SPC Installation Precautions

Customers or installers responsibility prior to the installation of flooring products.

It is highly recommended that all our flooring is installed by a qualified and experienced contractor.

It is the installers/customers responsibility to carry out an inspection of the delivered flooring product prior to installation to ensure the colour, grade, gloss level, structural quality and finish are acceptable. It must also be confirmed that the correct product, as per viewed samples, has been delivered to site. If the product is deemed not acceptable, do NOT install it and contact your supplier immediately. If the product is installed it will be considered to be acceptable to the customer and the supplier will take no further responsibility.

SPC Flooring should never be stored outdoors, or any area of potential damage. Care should be taken to store the packs flat; packs should never be lent against a wall.

SPC flooring does not need to be climatized on site if stored within the normal temperature range of 18 to 26 degrees Celsius. If exposed to extreme temperatures outside this range for 12 hours

prior to installation it is essential the product be acclimatised in the correct temperature range for 48 hours.

A extra waste factor of 5 to 10% should be ordered with the stock

Levelling and subfloor requirements

Subfloors are to be made flat through grinding and/or levelling to the following Standards

Hybrid Floors: Not to exceed 3 mm under a 1 meter straight edge.

Timber and concrete subfloors must also be checked for high moisture prior to installation. All flooring contractors should possess moisture meters for concrete and timber sub-floors. High readings can be caused by poor drainage or leaks and will affect the finished flooring if not rectified. Although SPC Floors are highly resistant to moisture, it must be noted that if the subfloor is damp below the product issues such as odours and mould growth can occur.

Any timber substrate issue should be checked for structural integrity by a registered contractor prior to installation.

The flooring can be installed over many existing floor coverings such as ceramic tiles, PVC ties and linoleum. This flooring must be flat, level, dry and securely fixed. In the case of ceramics the grout lines must not exceed 3mm in width or depth. Grout lines can be filled with a suitable industry approved leveller if in excess of this.

Installation Instructions

SPC Flooring can only be installed as a floating system. 

The span of both the width and length of the floor should not exceed 20 x20 meters. Expansion joints should be fitted to compartmentalise a larger floor area So it can move correctly as a raft. This can be done in doorways or natural transitions from one area to another. At doorways or transitions the door jambs, or frames needs to be undercut well and all material removed for the timber floor to slide under and move freely. A gap of 1mm is recommended above the surface of the product. 

As SPC Flooring is supplied fitted with high density EVA 2mm foam underlay on the underside, the use of other underlays is not recommended.

If installed in wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries the flooring should be fitted with our matching expansion joints at the entrance to the room to allow for the correct movement.

As a general rule we recommend at least 8 to 10 mm expansion gap be allowed around the perimeter of a floating Hybrid floor. At no point should the flooring be in contact laterally with any solid structure. The flooring must be allowed to move independently or damage will occur, such as cupping, peaking, gapping or squeaking.

Flooring on stairs must be directly stuck with the appropriate polyurethane adhesive to the existing tread & riser, matching stair nosing to bet fitted on the front edge of each step. Also please make sure that the stair nosing meets the slip test guidelines at local place.

AII trims or skirting must be fitted with a 1mm clearance gap above the flooring to allow for the correct raft movement. Trims or skirting must not be fittd to the flooring product. The 1mm gap must not be caulked or siliconed in any way.

Although waterproof the product should not be installed in areas of excessive moisture such as outside areds, saunas or around pools.

After installation, if other trades are still to complete their work, a breathable protective covering should be Installed over the flooring. A breathable plastic should not be used as this will damage the product due to change of temperature and moisture. The flooring must be clean and clear of any debris prior to fitting of protection. The product must be taped using on edges with 3m Scotch Blue tape. Other tapes can cause surface damage.

It is also highly recommended that during the installation process the correct PPE ( Personal Protection Equipment) is used by the installer. These include P2 rated face masks, protective glasses or face shield, steel capped boots and protective work gloves.