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 DuChateau® Vinyl Deluxe Click
Installation Instructions
DuChateau Luxury Vinyl Click Basics
• Installation is quick and simple.
• The innovative Unilin Click allows the floor to float freely over proper substrates. Glue,
nails or fasteners are not needed.
• Underlayment is not necessary. However, if an underlayment is used, use a high density
underlayment with the smallest thickness, preferably with a max of 1.5mm.
• Installation should be properly acclimated in climate-controlled structures that are
maintained at temperatures between 65°F and 85°F before, during and after the
installation. Relative humidity should be maintained between 35% and 85%.
• Prohibit constant exposure to moisture as this may affect the Luxury Vinyl Click. Ensure
that moisture issues and levels are handled before installation.
• It is not recommended to place Luxury Vinyl Click in direct sunlight or in any room that
allows a lot of direct sunlight. This may cause fading and joint separation.
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Assess the Project Location
Ensure that any and all moisture issues are properly managed before installation.
Check the installation site for any leaks.
Inspect substrates for level. Substrates must be durable and flat within 3/16 of an inch
within a 10-foot radius. The substrate should not slope more than 1 inch per 6 feet in
any direction.
Test concrete substrates for relative humidity, pH and moisture before installation. Test
results must not exceed 85% relative humidity (RH). Calcium Chloride Test for moisture
should be no more than 8lbs per 1000 square feet in 24 hours Moisture Vapor Emission
Rating (MVER). PH tests for alkalinity levels should register between 7 and 9.
Check wood substrates for moisture. Warping, rust, peaking and degradation of the
integrity of the substrate are all overt signs of moisture issues. Material should still be
tested using an invasive moisture meter. Moisture levels should not exceed 14%.
Classifying the Substrate
CONCRETE
Always execute the most current version of either the RH Test ASTM F2170 or Calcium Chloride
Test ASTM F1869 and pH Test ASTM F710 prior to installation. Results for RH Test should not
exceed 85% relative humidity.
Calcium Chloride Moisture Test for moisture should measure no more than 8lbs per 1000 square
feet in 24 hours MVER. PH Tests for alkalinity levels should register between 7 and 9. If
moisture levels exceed 85% RH or 8 lbs per 1000sqft in 24 hours MVER, the moisture issue
must be fixed by using a moisture mitigation system before installation.
Prepare concrete substrates in conformance with ASTM F710. Concrete substrates must be
durable and flat within 3/16 of an inch within a 10-foot radius. The substrate should not slope
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more than 1 inch per 6 feet in any direction. New concrete, including lightweight gypsum
toppings, should cure for at least 90 days before conducting moisture tests.
RADIANT HEAT
Radiant heating systems must be cast a ½ inch below the surface of the concrete slab, and
should be operating at least 2 weeks before installation. The temperature of the radiant
heating system should be set to 68°F 48 hours before, during, and 72 hours after installation.
Temperature of the radiant heat floor may be increased gradually 72 hours after installation,
but the surface temperature should never exceed 85°F. Please contact the manufacturer of
your radiant heating systems for further recommendations.
PLYWOOD, OSB, PARTICLEBOARD & CHIPBOARD
Wood substrates must be A.P.A. approved with a minimum grade of “BB” or “CC.” They must
be durable and flat within 3/16 of an inch within a 10-foot radius. The substrate should not
slope more than 1 inch per 6 feet in any direction. Always perform a test for moisture prior to
installation. Moisture readings should never exceed 14% for plywood, OSB, particleboard and
chipboard substrates. If moisture readings exceed 14%, correct moisture issues before
installation. 6 mil poly moisture vapor barriers should never be used over wood substrates.
TILE, TERRAZZO, ASBESTOS TILE, RESILIENT TILE, NON-CUSHION SHEET VINYL &
METAL
Existing floors must be firmly attached to the structural floor. They must be durable and flat
within 3/16 of an inch within a 10-foot radius. The substrate should not slope more than 1 inch
per 6 feet in any direction. Fill in grout lines on ceramic tiles, terrazzo, quarry tiles and similar
floors with cementitious leveling and patching compound.
UNACCEPTABLE SUBSTRATES
• Hardwood
• Engineered Hardwood Over Concrete
• Parquet
• Cushion Back Sheet Vinyl
• Carpeting/Carpet Pad
• Floating Floors
• Sleeper Substrates
NOTE: Various Federal, State and Local government agencies have regulations governing the
removal of in-place asbestos-containing material. If you are planning on removing a resilient
floor covering structure that has (or is presumed to have) asbestos, then you must review and
comply with all applicable regulations. Do NOT sand, dry sweep, dry scrape, drill, saw, bead
blast, or mechanically chip or pulverize existing resilient flooring, backing, lining felt, asphalt
“cut-back” adhesive, or other adhesive. These products contain asbestos fibers and/or
crystalline silica. Avoid creating dust. Inhalation of such dust is a cancer and respiratory tract
hazard. Smoking by individuals exposed to asbestos fibers greatly increases the risk of bodily
harm. Unless positively certain that the product is a non-asbestos containing material, you must
presume it contains asbestos. Regulations may require that the material be tested to determine
asbestos content. RFCI™'s Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient
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Floor Covering is a defined set of instructions addressed to the task of removing all resilient
floor covering structures. For further information, please see the Resilient Floor Covering
Institute website at www.rfci.com.
ATTENTION: Mold and mildew grow only in the presence of moisture. Moisture issues must be
addressed and corrected at the job site prior to installation. Please visit www.epa.gov/mold for
information about safely preventing and removing mold, mildew, and other biological pollutants.
Preparing the Project Location
v Turn on HVAC at least one week before installation. Room temperature should be set
between 65°F and 85°F at least 48 hours prior to installation.
v Allow all other trades to finish.
v Complete required moisture and pH tests. Refer to the substrate information above.
v Level uneven surfaces. Fill large cracks and voids with cementitious leveling and
patching compound. Substrates must be durable and flat within 3/16 of an inch within a
10-foot radius. The substrate should not slope more than 1 inch per 6 feet in any
direction.
v Remove floor moldings. Carefully remove quarter-rounds and wall bases before
installation. These will be used to hide the ¼ inch expansion space once the job is
complete.
o NOTE: The maximum length and width the product can be used without a
transition is 10 meter (32.8’) x 10 meter (32.8’).
v Fill Grout Line. Skim coat grout lines on ceramic tile, terrazzo, quarry tile and similar
surfaces using cementitious leveling and patching compound.
v Remove unapproved substrates.
v Remove or encapsulate old adhesive. Old carpet and vinyl adhesives should be scraped
up, skim coated or encapsulated with a sealer.
v Wood door casings should be undercut so that DuChateau Luxury Vinyl Click will fit
neatly beneath them, hiding the ¼ inch expansion space. Position the plank on the
substrate against the door casing. Lay the handsaw flat against the scrap plank and
carefully cut the door casing to the height of the plank. If underlayment is being used,
place a piece of the underlayment beneath the 6 inch piece of plank before undercutting
the door casing to the proper height.
v Cut around metal door casings, leaving a ¼ inch expansion space. After installation, fill
the space with a coordinating premium waterproof 100% silicone caulk.
v Remove all debris, sweep and vacuum the floor. Smooth, non-porous floors should be
damp-mopped after vacuuming and allowed to dry thoroughly before installation. All
dust must be removed prior to installation.
Product Acclimation
v Allow DuChateau Luxury Vinyl Click to acclimate at least 48 hours prior to installation.
v Spread unopened cartons no more than 3 cartons high and at least 4 inches apart.
Cartons should be stacked away from heating and cooling ducts and direct sunlight.
v Maintain a constant room temperature between 65°F and 85°F before, during, and after
installation.
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v Maintain ambient relative humidity between 35% and 85% at all times.
INSTALLATION
v Choose the wall where you want to start. Face this wall and install from left to right
beginning in the left corner. The groove side of the first row of planks should face the
open field.
v Place the first plank at least one foot away from the starting wall. This allows enough
space to work on top of the floor in order to install the first few rows.
NOTE: When starting a new row with a full plank, always remove the tongue edge from
the short side only.
v Form an even ¼” expansion space between the perimeter planks and the wall using
spacers. Place the first plank one foot from the left hand corner of the starting wall
against the spacers.
v Angle and interlock the short ends in the first row to secure the planks. Insert the
tongue into the groove, ensuring the edges are perfectly aligned. Grip the plank in
position and guide the edge into place for a tight, gap-free fit. The long groove edge
must be perfectly aligned from plank to plank.
v Put a ¼” spacer against the wall at the end of the first row. Measure the distance from
the spacer to the edge of the last full plank on the first row. Take this measurement
down. Transfer the measurement onto a new plank starting from the short tongue edge
side and mark with a pencil. Use a straight edge and utility knife to score across the
plank. Snap the plank, using your knee as leverage.
v After measuring and cutting the last plank, position and install the plank, using the same
procedure above for the previously installed planks on the first row. Ensure that the long
edges of the first row are perfectly aligned before beginning.
v Throughout the entire installation, maintain a minimum 6” end-joint stagger from rowto-row. DO NOT stair-step the end joints. If the leftover piece from the end of the first
row measures 6 inches or more, it may be used as-is to begin the second row.
Otherwise, pick a new plank. Place the plank with the groove edge facing you, then
measure 1/3 the length of the plank from the right-hand short edge. Mark, score and
snap. Attach the partial plank to a new, full-length plank along the short edge, ensuring
the long tongue edge aligns perfectly. Place a spacer against the wall to keep a ¼”
expansion space. Place the cut edge against the spacer and insert the tongue edge of
the two attached pieces at the same time into the groove edge of the first row. Ensure
that the long edges are perfectly aligned and all joints are tight and gap-free. Gently
tap along the groove until the rows are completely locked and tight.
v Before installing the third plank in the second row, place a full box of DuChateau Luxury
Vinyl Click perpendicular to the top of the first plank on the second and consecutive
rows to prevent them from separating as you work. Pick a full plank and insert the short
tongue side at an angle into the short groove of the second plank in the second row.
Keep pressure on the short side of both planks and place the rest of the plank on the
substrate. Ensure that the short joint stays tight and gap-free. Place your right hand on
the long groove edge of the third plank and your left hand on the tongue side. Lift the
plank slightly with your right hand, and quickly insert the long tongue into the groove of
the previous row. Move to the opposite end of the plank, continuing the process until
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the planks are fully engaged. The planks should fit together tightly along the short and
long sides and all edges should be even with no separation or gapping. Tap each joint
into place to lock tightly as you go. Follow the same procedure along the entire row.
NOTE: If a plank is positioned incorrectly and the joints are not tight, it should be
carefully separated and repositioned before tapping. Always check for gaps before
installing the next row.
v Gently push the entire 3-row assembly into place against the starting wall, using
spacers to keep a ¼” expansion space. Follow the step noted for the second row and
repeat for the entire installation. Observe the recommended spacing carefully and
stagger the pattern throughout the job. Tap the joints to lock tightly as you go.
v Gather each plank intended for the final row directly on top of, and aligned with, the
previously installed row. The tongue and groove of the final row must face the same
direction as the planks in the previously installed row. Observe the correct
recommended staggering method and keep ¼” spacing on the short ends. Spacers will
not be needed for the final row. Create a measuring plank by cutting an 8” length of
plank with the tongue and groove intake. Place the measuring plank against the wall
and on top of the final row. Mark along the edge where the measuring plank rests on
the final row. Continue moving the measuring plank down the wall and mark as you go.
Score and snap the last row along the marked line. Put the assembled final row of
planks into place, and use a pull bar to lock the joint tightly together.
v Remove the spacers when installation is complete. You may fill the ¼” expansion space
around high-moisture areas like showers, tubs and appliances using premium
waterproof 100% silicone caulk.
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