Installation Guide

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
(refer to Figure 1).
CENTER
OF ROOM
Fig. 1 – Dry layout to determine width of border plank.
Avoid having border pieces 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.
Installation
Note: The subfloor must be thoroughly free from
dust and debris. If the subfloor is dusty this may
affect the product performance.
Note: Stagger end joints by 6˝. Cut pieces at the
ends of rows should be 8˝ long or longer.
Position the first plank so that grooved edge is
facing you. Install the product from left to right
in the room. See Figure 2 for position of initial
plank in the room.
Starting Wall
Mur de départ
Pared de inicio
Fig. 2 – Left corner of starting wall.
Occasionally, it may be necessary to install
backwards. This may be done by sliding the
grooves under the tongues and working them
right to left, but this is more difficult.
Install the second plank in the initial row by
angling the end tongue into the end groove of
the first plank. Install second and subsequent
full pieces in the initial, or first, row by aligning
short ends of the planks and locking into place
(see Figure 3).
Fig. 3 – Angle end tongue into end groove on planks in
the initial row.
Be careful not to bend the corner of the plank.
Be sure to maintain an expansion gap of
approximately 1/4˝ from the wall. Continue
installing the first row until you reach the wall on
the right.
Begin the second row of planks with the piece
cut from the last piece in the first row. If the
piece is shorter than 8˝ (20.32 cm), cut a new
plank in half and use it to begin the second row.
Whenever practical, use the piece cut from the
preceding row to start the next row. End joints
of all planks should be staggered 6˝ or more.
Install the first plank in the second row (and
subsequent rows) by inserting the side tongue
into the groove of the adjacent plank in the first
row (see Figure 4).
Fig. 4 – Angle long side into prior row.
Keep this at its natural angle slightly raised off
the subfloor. Then angle the short end of the
next plank in the row to lock into the previous
plank (see Figure 5).
Fig. 5 – Angle end of next plank.
Then align the plank so the long side tongue
is positioned just over the groove lip of the
adjacent plank in the prior row. Working from the
end joint, with a low angle, insert the long side
tongue into the groove of the adjoining plank
(see Figure 6) until you feel the tongue lock into
the groove.
Fig. 6 – Locking long side with ends already locked.
Continue installing planks across a row until you
reach the wall on your right.
After the first 3 rows of planks are installed,
they should be checked with a string line to
ensure that rows are still running straight. If they
are not, it could be that the starting wall has
some irregularities that caused bowing in the
installation. If so, the starting row of planks may
have to be scribed and re-trimmed to account
for any unevenness in the wall. This can be done
without having to disassemble the beginning
rows.
Continue installing planks. Maintain a random
appearance by offsetting the end joints by least
6 inches. Always be certain that the planks are
fully engaged. If slight gapping is noticed, place
a cut piece of flooring (bridge piece) in the side
groove that spans the ends of two adjacent
planks within a row. Then tap the side of the
plank with a tapping block (see Figure 7).
Fig. 7 – Tap side of plank with tapping block.
Then, with the bridge piece in place, tap the end
of the plank with a pull bar or tapping block.
When fitting in areas such as door casings
it may be necessary to use a flat pull bar to
engage the lock.
Continue installing the remaining rows in similar
fashion. For planks, maintain the 6˝ minimum
staggered end joints between rows and for
planks maintain the 1/4˝ gap at perimeter and
vertical surfaces.
Finishing the Installation
Replace molding or wall base, allowing slight
clearance between the molding and the planks.
Nail the molding to the wall surface, not through
the flooring. At doorways and at other areas
where the flooring planks may meet other
flooring surfaces, it is preferable to use a “T”
molding, or similar, to cover the exposed edge
but not pinch the planks. Leave a small gap
between the planks and the adjoining surface.
Luxe Plank with Rigid Core Technology
Full Spread option:
The S-288 should be applied over porous or
nonporous substrates using a fine notch trowel
having notches 1/32” deep x 1/16” wide x 5/64”
apart. The adhesive must be allowed to dry-
to-touch prior to installing the planks. Installers
should be careful when positioning the planks
into the S-288 as a strong bond will develop
almost immediately and repositioning may be
difficult.
Although Luxe Plank was developed primarily
as a floating installation system, the full
spread option can be employed in special
situations if requested and agreed upon by the
customer and installer. Warranties would remain
unchanged when S-288 is used.
Proactive Protection for Your Floor
• When moving appliances or heavy furniture
it is always wise to lay a plywood panel, or
similar, on your floor and “walk” the item
across it. This protects your floor from
scuffing, gouging and tears.
• Use floor protectors under furniture to
reduce indentation. As a general rule of
thumb, the heavier the item, the wider the
floor protector needed.
• Place a walk-off mat at outside entrances
to reduce the amount of dirt brought into
your home. We strongly recommend mats
without a latex or rubber backing since
these backings can cause permanent
discoloration.
• All Armstrong floor care products have
been specifically developed to care for
Armstrong floors.
Caring for Your Floor
• Sweep or vacuum regularly, to remove
loose dirt which can scratch your floor.
Note: We do not recommend vacuums
that have a beater bar since it can visibly
damage your flooring surface. Additionally,
we do not recommend electric brooms
with hard plastic bottoms with no padding
as use may result in discoloration and
deglossing.