TIER Flooring provides top tips and handy hints for indoor flooring installations. 

“With the latest advances in stone-polymer composite (SPC) indoor flooring technology and installation systems, TIER Flooring is more durable and easier to install than ever,” says Ruan Kraft, TIER Flooring’s product manager. 

To ensure complete customer satisfaction and a seamless flooring installation, TIER Flooring manufacturer, Eva-Last, has put together a few handy hints and technical tips. 

3 key factors 

While TIER Flooring’s composite layers are heat-moulded together into an integrated profile that performs beautifully, there are three factors that could cause floor failure as a result of poor installation – the sub-floor condition, moisture ingress and inadequate expansion and contraction gaps. 

Here are some top tips on how to navigate these factors, to ensure high quality over the long run. 

Lay the tiles in the direction of the longest stretch of the space, preferably in the direction that ambient light enters the room.

1. Sub-floor preparation 

The sub-floor should be clean and clear of damp, dust and debris, and provide an even, smooth, structurally sound surface upon which to install the vinyl tiles. 

Ideally, all previous flooring should be removed to prepare the foundation. Small imperfections can be patched or sanded, or a self-levelling screed could be used to even out the surface.  

Concrete sub-floors should have cured for at least 28 days for every 25mm of depth to ensure any excess water in the base has evaporated, and the moisture content is below 4% mass as measured with an insulated hygrometer, not a resistance-type moisture meter.  

This is a critical consideration as the high alkalinity of the moisture from the concrete can react negatively with the PVC element of the flooring. 

Top tip: Timber sub-floors are not recommended. It should at the very least be inspected for insect damage, rot and damp to ensure less than 18% moisture content. 

• Timber sub-floors subject to rising moisture (at ground level) should not be covered with laminate flooring. 
• Suspended timber sub-floors on the ground level can only be covered if the ventilation space beneath the floor complies with SANS10043. 
• New timber sub-structures must provide a rigid and level surface that complies with SANS10082. That is, the moisture content of the substrate is equal to the level it will eventually attain at full service. 

2. Moisture/vapour barriers 

The sub-floor should not expose TIER Flooring to moisture or vapour from below. Moisture barriers must be used in areas without adequate moisture protection. 

First, lay a moisture barrier that complies with SANS10021 and SANS10190 or liquid/fluid shields, such as X-Shield VaporStop HB, over the surface and 50mm up the walls to protect against moisture ingress.  

Note: The sub-floor should comprise of three layers – the original ground floor, the level-screeded layer and the protective moisture barrier. 

Top tip: Let the boards acclimatise on site for 24 to 48 hours before installation. Eva-Last allows for a 25°C fluctuation in the temperature and humidity, ranging between 30% to 60% from the time of installation. 

Next, install an appropriate skirting or trim that covers the 10mm expansion gap around the perimeter of the room without pinning down the boards. This is often overlooked, but it is crucial to prevent damp or moisture ingress, where water or dirt enters the expansion gaps and could compromise the integrity of the installation. 

Install an appropriate skirting or trim that covers the 10mm expansion gap around the perimeter of the room to prevent damp or moisture ingress.

3. Expansion and contraction 

Stone-polymer composite (SPC) floorboards are subject to expansion and contraction due to fluctuations in the temperature between seasons and at various times of the day. 

It is critically important to allow a 10mm expansion gap for rooms measuring less than 100m² (10m x 10m), with a maximum change in temperature of 25°C (ΔT) from the installation temperature. 

To ensure accuracy and prevent floor failure, place spacers around the perimeter of the flooring area during installation. Make additional allowances for expansion gaps whenever the floorboards meet an obstruction such as pipes, columns or fireplaces. 

Remember to check for door and frame clearance before installation. Where possible, pass the flooring beneath the door frame, ensuring sufficient clearance to prevent the floor from being pinned down. Allow a 10mm expansion gap in your calculations. 

Expansion and/or transition joints should be placed at 10m intervals or less, and could be placed at doors or similar joints to minimise an unsightly transition. 

The gaps should be covered with a suitable skirting or transition of at least 21mm wide (or similar) to prevent water penetration and dirt collection, whilst accommodating expansion and contraction. Skirtings (or similar) must not be nailed or fixed to the floor. 

Top tip: For runs longer than 10m or areas larger than 100m², install the flooring in smaller sections interspersed with expansion or transition joints. 

For rooms with more than 25°C temperature fluctuations or high sunlight exposure (through windows and doors), a greater expansion gap is recommended. 

Excessive temperature fluctuations  

For applications with excessive temperature fluctuations greater than 25°C (below freezing winters to very hot summers), it may be necessary to calculate specific requirements based on actual expected temperature ranges. 

Do’s and don’ts for laying floors 

With these practical guidelines and expert tips, TIER Flooring offers a durable, easy-to-install flooring solution that enhances any space with style and resilience. By following the proper preparation steps and installation techniques, a seamless, high-quality finish that stands up to the demands of daily use is ensured. 

Note that these tips and tricks in no way replace the full installation guide, which is available for download at www.tierflooring.co.za. 

For more information, contact Eva-Last: 

Tel: +27 10 593 9221 

Email: sales@eva-last.com 

Website: www.tierflooring.co.za or www.eva-last.co.za