Bruce Reserve Premium - Manual (Page 18)

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For questions about Armstrong Laminate Flooring please call Customer Relations and Technical Services at 1.800.233.3823.
4. If the drywall is slightly elevated at the floor and wall juncture, create a solid wall surface by fastening a
2" to 3" (5 cm to 7.6 cm) wide facing strip (such as 1/4" (6.35 mm) plywood) to the wall at the stud
location.
5. New wall base or molding must be installed at the end of the job to cover the 1/4" (6.35 mm) to 1/2"
(12.7 mm) expansion zone around the perimeter of the floor. The wall base or molding coverage
should be equal to the ¼” or ½” expansion zone, especially in dry conditions.
6. It may be necessary to plane or cut the bottom of the door to accommodate the change in floor height.
7. Handle and unload with care. Store in a dry place, being sure to provide at least a 4″ air space under
cartons which are stored upon “on-grade” concrete floors. Flooring should not be delivered until the
building has been enclosed with windows, doors are in place and cement work, plastering and all other
“wet” work is completed and dry.
8. Although it is not necessary to acclimate Laminate flooring, prior to the installation it is best to store it
in the environment in which it is expected to perform. Check adhesive label for adhesive storage
limitations.
Layout
Install parallel to incoming light from any windows or, if lighting is not a concern,
parallel to the longest wall in the room (Fig.2).
High Moisture Areas
It is a good idea to use 100% silicone caulk in areas of rooms where excessive
moisture may be present, such as at kitchen sinks, dishwashers and ice makers.
See Bathroom Installation section for instructions on Full Bathroom Installations
Section H.
Installing Cabinets

Install cabinets and then the laminate around the cabinets, leaving the 1/4" (6.35 mm) to 1/2" (12.7
mm) expansion zone.

If installing cabinets after the laminate has been installed, most or all of the cabinet weight should be
supported by the wall mountings. To secure the cabinets to the substrate with screws or nails, drill holes
through the laminate 1/2" (12.7 mm) diameter larger than the screw or nail to allow for expansion.
Installing Kitchen Islands

The island must be freestanding and weigh less than 250 pounds if it is to be installed over the laminate.

If the island weighs more than 250 pounds, the laminate is to be installed around the island, allowing the
normal 1/4" (6.35 mm) to 1/2" (12.7 mm) expansion area around the base of the island.

If the laminate has already been installed, and the island must be installed over the laminate, and the
island weighs more than the 250 pound maximum, drill holes through the laminate 1/2" (12.7 mm)
diameter larger than the bolts (to allow for expansion) and bolt the island to the subfloor.
General Installation Tips

If possible, remove all wall mounted moldings such as base and quarter-round.

The floating floor underlayment already has double-sided tape for ease of taping the pre-cut overlapping
seams. If a non-adhesive underlayment is used, tape all seams with the included tape, unless the
installation is over wood or wood composite subfloor.
NOTE: DO NOT INSTALL FLOORING USING RUBBER MALLETS. STRIKING THE SURFACE WITH A RUBBER
MALLET MAY “BURN” THE FINISH, CAUSING IRREPARABLE DAMAGE.
Fig. 2