Installation Guide
Noraplan Flooring System
|
Section 1 |
|
|
Section 2 |
Subfloor Recommendations
A. Wood B. Concrete C. Steel D. Existing Subfloors |
|
Section 3 |
|
|
Section 4 |
|
|
Section 5 |
|
|
Section 6 |
|
|
Section 7 |
|
|
Section 8 |
|
|
Section 9 |
Introduction
Every endeavor has been made to ensure the information given herein is true and reliable. It is given only for the guidance of our customers and for use with our recommended tools/adhesives. The company cannot accept any responsibility for loss or damage that may result from the use of this information, due to the possibility of variations of processing or working conditions and/or workmanship beyond our control. Users are advised to confirm the suitability of this product by their own tests.
|
1 |
Handling & Storage |
Material Checklist
1. Check Nora deliveries for accuracy with orders.
2. Do not mix different batches of a color within the same area.
3. Nora flooring products, all adhesives, and accessories must be site conditioned at room temperature for two (2) days prior to installation. Temperature must be
68° F + 5° F during installation and curing time.
4. Store in a weather-tight enclosure.
5. Do not stack pallets.
6. Do not stack boxes more than 20 high.
7. Noraplan flooring is packed back-to-back, face-to-face. Always handle in this manner.
|
2 |
Subfloor Recommendations |
|
A |
Wood Subfloor Recommendations |
Types of Wood Subfloors
Single Plywood - This type of subfloor construction should be installed according to APA specifications. APA underlayment GRADE plywood should be used and installed according to APA recommendations.
NOTE: Not recommended wood subfloors - tempered hardboard, untempered hardboards, particle board, wafer board, strand board, fire retarded plywood and board.
Precautions - Wood Subfloors
Noraplan flooring should not be laid on wood subfloors that are directly in contact with concrete subfloors on or below grade, even if built on sleepers.
All suspended wood floors should have adequate underfloor ventilation.
NOTE: All responsibility for warranties and performance rests with the Plywood Manufacturer.
Preparation
1. If an underlayment is not used, the surface of the suspended wood floor should be clean from paint, wax, varnish, oil or old adhesive.
2. If you want to underlay over a floor with paint, wax, varnish, oil or old adhesive, a layer of polyethylene plastic sheeting should be attached between the subfloor and the new underlayment being installed.
3. All floors should be prepared for smoothness by planing or sanding.
4. All nails should be punched down or removed.
5. Loose boards should be nailed down or removed and patched.
6. All gaps and uneven places must be filled.
|
B |
Concrete Subfloor Recommendations |
Types of Concrete Subfloors
Many different types of concrete subfloors exist, the only recommended concrete subfloor is heavy weight - American Concrete Institute "ACI" 302 Class 4, 5 & 6. Light and Medium Weight concrete is not acceptable. They must have at least 1" topping of heavy weight concrete before installation.
Precautions - Concrete Subfloors
The slab temperature of concrete subfloors must be between 68° F+ 5° F. Slab temperature is critical to the set-up time of adhesive. A slab temperature below 68° F will slow down the initial tack of the adhesive, making it necessary to re-roll the flooring at 90 minutes rather than the recommended 60 minutes. A slab temperature above 75° F will increase the initial tack of the adhesive, making it necessary to re-roll the flooring within 30-45 minutes rather than the recommended 60 minutes.
An acceptable concrete subfloor must also meet the following requirements:
1. All concrete subfloors must be dry and clean.
 |
NOTE: Tests for moisture and pH must be conducted as outlined in ASTM-F-710.
2. A moisture condition of 3 lbs. per 1,000 sq.ft. per 24 hours a day is maximum. One test should be performed for each 1,000 sq.ft. - mandatory for slabs below and on grade. Nora moisture test kits can be purchased from Freudenberg Building Systems.
3. A neutral pH is necessary for installation. If the pH is greater than 9, it must be neutralized prior to installation.
4. An on-or-below grade concrete floor should have an acceptable moisture barrier, according to industry standards. If no moisture barrier is present, then one must be installed. Contact Freudenberg Building Systems, Inc. for information.
5. The concrete subfloor must be flat to a tolerance of 1/8" in ten linear feet.
6. All steel troweled (slick) finished concrete floors need to be properly roughened up (sanded) to ensure adhesion.
WARNING!! Materials should not be installed over building expansion joints.
NOTE: The aforementioned recommendations concern only the bonding characteristics of Nora flooring
products to concrete subfloors. The performance of the subfloors should be established according to industry standards (American Concrete Institute "ACI" 302 Class 4, 5 & 6).
Underlayment
Overall, concrete underlayments should be heavy weight, conventional aggregate concrete(American Concrete Institute "ACI" 302 Class 4, 5 & 6), or a manufacturer's guaranteed cement mix, installed according to manufacturer's specifications.
If the subfloor surface is noticeably uneven or out of level, then it should be properly leveled by an experienced underlayment contractor. The leveling materials must be portland cement based and should provide a minimum 3,500 PSI compressive strength (ASTM C-109) and sufficient bond to existing subfloor surface (i.e. Ardex, Laticrete, Duralox, Mapei, or equivalent).
Preparation
All concrete subfloors should be prepared according to ASTM-F-710-92, preparing concrete floors and other monolithic floors to receive resilient flooring.
1. Patching cracks, depressions, and concrete control joints should be thoroughly cleaned and filled using Nora PU adhesive, or one of the above mentioned levelling compounds according to the manufacturer's specification.
2. Concrete floors shall be dry, clean, smooth, level, and structurally sound. They should be free of dust, solvent, paint, wax, oil, grease, asphalt, sealing compounds, old adhesive, and other extraneous materials.
3. All curing, hardening, and breaking compounds must be removed. Only mechanical methods for removal are acceptable (i.e. Blastrac, Grinder-Vac or similar equipment).
4. An Adhesive Bond Test should be performed. Apply material cuttings every 50 feet utilizing standard installation methods. Examine after 72 hours to see if bond is solid and no moisture is present.
|
C |
Steel Subfloor Recommendations |
For information about acceptability and preparation of steel subfloors, please contact Freudenberg Building Systems, Inc. at 1-800-332-NORA.
|
D |
Existing Floor Subfloor Recommendations |
Permanent Floor Finishes
Terrazzo, Quarry Tile, Ceramic Tiles, Marble.
Types of Bonding Agents
- Mud Cement Setting - This is a suitable bonding agent for permanent floors. Application may be made over such a subfloor.
- Epoxy Adhesive Setting - This can be a suitable subfloor. The bond must be carefully checked. Look for loose spots and check tiles for bond. If a considerable amount of loose tiles exists, remove and clean the surface.
- Thin Set - This is not a suitable bonding agent. Remove tiles and clean the surface.
Preparation
1. All glazed or uneven ceramic tiles, quarry tile, terrazzo, marble, etc. should be ground or sanded for a rough and level surface.
2. All paint, wax, varnish, old adhesive, etc., should be cleaned or sanded off.
3. All sealer and dressing should be cleaned away.
4. An Adhesive Bond Test should be performed. Use the same procedure as listed under "Concrete Subfloor Preparation."
5. Level all grout joints and depressions with Nora PU adhesive or underlayment, according to manufacturer's specifications.
Non-Permanent Floor Surfaces
Vinyl Asbestos Tile (VAT), Vinyl Composition Tiles (VCT), Asphalt Tile, Vinyl Tile & Sheet Goods.
NOTE: These ARE NOT Acceptable Subfloors. They are not permanent, and bonding is difficult. Any installation over these floors becomes the responsibility of the owner.
CAUTION: Existing floor covering may contain asbestos (federal, local and state restrictions must be followed).
Recommendation
Remove and clean any contaminants from the subfloor. Mechanical methods for removal are preferred (i.e. Blastrac, Grinder-Vac, or similar equipment).
|
3 |
Adhesive Coverage |
|
Product |
Size |
Coverage |
|
Acrylic 410
Conductive Acrylic 414 |
1 Gal - 12 lbs 3.5 Gal. - 41 lbs
1 Gal. - 12 lbs. 3.5 Gal. - 41 lbs. |
110 - 130 SF 385 - 455 SF
110 - 130 SF 385 - 455 SF |
|
4 |
Sheet Goods Installation |
Installation Checklist
Before work is begun, every site should be inspected for items listed below. 1. Electricity for lights and power should be available. 2. Hoisting service, if necessary, should be provided. 3. Proper ventilation should be provided. 4. In all instances, adequate temperature should be maintained where the material is to be stored and installed - recommend 68° F + 5° F. This temperature should be maintained for forty-eight (48) hours before installation, during installation, and after installation. In winter, materials should be stored not less than two (2) days at installation temperature. 5. All subfloor conditions must be checked and corrected as per aforementioned instructions. WARNING!!! Materials should not be installed over building expansion joints. NOTE: If subfloor is radiant heated, contact Freudenberg Building Systems, Inc. for proper installation methods Installation Procedure
 |
Equipment Checklist
- Nora Acrylic Adhesive
- Utility Knife with Straight Blade
- Carpenter's Square
- Straight Edge
- Chalk Line and Chalk
- Tape Measure
- 100 lb. Roller
- Weights
- Hand Seam Roller
- Recommended Trowel: 1/16" x 1/16" x 1/16" Center-Square-Notched (FCA - Gundlach or equivalent)
Material Layout/Fitting for Sheet Goods
1. Unroll the Noraplan sheet good and allow it to stabilize before cutting and fitting. Back rolling of rolls may be necessary to relax material.
2. Layout the work so that the first sheet to be installed will butt up against the wall.
NOTE: Layout of work may be different from installation to installation.
3. Take care in fitting to make sure there is a minimum of waste.
4A. If seams are to be double cut, allow at least a one inch (1") overlap at the seam area because one edge has a taper. This taper must be removed when the seam is cut to be sure to maintain integrity of the flooring pattern.
4B. If seams are to be underscribed, one factory edge must be removed using a straight edge and utility knife. This will allow the underscriber to follow a straight vertical edge.
5. Cut the remaining lengths and place them in position. When cutting seams bear in mind that all seams must have a neat fit, regardless of whether the seams are to be welded or not.
6. Utilize normal resilient floor fitting techniques. If installation is to be over a plywood surface, take care to prevent seams from coinciding with the joints of the plywood underneath.
7. Precut all cross seams before adhering the floor.
NOTE: One edge has a taper. Be sure you overlap enough so that you eliminate this taper once the seam has been cut to be sure to maintain integrity of the flooring pattern.
Cutting of Seams
A. Double Cut
1. Caution: Cut all seams dry, before spreading adhesive.
2. Utilize normal resilient floor laying techniques. Although there are various ways to cut seams, double cutting Noraplan seams has proven to be the most successful method.
CAUTION: When cutting the seams, it is important that the material does not move. Put weight on the material so that no movement will occur until adhered with adhesive. Cutting seams dry and adhering as you go is recommended.
CAUTION: If seams are not cut dry beforehand, peaked seams may occur from lack of adhesive due to removal of the adhesive with the salvage piece.
 |
3. When double cutting the seam, use a straight edge as a guide and cut completely through both sheets with a utility knife and sharp razor blade. While making the cut, hold the knife as vertical as possible; otherwise you may not achieve a clean straight cut.
B. Underscribe
1. Remove one factory edge before placing sheet goods into adhesive.
2. Seams are underscribed and cut after material is placed into adhesive.
3. When cutting a seam, hold the knife as vertical as possible.
4. Utilize normal resilient floor laying techniques (kneeling boards, etc.).
NOTE: One edge has taper. Make sure this taper will be eliminated before cutting the seam to be sure to maintain integrity of the flooring pattern..
Stirring the Adhesive
WARNING!!! Failure to use proper trowel with proper notches (1/16 x 1/16 x 1/16 center-square-notched) to spread adhesive over 100% of subfloor can cause bubbling of the floor.
|
 |
- Stir the adhesive with a clean stick before using.
Adhering the Floor
 |
1. Fold back your material lengthwise to allow spreading of the adhesive.
CAUTION: When spreading the adhesive after the seams have been cut, it is vitally important that the material not move. Weight the material so that no movement will occur as you spread adhesive.
2. Using the proper notch trowel, spread the adhesive on the subfloor where the flooring was folded back. After applying the adhesive, allow it to dry to a semi-wet condition, dry times will be approximately 10 minutes. Dry times will vary according to air temperature, subfloor temperature, concrete porosity, percent of humidity and air circulation. Do not leave the adhesive open more than 20 minutes prior to placing the floor covering into it. The adhesive must transfer to your finger to the touch. If the adhesive is dry to the touch, do not install the floor covering - remove and replace the adhesive.
3. Carefully roll the Noraplan sheet goods into the adhesive making sure the seams are together without stress (do not pressure or force seams together). Continue until all adhesive is covered.
 |
4. Roll slowly with a 100 lb. roller. Roll first from the center out so air does not get trapped under the material, then roll lengthwise.
 |
5. Hand roll seam area gently with hand roller to smooth seam. Do not press hard with hand roller.
6. Next, fold the un-cemented half back and repeat the procedure.
CAUTION: Do not overlap adhesive. A ridge or adhesive line will occur.
7. After sixty (60) minutes, re-roll the entire area in both directions with a 100 lb. roller.
8. Remove fresh adhesive with water, dried adhesive with rubbing alcohol.
9. Repeat steps until the job is complete.
Final Application Follow Up
1. Check adhesive bond over entire floor.
2. Weight perimeter, seam, and all other areas where necessary.
3. Permit no foot traffic for 6-12 hours.
4. Permit no heavy foot traffic for 24 hours.
5. Protect laid surface during and after installation from sun, moisture, and other construction trades by covering 1-2 days.
6. Maintain recommended temperature (68° F + 5° F) during adhesive curing time.
7. Avoid initial cleaning of finished floor for 72 hours to allow adhesive to fully cure.
Clean Up
1. Remove fresh adhesive with water, dried adhesive with rubbing alcohol.
|
5 |
Tile Goods Installation |
Installation Checklist
Equipment Checklist
Material Layout / Fitting for Tile
1. Locate the center point of each end wall and connect these points by striking a chalk line down the middle of the room.
2. Locate the center of this line and, using a carpenter's square, draw a perpendicular line. On this perpendicular line strike a chalk line connecting the two sidewalls. The room will then be divided into quarters.
3. A line indicating the proper space for fitting border tiles should be made. Measure the distance to each wall to provide a half tile or larger border for the completion of the installation.
4. We recommend, in most situations, dry laying the installation completely. This allows more working time, as the adhesive can set up rather quickly.
5. Noraplan tiles have direction arrows on the back of the tile. Install the tiles so that all arrows point in the same direction.
6. Align the first row of tiles following chalk lines and proceed with the second row. Lay seams together without stress (pressure fitting of tiles can cause peaking seams).
NOTE: Always install Noraplan tiles point to point (corner to corner).
Stirring the Adhesive
Adhering the Floor
1. Spread the recommended acrylic adhesive with the recommended trowel. Work with one unit of adhesive at a time using a 1/16 x 1/16 x 1/16 center-square-notched.
2. When spreading the adhesive, always overlap the seam area with adhesive to ensure sufficient bond of the seams.
3. Lay each tile into the adhesive. Lay seams together without stress.
WARNING!!! NEVER COMPRESS OR FORCE SEAMS TOGETHER.
4. Roll slowly with a 100 lb. roller. Roll in both directions and avoid trapping air.
5. Periodically check tiles for good adhesive transfer.
6. After sixty (60) minutes, re-roll entire area in both directions with a 100 lb. roller.
7. Remove fresh adhesive with water, dried adhesive with mineral spirits.
8. Repeat steps until the job is complete.
Final Application Follow Up
Same as Sheet Goods Installation, Section 4.
|
6 |
Noraplan Installation (ESD Protection) |
1. Please follow instructions as outlined in Section 1 to Section 2D.
2. Nora's conductive acrylic adhesive article 414 shall be used for the installation of Noraplan-ESD-Protection flooring.
3. A 1/2" wide copper foil should be placed in the wet conductive acrylic adhesive and extended beyond perimeter and permanently connected to the grounding point. The grounding should be repeated approximately every 2,000 square feet. The location of the copper grounding foil is usually determined by the end user.
4. All other instructions as mentioned under Section 3 and 4 shall be followed.
|
7 |
Noraplan Elastic Installation |
Follow same instructions as Noraplan sheet goods installation Sections 1-4, 8-9, except as noted below:
1. (Section 3, "Adhering the Floor")
Using the proper notched trowel, spread the adhesive on the subfloor where the flooring is folded back. After applying the adhesive, carefully roll the Noraplan elastic sheet goods into the wet adhesive, making sure the seams are together without stress.
2. All Noraplan elastic seams must be heat welded.
|
8 |
Optional Heat Welding |
Equipment Check List
- Grooving tool (hand or mechanical)
- Heat weld gun with welding nozzle
- Sharp spatula knife
- Steel straight edge
- Nora Welding Rod
NOTE: Do not begin heat welding process prior to adhesive curing at least 24 hours.
Seam Preparation
If a seamless installation is required, the next step is to prepare the seam to receive the welding rod. Make sure the color of the floor covering matches or coordinates with the color of the welding rod being used.
 |
- Groove out all seams using a mechanical or hand grooving tool. When using the hand tool, be sure to use a heavy steel straight edge as a guide. The edge of the straight edge is laid directly over the seam.
Grooving the Seam
1. Set grooving machine to a depth of 2/3 the thickness of the material.
2. On a piece of scrap material, make a test groove and check the depth. Make adjustments and test grooves until machine is set for the proper depth.
3. Using a straight edge and hand grooving tool, make a groove about 8" long out from the wall.
4. Place the rear guide wheel of the machine in the groove. Holding the machine on a slight angle (cutting blade off the floor) turn the machine on and lower it slowly to the floor.
5. With slight pressure push the machine down the seam.
6. Finish the seam following Step 3.
7. Groove all remaining seams following Steps 3-6.
Welding Procedure
NOTE: Always make test welds on scraps of material before welding permanent seams.
1. Set the heat gun at a setting of 4.5 or 5.
2. Allow the heat gun to warm several minutes.
3. Feed welding rod into the top hole of the welding nozzle. Push rod completely through the bottom of the tube.
4. Insert rod into seam quickly and keep it moving through the tube so it will not melt and clog the nozzle.
 |
5. Hold the heat gun so the welding nozzle is flat on the floor. Move the heat gun with the rod slowly along the groove with a smooth steady movement to achieve a slight overflow of the welding rod over the grooved seam.
6. Check the weld from time to time to make sure the rod is adhering to the sides of the groove - adjust the temperature as necessary.
 |
7. Before the rod has cooled (5-15 minutes), use a spatula to shave the rod flush with the flooring. Keep the spatula sharp. One pass of the spatula should be sufficient.
NOTE: To sharpen the spatula knife, the trademark always faces up and only the bottom of the knife is sharpened.
|
9 |
Optional Flash Coving |
Equipment Check List
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Installation of Cap Molding/Cove Stick
1. Measure and mark all the walls to be coved at the height specified.
2. Secure the cap molding with contact adhesive or nails (depending on wall construction).
NOTE: Some vinyl caps may need to be sanded on the back.
3. Miter all inside and outside corners of the cove stick.
4. Secure the cove stick tight to the wall and subfloor with contact adhesive, nails or staples.
5. With a rasp, flatten and round all outside corners.
Butterfly Outside Corners : Relief Cuts
1. Cove the Noraplan sheet up the wall on one side of the corner.
2. Make sure the sheet is pressed tight to the cove stick.
3. Make a pencil mark on the back side of the sheet. This mark must start at the top of the cove stick. Extend this mark up the wall.
4. Fold the sheet back and cut a 45° angle to the pencil line.
NOTE: This cut must start at the top of the cove stick.
5. This cut must be made on the same side of the sheet that was fit tight to the cove stick.
6. Place duct or nylon tape at all outside corners to prevent accidental tearing of the sheet.
Wrapped Inside Corners : Relief Cuts
1. Press the sheet into the corner of the cove stick.
2. The material will form a funnel.
NOTE: Use a roller to press the material tight to the cove stick and corner.
3. At the center of the funnel, start the cut at the top of the cove stick (straight up the wall in the corner).
4. One piece will wrap around the corner to the right, the other to the left.
 |
Inside Corners : Final Fit
1. Press one overlapped section of material firmly into the cove stick and inside corner.
2. Start this cut at the top of the cove stick up the wall in the corner.
3. Fit the other overlapped section tight to the cove stick and into the corner.
CAUTION: This wrapped section must be against the wall and under the first section cut.
4. Double cut through the overlap using a utility knife using the 45° angle template.
 |
Outside Butterfly Corners : Final Fit
1. On a rectangular piece of sheet rubber, draw a 90° angle on the back side.
2. Bisect the angle to produce two 45° angles.
3. Place two pennies at the bottom points and draw two circles.
4. At the bottom of the circle, draw a line with a slight curve.
5. Cut out two 45° angles and the slight curved line.
6. On the back of the sheet rubber, remove about 1/2 the thickness of the material, about 1/4 inch wide, with a hand grooving tool.
7. Fold the sheet rubber face out and stretch it slightly at the bottom.
Applying the 410 Acrylic Adhesive to the Wall and Cove Stick
1. Apply the adhesive, with a paint brush, on the cove stick, wall, and under the cap molding.
2. Use scrap pieces of flooring (bent in half) and place them between the wall and flooring. This will allow the adhesive to flash off and prevent adhesion to the wall.
3. After the adhesive has flashed off, press and roll the material into the adhesive.
4. Trim of the excess material at the cap molding, and tuck the material inside the cap and press firmly into place.
Installing Outside Butterfly Corners
 |
1. Apply the 410 acrylic adhesive to the material and on the wall.
2. Place the butterfly corner into position on the wall.
3. Trim the excess material at the cap molding, tuck the material inside the cap, and press firmly into place.
Note: Corners may also be miter cut, if required by owner/specifier.
