Bruce Turlington Lock&Fold - Manual (Page 2)

NOTE: Avoid subfloors with excessive vertical movement. Optimum performance of hardwood floor covering products occurs
when there is little horizontal or vertical movement of the subfloor. If the subfloor has excessive vertical movement (deflection)
before the installation of the flooring it is likely it will do so after installation of the flooring is complete. As flooring manufacturers
we are unable to evaluate each engineered system. Spacing and spans, as well as their engineering methods, are the
responsibility of the builder, engineer, architect or consumer, who is better able to evaluate the expected result based on site
related performance.
Tools & Accessories Needed
• Broom • Pencil • Safety glasses • Matching filler • Moisture meter (wood, concrete or both)
• Transition and wall moldings as needed • Hand saw, table saw, circular saw or band saw
• Armstrong ® Two-in-One ® Advanced Underlayment with tape or Bruce ® ComfortGuard™ • Tape measure
• Armstrong Quiet Comfort™ and Quiet Comfort Premium underlayment • Carpenter square • Hammer or rubber mallet
• Vinyl/plastic tapping block • Pull-bar • Utility knife • NIOSH-designated dust mask
• Recommended wood glue • 3M Scotch-Blue™ 2080 Tape • Recommended hardwood flooring cleaner
(Add for Glue-Down Installations)
• Recommended adhesive and adhesive remover
• 1/4″ x 1/2″ x 3/16″ (6 mm x 13 mm x 8 mm) V-Notch
trowel (Figure 2)
• 3M Scotch-Blue 2080 Tape
• Armstrong VapArrest™ S-135 Professional Moisture
Retardant System on concrete (if needed). Use with
urethane adhesive only.
III. SUBFLOOR/UNDERLAYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Recommended Subfloor/Underlayment Surfaces (All Installations)
• Concrete • Ceramic Tile, Terrazzo, Slate & Marble • Acoustic cork • Wood subfloors
• Wood structural panels and underlayment • Fully adhered existing wood floors
• Fully adhered vinyl sheet, resilient tile, cork flooring and linoleum
Concrete (Glue-Down and Floating Installations Only)
The flooring can be glued directly to concrete with a minimum compressive strength of 3000 PSI. Do not install over a concrete
sealer or painted concrete. If present, remove by grinding or sanding. Do not install over slick, heavily troweled or burnished
concrete. Roughen the surface as necessary by sanding or grinding. Use an appropriate NIOSH-designated dust mask. Floating
floors can be installed over any structurally sound concrete.
Concrete Moisture Tests
All concrete subfloors should be tested, and results documented, for moisture content. Visual checks may not be reliable. Test
several areas, especially near exterior walls and walls containing plumbing. Acceptable test methods for subfloor moisture
content include:
• A 3% Phenolphthalein in Anhydrous Alcohol Solution: Chip the concrete at least 1/4″ (6 mm) deep (do not apply directly
to the concrete surface) and apply several drops of the solution to the chipped area.
If any color change occurs, further testing is required.
• Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter Meter (Figure 3): Moisture readings
should not exceed 4.5 on the upper scale. (Figure 3 shows an unacceptable
reading of over 4.5.)
• Polyfilm Test: Apply 3″ x 3″ (1 m x 1 m) pieces of polyethylene film to the subfloor
and leave in place for 24 hours. Assure all edges are completely sealed with water
resistant tape. Darkened concrete or condensation on film indicates presence of
moisture and requires additional measurements with the Tramex Meter, Calcium
Chloride or RH test.
NOTE: The following tests are required in commercial applications. Either or both
tests are acceptable.
• Calcium Chloride Test (ASTM F 1869): The maximum moisture transfer must not exceed 3 lbs./1000 ft. 2 in 24 hrs. with this test.
• RH Levels in Concrete Using In-situ Probes (ASTM F 2170-02) should not exceed 75%.
“DRY” CONCRETE, AS DEFINED BY THESE TESTS CAN BE WET AT OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR. THESE TESTS DO NOT GUARANTEE
A DRY SLAB. ALL NEW CONSTRUCTION CONCRETE SLABS SHOULD HAVE A MINIMUM OF 10 MIL POLY FILM MOISTURE BARRIER
BETWEEN THE GROUND AND THE CONCRETE.
Moisture Retardant Systems
If excessive moisture is present or anticipated, use Armstrong ® VapArrest™ S-135 Professional Moisture Retardant System or
inexpensive sheet vinyl to reduce vapor intrusion.
NOTE: DO NOT use Armstrong Proconnect™ Professional Hardwood Flooring Adhesive when using Armstrong VapArrest
S-135 Professional Moisture Retardant System or sheet vinyl as a moisture retardant. Use only Bruce
® Equalizer™,
Armstrong 57, Robbins ® FusionLock™ or Armstrong EverLAST™ Premium Urethane Adhesive.
• Armstrong VapArrest S-135: Apply the materials after all subfloor preparation is complete. Follow the instructions on the
VapArrest S-135 label. Allow 8-24 hours curing time before application of the hardwood flooring.
• Sheet vinyl: An inexpensive sheet vinyl or “slip-sheet” (felt-backed with vinyl wear layer) may be installed. Use a premium
grade, alkali resistant adhesive and a full spread application system to properly bond the vinyl to the subfloor. Follow the sheet
vinyl manufacturer’s instructions for installation procedures. A bond test may be required as an adhesion test. Install several
small areas (3″ x 3″) (1 m x 1 m) and allow the vinyl to set for 72 hours. Remove the vinyl. If the backing remains attached to
the concrete, the subfloor should be acceptable for sheet vinyl installation. Install the sheet vinyl and allow the adhesive to cure
for 24 hours prior to beginning installation. Degloss as necessary to create an adequate adhesive bond. Always check for
adequate adhesive bond.
Acoustic Concrete (Glue-Down or Floating Installations)
Acoustic concrete normally contains large quantities of gypsum that may inhibit the adhesive’s capability to properly bond.
Acoustic concrete must be primed with the concrete manufacturer’s recommended primer/surface hardener. Test the concrete
by scraping the surface with a nail or other sharp object. If the concrete powders or crumbles, it is not sound and suitable for
direct application of hardwood flooring and may require the use of a floating subfloor system. Always check for adequate
adhesive bond. The concrete must have a minimum compressive strength of 2000 PSI.
Ceramic, Terrazzo, Slate & Marble (Glue-Down or Floating Installations)
All grout joints and broken corners that exceed 3/16″ (5 mm) must be filled with a cementitous leveling compound such as
Armstrong S-194 Patch, Underlayment & Embossing Leveler with S-195 Underlayment Additive. The surface should be cleaned
and abraded to create a good bonding surface for the adhesive. Loose tiles must be re-adhered to the subfloor or filled as above.
Remove all sealers and surface treatments. Always check for adequate adhesive bond.
Acoustic Cork Underlayment (Glue-Down or Floating Installations)
The flooring can be glued or floated directly over full-spread, permanently bonded acoustic cork. The cork should have a density
of no less than 11.4 lb./cubic foot. The cork, in general, should be pure cork combined with a polyurethane or resin binder. Install
cork in accordance with cork manufacturer’s recommendations. Always check for adequate adhesive bond. When floating floors
over cork DO NOT use foam underlayment.
Wood Subfloors and Underlayment (Glue-Down or Floating Installations)
General: The wood subflooring materials must not exceed 13% moisture content. Using a reliable wood moisture meter, measure
moisture content of both the subfloor and the hardwood flooring to determine proper moisture content. The difference between
the moisture content of the wood subfloor and the hardwood flooring must not exceed 4%. When installing parallel to the floor
joists it may be necessary to stiffen the subfloor system by installing an additional minimum of 3/8″ (9.5 mm) approved
underlayment. Applicable standards and recommendations of the construction and materials industries must be met or
exceeded.
NOTE: As flooring manufacturers, we are unable to evaluate each engineered system. Spacing and spans, as well as their
engineering methods, are the responsibility of the builder, engineer, architect or consumer who is better able to evaluate the
expected result based on site-related conditions and performance. The general information provided below describes common,
non-engineered joist/subfloor systems. Engineered flooring systems may allow for wider joist spacing and thinner subflooring
materials.
2
Wood Structural Panel Subfloors and Underlayment (Glue-Down or Floating
Installations)
Structural panels/underlayment must be installed sealed side down. When used as a subfloor, allow 1/8″ (3 mm) expansion space
between each panel. If spacing is inadequate, cut in with a circular saw. Do not cut in expansion space on tongue and groove
panels.
• Plywood: Must be minimum CDX grade (exposure 1) and meet US Voluntary Product Standard PS1 performance standard or
Canadian performance standard CAN/CSA 0325-0-92. The preferred thickness is 3/4″ (19 mm) as a subfloor [minimum 5/8″
(16 mm)] or 3/8″ (9.5 mm) as underlayment.
• Oriented Strand Board (OSB): Conforming to US Voluntary Product Standard PS2 or Canadian performance standard
CAN/CSA 0325-0-92 construction sheathing. Check underside of panel for codes. When used as a subfloor, the panels must
be tongue and groove and installed sealed side down. Minimum thickness to be 23/32″ (18 mm) thick when used as a subfloor
or 3/8″ (9.5 mm) as underlayment.
• Waferboard and Chipboard: Conforming to US Voluntary Product Standard PS2 or Canadian performance standard CAN/CSA
0325-0-92. Must be 3/4″ (19 mm) thick when used as a subfloor and 3/8″ (9.5 mm) thick when used as an underlayment.
• Particleboard: Must be a minimum 40-lb. density, stamped underlayment grade and 3/4″ (19 mm) thick.
Solid Wood Subfloors (Glue-Down or Floating Installations)
• Minimum 3/4″ (19 mm) thick with a maximum width of 6″ (15 cm) installed at a 45˚ angle to the floor joists.
• Group 1 dense softwood (Pine, Larch, Douglas Fir, etc.) No. 2 common, kiln dried with all board ends bearing on joists.
• For glue-down applications add 3/8″ (9.5 mm) approved underlayment.
Existing Wood Flooring (Glue-Down or Floating Installations)
• Existing engineered flooring must be well bonded/fastened. When gluing over existing wood flooring of any thickness, the
finishing materials must be abraded or removed to foster an adequate adhesive bond. Existing solid wood flooring that exceeds
6″ (15 mm) in width must be covered with 3/8″ (9.5 mm) approved underlayment and fastened as required. Do not install over
solid flooring attached directly to the concrete.
Vinyl, Resilient Tile, Cork Flooring and Linoleum (All Installation Methods,
see notes below)
(Glue-Down Installations)
DO NOT use Armstrong ProConnect Professional Hardwood Flooring Adhesive when installing over these surfaces. Use
only Bruce Equalizer, Armstrong 57, Robbins FusionLock or Armstrong EverLAST Premium Urethane Adhesive.
Make sure the floor covering materials are well bonded to the subfloor/underlayment with full spread adhesive and are no more
than two layers thick, not to exceed 3/16″ (5 mm).
With approved wood/wood composite subfloors, if vinyl or tiles are loose, broken, or in poor condition, install a 3/8″ (9.5 mm)
approved underlayment directly over the flooring materials.
Clean the flooring materials as necessary to create a good adhesive bond. If a maintenance material is present on the floor
covering or a gloss is present, de-gloss with a flooring pad and a commercially available stripper, then rinse completely. Allow
ample drying time. (NOTE: Do not sand any resilient products. They may contain asbestos fibers, which may be harmful.)
Cork floors must have all sealers and surface treatments removed before installation begins. Always check for adequate adhesive bond.
IV. INSTALLING THE FLOOR
Before You Start
• Before installing the planks, central heat or air conditioning should be operating for 14 days.
• Planks should be stored in a flat position.
• Store hardwood planks in the room where it is to be installed. Do not open the packages until installation begins.
• Install only at room temperature above 60°F (16°C) and 35-55% humidity conditions.
• In rooms with under-floor (radiant) heating, the surface temperature of the subfloor may not, under any circumstances, exceed
85°F (29°C). Increasing heat should be done in 5-degree increments. Ascertain that the subfloor is properly engineered or
controlled for the flooring being installed. Subfloors designed for materials with higher resistance to heat transfer, such as
carpet, WILL damage the flooring. Installations that include multiple floor covering products on a single heating circuit must be
adjusted for the flooring product with the highest heat transfer or lowest temperature requirement.
• When possible, preselect and set aside boards that blend best with all horizontally mounted moldings (reducer/stair nose etc.)
This will assure a uniform final appearance. Install these boards adjoining the moldings.
• Floor should be installed from several cartons at the same time to ensure good color and shade mixture.
• Be attentive to staggering the ends of the boards at least 4″-6″ (10-15 cm) when possible, in adjacent rows (Figure 4). This
will help ensure a more favorable overall appearance of the floor.
• 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 precut 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. Do not install in areas of high moisture incidence such as bathrooms and powder rooms.
NOTE: DO NOT INSTALL FLOORING USING RUBBER MALLETS. STRIKING THE SURFACE WITH A RUBBER MALLET MAY “BURN”
THE FINISH CAUSING IRREPARABLE DAMAGE.
STEP 1: Doorway and Wall Preparation
(Glue-Down or Floating Installations)
Undercut door casings and jambs. Remove any existing base, shoe mold or doorway thresholds.
These items can be replaced after installation. When undercutting door casings the installer should
confirm there is the recommended expansion space. The floor must have 1/16″ clearance under
the door casing to be able to float freely without vertical restriction. The installer should ensure that
the plank can move freely under the door jamb. (Figure 5).
STEP 2: Plan Your Layout Using the Following Steps
(Glue-Down or Floating Installations)
• Decide the direction of the floor installation in the room. Planks installed parallel to
windows accent the floor the best. Floors should be installed perpendicular to the floor
joists. Stiffen subfloors as necessary to prevent vertical movement.
• Avoid narrow pieces at the finish wall. Measure the distance between the starting wall and
the finish wall and divide this number by the width of the board. If the remainder is less
than 1-1/2″ (4 cm), cut off 1-1/2″ (4 cm) from the width of the first row, or to balance the
room add the difference to the plank width and divide by two. The final row will normally
be narrower than the others and will have to be ripped lengthwise.
NOTE: The last row should not be narrower than 1-1/2″ (4 cm). If the walls are uneven or the last plank is less than 1-1/2″ (4
cm), it may be necessary to rip the first or last rows to fit the contour of the wall or to glue the narrow rip to the adjoining full
piece.
NOTE: If your room exceeds a maximum room width of 30′ (9 m) or a maximum room length of 30′ (9 m) additional expansion
space is required. T-Moldings may be used at doorways or intersections to increase the expansion space.
Figure 2
Figure 3
4 -6
(10-15 cm)
Figure 4
Figure 5
Room Width Room Length Expansion Space Required
30′ 30′ 1/2″
40′ 40′ 3/4″
50′ 50′ 1″
60′ 60′ 1-1/4″