ADURA®MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
These installation guidelines are for ADURA®MaxAPEX. All recommendations are based on the most
recent available information. All instructions must be followed for a satisfactory installation. Visit our
website at www.Mannnington.com for most current installation information including helpful videos.
1. ADURA®MaxAPEX is a completely waterproof product. Consideration for under structure or
room quality and environment should always be given.
2. Although acclimation is not specifically required, best installation practice recommends that the room
and flooring should be allowed to adjust in constant temperature between 55°F and 90°F for 48 hrs.
prior to and during installation. Temperature of room should not go below 55°F thereafter.
3. ADURA®MaxAPEX does not need to be acclimated if the HVAC is up and operating and material is
within 15°F difference from storage to install.
4. Open room area should not exceed 50 linear ft. in either direction or 2,500 sq. ft.,
with 1/4” expansion is recommended with no pinch points.
5. Install ADURA®MaxAPEX only after the jobsite has been cleaned and cleared of other trade apparatus that may damage a finished installation.
6. Mix and install product from several different cartons to achieve desirable aesthetic plank variation.
ADURA
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MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines
7. All subfloor/underlayment patching must be done with a non-shrinking, water-resistant, high-quality
Portland cement-based patching compound.
8. Structural subfloor requirements must meet local building codes as well as Mannington criteria
that is for concrete subfloors, conform to ASTM F 710 and panel underlayment must conform
to F1482 guidelines.
10. ADURA®MaxAPEX uses an angle drop lock method, careful consideration should be given
when aligning the end lock. This is necessary to avoid damage to profile.
11. Never flat lay and tap close the end seam. This method will damage the profile.
12. Caution end seam must be properly aligned before using mallet to tap down. This becomes even
more critical with long and wide plank formats.
II. SUBFLOOR INFORMATION
Careful and correct preparation of the subfloor is a major part of a satisfactory installation. Although
ADURA®MaxAPEX is installed as a “floating” floor, correct preparation of the subfloor is still a major
part of a successful installation. Although ADURA®MaxAPEX will bridge minor floor imperfections heavy
roughness or unevenness of the subfloor may telegraph through the new floor covering, resulting in
an unsightly surface and excessive wear on high spots. All subfloors should be flat to within 3/16” in 10’
and 1/32” in 12”.
Never install ADURA®MaxAPEX products over residual asphalt-type (cut back) adhesive. Residual cut
back adhesive should be completely removed and covered with high-quality latex underlayment.
ADURA®MaxAPEX already has an attached underlayment pad, use of additional underlayment pad is
not recommended.
ADURA®MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines 1
ADURA®MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines
A. Wood Subfloors
1. All wood floors must be suspended at least 18” above the ground. Adequate cross-ventilation must be
provided, and the ground surface of a crawl space must be covered with a suitable vapor barrier. Wood
subfloors directly on concrete or installed over sleeper construction are not recommended.
2. Apex can be installed over many wood substrates that are not suitable for fully adhered products,
providing that they are smooth, flat, structurally sound and free of deflection. Including particleboard,
chipboard, flakeboard or OSB. Caution: many times wood panel subfloors are damaged during
construction, the suitability of these floors is the responsibility of the installer.
3. If the surface of the wood subfloor is not smooth, a 1/4” underlayment panel must be installed over
the subfloor. Any panels selected as an underlayment must meet the following criteria:
> Be dimensionally stable
> Have a smooth, fully sanded face so the graining or texturing will not show through
> Be resistant to both static and impact indentation
> Be free of any surface components that may cause staining such as plastic fillers, marking inks,
sealers, etc.
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> Be of uniform density, porosity and thickness
> Have a written warranty for suitability and performance from the panel manufacturer or have
a history of proven performance
B. Concrete Subfloor
1. Concrete subfloors must be dry, smooth, and free from dust, solvent, paint, wax, grease, oil, asphalt
sealing compounds and other extraneous materials. The surface must be hard and dense, and free
from powder or flaking. Surface of the slab should be flat to within 3/16” in 10’ and 1/32” in 12’.
2. New concrete slabs must be thoroughly dry (at least six weeks) and completely cured.
3. All concrete slabs must be checked for moisture before installing material. Details for moisture
testing can be found on our website. The final responsibility for determining if the concrete is dry
enough for installation of the flooring lies with the floor covering installer. ADURA®MaxAPEX must
never be installed where excessive moisture emissions may exist. In accordance with ASTM F1869,
moisture emission from subfloor cannot exceed 8 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. per 24 hours as measured
with the calcium chloride test or ASTM F 2170 In Situ Relative Humidity test. Relative humidity not to
exceed 85% .Mannington will not assume responsibility for floor covering failure due to hydrostatic
pressure or moisture vapor emission. New concrete slabs must be thoroughly dry (at least six weeks)
and completely cured. Although the planks are not susceptible to damage from moisture, excessive
subfloor moisture can be a breeding ground for mold, mildew and fungus, all of which can contribute
to an unhealthy indoor environment. The limited warranties do not cover issues arising from flooding,
leaking plumbing or appliances, water entering through sliding glass doors, presence of mold,
discoloration from mold or fungi or similar conditions.
4. Holes, grooves, expansion joints and other depressions must be filled with a high-quality patching
and leveling compound troweled smooth and feathered even with the surrounding surface.
5. Concrete floors with a hydronic radiant heating system are satisfactory, provided the temperature
of the concrete floor does not exceed 85°F at any point. Before installing the flooring, the heating
system should be turned on to eliminate residual moisture. Mannington does not recommend
heated floor mats for ADURA®MaxAPEX.
ADURA®MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines 2
ADURA®MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines
RECOMMENDED WORK PRACTICES FOR REMOVAL OF RESILIENT FLOOR COVERINGS
WARNING: Do not sand, dry scrape, bead blast or mechanically chip or pulverize existing resilient
flooring, backing, lining felt, asphaltic “cutback” adhesive or other adhesive. These products may contain
asbestos fibers and/or crystalline silica. (See OSHA 1926.1153 for latest OSHA requirements.) Avoid
creating dust. Inhalation of such dust is a cancer and respiratory tract hazard. Smoking by individuals
exposed to asbestos fibers greatly increases the risk of serious bodily harm. Unless positively certain that
the product is a non-asbestos-containing material, you must presume it contains asbestos. Regulations
may require that the material be tested to determine asbestos content. RFCI’s Recommended Work
Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings are a defined set of instructions addressed to the
task of removing all resilient floor covering structures. These instructions should be consulted with
each installation. The link can be found on our website.
C. Existing Floor Coverings
ADURA®MaxAPEX can also be installed over most existing hard–surface floor coverings provided that
the existing floor surface can be made smooth.
1. Ceramic tiles should be well bonded, flat and even. ADURA®MaxAPEX can bridge up to 1/4” in
grout lines. If necessary, tiles can be made smooth using a cement-based patch or leveler.
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MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines
2. Existing floors should not be heavily cushioned and not exceed one layer in thickness.
3. Do not install over carpet.
4. Floor should be flat, smooth and dimensionally sound, free from deflection.
III. INSTALLATION
ADURA®MaxAPEX is designed to be installed as a “floating” floor. Do not secure the planks to the
subfloor. Always undercut wood doorjambs. Check local building code for metal doorjambs. If they
cannot be cut, then proper expansion must be maintained around doorjamb. Do not install cabinets
or kitchen islands directly on top of ADURA®MaxAPEX. Use care when installing wall moldings and
transition strips to not fasten through the product. ADURA®MaxAPEX is an angle /drop installation
which is an easy installation with outstanding joint strength.
A. Plank Layout
1. It is important to balance the layout of the plank format. Proper planning and layout will prevent
narrow plank widths at wall junctures. Determine layout to prevent having less than half a plank
width or very short-length pieces.
2. As with all plank products, lay the long dimension of the plank parallel to the long dimension of
the work area.
3. Accurately measure the room to determine the center line, adjust this established line to
accommodate a balanced layout and then transpose this line to a comfortable width away from
the starting wall (approximately 2’ to 3’ wide). Determine if the starter row will need to be cut.
If the first row of planks does not need to be trimmed in width, it may be necessary to cut off the
unsupported tongue, so a clean, solid edge is toward the wall.
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ADURA®MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines
4. With plank tongue facing the wall, lay first plank flat, working from
left to right, continue 1st row of plank by placing side end tongue
of next plank directly over end groove, press down to engage. See
(1). Use mallet to secure the lock. See (2). Complete row and slide
into place using 1/4” spacers around the perimeter. See (3).
5. Second row working left to right: install the 1st plank in the
second row into groove while staggering the plank at least 8”.
See (4a). Angle the long seam into the groove and allow to lay flat.
It may be helpful to tap plank with a tapping block to assure plank
is fully engaged and allowed to lay flat. See (4b).
6. Proceed to install the 2nd plank second row by angling and
engaging long seam tongue into the 1st row groove while aligning
end seam tongue to fall directly over the end seam groove.
Allow plank to drop in place, you should feel it engage. See (5).
7. To fully seat the end lock, use a rubber mallet to tap plank directly
over the seam. This will completely lock the end joint. To prevent
damage to the lock it is essential to keep plank square and aligned
before using rubber mallet. See (6).
8. Repeat this technique for each additional row.
9. Work across the length of the room installing planks along the wall
in the first row and then aligning the planks in the second row. It is
critical to keep these two rows straight and square, as they are the
“foundation” for the rest of the installation. Check squareness and
straightness often.
1
3
4b
2
4a
5
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10. Cut the last plank in the first row to fit approximately 1/4” short
of the end wall. Planks may be cut with a saw- or guillotine-type
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cutter such as Bullet Tools Mega shears. Often the remainder of
this plank may be used to start the third row.
11. Continue installing planks, being certain to maintain a random
appearance and offset end seams by at least 8”. Maintain a 1/4”
expansion space at all fixed vertical surfaces. Check to be certain
all planks are fully engaged. If slight gapping is noticed the gap
can be tapped closed by using a scrap of flooring and a tapping
block. It is always best work practice to use a Mannington
Laminate tapping block (SKU#153275) to lightly tap rows as
you install to fully seat the locking system assuring they are fully
engaged. Use a rubber mallet only to tap down end lock.
12. When fitting under door casings, toe kick etc. If necessary, plank may be modified using a small block
plane. Remove a thin layer from the groove to allow tongue and groove to be flat-fitted while keeping the
integrity of the tongue and groove. After checking the fit apply a thin bead of MSS 20 Seam Sealer on
the groove then slide planks together to seal the joint tight. Wipe any excess sealer off the surface. If
necessary, a flat pull bar may be used to assist in adjoining the modified planks. When fitting around
obstacles or into irregular spaces, ADURA®MaxAPEX can be cut easily and cleanly using a multi-tool or
jigsaw. It is often beneficial to make a cardboard template of the area and transfer this pattern to the plank.
ADURA®MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines 4
ADURA®MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines
IV. FINISHING THE JOB
Protect all exposed edges of ADURA®MaxAPEX by installing wall molding and/or ADURA® matching
moldings. Use caution to prevent the fasteners from securing the planks to the subfloor, do not allow
floor to become pinched. Use 100% silicone caulk along tubs, toilet bowls, etc. Considerations for
transitions should be made at substrate changes, room-to-room environment changes, complicated
layouts, subfloor elevation, or room size larger than recommended.
After 48 hours, damp mop to remove residual surface dirt. Follow appropriate maintenance schedule
using Mannington Ultraclean or a quality rinse-free cleaner.
V. REPAIRS
ADURA
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MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines
ADURA®MaxAPEX is tough and durable, however, if a plank becomes
damaged it can be replaced.
If the damaged plank or tile is along the perimeter of the room, the
easiest technique is to just disconnect the planks until the damaged
plank is removed. Replace the material and reassemble the planks.
Do this by separating whole rows first, See (A), by carefully lifting and
releasing the whole row. See (B). Disassemble the panel by carefully
lifting directly under the short end seam to release the lock. Once
damaged plank is removed, simply reassemble with a new plank.
If it’s impractical to just disconnect and reassemble the flooring the following procedure should be used:
1. Using a circular saw and or a multi-tool saw, cut out and remove the center of the damaged piece,
leaving an approximately 1” strip attached to the surrounding material.
2. Carefully cut back from the corners of the plank or tile to the inside edge.
3. Remove the edges by wiggling the cut plank out from the tongue and groove of the
surrounding pieces.
4. Prepare the replacement plank by removing the leading edge of the tongue profile on the long side
and the end of the plank. Be careful not to damage the decorative surface. Also remove the bottom
of the groove on the short end side by cutting on an angle to remove. Once the plank is prepared
install groove into tongue to test the fit. Once you check the fit you are now ready to fully install.
A B
5. Position the replacement piece by engaging the groove into the tongue of the adjoining material.
“Hinge” the prepared replacement plank into position.
6. Slightly lift prepared side of plank and apply a thin application of Mannington MSS 20 Seam Sealer
onto the three exposed seams and carefully position plank into place, wipe excess from surface.
7. Use a hand roller to assist in aligning the edges into position.
8. Weight the replaced plank for at least 15 minutes until the sealer secures the material.
ADURA®MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines 5
ADURA®MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines
VI. CAUTIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS
A. Furniture should be moved onto the newly installed floor using an appliance hand-truck over
hardboard runways.
B. Heavy furniture should be equipped with suitable non-staining, wide-bearing casters or protectors.
Non-staining felt protectors are recommended for table and chair legs to help prevent scratching.
C. Close your curtains or blinds where extreme sunlight hits the floor. Like with all floor coverings,
protect the finished ADURA®MaxAPEX installation from exposure to direct sunlight. A combination
of heat and sunlight can cause fading, discoloration, or thermal expansion to most home furnishings.
Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for prolonged periods. During peak sunlight hours, the use of blinds
or drapes is recommended. Prolonged direct sunlight can result in discoloration and excessive
temperatures may cause floor expansion (which may cause buckling).
D. Oil or petroleum-based products can result in surface staining. Do not track asphalt-driveway sealer
or automobile-oil drips onto the vinyl floor covering.
E. Use rugs or mats labeled “non-staining” that provide a manufacturer warranty.
ADURA
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MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines
ADURA®MaxAPEX Installation Guidelines 6
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