Installation Guide

Ensure adhesive is approved for use with flooring
material and the proper trowel type and size is used, as
manufacturer is not responsible for any and all adhesion
issues related to improper adhesive selection or usage.
Prior to installation, confirm material installation pattern
and direction per design specifications or work order.
Observe directional arrows, (this side up) on face of tile
to ensure arrows are installed in the same direction.
Square Edge tile should be installed in an ashlar or brick
pattern to ensure tight seams and an overall ideal visual
appearance.
Inspect and dry lay all tiles before installing to verify that
there are no visible defects, damage or excessive
shading variations. Some flooring products, colors and
textures have latent and acceptable color and shade
variations. If there are concerns regarding shade or
color variation, do not install material and consult a sales
representative and manufacturer’s technical staff. This
material contains skive marks from the manufacturing
process on the surface. We do not consider this
defective; if the marks are not acceptable, do not install
material. Installation of material signifies acceptance of
the material.
Square the room using the 3-4-5 squaring rule or similar
method to ensure acceptable installation and establish
initial installation starting line. Dry-lay several tiles to
establish the best layout for the installation area and
facility and ensure equal tile sizes around the perimeter.
Allow a 1/8” gap around the entire perimeter of the room
to allow for expansion, ensuring gap is no wider than the
trim, wall base or molding to be installed. Cut borders
and other specialty pieces to fit snugly against or around
walls, thresholds, transition strips, fixtures and other
protrusions or accessories. Avoid forcing material tightly
against vertical surfaces, as material may buckle.
Apply adhesive according to instructions for specific
product in use and observe adhesive flash times, if
applicable. Ensure all adhesive working times and flash
times are observed and followed. Be sure to follow
instructions based on substrate porosity (porous or non-
porous). Use below chart for reference.
Replace trowels at recommended intervals to maintain
proper trowel ridge and spread rate. Use a pyramid
layout when installing tiles to eliminate run-off.
Periodically lift material to ensure proper adhesive
transfer and ensure adhesive has not surpassed the
open time – adhesive should cover 90% of tile. Pay
close attention to open times to avoid adhesion issues.
This may require installing material in smaller sections.
When installing into adhesive using a wet-set method,
avoid walking or working on material until adhesive has
cured for light foot traffic.
Working on material that is installed into wet adhesive
could cause adhesive to displace. When working off of
material is not possible, use a kneeling board or
equivalent to disperse weight evenly and prevent
adhesive displacement.
Roll material with a 3 section, 100 lb. roller within 30
minutes of installation, crossing in a perpendicular
direction after initial roll. Use a hand roller in areas that
cannot be reached with larger roller. Visually inspect
installation to ensure that material has not shifted and
that adhesive has not been squeezed out of joints or
compressed onto surface.
8. ROLL INSTALLATION
Ensure substrate is suitably prepared prior to installation,
as manufacturer is not responsible for substrates that
have not been properly prepared and tested for
moisture. Ensure adhesive is approved for use with
flooring material and that proper trowel type and size is
used, as manufacturer is not responsible for any and all
adhesion issues related to improper adhesive selection
or usage.
Inspect each roll of material prior to installation to verify
the factory side seams are acceptable, that there are no
visible defects, damage or excessive shading variations.
Some flooring products, colors and textures have latent
and acceptable color and shade variations. If there are
concerns regarding shade or color variation, do not
install material and consult sales agent and
manufacturer’s technical staff. This material contains
skive marks from the manufacturing process on the
surface. We do not consider this defective; if the marks
are not acceptable, do not install material. Installation of
material signifies acceptance of the material. Factory
side seams are to be check for seam acceptability. If the
factory side seams are not acceptable the material
should be double cut or scribe cut using a straight edge
prior to installation to ensure tight seams.
Measure and determine room layout and seam location
prior to cutting material vertical seams must be
staggered by 6’ – 10’, depending on room size and roll
length and must be cut prior to installing material with
adhesive. Square the room using the 3-4-5 squaring rule
or similar method to ensure acceptable installation and
establish initial installation starting line. Observe the
directional arrows on the back of the material. Ensure to
roll out each roll in the same direction (do not reverse
the seams)! If the flooring is not laid in the same
direction, the reflection of light will cause an optical
illusion, making the surface appear to be different
shades.