Does Ascent have a vinyl layer glued to the top like other waterproof flooring?
No. The product is thermally fused through our exclusive manufacturing process. This creates a more stable product that is 10 times less likely to delaminate from glue failure.
Is Ascent flooring suitable for a home with pets?
Ascent is guaranteed from domestic pet stains. We do require it to be cleaned up within 24 hours. We warrant that Ascent will not stain from pet (domestic cat or dog) stains, including urine, feces and vomit, providing it is cleaned within 24 hours.
How is Ascent with sound transmission?
Ascent has an IIC rating of 69 (ASTM E492-09) which is one of the highest in the industry. The attached cushion and patented comfort core allow us to attain such good sound ratings. Walking sound is a lot softer and quieter compared with most hard surface floor coverings such as ceramic, wood or laminate flooring.
Is Ascent safe?
We ensure that Ascent is safe for you and your loved ones. All Ascent floors are subjected to rigorous tests by third-party laboratories that are designed to ensure all Ascent products meet the highest standards and do not harm interior air quality. This means our products do not release harmful VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) into living environments. Ascent is also free of harmful plasticizers, such as ortho-phthalates.
This rigorous control has resulted in The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute to certify all Ascent floors worldwide with its highest certification: GREENGUARD Gold.
GREENGUARD Gold Certification offers the strictest certification criteria, considering safety factors to account for sensitive individuals (such as children and the elderly), and ensures that a product is acceptable for use in environments such as schools and healthcare facilities. It is referenced by both the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Building Rating System.
How much will Ascent move with humidity changes?
Ascent is extremely stable. The floor is not affected by humidity or moisture.
Are Ascent floors suitable for wheel chairs or motorized chairs?
Ascent floors can be used in homes where wheel chairs are needed, but Ascent should NOT be applied to ramps. We recommend that you glue-down the joints when motorized chairs will be used.
Ascent planks are 100% waterproof. Is the foam backing or sound-absorbing pad also waterproof?
Yes, the entire plank, including the backing, is 100% waterproof.
Is Ascent recyclable?
Ascent can be 100% recycled by a company with adequate equipment for separating the different materials used.
Installation
Can I install my Ascent floor myself?
Yes. Our rigid planks and tiles allow for floating installation over many existing floors, and the clickable installation is suitable for the average DIY installer. Click here for installation instructions.
Do I have to install my Ascent floor myself?
Of course not. Your local Ascent retailer will be happy to provide professional installation services. And our Angle-Tap floating installation will keep installation costs lower than many other types of flooring.
What tools will I need to install Ascent floors?
The necessities are a hammer, tapping block and a pull bar. We highly recommend using 1/4-inch inch spacers and a crosscut power saw with a blade suitable for plastics. Other basics to have on hand include a pencil, chalk line and tape measure.
Can Ascent be glued down?
Yes. Ascent fix is designed to be a floating floor but the superior, heat-infused extrusion process allows superior bond strength of the underlayment that can be installed with any standard, pressure-sensitive LVT glue.
Where can Ascent floors be installed?
Our 100% waterproof planks and tiles can be installed in any room of your home, from basement to top floor. Ascent is an interior product and must be stored/installed in a temperature-controlled interior environment, maintained between 55 and 85 degrees F (13- 29C). Before installing the product, however, you must acclimate the product in the room of installation for a minimum of 48 hours at a temperature between 65F to 85F.
Can Ascent floors be installed over radiant heat?
Yes. Please see the installation manual for detailed instructions and considerations.
Can I install Ascent floors outdoors?
No. LICO US offers other products that are suited for outside application such as OUTEX.
Do I need an underlayment?
No. Ascent planks and tiles have an attached Extruded Poly Styrene (EPS) acoustic underlayment layer that provides sound and temperature insulation while naturally resisting mold and mildew.
Can an additional underlayment be installed with Ascent?
Yes. Ascent already has superior sound properties, but if an additional underlayment is required, only high-density underlayments, with a density of 30 lbs. per cubic foot or greater, are allowed.
Do I need to leave expansion space?
Yes. Even though Ascent is a very dimensionally-stable product, a 5/16-inch space next to walls and adjoining hardwood floors or other fixed objects such as kitchen furniture, etc. is required.
Can Ascent be installed over existing flooring?
Yes, Ascent can be installed directly over most existing hard surface flooring. The exceptions are laminate, floating floors (not glued-down) of any type, loose lay, and perimeter fastened sheet vinyl. These types of flooring should be removed prior to installing Ascent. You can also install over tiles. The existing floors still have to meet the level requirements, which is no more than a 1/4 difference in a 10 foot span. Please see Ascent installation instructions for further details.
Important: Never install Ascent flooring over carpet or any other soft subfloor.
Does Ascent require a moisture barrier?
A polyethylene moisture barrier can be used if you like, but is not required. The slippery plastic sheeting will make it easier to slide flooring into place. Although this floor is waterproof, it is not aimed to be used as a moisture barrier. The subfloor must be dry (max 2.5% moisture content – CM method). If installing over a concrete basement floor, a 6 mil polyethylene moisture barrier is required.
For bathroom installations, how should Ascent be installed around the toilet? Are there any caulking specifications for areas you can’t cover with a trim piece, like around showers and tubs?
Depending on the project, you can allow the toilet to be placed directly on top of Ascent, on the condition that the floor can move freely underneath the toilet. Otherwise, you could trim/cut it to the toilet as well, leaving an expansion joint. For caulking, please use a flexible silicone caulk.
Can I install kitchen cabinets directly over my Ascent floor?
Do not install your kitchen cabinets directly over your Ascent floor. Ascent quality can be guaranteed as long as the floor can move freely.
Can I install Finesse on a wall or ceiling?
Yes, you can. For wall and ceiling installation, the planks need to be fully glued down on the substrate.We recommend reading and understanding the installation guide and treating a wall installation as you would a floor. For adhesive, use Loctite Power Grab Ultimate. Apply to the back of the planks as shown in the image below. Note: the Finesse warranty does not cover wall installations. For click-together, interlocking wall panels, please see our DumaWall product line.
