Use and Care Manual

4 | Product Information
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 oor if needed to prevent over absorption
of adhesives, contain dust, and to insure a better
bond of the adhesive to the suboor, with Shaw
9050.
• 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 soley 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 specified 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 subfloors must be covered with a
minimum 1/4” or heavier underlayment rated
panel to assure successful nished ooring
installation.
CONCRETE UNDERLAYMENTS AND SUBFLOORS
• See Grade Levels below. All concrete
underlayments require moisture testing.
Grade Levels:
1. Suspended: An acceptable suspended oor is
a concrete or wood substrate with a minimum
of 18” (460mm) of well-ventilated air space