Article Number : 921 |
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| Date | 3/15/2006 3:04:05 PM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=921 |
| Abstract | By Louis Iannaco Hicksville, N.Y.—In the resilient category, just like any other, new technology and production techniques means there is more than one way for industry mechanics to install the latest the segment has to offer... |
| Article | By Louis Iannaco Hicksville, N.Y.—In the resilient category, just like any other, new technology and production techniques means there is more than one way for industry mechanics to install the latest the segment has to offer. The following covers several of the newest resilient floors and the varying techniques used to install them. “Tarkett FiberFloor has changed the installation game,” said Mark Brown, director of marketing, resilient, Tarket Residential. “Its unique, balanced construction allows FiberFloor to be installed without glue, dramatically reducing the floor preparation time. The need for leveling is also eliminated if FiberFloor is being installed over ‘spider cracks’ in concrete or ‘texturing’ in plywood. “And,” he explained, “by utilizing the exclusive ‘V2’, or ‘visible value’ system, simply use economical Tarkett DT felt in lieu of underlayment, thus helping to further reduce installation costs. Installers and contractors can now have consumers apply floor preparation and underlayment cost savings into upgraded Fiberfloor product.” According to Scott Wise, manager, installation/technical service for Armstrong World Industries, “the Armstrong resilient flooring installation systems allow the customers as well as the retailer/flooring contractor and the installer several installation options from which to choose. “The full-spread adhesive system has been a reliable option for decades and is still the preferred method for many installers,” he explained. “The Interflex installation system was introduced in the mid 1970s as an alterative for the residential and commercial markets. Interflex flooring was the first true perimeter bonded flooring that became very popular in the residential market due to the reduced time and lower adhesive costs that it offers. “Today,” added Wise, “many of our residential felt-backed sheet floors can be installed by either the perimeter bond or full spread installation methods. “Many of Armstrong’s recently introduced residential sheet products, like the luxury resilient floor Natural Fusion, are thicker and heavier than ever before,” he continued. “However, due to technological advances, these products have maintained their ease of installation due to improved flexibility and ease of cutting and seaming. “In the commercial market,” stated Wise, “the full spread installation system is still the staple for tile and sheet flooring installation. Heavy traffic, rolling loads and the specialty floors needed for the hospital environment dictate the use of the full spread system. However, Armstrong’s newly revitalized commercial Corlon products make installation easier than ever. These products offer improved flexibility and handling as well as the option to use S-761 Seam Adhesive instead of heat welding the seams together.” Wise noted the company’s S-761 seam adhesive, is a new, patent-pending seaming system for commercial sheet vinyl that provides simpler, faster and less expense seaming options. Armstrong has also revitalized four of its top-selling and durable homogenous and inlaid sheet vinyl lines—Medintech, Medintech Tandem, Possibilities Petit Point and Connection Corlon—and introduced a new visual, Royal to bring optimal performance, visual consistency, color integration and significantly improved installation, including a revolutionary new seaming system, to the category, noted Dominc Rice, vice president, commercial resilient products. “In the commercial arena, full spread is still the installation method of choice,” said Tarkett Commercial’s Diane Martel, vice president of marketing, and John Kozak, installation services manager. “Though for some environments Tarkett Commercial has introduced a revolutionary loose lay tile type of flooring product. Tarkett Square product is a good solution for a temporary commercial floor, in retail, offices and even trade shows. Designed to lie flat over a tackified subfloor, it can tolerate a higher sub floor moisture emission than conventional fully adhered resilient flooring. Truly temporary, the tile can be easily removed and reused or even recycled.” “Because of the construction of our product (fiberglass base, double encapsulated with PVC),” said Deanna Quinn, director of marketing for IVC U.S., “we don’t have to worry about the product expanding, contracting or curling. Therefore, it can be loose-laid. However, we do recommend the use of a pressure sensitive adhesive (such as ParaChem 5080) using a 3/8-in. nap paint roller for best performance. The product is forgiving and bridges minor subfloor imperfections. And, because the adhesive is fully releasable when allowed to dry properly prior to installation, the floor can be easily removed and re-installed if subfloor repairs must be made. The flexibility of the product allows for ease in handling and cutting in...you don’t have to worry about cracking the back because it is extremely flexible.” There are also different methods for sealing seams with the new products on the market today. “Our product is 13-ft.-2-in. wide which means fewer seams are required,” said Quinn. “Because it is a cushioned product, when seams are necessary, it seams beautifully. With irregular patterns, you don’t even have to follow grout lines. This easy-seam-ability also makes the product extremely easy to repair, even if the salvage material used for the repair isn’t a perfect match.” “There is no change in the sealers that are used with Tarkett’s FiberFloor,” noted Brown, “however, our new floating seam tape allows for multiple seams if needed when installing over a wood subfloor and with no adhesives.” “Sealing the seams of residential sheet flooring is a reliable method for assuring they will not separate or get dirty,” said Wise, “however, most seams today are ‘coated,’ not ‘sealed.’ Because of Armstrong’s advanced coatings’ technology, a topical coating is applied to the top of the seam, not in between the two pieces of flooring. The advantage is that you are no longer required to place the fin of an applicator into the seam which often opens the seam and drags debris onto the surface. Armstrong’s seam coating is easy to apply and is a proven and reliable seam treatment. “In commercial,” he explained, “Armstrong recently introduced a seam adhesive for use with selected commercial sheet flooring. S-761 Seam Adhesive is applied by placing a 1/8-in. bead along the edge of the flooring at the seam after the seam has been cut. The installer then lays the two pieces of flooring together and allows the adhesive to ooze to the top of the seam. The excess seam adhesive is easily cleaned off the surface with a clean, damp white cloth. S-761 Seam Adhesive can be used in many commercial applications where heat welding was previously required. This saves the installer time and doesn’t require the use of special seaming tools.” “In commercial applications,” said Martel and Kozak, “heat welding is the preferred seaming method to ensure long lasting and sanitary seaming.” (Editor’s note: In part II, we will discuss the new adhesives and underlayments that have been developed to be installed with today’s resilient floors; the differences in installing resilient flooring today as opposed to the past; and the status of today’s installation training for the resilient category.) |