Ascension Flooring Glue Down And Rigid Core Installation Guides

Preparation

• Subfloor must be level with 3/16” within 10 ft. (5mm in 3m). Fill and level all plywood seams and concrete cracks, control joints, depressions, grooves or other irregularities using approved materials. Sweep and vacuum the subfloor to remove all dust and debris.
• Room temperature should be between 65-85°F (18.3-29.5°C) for more than 48 hours before the installation and should be maintained within this range during and after installation.
• Remove all existing moldings and undercut the door jamb to the thickness of the flooring.
• Determine in which direction the flooring will be installed. For better appearance, it is preferable to install the LVP/LVT parallel to the longest room dimensions.

Tools & Accessories Needed

• Adhesive
  ( Ascension approved adhesives are XL Stix 2230 or XL Stix Essentials RES spray )
• Broom
• Pencil
• Moisture Meter
  (wood, concrete or both)
• Tape Measure
• Carpenter Square
• Straight Edge
• 100 lbs. Floor Roller
• Notched Trowel
  (as per adhesive manufacturer’s recommendation)
• Transition and Wall Moldings as needed
• Primer ( if necessary )
• Acetone ( if necessary )
• Vinyl Tile cutter ( optional )
• Wood putty (if necessary)
• Cement Based Embossing Leveler
  ( if necessary )
• NIOSH-Designated Dust Mask
• Safety glasses
• Depending on the required floor preparation, other materials required may include cement based floor patching compound and/or embossing leveler, flat trowel, scraper, sander or grinder.

1. 1.Install transition moldings.
2. 2.Pre-drill and install quarter round or baseboard molding.
3. 3.After installation, the temperature in the areas or rooms that our LVP/LVT is installed must be maintained between 65-85° (18.3-29.5°C). Relative humidity must be maintained between 40% and 50%. As with all floor coverings, protect the finished flooring from exposure to direct sunlight.
4. 4.Close your curtains or blinds where extreme sunlight hits the floor. A combination of heat and sunlight can cause most home furnishings to fade, discolor or cause thermal expansion. The same applies to your floor.

1. 5.Use high quality walk of mats or rugs at exterior entrances. This will reduce cleaning costs and extend the life of the floor.
2. 6.Use appropriate protection to cover the top of the flooring when moving heavy objects into position. Use proper floor protectors under the legs of furniture. This protection should be designed for use with resilient flooring.
3. 7.Use soft casters or wheels designed for resilient flooring under movable tables and chairs. Caster and wheel damage can be avoided by using chair mats designed for use with resilient flooring.

Wood Subfloors:

1. 1.Ascension Rigid Core is suitable for installation over double layer wood subfloors a minimum of 1″ thick.
2. 2.Single layer subfloors constructed with APA rated Sturd-I-Floor panels, 23/32″ or heavier should be covered with a minimum 1/4″ underlayment.
3. 3.Joist spacing should not exceed 19.2″.
4. 4.Set fasteners 1/32″ below the subfloor surface, sand joints smooth and fill holes and gaps wider than 1/8″ wide. Install suitable underlayment when necessary to achieve a flat or solid surface.
5. 5.Ascension Rigid Core can be installed over underlayment grade plywood, lauan plywood and other underlayments that are recommended by the panel manufacturer for use with vinyl flooring.
6. 6.When fasting underlayment panels, they should be installed with ring grooved shank nails or divergent staples. The placement of your fasteners should be 4” center and every 2” around the perimeter.

Concrete Subfloors:

1. 1.Ascension Rigid Core can be installed over concrete on all grade levels. Moisture vapor emissions should not exceed 5 lbs./24 hour per 1,000 sq. when tested with the Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Test in accordance with ASTM F 1869 or 80% RH in accordance with ASTM F 2170 “Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Slabs using in situ Probes”.
2. 2.Fill cracks; saw cuts and control joints and level wavy floors or uneven areas that exceed 3/16″ in 10′ or 1/16″ in 1’.
3. 3.Do not install flooring over expansion joints.

Existing Flooring:

1. 1.Ascension Rigid Core can be installed over a variety of finished floors including single layer resilient sheet floor and tile, ceramic, marble and terrazzo.
2. 2.The surface must be in good condition with no indication of excessive moisture or moisture damage.
3. 3.Level deep or wide grout lines with embossing leveler.
4. 4.Do not install flooring over heavy cushioned floors, cushioned backed floors or over tile installed over concrete below grade level.
5. 5.The grout joints in ceramic tile and marble must be leveled so they are flush with the tile surface.
6. 6.Additionally the tile may require several skim coats to achieve a flat surface.

1. 1.Measure the width of the room and snap a chalk line down the center of the floor. Determine the width of the plank in the last row either through measurements or dry layouts. If smaller than one-half of the plank width, adjust the chalk line in either direction onehalf of the plank width to achieve larger cut planks at the side walls.
2. 2.Snap a second chalk line by measuring from the center line over toward the starting wall. Use a multiple of the plank width to establish the start-ing line for the first rows of planks.
3. 3.Start the installation in the left hand corner of the room with the edge of the plank accurately positioned at the chalk line and with the tongue side and end toward the starting wall. If necessary trim the plank to fit to the wall allowing a 1/4″ expansion space. If starting the first row with a whole plank width it will be necessary to trim the tongue off against the wall. Always place the cut edge against the wall.
4. 4.To trim planks use a utility knife and a straight edge. Score the top surface of the plank and flex it downward to sepa-rate the pieces.
5. 5.Attach the end joints of the planks in the first row by insert-ing the tongue into the groove while holding the plank at a 10º to 15º angle to the floor.
6. 6.Apply light pressure inward and down until the planks lock together (Fig. 1). Use spacers in the first row between the edge and end of the planks and the wall to maintain a 1/4″ expansion space
   
   

   
   Fig. 1

7. 7.Start the second row using 1/3rd of a plank (Fig. 2)
   
   

   
   Fig. 2

8. 8.Place the cut end against the wall. Insert the tongue on the long side of the plank into the groove of the plank in the first row.

1. 9.Hold the plank in a 10º to 15º angle while applying light pressure inward and down until they lock together. To complete the second and all successive rows it will be necessary to lock the short end into the previous plank first before locking the long side of the plank.
2. 10. Angle the plank and push the tongue into the groove until the tongue locks into place. It may be necessary to lift both planks slightly to lock the long joint together. Complete the second row allowing a 1/4″ expansion space at the end of the row.
3. 11.Start the third row using 2/3rds of a plank with the cut end against the wall. Complete each row thereafter using a random layout with end joints off-set by at least 8″. Plan the layout to avoid using small planks (less than 6″) at the walls. The cut piece at the end of the row can often be used to start the next row provided it achieves a random layout. Always place the cut end against the wall and allow a 1/4″ expansion space.
4. 12.Ascension Rigid Core is unique in that it can be installed easily when working forward (placing the tongue in to the groove) or backward (placing the groove in to the tongue). This allows for easy fitting around door trim and changing direction to go into alcoves or adjoining rooms. Ascension Rigid Core can also be assembled by using a pull bar or tapping block in difficult areas such as the last row and when fitting around door trim. Use a pull bar to lock the joints together in the last row (Fig. 3).
   
   

   
   Fig. 3

5. 13.Always use a pull bar on the cut edge of the plank. Factory edges can be damaged if the pull bar is used directly against them.
6. 14.When fitting around door trim it will be necessary to slide the plank under the trim. This can be accomplished by starting the row on the side of the room with the door trim and then sliding the plank into place once it is attached. The row can be completed by inserting the tongue in to the groove or the groove into the tongue depending on the direction. A tapping block can also be used to lock the joints together while the planks are in a flat position. Use a piece of scrap flooring with the corresponding joint male or female and a series of light taps until the joint is gradually locked together. Do not hit the edge directly or use excessive force as it could damage the edge of the plank.

Bathrooms

When Ascension Rigid Core is installed in a bathroom the flooring can be laid under the toilet provided that the floor is separated from adjacent rooms with a doorway thresh-old or transition molding. Otherwise the flooring should be fit around the toilet leaving a 1/8″ expansion space. Use a high quality acrylic caulking to fill the expansion space at the toilet, bathtub, shower and all wet areas to prevent surface water from seeping under the floor.

Stairs

Ascension Rigid Core can be installed fully adhered over steps using adhesive. Follow the instruction on the adhesive for trowel size and drying time. Always use a flush stair nose molding to finish each step at the nose.

1. 1.Remove all spacers.
2. 2.Install door and wall trim so they do not pin or restrict the floor from moving. Do not install trim tight to the floor.

1. 3.Drive fasteners into the wall and not the floor. When installing doorway transition moldings allow a 1/4″ expansion space between the edge of the floor and the molding fasteners. Do not drive fasteners in to the floor.
2. 4.Return appliances to the room by rolling or sliding over strips of hardboard to prevent damaging the floor.