Dennis Bradway

LVT

October 8, 2015

This Presentation is about

Information Regarding LVT

Define the product and common terms

Describe standards that govern the product

Describe processes utilized to make LVT

Describe where and how the product is typically

installed

Describe what can go wrong

Describe best way to be fact gatherers in the

interest of both the consumer as well as mfg’r

What is

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)

LVT is a marketing term

LVT is a term like Linoleum was to Resilient

Flooring

The correct term is SVT or Solid Vinyl Tile

LVT is a lot more than the old reference to peel

and stick tile from back in the 60’s &70’s

What is WPC(wood plastic composite, water

proof core, ? other names)

Terms

Wear Layer

Specialty top coat

Decor

Inner layer or core

Backer

Bevel

Profiled edge

Plank / Tile

Mock up panel

Left Face Up / Right Face Down

So What is LVT or SVT

Resilient flooring constructed using multiple

layers bonded together, normally using heat and

pressure. Layers consist of a Décor, a

protective wear layer, inter-core(that can be

multiple layers) and a backer.

The layers are put together to provide a specific

thickness, hardness and balance to the product

Product generally has been textured and has a

specialty wear coating: i.e. urethane coating

having a certain gloss, anti scratch component,

etc

How Long has LVT Been Around

L-F-475a spec covers Solid Vinyl tile back in the

60’s & ‘70s

So why the big resurgence now

Aesthetics including Visual, Texture & Gloss

Laminate helped pave the way for floating floors

Locking mechanism

Water resistance

Modularity

Better acoustics

Etc

12 Crazy Flooring Options Much

Cooler Than Hardwood(Yahoo article)

Skip Plain Hardwood! These 4 Flooring

Options Are Ruling 2015

Amanda Weitzman

June 25 , 2015

Everything old is new again might be a tired

cliché but there’s no greater truth when I tell you

that vinyl and linoleum flooring are back with a

vengeance.

Wild and Crazy

Specifications Covering SVT/LVT

ASTM F 1700 Standard Specification for Solid Vinyl Floor Tile

Includes Binder content, Size, Thickness, Squareness, Residual Indent, Flexibility, DS, Chemical Resistance, Gapping, Heat & Light Stability

ISO 10582 Resilient floor coverings -Heterogeneous poly(vinyl chloride) floor covering — Specification Binder content, Size, Squareness, Mass, DS,

Curling, Flexibility, Residual Indent, Castor Chair, Color stability, Flatness, Gapping, Ledging

General Sizes

Tiles or planks

Tiles mostly in range of 16” – 24” square but some

up to 1 meter, Rectangular Tiles, more common

Planks mostly 4” – 6” wide by 36” – 48” long

Locking products generally smaller by profile

dimensions

Thickness generally 2 mm up to 5 mm thick

Thicker product required for floating installations

in order to include locking system

Where Can LVT Be Installed

Short answer is virtually anywhere, but answer

varies with how it is installed

Standard answer is over

substrates/underlayments that meet the criteria of

ASTM F 710, ASTM F1482

CONCRETE SUBSTRATES

New and existing should meet requirement ASTM F710 -

Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to

Receive Resilient Flooring

Permanently dry, smooth, flat and sound

Minimum compressive strength 3000 psi, dry density 100 lbs per sq ft

Expansion joints and isolation joints should never be filled

Surface must be free of surface defect, dusting, flaking , paint, etc

MOISTURE & ALKANLINITY TESTING

PH testing. The PH should be in the 5-10 scale (neutral

Moisture test ASTM 1869 calcium chloride test emissions not to exceed 3 lbs /1000 sq ft in 24 hrs (Measures emissions); unless otherwise permitted

Preferred method ASTM 2170 measuring relative humidity of the slab which should not exceed 75%; unless otherwise permitted

If there is visible signs of mold and mildew, the source of the problem must be corrected

INSTALLING UNDERLAYMENT PANELS

Install smooth side up, immediately condition underlayment (room temperature)

Install long dimension perpendicular to floor joist

Offset subfloor seam

Stagger ashlars fashion, do not place 4 corner together

Leave 1/8 “ gap at walls

Lightly butt seam

Fasten structurally sound, smooth and dry

Fastener not to penetrate joist

Fastener in field 6 “ apart, 2” at perimeter 3/8” from the edge or as specified

Set fastener slightly below surface

Use only non staining galvanized nails/staples

WOOD SUB-FLOORS

Refer to ASTM F 1482 Standard Practice for

Installation and Preparation of Panel Type

Underlayments to Receive Resilient Flooring

Minimum 18” above grade with cross ventilation

and a vapor barrier

For Floating Installations most wood substrates are suitable for installing over provided they are flat smooth and free from deflection

Full Glue many time wood subfloor are not suitable and must be underlayed with a suitable underlayment such Sure-Ply ,Accu-Ply ,APA grade plywood ,etc

SUB-FLOOR CROSS SECTION

FLOOR PREP

Proper Prep Key To A Good Installation

Flat Smooth clean

Level within 3/16” in 10ft and level within

1/32” in 12”

Use A High Quality Portland Cement Based

Patch

Remove Existing Floor when possible

Use a self leveling compound for large low

spots or extreme deviation

Installation

Full glue down

Wet set

PSA

Spray

Tape

Floating

No underlay

With Underlay

LVT Tile – Installation Considerations

Balance tile in the work area.

Snap intersecting chalk lines in the center of the room.

Blend boxes, pay close attention to repeating patterns.

Install tiles in the SAME DIRECTION USING DIRECTIONAL ARROWS on the backing.

Some patterns can be quarter turned to achieve a checkerboard appearance.

Tiles can be installed staggered or all 4 corners coming together.

Tiles can be spaced for grouting using tile spacers ranging from 1/16” to ¼”

Locking Tiles It generally helps to work off the product

LVT Planks – Installation Considerations

Measure & Layout the room, last plank width should be no less than

half of a plank.

Typically install planks parallel with the longest wall in the room.

Randomly stagger head seams by at least 6”

Work out of several cartons at a time, carefully blending the pattern

visuals.

LVT CAN BE CUT WITH A UTILITY KNIFE (SCORE & SNAP), For

straight accurate cuts use a BULLET Tool type cutter

How is LVT Made

Daylight Press(Non Continuous) Multiple layers, stacked samples, simultaneous lamination

Continuous

Drum

Multiple layers simultaneous lamination

Drum

Multiple layers individual points of lamination

Glued together

VS.

Multiple plys laminated in a single process pass operating continuously

Typically provides improved quality and yields

Automated

Less people required to operate

Heating and cooling contained inside the same piece of equipment, variation due to close proximity

Handmade sandwich laid on a embossing plate

Inferior quality and yields inherent to the process

Labor intensive

Rotary

Lamination

Static

Press

Daylight Press – All layers

bonded in static press

Continuous Lamination with Multiple layers &

Multiple points of Lamination or Multiple

Layers & Single point of Lamination

How does LVT Compare to other

Hard Surface Flooring

Wood(One of most copied visuals)

Natural

EF Typical 3/8” – ¾”; solid up to 1”

Laminate

Typically 7 – 12 mm thick

More rigid, must use underlay

Higher Static load rating & Abrasion Resistant

Less moisture resistant

How does LVT Compare to other

Hard Surface Flooring

Resilient Flooring

VCT

Highly filled modular flooring; typically 12” X 12”

Base grade Resilient flooring, wide color range

Sheet vinyl

Filled layer Products(Homogeneous 6’, 2m typical)

Heterogeneous Layer Products(6’, 2m,12’, 4m -Solid layer construction)

Cushion layer Products (6’ – 12’); any visual

Linoleum

Popular in 60’s declined in 70’s resurgence in 90’ “more natural perception” limited visual, good color, alkali sensitivity

How does LVT Compare to other

Hard Surface Flooring

Rubber

Largely commercial product tiles typically (18” – 36”)

and sheet (4’ – 2m width); limited visual

Porcelain/Ceramic

Rigid, highly durable floor

Often imitated visual by resilient flooring

So Where is LVT Positioned

More durable than most Resilient sheet

Softer than Porcelain and Laminate

Unlimited visuals and texture

Multiple installation techniques

Floating, Full Glue, Spray, PSA, Tape

High moisture tolerance

Good stain resistance and clean ability

Grouted LVT

Tile may be grouted immediately after the install

Grout can come in colors to coordinate? Contrast with floor colors

Work in small areas, no greater than 10 to 12 sq ft

Pack your joints firmly with a hard rubber grout float

Use the float on edge & a diagonal to remove excess grout

Allow to slightly haze, then lightly spray water, scrub along joints lightly

with nylon pad, using a square edge sponge wiping on a diagonal to

remove excess grout and water

Flip sponge and repeat, change bucket water frequently

If you have any haze, it can be easily remove after 24 hrs with ¼ cup of

ammonia per 1 gallon of water.

Any missed spots, GAPS OR VOIDS CAN BE RE-GROUTED

DO NOT USE CHEMICAL GROUT CLEANERS

Luxury Vinyl Tile - Grouted

Full Glue only

What are common complaints relative

to LVT

Installation Cupping, Gapping, Out of square, Ledging, Gloss,

Shade, Edge Damage(poor fit), Hollowness under floor, Debris under floor, etc

Moisture related issues

Aesthetics Shade, Gloss, Scratching, Dirty

Performance

De-lamination, Poor Cut, Squareness, Shade, Gloss, Texture, Profile joint(tight, loose, debris), Thickness uniformity, Blister, Crooked board

What are generally the top Complaints

relative to LVT Flooring

De-lamination/Chipped corners

Shade / Gloss

Poor Quality of Cut/ Out of Square

Gapping, Curl, Cupping or Edge

Damage

Thickness or Texture variation

Poor Installation

Out of Square

Out of Square

Miss Cut

Chipped Corner

Chipped Edges / Delamination

Blister / De-lamination

Gapping

Bevel

Ledging / Cupping

Cupping

Registered Pattern and Embossing

Shade

Profiled Edge Example

What Information is being Sought

During an Inspection

Basic Consumer Contact Information: Name, Address, Phone #,

Email and do they(or Retailer) have Proof of Purchase(helps

with traceability)

What Product / Pattern was installed

What is the total size of the Job, how much is affected and

where?

What is the suspected defect?

How long after installation was the suspected defect noticed?

What room(s) are affected and location of issue within the room

How was product installed – Floating , Glued, what adhesive

Pictures & Diagram(s) are invaluable

Any Product Retains left

More Detailed Drill Down Information,

if Pertinent

If over concrete were subfloor moisture tests performed? What were the results?

Was installation site climate controlled(Temp & Humidity) Before, During & After Install?

Subfloor / Underlayment type?

Is there a crawl space beneath? Is it heated / cooled?

Has the subfloor been chemically abated?

Are windows and glass doors shaded?

How often is the floor cleaned? What method including cleaning solution?

What type / size casters or chair glides are used?

Are walk-off mats used at entry ways? What are they made of-rubber ?

What is the traffic level---low, medium or high?

Etc.

What Should be Included in a

Complaint Inspection Report

Common Elements

Specific elements

Back ground information

What should not be included in a

Complaint Inspection Report

A definitive conclusion

A definitive recommendation

How to Assess Gaps

Gapping can be measured with a feeler gauge or Pick glass / Ocular Scope that has an appropriate dimensional scale.

Gap referenced in ASTM F1700 specification should be < 0.010 inches.

A 0.011 inch feeler gauge should not pass between the samples in a proper lay-up.

Size and squareness – need right angle jig for squareness and tape measure or special linear measurement device for size. Spec is “nominal” +/-

Maintenance

Virtually all LVT has a specialty topcoat i.e.

urethane

Temporary finishes are not normally required

Key to less maintenance is reduced presence of

grit by keeping it outside and having suitable floor

protectors on furniture

Maintenance

Residential – Pretty much just sweep or vacuum

and swiffer / wet clean when needed.

Commercial – Appearance is key

Effective maintenance starts by keeping grit &

excess water outside

Wet vacuums common & effective

Accumulated soil & debris will first show in bevel

and fine texture then in high traffic areas by reduced

gloss in land area

Proper Castors / Furniture Protectors

What are Generally Cut and Dry Issues

Visual Defects

Blisters

Short Cuts

Mixed shade lots within a single install

Debris under the floor

Gapping i.e. bad profile, excess thickness of

underlayment, excess temperature, subfloor level

issues, etc

Potential Failures Typically Outside of

Warranty Coverage

Residential product installed in a Heavy

Commercial Environment

Seasonal use where no winter heating

Hose down type environments

Exterior uses

Garages

Issues That are Generally Turned Down

DS/Shrinkage

Buckling

Scratching

Floor is dirty

Install issues

LVT will not compensate for poor subfloor prep;

Thickness, Color, Gloss and Texture of LVT can help / hurt as well as how it is adhered

Follow arrows or likely there will be gloss variance issues, at a minimum

LVT is a modular product, do not install with visual defects

Poor pkg’ing, shipping, storage and handling can cause minor distortion of tiles/planks, equivalent to roll set in sheet products. Give time to recover

Proper perimeter gap during install

The End

Thank You

Now for questions that we have

not already covered

Additional Resources

Fabulous Floors story on Luxury Flooring – A

Design and Resource Guide for LVT, Resilient,

Vinyl, Rubber, Cork, and more

RFCI website www.rfci.com

ASTM website www.astm.org