Installation Guide

Preparing for Installation
Installation
Helpful Pointers
Homedepot.com/lifeproof
Please contact 1-877-630-1800 for further assistance
LPWSPC002
NOTE: Floor areas interrupted by wall openings greater than 5 ft.
wide, or interrupted by wall sections extending out of the wall, or
floor areas which are not rectangular may experience buckling or
gapping if there is excessive floor expansion or shrinkage.
MOISTURE BARRIER and UNDERLAYMENT PADDING
CONCRETE SUBFLOOR
When installing on concrete slab, it will 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.
SOUND CONTROL UNDERLAYMENT
Not necessary. The floor planks have attached foam padding for
sound mitigation.
EXPANSION GAP
Required gap width range is 5/16 - 3/8 in.It is required around the
perimeter of the floor and between floor and all vertical obstructions.
Do not place permanently mounted structures such as kitchen
counter/cabinet on the installed floor.
TRANSITION MOLDING
Maximum continuous installation without transition molding is 65
lineal feet. The limit can be extended to 85 lineal feet providing the
expansion gap around the perimeter and other vertical obstruction is
increased to 1/2 in. wide. Required at doorways or passageways 5
ft. wide or less.
TOOLS AND MATERIALS BASICS
Tape measure • Moisture meter
(wood, concrete or both) • Chalk
line & chalk • Non metal hammer •
Electric power saw • Carbide tipped
saw blade for fine cut •
NIOSH-designated dust mask
•
Hand saw or jamb saw • Eye
protection • Straight edge or
Spacers • Pry Bar • Mallet • Broom •
Color matched wood putty •
Tapping block • Pull bar • Painters
tape • 100% silicon • PE Foam
Backer Rod
EXISTING HOME
An existing home should have a consistent room temperature of
60°F-85°F and relative humidity (RH) of 40%-60%. 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. A humidifier is
recommended to prevent excess shrinkage in flooring due to low
humidity levels. 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 five days
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 60°F-85°F and relative humidity (RH)
of 40%-60% which should be maintained continuously thereafter.
BASEMENTS AND CRAWL SPACES
Concrete slab or ground must be dry. Ensure that crawl spaces
have open vents year-round for 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 of the 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 heated subfloor with
embedded heating elements. Heating system elements must be
separated from the flooring by at least 1/2 in. distance. Heating
system should be set at 70°F and run for 48 hours prior to and
during the entire installation. The heating system should be run 48
hours after installation. Then it can be gradually increased over
the course of 24 hours, until normal operating temperature is
reached. Floor temperature should not exceed 85°F. Do not make
abrupt changes in radiant heating temperatures.
GENERAL TIPS
□ Make sure your work area is well lit. Good visibility ensures that color is consistent and that visually defective planks are detected and
removed.
□ The remainder of the last plank can be used as a starter board on the following rows.The minimum length of the first and last plank
needs to be longer then the width of the material being installed.
□ Using a shorter piece at under cut door jams will help when fitting flooring in place.
□ Never hit the flooring directly with the tapping block and be careful not to fracture floor tongue and groove.
CUTTING THE LAST ROW TO WIDTH
□ Most often the entire length of the last row will need to be cut so that it is narrow enough to fit the remaining space.
□ Measure the distance between the floor face edge (exclude the tongue) to the wall. Subtract 5/16 - 3/8 in. from this measurement for
expansion gap. Draw a line. Cut through the line. Discard the excess piece. Proceed with the installation.
□ No acclimation is necessary. However, the flooring must be
installed in the same conditions as the in-service conditions.
Boxes should remain unopened until the planks are ready to be
installed. Store unopened boxes flat and stacked on top of one
another and not be allowed to bend. In-service conditions should
be maintained during and after the installation. In-service temperature
range is 60°F-85°F and relative humidity (RH) of 40%-60%.
□ Ensure subfloors are clean.
□ Lay out several cartons. Randomly arrange planks to ensure good
color and shade mixture and end joint spacing. Inspect plank quality
and grading. Lay out trim moldngs in advance and find planks
whose shade closely coordinates. Set these aside for future use.
□ Remove existing base, shoe molding or threshold carefully. They can be used to cover the 5/16 - 3/8 in. expansion gap left around the
edge of the room.
□ Undercut doors and casings using a handsaw laid flat on a piece of flooring.
□ If an underlayment is used, install it parallel to the flooring according to underlayment manufacturer instruction. Any overlap (top) should
be on the same side as the groove of the flooring so that the floor planks will slide smoothly into place. Tape all seams. Secure the
underlayment material as necessary to prevent excessive movement.
1. INSTALLING THE FIRST ROW
When starting the first row, remove the tongue from
the width and length of the first plank and only from
the length of the subsequent planks. The starter
plank will guide the expansion gap between the
plank and the wal around the perimeter of the area.
Use spacers to ensure there is 5/16 - 3/8 in.
expansion gap around the perimeter.
The next plank is fastened by placing the short end
tongue of the following plank on top of the groove
of the previous plank. Using soft headed headed
hammer, tap the joint to lock the ends together.
2. INSTALLING THE SECOND AND REMAINING
ROWS
Insert the long edge tongue into the groove at a 35° - 45°
angle. Slide left - right into position. Make sure the tongue
is tightly engaged in the groove by applying balanced
pressure in the direction of the groove. Repeat this
process with the next plank. Slide to the left so the tongue
and groove are on top of each other. Fold down. Lock the
short ends by tapping with non-metal head hammer.
Use spacers or scrap pieces of flooring along the wall
to maintain the expansion gap.
Make sure there is a random stagger at the end joints
of at least 6 in. apart.
3. USING A TAPPING BLOCK
A tapping block is recommended to ensure there’s
no gapping in the installation process between
rows. Follow manufacturer’s instruction on how to
use the tapping block properly. Proper use of
tapping block protects the flooring from the
hammer and allows you to set it gently into the
groove of the adjacent plank.
3
Grade Levels
Above Grade / On Grade
Below Grade
Installation Instructions
For Assistance,
Call: 1-877-630-1800
For latest revision, visit
Homedepot.com/lifeproof
Installation Method
Floating
Warranty
Limited Lifetime
Residential Warrantyl
Product Description
Waterproof
Hardwood SPC
Flooring
5Gi Locking System
2d 2f
2c2b
>6 in
> 15 cm
2a
2e
1a
1b
1c