Applies For Hardwood Bargains flooring Rigid Core Vinyl Collections with Valinge 5G Locking Systems.

READ BEFORE INSTALLATION

INSTALLATION WARNING:

While Rigid Core Vinyl is waterproof, installation conditions will affect its performance. For best results, the room temperature and humidity of the installation area must be kept consistent with normal, year-round living conditions for a minimum of 48 hours prior to installation.

• Required Conditions: All products require a specific temperature range of 60°F to 80°F with 35% to 65% relative humidity.
• Risks: Installation outside of these recommended ranges or over an uneven subfloor can cause locking mechanism failure, gapping, or telegraphing of subfloor imperfections.

Hardwood Bargains flooring recommends the floating method for Rigid Core Vinyl floors. Do not glue down Rigid Core Vinyl flooring unless specifically approved by the manufacturer for commercial applications.

INSTALLER’S / OWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY

• Overage: Order an additional 5-10% of flooring to account for cuts and waste.
• Inspection: It is the sole and joint responsibility of the installer and owner to conduct a quality inspection of all flooring materials prior to installation. Flooring that has been installed will be deemed to have been inspected and accepted by the installer and owner.
• Site Conditions: The installer must ensure the job site, subfloor, and tools meet industry standards. Hardwood Bargains flooring voids all responsibility for problems arising from improper site prep.

Required Tools:

• Tape Measure
• Square (Speed square or framing square)
• Utility Knife (with fresh blades)
• Straight Edge
• Rubber Mallet (Essential for 5G locking mechanism)
• Tapping Block (Use on Long Side ONLY)
• Pull Bar
• Chalk Line
• Moisture Meter
• Power Saw (Table saw, miter saw, or jig saw for complex cuts)
• Safety Glasses
• Broom or Vacuum
• Moisture-Resistant Tape (for sealing moisture barrier seams)

JOBSITE CONDITIONS & PRE-INSTALLATION PLANNING

General Information

• Acclimation: Store cartons flat in the installation area for 48 hours prior to installation to equalize temperature. Do not store directly on concrete or next to exterior walls.
• New Construction: HVAC systems should be operational for at least 5 days prior to acclimating the flooring. All wet work (plaster, paint, concrete) must be thoroughly dry.
• Cabinets & Islands (CRITICAL): NEVER install heavy cabinetry or fixed islands on top of floating Rigid Core Vinyl flooring. The floor must be allowed to expand and contract freely. Install cabinets first, then floor around them.
• Sunlight: Direct sunlight can cause thermal expansion. Use blinds or UV film on large windows to prevent surface temperatures from exceeding 100°F.

Expansion Space & Run Limits

Rigid Core Vinyl floors expand and contract primarily due to temperature changes.

• Leave a minimum 1/4" expansion space (3/8" for larger areas) around the entire perimeter of the floor and all vertical obstacles (pipes, door jambs, cabinets).
• Large Rooms: For runs longer than 40 feet in any direction, a T-Molding expansion joint is required.
• Doorways: A T-Molding is required in all doorways less than 36 inches wide to separate room expansion zones.

SUBFLOOR PREPARATION

Flatness is critical for Rigid Core Vinyl. Because the locking mechanism is brittle, a subfloor with dips or humps can cause the joints to crack or separate.

Subfloor Conditions

• Clean: Free of wax, paint, oil, adhesive residue, and debris.
• Flat: Subfloor must be flat to 3/16" per 10' radius.
  • High spots: Must be ground down.
  • Low spots: Must be filled with a Portland-based leveling compound (minimum 3,000 psi).
• Structurally Sound: Nail or screw loose areas to prevent squeaking.

Wood Subfloors

• Specs: Subfloor must be structurally sound. If the existing layer is less than 3/4” thick, add a cross-layer (min 5/16”) for strength.
• Moisture: Wood subfloor moisture must not exceed 13%.

Concrete Subfloors

• Curing: New concrete slabs require a minimum of 60 days curing time.
• Moisture Barrier: A 6-mil polyethylene moisture barrier is REQUIRED over all concrete subfloors.
  • Note: The attached pad on Hardwood Bargains flooring is NOT a moisture barrier. You must install the 6-mil poly sheeting to prevent moisture from rising.

INSTALLATION METHOD: VALINGE 5G (DROP-LOCK)

Important: The 5G system uses a "Fold-Down" method on the short ends. You must NOT strike the side of the short joint with a tapping block, or you will damage the locking clip.

Instructions

1. Prep: Undercut all door casings using a scrap piece of flooring as a guide. Clean the subfloor thoroughly.
2. Moisture Barrier (REQUIRED): Roll out a 6-mil polyethylene moisture barrier over the subfloor.
   • Seams: Butt the seams together (do not overlap unless specified by plastic manufacturer) and seal the entire length of the seam with moisture-resistant tape.
   • Note: Even though the product has an attached pad, this separate moisture barrier is mandatory to protect the locking mechanism and core from subfloor vapor.
3. Starter Row: Begin in the left corner, tongue side facing the wall. Use spacers to maintain the 1/4" expansion gap.
4. Locking the Joints (The 5G Method):
   • Long Edges: Angle the tongue of the new plank into the groove of the previous row (at approx. 20-30°). Slide the plank toward the previous plank's short end until they are aligned.
   • Short Ends (The Drop): Once the long side is engaged, simply lower the plank flat. The short end will rest directly over the previous plank's short end.
   • Locking: Use a Rubber Mallet to firmly strike the TOP of the short end joint (vertical impact). You should feel/hear the plastic clip lock into place. The joint must be perfectly flush and smooth.
   • WARNING: NEVER use a tapping block against the edge of the short side. This will shear off the 5G locking clip and ruin the plank. Only tap the long edge if necessary to close a gap.
5. Staggering: Stagger end joints by at least 6-8 inches to maintain structural integrity and visual appeal. Avoid "H" patterns.
6. Finishing Rows: Use a pull bar to engage the final plank in a row or the final row against the wall.
7. Protection: Remove spacers. Install baseboards or quarter-round molding, ensuring you nail into the wall, NEVER into the floor.

RADIANT HEAT SYSTEMS

• System Type: Hydronic (water) systems only. Electric radiant mats are generally not recommended unless embedded in cement and separated by at least 1/2" from the flooring.
• Temperature: Surface temperature must never exceed 85°F.
• Operation: System must be operational for at least 5 days prior to install. Turn off 24 hours before installation to prevent adhesive/locking issues, and wait 24 hours after installation to turn back on (gradually increasing temp).

WARNING: Drilling, sawing, sanding, or machining wood products can expose you to wood dust. Avoid inhaling dust or use a dust mask for personal protection.