Rustic Ember Oak SPC Rigid Core Click Vinyl

Click LVT Installation Guide

1. Acclimatise the Tiles or Planks: Leave the packs unopened in the room for at least 24 to 48 hours before fitting, at normal room temperature. LVT is far more dimensionally stable than laminate, but it's still good practice, especially if the room has recently been colder or warmer than normal.

2. Prepare the Subfloor: The subfloor needs to be level, clean, dry, and structurally sound. Remove old flooring and repair any cracks or damage, since a rigid click floor will still show through subfloor imperfections over time, even though LVT tends to be more forgiving than laminate.

3. Measure the Area and Allow for Waste: Measure the room and add 5 to 10% extra for wastage on a plank layout, or 15 to 20% if you're laying herringbone, which needs far more angled cutting around the perimeter.

4. Install the Underlay, if Needed: Some click LVT ranges include an integrated acoustic backing already attached to the plank, so check your product's specification before buying a separate underlay. Where one is needed, roll it out and butt the joints together as usual.

5. Lay the Flooring:
For plank: start in the corner of the longest, straightest wall, working left to right, and use spacers around the full perimeter to maintain an expansion gap, typically 5 to 10mm for LVT, smaller than laminate needs, but always check your specific product's guidance. Click each plank into place with the tapping block and mallet, and stagger the end joints between rows by at least 20 to 30cm.
For herringbone: set the room out first. Find the centre point, snap a chalk line down its length and a second line at a true right angle across it, then dry lay a row along these lines to confirm the pattern sits square before locking anything into place. Work outward from the centre in both directions so the final cut pieces land evenly on opposite walls.
In both cases, the floor should float freely, don't glue or fix it to the subfloor.

6. Cutting Tiles or Planks: Standard flexible LVT can usually be cut by scoring firmly along a straightedge with a sharp utility knife and snapping it cleanly along the line. Rigid SPC or WPC core planks are too stiff to snap and need a fine tooth saw or a dedicated vinyl plank cutter instead. For herringbone, mark and number each perimeter piece individually as you go, since the angled cuts are rarely identical from one edge to the next.

7. Finishing Touches: Remove the spacers, then fit skirting or scotia beading to cover the expansion gap and transition strips at doorways where the LVT meets another floor type.

DIY vs. Professional Installation
Plank click LVT is one of the more DIY-friendly flooring types available, thanks to the floating click system and forgiving nature of the material. Herringbone is a different matter, the setting out in step 5 is unforgiving of a wonky start, so while it's still achievable as a confident DIY project, professional installation is worth considering if you're not comfortable measuring and squaring a room precisely.

What is LVT flooring?
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is a resilient, multi-layer flooring made from PVC vinyl, designed to closely replicate the look of real wood or stone. Despite the name, LVT covers both tile-look and plank formats, including herringbone and chevron parquet-style layouts, not just square tiles.

What's the difference between LVT, SPC, and WPC flooring?
These all describe the core of the vinyl plank or tile. Standard LVT has a flexible vinyl core, SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) has a rigid, highly stable core that's excellent at disguising an imperfect subfloor, and WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) has a slightly softer, more cushioned core that feels a little warmer and quieter underfoot. All three wear the same realistic wood or stone visual layer on top.

What are the advantages of click LVT flooring?
Click LVT is waterproof, highly durable, comfortable and warm underfoot, and available in a huge range of colours, textures, and formats, including herringbone. It's low maintenance, doesn't need sanding or resealing, and is generally more affordable than natural stone or solid hardwood.

How is click LVT flooring installed?
Click LVT plank uses a floating floor installation, where each plank interlocks with the next without glue or nails, making it straightforward for a confident DIYer to fit. Click herringbone LVT uses the same interlocking system, but needs careful setting out from the centre of the room first, since the shorter blocks are laid at an angle rather than in straight rows, so it's a more technical job and professional installation is worth considering if you're not confident measuring and squaring a room accurately.

Does click LVT flooring need underlay?
In most cases, yes, an underlay improves sound absorption, comfort underfoot, and helps smooth minor subfloor imperfections. Some ranges include an integrated acoustic backing already attached to the plank, so it's worth checking the specification of your chosen range before buying a separate underlay.

Is LVT flooring waterproof?
Yes. Unlike laminate, which has a wood based core, LVT is made almost entirely from PVC vinyl, so it's fully waterproof through the whole plank rather than just water resistant on the surface.

Can click LVT flooring be installed in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens?
Yes, its waterproof construction makes it well suited to kitchens, bathrooms, and other moisture prone rooms, provided the subfloor itself is properly prepared and sealed at the edges.

Can click LVT flooring be installed over underfloor heating?
Yes, most click LVT is compatible with underfloor heating, but always check the specific product's guidance and stay within the manufacturer's recommended maximum temperature.

What does the wear layer on LVT flooring mean?
The wear layer is the clear protective coating on top of the design layer, and its thickness determines how much wear and tear the floor can take. A thinner wear layer (around 0.3mm) suits lighter domestic use, while 0.5mm and above is better suited to busy households and light commercial settings.

How long does click LVT flooring last?
With proper care, click LVT can last for decades, and is often backed by warranties ranging from around 20 years up to a lifetime guarantee, depending on the range and wear layer thickness.

How do you clean LVT flooring?
Sweep or vacuum regularly, then clean with a damp mop and a cleaning solution made for vinyl floors. Avoid excessive water pooling around the joints.

Can LVT flooring be cleaned with a steam mop?
No, steam mops should be avoided. The heat and moisture can damage the adhesive layers and affect the finish over time, so stick to a damp mop or cloth instead.

What's the difference between LVT and laminate flooring?
LVT has a PVC vinyl core, making it fully waterproof and generally softer and warmer underfoot, while laminate has a wood based HDF core with a harder, more traditional wood-like surface. LVT is the better choice for wet or high moisture rooms, while laminate is often preferred for its slightly more authentic timber feel in living spaces.

Does click LVT flooring add to a home's resale value?
Yes, a well-fitted, good quality LVT floor can enhance a home's appeal to potential buyers, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms where it offers a practical, waterproof alternative to tiling.