LVT Dennis Bradway October 8, 2015 This Presentation is about - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Dennis Bradway

LVT

October 8, 2015

This Presentation is about Information Regarding LVT

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Define the product and common terms

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Describe standards that govern the product

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Describe processes utilized to make LVT

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Describe where and how the product is typically installed

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Describe what can go wrong

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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)

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LVT is a marketing term

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LVT is a term like Linoleum was to Resilient Flooring

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The correct term is SVT or Solid Vinyl Tile

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LVT is a lot more than the old reference to peel and stick tile from back in the 60’s &70’s

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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

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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.

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The layers are put together to provide a specific thickness, hardness and balance to the product

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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

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L-F-475a spec covers Solid Vinyl tile back in the 60’s & ‘70s

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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

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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

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Thickness generally 2 mm up to 5 mm thick

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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

• f the slab which should not exceed 75%; unless
• therwise permitted

 If there is visible signs of mold and mildew, the source of

the problem must be corrected

INSTALLING UNDERLAYMENT PANELS

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

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Install long dimension perpendicular to floor joist

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Offset subfloor seam

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Stagger ashlars fashion, do not place 4 corner together

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Leave 1/8 “ gap at walls

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Lightly butt seam

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Fasten structurally sound, smooth and dry

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Fastener not to penetrate joist

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

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Set fastener slightly below surface

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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

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

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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

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Proper Prep Key To A Good Installation

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Flat Smooth clean

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Level within 3/16” in 10ft and level within 1/32” in 12”

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Use A High Quality Portland Cement Based Patch

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Remove Existing Floor when possible

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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

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Balance tile in the work area.

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Snap intersecting chalk lines in the center of the room.

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Blend boxes, pay close attention to repeating patterns.

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Install tiles in the SAME DIRECTION USING DIRECTIONAL ARROWS

• n the backing.

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

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

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

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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

• perating continuously

 Typically provides improved

quality and yields

 Automated  Less people required to

• perate

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

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Handmade sandwich laid on a embossing plate

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Inferior quality and yields inherent to the process

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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

• r 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

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Seasonal use where no winter heating



Hose down type environments

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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