RESILIENT FELT BACK SHEET FLOORING
INSTALLATION BULLETIN
These are general recommendations. Specific instructions should be obtained from the resilient sheet flooring manufacturer.
Note: When installing homogeneous vinyl or rubber-backed sheet flooring refer to Installation Bulletin WFT-1010B, Resilient Homogeneous Vinyl Sheet Flooring., and use Taylor Envirotec #2090 Vinyl Flooring Adhesive or Meta-Tec #2092 X-Link One Part Cross-Linking Vinyl & Rubber Tile, Tread & Sheet Goods Adhesive
SUBFLOOR PREPARATION
See Installation Bulletin WFT-1008 Subfloor Preparation for Resilient Floorcovering. After all subfloor preparation is completed, thoroughly sweep the subfloor surface. Be sure to carefully vacuum or sweep around the perimeter of the room to remove loose dirt and debris.
CUTTING AND FITTING
There are three general methods of fitting resilient sheet flooring into a room. These are freehand knifing, direct scribing, and pattern scribing.
Freehand Knifing: Freehand knifing is a method of fitting in which an oversized piece of material is taken into the room and fit while it is in place.
Direct of Straight Scribing: Direct of straight scribing is a method of fitting generally used where more than one piece of material is to be installed into a room. The material is moved close to the wall to be fit, using a bar scriber or dividers, the outline of the objects is scribed directly onto the material.
Pattern Scribing: When pattern scribing, a pattern of felt or heavy paper is first cut into the room. Then, using dividers, a square, straight-edge or other tools, all the lines of the objects are moved a certain distance onto the pattern. The material is then laid out in another area and the pattern material placed over it. Using the same tools and settings as used previously, the lines of the room are moved back onto the material.
ONE-PIECE SEAMLESS INSTALLATION
Precut the floorcovering to fit the area, allowing 2 to 4 inches extra length and width for fitting. Position the material in the room allowing enough material to drop into offsets, closets, alcoves, etc.
Align the pattern squarely in the room parallel to all walls. If the room is not square, align the pattern so that the run-off is located in the least conspicuous area. NOTE: When aligning sheet flooring with straight line patterns, avoid positioning a pattern line next to the wall. If the line falls several inches from the wall, any pattern run-off caused by an out-of-square room will be less noticeable.
After the sheet is positioned, weight the sheet to prevent shifting, rough-cut to remove excess material, make relief cuts on all inside and outside corners and trim and fit the perimeter so that the floorcovering lies flat before adhesive is spread.
ADHESIVE APPLICATION FOR FELT BACK SHEET FLOORING
When applying the adhesive, the floor covering sheets can be turned back lengthwise or tubed crosswise to expose the floor. Apply Taylor Envirotec #2087 EVR-White Sheet Goods Adhesive or Taylor Envirotec #2080 The Legend Dual Purpose Commercial Grade Adhesive uniformly with a 1/16”x1/16”x1/16” square notch trowel. Turn the sheet back into the wet adhesive and roll in both directions from center out. We recommend a 100 lb. (45.36kg), three section roller to embed the sheet and eliminate trapped air. Repeat this process for the remaining half of the sheet.
When the installation requires more than one sheet, seams have to be taken into consideration When a matched pattern is involved, it is generally best to tube back two sheets at the seam line and apply adhesive to that area first so that adjustments can be made to assure best pattern match after sheet is returned to position. Make sure the pattern matches before rolling. After the sheet(s) are laid back in position, roll in both directions from center out. Use a 100 lb. (45.36kg), three section roller to embed the sheet in the adhesive and eliminate trapped air.
Turn back or tube uncemented parts of sheets and proceed as above.
To make sure flooring makes contact with adhesive along walls, door casings, etc., press firmly with a hand roller or with hand pressure and a cloth. A rigid plastic spatula may be used to push floorings under door casings using care not to scratch the face of the flooring.
CUTTING AND SEALING SEAMS
Various floor covering manufacturers recommend different techniques for cementing seam areas, and cutting and sealing seams and the manufacturer’s instructions should be carefully followed. The following instructions are of a general nature only.
1. Seams must be cut so there are no overlaps or gaps.
2. In making the seam, care must be taken to prevent any floorcovering adhesive from getting between the cut edges. It is almost impossible to remove such adhesive and the seam sealer will not bond properly in those areas and may result in discoloration.
3. Use the seam sealer and applicator recommended by the floorcovering manu-facturer. Apply the correct amount of seam sealer into the seam with no more than 1/4” (6.35mm) width showing on top of the seam.
4. Protect sealed seams from dirt and traffic for the period specified by the floor-covering manufacturer.
5. Observe all cautions on the seam sealer labels since most contain flammable solvents.
