Installation Guide

- Other uneven or unstable substrates.
2.4.4 Unacceptable substrates shall be covered using a 1/4-inch or thicker panel underlayment
recommended commercial use. Consult underlayment manufacturer for recommended uses,
warranty, joint spacing, nailing or stapling pattern and seam treatment for underlayment panels.
Suggested underlayments include Artic Birch (also known as Baltic Birch) A/C grade plywood with one
side finished or other underlayment grade plywood. Do not use lauan.
2.5 Existing resilient flooring
2.5.1 Criteria for installing over existing resilient floors:
The existing floor shall be:
- A single layer only. Do not install over multiple layers.
- Non-cushioned.
- Thoroughly stripped of all wax, floor finish dirt and other contaminants that may affect adhesive
bond.
- Firmly bonded to the substrate.
- Flat and smooth with no curling edges or loose seams.
- Dry. All concrete floors shall be tested for moisture regardless of age or grade level. Do not assume
that an existing floor is free of moisture related issues. Conduct testing per section 2.2.
2.5.2 Risks of installing over an existing resilient floor:
- Telegraphing (“show through”) of irregularities in the existing floor (dents, gouges, curling edges,
loose seams, etc).
- The new Novalis floor may not perform as well over an existing resilient floor as it would over a
wood or concrete substrate, especially with regard to indentation resistance
- Do not install over existing resilient flooring if the new floor will be subjected to heavy point loads or
rolling traffic.
2.6 Other substrates
2.6.1 Epoxy terrazzo, rubber, cork, and asphalt tiles are not acceptable substrates and shall be
removed or covered with an approved underlayment.
2.6.2 Cement terrazzo or metal may be suitable. Check the patching/leveling compound manufacturer
for guidelines on preparing these substrates.
2.7 Old Adhesive
2.7.1 Adhesive residue shall be properly prepared prior to the installing flooring. Water based
adhesive residue and epoxies shall be completely removed prior to installing flooring. Such residues
include but are not limited to carpet, vinyl flooring, and/or wood flooring adhesives. Black cutback
adhesive residue shall be scraped to remove trowel ridges and puddles of adhesive so that only a thin
transparent layer remains. This layer shall then be covered with a cementitious patching or leveling
compound that is recommended by the manufacturer for this purpose.
2.7.2 Adhesive Removers — There are a number of commercial adhesive removers that will properly
remove adhesive residue from a subfloor; however, there are concerns that these products may
adversely effect the new adhesive and new floor covering. The Resilient Floor Covering Institute's
(RFCI's) recommended work practices for removal of existing resilient floor coverings…should be
consulted for a defined set of instructions which should be followed if existing adhesives must be
removed.
1
If chemical adhesive removers are used, any damage (including, but not limited to:
adhesive failure, indentation, bubbling, delaminating, etc.) is the responsibility of the company using
the adhesive remover, and is not covered by the Novalis warranty.
3. INSTALLING NOVALIS TILE AND PLANK
3.1 Layout and fitting
3.1.1 When using more than one carton, make sure that the cartons are all the same dye lot. Different
lots may have a variation in color, texture or gloss so they should not be mixed in the same room.
3.1.2 Novalis square tile products are designed to simulate real stone and tile floors and can be
installed in a variety of patterns including a grid (“point to point”), ashlar (“brick”) diagonal, and so on.
Tile products shall be laid all in the same direction. Do not quarter turn. Novalis plank simulates wood
planks, and can be installed in the same pattern as a wood plank floor in a random pattern, staggered
design, diagonally, or other designs.