VINYL WPC INSTALLATION GUIDE

Transportation and storage

Please transport A-Tech flooring® carefully without removing it from the original packaging. Large quantities should also be stored in the original packaging to prevent damage. If you intend to store panels for a long period of time, please read the tips in our article on storage of Vinyl WPC flooring.

Getting Ready to Lay

To calculate how many square metres of Vinyl WPC flooring you will need, measure and multiply the room’s length and width and then add an extra 10% to account for trim.

Acclimate A-Tech flooring® Vinyl WPC flooring by storing the unopened packages for at least 48 hours at room temperature (at least 18°C) where it will be installed.

Prior to laying A-Tech flooring® snap-together Vinyl WPC panels, check them once again to ensure that they are undamaged, of the right size and identical in appearance when viewed in daylight at the installation site. If you discover any actual defects, please contact your dealer or sales representative right away.

We also recommend that you devote thought to a laying pattern before starting. It’s also very helpful to calculate the panel lengths for the first two or three rows and cut them to size. The panels of the last row shouldn’t be narrower than 5cm. To achieve this, it may also be necessary make the first row narrower.

Tools and Materials Needed to Lay Vinyl  WPC Flooring

  • Utility knife and straight edge
  • Measuring tape
  • Spacer
  • Shears for cutting around irregular shaped objects 1/4″ spacers
  • Tapping block and hammer

Planks needed to complete your project

Measure the length and width of your room. If the room has alcoves or offsets, measure these separately. This will give you the square footage of the room. Purchase a minimum of 5% extra to cover mistakes, trimming and for future needs or replacement. Most installations require about 5% overage.

CAUTION: Do not install WPC over carpet.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Installing Vinyl WPC Flooring

CHECK THE PLANKS BEFORE INSTALLING THEM TO BE SURE OF APPEARANCE: The factory maintains strict quality control but it is still the installer’s responsibility to make sure that all boards are acceptable and can be installed. Do not install WPC floors where it will be exposed to temperatures greater than 110° F (43°C).
CONDITION THE WPC FLOOR BEFORE INSTALLATION: You must place WPC horizontally in the room where it will be installed for 48 hours prior to installation. Room temperature and humidity of installation areas should be consistent with normal, year-round living conditions for at least one week before installation of flooring. Maintaining an optimum room temperature of 70° F/ 21 C and a humidity range of 35-60% is recommended.
The subfloor surface must be smooth, flat, dry, clean and solid. Carpet staples or adhesive residue must be removed to ensure proper installation. Sub floors should be flat within a tolerance of 1/8″ (3 mm) over a span of 4 feet (1,22 m). Any unevenness over 1/8″ (3mm) must be sanded down or filled with a floor leveler. Voids or humps in the subfloor will prevent WPC from locking properly.
Subfloors must be carefully checked for moisture problems. WPC is waterproof but it is NOT a water proofer; any moisture problems need to be addressed prior to installation. New concrete floors need to cure for a minimum of 60 days.
HELPFUL NOTICE: If laying WPC over existing ceramic tile it will be necessary to skim coat the grout lines with a floor leveler. If you install WPC over an existing floor that has an embossing or grout line on it, you must skim coat with a floor leveler if the embossing or grout line is greater than 1/8″ (3 mm).

  1. Installation should begin with a corner (right hand side) and proceed from the wall with the tongue facing out away from the wall. Allow a minimum gap of 1/8″ (2-3 mm) for subfloor movement or product expansion, which should be covered by accessories. Please make sure you add a t-molding for any rooms greater than 25’ft.
  2. When laying the first row in a straight line interlock the long ends by inserting the tongue into the grooves at an angle of about 15º – 20º then folding the plank so that the short end from one plank fits on top of the next plank. Continue installing in a sequential manner.
  3. Make sure the seams between the planks are tight. You will feel and hear the click when locking the planks together to create a tight seam. There should be no gap visible between planks. Use a tapping block and hammer to make sure the tongue and groove engage properly together. If your seam appears not to be tight, you should immediately pull apart the planks and reinstall. Slowly lift the top plank away from the bottom plank and simply reinstall, repeating step No 2.
  4. When installing WPC, it is strongly suggested to stagger the rows so that the short edge seams are not in a straight uniform line. We advise the staggered rows. (Minimum 12″).
  5. To start the second row with the plank in proportion. Measure and mark the plank, then using a straight edge and utility knife, score the plank and snap.
  6. Interlock the plank tightly against the first row (long side) again at a 15º – 20º angle and folding down so the short end of one plank fits onto the next plank.
  7. Start the third row with the plank cut at appropriate length. Again the remaining piece can be used at the opposite end of the row, if the layout of the room permits.
  8. Continue this pattern for the remainder of the rows to be installed. Always place the cut end of the first plank against the wall.
  9. Fitting around irregular objects is not a problem. Simply make a pattern out of heavy paper to fit around pipes or irregular objects. Place the pattern upon the plank and trace. Cut along trace lines using a utility knife or heavy-duty scissors, and lay plank. Be sure to leave a minimum of ¼’’expansion space around all fixed objects, floor vents and doorframes.

Notes:

  • Concrete floors must be fully cured and dry. For all installations the site must be climate controlled.
  • The maximum run length is 7.6M (25’). For areas beyond, a transition strip must be used.
  • The following situations are beyond the warranty: Minor color, shade or texture variations between samples, printed color photography and the actual material.
  • Labour is not covered by warranty.

MAINTENANCE GUIDE

  1. First, sweep and vacuum the floor surface to ensure removal of all loose dust, dirt, and debris.
  2. Do not allow pets with unclipped nails to damage your WPC. It may result in severe scratching to the surface. The same is true for any high-heeled shoes that do not have proper tips on the heels.
  3. Long-term continuous inside temperatures over 43°C / 110 F combined with strong direct sunlight could damage your WPC and cause the installation to fail.
  4. If your floor has been exposed to excessive amounts of water due to flooding simply remove the water as quickly as possible. A dehumidifier should be promptly turned on in the room to reduce the moisture levels back to normal. Do not dry the room below the normal moisture level that existed previously.
  5. When moving appliances or heavy furniture it is always suggested to use plywood panel on your floor and “walk” the item across it. We also recommend using floor protectors under furniture and placing a walk-off mat at outside entrances to reduce the amount of dirt being brought in to your home.