Acclimation

Allow planks to acclimate 24-48 hours in a climate-controlled space (65-85°F) before installation. Store cartons flat (never on edge), no more than 5 boxes high, with carton ends open for airflow.

Pro tip: Run the HVAC for 48 hours before installation to stabilize room temperature and humidity. On new-construction sites especially — fresh drywall releases significant moisture for weeks after finishing, and you want that settled before the floor goes down.

Subfloor flatness

Subfloor must be smooth, dry, structurally sound, and flat within 3/16″ in a 10-foot radius. Grind down high spots and fill low spots with a latex-fortified cementitious patching compound. Wood subfloors require 3/4″ minimum thickness over 19.2″-on-center joists.

Pro tip: Use a 6-foot straightedge and check flatness every 3 feet in a grid pattern, not just one line across the longest dimension. Small local dips are what telegraph through SPC seams over time, not the 10-foot average.

Moisture testing (concrete)

On concrete, moisture vapor transmission must not exceed 8 lbs/1000 sq.ft./24 hours per ASTM F-1869 (Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Test). Internal relative humidity must not exceed 85% per ASTM F-2170 (in-situ probe test).

Pro tip: On concrete slabs less than 60 days old, test moisture per ASTM F2170 (in-situ probe) even if the manufacturer doesn’t require it. Fresh concrete releases moisture for months. Waiting an extra week saves you from adhesive failure or trapped moisture issues down the road.

Moisture barrier (concrete subfloors)

A minimum 6-mil poly film moisture barrier between concrete and the SPC plank is REQUIRED for ALL concrete substrates as a vapor retarder. This is mandatory for warranty coverage.

Pro tip: 6-mil polyethylene vapor barrier over concrete is NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association) best practice — even for waterproof SPC. The core is waterproof but click-lock seams are not engineered for continuous moisture pressure from below. Unroll the poly, overlap seams 6-8 inches, seal with waterproof tape, run 2-4 inches up walls. This protects the click-lock seams and extends floor life by decades.

Underlayment (do not replace the attached pad)

Planks have 1.5mm IXPE pad pre-attached. Do NOT use additional underlayment under the SPC planks — adding extra cushion voids the warranty and can cause locking failures.

Pro tip: Two layers of pad compress unevenly under foot traffic, which causes the click-lock seams above to flex and eventually separate. The engineered IXPE pad is sized to the plank’s flex tolerances. Leave it alone, and fix any subfloor issues below the pad rather than above.

Installation method

Float the planks (no glue, no nail). Begin laying from the left side of the starting wall with the tongue side facing the starting wall. Place 5/16″ (8.2mm) spacers between plank ends and walls. Stagger end joints minimum 8″ row-to-row. Use a tapping block — never strike the plank surface directly.

Pro tip: The 1/4-inch expansion gap isn’t negotiable — it goes at walls, cabinets, islands, pipes, pillars, door jambs, and sliding door tracks. Skip it at one wall and the floor has nowhere to expand into; you’ll get buckling in the middle of the room by the second summer.

Radiant heat compatibility

Compatible with hydronic radiant heat only — NOT electric heating mats. Heating elements must be embedded in the subfloor with minimum 1/2″ separation from the flooring. Operate the radiant system at normal temperature for at least 21 days before installation, then turn off 24 hours prior. Maximum subfloor surface temperature is 85°F at all times.

Pro tip: Rushing the ramp-up is the #3 radiant-heat SPC warranty issue we see — edge separation from thermal shock. 5°F per day back to operating temperature is conservative but reliable. Plan for a 2-week ramp-up period, not a 2-day one.

Daily maintenance

Sweep or vacuum regularly (beater bar OFF). Wipe spills with clean water and a damp (not wet) mop. Use cleaners formulated for vinyl flooring — never polishes, waxes, abrasives, or ammonia-based cleaners.

Pro tip: pH-neutral is the keyword. Acidic cleaners (vinegar-based) and alkaline cleaners (ammonia-based) both dull the Ceramic Bead finish over months, even if they clean well short-term. Stick with a dedicated vinyl cleaner and a damp microfiber mop — wring it out before the mop hits the floor.

What to avoid

Do not install over carpet, cushioned-back resilient flooring, or any floating/loose-laid surface. Do not install cabinets on top of the planks — install flooring around fixed cabinets.

Pro tip: Abrasive powders, scouring pads, and ‘miracle’ cleaners aren’t just warranty issues — they physically scratch the wear layer. Once it’s scratched, you can’t refinish SPC the way you can hardwood. Stick with microfiber and pH-neutral cleaners, and the floor will outlast most of its owners.

Furniture and pet protection

Use felt protectors under chair and furniture legs. Wide rubber casters required on rolling chairs. Use a 1/8″ Masonite sheet to cover and protect the floor when moving heavy furniture or appliances.

Pro tip: Pet claws don’t usually damage a 20 mil wear layer during normal walking — but scrambling starts and stops on hardwood transitions can chip the painted bevel edges. Keep claws trimmed and use runners in hallways where pets sprint.