IMPERIAL HYBRID FLOORING™ INSTALLATION GUIDE

Imperial Flooring Australia®

This Installation Guide outlines the mandatory procedures for the correct installation of Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ products. All installations must be carried out in accordance with this guide and the relevant Australian Standards.

Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ is a floating floor system and must be installed accordingly. Failure to follow these instructions may result in product failure and may void the manufacturer's warranty.

1. General Information

Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ is a rigid SPC floating floor system with an integrated acoustic underlay.

Designed for floating floor installation only.
Additional underlay is not permitted unless approved in writing by Imperial Flooring Australia®.
Flooring must not be mechanically fixed, nailed, screwed or glued to the subfloor unless specifically authorised by Imperial Flooring Australia®.
Heavy fixed items including kitchen island benches, cabinetry, wardrobes, partitions and similar permanent fixtures must not be installed over floating flooring. Flooring must be installed around these items to allow for natural expansion and contraction.
Store flooring cartons flat in a clean, dry, enclosed environment prior to installation.
Do not expose flooring to direct sunlight, excessive heat or moisture before installation.
Allow a minimum of 10% additional flooring for cutting waste and future maintenance.

2. Pre-Installation Inspection

Before installation, inspect every plank under good lighting conditions.
Do not install flooring that is visibly damaged, defective or unacceptable in appearance.
Installation constitutes acceptance of the product.
Claims relating to visible defects cannot be accepted once flooring has been installed.

3. Tools and Equipment Required

The following tools are recommended:

Measuring tape
10mm spacers
Straight edge (minimum 2 metres; 3 metres recommended)
Mitre saw & table saw
Utility knife
Rubber mallet
Tapping block
Imperial Pull Bar
Oscillating multi-tool (for undercutting door jambs)
Vacuum and cleaning equipment
Imperial Flooring Cutter (optional)

4. Subfloor Requirements

Correct subfloor preparation is critical to the long-term performance of the flooring.

The subfloor must be:

Structurally sound
Dry and moisture compliant
Clean and free from dust, debris, adhesive residue, paint and contaminants
Flat within the specified tolerances

All carpet staples, nails, loose materials and adhesive residues must be completely removed before installation.

4.1 Subfloor Flatness

The finished subfloor must not exceed:

3mm variation over a 3 metre straight edge.
Flatness must be checked throughout the installation area using a suitable straight edge.
Low areas must be corrected using an approved cement-based levelling compound.
High areas must be ground or sanded to achieve compliance.

5. Moisture Requirements

Subfloor moisture levels must comply with the relevant Australian Standards before installation.

For Imperial Hybrid Flooring™ 8mm and 9mm SPC flooring:

An additional polyethylene moisture barrier or black plastic is not required under normal dry internal conditions.
Where excessive moisture is present or suspected, an approved moisture barrier system must be installed before laying the flooring.

Failure to adequately address moisture-related issues may result in product failure and void the product warranty.

6. Undercutting Door Frames

Door jambs and architraves must be undercut to allow flooring to slide freely beneath them.
Use a flooring plank as a height guide and undercut using an oscillating multi-tool or suitable cutting equipment.
This provides the required expansion clearance while delivering a professional finish.

7. Installation Procedure

7.1 Planning the Layout

Where practical, install planks parallel to the longest wall or in the direction of the primary source of natural light.
Plan the layout to avoid narrow finishing rows.
Dry lay several rows if necessary to optimise the appearance and minimise waste.
Confirm all required expansion gaps before commencing installation.

7.2 Expansion Requirements

A continuous 10mm expansion gap must be maintained around:

All perimeter walls
Door jambs
Columns
Pipe penetrations
Fixed cabinetry
Structural elements
All other fixed objects

For installations exceeding 12 metres × 12 metres:

Install expansion joints at doorways; or
Increase the expansion gap by 1mm for every additional metre beyond 12 metres.

Insufficient expansion allowance may result in peaking, buckling or floor failure.

7.3 Installing the First Row

Begin installation along the longest straight wall.
Insert 10mm spacers around the perimeter.
Ensure the first row is perfectly straight, as this determines the alignment of the entire installation.

7.4 Installing Subsequent Rows

Insert each plank at an angle of approximately 15–25 degrees.
Engage the long-edge locking system.
Lower the plank gently until fully locked into position.
Use a tapping block and rubber mallet where required to ensure joints are fully engaged.
Never strike planks directly with a hammer.

7.5 End Joint Requirements

End joints must:

Have a minimum plank length of 200mm
Stagger by a minimum of 400mm between adjacent rows and mix starting rows with random lengths for a random stagger.

Maintaining an appropriate random stagger improves both structural stability and visual appearance.

8. Cutting and Final Row Installation

Measure accurately while allowing for the required expansion gap.

Cut planks using appropriate flooring cutting equipment.

For the final row:

Position a full plank directly over the previous row with the tongue facing the wall.
Use an offcut or spare plank to mark the required cutting line.
Cut the plank to size.
Install using an Imperial Pulling Iron to fully engage the locking system.

9. Completion and Final Inspection

Upon completion:

Inspect all joints to ensure they are fully engaged.
Confirm expansion gaps remain unobstructed.
Remove all spacers.
Install skirting boards or scotia mouldings.

Skirting boards, trims and scotia must never restrict the natural movement of the floating floor.

10. Ongoing Maintenance

To maximise the life of your flooring:

Clean using a pH-neutral cleaner suitable for hybrid flooring.
Vacuum or sweep regularly to remove abrasive dirt and grit.
Avoid excessive standing water.
Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning products.
Install felt furniture protectors under tables, chairs and heavy furniture.
Use entry mats at external doorways to minimise dirt and moisture.

Note: Steam mops are not recommended unless specifically approved by Imperial Flooring Australia®.

Disclaimer

Installation must be completed in accordance with this Installation Guide and the relevant Australian Standards. Imperial Flooring Australia® accepts no responsibility for product failure resulting from incorrect installation, subfloor non-compliance, moisture-related issues, unsuitable environmental conditions, site conditions, or failure to follow these installation instructions.