Acclimation

Acclimate boxes flat in the installation room for 48 hours at 65–85°F and 35–65% relative humidity before installing.

Pro tip: SPC doesn’t need acclimation the way hardwood does, but the install room should be at its normal operating temperature during install — not 60°F in winter or 90°F in summer. Install at the temperature the room will typically be. This minimizes edge-gap changes after the floor settles.

Subfloor flatness

Subfloor must be flat to within 3/16 inch over 10 feet. Fill low spots and grind high points before installation.

Pro tip: On wood subfloors, check for joist deflection before installation. Walk the subfloor — if you feel bounce or hear creaking, SPC will amplify it over time. Install additional bridging between joists before flooring goes down. Common in older Bay Area homes.

Moisture testing (concrete)

Test concrete subfloors per ASTM F1869 (≤ 5 lbs/1000 sqft/24hr CaCl) or ASTM F2170 (≤ 80% RH).

Pro tip: One moisture test is a snapshot, not a seasonal profile. Slab moisture in the Bay Area can swing 10-15 percentage points between wet and dry seasons. If your test passes in summer, retest in winter before committing, or just install the 6-mil vapor barrier as standard practice.

Moisture barrier (concrete subfloors)

A 6-mil polyethylene moisture barrier is required over concrete subfloors. Not required over wood subfloors that pass moisture testing.

Pro tip: We’ve replaced too many vinyl floors that failed from slab moisture in Bay Area homes — many built on fill or near old creek beds. Even when the slab tests dry today, seasonal water table shifts can push moisture up through the concrete years later. 6-mil polyethylene sheeting is $30-50 per room and takes 20 minutes to install. Always install it over concrete, regardless of what the manufacturer spec says is “required.”

Underlayment (do not replace the attached pad)

No additional underlayment required — 1.5mm IXPE anti-microbial acoustic pad is factory-attached.

Pro tip: The attached anti-microbial acoustic IXPE pad is part of the warranty contract, not an accessory. Adding foam, cork, or rubber underneath voids the structural integrity coverage. If the subfloor is irregular, fix that with leveling compound first — don’t stack pads to mask a subfloor problem.

Installation method

Floating click installation. Leave 1/4-inch expansion gap at all walls and fixed objects. Do not glue or nail.

Pro tip: Stagger end joints at least 8 inches between adjacent rows for structural integrity and visual realism. A random stagger looks more natural than a rigid 1/3 or 1/2 offset. We typically cut the first plank of every other row at 12 inches to start the stagger, then let natural plank lengths drive randomness.

Radiant heat compatibility

Radiant heat compatible. Maximum surface temperature 80°F. Heat must rise gradually (no more than 5°F per hour during initial warm-up).

Pro tip: Per manufacturer: Radiant heat compatible. Maximum surface temperature 80°F. Heat must rise gradually (no more than 5°F per hour during initial warm-up). The surface temperature cap is the critical number. Hydronic systems typically run below spec naturally; electric mats can exceed it if the thermostat is mis-positioned. Position the sensor in the finished floor, not in the slab, and verify with an infrared thermometer before tiling furniture or rugs on top.

Daily maintenance

Sweep or dry-mop regularly. Clean with a damp mop and pH-neutral cleaner. Never use wax, polish, steam mops, or abrasive cleaners.

Pro tip: The fastest way to wear out the wear layer is tracked-in grit. Walk-off mats at every entrance plus twice-weekly vacuuming (hard-floor setting, no beater bar) in high-traffic areas buys years of finish life. The wear layer handles traffic; abrasive grit grinds it down prematurely.

What to avoid

Avoid prolonged direct sunlight without UV-protective window film. Do not use rolling chairs without protective floor mats.

Pro tip: Rubber- and latex-backed walk-off mats cause permanent yellow discoloration under SPC warranties. The rubber chemistry reacts with the wear layer over months. Use felt-backed or woven natural-fiber mats instead — and never leave any mat in place over a seam line.

Furniture and pet protection

Use felt pads under all furniture legs. For heavy items, use wide-base coasters to distribute weight.

Pro tip: Felt pads on every furniture leg is non-negotiable — and they need replacing every 6-12 months as they compress and pick up grit. A 2-year-old felt pad is essentially sandpaper. Inexpensive protection against the most common source of visible wear.