How to install laminate (5G Click System)

5G Click Floating Flooring is designed with an angle/drop mechanism with a secure locking clip, which is installed differently than the traditional angle/angle installed floating flooring.

5G flooring requires that the top or long sides be installed first by engaging the joint at a shallow angle (25°), and then sliding the piece to line up the short or right side drop lock mechanism. The end joints with the 5G drop mechanism should be carefully placed with the top side lightly touching the adjoining plank. After engaging the top/long side joint at a shallow angle, the end/side joint can be firmly pressed into place until it ‘clicks’.

Tips

Do not secure individual planks to the subfloor. All door jambs and moldings should be undercut. Cabinets, kitchen islands, and other fixtures cannot be installed on top of floating vinyl flooring. A 5/16” (8mm) gap should be maintained around all columns, islands, etc.

Do not install floating vinyl flooring in unheated areas or in areas subjected to high temperatures or heavy sunlight. This includes porches, sunrooms, solariums, and other structures without adequate temperature control and cover from direct sunlight.

Wall moldings, including baseboard and quarter round, should not be fastened through the vinyl flooring.

Maintain a 5/16” (8mm) gap consistently around the perimeter of the vinyl floor at all vertical surfaces. Moldings should be installed a minimum of 1/32” (.79mm) above the flooring to allow for movement.

Do not wrap floating vinyl floors around doors, entryways or other openings that are less than 6’ (2 meters) wide. A suitable T-molding or transition strip must be used while maintaining the 5/16” (8mm) expansion gap under the T-molding in all openings less than 6’ (2 meters) wide. Do not install door transitions through the vinyl flooring.

When fitting around obstacles or cutting to irregular shapes, the vinyl flooring can be carefully heated and cut with a sharp utility blade. It is beneficial to make cardboard templates of the areas and transfer this to the pieces to be cut.

Full pieces of flooring can be cut by using a utility knife with heavy-duty blades. Score the face of the piece and snap the planks carefully along the score line. Use a steel straight edge for cutting pieces along the length in multiple passes with the utility knife, and then snap the piece along the cut line.

Use of a small bristle brush for cleaning debris left from milling the locking joints will ensure a tight fit of the pieces.

Step-by-step

1. From the top, left corner of the room put the first plank in place so both the head and side seam grooves are exposed. Install the planks left to right. Cut off the tongue on the long side of each piece in the first row with a utility knife.

2. Install the second piece in the first row by laying the short-end tongue onto the previously installed piece short-end groove. Fasten the piece together by firmly pressing down with your thumb along the seam to lock the planks together. This will engage the 5G locking clip into the piece you just placed; you will hear and feel the pieces lock together as the locking tab engages in the joint. Use of a soft, white No. 2 rubber mallet is also recommended to vertically engage the joint.

3. Continue in this manner for the rest of the first row. The last piece in the row should be cut to length while maintaining the 5/16” (8mm) expansion space along the perimeter of the room.

4. Cut a piece in half of the lengths to start the second row or use the cut-off from the previous row, keeping in mind the length requirements above. Install the first piece in the second row by inserting the long side tongue into the groove of the piece in the first row at a low angle (25°) to the installed piece. Then firmly lower the plank while maintaining a slight pressure toward the installed piece. The pieces should fit snugly together and lay flat. Ensure that expansion space is kept along this wall.

5. To install the remaining planks in the second row, first align the long edge tongue into the groove of the previous row at a shallow angle. Slide the piece to the left until the piece meets the previously installed piece.

6. Firmly lower the piece while maintaining a slight pressure towards the installed piece. The pieces should fit snugly together and lay flat. Engage the short edge joint as in #2 and #4 above.

7. Work across the length of the room installing pieces in the second row. It is critical to keep these first two rows straight and square, as they are the “foundation” for the rest of the installation. Check often for squareness and straightness while installing the floor.

8. Use of several 5/16” (8mm) spacer blocks along the first wall will ensure the proper spacing is achieved and that floor does not ‘walk’ back towards the wall during installation.

9. Continue installing flooring, being certain to maintain a random appearance (planks) or the pattern and offset end seams by at least 6”. Maintain a 5/16” (8mm) expansion gap at all fixed vertical surfaces. Check to be certain all planks are fully engaged; if slight gapping is noticed or the pieces will not lay flat, simply disengage the long/top side joint and then carefully slide the short/end joint apart. Do not pull up on this joint as it will damage the locking mechanism! Reinstall the piece.

10.Install wall moldings and door transition moldings last. Be sure that all moldings are fastened directly to the wall studs or directly into the flooring; do not place any fasteners through the floating vinyl flooring!