Installation Guide

RIGID CORE SPC LOCKING INSTALLATION SYSTEM
DO NOT INSTALL OVER:
• Existing resilient tile floors that are below grade
• Existing cushion-backed vinyl flooring
• Carpet
• Hardwood flooring installed directly over concrete
• In rooms with sloping floors or floor drains
• Existing floating floors
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
should not exceed 5lbs. per 1,000 ft
2
(calcium chloride) and/or relative humidity exceeding 95%
(in-situ probe)
• 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 between 65°F (18°C)
and 85°F (29°C) for 48 hours before installation, during installation, and 48 hours after completion.
Maintain temperatures between 0°F (-18°C) and 200°F (93°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. For best results,
door trim should be under-cut to allow flooring to move freely without being pinched. 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. Avoid installing pieces shorter than 8˝ (20.32 cm).
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
wall running parallel to the long direction of the planks to determine the width of the last row of planks (refer
to Figure 1).
CENTER
OF ROOM
Fig. 1 – Dry layout to determine width of border plank.
Avoid having border pieces less than half with width of the planks. If you find the border planks will be less
than 1/2 the width of the plank, the center starting line should be shifted a distance equal to 1/2 the plank
width. This will “balance” the room and provide for a larger cut piece at the wall.
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. If you have questions or comments, please visit us at www.ahfproducts.com or 1 866-243-2726.
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.hardwoodexpert.com our technical website.
• For general questions or comments, please visit us at www.ahfproducts.com or call 1-866-243-2726.
1
WARNING: REGARDING 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.
Installation:
Location: All grade levels
Tools:
Tapping block, pull bar, rubber mallet, utility knife, saw (optional), multi floor cutter, spacers, Bruce
®
TuffLink
™
adhesive (optional), 6 mil poly film moisture barrier for concrete subfloors (floating installations only)
General Information:
The locking installation system allows the planks to be installed without using adhesive. It is a floating
floor installation. The planks should be installed 1/4˝ away from all vertical objects such as walls, cabinets,
pipes, etc.
Adhesives:
If a full spread glue down installation is desired with the Rigid Core SPC flooring, use Bruce
®
TuffLink
adhesive with the recommended trowel found on the pail. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the
adhesive application.
When installed in bathrooms, the expansion gap should be filled and sealed with a good quality 100%
silicone caulk. The gap can then be covered with molding or wall base. Base cabinets should not be installed
on top of the planks.
Keys to Successful Locking 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.
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 locking
installation system.
SUITABLE SUBSTRATES INCLUDE:
• Concrete – dry and smooth on all grade levels
• A 6 mil poly film moisture barrier is strongly recommended over concrete subfloors. Failure to use a
moisture barrier could affect the integrity of the SPC and installation.
• Suspended wood subfloors with approved wood underlayments – must have minimum of 18˝ well-
ventilated crawl space underneath
• Suspended hardwood flooring that is fully adhered, smooth and square edge without texture
• SPC should be installed perpendicular to the direction of the existing wood floor
• Single-layer, fully-adhered, existing resilient floors – must not be foam-backed or cushionbacked
• Ceramic tile, Terrazzo, Marble
• Polymeric Poured (seamless) Floors
• OSB-3/4˝
• Particleboard 40lb. density or waferboard