With the latest advances in stone-polymer composite (SPC) indoor flooring technology and thoughtfully designed installation systems, TIER flooring is more durable and easier to install than ever.
To ensure complete customer satisfaction and a seamless flooring installation, TIER flooring manufacturers, Eva-Last have put together a few handy hints and technical tips below.
The Right Product For The Job
TIER flooring’s performance is crafted to go beyond surface appeal.
Available in two ranges, TIER Classic accommodates both residential and commercial applications, while TIER Element is a premium offering that also excels in both residential and commercial spaces.
After exploring TIER’s range – distinguished by profile thickness, protective wear layers, performance features, and specific use cases – you’re ready to select a stunning timber finish and begin installation.
It’s essential that you pick the right product for the job and install it according to the guidelines to guarantee long-term satisfaction.
Easy As 1, 2, 3
TIER’s SPC flooring range boasts one of the thickest and most durable CarbideCores™ on the market. While the multi-layer composite structure and rigid CarbideCore™ offers outstanding wear characteristics, it’s the innovative 2G tongue-and-groove click system that makes installing these floating floorboards as easy as 1, 2, 3.
Three 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’s how to navigate these factors to ensure quality over the long run:
1. Sub-Floor Prep
Assess the sub-floor for suitability for the desired TIER Flooring product. It 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 and any deviations over a 3m line should not exceed 3mm.
Small imperfections can be patched or sanded, or a self-levelling screed could be used to even out the surface. Be sure to clean and vacuum the surface and allow to dry completely before laying commences.
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/mass (measure 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.
Timber sub-floors are not recommended and 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 TIER while 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 – 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 and moisture barriers must be used in areas without adequate moisture protection.
First, lay a moisture barrier of at least 200-micron DPC (damp proof course) of thick polyolefin sheeting 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. Where plastic sheeting needs to be joined over large surface areas, ensure at least 200mm overlap to prevent seepage.
Note: The sub-floor should comprise 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 – 48 hours before installation – Eva-Last allows for a 25°C fluctuation in 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.
3. Expansion & Contraction
Stone-Polymer Composite (SPC) floorboards are subject to expansion and contraction due to fluctuations in 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 (10 m x 10 m) with a maximum change in temperature of 25 °C (ΔT) from the installation temperature.
To make life easier, ensure accuracy and prevent floor failure, place spacers around the perimeter of the flooring area during installation and make additional allowances for expansion gaps whenever the floorboards meet an obstruction such as pipes, columns, or fireplaces, etc.
Remember to check for door and frame clearance before installation and where possible, pass the flooring beneath the door frame, ensuring sufficient clearance to prevent the floor from being pinned down. Again, 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
Do:
- Lay the tiles in the direction of the longest stretch of the space, preferably in the direction that ambient light enters the room.
- Leave a minimum 10mm expansion gap
- Space expansion/transition joints at intervals of least 10m
- Lift the board from either side of the joints simultaneously to prevent damaging or bending the profile edges
- Use a guillotine or laminate cutter to cut TIER Flooring boards
6. Ensure that the joints of SPC flooring between consecutive lateral joints of adjacent boards are staggered by at least 400mm to enhance stability and create a more natural appearance.
Don't:
- Don’t cut boards shorter than 400mm
- Don’t rip profiles less than 50mm wide
- Don’t pin down the floorboards
- Don’t install using an H pattern or align the joints directly, as this can compromise the floor’s stability and appearance.
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, you can ensure a seamless, high-quality finish that stands up to the demands of daily use. Choose TIER Flooring for a professional-grade installation that transforms your interiors with confidence and peace of mind.
*These tips and tricks in no way replace the full installation guide, which is available for download here. It is recommended that you download and familiarise yourself with the full installation guide.
