Is my panel or base warped?
Our manufacturing tolerance is 1/8 inch in all dimensions. A panel or base measuring within 1/8 inch is within specification and can be installed normally.
Before measuring, it is worth knowing that our panels are engineered with slight flexibility so they survive shipping and installation without breaking. A curve you can see while a panel is standing vertically or resting on its side is normal and is not a reliable indication of a defect. The only measurement that counts is one taken with the piece lying flat.
How to measure a wall panel
1. Lay the panel flat on the floor, design side facing up
2. Place a level or straightedge across the width of the panel
3. Measure the gap between the level and the panel surface at its widest point
Do not measure a panel resting on sawhorses, on edge, or supported only at its ends. A panel supported off the ground flexes under its own weight and will read far worse than it actually is — panels regularly measure close to half an inch on sawhorses and fall well within tolerance once laid flat.
Check the floor as well. A panel laid on an uneven floor will take on the shape of that floor. Before measuring, place the level directly on the floor surface to confirm it is flat and level.
How to measure a base
1. Set the base flat on the floor
2. Place a level around the perimeter, at the top edge of the base — all four sides, plus across the drain area
3. Measure the gap beneath the level
Do not place the level across the middle of the base. The center carries the built-in slope toward the drain, so a level laid across it will always read out of level. That reading says nothing about whether the base is warped.
As with panels, confirm the floor itself is level before measuring.
Is it warp, or is it a leveling issue?
A quick way to tell the two apart: if the gap appears roughly equal on both sides, you are most likely looking at warp in the product. If the gap appears on one side only, it is more likely a leveling issue with the floor or framing beneath.
The measurement is 1/8 inch or less
The piece is within tolerance and can be installed.
If there is a slight bow, use thin-set rather than construction adhesive for that piece. Thin-set fills the space behind a slight bow, where adhesive will not.
If the subfloor beneath a base is not level, use shims and thin-set to create a level bed before setting the base. A base set on an uneven subfloor will not drain correctly regardless of whether the base itself is within tolerance.
The measurement is more than 1/8 inch
Do not begin installation — but the piece may not need replacing. Many pieces that initially measure over tolerance will relax back into specification.
Try this first:
1. Lay the piece flat on the floor and leave it for one to two days
2. Place a 1/8 inch spacer under the high corners
3. After it has rested, apply hand pressure to the raised area
If the piece flattens under hand pressure, it can be installed. Use thin-set rather than adhesive to fill any remaining space.
If the piece will not flatten, it should not be installed and qualifies for a warranty replacement.
What causes bowing
• Improper shipping, including a pallet that was broken down in transit
• Storage in extreme temperatures, particularly above 115°F
• Leaning a panel on one edge for an extended period
• Storing boxes upright or unevenly supported rather than flat
To prevent it, keep boxes flat on a dry, covered surface until installation.
What is needed to review a bow or warp claim
Photos required:
1. The piece lying flat, design side up, with the level placed across the width (panels) or around the perimeter (bases)
2. A close photo of the measured gap, with the bubble in the level clearly readable
3. A photo of the level placed directly on the floor or surface the piece is resting on, confirming that surface is itself level
Information required: Julian date, serial number, and inspection sticker number from the back of the panel or base.
If the boxes have already been discarded, the QR code on the back of the panel can be used instead.
Photos where the level bubble cannot be read, or where the panel is standing or supported at one end, cannot be used to make a determination.