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Residential Luxury Vinyl Tile Installation System
Product Information
Product Gauge Size Adhesive Comment
NATURAL LIVING
(residential and light
commercial)
.080"
(2.0mm)
Various
S-288,S-289, S-599,
or S-543, S-310 Roll
Strong, Flip,
S-240
Proper conditioning
of the
jobsite and product
is
extremely important
for
LVT planks
Roll with a 100-lb
roller
NATURAL PERSONALITY
NATURAL PERSONALITY
2
(residential only)
.080"
(2.0mm)
VIVERO GOOD
(residential and commercial)
.080
(2.0mm)
Various
VIVERO BETTER
(residential and
commercial)
VIVERO BEST
(residential and commercial)
.100
(2.5mm)
Installation: Location: All grade levels, When installing with S-1841 See instructions in pdf. at the bottom of
this page.
Layout: End joints should be staggered a minimum of 6” (15cm) apart
Note: When installing LVT in areas subject to direct sunlight, topical moisture, temperature fluctuations,
Armstrong S-240 Epoxy Adhesive must be used.
General Information
No additional information for this field.
Precautions
Proper conditioning of jobsite and product is extremely important for the appearance and
performance of LVT planks
Do not wash or scrub the new flooring for at least 5 days after the installation. This will allow the
tile to become “seated” in the adhesive and prevent excess moisture and cleaning agents from
interfering with the adhesive bond.
Tools
No additional information for this field.
SubFloor & Substrates
Suitable Substrates
All substrates listed below must be properly prepared and meet the requirements discussed in Subfloors &
Underlayments Section. There may be other exceptions and special conditions for these substrates to be
suitable for the Luxury Vinyl Tile Installation Systems.
Concrete (on all grade levels)
Approved Suspended Wood Underlayment
Single-layer, Fully Adhered, Existing Resilient Floors
Ceramic Tile, Terrazzo and Marble
Product Information
General Information
Precautions
Tools
Subfloors &
Substrates
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Polymeric Poured Floors
Do not install over:
Particleboard, waferboard, OSB or single-layer STURD-I-FLOOR panels
Existing resilient tile floors that are below grade
Existing cushioned vinyl flooring
Jobsite Prep
Resilient flooring should only be installed in temperature-controlled environments. It is necessary
to maintain a constant temperature before, during and after the installation. Therefore, the
permanent or temporary HVAC system must be in operation before the installation of resilient
flooring. Portable heaters are not recommended as they may not heat the room and subfloor
sufficiently. Kerosene heaters should never be used.
Substrates must be sound, dry, clean, smooth, and free from excessive moisture or alkali.
The surface shall be free of dust, solvents, paint, varnish, wax, oils, grease, sealers, curing
compounds, residual adhesive, adhesive removers and other foreign materials that might affect
the adhesion of resilient flooring to the substrate or cause a discoloration of the flooring from
below. Spray paints, permanent markers and other indelible ink markers must not be used to write
on the back of the flooring material or used to mark the substrate as they could bleed through,
telegraphing up to the surface and permanently staining the flooring material. If these
contaminants are present on the substrate they must be mechanically removed prior to the
installation of the flooring material.
In renovation or remodel work, remove any existing adhesive residue* so that no ridges or
puddles are evident and what remains is a thin, smooth film.
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) and for 48 hours before installation,
during installation and 48 hours after completion. When using S-240 Epoxy Adhesive the
maximum room temperature should not exceed 85°F (29°C).
During the service life of the floor, the temperature should never fall below of 55 degrees F (13
degrees C). The performance of the flooring and the adhesives can be adversely affected below
this minimum temperature.
For concrete substrates, conduct moisture testing (moisture vapor emission rate (MVER) and/or
percent relative humidity (in-situ probe). Bond tests must be conducted for compatibility with the
substrate. Please refer to Subfloors and Underlayments section.e.
Radiant heated substrates must not exceed a maximum surface temperature of 85 degrees F (29
degrees C)
Use S-240 Epoxy Adhesive in areas where the product will be subjected to direct sunlight, topical
moisture, concentrated static and dynamic loads or temperature fluctuations.
* Some previously manufactured asphaltic “cutback” adhesives contained asbestos (see warning statement
on page xii). For removal instructions, refer to the Resilient Floor Covering Institute’s publication
Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings.
Adhesive Open Time
Product Adhesives Open Time (All Substrates)
NATURAL LIVING
(residential light
commercial)
NATURAL
PERSONALITY
(residential only)
VIVERO GOOD
(residential/commercial)
VIVERO BETTER
(residential/commercial)
VIVERO BEST
(residential/commercial)
S-288, S-543
Use S-891 Fine Notch Trowel
(1/32" (0.8mm deep, 1/16"
(1.6mm) wide and 5/64" (2mm)
apart.)
Flip Spray Adhesive
NOTE: S-543 Must be back
rolled with a medium nap (3/8" to
1/2") paint roller.
Dry to Touch -
Approximately 30 minutes (tacky to
touch with no transfer to fingers).
S-289
Short nap paint roller
Dry to Touch
Approximately 45 minutes (tacky to
touch with no transfer to fingers)
Jobsite Preparation
Adhesive Open Time
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S-310 Dry to Touch >15 minutes (tacky to
touch with no transfer to fingers)
S-240** Set in wet
Approximately 10-20 minutes
NOTE: The amount of open time will vary according to job conditions- temperature, humidity, air flow and
type of substrate.
** It is necessary to smooth out the adhesive trowel ridges using a 3/16" (4.8 mm) nap paint roller. The
purpose of this is to create a uniform application of the adhesive.
Layout & Fitting
Layout:
Whenever possible, plan the layout so that the joints in the planks do not fall on top of joints or seams in the
existing substrate. The end joints of the planks should be staggered a minimum of 6" apart. Do not install
over expansion joints.
Determine which direction the planks will run. Find the center of each of the end walls (the walls
perpendicular to the long dimension of the planks) and place a pencil mark on the floor. Connect these
points by striking a chalk line down the center of the room. Do a dry layout of planks from the center line to
the wall running parallel to the long direction of the planks to determine the width of the last row of planks.
Fig. 1 Dry layout to determine width of border plank.
Avoid having border pieces less than 2" (5.1cm) wide for the 4" (10.2cm) wide planks and less than 3"
(7.6cm) wide for the 6" (15.2cm) wide planks. If you find the border planks will be less than 1/2 the width of
the plank, the center starting line should be shifted a distance equal to 1/2 the plank width. This will
"balance" the room and provide for a larger cut piece at the wall.
Seam / Grout
No additional information for this field.
nstallation Methods
Procedure:
Armstrong S-288 Flooring Adhesive
Apply S-288 adhesive to 1/2 of the area at a time so that you can start the installation along the center
starting line. Begin laying planks along the center starting line and install row by row including the cut
pieces at the perimeter until 1/2 of the installation is complete. Stagger the end joints by at least 6 inches
(15.2 cm). Apply adhesive to the remaining portion of the room, allow the adhesive to dry-to-touch and
complete the installation of planks in similar fashion.
Layout & Fitting
Seams/Grout
Installation Methods
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After the planks are installed, immediately roll the entire floor with a 100 lb. roller. Use a hand roller in
confined areas where the large floor roller will not reach, such as under toe kicks.
The planks may be walked on immediately; however, the floor should not be exposed to heavy rolling load
traffic for 72 hours after the installation. Use pieces of hardboard or underlayment panels to protect the floor
when moving heavy furniture and appliances back into the room.
Armstrong S-289 Releasable Adhesive
Apply S-289 adhesive to 1/2 of the area at a time so that you can start the installation along the center
starting line.
Begin laying planks along the center starting line and install row by row, including the cut pieces at the
perimeter, until 1/2 of the installation is complete. Stagger the end joints by at least 6" (15.2 cm). Apply
adhesive to the remaining portion of the room and complete the installation of planks in similar fashion.
Immediately remove any adhesive from the surface of the flooring using a clean, white cloth dampened with
a neutral detergent and water. Mineral spirits will remove dried adhesive residue.
The planks may be walked on immediately( not recommended); however, the floor should not be exposed
to heavy rolling load traffic for 72 hours after the installation. Use pieces of hardboard or underlayment
panels to protect the floor when moving heavy furniture and appliances back into the room.
Armstrong S-543 Adhesive
Apply S-543 adhesive and allow the adhesive to set until dry-to-touch, as per the recommended open time
on the adhesive label.
Begin laying planks along the center starting line and install row by row, including the cut pieces at the
perimeter, until 1/2 of the installation is complete. Stagger the end joints by at least 6" (15.2 cm). Apply
adhesive to the remaining portion of the room, allow to dry-to-touch and complete the installation of planks
in similar fashion. Immediately remove any adhesive from the surface of the flooring using a clean, white
cloth dampened with a neutral detergent and water. Roll the tile in both directions within 30 minutes after
installation using a 100-lb. roller. Do not allow traffic for 24 hours after installation. Tile should not be
exposed to rolling load traffic for at least 72 hours after installation to allow setting and drying of the
adhesive.
Armstrong S-310 Roll Strong Adhesive
1. A clean substrate is extremely important with the use of S-310 Roll Strong Adhesive. Thoroughly
sweep and vacuum the substrate first. Damp mop to remove any remaining dust or debris. Extra
attention to substrate preparation is essential for a successful installation. Failure to properly
clean the substrate may result in telegraphing of debris.
2. A roll-on application method is recommended with a medium nap (3/8"nap) roller to achieve a
smooth even full-spread coating. Spread rate and drying time of the adhesive will depend on the
porosity and texture of the substrates and the ambient temperature and relative humidity. KEEP
PAINT ROLLER WET!! Do not apply pressure to the roller, allow it to freely roll over the substrate.
ADHESIVE COVERAGE MUST NOT EXCEED 400 ft2/gal!! Overly absorbent or rough substrates
will require two coats. Once the coating has dried, it must be kept clean and apart from any
contact with other surfaces until ready to begin the bonding process. Do not spread more
adhesive than can be covered in 4 hours.
3. Bond testing prior to the installation will help identify the appropriate application rate, open and
working time, and any potential bonding problems to the substrate or flooring. To determine the
accurate coverage rate, measure and chalk line the substrate into grids (using the appropriate
square feet of area for the adhesive application) and apply adhesive onto each measured grid
area.
4. Allow the adhesive to dry completely with no transfer to fingers when lightly touched. Open time
will vary depending on the adhesive coverage, substrate porosity and the ambient conditions.
5. Once the S-310 Roll Strong adhesive has dried, install LVT as per recommended. LVT can be
repositioned as necessary prior to applying pressure. After completion of the installation, roll the
entire floor in both directions with 100 lb. roller to achieve a full contact bond. Note: After the
flooring has been rolled or pressed into place, repositioning is not possible. Normal traffic and
rolling loads may be allowed as soon as the installation, finishing and clean-up are complete.
SAFETY AND CLEAN UP:
1. Wet adhesive should be cleaned up immediately with soap and water on a clean cloth. Dried
adhesive may require the use of a solvent adhesive cleaner.
COVERAGE:
Rate of application depends on porosity of the substrate:
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Approximately 350-400 square feet per gallon when applied with a 3/8” Nap roller
NOTE: Products with directional arrows on the back should be installed with the arrows all pointing
in the same direction unless you are installing custom layouts.
Armstrong Flip Spray
A clean substrate is extremely important with the use of Flip Spray Adhesive! Thoroughly sweep
and vacuum the substrate first. Damp mop to remove any remaining dust or debris. Extra
attention to substrate preparation is essential for a successful installation. Failure to properly
clean the substrate may result in telegraphing of debris.
Shake the can well before each use. Point can downwards, press the side of the nozzle tip as you
slowly walk back and forth overlapping the spray pattern for an even spray coverage. Do not use
a sweeping motion as this may cause uneven coverage. Clean up any larger drops that may
occur. Refer to the provided spray patterns for proper application. The sprat patterns for tile and
sheet are different. Over application, especially for sheet vinyl may cause adhesive telegraphing.
Bond testing prior to the installation will help identify the appropriate application rate, open and
working time, and any potential bonding problems to the substrate or flooring. To determine the
accurate coverage rate, measure and chalk line the substrate into grids (using the appropriate
square feet of area for the adhesive application) and spray the entire can of adhesive onto each
measured grid area.
Allow the adhesive to dry completely with no transfer to fingers when lightly touched. Open time
will vary depending on the adhesive coverage, substrate porosity and the ambient conditions.
Working time for the adhesive should not exceed 4 hours.
Install the flooring as per the Armstrong recommendations for that particular material.
Roll the floor immediately after the installation is complete with a 100 lbs. roller. Normal traffic
may be allowed as soon as the installation, finishing and clean-up are complete. Wait 24-hours
for heavy traffic or rolling loads.
SAFETY AND CLEAN UP:
Wet adhesive overspray or drips should be cleaned up immediately with soap and water on a
clean cloth. Dried adhesive may require the use of a solvent adhesive cleaner. Between uses,
clean the spray tip immediately with a clean wet cloth to prevent accumulation of dried adhesive.
Empty aluminum spray cans should be relieved of excess pressure and recycled or disposed of in
accordance with local requirements. Do not expose to temperatures exceeding 115° F. Prolonged
exposure to heat or direct sun may cause container to burst.
COVERAGE:
Rate of application depends on flooring product being installed and porosity of the substrate:
140 - 150 square feet per can (approximate)
Special Situations
S-240 Epoxy Adhesive:
Our experience has shown that the use of hard-setting reactive adhesives, like our S-240 Epoxy Adhesive,
offer advantages and may help protect against damage (such as delamination) when used to install flooring
under such furnishings and equipment. Depending on the application, the epoxy may only be necessary in
limited areas of any particular installation such as an area immediately beneath and adjacent to the primary
areas of contact with the flooring. In the case of certain heavy hospital beds, the application of the epoxy
adhesive in an area that extends a minimum of 1' beyond the wheel base or footprint of the four casters
[approximately 4' x 8' (1.2 m x 2.4 m)] may be sufficient.
Armstrong Luxury Solid Vinyl Flooring is used in many applications where it is subjected to heavy static and
dynamic loads. Some furnishings, appliances and equipment in certain environments may be equipped with
wheels, casters, rests or other floor contact devices, which concentrate rather than distribute the load over
the surface of the flooring. Hospital patient beds and operating room tables are typical examples. With
respect to portable furnishings and equipment, while concentrated wheel/caster loadings provide for easier
mobility they can be particularly damaging to resilient flooring installations. Armstrong recommends that any
furnishings or equipment be fitted with floor contact devices, which avoid concentrating weight loads.
Move the chalk lines to the corner or end of the room farthest from the doorway. These lines should be 2' or
3' from the wall, depending on your reach (Fig. 1).
1. Mix the entire contents of Part A and Part B together with a stirring motion while at the
same time lifting from the bottom. Mix thoroughly for 3 to 5 minutes to a uniform color. Do
not over mix. Never mix S-240 Adhesive on the subfloor surface.
Special Situations
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2. Immediately pour the entire unit of mixed adhesive onto the substrate. Do not leave
mixed adhesive in cans as it shortens pot life and working time, and may generate
excessive heat. Maximum pot life of S-240 is approximately 15 minutes, depending on
temperature and humidity.
3. Apply the S-240 Epoxy Adhesive in 2' or 3' bands (Fig. 2), being careful not to cover the
chalk lines. Do not apply more adhesive than you can cover within 20 minutes.
Immediately back roll the S-240 with the supplied paint roller. Allowing a 10-minute open
time and fitting the border tile tightly will reduce tile shifting and adhesive oozing. DO
NOT allow the adhesive to dry completely.
4. When using S-240 Epoxy Adhesive in conjunction with the recommended Armstrong Full
Spread Adhesive, plan out the open times so that the flooring may be placed into both
adhesives at the same time. Working time of S-240 Epoxy Adhesive is 60 minutes.
5. After allowing the proper open time, carefully place the tile flooring into the S-240 Epoxy
Adhesive to ensure that air is not trapped beneath the flooring.
6. Install the tile along the chalk lines. Wood plank visuals must be installed with the arrows
pointing in the same direction. Squares and rectangle tiles may be installed with arrows
pointing in the same direction, quarter turned or randomly installed for customized visuals.
Install the field area first and then fit in the border tile.
7. Clean any adhesive residue from the surface of the flooring using a clean, white cloth
dampened with a neutral detergent and water. Dried S-240 Epoxy Adhesive cannot be
removed.
8. Within 30 minutes of the S-240 application, roll the material using a 100-lb. roller. Starting
at the center and working toward the edges, roll the material in the direction of the trowel
notches and then again in the opposite direction. Do not work on newly adhered flooring
except to roll. If unavoidable, use a kneeling board.
9. Repeat rolling procedure at 1 hour and 2 hours after the initial application of S-240 Epoxy
Adhesive.
10. Do not allow traffic on the flooring for 24 hours after installation.
11. Newly installed flooring should not be exposed to rolling load traffic for at least 72 hours
after installation to allow setting and drying of the adhesive.
Finishing the Job
Armstrong NATURAL LIVING, NATURAL PERSONALITY, VIVERO GOOD, VIVERO BETTER and
VIVERO BEST with S-288 Flooring Adhesive
The planks may be walked on immediately; however, the floor should not be exposed to heavy rolling load
traffic for 72 hours after the installation. Use pieces of hardboard or underlayment panels to protect the floor
when moving heavy furniture and appliances back into the room.
Armstrong NATURAL LIVING, NATURAL PERSONALITY, VIVERO GOOD, VIVERO BETTER and
VIVERO BEST with S-289 Adhesive
The planks may be walked on immediately( not recommended); however, the floor should not be exposed
to heavy rolling load traffic for 72 hours after the installation. Use pieces of hardboard or underlayment
panels to protect the floor when moving heavy furniture and appliances back into the room.
Armstrong NATURAL LIVING, NATURAL PERSONALITY, VIVERO GOOD, VIVERO BETTER and
VIVERO BEST with S-543 Adhesive, S-240 Epoxy Adhesive
Do not allow traffic for 24 hours after installation. Tile should not be exposed to rolling load traffic for at least
72 hours after installation to allow setting and drying of the adhesive.
With S-310 Armstrong Roll Strong Adhesive
Finishing the Job
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Normal traffic and rolling loads may be allowed as soon as the installation, finishing and clean-up are
complete.
Repairs
No additional information for this field.
Repairs
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