Godfrey Hirst Vinyl Plank Floors Installation Guide

: June 5, 2024
: Godfrey Hirst

Table of Contents

Godfrey Hirst Vinyl Plank Floors
Installation Instructions
Care & Maintenance
Maintenance
References
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Godfrey Hirst Vinyl Plank Floors

Godfrey Hirst Vinyl Plank Floors-PROD

Installation Instructions

Product	Dimensions	Adhesive Recommendations
Aaria DS	1498 x 246 x 2.5/0.55mm	****

For recommended adhesives for normal installations and high temperature/wet area installations see:

Australia www.godfreyhirst.com/au/floors/floor- care/ installation- guidelines-flooring

New Zealandwww.godfreyhirst.com/nz/floors/floor- care/ installation- guidelines-flooring-nz

Adhesives must be used in a wet/semi-wet state.

All installations must be in accordance with NZS AS 1884 – Floor coverings – Resilient sheet and tiles – Installation practices and these instructions. Godfrey Hirst recommends installation be carried out by a professional flooring installer. Godfrey Hirst vinyl plank floors have been tested and are recommended for use with the adhesives in the Godfrey Hirst Adhesive Recommendations list and Godfrey Hirst cannot guarantee the performance of products installed with any other adhesives.

Warning
Prior to any take-up or removal of floorcoverings, adhesives or underlay, you should be certain these do not contain asbestos. If it is known or suspected the previous flooring, adhesive or underlay contains asbestos, you should avoid creating dust and the previous flooring and/ or components should only be removed by an appropriately licenced asbestos removal contractor.

General

Inspect product in good lighting conditions to ensure it is correct (colour, quality and quantity) as ordered. Open boxes cannot be returned. Godfrey Hirst vinyl planks are for interior use only.
Ensure conditions of both product and site are in balance before, during and after installation. The product and all adhesives being used must be acclimatised in the installation area for at least 24-48 hours prior to commencement of installation in unopened packs at temperature between 18-27°C and a relative humidity between 35-75%. This temperature and humidity range is to be maintained before, during and after installation. Packs should be stacked flat on the floor during acclimatisation and not be opened until the day of installation.
Subfloor must comply with NZS AS 1884 and be solid, level, dry, smooth, clean and free from all contaminants and substanceswhich could be harmful to vinyl or adhesive. The installer must inspect and approve the subfloor as satisfying these requirements prior to installation. If required, remove any contaminants. Do not install over existing floor coverings as any such installation may void the warranty.
Only use a Godfrey Hirst recommended Hard-Set Adhesive (in accordance with the relevant Godfrey Hirst Adhesive Recommendations). For high temperature areas, areas exposed to direct/strong sunlight and/or standing water and all wet area installations, a High-TemperatureZ Adhesive (HT) must be used (see above). Use the correct notched trowel as recommended by the adhesive manufacturer. Wet areas should be perimeter sealed with flexible silicone filler and adhesive manufacturer recommendations for wet rooms must be carefully followed.
Check each plank for visual defects in optimal lighting before and during installation. Always use planks from several packs, ensure an appropriate stagger, and inspect each plank to get the best-balanced visual installation. Never install the defective products. Installation is recognised as acceptance of all visual defects.
Install the flooring according to NZS AS 1884 and the adhesive manufacturer’s directions. Where product is installed to other floor coverings, the edges should be protected by the use of suitable trims or diminishing strips
Post-installation maintains the site temperature as per the adhesive manufacturer’s directions (normally 48 hours at 18-27°C and a relative humidity between 35-75%).
Protect the floor post installation.

Please note:

Godfrey Hirst recommends that batches not be mixed. In circumstances where the installer has two or more batches, they must check to ensure they are compatible in design, colour, surface texture, gloss level and dimensions.
Wet rooms can be installed, however where a floor waste is installed the planks can be difficult to form to the floor gradient correctly. Check to ensure product suitability/compliance with your local building code. Where an underlay is required in a wet area, it must be a fibre cement underlay. Adhesive manufacturers recommendations for wet rooms must be followed.
For installations where underfloor heating is used the floor surface temperature must not exceed 27°C or have any floor coverings upon it to fluctuate above this. Refer to NZS AS 1884 clause 4.1.3 for scope of preparing and conditioning the subfloor pre and post installation. Please contact your retailer or Godfrey Hirst representative to confirm suitability and further installation recommendations.
The correct application and curing time of the adhesive is the most critical point to maintain product stability. Please carefully follow the adhesive manufacturer’s directions and correctly acclimatise the products.
Areas of high or extreme temperature fluctuations (e.g. north facing floor-to-ceiling windows) and/or high or extreme humidity variations require specialist adhesive advice. Godfrey Hirst recommends a HT Hard-Set adhesive or PU adhesive for these applications.
Where an acoustic underlay is to be installed, follow the instructions of the acoustic underlay supplier and the adhesive manufacturer.
Care and Maintenance Instructions must be followed to maintain the product warranty. Please ensure these instructions are left with the occupier.

Care & Maintenance

Congratulations on selecting a quality floor designed with easy care and maintenance in mind. To help enjoy the longevity of your floor for many years to come, follow these simple steps:

Cleaning & Care

Immediately – clean up any liquid or water-based spills or any other potentially staining marks using a dry clean cloth. Though Godfrey Hirst vinyl plank floors are water resistant, don’t leave liquid/water-based spills there just to test it. Godfrey Hirst floors are resistant to most spots and stains, however, some materials or colorants (such as tar, grease, oil, dyes, waxes, ballpoint, marker pens, pet mishaps or foods/beverages containing strong dyes as mustard, curry, cordial, coffee, tea etc.) may under certain conditions migrate into the wear layer causing indelible stains.
Daily or as required – remove any loose dirt or grit which could damage the floor by sweeping with a soft dry broom or vacuum (preferably with an effective dust filter and suction nozzle for hard surfaces turning off a powerhead, if installed).
Weekly – clean using a damp mop using water with a PH-neutral cleaner to remove any footprints, dirt, and other stains or marks. Never flood the floor with water as excessive moisture can damage the installation.
As required – stubborn scuffs and stains can also easily be removed using a damp cloth or sponge with a diluted solution of methylated spirits. Ensure the methylated spirits is completely rinsed from the flooring.
Never use a steam-mop or steam-cleaner.
Never use abrasive cleaners, nylon scouring pads, steel wool, scouring powder or bleach as they may damage the floor.
Never use oil, soap, wax, or polishes as these finishes may make the floor slippery and can leave a dull finish on the floor.
Place entrance mats (which must not have a rubber backing) at all external doors to trap dirt, sand, grit, moisture and other substances from shoes:
- Double entrance mats are required for residential installations – 1 coarse external mat, and 1 medium internal mat.
- Triple commercial mats with a minimum walk-off zone of 3.5 meters are required for commercial installations – refer to mat manufacturer. Mats must be cleaned regularly.
Vinyl flooring products can display discoloration caused by contact with rubber products such as rug/mat backings, furniture feet, rubber-soled shoes/slippers, wheels for trolleys and wheelchairs etc. which are likely to leave permanent marks. Only non-staining vinyl-backed mats or woven rugs identified as colourfast should be used on vinyl plank floors. If the floor is to be subjected to any of these applications, darker colors are recommended which will hide any discoloration, should it occur.
10. Use non-staining felt protectors under heavy pieces of furniture. Fit office chairs, filing trolleys, mobile containers and old hard or sharp-edged castors on furniture with soft treads or castors. Chair pads should be used under desk chairs with casters.
11. Never drag, slide or roll furniture or appliances across your floor. Protect the surface if using a trolley to move heavy objects.
12. Floor-to-ceiling windows coupled with our Australian/New Zealand sun can create floor surface temperatures over 70°C. Your floor should be protected from extreme temperatures and strong direct sunlight by the use of interior temperature control (recommended temperatures 10-30°C), window tinting, awnings and/or curtains/blinds. Direct sunlight will cause fading.
13. Pet claws can scratch the flooring. Keep nails trimmed.
14. Spiked heels or shoes in need of repair can severely damage your floor. In areas of excessive traffic and wear, make use of runners or area rugs. Rugs should be cleaned regularly.

Maintenance

Vinyl plank floors are maintained by the above CLEANING & CARE instructions.
Vinyl plank floors cannot be sanded.
Vinyl floors can be professionally machine buffed (high-speed 450rpm – red pad) to remove minor scratches and to balance the gloss level.

Commercial Installations – Additional maintenance may be required for commercial installations. A copy of the Godfrey Hirst Commercial Cleaning and Maintenance Guide is available at https://www.godfreyhirst.com/au/commercial/technical.