Installation Instructions

ManualsBrandsCongoleum ManualsFlooring & RugsDuraCeramic® DS100 DuraSet™ Adhesive - 1 4 Gallons

The surface must be clean, dry and free of dust, dirt, grease or

other extraneous material that will inhibit bonding. Thoroughly

vacuum floor to remove dust.

■ Deviations in the flatness of the subfloor cannot exceed

1/16” in 1’ or 3/16” in 10’. Check the surface with a

straightedge and fill low areas with a portland cement-

based latex patching compound. Gypsum-based patching

compounds are not recommended.

SUBFLOOR RECOMMENDATIONS

■ The use of a high-quality latex primer that is specifically

designed to improve adhesion may be used over wood,

porous concrete and patching compounds prior to adhesive

application. The primer will help seal the surface and tie

down dust that can interfere with the adhesive bond. Do

not use paint primers.

Concrete Floors

Concrete must be clean, dry, and free of paint, curing, harden-

ing and parting compounds, sealers, and old adhesive residue.

Moisture vapor emissions should not exceed 5 lbs./1000 ft.

24 hrs when tested with the calcium chloride kit. Do not

install DuraCeramic or DuraCeramic Options over expansion

joints; instead, cut the tile neatly to each side of the joint and

fill it with an elastomeric polyurethane joint filler or cover

with an expansion plate cover.

Wood Floors

Wood subfloors must be structurally sound and free of move-

ment with at least 18” of well-ventilated air space below.

Single layer floors and stripwood floors must be covered with

a 1/4” or heavier underlayment to achieve a total subfloor

thickness of 1”. Position underlayment joints so they offset

the joints in the tile by at least 3”. Sand underlayment joints

level and fill gaps wider than 1/32” with the recommended

patching compound.

LAYOUT

■ Layout is slightly different for grouted and ungrouted

floors. The grout line width must be added to the tile

dimension for layout on grouted floors. Additional chalk

lines are also used to keep the joints straight. Nominal

tile size is 15 5/8” x 15 5/8”. DuraCeramic Options is

7 13/16” x 7 13/16” when scored and separated.

■ It is important to avoid positioning the tile joints directly

over underlayment joints or seams in existing flooring. If

this should occur, reposition chalk lines to offset joints by

at least 3” or half of the tile dimension.

Square Layouts

• Place a mark in the center of the floor at each end of the

room. Then snap a chalk line between the marks.

• Find the center of the line and snap a second chalk line at

a right angle; use the 3’, 4’, 5’ method to form a right

angle (Fig. 4).

• Make a dry layout in one quadrant along the center and

perpendicular chalk lines. Remember to allow the desired

Subfloor

Construction/ Comments Notes

Materials

Wood • Double layer construction over Subfloor must

joist or trusses on 16” centers with be solid and

at least 18” of well-ventilated free of

air space. movement.

• Install 1/4” or heavier under-

layment over strip wood, single

layer wood floors and APA-rated

Sturd-I-Floor Systems.

Underlayment • APA underlayment grade Install accord-

plywood with fully sanded face. ing to panel

• Hardwood and veneer under- manufacturers’

layment panels such as Multiply, written instruc-

HU 845 Tec-Ply and Ulay. tions.

• Lauan plywood, particleboard,

oriented strand board and chipboard

create a higher risk for installation

and adhesive failure and are not

recommended unless warranted by

the panel manufacturer or supplier.

• Not recommended over cement

backer-boards, glass mesh mortar

units or acoustical cork.

Concrete • On, above and below-grade level. Moisture vapor

• Radiant-heated floors not to emissions not

exceed 85°F (29°C). to exceed 5 lbs.

Light Weight • Minimum 100-pound density Confirm

Concrete • Installation over gypsum-based adequate

(Residential acoustical toppings is not adhesion to

Application only) recommended. substrate.

Resilient Floor • Smooth, non-cushioned sheet Must be single

(See WARNING flooring and vinyl composition tile. layer, fully

on inside cover) • Embossed non-cushioned and thin adhered and

cushioned vinyl flooring can be well bonded.

prepared with embossing leveler in Remove wax

residential applications. or polish.

• Do not install over soft, heavy

cushioned floors, self-adhering tile

or tile installed below grade level.

Ceramic and • Ceramic, marble and granite. Fill grout joints

Stone level.

Carpet/ • Not recommended. Remove

Laminate

Patching • Portland cement-based compound Refer to

Compound such as Ardex Feather Finish, manufacturers’

Mapei Plani-Patch or equal. instructions for

• Gypsum-based patching use and

compounds are not recommended. applications.

Fig. 4 - Square layout.