Installation Guide

2
Summary of Residential Fiberglass-Reinforced Installation Options
Modified Loose
Lay
S-289 Releasable
Adhesive
S-288 Flooring Adhesive
Spacing (gap) at vertical
surfaces (walls, pipes, etc)
1/4"
1/8"
None
Base cabinets on top of
flooring
No
No
Yes
Island cabinets on flooring
No
Yes
Yes
Bathrooms
No
Yes
Yes
Stairs, landings or rooms with
floor drains
No No Yes
Seams on suspended wood
underlayments
Only 1
Multiple OK
Multiple OK
Suitable Substrates (for all installation options):
All substrates listed below must be properly prepared and meet certain requirements. There may be other exceptions
and special conditions for these substrates to be suitable for the flooring installation. For more information, please
call Armstrong Customer Care at 1-800-233-3823 or visit www.floorexpert.com.
• Concrete (on all grade levels)
• Approved Suspended Wood Underlayments
• Single-layer, Fully Adhered, Existing Resilient Floors
• Ceramic Tile, Terrazzo, Marble, Polymeric Poured (seamless) Floors
• Existing resilient tile floors that are on grade or suspended
NOTE: For wood subfloors and underlayments, the moisture content must be 13%, or less.
Do not install over:
• Particleboard, waferboard, OSB or single-layer Sturd-I-Floor panels
• Existing cushion-backed vinyl flooring
• Carpet
• Hardwood flooring that has been installed directly over concrete
Job Conditions/Preparation (for all installation options):
• Resilient flooring should only be installed in temperature-controlled environments. It is necessary to maintain
a constant temperature before, during and after the installation. Therefore, the permanent or temporary
HVAC system must be in operation before the installation of resilient flooring. Portable heaters are not
recommended as they may not heat the room and subfloor sufficiently. Kerosene heaters should never be
used.
• All substrates must be sound, dry, clean, smooth, and free from excessive moisture or alkali. Remove dirt,
paint, varnish, wax, oils, solvents, other foreign matter and contaminates that could cause staining or
interfere with a good bond.
• Do not use products containing petroleum solvents or citrus oils to prepare substrates as they can cause
staining and expansion of the new flooring.
• In renovation or remodel work, remove any existing adhesive residue so that 100% of the overall area of the
original substrate is exposed.
• When installing over an existing resilient floor, use S-194 Patch, Underlayment & Embossing Leveler/S-195
Underlayment Additive to fill and smooth any embossing in the old floor.
• The area to receive resilient flooring and the flooring materials and adhesives should be maintained at a
minimum of 65°F (18°C) and a maximum of 100°F (38°C) for 48 hours before installation, during installation,
and 48 hours after completion. Maintain a minimum temperature of 55°F (13°C) thereafter.