Set up Guidelines for Sisal, Sea grass & Coir Flooring
When setting up organic flooring surfaces, you should adhere to some basic recommendations. These components are weaved entirely from natural materials and like most organic material will stretch and contract under different climate and wetness circumstances, much like hardwood surfaces. It is suggested this material be temperature stabilized for one to two days in the installation location before application.
Approved Set up Techniques Direct Stick Glue Installations.
We do not suggest stretch-in installation.
Site Conditions (for all installations) Temperature and Moisture –
Material must be put in when the indoor heat range is between 65-95°F, with a highest possible relative humidity of 65%. If normal temperature ranges are outside these parameters, this type of flooring must not begin until the HVAC system is operational and those circumstances are managed at least 48 hours before, during and 3 days after completion.
Floor Planning
Floor covering must be laid over properly prepared substrates that are appropriate for the particular product and installation method chosen. Concrete floors- even with sufficient setup time, can present an unacceptable wetness situation by enabling excess quantities of moisture to come through slab surface area. This can be a problem on raised slab surfaces. Analyze all cement surfaces for moisture using a calcium moisture test kit. As a common guide, a moisture amount of 3.0 lbs. or less is acceptable.
Examining for Alkalinity, a pH range of 7-9 is satisfactory; a reading above 9 needs restorative actions.
Direct Glue-Down (Complete Exchange of glue required!)
Use a top quality multi-purpose glue. Glue should be spread evenly, using a propagate amount of roughly 7 sq. yrds. per gallon. This needs a 1/8x1/8x1/8” U-notched trowel. The back of these flooring, even with the latex, has a lot of adhesion area. Getting complete contact between the flooring surfaces and the ground needs much more adhesive than common flooring surfaces to complete all the voids created by the structure. Failing to use sufficient adhesive will produce inadequate or loose adhesion to the ground, enabling the content to contract.
Double Glue-Down (Using Professional Dual Glue-Down Padding)
Use a top quality multi-purpose adhesive. Glue should be spread evenly, using a application amount of 5 sq. yrd. per 1 gallon. This requires a 1/8x3/16x1/8” U-notched trowel.
Traffic should be restricted for at the least 1 to 2 days to allow glues to cure properly. Failing to implement sufficient adhesive will produce an inadequate or loose bond to the ground, enabling the flooring to shrink.
Trimming & Seaming These flooring surfaces should be cut from the top using a top cutter to create straight edge to adhere to. Change top cutter blades regularly. They make pros joints, because of the flat-weave design. Cross seams will be more noticeable and should be averted.
General Set up procedures:
1. Dry fit the pre-cut flooring material into the room, aligning the covering so that 3-4 inches wide excess will lap against the walls evenly. Allow the flooring to achieve room temperature for 1 day.
NOTE:
Natural ‘Grass’ flooring usually will contract in length as they achieve room temperature because that is the path of the ‘grain’ of the weave.
2. running seams the length of the grain provide the best results. ‘Always’ cut the factory weaved side off before seaming.
3. Ensure that the trowel notches are large enough for full adhesion’ when the flooring is pushed onto the ground.
4. Protected the sides of the joint with an appropriate joint sealer without getting sealer on surface fibers.
5. It is best to cut down flooring edges as one of the very last steps. This allows the adhesive in the area to start holding the material. Use your trimming tool to get a clean cut along edges. make sure the area is well ventilated providing the adhesive a chance to set properly.
NOTE:
It is assumed that all technicians working with these materials, be knowledgeable with the CRI-104, lowest recommendations for installing commercial flooring surfaces. Many of those recommendations for installation will prove beneficial. We also recommend ‘Certified’ technicians with experience in flat weave flooring surfaces (they require more attention and preparation for an effective installation.)
Prior to Set up, all Material needs to be carefully inspected. All these products are made from ‘Natural’ materials, creating various problems man made materials do not have. it is important to examine all flooring material before cutting. Flooring can not be returned after you cut it.