SPC or Stone Product Composite vinyl flooring is a rigid type of flooring that perfectly suits the style of your interior. Unlike other types of vinyl, SPC vinyl flooring has a unique feature of having little or no reaction to cold and heat. The reason for this stability is mainly due to the fact that this floor is made of stone. However, it must be admitted that the successful installation of SPC vinyl flooring is not something that everyone can do. Several details must be taken into account to successfully install this type of flooring. In this article, we offer you a complete guide for an SPC vinyl floor installed according to standards.
First of all, it should be noted that vinyl flooring can be installed in all rooms and on all floors of the house. It can indeed be placed in the kitchen as well as in the bathroom. Please note that before installing the floor, any work involving water or humidity must be completed. SPC vinyl flooring cannot be placed directly on any type of floor.
During installation, the ambient temperature must also be above 5°C. The SPC vinyl flooring must be placed in a temperature-controlled environment. Temperature conversions will only be accepted once the installation is complete. Once the installation is complete, the temperature must be maintained between -60°C and 60°C.
When purchasing your SPC vinyl flooring, also ensure that all cartons contain the correct product. Also, you must handle your SPC vinyl flooring with care so that it retains its good quality. During installation, it would also be ideal to always lay your flooring in daylight so that imperfections, such as differences in gloss, can be observed as much as possible.
Also inspect all boards for visible defects before and at the time of installation. The aim is to avoid installing damaged boards. It is also advisable to use several boxes and mix the boards together to achieve a better appearance.
It should also be noted that SPC vinyl flooring needs space to expand and contract without binding or rubbing against vertical surfaces. Rooms and corridors should use a transition moulding . To do this, make sure to leave 6 mm around each obstacle, taking into account cabinets and cupboards.
For a proper installation, you will need a few tools. These include a measuring tape, an all-purpose knife and a circular saw or floor cutter. You will also need a rubber mallet, spacers, ruler and pencil.
Before installing, it is advisable to measure your room in order to calculate the amount of flooring you will need. To do this, multiply the length by the width of your room. To this you will add the surface area of all closets. Then add 5 to 10% of the total surface area to account for losses during cutting. Keep in mind that it is advisable to keep the few boards that are not installed in case of need.
To successfully install an SPC vinyl floor, you need to be organized. Start by deciding in which direction the floors will be installed. Ideally, this type of flooring should be parallel to the longest wall and perpendicular to the joists. Or you can simply choose to install your boards parallel to the main source of light in the room.
Don’t hesitate to use an appropriate compound to fill cracks as well as holes in the subfloor if necessary. Also, it is important that the surface is structurally healthy, clean and dry. Namely, the floor must be at a level of 4.7 mm by 3 radius and the maximum deflection must not exceed 1.1 mm.
Also make sure to leave a 6 mm space between walls and other obstacles such as pipes, stairs, pillars and others. Mouldings can be specifically used to cover these spaces after installation. When measuring to install around pipes, also remember to drill holes 12 mm larger than the pipes.
If possible, SPC joints should also be avoided above the subfloor. In addition, the floor covering should not be laid over expansion joints. Kitchen cabinets and islands should also not be installed on SPC vinyl floors. If necessary, also remember to remove thresholds, complaints and existing flooring as much as possible before installing SPC vinyl flooring. Note that if your surface is already smooth and solid, you can skip this step.
Door mouldings should be reduced for a more optimal appearance. This is one way to allow the SPC vinyl to move without being pinched. After making these preparations, remember to vacuum the installation area to remove debris and dust.
Above all, be aware that to cut a board, it must be placed upwards. Using a knife and a ruler, cut it by pushing firmly several times on the same line. Then place one hand near the cut and push firmly with your other hand to lift the other half of the board. The board should split naturally at the cut mark.
Once you have fully prepared and cleaned the subfloor, start by laying the planks from left to right for the first row. To do this, place the first plank so that the grooved edge faces your direction. Then place the plank 6 mm from the left wall. For a better result, use spacers between the wall and the boards in question.
To install the second plank in the first row, lay the plank by fitting it with the first end and gently tap with a rubber mallet to lock them together. Unless I am mistaken, they should be the same size. So make sure that the two are perfectly aligned. And continue in the same way towards the wall to your right.
When installing the last plank in the first row, make sure you measure the required length to leave a 6 mm gap for expansion between the plank and the wall on the right.
To start the second row, use the rest of the board cut from the last place in the first row. As long as the piece is at least 30 cm long, otherwise you can always cut a new board to start this row. Also, always make sure that the joints are at least 18 cm apart. If possible, use the rest of the boards cut from the ends of the rows to start the next rows.
Continue this step by clicking all the long sides of the new board together with the long side of the previous row. This is done by placing the board firmly at the short end of the previous board in the same row at a 30° angle. Remove the board and then gently tap it with the rubber mallet to secure it. These should be the same size if they are laid correctly. After laying two or three rows, check the straightness with a rope line. Note that if the planks are not straight, you will need to trim them to fit properly.
Continue by placing another board on top, touching the side of the board against the last wall. Once this is done, draw a line along the edge of this piece marking the first plank and cut it using this line to obtain the required plank width. Then, make sure to insert this cut board against the last wall. Remember that the last row must have a minimum width of 5 cm. The spacers can then be removed afterwards.
Once the installation is complete, replace the mouldings, leaving a slight clearance between the mouldings and the SPC vinyl, and that’s it.