FAQS ABOUT VINYL
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We answer all your questions about vinyl flooring.
How Much Flooring Do I Need?
STEP 1
Multiple the length of the room by the width of the room. This is the square footage of your space.
STEP 2
Add an additional 10% for waste during installation. This is your total square footage.
STEP 3
Divide the total square footage by the square footage in each carton. This is the number of cartons you need.
GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT VINYL FLOORING
HOW IS VINYL FLOORING MADE?
Vinyl flooring consists of PVC – a type of plastic – topped with a decorative paper layer and a wear layer. Some vinyl has a felt backing or is reinforced with fibreglass for greater stability. The wear layer may also be treated with aluminum oxide, ceramic bead or nano silver. A variety of finishes are available that are applied to the top of the vinyl, which makes it look more like real wood or tile.
IS VINYL FLOORING COMPLETELY WATERPROOF?
Because vinyl is made from PVC, it is completely waterproof by itself. However, glue used during installation may decrease the overall imperviousness of the final floor. Also, a large amount of standing water can seep through the seams between the planks or tiles, and damage your subfloor, just like with other types of flooring. For this reason, you should clean up spills as quickly as possible.
WHAT IS THE THICKNESS AND WEAR LAYER THICKNESS?
Vinyl flooring packaging will show two thicknesses, one for the total product and one for the wear layer. Total thickness will determine how well the vinyl hides subfloor imperfections and is measured in millimetres (or sometimes inches). The wear layer thickness will determine your floor’s durability and is measured in millimetres or in mil. A 0.5 mm (20 mil) wear layer is usually the minimum required for commercial uses.
ARE THERE PHTHALATES AND HEAVY METALS IN VINYL FLOORING?
When creating recycled vinyl flooring, chemicals that contain phthalates and heavy metals are required to keep the vinyl flexible enough to be useable. If this is a concern for you, look for virgin vinyl that contains no recycled materials – these are always ortho-phthalate free.
ARE THERE FORMALDEHYDE EMISSIONS IN VINYL FLOORING?
Formaldehyde is a harmful chemical usually associated with laminate and engineered flooring products. It is not a concern with today’s vinyl flooring. All our vinyl products are verified as formaldehyde free.
QUESTIONS ABOUT INSTALLATION
WHERE CAN I INSTALL VINYL FLOORING?
Vinyl flooring can be installed in almost any room, over a lightly textured or porous surface, or over a well-bonded, solid floor. We do not recommend that you install vinyl in areas where it will be exposed to long-term direct sunlight, such as in sunrooms or solariums.
CAN I INSTALL VINYL FLOORING OVER CARPET?
No, all carpet and padding should be removed completely prior to installation. Rough, heavily textured and/or uneven surfaces may telegraph through the vinyl and distort the finished surface.
CAN I INSTALL VINYL FLOORING OVER WOOD, PLYWOOD, PARTICLEBOARD OR CHIPBOARD?
You can install vinyl over wood floors if you put a plywood subfloor on top of it. Do not install glue down or peel and stick products over particleboard, chipboard or any form of embossed floor. Do not install peel and stick products over Lauan (Luan) decorative plywood.
CAN I INSTALL VINYL FLOORING OVER CONCRETE?
You can install vinyl flooring over concrete that has cured for at least 60 days prior to installation. Glue down and peel and stick products should not be installed on below-grade concrete surfaces where moisture may be a problem.
CAN I INSTALL VINYL FLOORING OVER CERAMIC TILES?
Yes, but you will need to fill grout lines with a leveling compound. Subfloors must be even within 3 mm over 1.82 m (1/8" over 6').
CAN I INSTALL VINYL FLOORING OVER RADIANT HEATING?
an I install vinyl flooring over radiant heating? Most vinyl flooring can be installed over electric or hydronic radiant heated floors, with the exception of peel and stick or self-locking (Vinloc) products. Loose lay vinyl flooring will need to be glued down if you have a radiant heated floor. Do not turn heat above 29ºC (84ºF).
DO I NEED TO USE UNDERLAY?
Vinyl flooring that is bonded directly to the subfloor and does not require underlay.
DO I NEED TO USE TRANSITION MOULDING?
If you exceed the maximum run length for your click or self-locking vinyl, you will need to use transition moulding. For click vinyl only, you also have the option of adhering the vinyl to you subfloor using the “dri-tac” (full spread method). For the “dri-tac” method, apply a high-tack universal flooring adhesive specifically designed for vinyl plank flooring on the subfloor prior to installation.
WHICH DIRECTION DO I INSTALL VINYL FLOORING?
First consider which way the light enters your room, as it is best to install vinyl with the planks running parallel to the light coming in windows or doors. The starter wall should also be as long and straight as possible.
SHOULD I STAGGER PLANKS DURING INSTALLATION?
Yes, always stagger vinyl when installing the floor. Start the first row with a full plank, the second row with 2/3 of a plank and the third row with 1/3 of a plank. The distance between joints from one row to the next must be 20 cm (8”) or greater for the remainder of the installation.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY FIRST ROW OF PLANKS IS NOT STRAIGHT?
It is very important that your first row be absolutely straight as it is the foundation of your installation. If your first row is not properly aligned or joints are not sealed tightly, there may be gaps between the planks. This will allow residue or unwanted particles to get caught in the grooves and result in poor alignment. Do not continue to install your second row of planks if your first row is installed incorrectly.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A PLANK OR TILE THAT HAS BEEN INSTALLED IS DAMAGED?
Planks and tiles can be replaced or repaired by a flooring professional.