Materials and Tools
• Chalk line
• Trowel
• Vinyl Tile Cutter: Robert's Tile Cutter
• Utility Knife
• Vice Grips
• Square or Straight Edge
• Grout Float
Suitable Adhesives
• See Stonecraft recommended setting materials for products and trowel sizes.
Suitable Substrates
• Concrete
• Terrazzo and other monolithic subfloors
• Wood Subfloors
• Radiant Heat Subfloors Maximum Surface Temperature of 85? Fahrenheit / 29? Celcius
Installing on Concrete Subfloors
• Verify that concrete slabs comply with ASTM F710.
• Slab substrates must be dry and free of curing compounds, sealers, hardeners, gypsum residues and other materials that may interfere with adhesive bond.
• Subfloors must be free of cracks, ridges, depressions, scales and foreign deposits.
• Cracks must be filled with a high compression strength cementitious filler.
• Surface of the concrete should be finished or abraded to a texture similar to 80 grit sandpaper.
• Concrete slabs should be wire reinforced and a minimum of 4" thick.
• If the slab is being poured over a wood subfloor, the slab should be a minimum of 1" thick with wire mesh reinforcement.
• If a concrete underlayment board is used over a concrete slab, the board should be adhered to the slab with a thinset as the setting material. Check underlayment board manufacturer's recommendations.
• If a concrete underlayment board is used over a wood subfloor, the board should be adhered to the subfloor following manufacturer's recommendations.
Installing on Wood Floors
• A proper underlayment is required to insure the continuing performance of the Stonecraft Tile.
• The underlayment should be selected and installed in accordance with the APA-The Engineered Wood Association Data File, “Installation and Preparation of Plywood underlayment of resiient floor covering.” This is available on the internet at: www.apawood.org. Free downloads or hardcopies are also available.
A Brief Summary of APA Installation and Preparation Requirements
• A minimum of 1/4” thick APA underlayment, , APAGC plugged, APA underlayment A-C OR APA underlayment B-C all with sanded face.
• Floor joists must be a maximum of 16" on center. Deflection will result in an unsatisfactory installation.
• The underlayment must be 1/4” thick, nailed with 3D, (1 1/4”) ring or screwshank nails, a minimum 12 1/2” gauge (0.099) shank diameter, and must be a maximum of 8” on center.
• Underlayment must comply with Table 2 recommended fastening schedules for APA Plywood underlayment.
• Where floors may be exposed to unusual moisture, use exterior grade plywood (Ex. Bathrooms, Utility Rooms, etc.)
• Underlayment over subfloor complies with requirements speified in Division 6 Section “Rough Carpentry”
• Underlayment surface is free of irregularities and substances that may show and interfere with adhesive bond.
• Failure to remove debris could allow irregularities.
• Underlayment should be installed on a dry subfloor, to avoid nail pops and squaks caused from a damp subfloor.
• The underlayment should be at room temperature prior to installation.
• The underlayment should be installed smooth side up.
• For best results, the underlayment should be placed with the face grain oriented across the floor joists.
• The end joints should be staggered. Offset end and edge joints of underlayment panels by at least two inches from joints of subfloor panels.
• 1/32” spacing is recommended at panel edges and ends.
• Before the tile is installed, fill all edge gaps, splits, damaged areas and rough spots in the pywood underlayment with a hard, quick-setting filler (allowing time to cure).
• Refer to the APA or the Engineered Wood Association to be certain that the underlayment complies with the APA Standards for underlayment for tile.
• Stonecraft does not recommend using thinset with a wood subloor. Adhesive should be used when installing tile over a wood subfloor. Thinset should only be used with a concrete subfloor while installing Stonecraft Tile.
Preparation
• Sweep, vauum and wash all of the surfaces to be covered by tile.
• Remove all adhesive residue, paint, dust, wax, oil or any other foreign matter.
• Maintain a minimum temperature of 55? F FOR 48 hours prior to installation.
• Use a tape measure to determine the center of the floor.
• Snap a chalk line vertically and another line horizontally through the center of the floor. The intersecting lines should form four 90 Degree angles.
• It is important that there are equal amounts on either side of the chalk line for aesthetic purposes.
• Minor offsets should not be taken into consideration.
• Store setting materials in the location of installation to ensure that the setting material is at room termperature.
• Maintain a minimum termperature of 55? F FOR 48 hours prior to installation, during installation, and 7 days after completion of installation.
• Maintain a minimum temperature of 50? F thereafter.
Precaution
• Determine the locations of all movement (expansion) joints before installation and do not bridge joints with installed tile.
• Do not proceed with the installation until unsuitable conditions are corrected.
• Do not install Stonecraft Tiles directly over existing resilient floor materials or floor coatings.
• Comply with the requirements of all applicable local, stte and national code jurisdictions.
Installation
• Tiles will vary somewhat in shading and pattern; In order to achieve a more blended look, work from 2 or more cartons at one time.
• Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the chosen adhesive.
• Begin by using a 3/16” V-Notched trowel and work from your center line.
• Spread enough adhesive/thinset to cover a 3'x3' area.
• Work in a triangular pattern to achieve the tightest fit with the smallest space between the tiles as possible.
• Press the tiles down into the adhesive with a slight twisting motion.
• Press or tap the face of the tile to remove any air pockets that may have formed between the tile and the adhesive.
• Wipe off any adhesive from the face of the tile.
• Tiles must be rolled with a hand roller, waiting at least one hour after installation.
• Wipe off any adhesive from the face of the tile.
• Tiles will need to set up for 24 hours before grouting.
• Remove the spacers once the adhesive has cured for 24 hours.
• Remove any excess adhesive that may have collected in the grout line. The line needs to be virtually clear of adhesive as not to impair proper grouting.
• When using adhesive, tiles must be rolled with a hand roller, waiting at least 1 hour after installation.
Clean Up
• Begin wiping the tiles down with a wet sponge.
• Place the sponges in clear, clean water in several buckets. Wring out the sponge and begin wiping down the tiles.
• Use special attention when wiping over the grout line, avoid removing grout from this line so that it remains flush with the top of the tile.
• Wipe off a couple of tiles at a time and follow by wiping until dry with a paper towel removing the excess grout from the face of the tile.
• Minimum haze may occcur, and may be removed by simply mopping with water. This may need to be repeated several times.
• Should any haze remain on the tile, a haze cleaner may be used.
• Grout sealant should be used in accordance with sealant manufacturer's recommendation.
To download these specifications, please download the pdf file
: grouted installations : groutless installations : setting materials :
