches and cracks, and clean, with no visible dirt. Cracks and defects in cement or anhydrite substrates should be filled. Grout joints wider than 5 mm and deeper than 2 mm must be filled.
Plywood, OSB, and particleboard must be structurally sound and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. We recommend the installation of wood-based panels in two layers, fastened with wood screws. The edges of one layer of panels should be installed in a staggered pattern relative to the other layer. The wood-based panel subfloor must provide adequate rigidity and support for the proper installation of the SPC flooring. The panel joints should be smooth and should not cause deflection or flex under load.
All screw heads should be slightly recessed below the surface of the panel.
Important:
SPC panels with an integrated underlay cannot be installed using an adhesive system.
7.
SPC flooring panels must not be installed over existing soft carpet flooring, soft PVC flooring, rugs, or other similar materials.
8.
Recommended tools and materials for the floor installation:
9.
Before installation, the investor or installer should inspect the SPC panels and verify that they match the order. The panels should be inspected for quality, finish, gloss, color, and mechanical damage (information regarding the product type can be found on the label, in the instructions, or on the product sheet). If in doubt, the investor or installer should not use any SPC panel that they consider unsuitable for installation and should contact the seller immediately. Installing a damaged SPC panel, one that does not match the order, has visible defects, or exhibits unacceptable visual characteristics will void the warranty.
10.
During installation, use panels from several packages, carefully matching their colors to achieve a balanced visual effect for the floor.
When ordering flooring, order about 3% more panels than the measured floor area. In rooms with many angles or obstacles, or where SPC panels are installed diagonally across the room or at the joints with ceramic tiles, you may need about a 10% surplus.
11.
The maximum floor dimensions for which an SPC floor installed as a floating floor does not require expansion joints are 15 m × 15 m. We always install expansion joints around walls and structural elements such as stairs and columns.
12.
Around items such as a kitchen island or heavy furniture, it is essential to leave an expansion gap around the cabinetry or furniture legs. The minimum width of the expansion gap is 10 mm. Heavy furniture must not be placed directly on the floor surface.
We always install wall expansion joints, regardless of the installation system chosen.
13.
Before beginning installation, verify that the material’s color is consistent. The technology used is designed to faithfully reproduce the unique characteristics of natural wood; therefore, slight variations in shade and texture among individual pieces are acceptable. This is a characteristic of the product, not a defect. A delivery may include panels from different production runs, which is standard practice. The buyer or installer is required to select and mix panels from different packages to achieve a harmonious visual effect. Installation should be suspended if significant contrasting color differences occur that disrupt the consistency of the decor.
14.
The SPC panel has a 1mm-thick foam underlay glued to its underside.
CS underlay parameter – short-term load ≥ 400 kPa.
An underlay integrated with an SPC panel with these specifications will withstand various types of loads throughout the floor’s service life.
IMPORTANT:
No additional underlay is used.
15.
Begin installation on the left side of the wall and continue toward the right. The expansion joint should be at least 10 mm wide. Expansion wedges will help ensure that the gap remains uniform. The expansion gap should run along the perimeter of the room and around any other obstacles, such as columns, stairs, ceramic tiles, etc.
16.
Align the short edge of the second SPC panel with the edge of the first one. Make sure the edges are perfectly aligned. The joined panels must be perfectly aligned in a straight line.
17.
Gently tap the joint between the edges with a non-marking hammer (sand-filled or white rubber) and fasten the lock following the tapping sequence 1 and 2. When the lock is properly fastened, the top surface of the panels should be flush, and there should be no visible difference in level between the joined elements.
18.
You can use a hand saw or an electric saw to cut the panels. Remember to leave an expansion gap of at least 10 mm after cutting the last panel. The recommended length of the last cut panel (A)
in the first floor strip should be at least 200 mm. If the cut piece (B) is longer than 200 mm, it can be used to start the installation of the second floor strip. The distance between end joints in two adjacent floor strips should be at least 200 mm.
19.
Insert the first SPC panel in the second row of the floor at an angle of approximately 30° into the lock of the panel in the first row. The recommended length of the SPC panel being installed should be at least 200 mm.
20.
If the panel does not drop freely during installation, tilt it up and down alternately and press down lightly.
21.
Use a panel tap to tap the panel along the long side. When installing panels, always tap the locks along the long side.
22.
Insert the second panel in the second row at an angle of approximately 30° into the lock of the panel installed in the first row.
23.
Push the panels together so that their short edges touch.
24.
After lowering the panel being installed, snap the panels together at the short locks and fasten the lock in the order of snaps 1 and 2.
25.
Use a panel tap to tap the panel along the long side. When installing panels, always tap the locks along the long side.
26.
We need to mark holes in the SPC panel that are 20 mm larger in diameter than the radiator pipes.
27.
Cut holes in the SPC panel. Draw a line through the center of the holes and use a saw to cut through the panel.
28.
We attach the cut-off piece of the panel using construction adhesive.
29.
Important:
There is no need to install an expansion joint where one room meets another. We install them along walls and other elements permanently built into the structure, such as stairs, columns, and other obstacles.
30.
Use a metal claw to tap the last row of SPC panels into place.
31.
After installing the entire floor surface, install the decorative skirting boards. Attach the skirting boards only to the walls, using mounting clips or adhesive.
32.
To achieve a natural floor pattern, mix boards of different lengths
within a single floor strip. The minimum recommended offset between joints on the short edges of SPC panels in adjacent floor strips must be greater than 200 mm.
SPC flooring with an integrated underlay can be installed over a water-based or electric underfloor heating system using a floating installation method.
IMPORTANT:
Installation on heating films (infrared mats) may only be performed using panels without an integrated underlay.
Before installing panels over underfloor heating, the screed must be cured, and a curing report must be prepared—this applies only to new, uncured screeds.
Information on heating the spout and the protocol are available at barlinek.com. The spout heating process should also be performed during the summer.
The maximum temperature at which the heating should be set is 27°C on the surface of the panels.
The installation of SPC flooring over heated floors using a floating installation method requires the use of isolation expansion joints between the heated areas and the areas without underfloor heating. The underfloor heating system should not be activated until at least 48 hours after the SPC flooring has been installed. When using SPC flooring on subfloors equipped with underfloor heating, keep in mind that any liquids spilled on the floor surface may evaporate more quickly. Therefore, any stains caused by liquids such as wine, urine, milk, etc.must be removed from the floor surface as soon as possible, as allowing them to dry on the surface of the SPC panels may cause permanent discoloration of the floor. The screed thickness above the heating elements should be at least 20 mm.
It is necessary to use controllers and floor temperature sensors. For installers—the use of thermal seals is recommended.
34.
It is very important that underfloor cooling systems be equipped with appropriate control systems that prevent water vapor from condensing on the floor surface. To prevent this, the temperature of the cold water in the pipes should not fall below a specified value. In every room with an underfloor cooling system, a sensor should be installed that calculates the relationship between relative humidity and the temperature on the surface of the floorboards and shuts off the cold water supply before the so-called dew point is reached, that is, the condensation of water vapor on the surface of the panels.
Room thermostats should not be set to a temperature lower than 23°C. Additionally, the difference between the thermostat setting and the room temperature should not exceed 5°C. Example: room temperature 30°C, thermostat set to at least 25°C.
The underfloor cooling system should be protected against the water temperature in the system dropping below +18°C.
35.
SPC panels with an integrated underlay can be installed in bathrooms and other rooms where water spills may occur, using a floating installation system.
In a floating installation system, it is essential to create an expansion gap in the frame opening that is at least 5 mm wide (adapted to the type of expansion strip used).
The expansion joint can be filled with a flexible sealant. With a floating installation system, we always create a 5-mm-wide perimeter expansion joint.
In a bathroom equipped with an underfloor heating system, an expansion joint
must be installed in the door frame opening, separating
the bathroom from the other rooms.
It is essential to install expansion joints around walls, shower enclosures, bathtubs, toilet bowls, and other obstacles permanently attached to the floor.
Important:
SPC panels must not be installed in shower pans, bathtubs, saunas, swimming pools, or other similar locations.
36.
Download the manual as a PDF file.
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