Installation Guide
VINYLCORK FLOATING FLOORS LAYING INSTRUCTIONS
2570 North Powerline Road, Suite 501 · Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Toll Free: (866) 222.3241 · Toll Free Fax: (866) 222.4842 www.apccork.com
INSTALLATION
Installation should be carried out at normal room temperature (65 °F) and relative humidity between 50 to
60 %.
You can join together the panels of the GFIX system in 2 different ways: The panels can be rotated to fit
into one another, with either the tongue into the groove, or the groove on to the tongue. The easiest way
though, is to fit the tongue into the groove. Position the panel to be installed at an angle of 20 - 30
degrees to the panel already installed. Move the panel to be fitted slightly up and down exerting forward
pressure at the same time. The panels will then click into place together.
When the panels cannot be rotated into one another they can also be fitted lying flat. To do this, you need
a hammer and a tapping block.
Start installing the floor on one corner, working from right to left. The first panel should be placed with the
tongue side towards the wall. To ensure a perfect expansion joint, the tongues along the edges of panels
that go against the wall, need to be sawn off. Now “click” the next panel rotating and pushing the tongue
of a panel into the groove of previous one at an angle of 20 - 30 degrees until both panels click together
on the short side. Do this for a few panels of the first row. Make sure that panels are perfectly aligned to
one another. This is very important for installing the next rows.
The last panel of first row should be shortened accordingly. The minimum length of the panel should be
30 cm. Therefore, the width of the room has to be measured before starting the installation and, if
necessary, the first plank should be trimmed.
Start on the second row with the leftover piece of plank from the previous row if the plank length is at
least 12 inches. If not, use a new plank, which has to be cut in the middle.
Rotate and push the tongue of the long side of the panel into the groove of one on the previous row, until
both panels click together. Now take another panel and fit it on the groove of the one on the previous row
leaving a space of +/- ¼ inch from the short edge of the previous panel. Then tap it until the short edges
of
the first two panels of the second row fit together. Install the third panel of the second row.
After joined the first few panels and have got used to the technique, then use the same technique so that
the first two rows are fully installed. Now push the whole unit against the wall and fill in the expansion joint
(+/- ¼”), using spacer blocks, so that you have a sturdy whole.
From the third row on, finish off each row at a time, each time joining the panel along its long edge, then
along its short edge. You can use the leftover pieces that you have at the end of each row as the
beginning panels of the next row. That way, you make the best possible use of each panel. Always place
a weight (a pack of panels) on the joints that you have just made in order to stabilize them.
The width of the planks of the last row should have a minimum of 6”. Therefore, measure the length
of
the room before starting the installation and if needed adapt the width of the first row.
FINISH
After installing your floor, you can immediately walk on it and begin the finishing process. This is one of
the major benefits of the GFIX system.
Remove all spacer blocks. Finish by installing quarter rounds or wall base, fastened to the wall (never to
the floor!).
UNDERFLOOR HEATING
VINYLCORK floating floors may also be used in rooms with floor heating. In this case there are special
laying guidelines. Before the floor covering is installed, the heating system installer should ensure that the
moisture which is driven out by the effect of heat escapes before the floor covering is laid.
It is especially important to note that the surface temperature of the flooring may not exceed 78°F.
Please note that gaps may occur during the months of heating.
PREVENTIVE CARE
The floor must be kept clean. Wet maintenance should be avoided. Any excess water should be removed
immediately. Never use cleaning products with abrasive ingredients or solvent based.
Furniture legs should have protective pads to avoid scratches. Furniture and other heavy objects must be
placed carefully.