Finesse Flooring FAQ

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.

Maintenance

When the last piece is installed, what’s next?

First of all, sweep, dust mop or vacuum the floor to remove all loose dirt and grit. Then lightly damp mop with well-wrung mop. Always use sliding pads when moving furniture or other heavy objects across the floor.

How do I clean my Ascent floor?

Dont wax the floor, dont seal the floor and dont use any wood care product on the floor as these can leave a film that traps dirt.

Also, remember that Ascent is sensitive to heat, so do not use a steam mop as the steam will damage the wear layer and cause deformation.

Steam cleaning is not covered under warranty.

For regular cleaning, simply sweep, dust mop or vacuum the floor to remove loose dirt and grit. Do not use treated dust mops. For a more thorough clean, use a properly diluted neutral pH cleaner in cool water or ready-to-use spray cleaner that will not leave a residue. Follow label directions.

How do I keep my Ascent floor looking good?

The single greatest cause of damage to any flooring or floor finish is abrasion from dirt and grit. Wherever possible, use mats at entrances and doorways. Use non-staining floor protectors under heavy furniture, chairs and tables. For scuff marks and scratches, use a quality vinyl floor cleaner and the green side of a Scotch Brite pad to gently work the cleaner into affected areas to hide the scratch. If the scratch has penetrated the top layer, the plank will have to be replaced.

What about pets?

Sharp claws can damage the floor so be sure to keep your pets nails trimmed. Clean up pet waste accidents as soon as possible. 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, provided it is cleaned within 24 hours.

Will my Ascent floor need polishing?

No. Ascent will retain its luster. If the floor is dull or dirty, use a neutral ph floor cleaner that can be purchased at most home centers, hardware or grocery stores.

My floor has scuff marks and scratches. What can I do to remove them?

Try using a quality vinyl floor cleaner and a Scotch Brite pad (follow the directions on the bottle). If it is a surface scratch, use the green side of a scotch bright pad and the Ascent Single Step and VERY GENTLY work into the affected areas. This will help hide the scratch, not remove it! If the scratch has penetrated the top layer, then the plank will have to be replaced.

Does Ascent flooring have an odor?

Some people are more sensitive to odors than others. Many customers have reported never noticing an odor. Others have reported a slight odor, but there is no dangerous offgassing and our flooring is 100% safe. Before installing the product, you must acclimate the product in the room of installation for a minimum of 48 hours at a temperature between 65F to 85F. If you experience an odor after installing the floor, we recommend opening windows and ventilating the room as much as possible for 3 days.

Can I install Ascent flooring in my basement?

Yes. However, you must use moisture proofing, like or a 6 mil polyethylene moisture vapor barrier. If you are using a Tramex Moisture Meter and the level is 0%-2%, no moisture barrier is required. But if it is 2%-5%, a moisture barrier is required. Anything over 5% and we do not recommend installing Ascent flooring.

Can I use rugs or mats on my Ascent floor?

Yes. We recommend non-staining vinyl-backed mats or woven rugs. We do not recommend the use of rubber- or latex-backed mats because the chemical (antioxidant) used to keep the backing from becoming brittle can permanently stain your floor.

If water slips through the bevels, can it damage the subfloor?

The planks themselves are waterproof, but once installed they do not provide a fully airtight surface. Water can still slip through the bevels if left over 24 hours. Water spillage as is the case in bathrooms and kitchens wont damage the floor, but standing water must be avoided at all times. We recommend cleaning up water spillage as soon as possible, before 24 hours pass.

Do I need to wax my Ascent floor?

No, it resists staining, is easy to clean and requires no waxing. Waxing is not compatible with this product and using wax will void warranty.

How do I replace a damaged flooring panel?

Replacing sections or entire planks is a very complicated procedure that should only be done by floor installation professionals. We recommend ensuring that your initial flooring purchase includes several extra Ascent planks in case you have one that needs replacement.

What type of chair protectors can I use on a Ascent floor?

Support furniture with wide-bearing, non-staining floor protectors. Ideally, the protectors should be at least 1 inch in diameter, made of non-pigmented, hard plastic and rest flat on the floor. Non-staining felt protectors are also acceptable. Casters with a minimum 3/4-inch flat surface width or floor protectors are recommended for all moveable furniture. Make sure any metal protectors are rustproof. Replace your narrow-dome furniture rests with wide-bearing ones.

How do I remove challenging stains?

For chocolate, grease, juice and wine stains, use lukewarm water and a non-abrasive cleaner.

I’m not happy with my floor. How do I make a claim?

If you feel that you have a warranty-related problem, you should take your original purchase receipt back to the retailer where you purchased the floor and file a warranty claim with that store. The store will then contact us to begin the warranty process. An inspector may come to your home to evaluate the conditions and determine what caused the problem. Once an evaluation is complete you will be contacted with the results. The whole process could take up to 20-30 business days, depending on the circumstances, although most issues are resolved much faster.