WPC Decking Floor

WPC Decking Flooring is highly desirable because of its affordability, versatility and look alike qualities to real timber flooring. Adding to that, it is very easy to maintain daily and over time. To ensure that you maximise the care and maintenance for your WPC Decking Floor and have it looking as good as new see the points below for some helpful do's and don'ts:
· Always use pads, or floor protector's underneath furniture.
· Avoid dragging large pieces of furniture across your floor.
· Place an area rug, or non-rubberized mat in front of doorways to collect dust and debris.
· If you live near the beach, it is a good idea to dust sand away regularly.
· Keep your pet's nails short.
· Avoid walking on your floors in stiletto heels (these can even damage concrete).
· Sweep with a soft broom daily.
· DO NOT use steam cleaners, steam mops, buffing or polishing machines.
· Microfibre mops are best. Avoid string mops, or sponge mops.
· Do not soak the mop. Just dampen it. Do not over wet the floor.
· A dash of white vinegar in your mop bucket can be very effective.
· Clean any spills immediately.
· Do not use harsh cleaners, such as turpentine, chemicals, bleach, soap, wax, oil-based detergents or acidic cleaners.
· Do not use steel wool, strong ammoniated or chlorinated cleaners.
· Do not scrub.
· Avoid using a vacuum with a beater bar. A soft brush head or sweeping is best.
· An excellent recipe for cleaning/mopping your floor is a solution of 3 parts water to 1 part white vinegar, 1 squirt of liquid dish detergent. (do not use scented or dyed). Put all in a spray bottle or bucket and use accordingly.
· Never wax or polish your floor.
· Do not use disinfectant cleaners and insecticide sprays containing oil or solvents that may settle on the floor in sufficient quantity to discolour, cause slipperiness and harm the flooring.
· Water does not need to be steaming hot, but it should be more than lukewarm.

These installation guidelines apply to the WPC Decking Flooring only. All instructions and recommendations should be followed for a satisfactory installation.
· Acclimation of material prior to installation is not required, however, the floor covering should be installed in a climate controlled environment with an ambient temperature range between 55° - 85°F (13°-29°C) or average temperature of 70 degrees (21.1°).

· For installations involving 3 season scenarios, meaning, the dwelling or installed space is without climate control for extended periods during certain seasons of the year, the post installation temperature range allowed is an ambient room temperature between 32F and 100F (0°- 37.7°C). This allowance is for floating floors only and does not apply to glue-down installations.

· Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for prolonged periods, doing so may result in discoloration. During peak sunlight hours, the use of drapes or blinds is recommended. Excess temperature due to direct sunlight can result in thermal expansion and UV fading.

· Install product after all other trades have completed work that could damage the flooring.

· If cabinets are to be installed on top of the flooring (including islands), that area of material must be fully adhered to the subfloor (including an additional 2'ft beyond the cabinets and islands).

· To minimize shade variation, mix and install planks from several cartons.

· Inspect all planks for damage before installing. If you have any concerns about the product fit or finish, call Shaw Information Services at 1-800-441-7429. Claims will not be accepted for flooring that has been cut to size and/or installed.

· Use cementitious patching and leveling compounds that meet or exceed maximum moisture level and pH requirements. Use of gypsum-based patching and/or leveling compounds which contain · Portland or high alumina cement and meet or exceed the compressive strength of 3,000 psi are acceptable.

· Installation Methods: Floating (on, above or below grade) / Glue Down (on, above or below grade).

· Required perimeter expansion spacing for Floating or Glue Down installation is as follows:

· For areas less than 2500 sq ft, use 1/4" gap

· For areas larger than 2500 sq ft. use 1/2" gap.

· WPC flooring is waterproof and reliably secures the flooring panels on all four sides. However, excessive moisture in the subfloor could promote mold, mildew, and other moisture related issues like the trapping of moisture emissions under the flooring, which may contribute to an unhealthy indoor environment.

· Additional layer of 6 mil poly film or equal vapor retarder with a perm rating of .1 or less may be used as an additional layer of protection.

· A second underlayment is allowed under any currently sold resilient product with attached underlayment in a residential application. If installed over a second underlayment, this underlayment cannot be greater than 3 mm thick. IIC (ASTM E492-09) and STC (ASTM E90-09) lab testing on certain resilient products tested with and without a second layer of underlayment, to date, does not indicate that a second underlayment will provide additional acoustic benefit.

· Crumb rubber underlayments are not an acceptable option for use with resilient floor coverings due to performance issues resulting from chemical incompatibilities.