Installation Guide

Suitable Substrates
All substrates listed below must be properly prepared and meet certain requirements. There may be other
exceptions and special conditions (as noted below) for these substrates to be suitable for the glue down
installation system.
• Concrete – dry and smooth on all grade levels
– Tiles can be installed over a painted concrete floor.
• Suspended wood subfloors with approved wood underlayments – must have minimum of 18˝ well-
ventilated crawl space underneath including:
– Properly prepared OSB
– Lauan Plywood: Use only Type 1 lauan exterior grade “BB” or “CC” for underlayment. The use of
lesser grades of lauan plywood is unacceptable and may cause severe problems when used as an
underlayment, including discoloration, indentation, loss of bond and delamination.
NOTE: The use of lauan plywood and other extremely porous wood underlayments will reduce the flash and
working time of adhesives. It is best to apply an acrylic-based primer-sealer to any porous substrate prior to
installing sheet vinyl. A manufacturer’s certification of lauan grade must accompany any claim involving the
use of a lauan underlayment.
• Single-layer, fully-adhered, existing resilient floors – must not be foam-backed or cushion-backed
• Ceramic tile, Terrazzo, Marble
• Polymeric Poured (seamless) Floors
DO NOT INSTALL OVER
• Existing resilient tile floors that are below grade
• Existing cushion-backed vinyl flooring
• Carpet
• Hardwood flooring installed directly over concrete
• Existing floating floors
• Particleboard 40lb. density or waferboard
Job Conditions/Preparations
• 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 structurally sound, dry, clean, flat, and smooth with minimal deflection. Substrates
must be free from excessive moisture or alkali. Remove dirt, paint, varnish, wax, oils, solvents and other
foreign matter, and contaminates.
- Subfloors must be flat within 3/16˝ in 10´ or 1/8˝ in 6´
- For concrete substrates moisture testing should be conducted and moisture vapor emissions.
Acceptable levels are determined by the adhesive being used. Check adhesive label for limitations.
• High spots on the substrate should be leveled and low areas filled with appropriate underlayments.
• Do not use products containing petroleum, solvents or citrus oils to prepare substrates as they can cause
staining and expansion of the new flooring.
• For renovation or remodel work, remove any existing adhesive residue so that 100% of the overall area of
the original substrate is exposed.
• Ceramic tile floors, ceramic and marble grout joints, and irregularities in concrete should be filled and
leveled using a cementitious patch to fill and smooth any embossing in the old floor.
• The area to receive resilient flooring materials and adhesives should be maintained at a minimum 65°F
(18.3°C) for 48 hours before, during, and 48 hours after installation. Maintain minimum temperatures of
55°F (12.8°C) thereafter.
• Radiant heated substrates must not exceed a maximum surface temperature of 85°F (29°C).
• The subfloor panels must have a smooth, sanded face and show no swelling of edges or surface due to
exposure to weather conditions or construction traffic.“
• There are numerous products available for use as floor fills, patches, self-leveling underlayments, and
trowelable underlayments. They include proprietary blends of compounds such as portland cement,
calcium aluminates, and gypsum-based products. These are recommended by their manufacturers for
smoothing rough or uneven subfloors, enhancing acoustical and fire characteristics of structures or as
substrates to receive floor covering for otherwise unsuitable subfloor conditions. If the subfloor surface
appears to be dusty then apply a primer to the surface.
SAFETY AND CLEAN UP
Wet adhesive should be cleaned up immediately with soap and water on a clean cloth. Dried adhesive may
require the use of a solvent-based adhesive cleaner.
Installation Preparation
Remove baseboard, quarter-round moldings, wall base, appliances and furniture from room. After
preparation work, sweep and vacuum the entire work area to remove all dust and debris.
Whenever possible, plan the layout so that the joints in the planks do not fall on top of joints or seams in the
existing substrate. The end joints of the planks should be staggered a minimum of 6˝ apart. Do not install
over expansion joints.
Determine which direction the plank will run. Find the center of each of the end walls (the walls
perpendicular to the long dimension of the planks and place a pencil mark on the floor. Connect these points
by striking a chalk line down the center of the room. Do a dry layout of planks from the center line to the
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING AHF PRODUCTS FLOORING
If properly installed and cared for, your new flooring will be easy to maintain and and will look great for
years to come. These directions are based on industry standards and best practices. Failure to follow these
installation instructions may result in damage to the flooring and void the floor’s warranty.
• For complete warranty information call 1-866-243-2726 or go to www.ahfproducts.com.
• For technical or installation questions, or to request a Safety Data Sheet, please call 1-866-243-2726 or
visit www.floorexpert.com our technical website.
• For general questions or comments, please visit us at www.ahfproducts.com or call 1-866-243-2726.
1
WARNING: EXISTING IN-PLACE RESILIENT FLOOR COVERING AND ASPHALTIC
ADHESIVES. DO NOT SAND, DRY SWEEP, DRY SCRAPE, DRILL, SAW, BEADBLAST, OR
MECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERIZE EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING, BACKING, LINING
FELT, ASPHALTIC “CUTBACK” ADHESIVE, OR OTHER ADHESIVE.
These existing in-place products may contain asbestos fibers and/or crystalline silica. Avoid creating
dust. Inhalation of such dust is a cancer and respiratory tract hazard. Smoking by individuals exposed
to asbestos fibers greatly increases the risk of serious bodily harm. Unless positively certain that the
existing in-place product is a non-asbestos-containing material, you must presume it contains asbestos.
Regulations may require that the material be tested to determine asbestos content and may govern
removal and disposal of material.
Visit rfci.com to see the current edition of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) publication
Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings for instructions on removing all
resilient floor covering structures or contact your retailer.
AHF floor coverings and adhesives do NOT contain asbestos.
Adhesive Trowel Set-in-Wet Dry-to-Touch Comments
S-295 1/32˝ deep; 1/16˝
wide; 1/32˝ apart
U-notch
N/A Dry to Touch Foot Traffic: 24 Hours
Heavy Rolling Loads:
72 Hours
S-319 Short nap paint
roller
N/A Dry to Touch Foot Traffic:
Immediately
Heavy Rolling Loads:
Immediately
Flip Spray
Adhesive
N/A N/A Dry to Touch
Approximately
30 minutes (tacky
to touch with no
transfer to fingers)
Foot Traffic:
Immediately
Heavy Rolling Loads:
24 Hours
S-1000* 1/32˝ deep; 1/16˝
wide; 1/32˝ apart
U-notch
Set in Wet
Approximately
10-20 minutes
N/A Foot Traffic:
Immediately
Heavy Rolling Loads:
8 Hours
* Note: When installing LVT in areas subject to direct sunlight, topical moisture, temperature
fluctuations, S-1000 adhesive must be used.
Do not wash or scrub the new flooring for at least 5 days after the installation. This will allow the
tile to become “seated” in the adhesive and prevent excess moisture and cleaning agents from
interfering with the adhesive bond.
Installation:
Location: All grade levels
Fitting: All Methods
Tools:
Tape measure, chalk line, utility knife, pencil, straight edge, vacuum or broom optional tile cutter or cutting
shear. Subfloor prep supplies. Recommended adhesives.
Keys to Successful Glue Down Installation
• Most installations will need approximately a 10% cutting allowance added to the square footage of the
room.
• Proper conditioning of the job site is necessary. Flooring planks should not be exposed to sudden changes
in temperature.
• Store, transport and handle the flooring planks in a manner to prevent any distortions. Distortions will not
disappear over time. Store cartons flat, never on edge. Ensure that the flooring planks are lying flat during
installation.
• Installations of carpet, metal strips and other transition moldings should not pinch the flooring against the
subfloor and should allow for some slight movement wherever practical.
• Protect the floor from heavy-rolling loads, other trades, and movement of appliances by using sheets of
plywood or similar.
RESIDENTIAL DRY BACK LVT INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS