CFI Vinyl & Resilient Flooring 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum recommended acclimation time for luxury vinyl plank (LVP) before installation in most US climates?
- 12 hours
- 24 hours
- 48 hours (Correct answer)
- 72 hours
Correct answer: 48 hours
LVP should acclimate for at least 48 hours in the installation environment to stabilize its dimensions.
Question 2: When installing sheet vinyl over a wood subfloor with seams, what is the maximum allowable height difference at the seam?
- 1/32 inch (Correct answer)
- 1/16 inch
- 1/8 inch
- 3/16 inch
Correct answer: 1/32 inch
Subfloor seams must be within 1/32 inch (0.8 mm) to prevent telegraphing through resilient flooring.
Question 3: Which adhesive spread rate issue can cause vinyl tiles to peak or tent after installation?
- Too little adhesive applied
- Adhesive applied too thick (Correct answer)
- Adhesive flashed off too long
- Using a notched trowel instead of a flat one
Correct answer: Adhesive applied too thick
Excessive adhesive thickness traps solvents and can cause the tile edges to lift or tent as the adhesive off-gasses.
Question 4: What type of primer is typically required before applying pressure-sensitive adhesive over a highly porous concrete subfloor?
- Oil-based primer
- Latex sealer or primer (Correct answer)
- Epoxy primer
- No primer is needed
Correct answer: Latex sealer or primer
A latex sealer or primer reduces porosity so the adhesive bonds uniformly rather than being absorbed into the concrete.
Question 5: When cutting luxury vinyl plank with a score-and-snap method, on which side of the plank do you score?
- The wear layer (top) side (Correct answer)
- The backing side
- Either side works equally
- Score both sides simultaneously
Correct answer: The wear layer (top) side
Scoring the wear layer (top surface) and snapping downward produces a clean, controlled break.
Question 6: A resilient floor installed over radiant heat should not exceed which maximum surface temperature?
- 65°F (18°C)
- 75°F (24°C)
- 85°F (29°C) (Correct answer)
- 95°F (35°C)
Correct answer: 85°F (29°C)
Most vinyl and resilient manufacturers specify a maximum subfloor surface temperature of 85°F (29°C) to prevent adhesive failure and dimensional instability.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a transition strip between LVP and carpet?
- To add decorative appeal
- To bridge height differences and protect exposed plank edges (Correct answer)
- To improve moisture resistance
- To allow seasonal expansion of carpet
Correct answer: To bridge height differences and protect exposed plank edges
Transition strips cover the exposed edge of the LVP, bridge height differences, and create a safe, finished joint between the two floor types.
CFI Vinyl & Resilient Flooring 2
What is the minimum recommended acclimation time for luxury vinyl plank (LVP) before installation in most US climates?