Installing Resilients

The Surface: The surface on which a resilient floor will be installed is called a “subfloor”. This can be a traditional wood or plywood, concrete or even an existing resilient surface such as Linoleum or Vinyl Tiles.

Rolls and Sheets: Whether your floor comes in rolls or sheets, the first step in any installation is to prepare the subfloor. If installing over a wood subfloor, an underlayment will generally be necessary. Installing over a concrete subfloor will not generally require an underlayment unless the concrete is cracked, but some floor preparation will most likely be needed. Installation of sheet vinyl is best left in the hands of a professional or experienced installer. There are three (3) methods of installation for Roll or Sheet goods:

Full Spread: An adhesive or glue is troweled over the entire prepared subfloor. This is a semi-permanent installation and the floor is difficult to remove.

Perimeter Adhered: The adhesive is only placed at the perimeter and on the seams of the floor. This creates a surface that is more easily replaced than Full Spread.

Floating: In this method the floor is not bonded to the subfloor by any adhesive, but rather floats on a membrane between the floor and the subfloor.

Cork or Tiles: Here too, there are three (3) common methods of installing these types of resilient flooring:

Glue Down: This is the same basic method as Full Spread. The glue or adhesive can be applied directly over subfloor or with a membrane or leveling compound.

Interlock: Some resilient flooring such as cork or rubber comes in interlocking tiles which don’t need adhesive. These floors are usually installed by floating them over existing floors. These floors are generally very resilient and have qualities that are excellent for playrooms, kitchens and areas where a hard surface may not be desired.

Self Stick: Many resilient tiles come with a self-stick back, like a postage stamp. We do not sell self-stick tiles because they generally do not meet our quality standards. Your big-box home improvement store can supply these if you insist.

Before Installation

The price quoted for your installation includes all of the needed services. You may elect to perform any or all of them yourself at appropriately reduced prices. However, we strongly recommend letting our installation professionals do the work.

Furniture: Before installation day all furniture and other objects should be removed from the area of installation.

Preparation: Your old floor covering must be taken up and disposed of . When removing old carpet, the tack strips and the staples must be pulled out of the floor from the original pad.

Subfloor: Your existing subfloor may need to be prepared to receive the new floor, or a new subfloor may be required. If subfloor work is necessary, it should be done by qualified professionals.

Doors: We will remove doors in order to install the new floor and re-hang them if possible. Sometimes doors to not clear the new carpet, if doors need to be shaved this is your responsibility.

Moldings and baseboards: Moldings and baseboards may also need to be removed or replaced. Minor touch-up of moldings and baseboards may be necessary, this is your responsibility.

Installation day

Safety: For the safety of you and your family please keep children and pets out of the work area on installation day. We’ll give you a time window for the start of your installation so you can be at home and ready for the job.

After Installation

Curing Time: Protect all seamed areas of your new resilient floor by not walking on the seams or seam sealer for a minimum of 24 hours after installation. Maintain a temperature of at least 68 degrees for two (2) days after installation to allow the adhesives to cure. Maintain good ventilation for at least three (3) days. Light foot traffic is ok if your floor was installed using the full spread or perimeter methods but, do not replace the appliances for at least two days. If the floor was floated the floor can be fully used immediately.