INTRODUCTION

These instructions are written as a guide to be used by professional installers when installing Tarkett flooring products. These instructions, combined with adhesives and flooring products, create a system.

If you are DIY installer, be more careful about instructions.

Utilizing this system will ease the installation process and provide the customer with a completed product that will perform to its intended purpose.

Always visit www.tarkettna.com for the most current installation and maintenance instructions.

Technical videos and tip sheets are also available. Aloft is intended for light commercial applications only, any doubt of the suitability of this product for your application should be directed to Tarkett Technical Services. Contact Tarkett Technical Services at (800)-899-8916 ext. 9297 with any questions.

Also you can ask your questions to Bugose professionals with using the messenger at the right bottom of the page.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

1. All Tarkett products must be stored in an indoor, climate controlled space and be protected from the elements. Temperature must be maintained between 65°F (18.3°C) and 85°F (29.4°C) with a relative humidity between 40% and 60%.

2. All cartons must be stored on a dry, flat, level surface. Cartons must be carefully stacked squarely on top of one another and never be stored on edge. Take caution not to over stack the cartons and never double stack pallets. Always protect carton corners from damage by tow-motors and other traffic.

3. Tarkett flooring must be site conditioned at room temperature for 48 hours prior to, during, and after installation. Room temperature must be maintained between 65°F (18.3°C) and 85°F (29.4°C) and the ambient relative humidity must be between 40% and 60%. We strongly recommend the permanent HVAC system be fully operating.

NOTE: If a system other than the permanent HVAC source is utilized, it must provide proper control of both temperature and humidity to recommended or specific levels for the appropriate time duration as stated above.

4. Once the installation is completed, the service temperature of the space must never fall below 55°F (12.8°C).

5. In areas that are exposed to intense or direct sunlight, the product must be protected during the conditioning and installation by covering the light source.

6. Tarkett products are not recommended for exterior use. Exposure to excessive UV rays can result in fading, degradation, and/or color variation.

7. The highest quality of materials and workmanship is employed in the manufacture of Tarkett Flooring and careful inspection is made before shipment. A quality installation is the responsibility of the installer. It is the installer’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of the order and to ensure the materials are checked for damage, defects, and satisfactory color match. An authorized Tarkett distributor or Tarkett representative must be notified of any defects before installation proceeds. Tarkett will not pay for labor or material costs claimed on installed materials with visual defects.

8. Tarkett cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage that may result due to processing or working conditions and/or workmanship outside our control.

9. Users are advised to confirm the suitability of this product by their own tests.

GENERAL SUBFLOOR PREPERATION

All Subfloors

1. All subfloors must be permanently dry, clean, smooth, and structurally sound. The surface must be free of all dust, loose particles, solvents, paint, grease, oil, wax, alkali, sealing/curing compounds, old adhesive, and any other foreign material, which could affect the installation and adhesive bond to the substrate.

Permanent and non-permanent markers, pens, crayons, paint, or similar marking tools used to mark the substrate or the back of the resilient flooring material will cause migratory staining.

Subfloor contamination or markings that bleed through the flooring material causing discoloration or staining are excluded from the Tarkett Limited Warranty.

All substrate contaminants must be mechanically removed prior to the installation of the flooring material.

NOTE: Do not use liquid solvents or adhesive removers.

Caution: Do not use oil based sweeping compounds.

Fill all depressions, cracks, and other surface irregularities with a good quality Portland cement based underlayment patching compound appropriate for this purpose.

Tarkett does not recommend installing over existing resilient floors. All existing flooring and adhesives must be mechanically removed prior to installing the new flooring material

– Do not use chemical adhesive removers or solvents. Refer to the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI), Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Existing Resilient Flooring for best work practices.

Caution: Some resilient flooring products and adhesives contain "asbestos fibers" and special handling of this material is required.

Concrete Subfloors

2. Concrete subfloors must be constructed as recommended by the American Concrete Institute’s ACI 302.2 Guide for Concrete Slabs that Receive Moisture-Sensitive Flooring Materials and prepared in accordance with ASTM F 710 Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring.

Do not install Tarkett flooring over expansion joints, control joints, or other moving joints in the substrate. These joints must be respected and should not be filled with products that are not intended for that purpose. Contact an expansion joint cover manufacturer to meet specific flooring conditions.

All concrete subfloors must be tested for moisture and pH (alkalinity):
Moisture testing must be conducted in accordance with ASTM F 2170 Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using in situ Probes or ASTM F 1869 Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride.

Following ASTM F 2659 Preliminary Evaluation of Comparative Moisture Condition of Concrete, Gypsum Cement and Other Floor Slabs and Screeds Using a Non-destructive Electronic Moisture Meter can provide qualitative information prior to performing ASTM F 2170 or ASTM F 1869.

Acceptable moisture limits are 80% when testing to ASTM F 2170 and 5 lbs. for ASTM F 1869. If the tests results exceed the limitations, the installation must not proceed until the problem has been corrected.

Tarkett does not recommend or warrant any particular product or procedure for the remediation of high moisture in concrete substrates. There are several companies that manufacture products suitable for moisture remediation. We suggest you refer to the current ASTM F 710 Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring and ASTM F 3010 Standard Practice for Two Component Resin Based Membrane-Forming Moisture Mitigation Systems for Use Under Resilient Flooring Systems.

A pH test for alkalinity must be conducted. Acceptable pH range of the adhesive can be found in the adhesive section below, on the adhesive label, and in the adhesive specifications online. Results must not exceed the limits of the adhesive. If the test results are not within the acceptable range, the installation must not proceed until the problem has been corrected.

Wood Subfloors

3. Wood subfloors must have a minimum 18″ (47 cm) of crossventilated space between the bottom of the joist and ground. Exposed earth crawl spaces must be sealed with a polyethylene moisture barrier.

Subfloors must meet local and national building codes. Trade associations, such as the APA -The Engineered Wood Association, offer structural guidelines for meeting various code requirements. Refer to ASTM F 1482 Standard Practice for Installation and Preparation of Panel Type Underlayments to receive Resilient Flooring, for additional information.

Single Floor Wood Construction and Tongue and Groove subfloors must be covered with 1/4″ (6.4 mm) or 1/2″ (13 mm) APA approved underlayment plywood. Use 1/4″ (6.4 mm) thick underlayment panels for boards with a face width of 3″ (76 mm) or less. For boards wider than 3″ (76 mm) face width use 1/2″ (13 mm) underlayment panels.

Countersink nail heads and fill depressions, joints, cracks, gouges, and chipped edges with a good quality Portland cement based patching compound designed for this purpose.

Do not install over OSB (Oriented Strand Board), particle board, chipboard, lauan or composite type underlayments.

Terrazzo and Ceramic Subfloors

4. Terrazzo and Ceramic floor surface must be thoroughly sanded to remove all glaze and waxes. Remove or replace all loose tiles and clean the grout lines. Use a good quality Portland cement based leveling compound to fill all grout lines and other depressions.

Steel Subfloors

5. Steel floor surface must be mechanically abraded to assist with the adhesive bond. The floor must be cleaned to remove all dirt, rust and other contaminants that could affect the adhesive or the bond of the flooring material to the substrate. Surface must be primed with a rust inhibitor.

It is important to follow the non-porous installation instructions when installing over metal.

Concrete Subfloors

6. Concrete floors equipped with a radiant heating system: Turn the heat down to 65°F (18.3°C) for at least 48 hours before installation. Heat may be gradually returned to operating temperature 48 hours after installation. Surface temperature must not exceed 85°F (29.4°).

7. An adhesive bond test must be performed using the actual flooring materials and adhesive to be installed. The test areas must be a minimum of 36″ x 36″ and remain in place for at least 72 hours and then evaluated for bond strength to the concrete.

INSTALLATION

1. Getting Started:

a. Planks must not be glued or nailed to the substrate.

b. Do not install cabinets on planks.

c. Layout room so the last row of planks are wider than 2 inches (50mm), excluding the tongue.

d. A minimum 1/4″ (6.3mm) expansion space is required around the room and all vertical objects.

e. Do not use a hammer and tapping block to install planks.

2. Plank Installation Procedure:

a. Batch numbers should not be mixed during the installation.

b. Square the area and establish reference points on the substrate.

c. Begin laying planks from the left side of the starting wall and work to the right side. The tongue side of the plank shall face the starting wall.

d. Place 1/4” (6.3mm) spacers between the short and long side of the planks and the wall. Always position one spacer between the wall and where the planks join.

e. The end joints of the planks in the first row are assembled by inserting the tongue side into the groove side of the previous plank at a low angle. Gradually lower the plank down flat until the end joint closes, insuring that the planks are perfectly aligned. Install remaining full planks in the first row.

f. The last plank in the first row will need to be cut. Measure the distance between the wall and the surface of the last full plank. Subtract 1/4” (6.3mm) from this measurement to allow for the spacer. If this measurement is less than 12” (20.3cm), the length of first plank in the row must be cut. This will allow for a longer plank at the end of the row. The first and last plank in each row must be at least 12” (30.4cm) in length. Planks are cut using a sharp utility knife and straight edge/carpenters square. Score the surface of the plank with a utility knife, and then snap the plank at the score line.

g. The remaining piece cut from the last plank in the first row may serve as the first plank in the second row provided it is at least 12” (30.4cm) long. Always stagger end joints from row to row a minimum of 12” (30.4cm).

h. Install the long side of the first plank of the second row. Remember to place a 1/4” (6.3mm) spacer between the wall and the short side of the plank. Insert the tongue side into the groove side of the previous row at a low angle and rotate downward until plank is flat with the substrate.

i. To install the second plank in the second row. Insert the tongue side end joint into the groove side end joint of the previous plank at a low angle. Position the long side of the plank with the tongue side slightly overlapping the groove area of the planks in the previous row. Lift the plank upward and working from the left side of the plank to the right, gently push forward until the entire plank engages into the previous row. Use caution when installing the long side of the planks. Do not push on the planks too hard as this may distort or deform the groove. Rotate plank downward until plank is flat with the substrate. Continue installing remaining planks in the row. It is important to make sure that the first two rows are straight and square as they can affect the entire installation.

j. Continue working from left to right maintaining a random appearance. Planks may be installed row by row or by working multiple rows using the stair step method. Be sure to maintain a 1/4” (6.3mm) space around all walls and vertical objects. Offset end joints a minimum of 12” (30.4cm)

k. In most cases the flexibility of Aloft will allow for easy positioning of the planks under door moldings and casings. In the event this cannot be done, it is necessary to remove the lip on the groove edge of the planks you are fitting to using a sharp utility knife and straight edge. This will allow you to install the plank lying flat. After the lip has been trimmed off on the planks you are fitting to, lay the plank flat on the floor. Apply a thin bead of PVA glue on top of the tongue and push the plank into position. Immediately wipe off any excess glue with a damp cloth.

l. After all planks have been installed, remove spacers from perimeter of room.

m.Install transition and wall base moldings. Wall base must be sufficient size to cover 1/4″ (6.3mm) expansion space. Do not fasten any moldings through the flooring.

3. Post Installation Floor Protection

We recommend that the installation of new flooring material not be performed until all the other trades have completed their work. Proper precautions must be taken during and after the installation process to avoid damage to the newly installed flooring.

a. Immediately after installation:

Flooring must be swept or vacuumed to remove loose dirt and grit prior to the application of proper floor protection. (Do not trap dirt and grit under floor protection.)

Apply floor protection suitable for construction foot traffic such as: undyed heavy Kraft paper, Ram Board, 1/8” Masonite panels, or similar product designed for resilient floor protection.

Areas that will receive heavy traffic and furniture or appliance placement must be protected with ¼” thick Masonite or similar wood panels.

The floor must be swept or vacuumed prior to the placement of the floor protection panels. (Lightly damp mop if necessary)