Installation Guide

4 | Product Information
below the oors.
• Using electric heating mats that are
not embedded and applied directly
underneath the oors could void the
warranty for your oor in case of failure.
UNDERLAYMENT REQUIREMENTS
• Particleboard, chipboard, construction-grade
plywood, any hardboard and akeboard are
not recommended as underlayment. All have
inadequate uniformity, poor dimensional
stability, and variable surface porosity.
Lucida Surfaces will not accept responsibility
for adhered installation over these suboors.
In all cases, the underlayment manufacturer
or underlayment installer is responsible for
all underlayment warranties.
• Cover all exposed edges. Use wood molding
or vinyl cove base along all walls, cabinet toe
kicks, etc. Use transition strips in doorways
or where new ooring joins another oor
covering. Caulk along tubs, toilet bowls,
etc. Do not wash the oor for 48 hours after
installation. After 48 hours, damp mop to
remove residual surface dirt.
• Prime floor if needed to prevent over
absorption of adhesives, contain dust, and
to insure a better bond of the adhesive to
the suboor.
• Panels intended to be used as underlayment
should be specically designed for this
purpose. These panels should have a
minimum thickness of 1/4”. Any panels
selected as an underlayment must meet the
following criteria:
1. Be dimensionally stable.
2. Have a smooth, fully sanded face so the
graining or texturing will not show through.
3. Be resistant to both static and impact
indentation.
4. Be free of any surface components that may
cause staining such as plastic llers, marking
inks, sealers, etc.
5. Be of uniform density, porosity and thickness
6. Have a written warranty for suitability and
performance from the panel manufacturer
or have a history of proven performance.
CAUTION
Use only non-staining fasteners with
underlayment panels. The procedure of gluing
and screwing underlayment panels is not
recommended. Solvent based construction
adhesives are known to stain vinyl floor
coverings. Lucida Surfaces will not take
responsibility for discoloration problems due to
improper installation.
NOTE
The responsibility of determining if the existing
ooring is suitable to be installed over top
of with resilient rests solely with installer/
ooring contractor on site. If there is any doubt
as to suitability, the existing ooring should
be removed, or an acceptable underlayment
installed over it. Installments over existing
resilient ooring may be more susceptible to
indentation.
WOOD UNDERLAYMENTS AND
SUBFLOORS
• Wood underlayment panels require a double
layer construction and must be underlayment
grade as specied and warranted by the
manufacturer. Always fasten underlayment
panels in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations. Any failure of the
underlayment or Lucida Surfaces ooring
as a result of the underlayment is NOT the
responsibility of Lucida Surfaces. Any porous
wood underlayment must be primed. Lucida
Surfaces does not recommend installing
resilient ooring over wood ooring or
suboors applied directly over concrete or
sleeper-construction oors.
• All wood suboors must be suspended at
least 18” above the ground.
• Adequate cross-ventilation must be provided,
and the ground surface of a crawl space must
be covered with a suitable vapor barrier.
• Wood suboors directly on concrete or
installed over sleeper construction are not
satisfactory.
• Wood suboors must be covered with a
minimum 1/4” or heavier underlayment rated
panel to assure successful nished ooring
installation.