3M Company StrataMax User Manual

StrataMax Installation System

General Information

StrataMax flooring can be installed by two installation methods. It is designed as a lay flat
structure when installed by the modified loose lay installation method using acrylic double-face
tape under seams. It can also be installed by the traditional full spread method using S-288
adhesive over approved substrates and underlayments. The modified loose lay method requires
that the flooring be cut 1/8" to 3/16" away from all vertical surfaces such as walls, cabinets, pipes,
etc. This gap must then be filled with a good quality siliconized or acrylic caulk.

• Transport and store flooring rolled face out on a cardboard tube, do not kink or distort.

• Always roll flooring face out until ready to install.

• Do not use products containing petroleum solvents or citrus oils to prepare substrates.

• Just prior to installation, lay flooring out flat to acclimate to conditions and allow the roll-

up stresses to relax.

• Flooring and room temperature should be a minimum of 65 degrees F (18 degrees C) for
48 hours before installation, during installation, and 48 hours after installation. Minimum
55 degrees F (13 degrees C) thereafter.

• Plan layout for minimum number of seams.

• Accurately measure length and width of room. Included recessed areas/doorways.

• Allow an extra 1-1/2" of flooring on each end for trimming.

• If more than one piece of flooring is needed, allow for correct pattern match at seam.

Suitable Substrates

All substrates listed below must be properly prepared and meet certain requirements. There may
be exceptions and special conditions for these substrates to be suitable for StrataMax flooring
installation. (Refer to the Subfloors and Underlayment section of the Armstrong Guaranteed
Installation Systems manual, F5061, for more details. Or visit www.floorexpert.com.)

• Concrete (on all grade levels)

• Approved suspended wood underlayments

• Single-layer, fully adhered, existing resilient floors

• Ceramic tile, terrazzo, marble

• Polymeric poured (seamless) floors

StrataMax, because of its unique structure and design, can also be installed directly over
suspended single-layer wood subfloors su ch as plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) when
using the modified loose lay method. The subfloor system must be designed to meet or
exceed applicable building codes with a minimum of 18" well-ventilated air space below. The
subfloor panels should have a smooth, sanded face and show no swelling of edges or surface
due to exposure to weather conditions or construction traffic. The panels can not be contaminated
by staining agents. Otherwise, an additional 1/4" or thicker underlayment is recommended.

Single-layer wood subfloors increase the potential for staining from the panel components, coated
nails, construction adhesives, spills, overspray and show-through from texture and mechanical or
water damage when resilient flooring is installed directly over them.

Armstrong cannot be responsible for:

• joint or texture show-through

• tunneling and ridging over board joints

• discoloration from stain sources in the panel, regardless of the type of panel used

• problems caused by local climate conditions, basement wall and subfloor construction, or

improper installation

Do not install over:

• Particleboard, or waferboard panels

• Existing resilient tile floors that are below grade

• Existing cushion-backed vinyl flooring

• Carpet

• Hardwood flooring that has been installed directly over concrete

Job Conditions

• All substrates must be sound, dry, clean, smooth, and free from excessive moisture or
alkali. Remove dirt, paint, varnish, wax, oils, solvents, other foreign matter and
contaminates that could cause staining or interfere with a good bond.

• In renovation or remodel work, remove any existing adhesive residue* so that 100% of
the overall area of the original substrate is exposed.

• When installing over an existing resilient floor, use S-199 One-Part Embossing Leveler or
S-194 Patch, Underlayment & Embossing Leveler/S-195 Underlayment Additive to fill and
smooth any embossing in the old floor. This is particularly important when fully adhering
StrataMax flooring.

• The area to receive resilient flooring and the flooring materials and adhesives should be
maintained at a minimum of 65 degrees F (18 degrees C) for 48 hours before installation,
during installation, and 48 hours after completion. Maintain a minimum temperature of 55
degrees F (13 degrees C) thereafter.

• Verification must be made that subfloor moisture levels do not exceed acceptable limits
when installing flooring over concrete subfloors. Conduct a Calcium Chloride Test to
measure subfloor vapor transmission levels prior to installation. Armstrong reco mmends
a maximum acceptable moisture emission level of 3lbs/1000 sq.ft/24 hrs. for StrataMax
flooring. If subfloor moisture vapor transmission levels exceed the recommended limit,
the concrete must be allowed to dry out prior to installing the floor.

• Radiant heated substrates must not exceed a maximum surface temperature of 85
degrees F (29 degrees C)

* WARNING: 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.