Installation Guide

Installation Instructions
Home Decorators Collection
Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
For Assistance, Call: 1-866-843-8453
Homedepot.com/homedecorators
Product Description
4.0 mm (0.16 in.) x 7.5 in. x 47.6 in.
Vinyl Plank with DropLock 100
TM
joints
Grade Levels
Above Grade / On Grade
Below Grade
Installation Method
Floating - Drop and Lock
2 HOMEDEPOT.COM/HOMEDECORATORS
Revised 1/5/2017 Please contact 1-866-843-8453 for further assistance.
PLYWOOD OR ORIENTED STRAND BOARD (OSB) SPECIFICATIONS
On truss/joist spacing of 16 in. (406 mm) O/C or less, the industry standard
for single-panel subflooring is a minimum 5/8 in. (19/32 in., 15.1 mm)
CD Exposure 1 plywood subfloor panels (CD Exposure 1) or 23/32 in. OSB
Exposure 1 subfloor panels, 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets. Expansion gap between panels
should be 1/8 in. (3 mm). If panels are not tongued and grooved and there
is not sufficient spacing or is inadequate, cut in the required spacing with a
circular saw. Do not cut in expansion space on tongue and groove panels.
PARTICLE BOARD OR FIBER BOARD
Only for floating installation.
EXISTING FLOORS
Installation over existing floor requires the installer to consider potential issues
related to moisture damage, adhesive failure and fastener failure. Contact
the adhesive and fastener manufacturers respectively for their specific
instructions, recommendations and requirements.
Acceptable floor coverings include: Solid hardwood, linoleum (1 layer only),
terrazzo, ceramic, and stone tile. Tiled floors with grout lines larger than 1/4 in.
will require a cementitious leveling compound to fill any grout lines, voids, or
cracks.
Unacceptable floor coverings include: Carpet (any type), foam underlayment,
cushioned-back vinyl, rubber, cork, laminates, free-floating floors, and wooden
floors over concrete.
JOB SITE CONDITION
Prior to installation, the installer must ensure that at the time of installation,
the job site conditions including subfloor/substrate, ambient temperature and
relative humidity, and all impacting variables will not negatively affect the
floor. The manufacturer will decline responsibility for damages associated with
improper installation or poor site conditions.
STORAGE AND CONDITIONS
Condition vinyl planks prior to installation. You MUST store vinyl planks
horizontally in the room of installation for 48 hours prior to installation. Be sure
the room temperature is between 65º & 85º F (18ºC & 30ºC). Do not remove the
planks from the case during this acclimation period! Maintain this temperature
during installation as well. The HVAC system should be operational at least
two weeks prior to installation and remain on after installation as vinyl planks
must be in a temperature controlled environment. Product should be stored
horizontally in a dry area away from direct sunlight, Do not leave next to heat
or cooling ducts. Ensure that all trades have been completed to eliminate
dry wall dust, paints etc. Do not store flooring in uncontrolled environmental
conditions. For example, garages and exterior patios are not acceptable areas
to store flooring. Flooring stored on a concrete slab should be elevated at least
four inches to allow air circulation under cartons.
EXISTING HOME
An existing home should have a consistent room temperature of 65º F to 85º
F and relative humidity (RH) of 35%-85%. Continual deviation from these
conditions will affect the dimensions of flooring. When using a heater during
winter months, humidity may be much lower than the acceptable range.
During the warmer months, maintain humidity levels using an air conditioner,
dehumidifier, or by turning on your heating system periodically.
NEW CONSTRUCTION OR REMODEL
All work involving water, such as pouring basement concrete floors, drywall
and plasterwork, plumbing, etc. must be completed well in advance of the
floor delivery. Ensure that the building is enclosed. Where building codes
allow, permanent heating and/or air conditioning systems should be operating
at least two weeks preceding installation and should be maintained during
and after installation. If it is not possible for the permanent heating and/or
air conditioning system to be operating before, during and after installation,
a temporary heating and/or dehumidification system that simulates normal
living (occupied) conditions can enable the installation to proceed until
the permanent heating and/or air conditioning system is fully operational.
Your job site should have a consistent temperature of 65º F to 85º F and
relative humidity (RH) of 35%-85% which should be maintained continuously
thereafter.
RECOMMENDED INSTALLATION AREA
Do not install vinyl planks over carpet or any foam underlayment. This product
is not suitable for any outside use, sunrooms/solariums, saunas, seasonal
porches, camping trailers, boats, RV’s or rooms that have a potential of
flooding. Do not install in rooms or homes that are not temperature controlled.
Exposure to long term direct sunlight can cause damage to your floor. Failure
to properly shade or UV tint windows can discolor, fade, or buckle vinyl
planks. Use window treatments or UV tinting on windows. Vinyl planks are
not intended for use on stairs or vertical surfaces. Do not glue, nail, screw or
fasten to substrate. Install cabinetry, island and peninsula counters, vanities,
tubs, and showers first. Then install vinyl planks around them.
BASEMENTS AND CRAWL SPACES
Concrete slab or ground must be dry. Ensure that crawl spaces have open
vents year round to ensure proper air circulation and prevent moisture build
up. The ground in the crawl spaces must be completely covered using 6 mil
black polyethylene. Crawl space clearance between the earth and underside
of joists should be no less than 18 in. and the perimeter vent area should be
equal to 1.5% of the total square footage of the crawl space or as mandated
by code.
RADIANT HEATED SUBFLOOR
This product can be installed over radiant heat concrete subfloors. The
radiant heating system must be cast 1/2 in. below the surface of the concrete
slab and should be operating at least 2 weeks before installation. Set the
temperature of the radiant heating system to 68° F 48 hours before, during,
and 72 hours after installation. You may gradually raise the temperature
starting 72 hours after installation. The finished floor surface must not exceed
85° F (29°C) for the life of the floor. Because radiant heat creates a dry heat
that can lower interior humidity levels, it may be necessary to add a humidifier
to maintain the humidity level between 30-85% to prevent damage to the vinyl
floor. Consult with the radiant heat system manufacturer to ensure that the
system is compatible with vinyl flooring.
MOISTER BARRIER/UNDERLAYMENT PADDING
CONCRETE SUBFLOOR
When installing over a crawl space or concrete slab, it may be necessary
to use a moisture barrier to prevent moisture migration. A plastic film with
a minimum thickness of 6 mil should be placed with a 4 – 6 in. (101.6 –
152 mm) overlapped seam, and taped with a suitable tape, this should be
combined with an approved underlayment padding for floating floors.
SOUND CONTROL UNDERLAYMENT
Check with the sound control manufacturer for application guidelines.
Generally, the less compressive underlayment is preferred.
EXPANSION GAP
A required gap width of 1/4 in. is required around the perimeter of the floor
and between the floor and all vertical obstructions. Do not place permanently
mounted structures such as kitchen counters/cabinets on the installed floor.
TRANSITION MOLDING
For floating installation, transition T-molding is required in the following cases:
floors spanning greater than 30 ft. in width and 50 ft. in length; doorways and
archways less than 4 feet wide.
TOOLS AND MATERIALS BASICS
Tape measure • Moisture meter (wood, concrete or both) • Utility knife &
straight edge • Measuring tape • Shears for cutting around irregular shaped
objects (pipes) • 6 mm (1/4 in.) spacers • Pencil • Tapping block • Soft faced
hammer • Eye protection • Broom