Vinyl Flooring FAQs | Pro-Tek™ Luxury Click Vinyl Flooring

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How do I lay vinyl click flooring?

Connecting one vinyl panel to the next is relatively straightforward. You simply click one board into the next. But for the best results, you should hire a professional flooring installer. There are several tasks involved in the installation of vinyl click flooring, including the use of spacers and the creation of expansion gaps. And while the process of ‘clicking’ the boards together might be simple, you still need to cut them to length when you hit walls and doors — which requires skill and a range of specialist tools.

What is the difference between LVT and LVP

LVT and LVP are both types of luxury vinyl flooring, but they deliver very different aesthetic outcomes. Luxury vinyl tiles are designed to look like tiles — they’re similarly shaped and very often feature a classic tile effect. Luxury vinyl plank, however, is designed to closely resemble a traditional hardwood floorboard. A lot of customers prefer LVT in a bathroom or kitchen and LVP in a living space.

Are luxury vinyl floors good?

We believe luxury vinyl floors are cost-effective, robust and low-maintenance, which is why we recommend them to so many of our customers. While it is possible to scratch luxury vinyl, hardwood flooring scratches a lot more easily. Easy to install, hard-wearing and available in a multitude of designs and finishes, luxury vinyl is a fantastic choice for people in search of a relatively affordable floor that’s easy to clean.

Is LVT the same as luxury vinyl flooring?

You may have heard both terms used to describe vinyl flooring, and that’s because LVT is a type of luxury vinyl. The great thing about this versatile flooring is that it can be fitted in any type of space. But if you want to create a tiled effect in your bathroom, for example, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is a great way to do so with hard-wearing vinyl. We supply luxury vinyl in tiles and planks, including herringbone. But the great thing about choosing LVT is they can be easily replaced when they get damaged. You don’t need to replace the entire floor if you notice a scratch.

How easy is it to install?

Very! All Pro-Tek™ flooring has a click lock system to make it quick and easy to fit together with no need for gluing or drying time. The Excel and Editions ranges have slightly different click systems, both from Unilin, experts in designing innovative technologies for flooring.

In addition, a premium IXPE underlay is built-in and the flooring can be laid directly on most subfloors as long as they are even, including existing flooring. Check out the installation guide, including pictures and videos, for more information.

What is Engineered Vinyl flooring?

A far cry from the sheet or tile vinyl of the 60s and 70s, engineered vinyl, or click vinyl, flooring is constucted from multiple layers, giving it strength and stability. It comes in a wide range of designs and colours including marble, slate and travertine, as well as traditional wood effects, with authentic textures as well as colours.

This sturdy flooring replicates all the aesthetic benefits of real wood flooring, whilst offering a host of benefits, including being waterproof, easy and quick to install and easier to maintain, making it a great alternative to not only wood flooring but other engineered flooring types, such as engineered wood and laminate. For further information, check our guide.

How much flooring should I order?

Flooring is based on a m² measurement and then the number of packs you need is calculated by dividing this number by the pack size. First measure the width and length of your space and multiply them to get the basic square meterage. If there are recesses, fireplaces, bay windows or other obstructions on the room you will need to allow for these in your calculation. Check out our measuring guide for more information.

Always allow an extra 5-10% to your measurements for plank designs and between 12-15% when choosing a herringbone floor to account for wastage

Can the flooring be laid directly on to an even concrete floor or does it require underlay first?

All Pro-Tek™ flooring has a built in underlay and can be laid directly onto even subfloors, including concrete; therefore it must levelled before installation and the moisture level of the subfloor should not exceed 95% RH. You may find the fitting guide useful to read, which talks about any preparation needed before installation.

No Additional Underlay can be used with Pro-Tek flooring , Use of additional underlay will void the warranty

Can I use use Pro-Tek™ flooring with underfloor heating?

Yes, all collections of Pro-Tek™ flooring are compatible underfloor heating systems. The SPC Editions collections can be laid over both water-based and electric underfloor heating systems whereas the WPC Excel collections can only be laid over wet systems – see our guide for further information.

It is advisable though to check with a professional flooring fitter, heating contractor or the manufacturer of your heating before installing any flooring.

Are all Pro-Tek™ collections waterproof?

Yes, all our flooring is constructed with a revolutionary waterproof core, making it ideal to use in wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.

How do I finish off edges and cover gaps around objects?

Pro-Tek™ has the widest range of complete match accessories of any engineered vinyl flooring range, ensuring that any project can be finished professionally.

There are five profiles available in all finishes and colours – T, Ramp, End, L-Shape and Stair Nosing.

How easy is the flooring to keep clean?

As with any engineered or solid wood floor, use a soft vacuum extension or broom to keep debris off the floor and a pre-finished floor cleaner is also recommended. Do not buff, wax or use any cleaning products that contain surfactants and never use a steam mop to clean the floor.

The anti-scratch, commercial-grade wear layers provide outstanding protection, but you should still treat the floor with some care, such as avoiding the use of outdoor/high heeled shoes, keeping pet nails trimmed and sweeping up debris regularly to keep it looking new and preventing damage. See our full guide to looking after your new engineered vinyl floor.

How soon can you walk on vinyl flooring?

Within minutes! Vinyl flooring is very easy to install and can be walked on almost immediately.

How to remove stains from vinyl flooring

To remove stains from vinyl flooring, start by mixing a few drops of dish soap with some warm water in a bowl. Next, use a soft cloth or sponge to dab the mixture onto the stained area and then allow it to sit for a few minutes. Finally, rinse the area with cool water and blot it dry with a soft cloth.

Can you use a steam mop on vinyl plank flooring?

At Pro-Tek(TM), we recommend that you do not use a steam mop with vinyl plank flooring as high temperatures can cause issues with the adhesive between the layers.

Are linoleum and vinyl the same thing?

No, they are not. While both resilient flooring products are created from similar materials, they are produced from different substances. Linoleum is constructed of natural elements like linseed oil, tree resin, cork dust and wood flour, whereas vinyl flooring is composed of vinyl, felt, and fibreglass.

Linoleum:

Made of natural substances
Anti-microbial
Anti-static properties
Every year, it needs to be sealed
Requires expert installation

Luxury Vinyl Flooring:

Made of durable PVC
Protective wear layer
Backing options for fiberglass, foam, or felt
DIY-friendly installation
Virtually no maintenance

Is vinyl plank flooring waterproof?

Vinyl plank flooring is completely waterproof thanks to a core component of wood plastic composite (WPC), stone plastic composite (SPC), or 100% vinyl. This makes it an ideal option for wood-look flooring in basements, laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas of your house which can get wet and humid.

Do you need underlay for vinyl flooring?

Most types of vinyl flooring, including sheet, plank, and tile, come with a built-in underlay that serves both to cushion the floor and to provide some degree of sound-dampening. If they do come with built-in underlay, they do not require additional underlay underneath. You just need to make sure to have a solid, flat, dry and stable sub-floor. Using underlay will cause stability issues witth the flooring and the joints.

What can I use to disinfect my luxury vinyl tile floor?

We advise using vinegar to clean your vinyl floors and not bleach as it is a very harsh product which may damage the floors in the long run. Please follow the same cleaning instructions of using soapy water with a mixture of one cup of vinegar and 3 litres of warm water to clean your vinyl floor after it has been vacuumed. The vinegar, a more gentle and natural disinfectant, will evaporate when the floor dries. However, it’s still best to rinse your floors afterwards using clean water and a mop, trying not to leave any water residue behind.

Can I put heavy appliances down directly on my vinyl floors?

You can put down regular furniture over vinyl tiles and planks (not sheet vinyl), using pads or sliders under the furniture, this helps avoid denting and scraping the floor. Never use rubber, as it may mark vinyl flooring.

It’s a good idea not to have any excess weight on top of worktops as this may cause additional strain which may damage the floor. We suggest that if you are installing kitchen units and islands, or are building any fitted furniture such as wardrobes ,you cut the vinyl around these items rather than letting them sit on top.

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