Laying click vinyl panels consists of three stages: acclimatization of the panels, preparation of the substrate and installation of subsequent rows while maintaining expansion joints. The panels are connected with a lock, without glue, and the floor lies freely on the subfloor, i.e. it is installed using the floating method. The key dimensions are 6 mm gaps near the walls and at least 30 cm of joint shifts in adjacent rows. The entire process is described below according to the instructions for installing VinCore floors from the WOOD and WOOD+ collections in the Uniclic system. The assembly of the herringbone HERRINGBONE and HERRINGBONE+ is different and is described in a separate manual.
The most important rules at a glance
- Acclimatization - at least 24 hours in the installation room at a temperature of 18-27°C.
- Substrate - flat, dry, clean and stable; tolerance 2 mm per 1 m and 1 mm per 20 cm.
- Perimeter gap - 6 mm at walls and fixed elements.
- Joint offset - at least 30 cm between end joints in adjacent rows.
- Floating installation - the panels are not glued or screwed to the substrate.
- Installation only inside buildings - the instructions do not allow for outdoor installation.
VINCORE · CLICK INSTALLATION
Installation of click vinyl panels – the most important dimensions and conditions
| Stage | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Acclimatization | Min. 24 hours in the installation room, 18-27°C, humidity 30-50% |
| Evenness of the ground | Tolerance 2 mm per 1 m and 1 mm per 20 cm |
| Substrate humidity | Less than 2.5% (cement), less than 0.5% (anhydrite) |
| Circumferential gap | 6 mm on walls and fixed elements |
| The first piece in a row | At least 30 cm long |
| Shifting the joints | Final welds in adjacent rows min. 30 cm apart |
| Large surfaces | Over 200 m² or 20 m in length: 8 mm expansion joints |
Source: VinCore assembly manual.
Before installation: acclimatization of the panels
The panels should be moved to the room where they will be installed at least 24 hours before work begins. During this time, they should lie flat, on an even surface, at a room temperature of 18 to 27°C and air humidity of 30 to 50%. The instructions recommend cutting the packages on the short side to allow air access.
Acclimatization allows the panels to adapt to the room temperature. You must not install a floor exposed to a sudden change in temperature without prior acclimatization, for example when the panels were delivered on a frosty day to a heated apartment.
Substrate preparation
The durability of the entire floor depends on the condition of the substrate. The VinCore manual sets clear requirements.
Type of substrate
The panels should be mounted directly on a cement or anhydrite substrate. Other hard surfaces are also acceptable: resin floors, wood-based OSB or MFP boards, wooden floors, natural stone and even ceramic tiles with joints shallower than 2 mm and narrower than 4 mm. The existing floor must be flat, dry, clean, stable and permanently bonded to the subfloor. Installation on floating floors, carpets and other soft surfaces is prohibited.
Equality
The substrate should be flat within a tolerance of 2 mm over a 1 m section and 1 mm over a 20 cm section. Irregularities above these values should be sanded or leveled with a screed. The manufacturer recommends leveling the subfloor with a self-leveling compound. Recesses and humps prevent proper installation because the panels do not adhere evenly and the locks work under load.
Humidity
The substrate must be completely dry. The humidity of the cement substrate should be below 2.5% and of the anhydrite substrate below 0.5%. Although the panels are waterproof, they do not function as a moisture barrier, and moisture from the substrate could penetrate the walls and structure of the building. If there is a risk of moisture, the instructions recommend using a vapor barrier foil.
Underlay
VinCore panels have an integrated IXPE foam backing, so they are laid directly on the prepared substrate, without an additional layer.
Tools and materials
No specialized machines are needed to install click panels. Before starting work, it is worth preparing:
- 6 mm spacers to maintain the gap at the walls,
- measuring tape, pencil and square for measuring and marking cuts,
- a tool for cutting panels, for example a knife with a replaceable blade or a saw,
- a level or a patch to check the evenness of the surface,
- vapor barrier foil if there is a risk of moisture from the substrate,
- MS or PU sealing compound for bathrooms and kitchens,
- skirting boards and profiles to cover expansion joints.
How many panels should I buy?
A package of WOOD and WOOD+ boards contains 10 panels measuring 180 × 1220 mm, i.e. 2.2 m². To the measured area of the room, you need to add allowance for cutting at the walls, around pipes and in irregularly shaped places. The amount of stock depends on the shape of the room and is worth agreeing with the seller or installer.
It is also worth keeping a few panels after installation. The warranty card of the WOOD+ and HERRINGBONE+ collections requires storing two boards from different packaging for the entire warranty period.
Direction of laying the panels
The instructions specify the starting point for installation, i.e. the left corner of the room, but the direction of laying the boards depends on the interior design. Most often, the panels are placed parallel to the direction of light coming from the window or along a longer wall, because the joints are less visible and the room optically lengthens. In an open space, it is worth keeping one orientation in the entire zone so that the floor creates a coherent surface.
Layout planning
Before laying the first panel, it is worth planning the installation direction and arrangement of expansion joints. The instructions require a 6 mm gap around the entire perimeter of the room and around fixed objects such as columns, pipes, kitchen furniture, kitchen islands or sliding wardrobes. Areas larger than 200 m² and rooms longer or wider than 20 m should be divided with 8 mm wide expansion joints.
Expansion joints in door thresholds are especially recommended when there is a temperature difference between rooms, underfloor heating only works in one of them, the rooms differ significantly in shape or dimensions, or there are heavy elements in one of them.
Heavy furniture or kitchen furniture is planned in advance. The instructions recommend cutting holes in the floor and installing such furniture directly on the floor, maintaining expansion gaps.
Step by step assembly
Step 1. First panel
Installation begins with the first, entire panel in the left corner of the room, placed tongue-in-cheek against the wall. A 6 mm gap should be left from the left wall. The instructions also allow you to start laying right next to the wall and set the distance of 6 mm only after two or three rows, using spacers.
Step 2. First row
The shorter end of the second panel is inserted at an angle into the first panel and then lowered to the ground. Subsequent panels are arranged in the same way until the end of the row. The last panel is cut so that a 6 mm gap remains from the wall.
Step 3. Second row
The second row starts with a piece cut off from the last panel of the previous row. This fragment must be at least 30 cm long. If it is shorter, start the row with a new panel, cutting off a section longer than 30 cm from it. End joints in adjacent rows must be at least 30 cm apart.
Step 4. Joining the long edges
The long edge of the panel is placed at an angle in the panel of the previous row, pressed forward and lowered at the same time. The next panel in the row is inserted with its shorter end at an angle into the previously installed panel and gently lowered, leaving a small gap on the long edge. Then both the panel you are laying and the previous panel in that row are lifted and pushed so that the new panel slides into the previous row. Both panels should be fully folded into a horizontal position.
Step 5. Struts
After two or three rows, the distance from the front wall is set by inserting 6 mm thick spacers. The spacers remain in place throughout the installation and are only removed once the installation is complete.
Step 6. More rows and uneven walls
The next rows are arranged in the same way. If the wall is uneven, the panels must be adjusted to its outline: the shape of the wall is marked on the panel and cut, still maintaining a 6 mm gap. If necessary, the same procedure is already applied in the first row.
Step 7. Finishing
After installation, the struts are removed and the expansion joints are covered with strips or profiles. In humid rooms, i.e. bathroom and kitchen, MS or PU polymer sealing compound is used under the finishing profile. The same mass is used to fill gaps in the bathtub, shower and other wet areas.
Installation on underfloor heating
VinCore panels can be laid on water and electric underfloor heating in accordance with the described rules, provided that the temperature on the floor surface does not exceed 27°C. The temperature must be changed gradually and thermal seals must be used, and with electric heating a temperature increase control element is required. The installation must be embedded in the ground, at least 15 mm below the floor, and for an area above 40 m², a peripheral expansion joint of 8 mm is recommended.
Alone or with an editor?
The click system allows you to lay the boards without glue and specialized machines, which is why many people decide to install them themselves. However, it must be remembered that the final assessment of the suitability of the subfloor, for example whether the screed is dry enough, rests with the person laying the floor. The manual recommends using certified installers and, in case of doubt, contact the manufacturer at help@epuflooring.pl. Failure to follow the instructions may result in loss of warranty.
The most common mistakes when arranging click panels
- Skipping acclimatization or shortening it to less than 24 hours.
- Installation on an uneven surface in the hope that the primer will compensate for the unevenness.
- The gap near the walls is too narrow or missing around pipes, columns and structures.
- Too short fragment at the beginning of the row - less than 30 cm.
- Joints too close together in adjacent rows.
- Incompletely assembled locks - the panels must lie horizontally, without gaps at the joints.
- Heavy furniture or furniture placed on the floor instead of on the ground.
After assembly: first days of use
After laying the floor, it is worth taking care of its protection immediately. The instructions recommend felt pads under furniture legs, doormats at the entrance, keeping the room temperature between 18-27°C and avoiding dragging heavy objects. The floor is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or a soft brush, and steam or pressure washers are not used.
Frequently asked questions
Do click vinyl planks need to be glued?
NO. VinCore panels with the click system are designed for floating installation, without glue.
What gap should I leave next to the wall?
6 mm around the entire perimeter of the room. For areas larger than 200 m² or rooms longer than 20 m, additional 8 mm gaps are used, and for underfloor heating larger than 40 m², an 8 mm peripheral expansion joint is used.
Can vinyl planks be laid over tiles?
Yes, if the tiles are even, stable and have joints shallower than 2 mm and narrower than 4 mm. The manufacturer recommends smoothing them first with a leveling mortar.
How long must the panels lie before installation?
At least 24 hours in the installation room, at a temperature of 18-27°C and air humidity of 30-50%.
From which side do you start laying the panels?
According to the VinCore instructions, from the left corner of the room, with the first entire panel laid tongue-to-wall.
Summary
Laying click vinyl panels does not require glue or specialized machines, but you must follow a few rules:
- the panels are acclimatized for at least 24 hours,
- the substrate must be even, dry and stable, and if there is a risk of moisture, a vapor barrier foil is used,
- a 6 mm gap is left near walls and permanent elements,
- joints in adjacent rows are moved by at least 30 cm,
- heavy structures are mounted directly on the ground, not on the floor.
The full offer of VinCore vinyl floors is available on the brand's website, and the catalog, installation instructions and warranty cards are available in the Downloads tab. You can check the sales points in the Find a store search engine.
Looking for the perfect floor?
Discover our full range of vinyl flooring and find the ideal solution for your interior.
Want to see our articles more often in Google?
Add VinCore as a preferred source in Google Search so our guides and inspiration appear more often for you.
Add in Google
